OUTGOING CLERK TREASURER AWARDED FINAL FISHERS KEY TO THE TOWN

12.31.14

Today (12.31) is the final day of 2014 and is also the final day on the job for Fishers Clerk Treasurer Linda Gaye Cordell.  At the December 15th Fishers Town Council meeting, the council awarded Cordell the key to the town.  Because Fishers will become a city on January 1, 2015, Gaye Cordell has received the final key to the town.

Cordell has served as Fishers Town Clerk Treasurer since 1981.

Only 17 keys to the town have been awarded since the first in 1986.  The last key to the town was handed out to former Town Council Member Eileen Pritchard in 2011.

 

 

 

FISHERS TOWN COUNCIL HOLDS ITS FINAL SESSION

12.29.14

Since November, 2012, everyone knew this day was coming.  But today (12.29) was the day of the final Fishers Town Council meeting.  The meeting itself was uneventful, about 5 minutes long, with barely enough council members to provide a quorum.  There were just a few agenda items, all routine.  This end-of-the-year meeting is necessary to ensure last minute claims are authorized for payment in a timely manner.

There were no speeches or comments from the council members on this being the last meeting.  There were words of thanks from Council President John Weingardt to Gaye Cordell for her years of service as Fishers Clerk Treasurer. She will be retiring at the end of 2014.  With Fishers becoming a second class city under Indiana law, the new City of Fishers will have a controller on staff to handle the money side (Oscar Gutierrez) and an elected Clerk (Jennifer Kehl).

In the 2012 general election, Fishers voters chose a transition from a town form of government to a second class city.  After being a town for most of its history, dating back to the late 19th century, Fishers will become a city on Thursday, January 1, 2015.

Fishers now moves on in its transition to city status.  Scott Fadness will be the mayor.  The new city council will hold its first session Monday, January 5th.

 

 

A CHRISTMAS WISH FROM LARRY

​12.23.14

There are many thoughts running through my mind this Christmas season.  My first thoughts always center on my family and close friends.  You appreciate friends and family so much more during the holiday season.

But there is another group of people on my mind this Christmas.  I’m thinking about all of you, the people reading this news blog.

I’m just finishing up my third year of writing about Fishers schools, government and politics.  It all started in a rather small way and has grown to become what it is today.

In January, 2012, I began attending Fishers Town Council meetings.  I just sat in the audience with everyone else, taking notes and going home to write about what happened at the meeting.  I take the view that most Fishers residents either cannot or will not attend a town council meeting, but would be interested in a summary of the major happenings at each session.

When I started, there wasn’t even a counter on the site.  I had no idea whether anyone was reading.  Only when a couple of council members let me know they had been reading my material did I realize this blog was drawing any audience at all.

2012 turned out to be a pivotal year for Fishers, with the November referendum that set the stage for the town’s transition to a city.  The City of Fishers is set to debut officially on January 1, 2015.  And, guess what?  As part of the transition, current city elected officials are serving one-year terms and will run again for four-year terms in 2015.  More news to cover for LarryInFishers.com.

I want to recognize some elected officials that are leaving office at the end of 2014.

Scott Faultless chose not to run for city office and ends his long tenure as a Fishers elected official.  Scott was a political lightning rod.  If you support him, you are squarely in his corner.  If you don’t like him, you really don’t like him.  But Scott has laid the groundwork for much of the massive growth Fishers has seen in the past 10-15 years.  Whatever you think of Scott, his influence has been large.  Scott assures me he is likely done with politics.

Mike Colby has always impressed me with his dedication to the job of town councilman.  He doesn’t miss many meetings.  When he is there, you can see his preparation for the issues to be considered.  Mike sometimes can be too aggressive for his own political good, but he always puts effort into his work.  Mike narrowly lost in the primary election last May.  He’s not said whether there could be another council run coming for him in 2015.  That’s something to watch in the coming months.

Renee Cox was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor in last May’s primary.  When her work prevented her from attending council meetings, Renee resigned her town council seat.  I will remember Renee for her smile and kindness she always showed me.  I have no idea whether Renee has any plans to return to politics.

On the school board, three people are not returning to office next year.

Diane Eaton chose not to run for a third term on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board.  Diane was a a good board president during her tenure and gave careful consideration to all issues taken up before the school board.  She will be missed.

Katrina Hockemeyer was unsuccessful in her bid for a third term on the HSE Board. Katrina took on the difficult task of chairing the committee that chose Allen Bourff as the new HSE school superintendent.  She was one that looked carefully at every detail of every issue before the board.

Ron Wilson lost in his quest for a second term.  Ron was always kind to me and had a very special perspective on issues.  His military background was a positive for the board.  Ron always had a quick smile, great attitude and would get serious about issues important to HSE students.

It has been an honor to know these people and cover them.  I wish them all the best on any future endeavors.

My most important Christmas wish goes out to you for reading this news blog.  I am still amazed that a Web site so focused on a local area has as many people reading it as this one does.  We hit big spikes on special occasions like election nights or school redistricting  updates.  But it is the group reading this blog on a regular basis that keeps me going.

As I have written before, this is a purely volunteer activity for me.  The only reason I do this is because there are enough people (like you) reading what I have to write.

I’ve had other writing opportunities come up for Current in Fishers and Indiana Forefront, but they only happened because I wrote this blog first.

My wish is for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the readers of LarryInFishers.  If you have a different belief system, I hope the holiday season is a pleasant one.

 

 

NEW CITY OF FISHERS POISED TO START WITH SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

12.22.14

People from many parts of the Fishers community gathered at Launch Fishers Monday night (12.22) to witness the swearing-in ceremony for most elected officials for the city government set to take office on January 1.

A  number of dignitaries were on hand, including Congresswoman Susan Brooks and Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma.  Bosma pointed out that Fishers will go from being the largest town in Indiana to the state’s 5th largest city.

Bosma said he’s lived a “stone’s throw” south from 96th Street for 20-25 years and has watched Fishers “grow from a sleepy, Brook School Road farm area with some nice trees to the burgeoning community that you’ve become today.” Bosma said Fishers has “an historic opportunity for the future.”

Scott Fadness was sworn-in as mayor, as was City Clerk Jennifer Kehl and most of the 9 members of the Fishers City Council.  City Judge Dan Henke handled the swearing-in duties.

Fadness said he draws optimism from the quality of Fishers residents he met during his mayoral campaign, as well as the dedicated city employees.

“Tonight, I am unabashedly optimistic about our future,” Fadness told the crowd.  “I look to January 1st to start a new chapter in our community.  I think the ultimate goal we all could share is a smart, vibrant, entrepreneurial city.”

Even though the city officials were sworn-in on December 22nd, they will not officially take office until next week, on January 1st.  The ceremony was held early to allow all the elected officials to attend.

 

 

CHRIS GREISL NAMED NEW FISHERS CITY ATTORNEY 

12.19.14

As Fishers moves to become a city on Janaury 1st, Mayor Elect Scott Fadness has named a new city attorney.  His name is Chri Greisl.

Greisl has served as the Director of Conciliation for the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board and previously served on the Labor Policy Council with the Department of Education– where he worked with diverse stakeholders to promote harmonious and cooperative relationships. In addition, he spent a summer working at Lewis Wagner, LLP providing various legal services.

“Appointing strong leaders is integral for continued success, and we are very excited for the addition of Chris to our team,” stated Mayor-elect Scott Fadness. “As an in-house attorney, Chris will provide support to the Mayor, departments and projects as needed.”

Greisl started work on December 15th. He lives in Fishers with his wife, Natalie and their eight-month old son, Xander.

​

 

ANDERSON COMPANY IS COMING TO FORMER MEYER NAJEM SITE IN FISHERS 

12.18.14

When Meyer Najem moves from its current headquarters on 131st Street near SR 37, to downtown Fishers, an Anderson Company has announced plans to take over the 131st Street location.

Ultra Steak, a restaurant franchise management firm. plans to leave its current Anderson location and move to Fishers.  Ultra Steak says it operates 13 restaurants in Indiana, Ohio, Texas and California. It manages eating establishments such as Texas Steakhouse and Little Caeser’s pizza.

20 jobs will be moving from Anderson to Fishers, with 7 jobs expected to be added to the Fishers location.

“We are excited that an established, Indiana-grown business has chosen Fishers for its future,” said Mayor-elect Scott Fadness. “Ultra Steak moving here is a testament that Fishers is a great place to work, live and invest.”

“We look forward to growing with the new City of Fishers,” said Ultra Steak Inc. President, Joel Ross. “It is exciting to be in a city that promotes jobs and growth.”

The Town of Fishers news release made no mention of any economic development incentives.

 

 

134 JOBS HEADED TO DOWNTOWN FISHERS

12.18.14

The Meyer-Najem Building, now under construction on Lantern Road behind the Fishers Library, will have a California firm as one of its tenants.  The Town of Fishers announced that Memory Ventures will move from its current location in Torrance, California with 134 jobs.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the State of Indiana were involved in luring the company to Fishers.  The town news release did not specify what economic development incentives may have been offered.

Memory Ventures is expected to bring 22 full time employees from its current west coast location to Fishers.  The remaining staff will be hired locally.

According to the news release, Memory Ventures is the parent company for nine direct to consumer online brands that provide digital conversion services, including conversion of photographic material, reel-to-reel film and video cassettes to a digital format.   Memory Ventures also sells consumer print and home décor products such as peel-n-stick wall murals and gallery wrapped canvases.

“Memory Ventures moving from California to Fishers is very exciting for our community,” said Mayor-elect Scott Fadness. “The entrepreneurial culture we’ve cultivated in Fishers is getting noticed and we are attracting smart, established businesses that want to be a part of it.”

“We are incredibly excited to be relocating our headquarters to Fishers and look forward to becoming an active participant in the growing entrepreneurial community here,” said Memory Ventures CEO Anderson Schoenrock.  “I am extremely optimistic about the amazing things Memory Ventures plans to accomplish is Fishers.”

 

 

PLANS FOR 106TH ST.,

I-69 INTERCHANGE ARE MOVING FORWARD

12.16.24

Motorists travelling Interstate 69 in Fishers should have another exit sometime in 2017, if all goes as planned.  Fishers Town Manager (& mayor elect) Scott Fadness says the 106th Street interchange project will cost about $34 million.

Fishers part of that tab will run between $10  million and $12 million. According to Fadness, the Fishers share will approach the $12 million based on whether certain rights-of-way are included in the town’s cost.

It is hoped the bids will be awarded in late 2015 or 2016.  Construction is expected to take about one year.  That would put the completion date for the I-69 interchange at 106th Street sometime in 2017.

The State Department of Transportation and Hamilton County will be paying the remainder of the costs for the project.

 

 

WE THE PEOPLE STATE COMPETITION

12.16.14

Teams from Hamilton Southeastern Schools have been busy lately in state competition for “We the People.”

At the high school level, Fishers High School finished 3rd in the state, with HSE High School coming in 4th.  The state champion for 2014 is Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

At the middle school level, Fishers Junior High School finished second in the state.  Brown County is the state champion.

We the People is a competition where students present papers and answer questions on constitutional issues.

 

 

HSE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES REDISTRICTING PLAN, ALLOWS GRANDFATHER PROVISION

12.15.14

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted unanimously to approve the recommended redistricting plan for Grades K-8.  The revised school boundary lines will be effective in the 2015-2016 school year.

The board also adopted a supporting recommendation from Interim School Superintendent William Carnes.  This grandfather rule allows students in the 3rd, 5th & 7th grades to complete the next grade at their current school, provided parents provide transportation to and from school.

The board vote came after ten people spoke before the board, some complimenting the newly drawn lines, others expressing concern their neighborhoods were not treated fairly.

Carnes had two other supporting recommendations that the board chose to defer to the next school board, which takes office next month. Those recommendations would provide work on a ten-year Master Plan and move toward redistricting for the two high schools, grades 9-12.

The board began the redistricting process last summer when it became clear that school buildings, grades K-8, in the western part of the district were under-utilized and buildings in the eastern part of the district were becoming overcrowded.

To access the elementary school boundaries approved by the board, access this link.

To see the junior high/intermediate school maps approved by the board, access this link.

To view the school listing by subdivision under the approved redistricting plan, access this link.

To review the school feeder system approved by the board, access this link.

 

 

FISHERS PLAN COMMISSION APPROVES KROGER EXPANSION WITH 7-2 VOTE

12.9.14

The Fishers Plan Commission voted 7-2 in favor of the proposal by Kroger to expand the grocery store at Olio Road and 116th Street with a zoning variance. The plan will now go to the Fishers Town Council.

The commission conducted another public hearing prior to the vote, with a few more speakers opposing the Kroger expansion than talking in favor.  There was discussion of a traffic study indicating the proposed new store would have minimal impact on traffic in the area.  The study said a traffic light on Olio Road in front of the Kroger store could be justified, but Hamilton County has jurisdiction over Olio Road and has shown no interest in installing a traffic signal at that location.

Kroger plans to demolish the current grocery building and construct a new larger store further back from Olio Road, with additional parking spaces.

The Kroger rezoning proposal now goes to the Fishers Town Council. If the plan commission is not unanimous in its recommendation, it has been the policy of the council not to suspend the rules and pass the measure on 2nd and 3rd readings at the same session.  That means the plan would get 2nd reading on December 15th.  The 3rd reading could occur late in December when council meets to approve last minute claims, or the issue could go to the new Fishers City Council next month for final approval.

 

 

GIVING TUESDAY RAISES $17,000 FOR HSE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

12.4.14

HSE Schools Foundation Executive Director Freedom Kolb decided to use the national hash tag of #GivingTuesday for a fundraising event.  She featured local people and their “un-selfies” to promote the effort.

It turned out to be a resounding success, with $17,000 in contributions received. The tie-in with social media was a big part of the campaign.

“It was inspiring to see how our community rallied around this concept,” Kolb said.  “Our participants included students using allowance money to teachers who already give so much of themselves.  Parents and grandparents were eager to not only give, but to extend personal compliments to our schools.  And the Town of Fishers and business community couldn’t have been more supportive.”

This year, the Foundation says it plans to focus on programs that will support elementary literary, secondary Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), and district wide social justice efforts.  The Foundation will also continue support of fitness funding, teacher grants, and student scholarships.

 

 

 

 

DR. ALLEN BOURFF’S CONTRACT AS NEW HSE SUPERINTENDENT IS APPROVED 

12.2.14

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board unanimously approved Dr. Allen Bourff as the new HSE school superintendent.  Dr. Bourff comes to HSE from his stint as the superintendent of Richmond (IN) Community Schools.

Bourff thanked the board for the confidence in him expressed by his appointment as superintendent.  He thanked the board and “stakeholders” of the Richmond Indiana Community Schools for his time there and how they have reacted to news of Dr. Bourff’s new job and supported him.

All school systems have challenges, Bourff told the board. “HSE has it’s challenges: redistricting, funding, digital conversion…to name a few.”

Bourff is expected to report as new HSE Superintendent in January.  Interim Superintendent William Carnes says he expects to be involved in HSE Schools during the transition period in January.

Dr. Bourff’s contract approved by the board calls for an annual salary of $175,000, $5,000 a year in continuing education, a monthly car allowance and a bonus if still employed as HSE School Superintendent on June 30, 2018.

HSE Board President John DeLucia recognized the board Succession Committee that handled the superintendent search.  The panel was chaired by Katrina Hockemeyer.  The other two members of the committee were Karen Harmer and Howard Stephenson.

“I don’t think we could be any more delighted with Dr. Bourff joining us,” DeLucia said.

 

 

FISHERS OKs $1.2 MILLION LAND PURCHASE FROM HSE SCHOOLS

12.1.14

The Fishers Town Council voted unanimously to buy land from the HSE School Corporation for roughly $1.2 million.  With a similar purchase offer by Fall Creek Township for another land sale of nearly $800,000 and other land sales possible, HSE Schools say they can get through the 2015-2016 school year without teacher layoffs.  This would provide one more school year for the local school board to determine what the 2-year state budget will provide in school funding and determine how to move forward on a likely local school referendum.

The council passed only first reading on the 2015 city salary ordinance.  Councilman Scott Faultless voiced concern about differences in the pay systems for civilian and public safety employees.  Faultless’ opposition meant the ordinance could not be passed at this meeting and will need to return for 2nd and 3rd readings.  A final vote is taken at 3rd reading.

In other town council items…

–Graduation ceremonies were held for the Town Government A​cademy and the Citizens Fire Academy participants.

–Enacted follow-up actions to allow economic development incentives for Roto-Rooter and Sun King Brewery.

— Approved installation of a traffic signal at Arbor Village, near Hoosier Road on 116th Street.

–Approved a utility reimbursement agreement with Duke Energy to move forward with moving the entrance to commercial development behind Target Shopping Center on Commercial Drive near the railroad tracks on Lantern Road.

–Approved bids for improvements to Riverside Park.

