Not SWIFT (JBS) Enough

Hello Butchertown and surrounding communities:

Do to ongoing problems with JBS Swift, we are taking a new angle at our information gathering on the truck traffic and odor complaints. We have a new email address that will be specifically for issues dealing with JBS Swift.

Swiftodor@gmail.com

Please note that this is not to replace calling Air Pollution or 311 Metro call, but it is a means for us to gather information on a city wide issue centered around our great neighborhood.

When emailing this account, please include
1) Full name
2) Address (phone # would help too!)
3) Time of day
4) Reason for action- odors, back truck traffic, dirty trucks, ect...

This issue is going to need the support of all of the effected communities to promote good corporate citizenship in how JBS Swift operates. Please pass this on to anyone who you know who is effected by this.

Sincerely,

Andy Cornelius
President
Butchertown Neighborhood Association

UPDATE!!! 155 North Campbell

This past Thursday morning, Butchertown residents gathered at the Old Jail building downtown for the appeal hearing on the Oakleaf's property at 155 N. Campbell. If you recall earlier posts, they are responsible for demolishing many historic homes north of the flood wall. This is the last standing home in a row of what was once a quaint block of shotguns.

Appeal hearings are called when an applicant is denied a demolition permit and feels that there was either a clerical error, or bad factual evidence used in the conclusion that the structure should not be demolished. After the Oakleaf's council fully acknowledged that they didn't feel that there was any error in the fact finding or a clerical error, the Landmarks Commission then asked what there grounds were for appealing. Her lawyer then did his song and dance which led to what he is now calling "economic hardship" which gives them a chance to extend the case even longer. Even though the Commission voted down the appeal, in favor of preservation and Butchertown, the Oakleafs have until the May Landmarks meeting to prove economic hardship.

Although it was a small win for now, it was sad to see Oakleaf's council trying to argue an appeal that he had clearly not researched. Landmarks had to walk him through the procedures, holding his hand to even determine grounds for the appeal. On the other hand, it should be hard to prove economic hardship for a person who owns so much property. If they just rented this out over the years for a marginal cost, the place would have paid for itself, it's upkeep, and be a revenue stream for them. Clearly this property is worth more to the Oakleafs as a bulldozed lot than as a historic home. And my question to the Oakleafs is, if you are experiencing such "economic hardship," then why haven't you put any of your real estate up for sale to raise capitol? !?!?

Stay tuned for updates!

Pictures of Butchertown

We are proud to announce that a book on historic Butchertown is in the works! BNA member Edna Kubala has been hard at work hunting down old pictures of Butchertown, and she is looking for some help from all of us to add to her collection. If you have old photos that you are willing to share with her for the book, please contact her and she will fill you in on the details.

Her phone number is 540-9970 and email is edna.kubala@gmail.com

Any and all pictures would be welcomed and useful.

All New Butchertown Art Fair

Hello Butchertown residents, and other visiting individuals!

We are pleased to announce the All New Butchertown Art Fair!
Mark your calendars and cancel any planned vacations.. .
Sunday, May 17, 2009, 11a-5p
We are now accepting booth reservations for artists & crafters at our lowest rates ever—only $25 if you live in Butchertown!

CALL FOR ARTISTS!

Reserve Your Space
10 ft x 10 ft
$25 /Butchertown residents
$50 /non-Butchertown residents & all businesses
Multiple booth spaces available, if you'd like more information, be sure to get in touch with us.

If you are interested in renting a tent or table for the day of the event, send a note to Natasha Maze, nmaze1@yahoo.com

Location
On Washington St between Webster St & Adams St in the heart of Butchertown.
Parking will be available for vendors day of event.

Additional Info
After your order is received, we will email you a confirmation letter. Prior to the event, you will receive
an information packet with full details about the event, including day-of instructions, booth number & parking
information. Questions? Please contact Natasha Maze at 502-681-2730, nmaze1@yahoo.com.

Applications and payment due no later than May 2, 2009. Checks payable to the Butchertown Neighborhood Association.
Remit to: Natasha Maze, Butchertown Art Fair, 1401 Quincy Street, Louisville, Ky 40206

Download Application Form Here !

