meeting with the mayor

Anyone heard about a meeting today with the mayor and several local restaurant owner/operators?

I'd be kind of surprised if he had a meeting like this since he's got so many problems with the unions over the budget. He may be concerned about the restaurants on the budget certainly has to take priority right now.

It ALL matters. When businesses close and employees lose their jobs revenues are down. Less tax money in the city coffers.

They can meet all they want but there's not much that Mayor Jerry can do.

They can meet all they want but there's not much that Mayor Jerry can do.

We shall see.

We all know that Mayor Jerry will do anything he can for big companies but does very little for the other end of the scale. I don't think this is going to change just because of a budget crisis. He'll work hard to keep the big companies from cutting jobs and to get other companies to move here but I highly doubt he'd go out of his way to save a restaurant (unless it's one he likes). He's all about his personal visibility and public image.

We seem to be a bit off topic from "intelligent discussion of the local restaurant scene and just about any other topic related to food and drink in and around Louisville." I move that we return to restaurant discussion
Sincerely,
Rep. Jon K (D- Cream and Butter)

[Robin Garr]

We seem to be a bit off topic from "intelligent discussion of the local restaurant scene and just about any other topic related to food and drink in and around Louisville." I move that we return to restaurant discussion
Sincerely,
Rep. Jon K (D- Cream and Butter)

Some of the responses haven't really added much, Jon, but if Mayor Jerry IS meeting with restaurant people from around town, that would be news all right, and something I'd like to see reported here. Preferably from someone who knows. So as far as that goes, the topic is on topic.

Robin wrote "Some of the responses haven't really added much, Jon, but if Mayor Jerry IS meeting with restaurant people from around town, that would be news all right, and something I'd like to see reported here. Preferably from someone who knows. So as far as that goes, the topic is on topic."

Ah, there is that "IF". So far the meeting appears to be just rumor. The original posting was "has anyone heard..?" which strikes me as a rumor. However, looks like my motion fails for lack of a second.
Sincerely,
Jon K (D-Cream and Butter)

Robin wrote "Some of the responses haven't really added much, Jon, but if Mayor Jerry IS meeting with restaurant people from around town, that would be news all right, and something I'd like to see reported here. Preferably from someone who knows. So as far as that goes, the topic is on topic."

Ah, there is that "IF". So far the meeting appears to be just rumor. The original posting was "has anyone heard..?" which strikes me as a rumor. However, looks like my motion fails for lack of a second.
Sincerely,
Jon K (D-Cream and Butter)

Even if the meeting is only an "if proposition," discussing the standing of independent restaurants in the Louisville area, especially in the Mayor's eyes, seems to be an important topic for this forum. If anyone has specific details of the meeting, that would surely add detail that could take the conversation off in a different (and arguably) more productive direction.

I agree with Mark. R in regards to the Mayor's bias toward big business, but I think there's also a space for small businesses in Louisville, and the Mayor should be very aware of this. Now, I don't think he is going to do anything to help any single business, but he should at least remain interested and invested in independent businesses as a whole. A certain degree of Louisville's travel and commerce reputation is built on claims regarding the role of independent restaurants in our city (do you ever hear much about how great a city Cincy is to dine in?). This reputation becomes even more important at certain times such as Derby, when visitors want to dine and be seen at the local hot spots (Proof, Jack Fry's, Seviche etc.). Small businesses, as a whole, also represent employment opportunities and tax generation that does add up to something.

Keeping a temperature on the status of independent restaurants would seem to be a productive use of the Mayor's time. Now, time will only tell if he can or will do anything in terms of providing some form of relief (what can he do really?) but I do think he is plenty aware of the roll that independent restaurants play in the city's reputation, marketing, and popular entertainment (trolley hops, entertainment corridors such as Baxter, etc.)

Why would Jer meet with anyone as lowly as a group of restaurant owners?

He doesn't care about us.

He's the Blago of Louisville and one day soon he won't be mayor anymore.

Can anyone say Cordish kickback?

Can anyone say Cordish kickback?

That's the only possible reason he'd meet with local restaurant owners. He might be trying to strongarm them into committing to move into the new Cordish development or 4th Street Live. They're probably having a hard time getting potential candidates for the development and his kick back is based on the profits generated.

I think it is lame, and ill-advised, that Abramson won't tap Louisville's rainy day fund for the current financial shortfall.

If it isn't for something like the current situation, what is it for? I believe it is upwards of 55-60 million, why not pull out fifteen percent or so? (ten million) Rather than hitting the community hard, when we need local services (and jobs) more than ever. Layoffs, furloughs, etc, will simply push the economy in the wrong direction. I don't understand his logic (nor have I seen an explanation from him).

I think it is lame, and ill-advised, that Abramson won't tap Louisville's rainy day fund for the current financial shortfall.

If it isn't for something like the current situation, what is it for? I believe it is upwards of 55-60 million, why not pull out fifteen percent or so? (ten million) Rather than hitting the community hard, when we need local services (and jobs) more than ever. Layoffs, furloughs, etc, will simply push the economy in the wrong direction. I don't understand his logic (nor have I seen an explanation from him).

amen...and the cordish deal....wtf.

I think it is lame, and ill-advised, that Abramson won't tap Louisville's rainy day fund for the current financial shortfall.

If it isn't for something like the current situation, what is it for? I believe it is upwards of 55-60 million, why not pull out fifteen percent or so? (ten million) Rather than hitting the community hard, when we need local services (and jobs) more than ever. Layoffs, furloughs, etc, will simply push the economy in the wrong direction. I don't understand his logic (nor have I seen an explanation from him).

From what the mayor has been saying if the rainy day fund is used to cover the shortfall it will hurt in the long run because it will lower the city's bond rating so any bonds will cost more in the future. If it's true that it's probably not a good thing to use the rainy day fund. Besides, don't forget it just came out in the news that the firefighters overtime suite is going to end up costing another $17 million to settle and that money also has to be found someplace (hopefully out of the Urban Services District) instead of the Metro budget.

Maybe this budget shortfall would give the city the chance to cut out some of the unneeded overhead they have like all the spokespeople! Oh wait, they are politicians and don't know how to do anything sensible in that regard.