What happens in Kentucky when you’re profiting from the foreclosure crisis? You run for office as a Democrat! Specifically, for the 19th District State Senate district in Louisville. [Page One]

What will make the food desert bloom? It takes a combination of access, innovation and education to change peoples’ habits for the better. [NPR]

Police are investigating a possible connection between Southern Indiana’s new serial killer and that missing white girl from IU. [WAVE3]

Big purses, sore horses and death. Large payouts to owners make it profitable for owners to field thoroughbreds that are past their prime, sometimes with fatal results. [NYT]

Everybody is freaking out about that ugly gold thing 21C propped up on Main Street. All kinds of ladies clutching their pearls and old men complaining about the giant, ahem, wang hanging above them. [WHAS11]

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating some of Humana’s southern Florida affiliates and providers for possible violations of Medicare regulations. Humana was fined $3.4 million by the state earlier this year for not appropriately reporting suspected Medicaid fraud. [WFPL]

The Pegasus Parade is today. Downtown. You going so you can get a little tipsy and yell at people to throw candy? [WLKY]

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet just finished paying $8.3 million for the Drumanard Estate – $1.3 million above its own appraisal – to build the East End bridge in Louisville. [C-J/AKN]

Papaw Beshear is paying his tax reform consultant $60,000. We’d publish the press release but it’s super-boring. [H-L]

For the first time in Kentucky Derby history, an alternate was selected to run in the race if one of the 20 Thoroughbreds that qualified cannot run. [Business First]

Who knew so many people would freak out over those Cordish tidbits and lease highlights we published? [The 'Ville Voice Here & Here]

Many readers have had questions about leases these businesses sign with Cordish.

So we thought it’d be worthwhile to share a bit of the interesting tidbits we’ve found from a few leases businesses have shared with us:

Tenant shall not play or present any music within the Premises that is likely to have a detrimental affect on the Shopping Center, that is likely to create a perception that the Shopping Center is not safe for families and the general public, or that it is likely to attract organized “gangs”, as determined by Landlord in its sole discretion. Tenant shall not play or present any music within the Premises that can be heard outside the Premises. Tenant shall immediately comply with Landlord’s written directions concerning any music presented within the Premises. Thus if Landlord instructs Tenant to reduce the volume of the music played or presented within the Premises or cease playing or presenting a particular type of music within the Premises, Tenant shall immediately comply with such instructions.

-SNIP-

Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Minimum Rent in the sums set forth in … above and the Monthly Tax Charge, Monthly Common HVAC System Cost Charge, Monthly Common Area Maintenance Charge, Monthly Air Handling Unit Charge and any other monthly charges under this Lease in advance on the first day of each calendar month during the Term, without offset, notice, deduction, recoupment, setoff or demand therefor.

-SNIP-

WIthin twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar quarter during the Term, Tenant shall submit to Landlord a complete written statement showing the amount of Gross Sales from the Premises (and from such other business as may be required pursuant to Section 704 above) during said calendar quarter. If Tenant fails to timely deliver the statements required by this Section …, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a late charge in accordance with with Section …

-SNIP-

Landlord shall have the right to have an audit made of Tenant’s books and records pertaining to all Gross Sales. Tenant shall promptly pay Landlord any deficiency found in Tenant’s payment of Percentage Rent and any overpayment shall be promptly refunded or credited. If any statement required by Section … is found to differ by more than two percent (2%) from the audited amount, Tenant shall also pay for any and all costs and fees of such audit within fifteen (15) days after notice from Landlord, and if such audit proves such statements to be correct, or such statements collectively do not vary by more than two percent (2%) from the results of the audit, then the expenses of such audit shall be borne by Landlord.

-SNIP-

Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as Additional Rent, Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of all impositions of every kind and nature imposed by any federal, state, regional, municipal, local or other governmental authority or agency in connection with the ownership, operation or use of all or any portion of the Shopping Center (“Taxes”).

-SNIP-

The term “Common Area Maintenance Costs” means any and all costs and expenses of any kind incurred by Landlord in managing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, improving, operating and insuring the Common Areas, the Project, all improvements within the Shopping Center, without limitation, and an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Common Area Maintenance Costs as an administrative fee. Landlord shall amortize items that should be capitalized under its normal accounting principles and/or tax regulations.

The fear of “gangs” is what stood out the most for us. Strangely, there was no mention of the racial profiling that’s regularly used by “security” folks at 4th Street on the weekends to determine whether or not patrons are granted entrance.