 

 

OSCAR GUTIERREZ NAMED NEW FISHERS CITY CONTROLLER

11.21.14

As Fishers moves to second class city status next year, there will no longer be a clerk-treasurer.  Fishers has hired a new city controller to handle the financial side.  His name is Oscar Gutierrez.

“Improving government services is a top priority for Fishers and we are very excited to have a public servant of Oscar’s caliber on board,” said Scott Fadness, Fishers Town Manager and Mayor-Elect. “His leadership and knowledge will play a vital role in advancing the already solid financial health of Fishers.”

Gutierrez most recently served as the controller for the City of Lawrence, preceded  by experience in financial management with the Department of Defense—where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his contributions.  In addition, he is a non-commissioned officer in the Army Reserves with eight years of active duty and 12 years of continued service.

Gutierrez is active with a number of civic and veterans organizations.

 

 

Allen Bourff To Be New HSE School Supt.

11.20.14

Hamilton Southeastern  (HSE) Schools announced today Dr. Allen Bourff, now Superintendent of Schools in Richmond, Indiana, will be recommended as the new superintendent of HSE Schools.

HSE has been without a permanent superintendent since Brian Smith left in September to become the Executive Director of the Indiana School Boards Association.  Dr. William Carnes has been serving as interim superintendent.

Bourff has led the Richmond School System since 2004.  He touts a 94% graduation rate in 2014, up from 54% in 2006, as one of his main accomplishments.  He also established a College Preparatory Academy in Richmond.

“With innovations such as the College and Career Academies at both high schools and the district wide HSE 21, Hamilton Southeastern has significantly positioned itself to elevate its outstanding service to students,” Bourff said in a news release.  ” I look forward as superintendent to joining the school community in providing for each student an educational experience that continues to be second to none.”

“The Board is pleased to have a candidate of Dr. Bourff’s caliber. His talent, skill sets, experience, and leadership ability will support and advance our academic vision for the students and families of our great community,” said HSE Board President John DeLucia.

Bourff was the recipient of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents’ State Superintendent of the Year award in 2008 and guided the Richmond board to a Magna Award honor by the National School Boards Association in 2013.

HSE Schools spokesperson Bev Smith said the school board succession committee took a “targeted approach” in its search for a new school superintendent.

According to Smith, all the feedback received by the school board committee in the vetting process was positive for Dr. Bourff.

The HSE School Board will hold a public hearing on Dr. Bourff’s contract November 24 at 7pm, and plan to vote on his appointment at a special board meeting December 2nd.  Dr. Bourff is expected to be at the December 2nd HSE board meeting.

Smith said Bourff is expected to report to his new job sometime in January.  A specific report date has not yet been worked out.​

 

 

Traffic Light Coming to Fishers Marketplace Intersection on 131st Street

11.17.14

The scary left turns in and out of Fishers Marketplace on 131st Street, just east of State Road 37, will soon be at an end.  The Fishers Town Council unanimously approved a bid of just over $71,000 to install the traffic light.  Jeff Hill, Director of Engineering for the Town of Fishers, told the council work can begin on installing the traffic signals as soon as this week, if weather conditions allow.

Fishers is now ready to transition from a town to a city.  The council gave final approval to a transition ordinance providing local laws that will be consistent with state requirements for a second-class city in the state of Indiana on January 1.  If you want to read all the changes, it is a lengthy document, but can be seen at this link.

The council voted for a salary ordinance, adding the positions of controller and operations & administration manager, this year.  The action allows these two people a head start, since they will be needed when Fishers becomes a city on January 1.

Council members approved a resolution dedicating right-of-way along 104th Street, west of Cyntheanne Road, fronting the proposed Steeplechase Development.

Jocelyn Vare, President of the Fishers Arts Council, provided a local “State of the Arts” update for council members.

The following proclamations were issued at the meeting….

–supporting the #GivingTuesday fundraiser by the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation, which includes posting “un-selfies.”

-honoring Boy Scout Troop 109, which has been active in Fishers since the 1940s.

-recognizing November 17-21 as Entrepreneur Week.

 

 

HSE Schools Looking for Ways to keep Full Time Instructional Assistants

11.10.14

Administrators in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School system are looking at ways to keep their full time Instructional Assistants (IAs) under coming budget constraints by utilizing transition rules in the Affordable Care Act.

HSE Schools cannot offer its health insurance plan to IAs due to current budget constraints.  Administrators had previously recommended the school system go to more IAs and reduce hours for many IAs working at HSE schools to avoid the Affordable Care Act coverage requirements.

Attorneys working with administrators are researching the law and believe they have found a transition rule that can buy HSE schools one more year to sort out the budget issues and health insurance availability for the IAs.  The HSE school board took no action at Monday’s meeting (11.10) but encouraged administrators to keep working toward a recommended solution to keep the current IA staff on board, at least for one more year.

In other school board meeting news…..

–The new junior high school on Olio Road at the site of the Freshman Campus will be called Fall Creek Junior High School.  The nickname will be the Falcons with colors of blue.  The board unanimously approved the administration recommendation.

–HSE Schools’ new employee handling media relations, Bev Smith, gae an overview of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation fundraising plan for Giving Tuesday, December 2nd.

 

 

North Street Opens in the Nickel Plate District

11.5.14

It was planned as an extension of Fishers Crossing Boulevard, connecting the Target Shopping Center area with the Fishers Municipal Complex.  Now the road has been renamed North Street and opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony today (11.5) at the intersection of North and Maple Steets (See picture above), in the Nickel Plate District .

Fishers Town Manager (& mayor elect) Scott Fadness says the project has “remedied drainage issues, added on-street parking and constructed new sidewalks and access ramps to improve connectivity.”

Fishers Community Development Director Tom Dickey told LarryInFishers that the name North Street was selected because there is already a South Street on the other side of 116th Street.

Construction on the street began in May of 2014 and cost roughly $3.5 million.

Fishers officials hope this improvement will take some traffic pressure away from 116th Street.

 

 

Fishers 2014 General Election – the Day After

11.5.14

Now that we have completed the first election cycle transforming Fishers from a town to a city, there are a few things we can glean from the election results.

First, the GOP continues to keep a firm grip on local government.  There were 4 Democrat candidates in the general election for city council but they were not competitive, in the at large election or within the districts where they ran.  There were hopes among the Democrat faithful that increased population would result in different demographics running within district lines.  At least for now, the Republican Party continues to be the dominant political force in Fishers.

Since these elected city officials will be serving only one-year terms, we get to do the whole city election process again next year, this time for four-year terms.  It will be interesting to see whether Democrats field candidates for local office next year.  It will also be interesting to see whether those winning election to their one-year terms are challenged in next year’s primary election.

Turning to the Hamilton Southeastern School (HSE) Board election, it was not a good night to be an incumbent.  Katrina Hockemeyer lost in her bid to serve a third four-year term on the HSE board.  Former teacher Michelle Fullhart won in the District 3 race.  Matt Stolle and Hockemeyer received exactly the same number of votes, tying for second in the three-way race.

In District 4, incumbent Ron Wilson lost to Terry Tolle.  Wilson was seeking a second term on the board.

Newcomer to the board Matt Burke was unopposed in District 1, as was incumbent board member John DeLucia.

That means there will be three new HSE School Board members next year.

Election night was marred by major glitches in the vote count at the Hamilton County Government Center in Noblesville.  As the evening wore on, county election board member Andrew Greider provided some updates to the assembled media on what the election office was doing to fix the problems, but it was late, almost 11pm, before the final results were available.

Hamilton County Democrat Chairman Keith Clock, also a member of the Hamilton County Election Board, was Tweeting messages about last night’s vote count….here a some of his comments from Twitter…

“If this election situation in Hamilton County were happening in Lake County, the state police would have showed up by now.”

“Republicans anxious here. Waiting for machines to be pulled from basement to re-tally. Running results report anyway to appease media here.”

“Although we have good people working in Hamilton County elections, who I’m sure have good intentions, I do not have faith in today’s results”

 

 

Correction to July 28, 2014 Story Regarding Andrew Dollard

10.30.14

I try my very best to be accurate when reporting on this news blog.  When an error has been pointed out to me, I always post a correction once the error has been verified.  I am making such a correction now.

In a July 28, 2014 story on the Royal Tiger PAC and Andrew Dollard, I reported that Mr. Dollard had contributed to the Royal Tiger PAC.  That was incorrect.  Mr. Dollard did not contribute to the Royal Tiger PAC.  This was due to a misreading of the Royal Tiger PAC campaign finance report on my part.  I also wish to sincerely apologize to Mr. Dollard.

 

 

So-Called “Scary” Clown is Found in Fishers – Police Say He is Harmless

10.27.14

You may have seen reports of what some people described as a “scary” clown seen from time to time lately in Fishers.  Local police have found the clown, and he appears to be harmless.

In a news release, Fishers Police say they have questioned the clown and found he has broken no laws.  The man in the clown suit told police he was just trying to celebrate Halloween and never meant to cause any concern.

Police say the man has broken no laws.  As a result, the clown’s name is not being released.

 

 

Redistricting Process Begins – Warning on the Rumor Mill

10.21.14

The committee charged with beginning the Grades K-8 redistricting for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools has started meeting and is working with the contractor Dejong Richter to begin redrawing district maps for those schools.  Interim Superintendent William Carnes warned school board members the rumor mill may be saying the committee is straying into redrawing the high school boundary lines.  Carnes verified to LarryInFishers that this redistricting process will deal with grades K-8 only and will not provide any formal recommendations to the board on high school district lines.  The board struggled with how to handle public comment in early December redistricting meetings and still not have sessions lasting until midnight.  Public meetings are set for November 10 & 11 on the redistricting plans.  The final recommendation to the board is due to be released on December 3rd.  A final board vote on redistricting is scheduled for December 15th.  You can access the school board’s redistricting information page at this link.

The board reviewed a recommendation from school administrators on how to handle the Affordable Care Act requirements to provide employee health insurance and continue to provide Instructional Assistants (IAs), particularly in the Special Education programs.  To provide health insurance to all IAs, the cost estimates are at about $1 million.  Several IAs were grandfathered into health coverage from a time when they were provided health insurance by HSE Schools. Administrators recommend a plan that would cost roughly $200,000, keep some full time IAs and provide them with insurance, but hire more IAs and keep them part-time with schedules to keep their hours below the requirement to provide health insurance.  This was the first time the plan has been presented to the board and will be formally proposed at a future meeting.  Administrators told the board the IAs need to have a decision by this January so they can plan for any changes next school year.

The board, after many revisions, unanimously approved the school board goals.  The document sets strategic priorities for the current school year.

Administrators are recommending that the school system get out of the business of providing shuttle buses for community events.  School leaders say the school vehicles do not lend themselves to transporting passengers at events like the Fishers Freedom Festival and the Geist Mini Marathon.  The board took no formal action but will act on the proposal, as early as the next board meeting October 27th.

The board approved a policy on the educational requirements for any HSE school superintendent.  The board agreed the policy will say HSE schools “shall prefer” a superintendent with a PHD (doctoral degree) but could hire a qualified candidate with a Masters Degree if the board so chooses.

 

 

Fishers Council OKs $72.7 Million 2015 Budget

10.20.14

The Fishers Town Council has approved the first budget for the new city of Fishers. When Fishers becomes a city in 2015, the new municipality and new Mayor Scott Fadness will have $72.7 million budgeted to run the city.  A salary ordinance setting the pay of elected officials will be discussed in November.  The council held a party caucus before the regular council  meeting (all council members are Republicans so all attended the conference except absent Councilman Scott Faultless) presumably to discuss elected officials salaries for the new city next year.

Town Council President John Weingardt praised the town staff and the council for fashioning the 2015 spending plan.  “There have been some comments that we’re in a deficit,” Weingardt said.  “That’s just absolutely false,  We are on a very sound financial footing.”  Weingardt’s opponent in the November 4th city council general election, Democrat Greg Purvis, made the allegation that the budget is in deficit during the budget public hearing 2 weeks ago.

In another important council action, a plan to provide a tax abatement to Roto-Rooter was explained to the council.  Council members voted unanimously to begin the process of providing tax breaks for the company.  If all goes according to schedule, the new Roto-Rooter building in the Exit 5 complex along the I-69 corridor will begin construction in the spring with the facility completed by fall of 2015.  This includes a 33,000 square foot building containing a warehouse, office staff and training center.

In other town council news….

–River Glen residents applauded a council vote placing two intersections with stop signs to slow rush hours drivers cutting through their residential area to avoid the traffic backups at 116th and Allisonville Road.

–Held a work session discussion on enacting a property maintenance and code enforcement ordinance.  The town can intervene in cases of unsafe buildings, but lacks legal authority to intervene when property is not maintained.  Many homeowners associations enforce this through covenants, but some areas of Fishers do not have enforceable covenants.  The council will take up a proposed ordinance in a future meeting.

 

 

Natural Gas Leak Leads to Road Closures for a Time in Geist area

10.15.14

Fall Creek Road was closed for a time this afternoon (10.15) due to a natural gas leak.  Fall Creek was closed from 96th Street to Brook School Road.  There were some residents evacuated in the area of Fall Creek Road and Spruance Court during the road closure.

At first, Fishers Fire Department officials believed the leak originated in an 8 inch supply line but an investigation by Vectren found a smaller line was the source of the leak.

 

 

What’s the Impact of Apartment Construction on Local School Funding?

10.15.14

There has been a great deal of comment and discussion on social media around Fishers about the impact of apartment complexes on local school funding.  At the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) school board meeting October 13th, Board Member Ron Wilson asked HSE Schools’ Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mike Reuter about the budget impact of apartment complexes in Fishers.

“Right now, we would probably receive  a larger assessed valuation per pupil off an apartment complex than we do a home,” Reuter said.  “Because there are no (property tax) deductions on an apartment complex.”

He gave a couple of examples.  The apartments on Lantern Road just south of Fishers Elementary School caters to a business clientele with families not a part of their plans.  The schools have all that assessed valuation, with a property tax cap of 2%, compared to the 1% cap on single family homes.

Sunblest Apartments is a different story.  “That one tracks a lot of families now,” according to Reuter.  “That might be the opposite scenario where we’re not getting enough assessed valuation (property tax revenue).”

If apartments are one or two bedroom homes, its unlikely families will be residing in that complex.  Reuter said three bedroom homes or larger tend to house more school age children.

Reuter also cited the new apartment complex at Cumberland Road and 116th Street, saying that at this time there is only one school age child in the entire complex.

Reuter said he and Brian Smith visited the apartment complex under construction at 131st St. and Cumberland Road, near Fishers Junior High, before Dr. Smith left.   The manager of the complex told them they are not marketing their apartments to families.   There are some three bedroom units, but the manager insisted his company was not marketing their units to families.

Reuter cautioned that things can change over time.  “What that looks like 20 years from now?  I can’t tell you,” according to Reuter.  “Apartments don’t tend to appreciate, they tend to kind of depreciate.”

Reuter also said the Town of Fishers has kept a good balance between single family homes and apartments in the past and the local strategy should keep that balance in the future.

 

 

Few Comments at HSE Schools’ Budget Hearing

10.13.14

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board held a public hearing on the 2015 proposed budget.  There was a question on engaging state lawmakers and a comment from a school board member elect.

District 1 unopposed school board candidate Matt Burke asked the school system’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter if the higher-priced homes being constructed on the eastern side of the school district will alleviate some of the district’s budget woes.  Reuter responded that even high-priced homes don’t help much with the property tax caps and deductions available to homeowners under state law.

There was a question from the audience on engaging parents in communicating to the General Assembly, and that person was assured there are plans in the works now to do just that.

The board will vote on the nearly $202 million spending plan at the next regular meeting.

In other school board news….

–HSE Junior HIgh Principal Tim Mankin explained how his school was selected as a Blue Ribbon School, one of only 25 junior high schools so honored in the country.

— The board did not have time to consider naming the new Junior High School on Olio Road the Fall Creek Junior HIgh School Falcons.  The item will be discussed at a future board meeting. (previous version incorrectly listed name as Golden Hawks… Riverside already has that name)

–The board had a recommendation from Interim Superintendent William Carnes to approve the latest version of board goals, but some board members wanted additional changes.  The goals will be considered again at a future board meeting.

–Internal committees will begin meeting on school redistricting this week, according to Carnes.

–The HSE School Corporation has hired a new head of public relations.  Her name is Bev Smith and she has done the same job for Monroe County Schools.  Smith reports on October 27th

 

 

Budget Discussion Sparks Sharp Exchanges at Fishers Town Council Meeting

10.6.14

The Fishers Town Council held a public hearing on the proposed 2015 budget for the first year of Fishers as a city in 2015, and there were plenty of fireworks.  Most of the exchanges were sparked by the only speaker at the public hearing, Greg Purvis.

