St. Matthews Living - City of St. Matthews
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
St. Matthews
Living February 2022
St. Matthews is Home to the Largest Southern Magnolia
Tree in Kentucky
Known for its beautiful parks and extends from eastern
trees, St. Matthews has another North Carolina,
jewel to add to its verdant crown— south along the
it is home to a State of Kentucky Atlantic Coast to
Champion Tree! A 51-foot tall the Peace River
Southern Magnolia at the home of in central Florida,
John Hill has been officially certified then westward
the largest of its kind in the state through roughly
of Kentucky. Its circumference is the southern half of
127 inches and its crown is 48 feet, Georgia, Alabama,
which gives it an index score of 190 and Mississippi, and
by the state forestry division. The across Louisiana into
previous Southern Magnolia Grand southeast Texas. It
Champion Tree, in Scott County, had is most prevalent in
an index score of 130. Mr. Hill’s tree Louisiana, Mississippi,
is estimated to be between 80-100 and Texas.”2
years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Hill
According to Kentucky’s state forestry have lived at their
division webpage, “In 1940, the home since 1985,
American Forests organization began and have taken very
a search of the largest specimen of good care of the tree
each species of American trees. This over the years. They place on her husband’s grave, as he
list, now called the National Registry have had Limbwalker Tree Care out loved magnolia trees.
of Big Trees, contains the names of multiple times to shape the tree and Mr. Hill said that, “I just became
more than 870 species. Kentucky has their arborists report that the tree is curious over time as to how the tree
eleven national champions or co- very healthy. Mr. Hill also stated that ranked in size, as it is a very large
champions.”1 magnolias are very brittle and can be specimen to find this far north. I
susceptible to damage with storms. found out that the state’s department
“The Division of Forestry began
He was worried about the tree of forestry has a Champion Tree
compiling a list of state champion
during the ice storm of 1994, but it registry, so I began researching it.”
trees in 1968. The list is continually
came back just fine, he said. After multiple attempts to find
changing as new species are added
and former champions are replaced Mr. Hill says that almost weekly, he has out about the process, he saw a
either because they die or a larger people that stop by just to look at booth at the state fair last year with
specimen is nominated. “ the tree. He told one poignant story forestry personnel and was able to
about a 102-year-old woman who make contact with Sean Godbold,
The U.S. Forest Service states that,
came by to ask for some blooms to state forester. Sean came out and
“The range of southern magnolia
Continued on page 10
City of St. Matthews • 3940 Grandview Avenue • P.O. Box 7097 • St. Matthews, Kentucky 40257-0097
ST. MATTHEWS LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022 1
Hours: Monday –Thursday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. www.stmatthewsky.gov
A Message From...
City Audit Yields a Positive Result
Mr. Jim Tenza, from the accounting firm, Dean Dorton,
attended the city council meeting on Tuesday, December
14, and presented the audit to the city council for the
2019-2020 budget year. The full audit is available to the
public on the City
website. The firm
found the city to be Shakespeare in the
in compliance with all Park comes to 202
recommendations of
responsible accounting
St. Matthews on SEA
Sunday, May 1!
practices, that the The city of St. Matthews will be hosting a Shakespeare in we enric
MISSIO
City had a balanced the Park performance by Kentucky Shakespeare, on Sunday, professi
budget, and although May 1, at 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the City Hall building,
and ent
the city’s revenues 3940 Grandview Avenue. The play will be Julius Caesar. VISION
of the a
were affected by the repercussions of the Covid-19 virus, Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy this free event. everyon
the city ended the year with a positive balance. City Clerk
and Treasurer Susan Clark said, “The annual audit process As the official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth as
went smoothly and the examination revealed there 68,248 SERVED
designated by the Kentucky legislature, we are a not-for-profit
was no mismanagement of government funds and no charitable organization, professional theatre company, and
malfeasance. I embrace the opportunity and responsibility the most comprehensive in-school arts provider in the state.
to handle funds in a manner that is both legal and ethical.” https://kyshakespeare.com/
Hometown History Mystery
This feature spotlights a moment in time when our
City looked a lot different. Where
FESTIVAL do you think this EDUC
photo was taken? See page 8 to solve this issue’s
• 25,519 audience members • 32,306 served
Hometown History Mystery. served at no charge in Central and outreach.
