[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6672393,"mediaKeyId","2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947","parentId",2125217,"title","Kentucky Jewish Council warns of rise in antisemitic incidents in Lexington and state; asks for attention","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",4454000,"endMs",4682000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947&start=4454&end=4682","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947/thumbnail_4454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6672393/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Kentucky-Jewish-Council-warns-of-rise-in-antisemitic-incidents-in-Lexington-and-state-asks-for-attention","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672393-b6b89dbcf14d58dddbb128f2bbf63e08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212223&Signature=Ge4gDGm5cWfa84NT7FcH2kEAy~e2AONfxHsZDtvf8TeyOv~IDnimfsR1v8QLTmd-drU7hPdqg7fV7b3EwSWBtZV-CYYo-puLSX4MWWkUChmM7KYObyfMDJyhWNCHeaQrDxPS8oilU~Iwtjarq6SXvyRVAg70UPmjWYebBFgSzyztdETq3K5CD9W~9T4Dw5GR2XNC5kxWE2MquQ2ZzJqnrWf9YDuypYlbpNuwRsOa8ty2FfZz2jEAmtenOX~JLdhY3mR8Elo-i6WAvdLoZju9Y8Bx7ZHmY10nu7bzHArYMpBXoT~vdh020iYY-quVqjSU-1KAHebNnlALk5P9aOjSFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lexington","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Rabbi Litvin, representing the Kentucky Jewish Council, told the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on Jan. 16 that antisemitic incidents and threats in 2024 rose significantly across the Commonwealth, including multiple incidents in Lexington.

Litvin said the council published an annual report that documents episodes ranging from torn flyers and threats on the University of Kentucky campus to rallies that included calls for violence and threats against Jewish centers and individuals. He told council the state adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in 2021 and that the Jewish community is urging continued attention and action.

Litvin listed incidents reported in Lexington last year, including torn flyers for a Holocaust lecture that required police presence, threats against Jewish students and organizations, multiple rallies that included violent slogans, reported threats against synagogues and Jewish centers, and a death threat received by a Jewish community leader in late December. He told council that campus incidents and public rallies created a climate of fear and that platforming hate speech in local media and public spaces is harmful.

“Having a panopticon in a public space would limit the free will of the people and treat us like criminals,” Litvin said earlier in public remarks (referring to a separate public‑surveillance concern raised before his remarks). He argued the “greatest disinfectant is light” and urged officials to take the report seriously.

Litvin told the council the report was shared with the legislature and other state bodies and that he would answer questions from council members. He said the rise of antisemitic incidents is part of a wider pattern seen nationwide and urged local leaders to be attentive to student safety and threats to community institutions.

Speakers quoted: Rabbi Litvin (Kentucky Jewish Council).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington - Urban County Council - Jan 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rabbi Litvin of the Kentucky Jewish Council told Lexington council members that antisemitic incidents increased sharply in 2024, citing campus threats, rallies and threats against Jewish centers and individuals; the group urged vigilance and use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.","taxTitle","Lexington City, Fayette County, Kentucky","taxId",5707,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6672398,"Council approves equipment purchase and federal DOJ grant; personnel discipline and routine approvals pass",118,2466000,2584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947&start=2466&end=2584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947/thumbnail_2466000.jpg","/articles/6672398/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Council-approves-equipment-purchase-and-federal-DOJ-grant-personnel-discipline-and-routine-approvals-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672398-cafd34cf8f31836f25080e51bd493265/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212223&Signature=DmlqCqPcmDx81I549aNDXj-nQa-UhEoGvjO3e78anNQtWsDjBAmP7HOG4D~YWKJW7Gz3baAUvfdNr~17ubeNybjniQb47kFPTp~HZVSbv1GcTPSGh6H6aoKzVai6cDpBNRUV47qeB6lSxxDU~e7W89Cn4C873OwH~c54EnYpgqyeqxAfxAGkdkFVGXW-CXdCaXKZsooJy-tSxdKCmlDEqEVuF-pS7aESbUlYCpo2aC0LCazPDhptl14o-W2Nn-LnEnwJB1oW9JfjIcVXjWL5jVYzgFqM3ljN7FZTqKhce4C8jcP-nrbhvAG3GwWw3qawi0~DI6TqxyCDLkMRwg3wTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on Jan. 16 took several formal actions, including suspending rules to advance two items to second reading and approving them on the same night.