Purvis, Democrat candidate for the South Central council district, was sharply critical of the proposed 2015 spending plan.  He claims the 2015 budget is in deficit.

He was critical of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts.  TIF projects generally use property tax money generated by the buildings to pay off bonds used to construct the projects, for a 20-25 year period.  Purvis asserts that the TIF districts in Fishers take money away from core city services and the local schools (with a small exception for school referendum taxes).

Purvis claims he has a map showing most all the commercial land in Fishers is part of a TIF district.  Purvis also claims Fishers has seen its debt rise in recent years.

Purvis cited the Riverplace proposed development at 96th and Allisonville Road, previous downtown development plans and the now- defunct water park at 131st & State Road 37 as failed TIF projects.

Purvis also asked what would happen if a TIF developer went bankrupt, claiming the city would not be at the top of the line among creditors. Purvis proposed using the city’s cash reserves to loan money to the developers and become a major creditor if anything goes wrong.

In response to Purvis’ presentation, Town Manager (& mayor elect) Scott Fadness says the state directly funds salaries for local school systems in Indiana, so property taxes are not the source of budget shortfalls. Fadness added he had talked to HSE Schools’ Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter and Reuter says TIFs are causing minimal budget problems for the local schools.

Fishers Community Development Director Tom Dickey said the city is totally protected if a developer goes bankrupt in a TIF project.  The city would become the owner of the building, according to Dickey.

Council President John Weingardt emphasized the town is monitoring the TIF projects, using a contractor very experienced at handling this task.

Council Vice President Pete Peterson wanted to make it clear it is his view that the budget is not in deficit, and state law requires local governments to have their budgets in balance.

Weingardt says Fishers should be proud of this budget, and complimented the work done by the town staff.

After the council meeting adjourned, Peterson confronted Greg Purvis. Peterson told Purvis, “Everything you said up there (at the public hearing) was inaccurate.”  Peterson said Purvis was accusing the council of violating state law requiring a balanced budget.

The town council will vote on the $72.7 million 2015 Fishers city budget on October 20th.

In other council action…

–Council gave final approval to an ordinance allowing a subdivision to use golf carts on neighborhood streets.  A formal process for subdivisions to apply for golf cart use should be ready soon from the town staff.

–The council gave preliminary approval to the transition changes in local ordinances required by state law to transition from a town to a city.

–Architectural work was approved for the Parks Department building planned at Saxony Beach.  Construction could begin on the structure early next year.

 

 

Last Year’s Brutal Winter Causes Spike in the Price of Salt

9.30.14

Last year’s brutal winter is causing pain in some municipal budgets as cold weather preparations begin.   The Indiana Associated Press (AP) posted a story September 29th on just how much the price of salt has gone up this cycle.

Autumn Gasior, spokeswoman for the Town of Fishers, tells LarryInFishers the town is part of a collaborative purchasing agreement with other Hamilton County local governments for salt purchases.

Fishers has already bought 6,000 tons of salt at $79.88 per ton, compared to $72.77 a ton paid last year.  According to the AP story, the City of Indianapolis is paying $79.91 per ton for salt this season, up from their price paid last year of $71.65 a ton.  The 2015 Fishers budget proposal factors-in this increased expense.

Gasior said Fishers bid the salt contract last April, and awarded the bid in May of this year. “In addition, DPW (Department of Public Works) purchased equipment to produce our own liquid brine,” Gasior said.  Liquid brine is used to treat roads before the snow or ice begins to fall.

If you would like to make some extra money driving a snow plow, Fishers has some openings for snow plow drivers.  Click here to view the current job openings at the Town of Fishers.

 

 

Pasta Bowl Gathers Record Breaking 7,825 Pounds

9.30.14

The Pasta Bowl has received almost four times more pasta in 2014 over last year.  That’s the word from Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation Executive Director Freedom Kolb.

The 2014 total is 7,825 pounds of pasta, compared to about 2,000 pounds in 2013.

The final pasta was purchased at the Meijer Store on 96th Street September 30th.  HSE students and the foundation were at the center of the pasta drive.

The donated pasta will go to Second Helpings, the Fall Creek and Delaware Township Trustees, as well as other food banks in the local area.

 

 

Numbers on TIFS

9.28.14

Fishers Town Manager (& mayor elect) Scott Fadness shared some statistical information with Fishers Town Council members about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in the town.  Fadness said he intends to discuss this information when he presents the 2015 city budget proposal at the October 6th council session.

TIFs generally allow a municipality to issue bonds for private development projects and pay the interest on the bonds from property tax revenues for the first 20-25 years, once the property is completed and placed into service.

Fadness compares the Fishers TIF information to three other Hamilton County communities – Westfield, Carmel and Noblesville.

In terms of total TIF debt obligations, Carmel had the most with over $250 million.  Noblesville came in second with more than $237 million.  Fishers came in a distant third with just over $81 million.   Westfield is in last place with about $12 million.  The source listed is Indiana Gateway.

In terms of total TIF acreage, the winner was Noblesville with just under 5,000 acres.  Westfield came in second with about 3,800 acres.  Carmel was third with 3,000 acres.  Fishers came in last with about 2,300 TIF acres.  The source listed is Hamilton County GIS data.

When comparing TIF percentage debt to assessed valuation, Fishers came in third at 10%, with Westfield’s 6% the only one lower.  Noblesville is listed at 24%, Carmel is at 14%.  The source listed is Indiana Gateway.

 

 

Kincaid House Set to Move – Then What?

9.24.14

After a crowd funding campaign, the historic Kincaid House is scheduled to move from its current location on 106th Street near I-69 to land on the Fishers campus of the Navient Corporation.  That move is set for Saturday, October 4th.

The big question now is….what will happen to the house once it is moved?

We got a glimpse of what is not likely to happen after the Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances required to pave the way for the move.

We know there are no plans to construct any vehicle access to the house once it is moved, not even a gravel road.  The moving machinery will use metal panels to transport the structure into place.

Noblesville Architect Darren Peterson acted at the spokesman for the group handling the move.  After the board approved the variances, Peterson was not able to say how the house will be used once it is moved.

There are no plans to connect any power or other utilities to the building this winter.  A decision would need to be made in spring, 2015, as to whether utilities will be connected and a road to the house will be constructed.

Those making contributions on the crowd funding site, www.movethekincaidhouse.org, are being asked to make suggestions as to how the building could be put to use.

The Kincaid House is moving onto grounds owned by the  Navient Corporation in Fishers.  The firm donated the land.

The house is to be transferred to a nonprofit organization, which will decide how the building will be used in the future.

Stay tuned.

 

 

Town Council on Bub’s, AI Innovations and Golf Carts

9.15.14

The Fishers Town Council clearly had a goal at this meeting…finish it in time to see the Colts game.  They succeeded.

Bub’s Burgers got approval from the council for fee waiver incentives of $122,000 to locate in Downtown Fishers .  Councilman David George said he is supportive, but wonders when these projects will be able to stand on their own without incentives.

AI Innovations received the OK from the council, paving the way for their expansion, planning on 133 new jobs in the next five years.

The ordinance allowing golf cart use within neighborhoods and subdivisions received second reading approval.  The final vote will come on third reading.  The ordinance allows golf cart use on neighborhood roads if 75% of neighborhood residents approve.  Town Manager Scott Fadness added even if a neighborhood votes for this, approval is also subject to safety concerns within the area.  Councilman Mike Colby noted state law does not allow golf cart use on any streets or roads unless local law allows, and Fishers has no local ordinance at this time.  That means any golf cart use on any street or road in Fishers is illegal now.

The council tabled a final vote on amending the building standards for the Steeplechase Subdivision.  The issue may come up for a vote once the town staff meets with the developer.

Preliminary approval was given to transition local ordinances from a town to a city.  Scott Fadness told the council the revised ordinances will be available online for the public to review before final approval is requested.

The council suspended the rules and gave final approval to the Fishers Fire Department We Care program to assist residents with certain health issues in their homes.  The public hearing featured speaker for and against the ordinance, but the council decided to give final approval to the program.

 

 

Mudsock Football Game Is More Than Just a Game

9.12.14

When Fishers High School was completed and began playing varsity football, a huge rivalry football game was born.  With two high schools in Fishers, the annual regular season contest, which has come to be known as the Mudsock Game, is now one of the biggest local events every year in Fishers.

In 2014, the Fishers Tigers were dominant on the field, winning 41-10. But in a more important way, there were many other winners in this year’s Mudsock contest.

The teachers of the year from each school building were recognized at halftime.  Last year, a sudden storm resulted in cancellation of that ceremony.  As the teachers left the field, they were greeted by local dignitaries, such as School Board President John DeLucia, Interim School Superintendent William Carnes and Town Manger Scott Fadness, all with “goodie bag” presents for each of the honored teachers.

Local food pantries benefited from the Pasta Bowl, an annual contest between Fishers and HSE fans to see which fan base can contribute the most pasta.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation hosted a VIP section at the game to raise money for their many projects benefiting HSE School Corporation students.

While Fishers High School fans celebrate and HSE High School fans look for a silver lining in this year’s Mudsock Game, don’t lose sight of how so many others benefit from the game.

 

 

Corbin Montgomery Murder Trial Not Likely to Begin as Scheduled October 7th

9.5.14

Corbin Michael Montgomery’s murder trial will not start as scheduled October 7th, based on a pretrial hearing today (9.5) before Hamilton County Superior Court Judge Daniel Pfleging.

Defense attorney Bruce Boje told the court there is electronic evidence, from cell phone records, yet to be obtained before depositions can be conducted.  Deputy Hamilton County Prosecutor Joshua Kocher wasn’t as specific, but indicated his office would likely not be ready for trial on October 7th.

Boje told Judge Pfleging the defense does not intend to plead insanity in this case.

The judge asked both sides how much time they would need to present their respective cases, and estimated it will take seven days to complete the trial.

Pfleging indicated he is inclined to do jury selection on a Thursday, let the jurors get their affairs in order Friday through Sunday, then begin trial on a Monday.

The judge did not say when he intends to set a new trial date.

Montgomery, 19, faces murder charges in the stabbing death of Connor Shockley, 19, on June 22nd this year .  Both are from Fishers.  Shockley was a recent graduate of Fishers High School….Montgomery had just graduated from HSE.

Police say this was the first case where murder has been charged in Fishers in the past 20 years.

 

 

Eric Moeller is a Unanimous Choice for

Fishers Town Council

8.28.14

Eric Moeller received unanimous support to complete Renee Cox’s term on the Fishers Town Council.  Republican precinct Committeemen from Fishers voted Thursday evening (8.28) to place Moeller on the council for the remainder of this year.

Cox resigned her council seat when work assignments took her to California for an extended period of time.  She ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Fishers in the May primary.

“It’s good to have the support of the precinct committeemen to fill Ms. Cox’s seat ” Moeller said.  “To have (Fishers) town-wide support is good.”

Moeller realizes he has a learning curve as a new member of the council.

“I’m definitely going to be leaning on the current council members, and town staff, to get up to speed as quickly as possible,” Moeller said.  “One of the most important things right now is to discuss the budget and have the municipal budget approved and thoroughly debated.”

Moeller is expected to be sworn-in as a new member of the Fishers Town Council at the September 2nd meeting.  He is an unopposed candidate for the new Fishers City Council that will take office on January 1, 2015.

Eric Moeller has another big event coming soon.  He and his wife are expecting a second child in October, a boy.  He may miss a council session or two after that event.

 

 

Senior Academies Are Now College Career Academies

8.26.14

When voters approved a referendum to build Senior Academies at each local high school, no one questioned the name.  Now, HSE high school principals have suggested a new name they think better describes facilities now under construction at HSE and Fishers High Schools.

The school board appeared to go along with the new name at their August 26th board retreat .  They will now be called “College Career Academies.”

School Administrator Dawn McGrath outlined plans to offer college credit courses in the new academies.  Universities planning to participate in the college credit classes include IU, Purdue, Ball State and Ivy Tech.  Butler University is discussing the possibility of participating.  Other colleges are expected to join before the academies are up and running about a year from now.

In other items discussed at the August 26th board retreat…

—The HSE21 program to provide iPads to all 5th and 6th grade students is out to a good start, per the school administration.  About 50% of families have opted to rent, not buy, the iPad  equipment.  The bond issue financing the program was $2 million, and only $1.6 million has been spent up to now.  Any leftover funds will be used in future HSE21 rollouts.

–The board and administration discussed ways to get the high-performing district even better results.  Superintendent Brian Smith said principal evaluations will include improvement plans for their respective school building, to dovetail school building goals already in place.

 

 

Sun King Brewery Expands into Fishers

8.18.14

The Sun King Brewery is reputed to be the most popular purveyor of craft beer in the central part of Indiana, and the firm has decided to expand its operations by building a facility in Fishers.

Town officials will make the field near Fry’s Electronics (as you move toward the Roche complex south of 96th Street) a TIF district.  The town will pony up about $2.5 million.  The estimated economic impact on Fishers will be just short of $20 million.

Town Manager (and mayor elect) Scott Fadness told the council this is the type of innovative business Fishers likes to attract.  One of Sun King’s founders, Omar Robinson, told the council his company has been talking to Fishers staff for quite a while about this project, and he has been impressed.

Sun King will continue to be headquartered in downtown Indianapolis on South College Street, where the company was founded.

Robinson sees the Fishers brewery as a “destination” with space for festivals and special events.

Sun King hopes to have the Fishers facility up in running in less than a year.

Also at the August 18th session, the council voted to provide a subsidy of up to $22,500 to Miller Transportation, allowing the commuter bus service between Fishers and downtown Indianapolis.

The service will be cut back from 3 trips in the morning and 3 trips in the evening to 2 trips each.  It is not certain how many customers will be lost when the number of trips is reduced.

Town staff believes the subsidy may be much less than the $22,500 estimate…perhaps as low as $8,000 to $10,000.

Miller says it has lost money on the service since a federal subsidy ran out.

Council members indicated they were supporting this proposal to keep the buses running the remainder of this year, but made it clear they want all possible revenue sources explored before committing the town to any subsidies after 2014.

 

 

HSE High School Finishes 3rd in National Mock Trial Competition

8.12.14

On August 2nd, we reported here on LarryInFishers that the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School Mock Trial Team finished 3rd overall in national competition held in Chicago.

The Mock Trial Coach at HSE, Janet Chandler, has provided more details on what happened in Chicago.

Here’s what Janet told us….

 

 

 

HSE School Board Reviews ISTEP Results

8.11.14

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board found that ISTEP results for the school district were great for math in Grades 3-8.  English Learning Arts results were very good for Grades 3 & 4, but scores, although good if measured against results statewide, are not as good in Grades 5-8.

Superintendent Brian Smith voiced frustration about the lack of detail in the ISTEP results which don’t show where the specific strengths and weaknesses are within a subject area such as English Learning Arts.

“That’s the fallacy of this (ISTEP) test,” Smith said.  “You’re so worried about confidentiality of the questions, they don’t give us the analysis to dig down and find out what’s causing our scores to come down.”
Administrator Dawn McGrath told the board the HSE ISTEP results are second in the state among school systems testing more than 3,000 students. Only Carmel did better in that category.

Administrators outlined for the board specific steps being taken to address ISTEP problem areas that can be identified.

In other school board news…

–The board voted a three-year extension the contract with EMS to provide custodial services at HSE Schools.

–Facilities usage agreements were approved with St. Louis DeMontfort School and The Soccer Club.

 

 

Train Station – Demolish the Old, Construction on the New

8.11.14

The construction crews were on hand this morning to demolish the old train station in Fishers and begin construction on the new development on the site.

The new train station project, named The Switch, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.  The plans for The Switch call for a 400-car parking garage, apartments, mixed-use space and a pedestrian plaza.  Click here to see an artist rendering of the plans.

The train platform will remain and will be upgraded to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  There will be a new train ticket booth, community space and public rest rooms.

A candidate for the new Fishers City Council, Democrat Greg Purvis, has been outspoken in his opposition to demolishing the old train station and utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other public money to fund the development.

The old train station was constructed in 1996 and has housed a public meeting room, the Fishers Chamber of Commerce and the town court (soon to be city court).  The Chamber has moved to leased space at the Forum HQ building in Fishers and the court has moved to space in the former Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) building.  Fishers has leased the space to the BMV and recently did not renew the lease.  BMV decided not to replace the Fishers Branch when it found employees could be redeployed to nearby offices (most went to Noblesville) at a savings of about $1 million.  Town Council President John Weingardt said at the time of the BMV announcement that Fishers will need a BMV branch in the future with expected population growth and will work with the state on the issue.

 

 

The Switch, Yeager Projects Moving Forward With Amendments, Bond Issues

7.30.14

The new Yeager Office Building at 116th Street and Lantern Road, and the Switch project on the site of the old train station, are moving forward after actions today by the local Economic Development Commission and Fishers Redevelopment Commission.