Park. • 160 summer
Photo date unknown • Season dedicated to memory of in-person Cam
Barbara F. Cullen and Paul Owen. • Served the Ba
• 9 weeks, 5 productions, 50 Center with ne
performances. Buddies progra
• Collaborations with Louisville • Camps and a
Ballet, Waterworks Dance Theatre, programs with
Louisville Improvisors. Kentuckiana, D
Green Up! • Hosted pre-show performances
from Flamenco Louisville, Genesis
Arts, Step-N-Dance, Belize Dance
Louisville, and
• 12 college stu
in Bekki Jo Sch
Intermix, DESTINED Dance Company for s
Reminder: The City offers a “green up”
Company, Ambo Dance Theatre, • Virtual Shake
program where the City will remove existing
and LaNita Rocknettes. continued with
vehicle pull-off and restore the area to grass.
• Celebrate 60: The Kentucky
Shakespeare Festival Anniversary
• Year-long res
Regional Deten
Contact City Hall for more info.
Production digital season remains Jeffersonville, I
available for free streaming on • Awarded two
YouTube and Facebook. American Com
from Arts Midw
Louisville Gas & Electric Emergency Louisville Water
Kentucky Company
Shakespeare 616 Myrtle Stree
502-589-1444 502-583-6610
Fast path options are: 1-1-1 Contact To report emergencies like
(gas) and 1-1-2 (electric). Numbers water main breaks
or broken fire hydrants.
2 FEBRUARY 2022 | ST. MATTHEWS LIVING
Chamber Update
The Chamber of St. Matthews is Award-Winning!
The Chamber of St. Matthews and
two of its staff won several awards
this year from the Kentucky Chamber
of Commerce Executives (KCCE):
• Events Excellence for the 2021
Annual Meeting—SNL Live, a virtual
Annual Meeting that featured skits,
awards and sharing the direction of
the Chamber and its 2020 successes.
• Excellence in Membership Growth.
The Chamber had a 9.13% growth
in 2020.
awarded Suiter the Dana Ketterling Association of Louisville gave her a
• Excellence in Social Media. Lifetime Sales Achievement Award. YPAL Award. Each award winner
• Innovation Excellence for Halloween is dedicated to connecting others;
in Brown Park 2020. Suiter earned recognition in the Bronze
engaging in their community; and
category for achieving 500 transactions
• The Pivot Award for Coffee Chat, developing themselves and others
in Chamber memberships throughout
a new program created in 2020 to to advance the impact of young
his career. ACCE also awarded him one
give members a chance to share professionals in our community.
its 2020-21 Sales Contest award for
their highs for the week and share
number of new personal sales. Suiter Cleary also was named one of the
life together.
placed first in the Under $500,000 ACCE 40 under 40, which recognizes
In addition, Josh Suiter, Director of dues income category for number of the top emerging leaders in the
Membership and Business Relations, new personal sales. chamber of commerce industry
was elected President-Elect of KCCE. who have demonstrated success in
He will serve as 2022-2023 President. Elizabeth Cleary, Director of
their careers and made significant
Operations and Community
The Association of Chamber of contributions in the communities
Program, was also recognized by two
Commerce Executives (ACCE) they represent.
