March 8th, 2021
5th District Newsletter
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Hello Neighbors,
The budget process is now in full-swing! Beginning on Monday, February 22nd, 2021, each of our City's divisions presented their budgetary needs to the Mayor's administration. I attended each presentation held until Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021, in order to gain a better grasp of the valuable work done across government and the needs that our divisions have to continue that work in the next fiscal year.
The Mayor's administration is scheduled present her proposed budget on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021. Councilmembers will then breakout into subcommittees (called "Links") to more effectively divide the work on the vital task of finalizing the budget by mid June; I've been assigned to the General Government link. The allocation of your tax dollars is a responsibility I take very seriously. We have an obligation to live within our means, pass a responsible and well-rounded budget, while always looking towards the future and creating a Lexington that everyone can be proud to call home.
After the winter storms that we recently endured, I've been working with various neighborhoods to repair damaged asphalt, replace downed signs, and meeting with neighborhood associations to discuss ongoing projects. My office is also coordinating with a resident-driven cleanup effort along the railroad tracks in the Kenwick neighborhood; I'll relay more information about this effort as updates become available.
In addition to attending the budget presentations and addressing the concerns of constituents, I've been hard at work with 4th District Councilmember Susan Lamb and other stakeholders to prepare the LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Protection Ordinance. This ordinance would protect our youth from the harmful and discredited practice known as "conversion therapy" by any state-licensed provider. A presentation and discussion about the proposed ordinance will occur at tomorrow's General Government and Social Services Committee meeting. The Committee will determine next steps at that time.
I look forward to these continued conversations, and remain humbled by the trust you have placed in me to do this work. As I've said before, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any concerns!
Meetings to add to your calendar in the upcoming weeks:
- Tuesday, March 9th, 2021: *Rescheduled* Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee meeting from 11:00am-1:00pm
- Tuesday, March 9th, 2021: General Government & Social Services Committee meeting from 1:00pm-3:00pm
- Tuesday, March 9th, 2021: Council Work Session from 3:00pm-5:00pm
- Thursday, March 11th, 2021: Council Meeting begins at 6:00pm
- Tuesday, March 16th, 2021: Budget, Finance & Economic Development meeting from 1:00pm-3:00pm
- Tuesday, March 16th, 2021: Council Work Session from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Take Care,
Liz
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DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES
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Recently, I toured the Division of Youth Services campus on Harry Sykes Way with Director Stephanie Hong. We spent two hours touring and discussing the programming at the Audrey Grevious Center and the work done at the Juvenile Probation office. The incredible efforts that she oversees to improve the lives of our young people and their families is an invaluable asset to the city of Lexington. Our city is blessed with a team of dedicated professionals that work tirelessly to assist some of our most at-risk youth.
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As part of the Mayor's LexDoThis! campaign, I've been distributing posters throughout the District to help raise awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated when you're able to. Lexington has recently began vaccinating group 1C (anyone age 60 or older, anyone age 16 or older with CDC highest risk COVID-19 risk conditions, and all essential workers). Until we have reached sufficient vaccination levels it is still very important to continue masking, social distancing, and washing our hands often!
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When it's your turn, get your safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine! Supplies of vaccine doses are steadily increasing and more vaccination sites are opening. I know that many Lexington residents are eager to get their "shot of hope." You can join the "Lex Do This!" campaign by sharing on social media why you'll be getting vaccinated! Use the hashtag #LexDoThis! to help raise awareness.
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REMEMBERING COUNCILMEMBER JAKE GIBBS
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From Anita Courtney: "Jake Gibbs, former 3rd District Council member, loved many things in life but books were always at the top of the list. His career teaching history and logic at Bluegrass Community College and the completion of the 722-page Little Blue Book bibliography were devoted to helping people learn and think critically. It helps soften our sorrow to carry on his legacy.
To honor Jake Gibbs we invite you to bring books to some of his favorite haunts the week of his birthday. The books will be delivered to International Book Project (IBP), a great organization that distributes books locally and abroad. We’re putting the word out now so you have time to cull through your books."
WHERE: Drop off books at Good Foods Co-op, High Street YMCA, Sav’s Restaurant, 3rd Street Stuff, Cup of Commonwealth and W 6th Brewing
WHEN: March 14-21
WHAT KIND OF BOOKS: Adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction; English, math, science and medical textbooks, dictionaries, thesaurus, complete encyclopedia sets before 2000, books in Spanish
SPECIAL NEEDS: Children’s board books
WHAT BOOKS CAN’T BE ACCEPTED: IBP does not accept self-help books, cookbooks, gardening books, religious books
CONDITION OF BOOKS: Please don’t bring books with broken bindings, excessive writing or underlining, or torn, yellow or missing pages
HOW TO PACKAGE BOOKS: In boxes or bags that weigh 15 pounds or less
HOW MANY: If you have more than 20 books, please make an appointment to bring them to International Book Project.
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On Friday, March 5th, 2021, we gathered to celebrate the life of former 3rd District Councilmember Jake Gibbs. The Mayor was joined by Jakes's family, friends, Councilmembers, and members of the Downtown Lexington Management District Board to unveil a memorial plaque in Jake's honor. The plaque is located outside of Alfalfa, the restaurant Jake once co-owned, and the Downtown Arts Center on Main Street in downtown Lexington. Read more about the moving remembrance and celebration of Jake's life here.
