Lexington, KY - We were so pleased with the turnout for our second 5th District-wide meeting on Feb. 22.
Over 75 constituents came out to meet and greet one another and interact with our line-up of speakers. Mayor Newberry brought greetings as well as vice mayor Gray, and council members Linda Gorton and Chuck Ellinger. Many neighborhood associations were represented from all across the district.
Commissioner of Public Works Mike Webb discussed the snow removal plan in detail. As you might imagine, our office has been inundated with calls regarding snow plowing and salting. Although I really hope we are getting past the season, if in the future you have a particular area of concern, please call 311. Public works will send a supervisor out to "spot check" areas that might have been missed. This does not guarantee the area will be serviced, but they want to be diligent in making decisions to protect public safety when it comes to slick roads.
I am particularly grateful for the Lexington Police Department for sending our central and east sector commanding officers to the meeting to discuss public safety and crime in the 5th District. In the past year our office worked with the police department on increased patrols and an investigation in one of our neighborhoods resulting in the arrest of four individuals accounting for over 75 burglaries in the neighborhood. Currently we are working with the police on issues in a 5th District apartment complex. Thanks to their hard work, 38 citations and 12 arrests have been made over the last month. There is much more to do, but I am grateful for their prompt response after constituents made us aware of the problems.
David Jarvis, director of code enforcement, also spoke to the group. A large number of calls we receive concern code violations in our neighborhoods. Can you believe, beginning in March or April, they receive over 5,000 calls each month about grass above the ordinance-mandated height, 12 inches? Other frequently reported violations include overgrown trees or shrubbery blocking sidewalks, broken or uneven sidewalks, uncleared sidewalks during snow, junked vehicles, improperly stored trash, and trash containers remaining on the curb after pickup. These are all subject to citations when reported to 311.
Lastly, Kenzie Gleason from the planning department presented an update on the Tates Creek sidewalk project. If all goes according to plan, sidewalk construction on both sides of Tates Creek from The Enclave to Lansdowne Shoppes should begin in Summer 2011. This summer the planning department will be holding public meetings for all property owners in the area. We will keep you posted on those meeting details.
The police department, code enforcement and others continue to urge you to call them - or call our office - to report a problem that you have or see. Too often, residents think someone else will report problems, and it goes untended. While your government does its best, our constituents are our eyes and ears in the trenches. We really rely on you. Please call 311 to let us know when there's a problem so we can help. We truly want to help make your lives better and safer.