Archive for September 3rd, 2010

Recently, a resolution was filed by several members of the metro council which opposes the placement of tolls on existing roads and bridges.  This sounds like a great idea and I agree with it in principle.

However, there is a loophole in the language that allows for such a toll.  Section II of this same resolution states that if it is necessary, a toll can, in fact, be placed on existing infrastructure. Such a toll would be used to fund a new downtown bridge.

The existing roads and bridges have already been paid for by your tax dollars.  Asking motorists to pay more money just doesn’t make sense to me.  As your councilman, I want to go on record and state that I will NOT support any plan that calls for tolls on existing roads or bridges.

It is important to me that my constituents are aware that I am looking out their best interest in this struggling economy.  Louisvillians should not be required to pay the price for government mismanagement of their tax dollars.

Again, I will NOT support any plan that calls for tolls on existing roads or bridges.

Use extra caution when traveling on 3^rd Street Road

The Abramson administration has contracted with the Kentucky Department of Highways to maintain all state roads in Jefferson County.  Currently, Metro Public Works is responsible for maintaining state roads, which includes cutting the weeds along Third Street Road.

Our office has received numerous complaints about the tall grass causing a visual obstruction for motorist along this and other state and county roadways.  As you can see from the picture below, the grass is taller than the cars!  This is unsafe for both pedestrians and motorists.

Public Works has informed my office that the grass will be cut sometime after October 11, which is over a month away.  Requests to have this scheduled sooner have been turned down due to the Administration’s budget cuts within the Department of Public Works.

Until the Metro Public Works has the ability to properly maintain these roadways, please remember to slow down and use extreme caution on any road lined with tall weeds.

Please continue calling my office with any requests for public works, and we will continue to monitor their progress.

It is insulting to the taxpayers of this community to know if our yards were allowed to grow out of control like this, the Abramson administration would be there to issue an automatic $100 fine for tall grass.

1. The Grandparent Scam preys on the emotions of seniors who believe a grandchild is in trouble. A local grandparent lost $12,000 when scam artists contacted her, posing as her grandchild in distress seeking money for a supposed arrest in Haiti. If faced with such a call, indicating an emergency situation, BBB advises seniors to verify the identity of the individual, check-out the story with other family members, and be wary of any requests to wire money.

2. Mystery Shopper Scam – Survey Platinum is mailing letters to the local area that contain checks, usually in the amount of $3,500.00, in exchange for participation in a “Mystery Shopping Program.” The letter instructs consumers to cash the check and wire the money to an undisclosed location the consumer obtains by calling a “Training Coordinator” at the phone number provided in the letter. BBB warns that the check is not legitimate and should not be cashed.

3. Colton Financial, a company claiming to be located in Farmington Hills, Mich., informs consumers they are approved for a secured loan for $5,000.00 if they wire a down payment first. Consumers wire the money, never receive the loan, and then are unable to contact anyone with the company. The company has an “F” rating with the BBB for not responding to several complaints. BBB warns consumers to be wary of bogus loan brokers impersonating legitimate lenders.

4. Facebook phishing scams are designed to seize personal information and can lead to identity theft. Beware of the “dislike” button scam, the Free Gift Card scam, and the Fraudulent Status Update scam. Also, the Free Apple iPad scam links consumers to an external site operated by Better-Gifts.net that asks consumers to register for free trial offers. Consumers’ credit cards are charged if the limited-time offers aren’t cancelled on time. BBB recommends consumers avoid these Facebook offers.

5. Military dating scams are surfacing on Internet dating and social networking sites. Scammers pretending to be members of the military are building relationships with women then asking for money. Once the women send the money, they never hear from their Romeos again. BBB warns against sending money to someone you’ve met on a dating site.

6. Door-to-Door scams – BBB recommends exercising caution when hiring companies to do home repairs, driveway re-paving, etc. that solicit business door-to-door. Be wary of companies claiming to have “leftover materials” from a recent neighborhood job and offering services for advance payment. Always research the company first with the BBB at www.bbb.org.

7. Homeowners should use care when choosing a roofing contractor. BBB has received several complaints against American Shingle & Siding Inc.across the South and Mid Atlantic regions. The company often solicits door-to-door and requires homeowners to sign a contract with payment due upfront. Consumers complain that after payment, work is often poorly executed, not completed on-time, or never completed. BBB tips: Get at least three bids, beware of low estimates, and avoid high pressure sales tactics.

8. National Magazine Exchange, a company that appears to go by at least 13 other names, calls consumers to solicit magazine sales and asks for credit card and bank account information. Invitations are also mailed to consumers inviting them to enter the Million Dollar “Strike It Rich” Sweepstakes, a promotion aimed at boosting subscription sales. The company has an “F” rating with the BBB for not responding to several complaints.

9. Beware of Vishing and SMIShing scams! High-tech scammers pose as financial institutions using voicemail and text messages to inform consumers their credit card or bank information has been compromised and their accounts have been drained or closed. Consumers are given a phone number to call for more information. Once they call the number, they’re asked to dial in their credit card number, social security number, PIN or bank account number. BBB warns against giving out financial and personal information via phone.

10. Scholarship Scams – Parents and college students should be wary of private scholarship scams offering “a scholarship guaranteed or your money back.” Legitimate scholarship foundations don’t charge application fees or   ask for credit card or bank account information in order to “hold” a scholarship. Research the foundation or financial institution with the BBB at www.bbb.org.

Inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances may occur, so the information below is strictly of an advisory nature and is subject to change with no notice.

