In a world full of political strife, poverty and violence, we are constantly bombarded with bad news. Yes, it is the job of media outlets like us to inform people about the mayhem.
Yet, it’s also important to shine a light on the good things happening in the communities on both sides of the Ohio River in Kentuckiana.
This weekly column will highlight some of those people and their accomplishments. We hope you will read it routinely and tell us what we’re missing.
Some people and places catch our attention. They stand out and rise to the top.
In this week’s Good News column, we recognize some of those standouts, including two people and a Louisville community.
First African American chosen to lead Kentucky Realtors group
It’s Lester T. Sanders’ motto: “Lifting as we climb because that’s who we R.”
Sanders has been climbing — and helping others along the way.
He was named the 2019 Realtor of the Year by both the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors and Kentucky Realtors.
Now he’s been elected president of Kentucky Realtors, making him the first African American president in the organization’s 97-year history.
“It’s a huge honor for me to represent people of all colors and to have support of our association in doing that, but it is important in my eyesight that when people see me — and that I have walked through the door and left it cracked — that they can see themselves walking through the door as well.”
Sanders, who is from Oldham County and has worked with Semonin Realtors for 29 years, said people don’t understand all that realtors do. For example, Kentucky Realtors has about 11,600 members and has lobbyists who watch for legislation that could affect its business and consumers.
“We are at a crisis level with affordable housing. If you start adding taxes … all of a sudden you have added fees and people are bumped out of the opportunity to purchase a home.”
Sanders said Kentucky Realtors also is investing in the community, giving each of its six regions $10,000 to support local programs focusing on economic development, fair and affordable housing and community building.
Sanders was a headhunter moving people to jobs all around the country when he got involved in real estate.
“I’ve been blessed to help people with two of the most crucial decisions they will make in their lives — where they live, and before that, where they work. I’m honored in the level of trust people have put in me to guide them through both of those situations.
Norton Commons gets national best community award
If you live and or work in Norton Commons, hold your head up high.
Your community just won top honors from the National Association of Homebuilders.
More specifically, Norton Commons was named the “Best Mixed-Use, Single Family Community” at the Best in American Living™ Awards held last week in Las Vegas.
The 600-acre development in Prospect was designed as a walkable community with a mixture of uses and housing types. It is home to more than 1,400 residences, 70-plus businesses, three schools and dozens of parks, pools and green spaces.
The Best in American Living™ Awards recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in all sectors of the residential housing industry, including single-family, custom, multifamily, affordable, remodeling, community and interiors. Norton Commons received the platinum award at a Jan. 22 ceremony during the International Builders’ Show.
“Norton Commons has really come into its own in the last few years,” said Charles Osborn, III, managing partner of Traditional Town LLC, the developer for Norton Commons, who was on hand to receive the award. “I think this is really proof of concept that what we’ve done is build a community based on connectedness, small business, sustainability and interpersonal relationships. To receive this recognition from the National Association of Homebuilders means a lot. We’re grateful to be held in the same regard as a number of other great communities that have come before us.”
JCPS student wins 2020 Distinguished Young Women of Kentucky award
She plays the piano, swims competitively and recently started Elyph Cosmetics, a small business developing and selling natural skin care products.
She also just won the Distinguished Young Women of Kentucky award recognizing academics, leadership and talent.
Elif Ozyurekoglu, a 17-year-old duPont Manual High senior, will represent Kentucky in the national competition in Mobile, Alabama, in June. She will compete for a share of more than $130,000 in scholarships and the opportunity to represent the national program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.
Thirty-two young women from Kentucky participated in the competition on Jan. 11. Elif garnered top scores in the interview and scholastic categories and won a preliminary award in the talent category with her performance of “Solfeggio” by CPE Bach, a Baroque piano classic.
Got other Good News we should share? Send an email to vmorgan@courierjournal.com with the subject line Good News.
