How can Louisville neighborhoods and neighborhood leaders begin to have any influence in Frankfort?

By Jack Trawick
Executive Director, Center For Neighborhoods

The question brings to mind lobbyists wandering the halls of the State Capitol, horse trading for votes on bills that are impossible for a regular person to understand.  "Influence" in this case means "access," which for most of us seems remote, confusing, political, Old Boy, and altogether BEYOND our sphere of influence.  We don't choose to get involved, because it's simply too difficult to comprehend, and we don't think we could make a difference even if we tried.

We've heard about the budget shortfall in Frankfort - $100 million for the year, give or take.  We haven't heard much talk about the other 90% of the state's budget, which totals $9 billion annually.  Regardless, how can Louisville neighborhoods and neighborhood leaders have any influence over State spending, when all the decisions are made 50 miles away, and money, though huge, always seems so incredibly tight?  And, after all, why should we seek to influence something that really doesn't affect our neighborhood one way or the other?

We ask you these questions, because what goes on in Frankfort does make a difference to our neighborhoods, whether or not we can see it right in front of us when we walk out the door.  And, as the old saying goes, as long as you do things the way you've always done them, you'll probably always get the same result.  Put another way, as long as you don't get involved with What Goes On In Frankfort in any way whatsoever, you can't get anything you really care about to ever be addressed, or the State's money to be spent any differently - least of all for the better.

New governor Steve Beshear has opened a door - a "silver lining," he calls it.  "This (budget) crisis" said the Governor on January 15, "can indeed be a positive turning point for Kentucky! The status quo is not an option and it is not one my administration will tolerate. Yes, a severe challenge does confront us. A challenge for all of us to broaden our thinking, to consider new ideas and work together in moving Kentucky forward."

The Center For Neighborhoods has joined with Kentucky Youth Advocates and Metro United Way to take the Governor at his word - starting with leaders who know that involvement in their neighborhoods and partnerships with all forms of government are ultimately what can make our community a better place.  The three of us - KYA, CFN and United Way - are hosting a meeting at United Way on Thursday, January 31^st from 6 to 7:30, inviting Louisville neighborhoods to a conversation on a community issue of vital importance to us all: the health, the safety, and the future prosperity of our youngest citizens, our children - kids in the neighborhood, kids all over town, kids throughout the Commonwealth.  KYA and United Way have together crafted a "Blueprint for Kentucky's Children" focusing on basic health care, on dental care, on early childhood learning, and more and better access to daycare for those whom KYA has long called "our most vulnerable citizens" (My 13-year-old daughter reminded me just this morning, not joking, that "kids have no rights in an adult world.") 

As Ben Franklin said "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  So it is with investing in kids.  We can attend to their basic needs today in ways that nurture them toward health and opportunity as adults; or we can ignore Mr. Franklin's wisdom and let kids pay the price.  While this all makes sense, good sense has not always been plentiful in the halls of the government.  Your involvement on this front is eagerly sought on January 31st - as civic leaders who believe that involvement really does matter toward making this a better place for all of us. 

Kentucky's kids need us to represent them in Frankfort, so that their voice can indeed be heard.

Community forum on the

"Blueprint for Kentucky 's Children"

• Is KCHIP health insurance working for your children?
• How can we get dental care coverage for kids, too?
• Could tax credits help more families afford quality child care?
• Increase child care subsidies so more children can stay in quality child care!
• Are you worried about check cashing fees and predatory lending in your neighborhood?

CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AND TAX RELIEF

Together we can make it happen.
You are invited to participate in a community forum on the
"Blueprint for Kentucky 's Children"

• Find the connection between what you care about in your life and the State's policies
• Lend your voice to the current and future legislative processes to help our children, families, and neighborhoods
• Come learn why the Blueprint for Children is being developed, how your input is critical to that process, and how you can support it

Event Details

Thursday January 31st
6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.

Metro United Way
334 E. Broadway

Food will be provided

Please contact Lynn at 292-6200 or lynn.smith@metrounitedway.org
for child care or transportation assistance.

Sponsored by

Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol

Take your voice directly to Frankfort !!!
February 7 th is Children's Advocacy Day at the Capitol  

A chance for you to join hundreds of other people from across the state to make children a priority in Frankfort !!!

For more information on Children's Advocacy Day call 895-8167 or visit www.kyyouth.org

Spring 2008 Neighborhood Institute
Off to a great Start!

Last week's first class session at the NIA Center was a packed house! 

45 people are signed up for the class.

Thank you to all the alumni who attended Tuesday evening to welcome our incoming class.

The guest presenter at last week's class was Judy Schroeder of Metro United Way.  Judy gave an energetic presentation that helped to kick off what's going to be a wonderful class!

• Visit the Spring 2008 Class Page
  

Center For Neighborhoods is pleased to officially announce the start of an exciting new program!

The Rehab Train Institute is open to staff and board members of non-profit housing development organizations (CHDO's).