No interstate lane closures September 3-6, 2010 due to the Labor Day Holiday

Pothole patching, sweeping, drain & ditch cleaning, pavement marking, and maintenance crews may work on major interstates in the Louisville Metro area only during non-peak daytime hours and at night.  Motorists should watch for roadside maintenance and pavement marking crews on interstates and highways throughout the rest of the district on a daily basis.

Jefferson County:

Interstate 65: Lane closures and delays possible in both directions between Interstate 264 and the John F. Kennedy Bridge (mile points 130.7 and 136.7) for pavement inspections.  Crews will be working in a mobile operation on Thursday, September 9th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Interstate 264: Lane closures and delays possible at the US 42 underpass (mile point 22.1) and Browns Lane underpass (mile point 18.5) due to bridge painting.  Lane closures are scheduled in the evenings from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following morning and on weekends from 8:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 a.m. on Monday.

Westbound Interstate 64: Lane closures and delays possible between Hurstbourne Parkway and I-264 (mile points 15.0 and 12.2) due construction of auxiliary lane.  Lane closures are scheduled for Wednesday, September 8^th – Friday, September 10th from 7:00 p.m. each evening until 6:00 a.m. the following morning. Motorists should watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.  The speed limit will be reduced to 45 MPH in the work zone.

Interstate 265: Lane closures and delays possible between the Seatonville Road overpass and Taylorsville Road (mile points 18.8 and 23.3).  The roadway may be reduced to one lane weeknights Monday – Thursday from 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following morning. On weekends, lane closures are possible from 7:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 a.m. on Monday. The speed limit in the work zone will be reduced to 55 MPH.

Interstate 64: Construction delays possible between I-265 and the Jefferson/Shelby County line (mile points 18.8 and 23.9) due to roadway widening.  Westbound I-64 traffic lanes are split with permanent barrier wall between the two travel lanes.  All traffic exiting westbound I-64 to I-265 must be in the right lane at the beginning of the lane split.  Motorists should be aware that the shoulders are limited and narrow at the bridge crossings. Lanes will be restricted to 12 feet in width. The speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH in the construction zone and this is a double fine work zone.  Construction is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2010.  As part of this project, Clark Station Road is closed at the I-64 overpass.  The road is closed until November for removal and replacement of the bridge.  Motorists should follow the signed detour via US 60 to Conner Station Road (in Shelby County) to KY 148.

Interstate 264/Interstate 64 interchange: Shoulder closures and delays possible on westbound I-264 at the ramp to westbound I-64 approaching the Sherman Minton Bridge (mile point 0.1) due to ramp replacement:

US 31W (West Main Street and South 22^nd Street): Lane closures and delays possible between US 150 and South 6^th Street (mile points 19.5 and 21.7) due to sidewalk ramp repairs.  Lane closures are scheduled weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Lane closures are also possible on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

US 31 (Clark Memorial Bridge): Lane closures possible from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. due to bridge repairs.

US 60A (Lexington Road): Lane closures and delays possible between Alta Vista Road and US 60 (mile points 8.7 and 10.5) due to roadway resurfacing.  Lane closures are scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

KY 146: Lane closures and delays possible near Interstate 265 between Nelson Miller Parkway and Springs Station Road (mile points 6.9 and 7.8) due to construction of turning lanes.  No lane closures are permitted weekdays from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p. m. until 6:00 p.m.

KY 155 (Taylorsville Road): Lane closures and delays possible at the intersection with Landherr Drive (mile point 8.2) due to construction of the Blankenbaker Parkway extension.

KY 155 (Taylorsville Road): Lane closures and delays possible between Pee Wee Reese Road and Broadmeade Road (mile points 15.6 and 16.1) due to sidewalk installation.  Lane closures scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

KY 864 (Poplar Level Road): Lane closures and delays possible between Interstate 264 and Eastern Parkway (mile points 11.3 and 13.7) due to median repairs.  Work will occur from 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10^th 6:00 a.m. September 13th.

KY 913 (Blankenbaker Parkway): Lane closures and delays possible at the intersection with Blankenbaker Access Drive (mile point 0.9) due to roadway construction.

KY 1447 (Westport Road): Lane closures and delays possible between Hubbards Lane and I-264 (mile points 0.9 and 1.9) due to roadway widening.  Speed limit on Westport Road has been reduced to 25 MPH in the construction zone.

KY 1631 (Fern Valley Road): Lane closures and delays possible between Signature Drive and Industrial Boulevard due to sidewalk installation.  Lane closures scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

KY 2051 (Rockford Lane): Lane closures and delays possible between Dover Road and Cane Run Road (mile points 1.4 and 1.9) due to sidewalk installation.  Lane closures scheduled daily from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Wood Road (CS 1020): Roadway is closed at the bridge over the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek, 0.2 miles north of Whipps Mill Road due to bridge replacement. Motorists should follow the signed detour via Lyndon Lane.

Thursday September 16 at 7:00 PM.

Auditorium/Old Gym.

Enter at rear door on cafeteria side.

This is the first Annual Membership Meeting.  Please come and be part of Valley High School’s history. The new Board of Directors will be the first elected by its members.

Principal Gary Hurt will be a guest speaker.

Refreshments will be served and there will be time to mingle with other Alumni.  This meeting is open to all Alumni so forward this notice to your classmates.

We ask you to reply if you plan to attend: vhsalumni@aol.com

Visit the Alumni Website: www.valleyalumniassociation.org

Leona Reardon, David Hittle, Earl Wilhelm Jr. | Communication & Events Committee