organizations. The Young Professionals
The Alexander Hamilton Historical Society of Kentucky
The Alexander Hamilton Historical February 12, 2022* March 19, 2022
Society of Kentucky meets every 3rd Constitutional Symposium Bill Riley
Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. Bellarmine University – Cralle President of AHHS-KY
We are back to in-person meetings, Theatre, Wyatt Center for the Arts The Indispensables:
which will be held in the Artisan Saturday, February 12 The Diverse Soldier-
Room, in the Meadow Building of *2nd Saturday of the month Mariners Who Shaped
The Masonic Home, 3701 Frankfort 10:30 a.m. the Country, Formed
Avenue. Speaker: Christopher R. Green, the Navy, and Rowed
Jamie L. Whitten Chair in Law and Washington Across
We will also stream the meetings Government the Delaware
on ZOOM. To participate via Zoom, University of Mississippi School of by Patrick K. O’Donnell
please advise by email: (lauvepoche@ Law
att.net) and we will send you the April 16, 2022
Topic: “Equal Citizenship, Civil Rights, Dr. William Nash
invitation needed to sign in. and the Constitution: The Original Will review the book,
Sense of the Privileges or Immunities Alexander Hamilton
Clause” by Ron Chernow
ST. MATTHEWS LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022 3
Helping Our Neighbors
St. Matthews Steps Up to Help Tornado Victims
On the night of December 10, 2021, The St. Matthews Police Department standing downtown. Churches,
a violent and long-tracked tornado was designated by Governor Beshear business, organizations and individuals
created catastrophic damage across to be one of only two toy collection have donated items and money. He
western Kentucky, traveling over 200 locations in Jefferson County. The reported that the bank sent three
miles. Towns that were hit included other location was Broadbent Arena. trucks and one mid-sized airplane to
Mayfield, Benton, Dawson Springs, Mayor Rick Tonini said, “The response western Kentucky with donations, and
Bremen and Bowling Green. The was amazing—the amount of toys that they have raised $100,000
tornado that hit western Kentucky received was unbelievable. Within in donations as to date.
was the longest and deadliest tornado days, we had filled four tractor trailers
Louis says, “We have had such
of that group of tornados, resulting and we also collected $50-60,000
wonderful support from the
in at least 77 fatalities, making it the in gift cards. No child in the area will
community, and it shows you how
worst tornado event in both Kentucky have to go without toys at Christmas.”
generous people can be.”
and U.S. history. Multiple tornadoes
St. Matthews Fire & Rescue, which is
that night also hit Arkansas, Tennessee, St. Matthews has once again proven
a separate entity from the city, sent
Missouri and Illinois. itself to be a caring community to
EMTS, paramedics, a fire truck and an
those in need.
The area was declared a national ambulance to Mayfield.
disaster zone and President Biden
The city also sent police
directed FEMA to cover 100% of total
officers in response to the
eligible costs for debris removal and
Kentucky League of Cities’
emergency protective measures in the
recommendations to its
state for 30 days.
member cities.
Even with that aid, the people in
Independence Bank, located
the areas hit were in desperate
at the corner of Westport and
need of food, supplies, water
Shelbyville Road has a personal
and money for shelter and other
connection to Mayfield as the
emergencies. The entire St. Matthews
bank has a branch there. Louis
community stepped up to help.
Straub II, bank president, says the
Residents, businesses and city
bank’s branch building in Mayfield
agencies responded with caring
is one of the few buildings left
and compassion for their western
Kentucky neighbors. City Council chambers, first day of collection
Line of cars with donations outside City Hall One of the trailers loaded with toys
4 FEBRUARY 2022 | ST. MATTHEWS LIVING
Helping Our Neighbors
Independence Bank is no
longer accepting donations of
items, however, they will accept
monetary donations for the
accounts below:
Mayfield Consumer Products
Employee Fund
These funds are going straight to
employees of the candle company.
Mayfield Graves County Tornado
Relief Fund (organized by the
Graves County Sheriff and officials)
These checks can also be mailed to
PO Box 9 Fancy Farm KY 42039.
St. Matthews Fire & Rescue in Mayfield, Kentucky These funds are going to the
citizens of Graves County.