And the fact that CAM charges are just glossed over with no specifics, of course.

Possibility City!

Two Southern Indiana landmarks are on the endangered list. So where are the Louisville locals constantly screaming about preservation? [FOX41]

Wow, the information we published about Cordish Cos. in yesterday has allowed a lot of local business owners to come out of the woodwork. Yet another issue involving Greg Fischer’s pat-a-caking and trying to throw money at a lost cause. [The 'Ville Voice]

Ever read the comments on a mainstream story about anybody who is non-white accused of a violent crime? Some of the most racist tripe on earth. [WAVE3]

The Jefferson County Board of Education voted Monday night to appeal a recommendation made by a state audit to remove the principal at Valley High School. [Toni Konz]

Here’s a rare instance where publishing an entire press release is warranted. A reward’s offered for information about the disappearance of Daniel Reaves. [WHAS11]

Keeneland’s 15-day spring meet had record attendance of 269,292 people. [Business First]

Does this mean the accused Nawbny murderer could be a serial killer? Maybe it’ll be something for local television stations to talk about non-stop for the next several years. [WLKY]

You’re probably hung over at work this morning because it’s that special week every year where all of Louisville drinks 24/7. So go read this interesting story about a Danville flower shop that preserves roses from Kentucky Derby winners every year. [H-L]

The Richie Farmer audit paints such an alarmingly jacked up picture that it’s worth re-reading. Really, the entire situation is crazy. It’s actually sad watching try to excuse it. [Page One]

Turns out, those businesses are partly leaving because of Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees that get imposed on tenants without any warning. Often in amounts that are three or four times the amounts quoted by Cordish during lease negotiations.

One business leaving the strip this month was billed more than $50,000 in back CAM reconciliation fees. Two restaurant chains were hit in 2009 with back CAM fees reaching to 2003. When they asked questions and complained, they were threatened with legal action.

Seems to us, based upon the businesses we’ve spoken with, that Cordish makes a practice out of estimating low CAMs to lure tenants and then drops excessive charges on them. Bait and switch? It’s hard not to think so since hundreds of thousands of dollars get paid to Cordish from those fees for “management” and “services” each year.

Let’s take a look at just the 2009 fees:

• Cleaning $95,503.85
• Building Repairs & Maintenance $261,974
• Loading Dock $35,799
• HVAC $16,189.80
• Elevator & Escalator $35,419.36
• Security & Safety $281,412.12
• Trash Removal $4,291.39
• Control Center $84,762.97
• Utilities $184,856.84
• Mall Office Expenses $208,318.88
• Contracted Services $427,363.24
• Snow Removal $1,879.61
• Insurance $82,991.79
• For a total of $1,720.762.85
• 20% Administrative fees were charged: $344,152.57
• For a grand total of $2,064,915.42

We won’t even get into the 2007 and 2008 fees. (Though, you can see those after the jump>

Cordish tells tenants the large reconciliation is due to outdoor cooling.

It’s time for Adam Edelen to audit everything related to Cordish with Metro Government. Because Memphis was on to something. When Cordish tried to move to that city, the local business association banded together and sued both the city and Cordish. They eventually backed out of the deal over unfair business practices and such.

Possibility City!

View 2007 and 2008 fees after the jump…

2007

• Cleaning $211,777.10
• Building Repairs & Maintenance $109,273.49
• Loading Dock $19,054
• HVAC $12,304.22
• Elevator & Escalator $39,082.76
• Security & Safety $425,833.85
• Trash Removal $3,419.46
• Control Center $90,830.28
• Utilities $197,163,68
• Mall Office Expenses $239,658.12
• Management Fees $370,330.32
• Contracted Services $167,804.74
• Snow Removal $1,128.93
• Insurance $69,765
• Auto/Travel $17,253.15
• For a total of $1,974,679.10
• Plus 20% Administrative fees: $394,935.82
• Grand Total of $2,369,614.92

2008

• Cleaning $226,097.18
• Building Repairs & Maintenance $242,369.14
• Loading Dock $23,776
• HVAC $20,450.43
• Elevator & Escalator $35,651.18
• Security & Safety $382,194.42
• Trash Removal $3,822.18
• Control Center $71,592.04
• Utilities $194,597.78
• Mall Office Expenses $205,523.70
• Contracted Services $414,586.91
• Snow Removal $5,818.36
• Insurance $72,283.59
• For a total of $1,898,762.91
• Plus 20% Administrative fees: $379,752.58
• Grand Total of $2,278,515.49