PalPal payment options coming soon!
We look forward to hearing from you!

Miss C's Kitchen and Pantry

We are proud to be showcasing our first company profile of a Butchertown business. It was only right and fitting that our first selection was that of Miss C's Kitchen located at 1319 Story Ave. Charlotte and Chris have been Butchertown advocates and involved in the BNA since moving into their location two years ago. As their website proclaims the famous words of Kentucky environmental writer, Wendall Berry, "eating is an agricultural act," these ladies turn out some of the finest Kentucky Proud foods in the region.

They maintain three local gardens in town in which they use sustainable, pesticide free farming methods to produce some of the tastiest jams, jellys, and preserves I have ever had. Apparently the whole state agrees, and it is proven by their numerous State Fair Champion recipes. Miss C's is also the only Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Roadside Farm Market in the city of Louisville which allows them to produce and sell products made from local farmers. This helps when the demand is too great on their gardens and they locally source fresh produce for some of their products.

They offer private chef services, catering for private parties, businesses, and events. In the summers you can find them at the St Mathew's Farmer's Market, and if you are gearing up for your Derby party, they only have a few openings left for that special day in May! Speaking of springtime, you must try their ice-cream and top it off with one of their amazing fruit preserves- a hit amongst any group. Also starting this spring, they will be serving breakfast on Saturday mornings at their Story Ave location, and all Butchertown residents will be receiving 10% off!!!!!

You may contact Charlotte and Chris at 795-1085, but even better yet, stop in and say hello while you enjoy this Butchertown treat!

Butchertown Home and Garden Tour May 17th

Even though we are still in the midst of winter, the Thomas Edison House is making plans for the annual Butchertown Home and Garden Tour, held in conjunction with the Butchertown Air Fair. This is a chance to show off your gorgeous garden and historic home to the public. We're not only looking for the biggest and most elaborate homes and gardens, we just want to show the visitors what Butchertown has to offer. We know how beautiful Butchertown is- it's time to let everyone else in on the best kept secert in Louisville!

This event is a fundraiser for the Thomas Edison House. If you are interested in sharing your home or garden, please contact Kristen Lutes at Thomas Edison House at 585-5247 or at edisonhouse@historichomes.org.

Not Swift Enough

As you may recall, back in November of 2008 the Air Pollution Control Board fined the Butchertown foe, Swift and Company. Part of the $250,000 plus agreement was to be put towards a new scrubber system which is supposed to keep odors down, that is, if the employees know how to work and balance the chemicals in it properly. After calling to complain about the odors for five days in a row, I asked our friends at the APCD how the progress on this new system was coming along. We were informed that Swift is in the process of replacing the scrubber that was brought online in 1995 with a new and updated version. Likely what has happened is that they have upped their production so much over the years that the current scrubber doesn't have the guts to keep up with all the swine flowing through the plant.

The bad news is that this new peice of "air cleaning" equiptment is not supposed to arrive until July. So hold your noses, pick up your phone and keep the complaints rolling in when they are impeading on your rights to be able to enjoy your own property.

On another note, they are also doing some construction around the livestock pen area. Word on the street is that they are trying to close up that area more in order to contain the "farm-like" smell that graces the area. Good luck with that one.

Click HERE for a link to the Air Pollution Control District's website where you can access their contact information.

Ice Storm Clean Up

The city has just outlined the process that will clean up the debris from the epic ice storm of 2009. If you check into their website you will see that we are in section "C1" and "C2." They haven't said exactly which day they will be by yet, so check the link and let me know if you see it before we do! What they did say however, was that they will only be going down each street one time, so take the time this weekend to cut your debris up into sections under six feet in length and place it between the curb and your sidewalk.

Please also keep in mind that we are a historical district in which you NEED a permit to cut down any trees. The trees that line our neighborhood add so much to the character and we don't want to loose any that we don't have to. If you have a serious problem with a weakened tree, please email butchertown@gmail.com and we can walk through the process of what needs to happen.