Both commissions approved amendments to delay closing on the projects until September 3rd at the latest.

The Economic Development Commission approved recommendations for the town council to approve bond issues for both projects.  The bond for the Switch will exceed $15 million and the Yeager Building will have a bond request of just over $8 million.

Fishers Community Development Director Tom Dickey said work continues on two major downtown road projects.  Maple Street should open in about two weeks.  Fishers Crossing, which will connect the Target Shopping Center with the municipal complex, is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Dickey also showed both commissions renderings of public space the town will have in the Switch Building.  It will be 6,444 square feet of space that can be used for a variety of possible functions, including winter farmers markets and Homeowners Association meetings.

​Josh Russell, a member of the Economic Development Commission, announced he will be resigning from the commission.  Russell will be moving to Richmond, Indiana to take a new job.

​

 

 

HSE Board is Searching, Not Scrambling for a new Superintendent

7.28.14

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has a sub-panel of 3 board members (Karen Harmer, Howard Stevenson and John DeLucia) known as the “succession committee” which had expected to search for a new superintendent next year when Dr. Brian Smith had planned to retire.

Now that Dr. Smith is leaving HSE on September 2nd, that sub-panel has become a search committee for a new superintendent.

At the July 28th HSE School Board meeting, Harmer said “the search committee is very busy.”  Stevenson then interjected, “we are not scrambling.”

“We will do due diligence to try to bring in the right person,” Harmer said.

Board President DeLucia has not ruled out an interim superintendent being appointed while the board searches for a permanent replacement for Dr. Smith.  When asked after the July 22nd board meeting, DeLucia said appointment of an interim is one option but the board and the sub-panel have made no decisions on how to proceed.

The board was scheduled to have an executive session after the public board meeting July 28th, presumably to discuss the superintendent search.

In other news from the July 22nd board meeting….

–School administrators offered a proposed 3-year contract extension with Executive Management Services  to provide custodial services for the school corporation buildings.  The pact calls for a 2% increase each year.  HSE Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter told the board this contract saves the school corporation $252,000 a year.  The board made a few suggestions for changes and the contract will be voted-on by the board at a future meeting.

–The board was presented with proposals to lease the soccer fields behind Brook School Road Elementary to The Soccer Club for $16,800 a year.  The Soccer Club broke away from the local youth sports organization SPORTS so it can utilize paid coaches to compete in advanced soccer competition.  HSE Schools do not charge SPORTS to rent facilities, but SPORTS only uses volunteer coaches.   The board also discussed renting fields at Riverside to St. Louis DeMontfort School.  Both contracts will be tweaked based on board member suggestions and come back for a vote at a future board meeting.

–New teacher orientation will be at the HSE High School cafeteria on August 7th.  All teachers will report to Fishers High School Auditorium on August 11th.  Students report on Wednesday, August 13th for the first day of school.

–The HSE Foundation will have its VIP seating again at this year’s Mudsock Football game between Fishers and HSE high schools September 12th at HSE.  The Pasta Bowl fundraiser for local food banks and township trustees will also take place there.  Shuttle buses will be required, since Senior Academy construction will limit available parking spaces.

 

 

 

Carmel Drug Arrests – Fishers Connection

7.28.14

NOTE:  See Correction Below

You have likely heard or read about the July 25th Drug Task Force arrests in Carmel.  The probable cause affidavit lays out the law enforcement case prosecutors will be using for those charged.

I knew I had seen Andrew Dollard’s name before.  He was the attorney facing charges in the drug bust, along with physicians and other workers at this facility. Dollard had been an unsuccessful GOP candidate for Hamilton County Council in last May’s primary.

I normally focus on Fishers news and events and rarely, if ever, cover a county council race.  Why did Dollard’s name sound familiar?

Paragraphs removed – see correction below 

It should be noted there is no evidence that anyone connected with the Royal-Tiger PAC knew of any police investigation of Mr. Dollard.

It should also be noted that Mr. Dollard is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  He is entitled to present his side of the story in court.

But this will be a political embarrassment for those connected with the Royal Tiger PAC.

Correction: In the original version of this story, it was reported that Andrew Dollard contributed to the Royal Tiger PAC.  In fact, Mr. Dollard did not contribute to the Royal Tiger PAC.  The correction was made on October 28, 2014, to remove this reference.  LarryInFishers regrets this error.  I also wish to sincerely apologize to Mr. Dollard.

 

 

Smart Traffic Control System Being Deployed Around Fishers

7.23.14

You may have heard or read about the high-tech computerized traffic control system planned for the busiest corridors around Fishers.

Jeff Hill, Director of Engineering for the Town of Fishers, told the town council at the July 21st session that the system has been installed along 116th Street and along Allisonville Road.

“We have seen significant gains in these corridors on these main roads,” Hill told council members.

Hill admitted there have been some glitches but his department has worked to correct each one that is reported.

One common complaint is the wait time involved in getting onto one of these main corridors (like 116th or Allisonville Road) from the side streets.  Hill said that was intentional, but once the motorist is on the main road, the trip should be smooth, “with more green lights in succession.”

The 96th Street corridor installation is beginning and will continue for the next few weeks,  Allisonville Road will be brought into that 96th Street system.  The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is working with Fishers to have this system work with the traffic signals from I-465 North to Allisonville Road.

 

 

Indiana Coworking Passport Helps Traveling Business Start-ups

7.22.14

The founder of Launch Fishers, John Wechsler, is the co-founder of a new enterprise aimed at allowing members of organizations like Launch to travel the state of Indiana and access any of its 17 members.  This will help entrepreneurs as they roam the state promoting and expanding their new businesses.

“This all started with a single member of Launch Fishers asking ‘what if….’ and we ran with the idea. Now we have a collection of 17 sites throughout the state who have come together to add to our robust and growing ecosystem for startups,” said John Wechsler.

The Indiana CoWorking Passport network currently includes 17 locations. Participating sites (and cities) are:

Launch Fishers (Fishers)
MatchBOX (Lafayette)The Hinge Bureau (Indianapolis)Velocity (Jeffersonville)
The Innovation Station (Evansville)
Launch Terre Haute (Terre Haute)
The Innovation Connector (Muncie)
The Anvil (West Lafayette)
The Foundry (West Lafayette)
Purdue Technology Centers (West Lafayette, Merrillville, Indianapolis, New Albany)
Co-Work Btown (Bloomington)
DeveloperTown (Indianapolis)
The Outpost (Columbia City)
​The Speak Easy (Indianapolis)

​Each location in the network agrees to grant access to members of other co-working locations just as their members are granted access to other sites in the network. This is a way for Hoosier entrepreneurs who are members of a co-working site to stay productive while traveling to other parts of the state.

 

 

 

HSE Board Approves Fee for Parent Volunteer

Background Checks

7.14.14

Charge will be $13

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board approved charging a $13 fee for parent volunteers requiring a criminal background check.  The school system had previously paid the cost.  However, school administrators say the cost of the background checks has increased sharply. There are about 2,000 parent volunteers and the cash strapped school system can no longer afford to shoulder the financial burden.  Background checks are good for 3 years, so any volunteers with background checks that have not expired may continue to use the current certification until the 3-year period expires.

Brad Skillman of Skillman Construction Management told the board the senior academy projects at Fishers and HSE High Schools are on schedule with “no budget surprises” so far.  Skillman employees provided the board with pictures illustrating the status of construction (see picture above).   Construction work is expected to be completed by the start of school in August, 2015.

The board approved a resolution required by law to formalize the school board member district boundaries the board okayed previously.  Changes in precincts, population and the 2010 census numbers all required the adjustment in district boundaries.

School Board President John DeLucia expressed the board’s “mixed emotions” about Superintendent Brian Smith’s retirement from HSE to take a new job as executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association September 2nd.   DeLucia said the board “wanted to express that he (Smith) is still running the show through September 1st, and we have full confidence in that.”  Assistant Superintendent Beth Niedermeyer attended her last HSE school board meeting today (7.14).  She is scheduled be the subject of a formal vote by the Noblesville School Board naming Niedermeyer their new superintendent.

DeLucia told LarryInFishers the board is trying to formulate the process for selecting the next superintendent.  He said the board has discussed how to proceed but there is no decision yet.

 

 

 

Dr. Brian Smith is Leaving His Job as HSE School Supt.

7.8.14

Dr. Smith to become Executive Director of the Indiana School Boards Association

The Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) announced today (7.8) that Hamilton Southeastern School Superintendent Brian Smith will become the Association’s new executive director on September 2nd.

ISBA President Larry Stillson said in a news release…

“Since the ISBA was established in 1949, we have only had 6 executive directors, so it is quite apparent we are very deliberate in choosing our leadership. Dr. Smith is a dedicated visionary who has served with distinction as a prominent educator in Indiana for many years. He has been nominated as a regional candidate for superintendent of the year and was selected as the national superintendent of the year by the National Association for Gifted Children. His depth of experience and breadth of knowledge make him a perfect choice to lead our organization.”

In the news release, Dr. Smith says he is “excited” about his new job.

Here is the full text of a statement released today by Dr. Smith…

It is with mixed emotions that I will be leaving my position as superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools to become the executive director of the Indiana School Boards Association. As often happens with career opportunities, more than one factor influenced the timing of this decision. First, the opening at ISBA is not one that occurs very often. Since 1975, only two people have directed ISBA in that capacity. Having served Indiana education for over 45 years in various capacities and in many different areas of the state, I believe this a rare opportunity to be a voice for Indiana public education on a statewide basis. In addition, recent changes in the state teachers’ retirement fund have prompted many long-time, seasoned educators, to consider retiring early. This combination of circumstances led me to conclude that this was the right time for me to make this career change. 

​I have been honored to serve HSE. Working with the students, teachers, administrators, school board, support staff, parents, community members, and the Town of Fishers has been an exceptional experience; and I have been privileged to be part of a community where a world-class education is an expectation. 

​Together, we’ve experienced countless successes. Our successes have come even though we have faced numerous funding challenges. Nevertheless, we have been able to develop effective strategies to allow us to continue to provide an outstanding educational program for all of our students. 

​Through the HSE 21 Initiative, our engaged educators are learning more about teaching our students critical thinking and problem solving skills using innovative methods and collaborative activities that will prepare them to enter careers and professions and will serve them throughout their lifetimes. 

​Our long-term educational plan also addresses our ability to sustain academic excellence. We’re expanding building capacity in a district that now educates over 21,000 students each year – a number that rivals many colleges and universities. With the completion of our senior academies and updates to state legislation allowing more autonomy for high performing schools, HSE students will have the capability to easily substitute college classes for high school classes and complete up to two years of college credits prior to graduation. 

​My hope is to be able to one day reflect on the challenges we have faced and know that they were well managed and educationally transcendent for our students, parents, and community. I am truly honored and privileged to have been able to serve Hamilton Southeastern Schools and become a part of Fishers, Indiana, where my wife and I will continue to live even as I take on a new position. 

​In the meantime, I look forward to opening another school year and will remain with HamiltonSoutheastern Schools through September 1, 2014. During that time, I will be working with the school board to ensure a smooth transition in new leadership for HSE.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board released the following statement from the board’s president, John DeLucia…

The Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees congratulates Dr. Brian Smith on his appointment to become the Executive Director of the Indiana School Boards Association.

​We have had a very strong and collaborative working relationship with Dr. Smith as our superintendent and Hamilton Southeastern Schools has experienced many innovative steps in education under his leadership. Although we will miss him serving as our superintendent, we look forward to a continued relationship with Dr. Smith in his new role.

​Dr. Smith's current contract set his planned retirement for June 2015, and because we were aware he had very recently been faced with considering earlier retirement due to the impact of a new change in the teacher retirement system, the Board had been developing a long-range succession planning process.

​Given this and because of Dr. Smith's new opportunity, we will be accelerating our process of looking for a new superintendent. We realize this is an essential responsibility and it is incumbent upon us as a Board to locate the right leader who can keep our remarkable district moving forward. 

​As we work through the process of finding our next superintendent, we are open to the possibility of hiring an interim superintendent. We recognize that a district our size requires a unique skill set and a level of experience that requires our thoughtful and diligent consideration.  

The Board is confident that our outstanding staff at HSE will continue delivering an exemplary education to all students.

HSE Schools will now have two big administrator positions to fill.  Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, currently in charge of curriculum at HSE Schools, is leaving HSE to become Superintendent of Noblesville Schools this month

 

 

 

Town Council Looks to Save Commuter Bus Service to Downtown Indianapolis

7.7.14

Miller Bus Company Says it’s Losing Money

Fishers residents using the commuter bus service to and from downtown Indianapolis will be looking to the Fishers Town Council for ways to keep the service running.  Miller Bus Service notified Fishers of its intent to end the service August 1st, but will continue past that date as Fishers town staff and council members search for ways to keep the buses running.

One solution proposed to cut costs would trim the number of trips from 3 to 2 each in the morning and afternoon commute.  Councilman Mike Colby, Fishers representative on the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA), told LarryInFishers he is willing to support whatever it takes to keep the commuter bus service running between Fishers and downtown Indy, even if it takes financial support from the town.  However, the town made no commitments to Miller or CIRTA at the work session, other than to work on a solution that the town, Miller and CIRTA can support.  In the meantime, the buses will continue to run.

Also in the work session, council members reached consensus to name the new Geist area park under construction at 101st St. and Cyntheanne Rd. “Flat Fork Creek Park.”  That was not one of the final five choices voted upon by local residents, who voted in favor of “The Grounds at 101st.”

In the regular session, council members approved a resolution designating the former Sony Distribution Center at 121st & Cumberland Rd. as an Economic Revitalization Area.  Tim Gropp of the Community Development staff told the council a “prospect” is looking into the structure and having this designation would move along any plans for the “prospect” to move forward with moving into the currently vacant building.  The “prospect” has not been named.

 

 

You Can Call Scott Fadness

Mayor Elect

7.2.14

Democrats Choose Not To Appoint a Fishers

Mayoral Candidate

This is normally a quiet news time.  The Fishers Freedom Festival was last weekend.  As we head to the 4th of July, the usual big celebrations are planned at Geist, Carmel and Noblesville.  Lots of people use this time of year to plan vacations.

Politics doesn’t always follow that calendar.  Andrea Davis of the Indianapolis Business Journal posted a story on ibj.com today (July 2nd) that Hamilton County Democratic Chairman Keith Clock will not be appointing a candidate for mayor of Fishers in the upcoming November election.  Since there are no independent candidates, that makes Scott Fadness the first mayor of Fishers on January 1, 2015.

In an interview with LarryInFishers, Fadness seemed relieved not to face an opponent in the general election for one important reason – his wife Aunna is expecting their first child and the baby is due in November.

Even with the immediate political pressure off, Fadness says he has 3 important goals in mind for the remainder of 2014 as Fishers Town Manager.

First, he wants a smooth transition from a town to a city so the entire process is seamless for citizens depending on municipal services.  He wants a good basic government structure in place for the transition.

Second, Fadness wants Fishers government to be focused on jobs as the number 1 goal.  He expects an announcement of new jobs in Fishers in 60-90 days but would not elaborate, other than to say these jobs would not be located in the downtown area.

Finally, Fadness wants to reach out to the community and form a common vision of what Fishers should be in the months and years to come.  Although he admits to being a realist about political obstacles in forming such a consensus, the mayor elect plans to work toward that goal.

Here’s one more thing to remember.  Fadness will be serving a 1-year term as mayor. All Fishers city offices will be up for election next year for the usual 4-year terms.  We have 4 Democrat candidates for city council this November.  Will there be more Democrats running in 2015?  We will find out next year.

 

 

New Yeager Building Scrutinized by Committee

6.30.14

Nickel Plate District panel provides proposals on design of new building

The Nickel Plate District Review Committee looked at the preliminary details for the Yeager building planned for 116th Street and Lantern Road (the old KFC restaurant site).  Members of the committee were blunt in their reaction to the current drawings.

Terms like “too modern” and “ultra modern” were heard.  Some questioned whether this part of the Nickel Plate District is the right or wrong place to construct a building with such a modern look.

Committee members went to work to propose changes that would “soften” what some committee members view as a design too modernistic.  The panel members sent Yeager specific proposals for change.

Yeager has said in the past it wants to begin construction on this building by fall at the latest.  The architectural plans cannot be finalized until this committee puts its stamp of approval on it.  The developer can appeal if the committee votes the plan down.

The Nickel Plate District Review Committee is tasked with reviewing building plans for the the downtown Fishers district to ensure it is designed in a way to blend into the area.

The committee is scheduled to meet again on July 23rd.

 

More Details Emerge in Fishers Homicide

6.25.14

Fight was apparently over a girl

There has been a lot of news this week in Fishers.  On Tuesday (6.24) Fishers residents took cover when a tornado warning was issued for our area in the afternoon.  Thankfully, the storm spared us and did not spawn the damage seen in western Marion and Hendricks Counties.

