The Potters - er - the Webbs - Win

Is anyone really surprised that the Webbs got their permit to destroy a vital portion of downtown?

MediaCzech sat in on the meeting, which ran into extra innings. Joe broke the news in his usual low-key style:



The Webbs did work very hard to put this deal together. They spent years acquiring properties and permissions. They began designing Centrepointe months before springing it on the public, and they managed to keep it under the radar. Well, under the public radar. Apparently, the Kentucky Heritage Council and the Downtown Development Authority have known about it since at least 2006.

And really, their allies argue, now that Mia's has relocated and Buster's and The Dame are closed, what is there to save? Some run-down historic buildings? No one's using them any more, right? No one, including the Webbs or Rosenbergs, was keeping them to code. Why shouldn't some spiffy new building go up?

How about... because the building's design violates the city guidelines for the courthouse area?
How about... because our Fire Department couldn't reach the top floors of the proposed structure? Safety hazard, anyone?
How about... because a structure spread out into Phoenix Park would impede downtown traffic, already a sore spot with Lexingtonians?

What the board should have said: Yes, you have gone through the legal channels of getting ownerships and permissions. And now that you and your buddies have finished shutting down the block, you can tear it down. But the design you have submitted is unacceptable. Come up with something that fits downtown and its needs. You created many of those needs in your quest to replace anything non-Webb downtown; now it's time to fill the gap with appropriate buildings.

July 1st: 88th Residents Meet and Greet!

Attention, Democratic residents of the 88th legislative district! Don't know any of your neighbors, especially the ones who might have similar views to your own? Well, we have a fun event coming up to help you meet each other, or get back in touch with neighbors you already know!

Don't know if you live in the 88th? Point your browser here to find out!

What:
* A Meet-and-Greet with your fellow Democrats in the 88th legislative district!

Where:
* The Hartland Clubhouse, located at 4910 Hartland Parkway. If you are headed away from downtown on Tates Creek Road, take the second entrance to Hartland (to your left). The clubhouse will be on your right shortly after you enter Hartland.

When:
* July 1, 2008 from 6 pm - 8 pm

Food and drink:
* Provided.

Special guests:
Dan Mongiardo, Kentucky lieutenant governor and newly married!
Jonathan Miller, former KY Treasurer and author
Jeremy Horton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Democratic Party
David O'Neill, chair of the Fayette County Democratic Party

For more information on the meet-and-greet, or to volunteer, contact Corey Kline.

Guess Who's Going to Denver?

June 7th, Democrats from across the state gathered in Lexington to elect delegates to Denver and the new members of the KDP Executive Committee were selected. I am proud to announce that Reggie Thomas, LD chair for the 88th, will be heading to Denver! Reggie is one of only two Obama delegates representing the 6th District (the other is Libby Marshall of Franklin County). Reggie beat out a large field of contenders for this honor and was overjoyed when I spoke to him last.

I will also be going to Denver, but not as a delegate. The Democratic National Committee selected one blog from each state to receive a media credit, and Bluegrass Roots was KY's lucky recipient! I will be one of three bloggers sharing the credit at the convention in August. I'm sure Reggie will be looking over his shoulder for me.

My congratulations also go out to 88th resident Betsy Nowland-Curry, who has been re-elected to the State Executive Committee! This will be a busy year for her.

Hey! A place where the Webb hotel would be welcome!

The Herald-Leader is reporting that Owensboro's largest hotel has closed. People are scrambling to find new places for their weddings, the Chamber of Commerce has asked its members to open their homes for displaced lodgers, and a softball tournament scheduled for later this year may have to find another location. One wedding had to be relocated with minimal notice, and the bride's family is NOT getting their $5.5K deposit back.

200 local jobs were lost, and the citizens are worried about the future for Owensboro tourism.

The 2008 Amateur Softball Association Girls' Class A 16-and-under Fast Pitch National Championship, scheduled to begin July 27, is "10 times larger than the others," said Karen Miller, executive director of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau. It needs 400 rooms, she said.

"We're working hard to keep as many people in town as we can," Miller said.

The tournament is expected to draw about 140 teams and 10,000 people from across the country.

"We're just praying that the ASA doesn't step in and move the tournament," Voyles said. "We have a 10-year history with them. But history means very little. It's what you can do today that counts."

THESE are the people who could use another hotel. Someone may reopen the Executive Inn, but a back-up is sorely needed. Consider it, Webbs... you'd be welcomed with open arms there.

Big Day for Democrats

Yesterday was the County Caucus in Fayette County. This was the meeting where citizens vote for the people who are supposed to vote for the delegates to the Democratic National Convention - where, presumably, they vote for the candidate running for President (your mileage may vary in Florida and Michigan). Then the citizens all get to vote again, and we get a President. At least we hope we get a real one this time.

The caucus for the 88th went smoothly. We separated into Obama supporters vs. Hillary supporters, candidates were nominated and duly elected. Things did not go nearly as well in another group, where one person brought numerous relatives and they all voted for each other, locking out other prospective delegates. I guess large families do still have some advantages in urban society. The family will not be identified here because my own is much smaller and they could beat us up.

Afterwards, there was much talking (and bitching) in the parking lot outside Fayette County Democratic Headquarters. The get-together was extended to a 'Pork and Awe' barbeque for people planning to watch the DNC committee decision on their disobedient brethren. Rather than please the Hillarites by restoring the delegates in full or please the Obamians by denying them, the DNC decided to piss everyone off by giving them half-votes. Solomon would be proud.

Later in the evening, several leading lights of the party went to The Dame to watch Palao, The Scourge of the Sea, and Chico Fellini perform in one of the final concerts the venue will host. My spouse and I were introduced to many activists, all younger than us, and had the pleasure of introducing Jennifer Miller to Dickie Haydon's father. The next morning, I learned that people over 40 don't have to drink alcohol in order to feel hung over from a long night of partying.

Addendum: After the city rubberstamps the Webbs' project, also in violation of regulations (if only the DNC could intervene!), the Webbs plan to seek a music venue for their phallic projection, but The Dame will not be a candidate. Really, it shouldn't be: the Webbs certainly wouldn't want acts that weren't preapproved performing in their building, and new music doesn't fare well under those conditions. Let's hope some other hole in the wall opens soon.