Warren County Public Schools
Synergy Relief Fund
Funds will be utilized to help the
tornado relief in Warren County.
For the Benefit of Hopkins County
Tornado Relief Fund Account
This account is for donations for the
Hopkins County tornado relief.
Also, if just desiring to make a
donation, funds can be donated
into the Independence Bank
Foundation Western Kentucky
Relief Fund.
For more information, visit
www.1776bank.com
Donations of toys About Us News and Events:
received in the first Western KY Tornado Relief
three hours at City Hall!
Or:
Visit the bank in-person
3901 Shelbyville Road
Toy donations on trucks
ST. MATTHEWS LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022 5
St. Matthews Team Highlights
Elizabeth Austin, Ray Wheeler, Public Works Jason Hilliard, Police Dept.
Communications A 23-year city A former University
Elizabeth employee, of Louisville and NFL
has worked Ray Wheeler player (Greenbay
for the City says that he Packers, St. Louis Rams,
part-time as a enjoys the Dallas Cowboys and
communications variety in New York Giants),
specialist since his role as a Jason Hilliard traded his
2018. Her Public Works football uniform for a
main duties employee. police uniform. He has
include website He takes care of the maintenance been a police officer with St. Matthews for
maintenance, occasional Reach Alert in City Hall, including cleaning, one year, after 8+ years with the Louisville
notifications and compilation of painting and repairs. Some of Metro department. Jason says that he has
newsletter information. his other tasks as part of the good memories of his time with Louisville
Having worked in Atlanta for the public works crew include ice Metro, and that the St. Matthews position
Federal Reserve Bank in human and snow control, storm services, was just a great opportunity. He and his
resources and data analytics, tree planting, mowing, care of city wife prayed together about it, and he says
Elizabeth brings those organizational parks and green spaces. Ray says that “he just felt led to accept the position.”
skills to her role with the city. that, “I am pretty blessed and I Jason says that he is a people person,
Elizabeth and her husband, Dac, love working for the City. I love and one of his favorite parts of his job is
have three teenage daughters and the parks, especially Brown Park.” interacting with the public. Jason states,
one big dog, which keeps her very A native Louisvillian, Ray has seven “A very important piece of police work is
busy. Elizabeth really appreciates the siblings, several of whom live out- to de-escalate a situation, and then try to
flexibility of her position since she of-state. He enjoys traveling, and resolve it verbally. Nine times out of ten, we
says that, “The family is constantly tries to visit his family when he is can do that.”
running in different directions!” able. His “child” is a rescued Pit/ Jason met his wife, Shamonne, during his
When she is not on work or family Lab mix dog named Rocky, and in football days and they have been married
duty, Elizabeth plays tennis several his spare time, likes hiking, home for 16 years. They have two children—their
times a week, teaches pilates and repair/painting and watching daughter, Alijah, 19, and their son, Jason Jr.
enjoys reading. classic movies. who is 14.
Easy Being Green
Tree mulching center of the circle so that it is several be planted along a right-of-way will be
Don’t mound mulch into volcano inches from the base of the tree. This responsible for the tree’s maintenance.
shaped piles against the trunks of will allow the tree to stay healthy Public Works will offer choices of
trees and shrubs. Mounding mulch while suppressing weeds and retaining approved trees or you can plant your
causes existing surface roots to soil moisture. own tree at your expense with the
suffocate and new roots to grow Before you dig approval of the city arborist. Street
inward, potentially strangling the tree. Call 811 at least three days before you tree removal must also be approved
It also softens the bark of some trees, dig to give local utilities time to mark by the city arborist. If you would like to
inviting insects to invade. The constant the underground lines. This is a FREE have a tree planted in the right-of-way
trapped moisture will eventually kill service. area in front of your property, call the
the tree. Instead, spread the mulch 3 City at 895-9444. You can also request
to 4 inches deep in a circle at least 3 Tree planting a tree via the city’s website at www.
feet in diameter around young trees The City will be planting free trees stmatthewsky.gov. Go to: Services, City
and shrubs. Brush away mulch at the in right-of-way areas this spring. Public Works, then Tree Program.