Today (6.25) a federal judge ruled that Indiana’s ban on same sex marriage is unconstitutional.  In addition, the judge did not stay the order, meaning same sex couples can legally begin to marry.  Indianapolis was the firs place to issue same sex marriage licenses, but Hamilton County, after checking with legal counsel, decided to begin issuing same sex marriage licenses today.  That means same sex couples living in Fishers can venture to the Hamilton County Clerk’s office in Noblesville and get a marriage license (at least for now, unless a conflicting court order is issued).

But the story that still casts a pall over Fishers is its first homicide in 20 years. 18-year-old Corbin Montgomery faces a formal charge of murder after the Hamilton County Coroner’s office ruled the June 22nd stabbing death of Connor Shockley, also 18, was a homicide.  Montgomery was questioned by Fishers Police shortly after the stabbing and was jailed on preliminary charges of murder and involuntary manslaughter.  The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office dropped the involuntary manslaughter count and filed a formal charge of murder Tuesday.

Montgomery entered a plea of not guilty at his first court appearance Tuesday in Hamilton County Magistrate Court.  He is being held at the Hamilton County Jail in Noblesville without bond.  His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, September 5th.

Court documents released Tuesday confirm the many rumors circulating around Fishers after the stabbing that the fight was about a girl.

The initial reports said that shots were fired before the stabbing, based on what some people in the neighborhood say they heard.  Fishers Police Spokesman Tom Weger tells LarryInFishers police found no reports of shots being fired before the stabbing.

I asked Weger about reports one person was hospitalized after an attack from Fishers Police dogs.  “During our initial response one of our police K-9s made an apprehension,” Weger wrote in an e-mail to LarryInFishers.  “The individual was transported to an area hospital and released later in the day.”

The new information released Tuesday confirms a lot of information about this situation.  The next question is this- presuming the prosecutor’s office moves forward with this case, will there be a trial or will there be a plea agreement?

 

Fishers Junior High Roofing Project Approved

6.23.14

Construction should be done by September 17th

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted unanimously to proceed with awarding the low bid and authorize the re-roof installation at Fishers Junior High School.  Facilities Administrator Harry Delks (pictured above, far right) told the board the contractor has assured him that the construction crew will handle parts of the project creating odors and noise to times when school is not in session.  Work is set to start August 1st and end September 17th.  Katrina Hockemeyer, the board member most concerned about awarding the bid at the last board meeting, was not at this session.  Board member Karen Harmer was also not at the meeting.

The board heard a proposal to charge school volunteers for their required criminal background checks.  The school system is changing vendors and will no longer be able to absorb the cost of these investigations.  If approved later by the board, the potential volunteer would be required to pay $13 for the background check.  Board member Ron Wilson asked the school administrators to look into whether background checks done for other nonprofits, such as SPORTS coaches, can be used for the school system and help avoid the $13 expense for some.  This proposal was considered at first reading so no board vote was taken and it will be considered at a future meeting.

In other school board news….

–The salary schedule for the non-certified (non-teaching) staff for the coming school year was approved.

–Superintendent Brian Smith updated the board on proposals being crafted by a “grass-roots” group of 30 school systems, including a suggestion that would financially reward school systems with high academic performance.  The group intends to engage state lawmakers with the ideas in time for next year’s long legislative session which will be handling the state budget for the coming 2 years.

–Administrator Mike Beresford now officially holds the title of Assistant Superintendent.  This will have no impact on Dr. Beresford’s pay or duties.

–Newly hired administrators were introduced to the board…they include….

–Lori Mankin, new principal for New Britton Elementary

–Steven Loser, new Fishers High School Assistant Principal

–Jagga Rent, new HSE High School Dean

–Rob Seymour, new Athletic Director at Fishers High School

–Amber Swinehart, Asst. Director of Nutrition & Food Service

 

A Sad Day in Fishers

6.23.14

An 18-year-old loses his life in a violent act

It was nearly one year ago that there was an intensive search for a missing 18-year-old girl from Fishers named Peyton Riekhoff.  We were all saddened when police pulled the car containing her body from Geist Reservoir.

Now we have an 18-year-old boy that has died as the result of a violent act.  Another 18-year-old boy is facing preliminary charges of murder and involuntary manslaughter as a result.

Based on what we know now, Connor Shockley was fatally stabbed near Harrison Parkway and Lantern Road on Wooster Court.  Connor had just graduated from Fishers High School.  A recent grad of Hamilton Southeastern High School, Corbin Montgomery, is facing the preliminary charges in this case.

Police say the investigation into all this is still open.

The first thing that comes to mind for me is the agony of the families involved. Losing a son at this young age is something parents try not to even think about.  Having a son face the possibility of a prison sentence at this age in not an easy situation for a family to face.

There are many rumors flying around town and on social media about this death and the circumstances surrounding it.  I try not to deal with rumors here so I will stay away from that.  Let’s just say young men of this age often feel they are indestructible.

Hamilton Southeastern School Superintendent Brian Smith has released a statement expressing his sorrow on behalf of HSE Schools and offered counseling to those in need.

We are fortunate in Fishers that violent deaths almost never happen here.  The last homicide was recorded in 1994, 20 years ago.   Even in a relatively safe place, bad things can happen.  As Fishers grows, the law of averages will catch up with us and these sad situations will unfortunately happen more often.

Last night’s violent death does not mean Fishers has become an unsafe place to live. It just means we all, as a community, need to pay attention to our young people and care about them.

We will never know for sure why young Peyton Riekhoff drove her vehicle into Geist Reservoir.  We may or may not know for sure why Connor Shockley was stabbed to death.  We do know we must pay attention to young people in this community and take care of them as best we can.

 

Overnight Stabbing Death Reported in Fishers

6.23.14

Report of a fight at Harrison Parkway & Lantern Road

We are fortunate that in Fishers we have very few violent deaths.  Sadly, it appears that happened late last night on Wooster Court near Harrison Parkway and Lantern Road.  Police say it started with a 911 call reporting a fight.

The victim has been identified by Fishers Police as Connor Shockley, 18, a recent graduate of Fishers High School.

Police found Shockley in the yard of a house suffering from stab wounds.  Despite the best efforts of Fishers Emergency Services, he died.

Under arrest is 18-year-old Corbin Montgomery of Fishers.   He faces charges of Felony Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter.  Police say they have recovered what they believe to be the weapon used in the alleged crime.

According to police, this is still an open investigation.

Early reports that this was a shooting death turned out to be incorrect.

 

Fishers Junior High Re-Roofing Goes Before HSE Board Again

6.19.14

Board failed to get enough votes previously

Members of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board will get another chance June 23rd to vote on a nearly $394,000 re-roofing project for Fishers Junior High School.  At the June 9th meeting, the proposal only garnered 3 votes when 4 were needed to pass the measure.

HSE Facilities Manager Harry Delks told the board time is a factor in order to begin the construction and finish before the start of school in August.

Some board members questioned the wide variance in the bids submitted for the re-roofing.  The low bidder was McGuff Roofing at $393,671.00.  The highest of the 5 bids was from R. Adams Roofing at $715,200.00.

The vote on June 9th was 3-1-1.  Katrina Hockemeyer voted no and Sylvia Shepler abstained.  Diane Eaton had left the session early and Ron Wilson was on military duty.  The yes votes were Karen Harmer, John DeLucia and Howard Stevenson.  At the time, the board thought the proposal passed with a majority vote, but HSE attorney David Day later told the board a majority of the total board members (7) was needed to pass the project, meaning 4 votes were required.

The June 23rd session is scheduled for 7:00pm at the school administration building on Cumberland Road.

 

Posting on the Internet & Not Using Your Name

6.18.14

Beware of such postings

When Internet rants became more numerous in the late 1990s, I recall reading a column by a newspaper sportswriter.  He had just written a column and had received a nasty, vitriolic e-mail from one of his readers who did not use his real name in sending the message.

This sportswriter had reached his limit on receiving these crazy unnamed comments.  He had some technical people at the newspaper track down the name and phone number of the person that sent him the e-mail in question.

The sportswriter picked up the phone and called this person.  To the sportswriter’s surprise, the person on the other end was a middle aged, soft spoken gentleman.  He profusely apologized for his e-mail rant, saying he was just upset at the time and needed to vent on the issue.

Posting anonymously on the Internet has become quite common these days. It’s not only e-mail anymore.  Web sites, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts often do not contain the name of the person behind it.

There are more people commenting on Fishers politics and public policy these days.  As I have written before, that is not a bad thing.  It’s my view that a good, healthy debate about elections and issues make us all better.

However, when you evaluate what you read on the Internet, on whatever platform you are using (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), it’s a good idea to know something about the individual person posting the message.

What sparked this piece was a Twitter account that recently surfaced using the name and picture of Scott Fadness and uses the Twitter address of @fishersmayor even though Scott Fadness himself has nothing to do with the Twitter account.  If you check some of the early Tweets, you see this is intended as a parody account.

I’m sure Scott Fadness realizes that when you become a public figure as a political candidate, people will write parodies about you.  The only thing that concerns me is the fact that the person behind this Twitter account is not named anywhere.

It’s okay to parody political figures if that’s what you want to do.  It’s acceptable to have strong opinions about public policy decisions and candidates for office in Fishers.  The only thing that bothers me is that many of those writing on the Web do not own up publicly to their postings.

I’m not being critical of what people are writing about Fishers.  My point is this – if you feel strongly enough to post about this, allow you name to be known to those reading you.

Here’s my advice to readers.  When you read about Fishers on the Internet and you have no idea who is doing the writing, take it with a grain of salt.

 

Renovations Approved for Old BMV Building

6.16.14

Structure at Municipal Complex to House City Court & IT Department

The Fishers Town Council approved bids to begin renovations on the old Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) building located on Fishers’ Municipal Grounds.  The $341, 217 project will now move forward.

Councilmen Stuart Easley and Mike Colby had questions on the bids and plans at the last council session and wanted more information.  Colby was not at the June 16th session and Easley voted in favor of moving the project forward.

The town’s Information Technology (IT) Department and the Town (soon to be city) Court will be housed in the remodeled space.   The IT Department is using various available space in town government.  The court has been utilizing the old train station building, which is expected to be demolished to make way for a new train station complex.

The BMV decided not to renew its lease for the town structure when they found almost $1 million in savings by closing the Fishers branch and distributing the employees to nearby offices.  Most went to the Noblesville license branch.

In other town council news….

–Car Don was granted a waiver of $300,000 in impact fees to construct an assisted living facility at 116th Street and Cumberland Road.  In exchange, the project will be expedited to bring the building into the local property tax rolls more quickly.

–DECA Financial is now in bankruptcy and the council cancelled their tax abatement for noncompliance.

 

 

Indianapolis Man is Dead in Weekend Fishers Motorcycle Crash

6.16.14

An Indianapolis man died on his motorcycle in a crash in Fishers Friday night.  Police say Howard H. NG, 32, was ejected from his motorcycle after colliding with other vehicles on 96th Street near Olio Road.  The motorcycle apparently crossed the center line.  The investigation into the accident by Fishers police is continuing.

 

 

Just What Is Net Neutrality & What Does it Mean?

6.15.14

How it could impact this blog

I have a good friend who writes about techie issues.  I generally just call him before I dare to opine about anything Internet.  I’m taking a chance on this piece.  I didn’t call him on this one.  Let’s hope I get it right.

You may have heard or read the term “Net Neutrality.”  But how many know what it means?  Here’s what I understand it to mean.

Every Web page has an equal chance to vie for your attention.  You can read my blog, the Indy Star, Current in Fishers, or other local Web sites if you are looking for news about Fishers.  But we all are basically equal as far as your ability to access my content against sites with more money and clout than mine.

There are people in the communications industry that do not like this arrangement. They believe sites should be able to pay the Internet providers (like AT&T & Comcast) for easier, better access to you when you begin to look at the Web.

This is the basic issue.  It’s actually much more technical than that, but it is the underlying argument.

For those of you who regularly read my posts, it could impact you.  If Net Neutrality goes away, it is possible accessing my little local Fishers news Web page could become more difficult for you.  And it continues to amaze me that so many of you regularly visit this Web page (thank you!).

It is for this reason, and only this reason, that I have any interest at all in the Net Neutrality issue.  So far, I have accepted no advertising on this site in order to keep my independence to report and comment on local issues free from any outside pressures. But that could work against me if Net Neutrality goes away, since sites with plenty of money to spend could provide easier access to your computer than mine.

The law on Net Neutrality is still in flux.  One federal appeals court has ruled on this, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has some proposed rule-making in the administrative law pipeline.

My only reason for this commentary is to let you know I will continue to provide this blog as long as a neutral Internet allows me reasonable, easy access to those of you choosing to read my material at www.LarryInFishers.com.  If you support independent Web pages such as mine, and you have a chance to communicate with a federal elected official (such as a congressman or senator), you might want to mention your support for Net Neutrality so Internet Web sites such as mine can continue.

 

 

Dr. Beth Niedermeyer is leaving HSE Schools

6.12.14

Assistant Superintendent at HSE is Going to Noblesville to be the Superintendent There

In this case, HSE Schools’ loss is Noblesville’s gain.  Dr. Beth Niedermeyer, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum at HSE Schools, will be headed just north to Noblesville to run the school corporation there.  Niedermeyer will be replacing Dr. Libbie Conner, who is scheduled to retire from the Noblesville School System September 1st.

A news release from the Noblesville School Corporation says Niedermeyer’s contract will be the subject of a public hearing at a July 1st Noblesville School Board meeting. Her appointment by the board is expected to be formalized at the July 15th board session.

Noblesville School Board President Pat Berghoff is quoted in the news release as saying there were 30 candidates for the superintendent’s job initially, but Niedermeyer stood out “based on her experience and ability to build strong relationships.”

Dr. Niedermeyer called the Noblesville Schools “an innovative, forward thinking district with a wonderful small community feel.”

We will now see if the HSE School Corporation, which has been struggling with budget shortfalls, will replace Dr. Niedermeyer or will reorganize as a result of her moving on to the Noblesville position.

 

A Talk with Mike Colby About Medicaid, His Election Loss & Local Politics

6.12.14

He had some pointed comments about the local Republican Party

When I asked to see Mike Colby, I expected to talk about his service as an appointee of Governor Mike Pence to the Indiana Medicaid Advisory Committee.  The Fishers Town Council Member had a lot to say about that, but he had even more to say about his recent electoral loss and the state of the Hamilton County Republican Party.

First, he had praise for Governor Pence’s proposed Medicaid plan for Indiana, which requires approval from the federal government before it is official.   Colby says the plan “covers the waterfront” for what’s needed in a Medicaid program.  His only concern is the “spend down” provision, which is the amount of money a person must pay on medical expenses before Medicaid benefits kick-in.

Pence’s Medicaid proposal, called the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), has some co-pays (money paid by the individual) where regular Medicaid has no co-payments.

The Medicaid Advisory Committee has been discussing some technical details of Medicaid coverage as they relate to chiropractors and nurse practitioners.

Colby expects to spend more time with his work on the advisory committee now that he lost his bid for re-election to a term on the new Fishers City Council.  He lost to Selina Stoller by only 12 votes (less than 1% of the votes cast).

Those elected to Fishers city offices this year will serve only one year, with the normal 4-year term elections coming next year.  I asked Mike Colby whether he has any plans to run for office again in 2015.  He didn’t say no, but he also doesn’t appear inclined to run for elective office again.  He describes himself as “bitter” about his loss.

Colby clearly thought he had support from some people when, he claims now, those same people were working against him behind the scenes.

He saved his biggest complaints for officials of the Hamilton County Republican Party. He argues the local GOP county organization has “very poor leadership.”  He went on to say that those same party leaders have “no respect” for people that have supported the party with money and effort.  Colby claims he, and others, have been “ostracized” by the Hamilton County Republican organization.  He also claims many elected officials in Hamilton County have come under attack by the county party’s leaders.

Some of his friends have suggested Colby serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals or the local Plan Commission, but after serving on the town council, Colby told me it wouldn’t be the same to serve on one of those bodies now.

After covering Fishers Town Council meetings for about 2 1/2 years, I have found Mike Colby to be a council member that always took his job seriously.  He read as much as he could and studied issues carefully before questioning people and voting on any issue. Even if you didn’t agree with Mike Colby, you could always count on him taking a position only after studying the issue carefully.

Mike Colby can also be very blunt in his views and that has hurt him at times.

Even Colby admits that if he had worked a little harder at his re-election campaign, he would have had a much better chance of winning, after losing by such a close margin.

Mike Colby may be a lame duck politically on the Fishers Town Council, but I expect him to continue his normal approach to every issue coming before the council the remainder of this year.  Colby may be wary of getting involved in politics again, but look for him to find a way to be a involved in Fishers public policy in the future.

