Mayor

Nimbus, this is the first "political" announcement that was prepared for the general, average, tax-paying citizen. WELL DONE. Your emphasis on the local aspect is very impressive, and I like the tone in general. I wish you much luck in the campaign.

[Robin Garr]

Stressing Academics over Athletics at all levels - Unlike football, one will NEVER see a kid die to make an A in history. We love sports, but the primary focus of schools must be learning.

Not to be a jerk or anything, Nimbus, but what power (other than a bully pulpit) does the mayor have over the separately elected, independent School Board?

Stressing Academics over Athletics at all levels - Unlike football, one will NEVER see a kid die to make an A in history. We love sports, but the primary focus of schools must be learning.

Not to be a jerk or anything, Nimbus, but what power (other than a bully pulpit) does the mayor have over the separately elected, independent School Board?

If I am correct, the mayor does appoint the superintendent. (i.e. the boss). When you appoint the boss, you in essence are the boss. Yes, the board has power, but it is a shared power. Also, the mayor has a lot of influence on a variety of funding decisions.

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure the Board of Education hired him. Could be wrong . . .

"When the Jefferson County Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Berman in April 2007, the system was just weeks away from a decision in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case stemming from a 2002 lawsuit."

Business First on Sheldon Berman

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure the Board of Education hired him. Could be wrong . . .

"When the Jefferson County Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Berman in April 2007, the system was just weeks away from a decision in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case stemming from a 2002 lawsuit."

Business First on Sheldon Berman

You are right on Charles. The board does have the selection authority. However, the Mayor does have some influence on the board, of course. I stand corrected. I suspect that if the mayor lobbied heavily for a candidate, or for various criteria, it would carry great weight.

I am pretty certain the Mayor chooses the chief of police. (I do like Chief White, by the way). I'll have to try to compile a list of all of the appointees. If only it was so easy.....

[Robin Garr]

Nimbus, you're correct about the Chief of Police, but take it from a guy who covered local news for 15 years or so before bailing post-Gannett: The mayor doesn't fool around with the school board, and would likely run into plenty of resistance if he (or she) tried.

Frankly, even the police chief relationship is a lot like the President and his cabinet members: Appoint, then delegate. The executive can't (and really shouldn't) micromanage, after appointing key officials who presumably share his overall view. In the ultimate, he can fire them (although this often turns into a public train wreck), but it can get pretty dicey when it comes to telling them what to do and how to do it.

Please don't take this as negative criticism. I admire your spirit and look forward to watching your campaign.

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure the Board of Education hired him. Could be wrong . . .

"When the Jefferson County Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Berman in April 2007, the system was just weeks away from a decision in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case stemming from a 2002 lawsuit."

Business First on Sheldon Berman

You are right on Charles. The board does have the selection authority. However, the Mayor does have some influence on the board, of course. I stand corrected. I suspect that if the mayor lobbied heavily for a candidate, or for various criteria, it would carry great weight.

I am pretty certain the Mayor chooses the chief of police. (I do like Chief White, by the way). I'll have to try to compile a list of all of the appointees. If only it was so easy.....

Thanks Robin,

I'm very open to comments, critiques, whatever. I'm still in the information acquisition stage. My campaign manager, John Hubbard, is great, and he has been helping me figure out a lot of the tough issues that we need to tackle. But I'm open to anything. Feel free to PM me whenever if you think of something.

And thanks for the kind words Bill!

Cheers!

Ok, I'll make the question more straight forward:

What issues would you like to see addressed by the future administration? What would be your ideas or plans in resolving these issues, and how would these benefit our community?

I'm pretty happy with my preliminary platform, but I'm always looking for ideas. And I know we have a bunch of intelligent folks out there. Well mostly..

Thanks

Finish the Skate Park, Nimbus! You could get a lot of support for that in our neighborhood.

Rebuild the firehouse and return Louisville F.D. Engine #7 to 6th & York St. Yes, we really do need an Engine company right where it was.

Ok, I'll make the question more straight forward:

What issues would you like to see addressed by the future administration? What would be your ideas or plans in resolving these issues, and how would these benefit our community?

Louisville seems to be in a bit of a twlight zone. We have not developed our community at the pace of Indianpolis or Nashville, and we have "city envy" of both. And more than a few argue that we're not competitive with those cities and many others. We give lip service to attracting corporate HQs, but we actually attract mostly jobs that relate to our airport (logistics) or call centers. For our community to thrive, and for our nonprofit community to survive, we need (1) high paying jobs, and (2) high paying jobs! Tell us what you would do to attract good jobs to our community.

If you would really like to have an impact on our local schools, perhaps you can use the experience you will gain running for mayor in a bid to run for the 1st District school board vacancy that will be available next year when Miss Elmore retires.

http://www.jcpsky.net/Board/BoardMap/Bo ... strict%201

I'm sure with your obvious passion and your experience as an educator, you could make a real difference in some of our under-performing west end schools. I think that you would have better chance of election and at the least, you could get some of your progressive ideas heard.

Finish the Skate Park, Nimbus! You could get a lot of support for that in our neighborhood.

Now I don't skate personally - or not well at least - but I've been to the park. What are the elements that still need to be completed? It seems pretty awesome from just visiting with my six year old. I guess I can imagine expanding it and including better facilities (that may actually bring some revenue). But is it only partially complete currently as is?

I think it is a great project, and I'll support expansion/renovation/completion depending on the details. Besides being a community asset, it draws people to Louisville and helps put us on the map. Not many negatives (although I remember one injury case there).

Thanks!

Rebuild the firehouse and return Louisville F.D. Engine #7 to 6th & York St. Yes, we really do need an Engine company right where it was.

Ed, I was sentimentally sad to see it shut down, but it comes down to dollars. I would immediately get an analysis done to check if response times are comparable to other areas. If not, I'm sure it could be restored. Unfortunately, there are only so many dollars to go around. But if it seems justified, based on evidence, then I'd certainly support opening that station again! I'm pretty impressed with our fire department from what I've seen.

Fire is scary. We've had several fires in the vicinity of my shop (where I live too!) in the last couple years. I will support Louisville metro Fire Department in every way possible, both in support for the crew (pay) and support for modernization efforts (equipment, new techniques).

I'd also push for a substantial fire prevention campaign. There is no reason homes shouldn't have smoke detectors for example. It costs five bucks and can save lives. It takes some pushing, but lives really should be spared for a price like that.

Ok, I'll make the question more straight forward:

What issues would you like to see addressed by the future administration? What would be your ideas or plans in resolving these issues, and how would these benefit our community?

Louisville seems to be in a bit of a twlight zone. We have not developed our community at the pace of Indianpolis or Nashville, and we have "city envy" of both. And more than a few argue that we're not competitive with those cities and many others. We give lip service to attracting corporate HQs, but we actually attract mostly jobs that relate to our airport (logistics) or call centers. For our community to thrive, and for our nonprofit community to survive, we need (1) high paying jobs, and (2) high paying jobs! Tell us what you would do to attract good jobs to our community.

TP, great question. I'm going to put a little thought into it and give you a better answer than I can at this second. I've lived in "mid-sized" cities like Portland and Tucson, so I do have some perspective on what has worked there. Green and Tech are my knee jerk reactions, and we have some amazing resources like the U of L right here. I'll get you a solid answer shortly. (working now, so hopefully today, but by tomorrow for sure).