Greg Fischer can’t even get basketball quotes right. It’s like he wants everyone across the Commonwealth to think he’s as disconnected as he really is. [KSR]

There’s a golf special with Metro Parks during the month of April. Be sure to try to win lessons from the golf “pros” who are bilking the government to literally play games. [Metro Gubmint]

The gay t-shirt shenanigans in Lexington? Really, dumb as hell. Total waste of time and money. [Page One]

Greg Fischer spends every waking moment proclaiming that Louisville is super-safe and woah “compassionate.” Then comes along the new po-leece chief and he says he wants to make the city safe. Meaning it’s not already safe? Or not safe enough? And the safest city in America? Really? Lawwwd, the Fischer rhetoric is thick this week. [C-J/AKN]

It’s another “editorial” from the teevee man about how great and magical Jefferson County Public Schools are. The tens of thousands of parents with concerns are just a bunch of washed up, you know, “urbans” who don’t know what they’re talking about. Also, urban school district? HAHAHA. [WAVE3]

They’re getting ready to just cold assplode Smoketown’s Sheppard Square housing development. You ready for the fireworks? [WFPL]

Lawwwd, the reaction to Karen Sypher’s book – the one she couldn’t even write herself – is pretty rough on Amazon. [Click the Clicky]

If you people act like idiots after a ball game, you deserve to be pepper sprayed like woah. [FOX41]

Just what Louisville needs. Another A Kentucky Newspaper knob-slobbing of Cordish Cos. and Fourth Street Live. All about a new weekends-only bar. [C-J/AKN]

Just in case you haven’t gouged your eyes out over the Louisville Orchestra cat fight, here’s more on the story. [WHAS11]

Really, this Metro Parks scandal is boiling over the edge of the pot. Greg Fischer is still attempting to ignore it. More and more Parks employees are coming forward to us as the days go by. [The 'Ville Voice]

Hundreds of people in South Bend marched in memory of Trayvon Martin. How many will show up in Louisville tomorrow? [WLKY]

Repairs on the Cherokee Park Pavilion are set to start soon. This is a good thing for Louisville. [C-J/AKN]

Maybe David Tandy should stop BEING PARTIALLY AND DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the Cordish disaster before he starts talking about his desire for more minority businesses on 4th Street. [WFPL]

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is backing emergency legislation to help Kentucky’s tornado victims. The proposal would provide tax relief to owners of buildings damaged in the March 2 tornadoes and assist schools and staff suffering with potential loss of funding because of absences caused by the disaster. [H-L]

Metro Animal Services is allegedly putting out pleas because its kennels are full. But you wouldn’t know it. Because Margaret Brosko hasn’t done a goddamn thing to spread the word to people who can actually help with the situation. Greg Fischer should be kicked square in the ass for hiring these folks and paying them a third of a million bucks to further run the agency into the ground. [WAVE3]

Remember Robert Felner? Seems his scheme of robbing everybody blind is a popular one. So you know it’s still going down at the University of Louisville, as well. [EBRI]

Reading the comments on stories like this one perfectly illustrate the serious disconnect of Louisville’s “mainstream” news media. It’s all about doing what’s easiest and making a buck. [FOX41]

The Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would allow parents to send their children to the school closest to their home but its sponsor said it probably will not be approved by the House. [Bluegrass Politics]

If you don’t think there’s a homeless problem in the metro area, you aren’t paying attention. This story is a great example. [WHAS11]

If you accidentally get terra-isted, U.S Postal Service workers in Louisville can maybe help you, with the anthrax, maybe. Which means we’re all gonna die because the USPS can barely function as it is. [C-J/AKN]

Kentucky Retirement Systems is absolutely no stranger to big time ethics violations. But that doesn’t mean anybody will ever be held accountable. [Page One]

Why should you care if an Amazon distribution center is built in the area? Because they’re turning into monster profit hubs. [Business First]

Kelly Downard and Brent Ackerson aren’t happy about it:

But during the hearing, Councilman Kelly Downard, R-16, admonished the mayor’s economic development team for failing to ask Cordish enough follow-up questions, adding it underscores what he calls the city’s one-sided relationship with the developer.

“Why in the world would you go forward based on incomplete information? Especially since to access the money there’s a requirement to have a copy of the lease. If you didn’t know who the tenant was we’re running out to get money and we don’t even know who it is yet we have to know by contract,” he said.