Program Contact

Mary Mayrose
Director of Community Development
502-589-0343
marym@centerforneighborhoods.org

General Information

Session 3
COMPLIANCE & OTHER MATTERS
April 16, 17, 18

Location
To be determined, based on class size.

Time
Each class session is three (3) days in length, running from 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Cost
$20.00 registration fee. Please make checks payable to "Center For Neighborhoods".

Syllabus

Session 1 - March 5, 6, 7
RULES AND REGULATIONS

·  What's the law?
·  What do I do about asbestos?
·  What do I do about lead paint?
·  How much lead paint is there on the property?
·  What's the HUD continuum of these requirements?
·  How are regular (for-profit) contractors dealing with lead paint issues?
·  What's the relationship between CHDO proceeds and this work?
·  What about floor plan/design/space planning issues in the residence?
·  What are the zoning and planning issues on this property?
·  How do I go about accomplishing these tasks?

Session 2 - March 26, 27, 28
COST AND BUDGETING

·  Walk thru of a property and do a cost assessment of property in class
·  What's the neighborhood perspective?
·  What's the view from 50,000 feet?
·  What tools are available on the web?
·  How do we access these tools on the web?
·  Hands-on class using these web based tools
·  Compare 5 projects - homework ahead of time for participants

Session 3 - April 16, 17, 18
COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS OF REHAB WORK

·  Can Non-CHDOs use HOME funds?
·  Who has access to HUD funds in general?
·  How do you get approval for funds and then how do you get funding in general?
·  What's up with AHTF?
·  Can we use AHTF dollars for Rehab projects?
·  What can we do without HOME money?
·  How to install "Lead-Safe" windows/practices
·  How to perform "Lead-Safe" practices in building construction
·  Share stories of rehab and other property acquisition experiences
·  Al Spotts - New Directions: What's warm, safe and dry?
·  How to recognize a Meth House
·  How to deal with other types of hazardous waste problems
·  What are the environmental requirements?
·  How to deal with & solve environmental problems, in general.
·  How to get vacant structures
·  What does the city do to help a nonprofit get a property?

Sponsor

In Partnership With

On January 15th, 2008, Center For Neighborhoods convened a community lunch conversation about the possibility of establishing an Arts and Technology Center in Louisville. The meeting was hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch.

Above Photo: Mary Mayrose (left) Center For Neighborhoods
Georgina Gutierrez (right) National Center For Arts & Technology

At the lunch conversation, Georgina Gutierrez (Vice President of the National Center for Arts & Technology), presented a general overview of the National Center for Arts and Technology, described their conceptual model, discussed Bill Strickland's vision, and highlighted the facilities that have been established in Pittsburgh. Ms. Gutierrez also explained the "next steps" that Louisville would take in moving forward with becoming a replication site of the National Center for Arts & Technology.

Handouts from the Meeting

• Bidwell Training Center & Manchester Craftsman's Guild - Summary (PDF)
• National Center for Arts & Technology - At a Glance (PDF)
• National Center for Arts & Technology - Affiliates (PDF)
• National Center for Arts & Technology - Phases (PDF)
• National Center for Arts & Technology - Feasibility Phase (PDF)

Photos from the Lunch Conversation on January 15th, 2008

• Launch Photo Gallery (opens new window)

Next Steps for Louisville
In the coming months, Center For Neighborhoods will convene a second meeting to consist of a facilitated community discussion about establishing an Arts and Technology Center in Louisville. This facilitated discussion will touch on topics such as identification of stakeholders, fundraising for the feasibility study, how an Arts and Technology Center in Louisville might function (programs, focus, training, etc...), and a wish list of potential locations. The feasibility study will allow Louisville to take a clear and detailed look at services, programs and similar opportunities existing in Louisville. As well as gathering feedback from the community on programming offerings at a Louisville site.

Center For Neighborhoods is organizing a "field trip" to the Arts and Technology Center in Cincinnati. More details will be posted soon.

Background
The National Center for Arts & Technology

The National Center for Arts & Technology (NCAT) supports the national replication of the model for learning and community development created by the Manchester Bidwell organizations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Through its programs, the Manchester Bidwell organizations annually touch the lives of hundreds of adult career education students, thousands of public school students, and countless members of the community. Demand from cities throughout the nation has resulted in Manchester Bidwell creating a national replication strategy that will enable the development of a significant number of arts and technology centers in communities across the United States. NCAT provides the opportunity to broaden Bill Strickland's vision of creating healthy communities through culture and enterprise.

Check out the other cities that are successfully replicating the National Center for Arts & Technology model:

• Cincinnati, OH
  Cincinnati Arts & Technology Center
• Grand Rapids, MI
  West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology
• San Francisco, CA
  Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts & Technology

Get Involved!

We will be posting details and information on this web page as they develop. If you would like to receive updates and information via email, please contact Hallie Jones (see below).

Take part in the conversation!
Please contact Hallie Jones.
Phone: 502.589.0343
Email: halliej@centerforneighborhoods.org