 

Fishers Police Prevent a Suicide Attempt

6.10.14

Man tried to jump off Brooks School Road Bridge over I-69

It took five Fishers police officers to prevent a man from jumping off the Brooks School Road bridge over I-69.  The unidentified man was apparently attempting to commit suicide just after 7:00pm Monday night after stopping his car over the bridge while arguing with his wife.

Officers tried to talk the man out of jumping off the bridge, but he was belligerent with police, according to a Fishers Police Department news release.  The man attempted to jump but was grabbed by officers on the scene.  The man reportedly tried to punch one policemen in the face as he was hanging over the bridge.  The suicide attempt was prevented when officers lifted the man to safety over the bridge railing.

I-69 was blocked for a time Monday night during this incident.

Fishers Police Department Sergeant Andrew Brooks and Officer Seth Goldstein were first on the scene.  Sergeant Eric Patton arrived later and tried to talk the man out of jumping off the bridge.  Officer Adam Brockman assisted in saving the man when he attempted to jump off the bridge.

The man attempting the suicide was transported to Community North Hospital for a mental evaluation.

No police officers were injured.

 

Fishers Jr High Re-Roofing Project Delay is Possible

6.9.14

Concerns Raised on Low Bid Amount, Cost of Warranty

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board failed to act on awarding bids to re-roof Fishers Junior High School.  HSE’s Facilities Manager Harry Delks told board members a delay would require the work to be completed after school is already in session, or the work would be rebid and completed next year.

The board was minus one member at the meeting’s start – Ron Wilson was on military duty.  But Diane Eaton left the meeting early, and Karen Harmer left the meeting after the initial re-roofing bid vote.  That left a bare quorum of 4 board members remaining.

After Harmer left, the board received advice from attorney David Day that 4 votes, a majority of total board members, would be required to approve the bids.  The vote to approve the bids was 3-1….Katrina Hockemeyer voted no and Sylvia Shepler abstained.  Harmer, John Delucia, and Howard Stevenson voted to accept the bids.   By the time Day provided his legal advice, there were 4 board members left and all were not prepared to vote yes on the bids.

Hockemeyer said she voted no because she needs to complete her due diligence as a board member on the issues of the roof warranty and large difference between the highest and lowest bids.  Shepler said she was not ready to make a decision on the bids.

The school staff said they too were surprised at the large difference between the low and high bidders.  The high bid was R. Adams Roofing at $715,200.  The low bid was from McGuff Roofing at $393,671.

Delks said he checked with McGuff and with the bonding company related to the work and felt the low bid was a good one.

Michael Zunk from Firestone Building Products spoke to the board, making the case that the school system was overpaying for this roof warranty by nearly $30,000, based on his understanding of industry norms.  School Superintendent Brian Smith said he does not want to deal with “finger pointing” that the school system has experienced in the past enforcing roof warranties, and believes the extra cost is needed because of limited funds to repair roofs under property tax caps.

The school board has a work session scheduled June 17th.  A vote could be scheduled at that time if placed on a board agenda consistent with the state’s open meetings law

In other news from the June 9th school board session….

–The board approved textbook fees for the coming school year.

— Passed changes in the policy for use of school facilities by outside groups.

–Received an update on a number of academic programs.  The “English as a New Lanuage” program received high praise from Superintendent Smith, saying he was “shocked” at how articulate those in the program become in the English language. HSE Schools has about 700 students enrolled in this program, much higher than neighboring school systems Carmel and Westfield.

–Approved a pay raise for the Food Service Director.

 

Town Projects $20 million in Federal Funds for Planned Local Transportation Projects

6.3.14

Fishers Council Briefed by Staff

The Town of Fishers is planning to use federal funds for much of the transportation construction costs for a long list of projects in the coming years. The town’s Director of Engineering, Jeff Hill, reviewed a long list of transportation projects where federal funds will be used.  Federal money for all the listed plans exceeds $20 million.

The town is expected to pick up most or all of the planning and engineering costs, but the federal government will pay a large portion of the actual construction money.

Here’s a listing of the projects Hill presented to town council members at a June 2nd work session….

The Adaptive Traffic System – will use high-technology to move traffic along the busiest Fishers throroughfares.  Under construction with completion projected in July of this year.

Construction Cost          $3.1 million

Federal Funds                  $2.7 million

106th St & Eller Road Intersection Improvement – New turn lane and other improvements…original plan for a roundabout have been scrapped. Is currently under design, projected to be bid in August, 2015.

Construction Cost (anticipated)        $407,500

Federal Funds                                         $326,000

96th & Lantern Road Intersection –  A multi-lane roundabout is planned here.  It’s currently under design with bidding projected in August, 2015.

Construction Cost (anticipated)   $3 million

Federal Funds                                    $2.4 million

106th and Cumberland Road – Another multi-lane roundabout is planned here.  It is also under design currently with bidding projected for March, 2016.

Construction Cost (anticipated)    $1.3 million

Federal Funds                                     $1 million

Cheeney Creek Trail – This will pave a trail corridor from 106th Street to Fishers Point Boulevard.  This is under design and bidding is expected in September, 2014.

Construction Cost (anticipated)    $766,500

Federal Funds                                     $613,200

Nickel Plate Trail Amenities – This includes benches, lights, signs, markings and trash receptacles.  It is currently under design and is expected to be bid in October, 2014.

Construction Cost (anticipated)            $460,000

Federal Funds                                             $368,000

Nickel Plate Trail Extension – Plans are to connect to Conner Prairie and extend north.  This is in the planning/design phase, with bidding expected in July, 2017.

Construction Cost (anticipated)        $1 million

Federal Funds                                         $878,550

Brooks School Road Guard Rail Projects – Timber guardrails are planned on the west side of the road and provides separation between the path and the road.  It’s currently under design with bids projected for October, 2014.

Construction Cost (anticipated)                $299,700

Federal Funds                                                 $249,750

Added Travel Lanes on 96th Street – These plans call for a 4-lane divided street from Lanter Road to Cumberland, including the Mud Creek Bridge.  This includes an intersection at Sargeant Road.   Coordination with Indianapolis and Hamilton County will be required.  Currently in the planning/design phase, bids are expected in February, 2018.

Construction Cost (anticipated)      $7.3 million

Federal Funds                                       $5.8 million

113th Street Road Rehabilitation – This will widen the 2-lane road.  It’s in the planning/design phase and is expected to be bid in February, 2017.

Construction Cost (anticipated)            $2.2 million

Federal Funds                                             $1.8 million

113th Street & Florida Road Intersection – A roundabout is planned here.  It’s in the planning/design stage now with bidding expected in February, 2017.

Construction Cost (anticipated)                   $1.9 million

Federal Funds                                                    $1.7 million

131st Street & Cumberland Road Intersection – A multi-lane roundabout is planned here.  It’s in the planning/design phase with bidding projected in May, 2017.

Construction Cost (anticipated)                   $2.4 million

Federal Funds                                                    $1.9 million

 

 

 

Renovation of BMV Building in Fishers Delayed

6.2.14

Approval expected at next council session

The bids on renovating the old BMV building a the Fishers Municipal Complex are in, a best bidder was selected by the town staff, a recommendation was made for the town council to approve the winning bid, but at least 2 councilmen asked for a delay to review more details on the project.

Councilors Stuart Easley and Mike Colby wanted more details from town staff on the building remodeling plans.  Neither indicated they opposed awarding the bid, they just asked for more information.

Town Manager Scott Fadness said more details would be provided at the next council session scheduled for June 16th.

The town had leased the building to the BMV and now plans to move the town’s information technology staff and the town court into the structure.

In other town council news items…

–A 6-year tax abatement was approved, clearing the way for construction of a new medical office building in the Saxony area.

–A proposal for commercial development at 96th and  Mollenkopf Road was withdrawn….for the project to come back, the developer would need to start from scratch with the rezoning approval process.

–Approved upgrading the playground at Holland Park…construction should begin in August and be completed by October of this year.

–Conner Prairie asked the council to keep its financial support at its current level, $100,000, in 2015….the council will consider the request during discussions on the 2015 budget

–The council recognized town staff and outside groups for the success of the Keep Fishers Beautiful project…..and recognized the Fishers High School “We the People” team for winning the state title and finishing 4th in nation.

 

 

Motorcyclist Injured in Sunday Collision

6.2.14

Accident happened at Brook School & Club Point

A 19-year-old from Indianapolis suffered what Fishers Police describe as serious injuries in a collision with a Mercedes SUV at Brook School Road and Club Point Sunday afternoon.

Police say James Douglas, the motorcyclist, was headed southbound on Brooks School Road when he crossed the double yellow line passing two SUVs as they slowed to turn west onto Club Point.  The Mercedes SUB, driven by Morgan Lacy, 20, of Fishers, was apparently turning from Club Point onto northbound Brooks School and could not see the motorcycle, resulting in the collision.  Lacy was not hurt.

Douglas was transported to St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis by Fishers Fire and Emergency Rescue crews.   Police say he was wearing a helmet.

The incident is still under investigation by Fishers Police.  Authorities say neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in this crash.

 

 

The VA Problems Will Not Be An Easy Fix

5.30.14

Changing VA Chief is not the answser

Many of you know I retired from federal government employment nearly 3 years ago after 28 years of service.  During my last 6 years there, I managed offices where the public walked in asking for help.  It was a daunting task for me and my employees.

I had worked to place one of my workers on a national task force charged with looking at certain ways we provided services.   When her group presented their report to the national director, some very specific problems were presented that needed solutions.

All the executives under the national director made it clear that none of that was happening in their areas.  I think the national director quickly caught on to the fact that the executives around her gave an immediate denial that anything bad might be happening within their areas, even after it had been documented by this team that this activity was going on nation wide and needed to be addressed.

Such is the life of working within a bureaucracy.  When I worked in the broadcasting business prior to my federal government service, there were rules (since repealed) limiting any owner to only 7 stations each of TV, AM radio and FM radio.  Most of these companies were small.  Even if the owner was in another state, he would visit us and see first hand what was going on.

It was a big culture shock to work within a large organization, which exists in government as well as the corporate world.

Such is the nature of the problems with the VA.  The latest attention has been paid to the veterans’ health care system but processing disability ratings and benefits is also backlogged badly.

I worked in the same building with VA employees.  These are dedicated people. Many are veterans themselves.  They all care about serving veterans.

The system is what is holding everything down.  The Department of Defense has a completely different computer system than the VA and those two systems cannot communicate with each other.  Much of the VA system isn’t computerized at all, it’s still based on paper records.  That causes problems and delays.

What’s happening in the VA health care system is a black mark on the Senior Executive Service members charged with running that system.  Falsifying information is never to be tolerated, especially in a system like the VA health services.  Some execs, based on media reports, appeared to want their bonuses more than serving the vets.  If that turns out to be true, those executives should be held accountable.

When I first became a government manager, my boss told my something I always remembered – “Never do anything that could end up in the funny papers.” In other words, in every decision you make, imagine that decision being plastered on the front page of the newspapers.

The VA execs are seeing what happens when your decisions are subjected to public scrutiny.

Fixing the problems at VA will take a long time.  It will take steady increases in funding over a number of years.  It will take setting up a good plan and sticking with it.  It requires the executive and legislative branches of government to sign on to the plan and stick with it over several election cycles.  Not an easy thing to do when living in a democracy.  It will also take competent and honest management.

I am sorry to see the resignation of VA Chief Eric Shinseki.  From everything I know, he is a very good man that fell on his sword so he would not be a distraction for the job ahead.  He was not well served by his executives in the field, who apparently fed him false information on VA health care waiting lists. The next VA head will have a tough job moving forward.

Here’s what I hope.  That congress and the administration be on the same page to support a bipartisan long-term plan to fix this system.  I hope a short-term fix can be found for the vets desperate for help now.

This is not easy.  But it should also not be political.

 

 

My Trip Out West

5.26.14

It’s Good to be Back Home

On May 14th, I embarked on a journey.  I hadn’t attempted anything like this since I was 25 years old.  I loaded up the car and headed to the American desert southwest.  I had about a week and a half on the road.  It was a wonderful trip.

I visited family in Saint Louis and the Oklahoma City National Memorial (more on that in a future posting).  I stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a truly beautiful city.

The incredible mountains and scenic beauty in the southwest were stunning.  It reminded me what I had experienced nearly 38 years ago.

After covering the first city election for Fishers, I needed a little time away from home.  This fit the bill.

My ultimate destination was Las Vegas, where I spent a few days. After that, I was ready to come back home.

I missed a few news items while away.   I did correspond with the HSE Schools to file one story while on the road about the pay-to-participate plan approved by the school board.

Here are a few local news items that happened while I was away…

–My deepest sympathies to the family of Erin Harris, 34, of
​Fishers.  According to Fishers authorities, Harris was struck by a bus during preparations for the Geist Half Marathon on May 17th.  It is so sad that tragedy has occurred during an event that should be a great community event around Geist.

–Two children, ages 6 & 9, escaped injury May 22nd, and 3 family pets also got away unscathed, in a Fishers house fire in the 9700 block of Springdale Drive.  The parents were away on an errand at the time of the blaze.  Fire officials blame grease on the stove unattended at the likely cause of the fire.

–Andrea Davis of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) reports about plans for a new medical office building near I-69 and Exit 210 in Fishers.

–The IBJ published an editorial in its May 12-18 edition supporting Scott Fadness’ plans to develop Fishers.  The editorial also complimented Fishers voters for approving the referendum in 2012 to become a city with a strong mayor’s office and backed voters choice of Fadness as the GOP nominee for Mayor of Fishers.

–Congratulations to Ryan Hunter-Reay for driving an incredible race and coming out a winner in the 2014 Indianapolis 500.  It was an exciting race for the fans and a number of drivers could have won this one.

Since today (5.26) is Memorial Day, I did something different to observe this important holiday.  I went online and reviewed the names of all the casualties of the Vietnam War from Indianapolis, where I grew up.  Having just missed being drafted to serve in that conflict, it was important to remember all those from my hometown, close to my age, who died in that conflict.

I can only express one thought now that I have returned…..it’s great to be back home again in Indiana!

 

 

HSE School Board OKs Pay to Play Plan for Coming School Year

5.21.14

Action the same one that did not pass previously

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted Tuesday (5.21) to approve “Pay to Participate” fees for the coming school year aimed at raising over $384,000 to help close the school district’s budget gap.  HSE Schools Spokesperson Marianna Richards told LarryInFishers the vote was 5-1, with Katrina Hockemeyer voting no. Diane Eaton was not at the meeting.

The board deadlocked 3-3 in a previous vote to pass essentially the same plan.

The following fee schedule will be implemented in the 2014-2015 school year….

High School Athletic Program Support Fees

Fees 

Multiple HS Sports or HS athletes  
1st HS sport/HS athlete $     180.00 
2nd HS sport/HS athlete $     120.00 
each additional HS sport/HS athlete thereafter $       60.00 
*no charge for free/reduced students  

​Junior High Athletic Program Support Fees

 Fees 

Multiple JH Sports or JH athletes  

​1st JH sport/JH athlete $90.00 
2nd JH sport/JH athlete $60.00 each 
additional JH sport/JH athlete thereafter $30.00 
*no charge for free/reduced students  

Non-Athletic ECA (Extrecurricular) Program Support Fees 

High School Fees 

​Per participant $       30.00   

 
Junior High School Fees 

Per participant $       20.00    


​IntermediateFees 

​Per participant $       10.00

 

 

 

Meyer Najem Breaks Ground on New HQ

5.15.14

Construction to begin at site along Lantern Rd, behind the library

Even if you have misgivings about using public land and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as tools in economic development, most in Fishers likely agree that keeping Meyer Najem in Fishers is a good thing.

Today (5.15) there was a ground breaking ceremony at the site for the new Meyer Najem headquarters.  The local construction firm will only use the first floor of the new building.  The Town (soon to become the City) of Fishers will be in charge of leasing the remainder of the structure’s floor space.

Town Council President John Weingardt said in a town new release that this development will move forward plans for the Nickel Plate District in Downtown Fishers.  The parking lot can be used for events at the Amphitheater and the rest of the municipal complex during non-business hours.

It should be noted that Meyer Najem shopped around looking for deals with surrounding communities, including Noblesville, Carmel & Westfield.  I strongly suspect all those communities were willing to provide Meyer Najem with large incentive packages, incluiding TIF.

Yes, there are risks in using TIF financing to support these projects.  But there are also risks in allowing long-time local firms like Meyer Najem to leave town.

Which risk should we choose?  I’ll leave that up to you.

 

 

 

HSE Schools Pay-to-Participate Plan in Limbo After Tie Vote by the School Board

5.12.14

Plan Would Raise Nearly $388,000

When the Hamilton Southeastern School Board approved a plan to attack a projected budget deficit over the coming 2 school years, one part of that plan was a pay-to-participate program to charge students in athletic programs and some extracurricular activities.  The school administration presented a plan to the board May 12th that resulted in a tie vote, 3-3.  Board Member Diane Eaton did not attend this meeting.