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"Kick off the running season and join us for the 15th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 3K presented by CLARK and Stantec! Benefiting Lexington Habitat for Humanity, this year’s race features the same great cause alongside new possibilities...
Your favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition is now a hybrid event! Shufflers have the option to complete a virtual race from anywhere, March 13 – March 31, or join us in person on March 13. The in-person race will be professionally chip timed. The virtual race will allow self-submission of times.
In-person shufflers will join us in the heart of thoroughbred country at Fasig-Tipton this year! While we’ll miss Downtown Lexington, this temporary venue change will allow us to social distance using wave starts every 10 minutes, beginning at 9am. Shufflers choose their start time when registering
For more information on what race day will look like, see 2021 Race Guidelines."
Click here to register!
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DRIVE THRU LENTEN FISH FRY
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The Cathedral of Christ the King's Knight of Columbus are hosting drive thru (only) fish fries on Fridays outside of Hehman Hall. Meals of fried fish, hushpuppies, fries, and coleslaw are $8 per order. There are signs around the property to direct you!
Although the first event scheduled for Friday, February 19th was canceled due to winter weather, these meals will continue each week until Friday, March 26th, 2021.
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COVID-19 TESTING SITES THROUGHOUT LEXINGTON
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While there is a steadily increasing supply of vaccinations, it is important that we continue to be tested. Many cases of COVID-19 are characterized by mild to no symptoms, meaning we could still be spreading the virus unknowingly. Take advantage of the free COVID testing available in Lexington. Find information about current COVID-19 testing locations by visiting the City website.
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Visit the City's vaccine website to find the most up-to-date information on how and where to obtain your COVID-19 vaccination. There is widespread interest from residents in Lexington to get their doses of the vaccine; all levels of government are working diligently to get these "shots of hope" into the arms of everyone as quickly as possible. Until we have the vast majority of people vaccinated it is still important to wear our masks, keep our distance, and wash our hands often.
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL MOVE TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
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During our Council meeting on Thursday, February 25th, 2021, the Council unanimously approved Mayor Linda Gorton's resolution to allow local businesses to deduct expenses paid by Paycheck Protection Program funds from their local net profit taxes. This relief could save local businesses on average $2,500 in tax payments.
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INCREASED FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HOUSING STABILIZATION PROGRAM
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"Since the start of the pandemic, the City has already invested $4,025,786 in rental assistance through several programs to help 1,472 local families.
The expanded program will build on that, assisting with overdue rent and utility payments and possible future payments for citizens within federal eligible income guidelines who have lost income because of the pandemic." (Click the image to read the full 02-17-2021 press release from the City.)
If you or someone you know needs rental or utility assistance due to lost income from the COVID-19 crisis, please apply here. Approved applicants will be eligible for 100% of past-due rent, dating back to April of 2020, and up to three months of future payments. These funds are also available to landlords.
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FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WANTS YOUR FEEDBACK
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"Fayette County Public Schools is searching for a new leader after the death of Superintendent Manny Caulk, who led the district for five years. Members of the Fayette County Board of Education are committed to collaborating with our community and working as a team to find the best candidate to shepherd our district into the future. This webpage, as the search information hub, will be updated throughout the process."
The School Board is seeking community feedback about the selection of our next Superintendent. The online survey closes on Saturday, March 13th, 2021.
Key dates for the selection process are:
- April 23: Search firm and screening committee review the leading prospects and select candidates for the interview phase
- April 29-30: Round 1 interviews conducted by the search firm and the screening committee
- May 14: Screening committee determines which candidates to recommend to the school board
P.S. With our schools beginning to reopen in phases, be sure to give yourself a little bit more time in your morning and afternoon commute if your route takes you past any of the schools in our district.
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UK BREAKS GROUND ON COLDSTREAM RESEARCH CAMPUS
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Tuesday, February 23rd 2021, "representatives from the University of Kentucky, the Woodbury Corporation and state and local officials broke ground on what will soon become a home for early stage, high-tech companies from across Kentucky.
The new $15 million development on UK’s Coldstream Research Campus will offer these early stage companies office and laboratory space in an environment where they can further develop and commercialize their products and services."
Read more here or by clicking the above image!
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"When difficult situations arise, an individual’s habitual ways of thinking about them often unknowingly make things worse. During the next Commerce Lexington Inc. @330 Series event on Monday, March 15, from 3:30 - 4:30, via Zoom, Dr. Janelle McNeal from True North Counseling & Development will will help participants take back control of their personal and professional life by teaching them how to utilize the latest psychological research about mindset to help navigate the stumbling blocks many people face. Dr. Janelle McNeal is the owner and director of True North Counseling & Development, a psychology private practice in the Hamburg area of Lexington. Her ultimate goal is for people to achieve clarity, peace, and the confidence to live the life they’ve dreamed of as a result of their experience at True North."
Register for the free Zoom event here!
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LEXINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT IS HIRING
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The Lexington Fire Department is accepting applications for the position of Fire Fighter until Wednesday, March 31st, 2021. Review requirements and apply here!
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PARKS & RECREATION IS HIRING
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If you or anyone you know would like to work as a lifeguard this summer, review qualifications and apply here!
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LFUCG BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES
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Joining a board or commission is a great way to have your voices heard on local issues that matter to you. If you're looking for a way to give back and help to shape the direction of Lexington's future, I encourage you to review this list and apply! You'll find the current list of vacancies for the City's boards and commissions, application deadlines/requirements, and meeting schedules.
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