Homeowners who request that a tree
6 FEBRUARY 2022 | ST. MATTHEWS LIVING
Your Works At Work
Since the last newsletter, the following this year to stay on top of the leaves • Drainage improvements on Trinity
has been accomplished: as they fell. Each year it appears that Hills ditch— Finalizing ACOE review
Competed Projects the leaves fall later and later, so next and approval, project will hopefully
• Storm debris removed throughout year look for signs on your block to be budgeted for 2022-2023
the City designate when the first leaf pick up • Community Center Renovation
• Removed several dead trees in our will be on your block. Project—Phase II construction of
city parks for safety Snow and Ice Removal the interior has started, completion
• Maintained all the green spaces in The City of St Matthews operates expected May of 2022
parks and right-of-ways a comprehensive snow removal • Phased street sign replacement
• Grinded several stumps and program. We never know what winter project ongoing
restored area in right-of-way we may have, but we are stocked • Drainage Improvements to Girard
• Patched pot holes on City streets up on salt and ready for what may Drive design
• Sears Avenue drainage and roadway be thrown at us. On smaller snow • Rehab and new construction of
improvements events, in an effort to be fiscally the walking trails in Brown Park in
• Bridge deck improvements on responsible, the city will only salt construction, expected completion
Dupont Road the intersections. All major roads— May/June 2022
• Culvert replacement and water main Shelbyville Road, Westport Road, • Alley improvements between
relocation on Trinity Hills Lane Hubbards Lane, Browns Lane, Bowling Warner and Hycliffe
• The majority of Phase I of the Blvd., and Breckenridge Lane are the Future Projects
Community Center improvements responsibility of Metro Louisville and • Stream and basin improvements at
• New elevator in City Hall is finalized the state. Draut Park
and operational Current Projects • Master plan for Warwick Park
• Sidewalk replacement at 4029 • Precision Concrete cutting to remove
Hycliffe Avenue and new sidewalk tripping hazards throughout the City
infill at 4225 Norbourne Blvd. • Tree planting program throughout
• Our crews worked very diligently the city’s right-of-ways
Crime Buzz
What are tax scams? your consent. Occasionally, this https://www.statefarm.com/simple-
Thousands of people have lost information can be used to commit a insights/financial/what-is-identity-fraud
millions of dollars and their personal crime or fraud.
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-
information to tax scams. Scammers
Identity theft red flags insights/family/prevention
use the regular mail, telephone, or
• Without your knowledge, charges
email to set up individuals, businesses, https://www.statefarm.com/simple-
are made on existing accounts.
payroll and tax professionals. insights/family/prevent-identity-theft
• Without your knowledge, new
The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with accounts are opened in your name. How to place a fraud alert
taxpayers by email, text messages Protect yourself from identity theft Anyone who suspects fraud can place
or social media channels to request • Shred any mail that contains a fraud alert on their credit report.
personal or financial information. personal information. Contact any one of the three credit
• Review your credit report as often bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and
Recognize the telltale signs of a scam.
as you can. TransUnion. You don’t have to
Visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/
• Sign up for credit-report contact all three. The credit bureau
tax-scams-consumer-alerts for
monitoring and alerts through your you contact must tell the other two
detailed information on tax scams
bank or credit card provider, if that to place a fraud alert on your credit
and alerts.
service is offered. report.
What is identity theft?