The administration’s plan would charge high school athletes $180.  The second high school athlete in the same family would be charged $120.  Any additional high school sports participant would be charged $60.

Participants in junior high sports would pay $90 for the first, $60 for the second in the family and $30 for any additional junior high athletes.

Below is the proposed fee structure for extracurricular activities:

 

 

A Political Tale of Facebook

5.11.14

How my last name caused some political confusion

Most people know my last name.  I may be known as LarryInFishers.com, but my last name is Lannan.  All you have to do is click the “About LarryInFishers” link on my site’s Home Page and you will find my last name.  Anyone reading my biweekly commentary in Current in Fishers will see my last name.  I’ve written a couple of pieces for the Indianapolis Business Journal and have used my last name.

Why am I making such a big deal of my last name?  Because someone made an issue of it recently and, just in case anyone may have seen that post, I need to set the record straight.

There are lots of Facebook pages on Fishers politics these days.  Overall, that’s not a bad thing.  The more people are interested in local politics and writing about it, the better chance our voter turnout will begin to move up from the abysmal 12-15% of registered voters in recent primary years.

These Facebook pages make many interesting arguments.  Some are thoughtful and provocative.  Others are off the wall.  But they all deal with local Fishers politics.

On Saturday, May 10th, Greg Purvis, currently a Democrat candidate for the Fishers City Council, alerted me to a post on one of these Facebook pages devoted to local politics.  My thanks to Greg for that heads up.

The writer of this Facebook page (I don’t know the name of the person behind it) wrote about what he/she thought was a big story she/he had discovered. The Facebook page writer found that I had the same last name as a person connected to the Royal Tiger Political Action Committee (PAC). He pondered whether my reporting and analysis could be part of some Lannan cabal trying to sway the Fishers electorate in some sinister way.

I wrote in the comments section of the Facebook page that yes, Lannan is not a common last name and yes, there is a person connected to the Royal Tiger PAC with the same last name as mine.  However, I have never met this person.  He may well be a distant cousin, but I do not know him.  There is also a man with my same last name that worked in the Fadness campaign for mayor.  I have never met him either, but spoke briefly to his wife recently when she introduced herself to me.  Bottom line, I didn’t disclose anything about this because I had nothing to disclose.

I’m making no comment on my politically active distant relatives sharing my last name in Fishers.  Our paths have just never met.

I will give the writer of the Facebook page credit for this…a few minutes after I posted that comment he deleted the entire post.  I thank the writer for that.  I’m only commenting on it because it was posted on Facebook for several hours and I have no idea how many people saw it.

Politics is a rough game, just as journalism can be a rough job.  I have no problem defending what I write.  If I do make a factual error (not often, I hope) I acknowledge it and make a correction.

If this little episode has taught me anything it’s this – you need to keep an eye on what people are saying and writing about you.  Sometimes you just have to set the record straight.

 

 

Historic Election for Fishers – What It Means

5.8.14

Will There be More Races in November?

When I started this little news blog 2 1/2 years ago, I had no idea what was in store for me.  Fishers was a town ruled by a 7-member council and a clerk treasurer.  Those 8 people were our local elected officials.  Scott Faultless had been Town Council President for more than 10 years at that time.  I went into this endeavor assuming not much would change in the way Fishers would be governed in the future.  Boy, was I ever wrong.

2012 was the year of the referendum that changed Fishers from a town to a city.  It was my first big story to cover.  I began to become acquainted with many of the local political figures.  We have just completed the first Fishers city election brought about by that referendum.  I’ve spent the last couple of days trying to understand what it all means.  I don’t pretend to have the perfect analysis of this ground breaking election, but I’ve tried to organize my thoughts on what it means moving forward.  Here are those thoughts.

The first thing that strikes me is who was not on the ballot.  Scott Faultless has been a political force in Fishers for a long time.  He’s always been gracious to me by providing comments when I ask.  When his name was not among the candidates filing to run in the primary election, we had a phone conversation where he told me he needed to back away from politics and handle some personal matters.  I believe that the personal matters are the only reasons he’s not involved in politics now.  I fully expect him to re-enter public life if his personal situation changes.  Scott has been a local lightning rod. If you agree with him, you are a solid supporter.  If you are a political enemy, you really don’t like him.  No one can argue with this statement – Scott Faultless was a major player in Fishers becoming the community it has grown to be.  Scott Faultless stepping aside is a very big change moving forward in Fishers.

As far as the election results go, the mayor’s race ended up to be much closer than I had expected.  I must credit Walt Kelly for running a very good and very strategic campaign.  Kelly was outspent big time in this race, but he made up for the lack of funds with an army of dedicated volunteers and supporters.  Kelly and his troops have been hard at work ever since his announcement to run last summer.  Walt Kelly could have easily faded into retirement once his accounting career was over, but he chose to make a run for mayor.  He came very close to winning, losing by only 393 votes out of 9,191 votes cast in the mayor’s race.

Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness was the big winner on election night.  It is true he had a huge advantage in campaign cash.  But even with the financial upper hand, Fadness was out in the neighborhoods talking with groups, knocking on doors and listening to voters while at the same time making his case to those same voters.  He picked up a major endorsement from the firefighters union and they were out in force for Fadness during the campaign.  Scott also had his own army of volunteers.  Scott Fadness didn’t just sit back and enjoy his big lead in campaign cash, he was out working all the time.  Scott Fadness earned this win.

In the city council races, the biggest winner was Todd Zimmerman.  There were 6 candidates with the top three vote-getters winning the GOP at-large nominations. Todd didn’t have the largest stash of campaign cash, but he was the biggest vote-getter by far in the at-large council election. Todd Zimmerman is a man to watch in politics in the years to come.  Cecilia Coble came in second with Rich Block coming in third to earn at-large council nominations.  Jeff Heinzman should be commended for running an outstanding campaign.  He missed a nomination by a mere 69 votes out of 21,775 votes cast in this race.   Jeff was very underfunded compared to the 3 winners in this election but ran an energetic campaign.

There were several contested city council district races that deserve comment.  The first is in the Northwest District.  Mike Colby, currently a member of the Fishers Town Council, lost his district council race to Selina Stoller by a mere 12 votes.  You saw that right – 12 votes.  I got to know Mike Colby during my time covering the council and I like Mike very much.  I have also come to know his opponent Selina Stoller.  This is a case where two very good candidates ran a very close race.  I’m sure Selina Stoller will do a good job on the city council.  I wonder what Mike Colby will do next in politics.

Another district council race I had been watching was the Northeast District.  There were four people vying for that seat.  Current Town Council Member Stuart Easley defeated former Greenfield Mayor Brad DeReamer by only 25 votes.  Ed Offerman and Chad Garrard also ran good campaigns but came up short.

David George, another current member of the town council, was the winner in the Southwest District over Bill Brown.  Brown is a long-time Fishers resident and a bus driver for the HSE school system.

Eric Moeller, a newcomer to electoral politics, defeated Georgia Brown in the Northcentral District.  Eric is another young man to watch in local politics.

John Weingardt and Pete Peterson, the current president and vice president of the Fishers Town Council, were both unopposed in the Southcentral and Southeast districts.

Jennifer Kehl, best known for her long-time stewardship of the Fishers Freedom Festival, was nominated for Fishers City Clerk, defeating Jeanette Winkler.

This campaign has been quite an experience for me.  I had the honor and privilege to sit down and spend time with each mayor candidate.  They were all generous with their time, allowing me to post profiles on each of them.  I witnessed the League of Women Voters candidate forums for mayor and council candidates.  I was especially honored to be asked by the Fishers Arts Council to be the moderator of their mayoral candidate debate.  I wanted to do more with the council races on this blog, but with 16 candidates in contested races, that was a bit too much for an old retired guy like me.

I will say this, with one or two rare exceptions, all the candidates for office in this election were good people, all willing to devote time and energy to run for office just for an opportunity to serve the Fishers community.  I commend them all for stepping forward and using their time and energy in pursuit of public service.

The campaigns were largely clean with little negativity.  There was one mail-out by the Kelly campaign that I think crossed the line and was a negative attack, but it wasn’t an extreme attack the likes of which we’ve seen in other campaigns.  The Northeast District Council race had its moments where some of the candidates were lashing out over Stuart Easley’s last-minute plan to assist the HSE School Corporation’s financial problems.

Let’s all remember, this is just the primary.  We do have a general election in November. There are 3 council races with Democrat candidates.

In the Southwest District, Democrat Justin Kilgore will oppose Republican David George.  The Northwest District will feature Democrat Kent Nelson against GOP candidate Selina Stoller.  Finally, in the Southcentral District, Democrat Greg Purvis will face Republican John Weingardt.

In all other offices, the Republican candidate is unopposed as things stand now.  That may not remain the case.  Democrats may appoint a candidate if they choose to do so or an independent hopeful could come forward.  The deadline to do that is June 30th.

Fishers is presumed to be a Republican stronghold and that has impacted the ability of Democrats find people willing to step forward and run in the local election.  But keep in mind that Fishers has added tens of thousands of residents since the last municipal election.  No doubt, the GOP is very strong here, but no one can take this election for granted.

Here’s the saddest part of this story.  In all of Hamilton County, the voter turnout was just over 12% of registered voters.  If you try to estimate the eligible voters, the turnout percentage is much worse than that.  When you note the number of close races we had in Fishers in this primary election, every vote really does count.  It’s sad Fishers voters haven’t figured out how important their individual vote is and so many stayed away on election day.  That won’t stop me from harping on the importance of voting.

 

 

106th Street Interchange at I-69 Projected to Open in July, 2017

5.7.14

State Highway Agency Waiting on Federal Process

The interchange at I-69 and 106th Street is expected to relieve traffic congestion on I-69 and provide an economic boost to that area of 106th Street.  But the interchange must be built first, and the project is in the early stages of the federal approval process.  If approvals are completed within the projected timelines, engineering consultants told the Fishers Town Council the bids could be let in March of 2016, with construction complete in July of 2017.  The engineers told council members the interchange could have a variety of designs, but the most likely one would create an oval roundabout for moving traffic on and off the interstate highway.  Another update was promised to the council in the fall of this year.

Town Manager Scott Fadness told council members Hamilton County officials are now saying the backup 911 call center planned to be built adjacent to Fire Station 92 at 116th Street and Brook School Road will no longer be needed.  Fishers was to receive a credit from paying the hefty 911 fees assessed by the county for building the 911 backup center.  Fadness will be exploring with county officials a credit for the design work already paid for by the town.  This will not impact the renovation of Fire Station 92…that work will continue as planned.

Fishers Community Development Director Tom Dickey told the council the Depot at Nickel Plate construction site next to the post office is back on its construction schedule after getting behind during the brutal winter we have experienced. Completion may even be earlier than expected, perhaps as early as October, 2015. Dickey told councilors one restaurant tenant for the project is expected to be announced within about 30 days.  Other retail prospects are negotiating possible leases on the property.

The new Meyer Najem headquarters building will begin construction this month at the site on Lantern Road behind the library building.  Up to now, the construction team has concentrated on moving utility lines.

Engineering Department Chief Jeff Hill told the council reconstruction on Maple Street downtown will begin this month.  Also this month, the street connecting the municipal complex with Lantern Road will have work begin.

During the regular council session, approval was given for tax abatements to businesses that have fulfilled their job related and/or building related promises to earn the tax breaks.  Tim Gropp of the Community Development Department told the council town staff is studying options on the now bankrupt telephone collection firm DECA.  Gropp promised an update to the council on the DECA tax abatement situation at the next council session.

Finally, Council President John Weingardt called the voter turnout for this year’s local primary election “disappointingly low.”  Of the current council members, Weingardt and Pete Peterson were unopposed in the primary.  Stuart Easley and David George won GOP nominations for seats on the new city council.  Mike Colby barely lost his bid for a city council slot.  Renee Cox lost her bid for mayor.  Scott Faultless chose not to run for any office this cycle.

 

 

 

Scott Fadness is Ready to Transition Fishers to a City

5.7.14

Town Manager has no opponent (yet) in Fishers mayor’s race

It’s been a long journey and Scott Fadness seemed happy at his campaign headquarters once the election returns were final.  He also seemed relieved.

The Republican nominee to be the first mayor of Fishers insists he had no inkling how close this race might be before the vote counting began.

“Everyone talked about the fundraising we did…and thought we were going to run away with it,” Fadness said.  “We always wanted to work as hard as we possibly could, get out in the neighborhoods.  We’re glad we did.”

You cannot call Scott Fadness mayor elect, at least not now.  Even though no Democrat filed to run for mayor, the party has the legal right to appoint a candidate and an independent could file to run for the mayor’s office.  The deadline for that to happen is the end of June.

In the meantime, Fadness remains the Fishers Town Manager for the remainder of 2014.  He says a smooth transition to a city is top on his list for the remainder of this year. “What I did today (May 6th) will put me in a unique position to do that.”

With the transition, Fadness will concentrate on ensuring no local government services are disrupted.  “We have an opportunity to put together the best model of government we can,” Fadness said.

Even though he could have an opponent in the November general election, he has none now, and cannot help but think about how he might approach the office of mayor.  He knows the community needs a dialogue on how to move forward in the future.  “We need to have that dialogue in a way that does not alienate people, ” Fadness said.  “We need to come together and find our commonalities.”

Scott Fadness has made a career of being a government administrator.  This election is his first foray into politics.  He described his electoral endeavor as “one of the most rewarding, challenging and humbling experiences in my life. I didn’t necessarily recognize the intensity of it.”  He said it was an “emotional roller coaster”  and he  “learned how important it is to have good people around you, supporting you.”

He had high praise for his team of supporters that “put hours and hours and hours into helping me.  If you’re not grateful or humbled by that, you’re in the wrong business.”

The electoral win was not the biggest public announcement for the Fadness family on election night.  The nominee revealed to his supporters he and his wife Aunna are expecting their first child.

 

 

 

The Future of State Road 37

5.3.14

IBJ Article Cites Study on What May Be Coming

If you live in Fishers or Noblesville, you are quite aware of the traffic backups experienced on State Road 37.  The Indianapolis Business Journal has a story in the most recent edition released today on studies done on the situation and what may be done in the future.

Reporter Andrea Davis cites a study revealed at a recent session of the Hamilton County Commissioners.   Based on that document, if you need to wait 80 seconds or more going any direction on any of the Noblesville or Fishers traffic lights, that intersection is considered “failing.”  Note the the 80 second standard is an average.  At certain times of the day, you will wait much, much longer than 80 seconds, and at other times your wait would be much less.  No matter how you size it up, the Fishers State Road 37 interchanges will continue to get more crowded with vehicles as time goes by.

The intersection of 141st Street and SR 37 is the one projected to get the failing grade first.  That’s expected to happen in 2017.  Local Restaurateur Bill Smythe, owner of Claude and Annie’s near that intersection, makes it plain to IBJ that the traffic is bad, but a construction project limiting access to his establishment could very well put him out of business.

The IBJ, being the business publication it is, centers on the impact to the businesses currently along that highway corridor.

One plan that has been floated is to basically reconstruct the intersections in Fishers and Noblesville with underpasses and roundabouts as Carmel has done with Keystone Avenue.

Andrea Davis’ reporting shows such a project would cost about $250 million if it were done today.  It’s obviously not going to be contracted now so the cost will be more if done in the future.

This will take a joint plan with the Town (soon to be city) of Fishers, City of Noblesville, Hamilton County and the State of Indiana Highway Department.  They will all have to pass the hat and contribute money to get this done.

Davis’ reporting clearly shows we are many years away from anything happening. On the other hand, failure to do anything over time will simply lead to gridlock. That’s not acceptable to the public or the businesses along the highway.

If you want to read this well written story, buy a copy of this week’s Indianapolis Business Journal.  IBJ has this behind their pay wall, so I cannot link to it.

UPDATE: On May 5th, Andrea Davis’s piece was made available to non-subscribers…. Click here to read it.

 

 

What a Difference a Day Makes

5.2.14

Walt Kelly Ups the Ante by Going Negative

It’s May.  It’s time for the Kentucky Derby.  The Indy 500 Mini Marathon is about to happen.  The May 6th primary election draws closer.

Only yesterday I wrote a piece on this site about how the candidates for office in the first city election for Fishers had been respectful of each other.  I had been busy with some personal matters and hadn’t had the chance to read the mail I received on May 1st.

After looking through the mail, I found an item from the Walt Kelly campaign.  I wish I had read the Kelly mailer before writing my piece yesterday.

Having studied and watched politics for a number of years, there is one axiom I have found to almost always be true.  The candidate that goes negative first perceives herself/himself to be behind.  Walt Kelly had decided to launch the first negative salvo in the Fishers mayoral race, 5 days before election day.

