King Assures District 1 Residents That Transition Will Be Smooth

In the aftermath of Judy Green's removal from office, Louisville Metro Council President Jim King, D-10, wants to ensure District 1 residents will continue to have local representation during the transition.Last week, a council court found Green guilty of misconduct on two counts of mismanaging taxpayer dollars and breaking council rules. The 20-member panel voted unanimously to expel Green, which made her the first elected official to be removed in Metro Government history and the first Louisville official booted in over a century.Residents will still be able to call the District 1 office if they need assistance or report a problem, and Green's legislative aides will continue to operate on regular business hours.King says he's working with the District 1 staff to make sure any appropriations or legislation that needs to move forward will."I will ask the chairs of all our committees to let me know if there are any ordinances that affect District 1 that are currently under consideration. I will personally make sure the district does not suffer from a lack of representation," he says.The council president is overseeing Green's office and staff in order to make them available to constituents as the council prepares to appoint a replacement. King says he will make himself available for any District 1 group seeking to meet with him.During the lead up to the expulsion trial, Green's supporters accused King of pushing for her ouster after Green and her husband alleged King was intimidating her and that it was racially motivated.King vehemently denied those claims, however,  he did step down as chairman of the council court before the removal proceedings began to clear up any accusations of bias.The council clerk will declare the District 1 seat vacant after the findings of fact from Green's removal trial are submitted. The council will then have 30 days to select a replacement by a majority vote.