Bon Air Estates Neighborhood Association

Presidents Message Read at the First Meeting

May 05, 2009

As a result of merger our metro area was drawn into legislative districts. Geographers drew maps according to the demographics of each district. We were at that time, grouped into the same police district as our neighbors to the north of the Watterson Expressway. Urban renovation in the Clarksdale area removed the public housing that was there and the residents were scattered to various parts of the city where rental properties were available. Our police chief changed our police district, putting us in a new district starting at the Watterson Expressway. This new district grouped us into the same police district as the Newburg neighborhood to our west. The City of West Buchel bankrupted resulting in the loss of their police department and causing even more work for the officers assigned to our district.
Because of the high crime rate in Newburg and in West Buchel, much of our law enforcement resources were shifted away from our neighborhood and used in the western sections of our district. We went through a crime wave ?– the likes of which we had never seen. Many homes were burglarized; there were street crimes, thefts of property, violent crimes, robberies, rape and a sexual assault. The library in which you sit at this time was the hub of much of this activity and had become an unsafe place for decent people to go. The neighbors of this area were outraged and this resulted in our big meeting at Saint Michaels in which hundreds of citizens showed up to voice their concern. Our police chief assured us that the problem could not be arrested away. This was a low-point in the history of this area. However ?– the courage and determination of your neighbors prevailed and the seeds of our neighborhood association were sown. For the next two years we met with Mr. Monday and our concerned neighbors many times to formulate boundaries, write bylaws, voice concerns and work to form our association.
Along the way there were disappointments ?– we were encouraged into making an association that was so large our concerns would be lost in the crowd. Some were told to move if they didn?’t like the way things were. We were told that that we were no longer the east end of the past but a bunch of starter homes. It was evident that we were slated for a change from the traditional single-family, homeowner neighborhood to become an eastern extension of the Newburg neighborhood. We vowed to stay the course and put up a good fight.
There were successes- Councilwoman Ellen Call was able to get funds for us to have extra police patrols that resulted in a sharp reduction of crime. Derby Mertle was successful in convincing us to form into a smaller association that could more effectively voice our concerns to the city leaders. The library came under new management and the kids were made to behave or leave.
With the continued support and efforts from Lea Pepper, Councilman Akerson, Walter Monday and the concerned homeowners of the Bon Air Estates Neighborhood Association I hope that this will be the start of a positive movement for our small part of Louisville and that our neighborhood will continue to be a nice place for nice people to live and raise their families. I hope our Association will make many new members and many new friends along the way.