Key votes and actions

- Exercise equipment contract (Item 6): The council voted to suspend the rules and give second reading to a resolution authorizing the Department of General Services to purchase exercise equipment from Design 2 Wellness as a sole‑source provider at a cost of $95,997.50. Council member Mark Morton moved the suspension for Item 6; Council member Ellinger seconded. The subsequent motion to approve carried on voice/roll‑call votes.

- Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Item 24): Council member Elliot Baxter moved to suspend the rules and give second reading to Item 24, a resolution authorizing acceptance of a U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for the Lexington Police Department in the amount of $117,792. Council member Sheehan seconded. The council later approved the item on second reading; a roll call recorded each council member voting yes.

- Personnel discipline: Fire Chief Jason Wells presented disciplinary action stemming from an external complaint regarding Firefighter Patrick Gray (employee number 58375). The investigation validated the complaint; Gray accepted a 48‑hour suspension and mandatory employee‑assistance participation. The council voted to approve the discipline.

- Routine approvals: The council voted to approve civil service appointments, procurements and donations listed on the agenda and accepted several procurement awards and grant agreements read in the resolutions list. Those routine approvals passed by voice vote or unanimous assent.

Roll-call detail (second‑reading approvals)

A roll call was recorded for the second‑reading approvals of Items 6 and 24. Council members recorded as voting yes included: Beasley; Brown; Boomer; Curtis; Ellinger; Elliot Baxter; Gray; Hale; LaGree; Lynch; Morton; Reynolds; Savigny; Sheehan; Vice Mayor Wu.

Speakers and motions: Council member Elliot Baxter moved the suspension and second reading for Item 24; Council member Mark Morton moved the suspension and second reading for Item 6. Council member Ellinger moved approval of the items on final action; Council member Baxter seconded the final approval motion.

No measures failed during the Jan. 16 session; all items brought forward for final approval at the meeting were adopted as read. The meeting record shows voice or roll‑call approval for appointments, procurements and donations and a unanimous vote on the two advanced items.","At its Jan. 16 meeting the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council suspended rules to advance and then approved two items on second reading (an exercise equipment procurement and an Edward Byrne Memorial JAG grant for the police department), approved a firefighter discipline, and passed routine appointments, procurements and donations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6672403,"Council gives first reading to small‑farm conservation easement ordinance",2114,1851000,3965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947&start=1851&end=3965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","/articles/6672403/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/Council-gives-first-reading-to-smallfarm-conservation-easement-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672403-40a292255542ab74d9316d652d738671/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212223&Signature=HA2qUtyueWgwwVjCF~0oqVNpq5ELdo6nycJQI8AF1dmzSGJB~qfJPCfiouNmVGmmkbV9fHxe1EqVTgT4mhP3xU5BTGFlxQLMzq8-thEOmPsX~CWKttGFGumBzwTgM3H6sNQwvesZfF4m2CL~szd~VSqIoKrRy5jrt8TYszFRvhh16Kbwolq7BxP4xNerjMWC8mp-fjk5kaGn3d8Zzr5IxiePtUTAJd~SPgDF5xl3OJp8nQmNtXCjaHmdbjJfZIYRcmdyMBxWQ4bvP7uwcAHF4Ale-5zAm76RWOz4J3rAG0uX4QfKEZQj0dnB5u0kjrYxGuDUjx7WFin8qZN4kX1raA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on Jan. 16 gave first reading to an ordinance that would create a small‑farm conservation easement program for Fayette County.

The ordinance, read into the record as an item on first reading, would establish Chapter 27 of the Lexington code to authorize application, evaluation and purchase of conservation easements targeted at smaller agricultural parcels.

Council member Boone described the ordinance as an effort to help landowners with parcels at least 10 acres but less than 20 acres access local and federal funding while preserving working farmland.

Boone said prospective farms will be graded using a point system, appraised for transparency and inspected annually to ensure compliance with farming operations. He said the program is modeled to complement the city’s existing Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program and to strengthen local food production by helping small producers who sell at farmers markets, to restaurants and grocery stores.

No council vote was taken beyond the first reading. Council members thanked planning staff and the Farmland Preservation Board for work on the ordinance and asked staff to return with implementing details and evaluation criteria if the measure advances to subsequent readings.