-SNIP-

Government Accountability Vice-Chairman Brent Ackerson, D-26, says the city’s deal with Cordish is fundamentally flawed because it gives the developer too much important property under different agreements with little recourse or transparency.

“One person having multiple contracts where they control so much of this city’s valuable real estate is not a good situation. It does not promote competition and it does not promote true market values to what’s happening. The concern really boils down to we cannot allow one entity to monopolize what’s going on downtown,” he says.

Oh, and Greg Fischer is sorry, kinda:

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer’s administration apologized for a botched loan agreement with The Cordish Cos.—the developer of Fourth Street Live—during a Metro Council committee hearing on Tuesday.

Click here to read the entire thing.

Meanwhile, Fourth Street Live continues to fail, isn’t utilized by locals, it’s riddled with crime and weird shenanigans and not even out-of-town visitors care to spend their cash on homogenized bars or whatever they are.

Take a look at what Miranda Lambert is doing with proceeds from her concert. You should consider doing something similar if you’ve got gobs of cash. [WLKY]

In light of the recent tornado disaster, the state legislature STILL wants to END BASIC TELEPHONE SERVICE for many in the poorest areas of the Commonwealth. [H-L]

You should check out this story about a horse getting picked up by a tornado and surviving. [WKYT]

That Kentucky Retirement Systems report is causing heads to roll like woah in Frankfort and Warshington this week. [Page One]

Local teevee folks have been freaking out over a juvenile snatching iPhones from people as they walked around with them downtown. [FOX41]

Public transportation usage is up in Louisville. And continues to rise. But you’ll never see anything resembling light rail or real public transit, thanks to your city and state electeds. [NYT]

Guess you can’t go to Dixie Highway without getting mobbed/attacked by a hundred crazy teenagers. [WAVE3]

Greg Fischer finally decided to order a study of Fourth Street Live after the nightmare of that Cordish loan failure. [WFPL]

First price gouging, now this. Should make you feel really safe when buying gasoline. [WHAS11]

No one trusts the Metro Council to decide what is and is not an historic landmark. We can’t say we blame them. [C-J/AKN]

The reaction from LMPD folks regarding a Metro Corrections guard – and recruit/cadet – smuggling contraband into the jail is interesting. [LMPD.com]

Prediction: hordes of the gays will flood the Frazier Museum to view the Diana exhibit. [84WHAS]

While they’ll also review recommendations made in the 2011 Ethics Annual Report, the Fourth Street Live mess will be front and center.

These councilcritters are on the committee:

• (R) – Jerry Miller (19)
• (D) – Brent Ackerson (26)
• (D) – Tina Ward-Pugh (9)
• (R) – Kevin Kramer (11)
• (D) – Robert Henderson (14)
• (R) – Kelly Downard (16)
• (D) – David Yates (25)

It’s important for everyone to pay super-close attention to these discussions because Cordish is about to walk away with $850,000 of your tax dollars. Again. For talking a restaurant into renting space from them. If any of these people allow it to happen? They should be held politically accountable.

Go watch this ten minutes of security footage of a tornado rolling through West Liberty if you need a reminder of why you should give back. [WKYT]

What? You need a reminder that Greg Fischer wants you to forget that he okayed the firing of the Metro Parks whistleblower? [The 'Ville Voice]

Now Cordish is requesting an $850,000 forgivable loan from Metro Government. So a bar can move to 4th Street. $850K to create some of the lowest paying jobs in the country. [Dan Klepal]

Here comes the media circle jerk over what a great thing it is. You can almost feel your local government bending over to pay Cordish with your sweet, sweet tax dollars. [Business First]

People are still freaking out about a new VA hospital so here’s an interview with Mitch McConnell about it. [FOX41]

Remember John Ziegler? The guy who tried to sexytime some lady on the radio or something and John Yarmuth had to go to court over it? He now has some conspiracy theory Obama movie. [Wonkette & Click the Clicky]

First you get taken for a ride with gasoline price fixing. Then you probably explode because your fuel secretly has too much ethanol and your chainsaw goes pow. [WAVE3]

FEMA disaster relief may be coming to families in need. But that doesn’t mean you should stop supporting relief efforts. [WHAS11]

The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would allow students to attend a school outside their district. [WFPL]

So maybe you Indiana folks don’t have to worry about defending yourself against illegal entry, after all. [WLKY]

The Kentucky Horse Park is struggling, to say the least, so these kid-friendly exhibits couldn’t come at a better time. [H-L]