Lexington, KY - The holidays and New Year have been eventful and the council office continues to be busy. But before moving on, we're taking one step back. Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate, has long been a gem in the district, but a series of 2011 events -- including a historic panel discussion featuring the current and former Speakers of the House and a well-received wine tasting on the lawn -- took it to new levels. The holiday event featuring the 106-foot tree lighting was also well-attended and a spectacular success. Returning from a post-holiday trip, the 5th District was in plain view from the descending airplane in which I was traveling. In the fresh evening light, the newly-lit tree was the talk of the flight, as it stood out framed in the darkness of the estate -- magnificent.
The guiding force behind the many successes of the estate recently goes to executive director Debra Korb, who has been on the job at Ashland for almost two years. Her talents and leadership brought her to us, and now, as she will soon be moving to Baltimore with her husband, we lose a great advocate for the estate and our district. Please take the opportunity to tell her what a great job she has done. While she hasn't been here long enough to wear out her welcome, she will be missed.
State of the Merged Government
As I write to you, the mayor has delivered his State of the Merged Government address, and the first 2013 Budget Retreat and Workshop is imminent. I will have much more to say here next month --
for now, know that I will continue to make sure we live in safe neighborhoods, protected by police and fire professionals. Where efficiencies can be found, we will save more tax dollars. Where tough decisions need to be made, I will stay in contact with you to know the will of those I serve. In the end, when tough choices are made, I will give decision details so we can all be partners in the 236-year-old success that Lexington is.
Carnegie Center a Resource
for the 5th District
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Neil Chethik, executive director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, and he informed me that based on visitor information, residents of 5th District make up the largest group of the center's program participants from all of Lexington. This speaks volumes for the district, both for those who pledge their time to volunteer with the center's programs and for those who attend the various seminars and classes the Carnegie Center has to offer. (Editor's note: be sure to check out page 12 for more information about Mr. Chethik and the Carnegie Center's programming.)
Spring will soon be upon us, and the center has scheduled several classes that will help hone your writing skills. The center's theme this spring can be summed up in four words: get your book published. Upcoming offerings include a series of Saturday seminars devoted to assisting established and aspiring authors. To register for these workshops or for the upcoming Books-in-Progress Conference, visit www.carnegiecenterlex.org or call (859) 254-4175. If there are other groups or organizations like the Carnegie Center you would like to know more about, please let me know.