• Help protect your identity while
Identity theft occurs when your https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
browsing online with these cyber
personal information is used without CreditBureauContacts
safety tips:
ST. MATTHEWS LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022 7
Code Words
Easements and Parking
Many property owners do not the edge of the pavement. Owners approval of the City arborist by calling
understand their relationship to land are responsible for maintaining this (502) 899-2544. The City seeks to
popularly known as an “easement.” area, whether that means mowing or maintain the valuable tree canopy in
The portion of land between the clearing the sidewalk when it snows. the City for aesthetic, property value,
road pavement and the owner’s actual and environmental reasons.
While the owner is responsible
property line is owned by the City
for maintenance of this area, other Finally, parking a vehicle on the street
but must be maintained by the owner
activities require approval from the by this area is allowed on some
whose property abuts this area. At the
City engineer by calling (502) 899- streets provided the vehicle is parked
same time, because this land belongs
2518. Prior review and approval is parallel to the driving surface, facing
to the City, the abutting property
required for any construction in this the direction of moving traffic, more
owner may not change the integrity
area, such as, altering your driveway than 30 feet from any stop sign, and
of the land without permission from
apron, changing the grade, installing parked for no longer than 24 hours
the City.
any paving material, or planting a tree at a time in the same location. Some
This area includes the space between or other plants. Similarly, removal streets do have posted parking
the back of the sidewalk and the of existing improvements requires restrictions that must be observed,
edge of the road pavement. If there prior review and approval from the and parking perpendicularly or at an
is no sidewalk, it is approximately the City engineer, and removal of any angle to the roadway is not allowed.
area between your water meter and tree from this area requires the prior
Hometown History Mystery
THEN This location is at 105 Bauer Ave, and the
photo is from an old postcard, date unknown. On the
back of the postcard it reads, “St. Matthews Self Service
Laundry.” The telephone number is listed as “Taylor
0003.” Four-digit telephone numbers began in 1929
and increased to 5-digit telephone numbers in 1950.
NOW The property at 105 Bauer Ave has been
incorporated into the property now occupied by
Walgreen’s, 3700 Frankfort Avenue at the southeast
corner of Frankfort and Bauer Avenues. It encompasses
a large portion of the store’s parking lot.
Recycling is collected every other week on the same
day as trash on weeks highlighted in red. Holidays
marked in blue will delay recycling and trash one day.
8 FEBRUARY 2022 | ST. MATTHEWS LIVING
Fire Department
Tornado Safety Tips
• Designate a tornado sheltering area and night. A battery back-
in an interior room on the lowest up weather alert radio
level of a building and away from is recommended and is
windows. Basements are best, but the most effective way
if there is no basement, choose an to monitor, and receive,
interior bathroom, closet, or other severe weather watches
enclosed space on the lowest level and warnings because they
of a building. are always on and ready to
• Ensure employee or family sound an alarm.
members know where the address. LENSAlert is connected to
Louisville Metro Emergency Services
designated shelter is located. Smart911 – a lifesaving service. Please
also encourages all residents to
If caught outdoors during a tornado sign up for LENSAlert to receive sign up via the City website under the
warning, lie flat in a nearby ditch or notifications of severe weather events Communications tab.
depression and cover your head with and other emergencies. Individuals Smart911 is now available in an App!
your hands. Be aware of the potential can receive alerts via phone call, Get the app here: https://safety.
for flooding. email, push notifications, and/or text. smart911.com/smart911app
Multiple addresses can be monitored
Tornadoes can, and do, strike each
to allow someone to monitor their Source: https://louisvilleky.gov
month of the year during both day
home address, school address or work
St. Matthews Eline Library Special Programs
For Adults: Ebay Basics the Leadership Louisville Center, and For Children and Families:
Tuesday, February 08, 2022 the Friends of the Louisville Free Saturday, February 12
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Public Library. St. Matthews Makers
Learn about how to get started 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
selling on Ebay. Basic computer skills Louisville Mandolin Orchestra Mini Makers
are recommended. Saturday, February 26, 2022 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Join us each month to explore a new
Adult Craft: Memory Wire Bracelets craft or DIY project. 5th-12th grades.
