Lexington, KY - Believe it or not, there is a downside to spring. Even though March was officially Severe Storm Awareness Month in Kentucky, the National Weather Service reports that since 1953, the prime months for storms include April, May and June. Please make sure your family has a place and a plan to deal with storms -
a safe place for shelter and a plan of action when storms come.
You can find lots of information and helpful guidelines for storm preparedness at www.kyem.ky.gov/weather.
Sewer work begins again
At long last Lexington is beginning to solve problems associated with our aging sewer infrastructure. For those of us in the 5th Council District, work will begin at the West Hickman water shed, since it is the beginning point for everything associated with our sewer system.
Work begins this year with a new sewer line across the former Lexington Mall property. The project will relocate the sewer from under the present mall structure to the property line between Home Depot and the Southland Christian Church. That area of the 5th District is the head waters of the West Hickman water shed and 7.5 miles from the treatment facility.
Literally and figuratively, this "top down" approach will dictate the order in which work will be done throughout the process. We will be "following the water," and I will keep you advised as to what the next steps will be.
Getting a prudent, common sense budget is job No. 1
Budget work is underway both to balance this year's budget shortfall and next year's imbalance.
It looks like the amount we may have to withdraw from the "rainy day" fund can be reduced with some additional current year income, a hard hiring freeze and other operational changes. As a member of the Budget Committee, one of my priorities is to reduce that amount even more, but winter weather expenses still have to be factored in.
What to do to cover the $25 million shortfall in the 2012 budget is at center stage right now. The council will again split up into three-person "link" teams to cover the entire budget in depth. Compliments are extended to former 5th District Council representative Dr. David Stevens who first championed the use of this system. It's a good one, and it works.
Before the links begin their work, I have asked the council to hold a budget workshop so we can meet as a group to discuss priorities. I think a face-to-face meeting at the start will help facilitate our work on the budget.
Strong neighborhood associations benefit the 5th District
There are 31 unique neighborhood associations active in the 5th Council District, and each one plays a valuable role in making our community stronger.
One of the most valuable benefits of strong neighborhood associations and neighborhood leadership is their ability to facilitate communications between citizens and local governments.
I am working to create a 5th District Neighborhood Leadership Council made up of the association presidents (or their designees) with whom I can meet regularly to discuss issues important to our district.
I also feature neighborhood association news in my weekly 5th District Newsletter. I encourage all of the associations to contact my office with information you would like included in the newsletter (e-mail jgies@lexingtonky.gov or call 258-3213).
Bill Farmer, Jr. Is the 5th District council representative. He can be reached at (859) 258-3212, by e-mail at bfarmer@lexingtonky.gov, or by fax at (859) 259-3838. Letters may be addressed to: Councilmember Bill Farmer, Urban County Council,200 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507.