City of Louisville and Politics

Mr. Abramson was the 3rd Ward Alderman from 1975 to 1977 and chairman of the finance committee. He talks about the reorganization of city government under Mayor Harvey Sloane. Abramson explains that the reorganization was proposed before his election and was intended to streamline decision-making and improve efficiency. He also mentions that he had concerns about the potential for increased bureaucracy and difficulty for citizens to reach the mayor. Abramson also discusses the political dynamics of the board, including the mayor's strategy to back a group of aldermen he could communicate with. He concludes by saying that while he still has questions about the reorganization, it seems to be working well and has made it easier for him to communicate with city department directors.

Ms. Auerbach, a local government administrator and social activist discusses the attitude of women in office on the women's rights issue.

Mr. Banks was the 6th Ward Alderman from 1975 to 1977. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Mr. Bibb was the 10th Ward Alderman from 1973 to 1975. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government. Some restrictions apply.

Mr. Brown was the 11th Ward Alderman for two terms, 1973 to 1975 and 1975 to 1977. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government. Some restrictions apply.

Mr. Bryan was originally the special assistant to Mayor Sloane and was serving as Cabinet Director for Safety and Public Health at the time of this interview, which covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Mr. Burke was Mayor of Louisville from 1969 to 1973. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government. Some restrictions apply.

Mr. Burt was the Management Planning Administrator in the Office of Budget and Planning at the time of this interview, which covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Mr. Deutsch was the Law Director for the City of Louisville in 1976-77 and previously had been the Special Assistant to Mayor Sloane. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Mr. Dosker was an Administrative Assistant to Mayor Sloane and at the time of the interview was serving as Assistant Director for the Community Development Cabinet. He discusses his previous roles in city government and how his knowledge and skills led him to his current position. He explains the role of the community development cabinet, which was established due to changes in federal funding. The cabinet focuses on rehabilitating housing and upgrading neighborhoods in designated areas. Mr. Dosker also discusses the impact of federal community development laws on Mayor Sloane's reorganization of city government. He mentions the challenges of coordinating with independent city commissions and the potential issues if federal funding ceases. He believes that the federal government is committed to saving cities and maintaining their viability.

Mr. Elam was the Executive Assistant to Mayor Sloane. He notes that the idea for reorganization was conceived within the first year of the administration, with the aim of improving city government efficiency. The concept of a cabinet structure was adopted, although the term 'cabinet' was chosen for its simplicity and understandability. The reorganization was also influenced by changes in federal funding and the need to utilize strong individuals within the city government more effectively. There was a proposal for a dual executive assistant to the mayor, but it was rejected in favor of a single executive assistant. The reorganization aimed to make independent city commissions and joint city-county agencies more accountable to City Hall. Elam emphasized the importance of interdepartmental cooperation and effective resource allocation in delivering public services.

The life, time and mood of the Louisville area between 1948 and 1953. Farnsley, a former mayor of Louisville, discusses problems during his administration and his numerous insights regarding the city.

Mr. Gentry was the 4th Ward Alderman from 1973 to 1975. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

In a three-session interview, Dr. Carl Ryant talks with Republican Aldermanic candidate Dr. Joel Goldstein before and after the elections. In the early sessions, Dr. Goldstein discusses his strategy and the issues. In the post-election session, Dr. Goldstein offers an explanation for his defeat and discusses his future political aspirations.

In a three-session interview, Dr. Carl Ryant talks with Republican Aldermanic candidate Dr. Joel Goldstein before and after the elections. In the early sessions, Dr. Goldstein discusses his strategy and the issues. In the post-election session, Dr. Goldstein offers an explanation for his defeat and discusses his future political aspirations.

In a three-session interview, Dr. Carl Ryant talks with Republican Aldermanic candidate Dr. Joel Goldstein before and after the elections. In the early sessions, Dr. Goldstein discusses his strategy and the issues. In the post-election session, Dr. Goldstein offers an explanation for his defeat and discusses his future political aspirations.

Ms. Hall gave her interview in the aldermanic chambers of the Louisville Board Of Alderman. At the present time she is on the Board of Alderman. No summary available. Restrictions: none.