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 A FREE computer tune-up and Space limited to 12. Sign up required
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm repair service is offered the first by calling 502-574-1771.
Learn how to make simple memory Saturday of each month:
wire bracelets for spring. 2/5/22, 3/5/22, 4/2/22 Chihuly for Kids
1-5 pm Saturday,
Cafe LOUIE: St. Matthews Participants must bring any devices February 19, 2022
Saturday, February 26, 2022 that that are needed such as keyboard, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
9:00 am - 10:00 am monitor, and mouse for desktops. Join us for an exploration of Dale
Join us to meet your local legislators If participants are bringing a laptop, Chihuly’s art as we recreate his
in your community! These informal please bring your battery charger. Macchia series. Ages 6-12
meetings with legislators include state If you plan to attend, please contact
representatives and senators along Rae Taylor at taylor_rae@hotmail.com.
with Metro Council and suburban Attendance is limited to 5 people.
city elected officials. Café LOUIE is a For more information visit www.
partnership with the Bingham Fellows, computertuneupandrepair.weebly.com
Visit https://events.lfpl.org/events/?lID=11 for up to date calendar
ST. MATTHEWS LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022 9
K ENTUCKY D I
VISION O F F O R E S T RY
E NERGY AND E
NVIRONMEN
T CABINET
Kentuck
y’s Champio
n Tree Program
Proudly presents thi
s cer tificate to
JOHN HILL
The tree described bel
ow has been listed as
the largest tree specim
on the Kentucky Ch en of its kind
ampion Tree Registe
r
Southern Magnolia
Common Name Magnolia grandiflora
Southern Magnolia 127”
Circumference 51’
Scientific Name Jefferson County
Location
48’
Continued from page 1 Height
Crown Spread 190
Total Points
measured the tree, and shortly after, the Hills received Kentucky State Foreste
r
December 15, 2021
Date
their certificate verifying that they were the proud
owners of a Kentucky Champion Tree.
Cave Hill Cemetery. The other five, including the Hill’s,
To view the St. Matthews Champion Tree online and all are on private property, so the addresses are not listed.
the other Champion Trees, or to nominate a tree for However, if one drives through St. Matthews, you may be
Grand Champion, you can visit the state forestry website able to spot this beautiful Southern Magnolia specimen.
listed at the end of the article.
1. https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/ky-champion-trees/
There are currently eight Grand Champion trees in Pages/default.aspx
Jefferson County, which makes the Southern Magnolia 2. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/magnolia/
owned by the Hills very special. There is a Devils Walking grandiflora.htm
Stick in Jefferson Memorial Forest, a Slippery Elm at
the Masonic Home and an American Yellowwood at
St. Matthews Police Chief Barry
Wilkerson inducted into St. X
Alumni Hall of Honors
“A walking billboard for the St. X motto to pursue excellence in all
endeavors,” is how Chief Barry Wilkerson was described in the video
presented on October 20 as he was inducted into the St. Xavier
High School’s Alumni Hall of Honors. Chief Wilkerson says that his
primary influences growing up were his parents, who sacrificed to
send both he and his brother to Catholic schools, and St. Xavier High
School. Chief Wilkerson, who graduated from St. X in 1980, stated
his four takeaways from St. X were “Confidence, faith, structure and
the desire to succeed.”
Chief Wilkerson was a two sport athlete at St. X, playing soccer and Mayor Rick Tonini and Police Chief Barry Wilkerson
baseball. His senior year he received All District and All Region honors
as an outfielder and was an All Regional and All State goalkeeper on
with the city of Louisville, retiring in 2016 as
the soccer team. He gives back to the athletics program by having
a major. Since 2017, he has served as police
served for twenty years on the St. X baseball coaching staff.
chief for the city of St. Matthews, where he
After graduating with a degree in police administration from the is known for his leadership abilities. Chief
University of Louisville in 1984, and graduating first in his class from Wilkerson has been married to his wife Holly,
the police academy, Chief Wilkerson went on to a 27-year career for 35 years and they have three daughters.
