As I write this, there is a nip in the air and fall, soon to be winter, is here. The change of seasons in Kentucky is one of our assets that I especially enjoy.
A transportation grant for sidewalks on Tates Creek Road from Lakewood to New Circle was awarded to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG). With the appropriation of matching funds in the city's FY09 budget, sidewalks may be constructed along both sides of the road in the public right of way. The engineering division is preparing for a public meeting later this month with possible scenarios of how and where the sidewalks would be constructed. Some property owners are opposed to the project and will have the opportunity to voice their opposition before any final decisions are made. Some have contacted the council, and the 5th District candidates are ready to express their opposition. Petitions have been circulated and will be reviewed. Once particulars of the meeting are determined, they will be advertised and property owners on Tates Creek and along the corridor will be directly notified. For reasons of public safety alone, I believe the sidewalk is necessary.
Also, the creek along Richmond Road-from Chinoe Road east to the firehouse near Kentucky American Water Company-that has been overgrown and filled with litter will be the subject of a cleanup. The Corridors Committee will arrange a partnership between the city and volunteers to remove litter and undesired vegetation and replace the latter with appropriate vegetation. Property owners have agreed to maintain the creek once it is cleaned. The volunteer day will be Saturday, Nov. 22. The Blue Grass Council of the Boy Scouts of America will furnish workers but other volunteers are needed. To sign up, please contact Mary Tackett at 258-3200.
The Clean Air Ordinance, first passed in 2003, has been well accepted by the majority of the residents and visitors to our city. However, some problems of enforcement have occurred and will be addressed by amendments under consideration at this time. All workplaces will be included as well as all LFUCG buildings and vehicles. Public transportation vehicles such as buses and taxis will also be included. The ordinance will be on the docket for a second reading and passage at the Nov. 6 meeting of the council. The final draft is available to the public by e-mail or US mail if requested.
The Lexington Fayette-University of Kentucky Arboretum on Alumni Drive has been raising money from the public for the Children's Garden, a two-acre garden dedicated to education and the joy of gardening. It is now under construction and will cost about $1.3 million. The Friends of the Arboretum have been seeking donations and have appointed a committee to help garner the funds. Dorotha Oatts and I co-chair the committee and so far we have $1.025 million in pledges and gifts. The fund drive will now go public. Donations and in-kind gifts of materials and construction work will be welcome. Ecton Park pavilion work is ongoing and the new entrance to Johnson Heights Park off Liberty Road is now complete.
My term is officially over at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, and I will write one more column. Thanks to Smile Pete for publishing this piece every month as I know many read it and let me know when I make a mistake or when the reader disagrees. I urge you to vote on Nov. 4, as this election seems especially important this year both for our nation and for the 5th District. The two candidates are both able and willing to represent you on the city council. The choice is yours.