Mr. Hatcher was the 12th Ward Alderman from 1975 to 1977. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Reverend Hodge was the 10th Ward Alderman from 1975 to 1977. At the time of this interview he served on several committees including the Housing and Community Development Committee, the Rules Committee, the Finance and Appropriations Committee, the Zoning Committee, the Contracts Committee, and the Collective Bargaining Committee. He also served on the Fireman's Pension Board and the Crime Commission. He became involved in Mayor Sloane's reorganization process after being elected, but had no input in the process as it was almost complete when he joined. He does not recall any calls from citizens or groups for the reorganization of the city government. He believes the reorganization has made the flow of information about city government operations easier and has improved the personnel policy. He had some reservations about the placement of the Human Relations Commission under the Community Development Cabinet due to its nature of work. He believes the reorganization has made it easier for him to direct constituents to the right departments for their issues. He also mentions the usefulness of the action line, a service that has since been cut. He has not had any problems with the reorganization so far.

Non-oral history tape. Testimony before the United States Senate committee concerning busing.

Mr. Kotheimer was the 6th Ward Alderman from 1973 to 1975. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Mr. Mallon served as Chairman of the citizen's committee to "sell" city/county merger. Interviewer's notes in file.

President of the Board of Aldermen, interviewed concerning his feelings on the city reorganization. Mr. Mershon served as the 2nd Ward Alderman from 1973 to 1977 and was President of the Board from 1975 to 1977.

Interview with Melissa Mershon about her career in local politics.

Women on the Louisville Board of Aldermen. Melissa A. Mershon, President of the Board of Alderman, discusses her political life, goals, and her future. She also discusses issues in politics concerning women and how being a woman has affected her career. She highlights the difference in men's and women's political lives such as the experience expected of both.

Mrs. Mulvihill was the 4th Ward Alderman from 1975 to 1977. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Mr. O'Bannon was the Cabinet Director for Transportation and Environment at the time of this interview, which covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Interview with local historian, archivist, and politician Tom Owen.

Interview with local historian, archivist, and politician Tom Owen.

Mr. Roberts was the former Director of Sanitation and served as the Cabinet Director for Public Works and Services. This interview covers the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Former Louisville Mayor Schmied discusses consolidation of metro government and major problems in urban government with panel of various mayors of metropolitan Louisville area.

Mr. Siemans discusses his roles as an employee of the Commonwealth Attorney's Office in Jefferson County, Kentucky. He gives his opinions on the administration of Paul Richwalsky and David Armstrong with particular emphasis on the political infuences involved in the office during these administrations. File contains an abstract, time index, and one page of transcription.

Dr. Sloane gives an exit interview for a newspaper article.

Dr. Sloane served as Mayor of Louisville from 1973 to 1977. Sloane explains that the decision to reorganize was influenced by the need for better inter-departmental coordination and decision-making at lower levels. He also mentions that the reorganization was not a campaign pledge. The reorganization involved merging departments, creating a cabinet structure, and changing the reporting mechanism. The cabinet structure was designed to improve the delivery of services and government interaction with the public. The reorganization faced criticism, with some claiming it was a ploy to give friends jobs and others suggesting it was a means to increase political power. Sloane refutes these claims, stating that the reorganization was about professionalizing the service to the public and encouraging long-term thinking in city government.

Mr. Stansbury was the 1st Ward Alderman for two terms, from 1973 to 1975 and from 1975 to 1977. This interview deals with the reorganization of Louisville's city government.

Stansbury, Louisville Mayor from 1977-1981, discusses his youth, education, and entry into politics. He also reflects on his role as chairman of the local Democratic party executive committee and as an alderman during the first Sloane administration.

Stansbury, Louisville Mayor from 1977-1981, discusses his youth, education, and entry into politics. He also reflects on his role as chairman of the local Democratic party executive committee and as an alderman during the first Sloane administration.

Stansbury, Louisville Mayor from 1977-1981, discusses his youth, education, and entry into politics. He also reflects on his role as chairman of the local Democratic party executive committee and as an alderman during the first Sloane administration.

Judge Steinfeld discusses his activity in Louisville Republican politics from the 1920s to the present. Restrictions: None.