10 OCTOBER 2021 | ST. MATTHEWS LIVINGThis and That
Good Neighboring
Large Item Disposal
It is as easy as calling Rumpke to schedule a free
pickup: 502-568-3800
To Report a Pothole
St. Matthews Area Ministries You may use the form on the St. Matthews Contact
We offer the following services:
Needs
Us page or telephone the city administration office.
Food Pantry/Dare to Care Site, Senior Commodities Please give the street name and closest business
(CSFP), Home-Bound Delivery, Early Essentials for or residential address to the area being reported. If
Infants & Toddlers, School Supplies, and Seasonal you would like to be contacted, please leave your
Assistance. Consider giving of your time or treasure to
Volunteers
name, daytime telephone number, along with the
support their mission: https://stmam.com/ best time to reach you during the day.
Follow St. Matthews Baseball
on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/
StMatthewsBaseball
for up-to-date
announcements and
important dates.
make a
Noland and Schade Meeting Park Place
erence
Rooms available to the Public Brown Park is getting a facelift!
ether by
Beginning January 2022, portions of Brown
Two meeting rooms on the first floor of the City Hall building
Park will be closed to the public for a $600,000
were added during the recent renovation at City Hall, just
improvement project. All of the asphalt paths will
inside the administration entrance. These meeting rooms are
eting the
available for use by the public at no charge, but reservations are
required. They are currently used by some area organizations
be removed and new 8 foot wide concrete trails
will be installed. A new trail will be installed on the
southern edge of the park to provide access to
and smaller surrounding cities for their council meetings.
et needs
At the City Council meeting in November,
the City Council voted to name the larger
portions of the park not yet utilized. The project
also includes pedestrian bridge replacement and
rehab. Once completed, all of the trails will comply
of our
of the two room, the Noland Room, after
St. Matthews’ first mayor James Noland.
The second of the meeting rooms has
with the American Disabilities Act standards, so that
all users can experience the entire park. The project
is expected to be completed by early summer.
ghbors! Contact us at
been named the Schade room, after long
time Councilman Martha Schade who Reminder: All of our city parks are equipped with
served on the council for 33 years. She 502-893-0205 pet waste disposal stations. Please clean up after
passed away while in office. your pets.
or email
suzannedegregorio@stmam.com
ST. MATTHEWS LIVING | FEBRUARY 2022 11
to discuss your availability.City of St. Matthews
STD PRST
3940 Grandview Avenue
U.S. Postage
P.O. Box 7097
PAID
St. Matthews, KY 40257-0097
Louisville, KY
Permit #976
Your Elected Officials for Reach Alert Government Access
the City of St. Matthews:
To receive emergency City Hall Office: (502) 895-9444
Mayor Richard J. Tonini
and/or community Code Enforcement: (502) 899-2512
City Council service notifications
Bernard Bowling Police Department: (502) 893-9000
through St. Matthews’
Cathi Clark City Engineer: (502) 899-2518
Frank Flynn Reach Alert system,
Public Works: (502) 899-2517
Tim Holland sign up at
Stuart Monohan www.reachalert.com Property Taxes: (502) 899-2511
Mary Jo Nay or call 1-877-307-9313 Police Records: (502) 899-2537
Amy Olson
Tony Weiter Be A Good Neighbor! Emergency: 911
• Keep your pet on a leash at
all times when off of your Reminder: All of our city parks
City Council meetings begin at
property are equipped with pet waste
7 p.m. on the second and fourth
• Report perceived speeding disposal stations. Please clean up
Tuesday of each month.
• Report out of service after your pets.
City Council meeting minutes are
online at www.stmatthewsky.gov. street lights www.stmatthewsky.gov
12 FEBRUARY 2022 | ST. MATTHEWS LIVINGYou can also read