Speakers quoted: Council member Boone spoke in support of the program on the record.","The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council received a first reading of an ordinance to establish a small‑farm conservation easement program for Fayette County; Council member Boone described program basics and local benefits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6672408,"CAO outlines immediate snow-response plan; mayor says plows will be ordered tonight",542,1197000,1739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947&start=1197&end=1739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125217-f87916daaf9f3d32f27e2ecd523b4947/thumbnail_1197000.jpg","/articles/6672408/Lexington-City/Fayette-County/Kentucky/CAO-outlines-immediate-snow-response-plan-mayor-says-plows-will-be-ordered-tonight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672408-6be8dee879001abbfa5e9577d5facc52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771212223&Signature=K5RNpUVgyoahh4m1RZDwGFXaZGE~dAeOrhoaDPUejEWlBPAr3254CQZYFPpKC-xDcdTiK4-4wiTsl9X4fkVrIrnaXaOpDitsNw12N-T7kQHDV7g4OfL2LnyqsyvO-sINcHjfW2mJvVETID7YO-F2nDGrao6GSDhoi1SgEHOWqrs765Gm78U6l46EOZmBk8bT3aR5dTOzGqFHsOZ49ejGZrA-ByfYtZQehb0nz3gNdPLhT6TlRvtCneXbIkHkt9vQOwiyTzZcdqIdmZfzQu0V9bvZE06BinxJmmtarryf8QU44A0NyxsZflkiUbn6k6WzuZRizazGyFcJJ-qR8QsrNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lexington Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hamilton told the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on Jan. 16 that the city has developed an immediate plan to bolster neighborhood snow and ice response after last week’s prolonged winter event.

Hamilton said the administration will redeploy eight Parks & Recreation snowplows into neighborhoods, convert five available municipal trucks by adding plows and salt bins (three of those bins were available immediately), and pursue purchase of three brine/tanker trucks to reduce ice formation. He told council the plow bins and attachments would cost about $75,000 and that tankers run about $220,000 apiece and have an approximately eight-month delivery lead time.

Why it matters: Council members described widespread neighborhood frustration after prolonged icy conditions. Hamilton framed the plan as a short‑term, immediately actionable approach while the city examines longer-term equipment and route changes.

Hamilton said the steps are intended to put smaller plow units into neighborhoods so the city’s larger trucks can focus on ranked arterial routes. He also recommended pursuing an emergency contract for private contractors “to have somebody that can get out in those neighborhoods right on call,” and said staff will seek to expand coordination with Fayette County Schools on bus-route priorities.

“I woke up to a very pleasant conversation this morning when the mayor said fix this,” Hamilton told council as he outlined the actions staff recommended taking immediately and the longer procurement timeline for tankers.

Mayor Linda Gorton acknowledged the CAO’s recommendations and told council, “Well, we’re gonna order those plows tonight.” The mayor also said the administration will send the full plan to council members and that staff would present more detailed route and after‑action information at a scheduled presentation next Tuesday.

Council members asked several operational questions. Council member Reynolds asked whether the additional neighborhood plows would focus on unranked roads or on roads currently assigned a lower priority; Hamilton said staff intends to deploy the park and converted fleet vehicles to take over some rank‑4 roads and bus‑route streets that staff have begun calling “rank 5” (roads not previously on the ranked clearance list). Hamilton cautioned that clearing ice has different equipment and cost implications than clearing fresh snow and said full clearance of every street would require a much larger budget and different operational posture.

Council members repeated requests that staff clarify which streets are included in each ranking, provide cost estimates for broader coverage, and present possible adjustments to ranked route lists. Hamilton said staff would return with more detailed route reviews after the presentation from Commissioner Nancy Albright on Tuesday.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Council discussion focused on immediate redeployment and near‑term purchases. The mayor and CAO presented direction to proceed with ordering neighborhood plow attachments and to pursue an emergency contract and tanker purchases; no formal ordinance or budget appropriation vote occurred at the Jan. 16 meeting.

What’s next: Staff will send the full debrief and cost estimates to council members, Commissioner Nancy Albright will present a more detailed update next Tuesday, and the administration will return with any budget requests needed to implement larger changes.

Speakers quoted were present in council chamber and included CAO Hamilton and Mayor Linda Gorton; no formal vote was required to begin the near‑term purchases, though council members asked for follow‑up briefings and cost details.","Lexington’s chief administrative officer briefed the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council on a multi-part plan to improve neighborhood snow and ice response, including redeploying park plows, buying plow attachments and salt bins, ordering three brine tankers and pursuing an emergency contract for neighborhood clearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kentucky Jewish Council warns of rise in antisemitic incidents in Lexington and state; asks for attention

Council approves equipment purchase and federal DOJ grant; personnel discipline and routine approvals pass

Council gives first reading to small‑farm conservation easement ordinance

CAO outlines immediate snow-response plan; mayor says plows will be ordered tonight