In the mailer, Kelly sets up the contest as between himself and Scott Fadness (even though there are 4 other candidates).  Again, the only conclusion one could reasonably reach is that Fadness is in the lead heading into Tuesday’s balloting (in the eyes of the Kelly Campaign). There have been no independent polls released publicly, but it’s fair to assume any campaign with enough money has been conducting polls that will not be released to the public.

Many of you living in Fishers have likely seen the direct mail item from the Kelly Campaign.  Others reading this piece may not have seen it.  Let me review the 5 major issues Kelly uses to compare his views with those of Scott Fadness.

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1) Government Experience

Kelly touts his 21 years on the Fishers Town Council, 17 of those years as council president…his tenure ended in 2001.  He’s been a CPA 40 years and has done work for many levels of government in private practice.

The Kelly campaign points to Scott Fadness’ experience of 3 years as the town manager (appointed by the town council), 2 years as deputy town manager and 2 years as an intern with the Town of Fishers

My Take

Kelly clearly has more experience, but he’s been out of government, at least working inside government, for nearly 13 years.  It’s true Fadness has less experience by years but holds a masters degree in Public Affairs from IU and has served as an adjunct professor at IUPUI’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA).

2)  Position on Taxes  

The issue Kelly’s campaign uses here is the proposed 1% Fishers Food and Beverage Tax, which was tabled by the town council unanimously and died a quiet death at the end of 2013.  Kelly says he opposed the tax and points to low taxes in Fishers during his time on the town council.  He also points to the developer impact fees the town created to reduce property tax levels.

Fadness took no public position on the tax during the council debate last year but has stated as a candidate he supports the tax.

My Take 

It is true that property tax rates were low in Fishers during Kelly’s time on the council.  He was part of the decision to charge developers impact fees…the developers wanted to build in Fishers and the town was in a position to charge the fees without impeding residential growth.  Some of the developers paying those fees may have looked at it as a tax on their business, but impact fee was the term used to describe these payments. It should also be noted this was before the state’s decision to enact property tax caps.  Fadness is in favor of the tax because lots of people outside Fishers would end up paying it.  He also favors using it to help out the cash strapped Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation and to lower property taxes.

3) Are You a Fiscal Conservative?

The test established in this case by the Kelly people deals with public debt and subsidies to developers.  Kelly says the town had the lowest debt in Fishers history during his time on the council,  He also says there would be no “giveaway of public resources” under a Kelly administration.

Kelly claims that while Scott Fadness has been part of the town administration, Fishers has used up 99% of its statutory debt limit.  He accuses Fadness of presiding over “aggressive spending.”

My Take  

I am generally at a loss to explain what the term “fiscal conservative” means.  For example, the public seems to have the perception that certain presidents were fiscal conservatives, yet if you look at the plain numbers and facts during their administrations, they ran up more debt than most other presidents.  So Kelly’s campaign sets up its own definition of “fiscal conservative” as someone opposed to borrowing and subsidies for developers.  It is true Fishers is close to its statutory debt limit and it is true private developers have been subsidized for projects in and around the municipal complex.  The town had to make a decision – either do nothing and the downtown Fishers area would remain about the way it is now, or make major investments in land and money to kick-start the evolution of downtown Fishers as a destination.  The town council members are well aware there are major risks involved in subsidizing such development, but decided to take the risk and approve this plan.  It should be noted that Fadness had no vote on these decisions but as a candidate he has supported the downtown development projects.  It is clearly a risk to provide land and borrow money to develop downtown Fishers.  It will be up to the voters as to whether this is a good or bad idea.  Whether this qualifies Walt Kelly as a fiscal conservative and disqualifies Scott Fadness as a fiscal conservative is up to you to decide.

4)  Are You Transparent?

The Kelly Campaign points to Walt’s establishment of the town’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as a sign of his commitment to transparency.  Kelly also says he would make decisions in public, not in a backroom.

The mailer criticizes Fadness for supporting a no-bid contract to construct a new train station building, claiming the developer was a Fadness campaign contributor.  Kelly’s missive also points to Fadness’ campaign manager serving as the treasurer of the Royal Tiger Political Action Committee (PAC).

My Take  

It is true Kelly announced the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report at one of his State of the Town addresses while he served as town council president.  The no-bid contract for the new train station project is controversial and town officials should have given citizens more advance notice before it was revealed and quickly approved. However, town council members supporting the contract say the town got a very good deal, better than if the pact had gone out for bids.  it is true the developer made a contribution to the Fadness Campaign. but developers have contributed to a number of campaigns….whether that’s a factor for you is entirely up to you to decide.   Again, this is something the voters will have to sort out.   I am a bit puzzled as to why the Kelly Campaign is criticizing Fadness Campaign Manager Andrew Greider for serving as treasurer of the Royal Tiger PAC.

5)  Do You Support the Development at the Municipal Complex?

Kelly makes the argument that this development will increase traffic congestion in the area of town hall, the new apartments will burden the schools and lessen the tax base.  Kelly also argues the municipal complex should stay green for public services.

Kelly’s people take Fadness to task for adding to the traffic congestion in the 116th Street and I-69 area.  Kelly is also critical of the 342 new apartment units and doesn’t like Fadness trading green space for 1,275 parking spaces.

My Take   

The experts I talked to at the time argue the new apartments will be marketed to people not likely to have children and will not burden the local school system.  Since the structure is being constructed on what is now public space, even with the abatement and incentives, the building will eventually be on the property tax rolls.  On the traffic issue, a new street is about to be constructed to link the Target shopping area directly to the municipal grounds and that will take some traffic pressure away from 116th Street.  Also, the town is implementing a new high-tech traffic management system that goes far beyond synchronizing the traffic lights. This real time system is supposed to manage traffic in a very efficient manner.  We will see how it works, but that’s how it is being sold. I understand Kelly’s view on the reduction of green space at the municipal complex, but I’m willing to withhold judgment until the projects are complete to see if the green space has been sacrificed for something better.  Anyway, the new mayor cannot change any of this.  The projects will be well underway and being constructed once the new mayor takes the oath of office.

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There are a couple of other items in this Kelly direct mail missive that merit comment.

Kelly points to his age as 66 and Fadness at 32.  Since I’m heading into geezer territory soon myself (I’ll be 63 later this year) I’m not sure Kelly’s campaign people did him any favors by pointing this out.  Let’s just say if I were the candidate and I were Kelly, I’d leave the age issue out of it.

There is also a reference to an Indianapolis Star story with a quote – “Kelly praised as a visionary.”  The problem is, this quote was from a story published in February, 2001.  This just emphasizes the fact that Kelly has been out of government for almost 13 years.  He’s been advising governments during that time but he hasn’t been involved in government decision making since 2001.

I recall during the mayoral debates, Kelly never personally criticized Fadness.  When the issue of developers building on municipal grounds was raised, Fadness and Kelly stated their views and Kelly just said (paraphrasing from memory here) he and Scott “just have a disagreement on that issue.”

I know the Kelly campaign will argue he hasn’t gone negative, that he’s just pointing out facts.  No doubt there are facts presented, but anyone following local politics, and most voters, will see this as a negative campaign mailing.

I’m not being critical of Walt Kelly or his campaign.  I’m just trying to put into perspective the arguments he has presented in his latest mail-out to local voters.  In a way, I understand why he feels the need to make his arguments this way.

I suppose I’m a little disappointed but not surprised.  I just thought Fishers could have a campaign without the negative slant we’ve seen in other campaigns.  I thought we could do it better here in Fishers.

I have had the honor of sitting down and spending time talking with each of the candidates for Mayor of Fishers.  They are all good people.  I personally like them all.  They all care about Fishers and that’s the reason they are running.

My only goal in all the campaign coverage of this mayor’s race is to give you, the voters, as much information as I can to help you make a decision in this election.  I’ve also encouraged you to vote.

My suggestion is to look carefully at all the candidates.  Look at all their records and positions on the issues.  I believe you will make the right decision.  Just do the right thing, make the effort and vote May 6th!

 

 

Fishers First City Election Just Days Away

5.1.14

Signs That Election Day is Near

Indianapolis TV newscasts are featuring stories about it.  The Indianapolis Star is posting and publishing stories about it.  The weekly Current in Fishers is planning a major pre-election edition local residents should receive this Saturday.

Of course, I’m referring to Fishers’ first city election.  Next year Fishers, for the first time, will have a mayor, city clerk and 9 city council members.  This is a big change from the current 7-member town council and clerk treasurer.

The mayor candidates have had 3 public forums.  There has been one forum for the city council hopefuls.  Any voter wanting information on any of the candidates has had ample opportunity to explore the views of all those running in the May 6th primary.

The only contested races are in the Republican primary.  Since Fishers has historically been a very solid political stronghold for the GOP, the winners in Tuesday’s balloting will be heavy favorites to win in November.

I have been impressed (so far) with the tenor of the campaign. Some candidates have made some strong statements in Facebook postings, but overall there have been no vicious personal attacks.

The political yard signs are everywhere.  The candidates and their supporters have been going door-to-door trying to connect with voters.  I even received 2 robo-phone-calls from mayor candidates.  (A robo-call is when you receive a recorded message from a candidate on your phone).

After using the same polling place for nearly 10 years, I just discovered my polling location has moved.  I don’t think I’m alone.  It’s easy to check on your polling place.  Click here and enter the requested information.

I’ve been harping for weeks on the historically low voter turnout in Hamilton County primary elections.  My goal is to see Fishers exceed 15% of registered voters casting ballots in this important election. That may not seem like much of a goal, but voter turnout in primary elections, especially municipal elections, usually run below 15% of those registered to cast ballots.  Let’s do better this time.  Get out and vote!

 

 

Fishers High School We the People Team Finishes 4th in the Nation

4.28.14

National Finals Held in Washington DC, on Capitol Hill

Fishers High School Principal Jason Urban sent out a Tweet this evening announcing the school’s We the People team finished 4th in the nation. The team has been competing in the national finals, with the results announced this evening.

We the People is a program sponsored by the American Bar Association. High school students write and prepare papers on legal and constitutional issues and are questioned by legal experts.

 

 

HSE School Board Votes to Reconfigure School Buildings for Grades 5-8

4.28.14

Move is a Precursor to

Redistricting K-8 in 2015

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted to reconfigure some school buildings into grades 5-8 in anticipation of redistricting grades K-8 system-wide.  The redistricting plan is expected to be studied in 2015, with a decision in that year.

The board voted to move the current Hamilton Southeastern Junior High back to the Olio Road campus and establish the new grades 5-8 building on the Cyntheanne Road campus.  The HSE High School Freshman Campus will no longer be housing freshmen when the Senior Academy opens in August, 2015.

In other school board news…

–Approval was given to updated school board members’ districts.  The new lines reflect the 2010 census and will even out the population and voter numbers within each district.

–The 2014-2015 school calendar got a thumbs up from the board.  Presidents’ Day will remain a day off, with the following day a flex day (a day off unless a weather make-up day is needed).

–The board approved updated polices on political activity allowed and not allowed within the school system.

The board recognized students and faculty for outstanding achievements.  Below is a partial listing of those receiving recognition…

Dr. Niedermeyer introduced students and adults responsible for writing, presenting, and receiving two Youth As Resources Grants from United Way.

Black History Interactive (Kyle Jackson, Chris Grubbs, Jack Wilke, and, adult guide Shawn Jackson).  The youth leader of that group is Kyle Jackson.

One For All Diversity Recognition (Madeleine Kilgore, Ariana Coombs, Nadya Phelps, and, adult guide Paula Wilkerson).  The youth leader in their group is Nadya Phelps.

Dr. McGrath introduced students who served on the High Ability Broad Based Planning Committee.

• Daisia Jackson
• Evan Goley
• Jude Asamoah
• Mason Swofford
• Tristen Mejias-Thomas
• Abigail Aylward

The following students and staff were recognized by the Board of School Trustees and administrators:

HSEHS Chase Cannon – National Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Medal winner – teacher Angela Fritz will introduce

HSEHS Stacy Curnow – Indpls. Star Academic All Star – Matt Kegley will introduce

Brooks School Elementary Math Bowl – State Champion (10-12 students each) – Principal Dana Kaminski will introduce

Riverside Intermediate Math Bowl – State champion – Principal Danielle Chastain will introduce

RSJH’s Heidi Stan – National Middle School Educator of the Year for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Rob Huesing will introduce

RSJH Orchestra Dir. Johanna Marvin – IMEA’s Outstanding Middle School Music Educator of the Year, Rob Huesing will introduce

FJH’s Principal Crystal Thorpe – Ford Freedom Unsung Award – Dr. Smith will introduce

FHS’s Winter Percussion Ensemble – fourth time state champion (9-10 students) Chad Kohler (director) will introduce

FHS Cheerleaders – State Champions, Jennifer Hall (sponsor) will introduce

FHS’s Speech Team – State Champion – nine students who qualified for nationals and two state champions – (teacher Matt Rund)

 

 

 

Police Chase, Arrest Suspected Porsche Thief

4.24.14

Auto Dealership Employee Injured Slightly

A 23-year-old Indianapolis man is in the Hamilton County Jail this morning on felony charges of auto theft, battery with a deadly weapon and resisting law enforcement.  Fishers Police say Trevor M. Onar stole a  white Porsche Cayenne SUV from Coast to Coast Motors, 131st Street and Britton Park Road, in Fishers yesterday afternoon.  Authorities also accuse Omar of striking an employee of the dealership while getting away with the SUV.  The unidentified employee was treated on the scene for injuries suffered in the incident.

A Fishers police officer saw a vehicle matching the stolen Porsche’s description, pulled the SUV over, and as the officer got out of his police car, the suspect drove away.

The Porshe was found at the Fishers Super Target parking lot near 116th Street and I-69.  Omar was found hiding in a restroom there.  Police arrested him as he walked out of the mens room.

Police say Omar was taken to Community North Hospital for a medical condition while being questioned, and is now in the Hamilton County Jail.

Fishers Police are working with Lawrence officials to determine whether Omar has been involved in thefts in the Lawrence area.

 

 

 

The Royal Tiger PAC

4.24.14

Local Political Action Committee is Causing a Stir

If you troll the many postings on various Internet pages and social media outlets devoted to Fishers politics, you have likely seen references to the Royal Tiger PAC in Fishers.

A PAC is a Political Action Committee.  PACs basically serve as a conduit between donors and candidates to support or oppose candidates for office.  PACs can also be formed over a referendum, as we saw locally in 2012 with the plebiscite over how Fishers government would be organized in the future.

The Fishers Tiger PAC has created a buzz lately.   The commotion is related to a letter (now made public) sent out to movers and shakers in and out of Fishers in August of last year, asking donors to cough up $3,500 each for an annual membership that would invite you to meetings with Fishers decision makers.

Some comments on the Web have called the letter unseemly.  One blogger even asked business people in the area to contact him if they have felt pressure to donate to this PAC.

I’ve been aware of this talk and have chosen not to write about it until now.  The reason?  The critics, in my view, have this all wrong.

I do believe we have an unseemly system of funding political campaigns in America.  It’s a reversal of the Golden Rule.  In this case, the people with the gold make the rules.

People like those running the Royal Tiger PAC are just using laws governing political campaigns in America, as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court.  They are asking people to donate money to a political cause and they are getting donations.

As would be expected, many of the donors are people regularly doing business with the Town of Fishers, and likely hope to do business with the new City of Fishers.  As far as I know, they have broken no laws. Their donations have been publicly disclosed.

Even though the fund raising letter says you need to contribute $3,500 to become a “member,”  only 3 individual donors gave that much.  There was one $3,500 contribution from another PAC, this one in Indianapolis.   11 business entities, mostly partnerships, paid the PAC at least $3,500.

It appears that the Royal Tiger PAC is playing by the rules.  You may not like the rules, but law is what the law is.

In my view, the critics of groups like the Royal Tiger PAC should be channeling their energies in a different direction.  Rather than moan and gripe on the Internet about this, organize yourself politically. Make your case.  Run candidates that do not go along with all this PAC money.  That’s the American way.

My fear is not about local groups like the Royal Tiger PAC.  I fear PACs from outside Fishers potentially pouring money into our political system.  It’s happened elsewhere.  It could happen here.

Voters should know who is funding each candidate before making a voting decision.  That includes the candidates supported by PACs and the donors to those PACs.

If you want the details on the Royal Tiger PAC, see the two campaign finance reports from the group.  Most of the money donations were made in 2013.  The 2014 report includes activity from January 1 though Aprill 11th of this year.  You can access the detailed reports at the links below.

2013 Royal Tiger PAC Campaign Finance Report

2014 Pre-Primary Royal Tiger PAC Campaign Finance Report  

 

 

 

Are City Council Politics Part of the HSE School Funding Debate?

4.22.14

Proposal Brings Charges of Playing Politics with HSE Schools

I’ve lived in Fishers since 1991.  One part of Fishers that has normally been off-limits for political argument is the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School System.  The local schools have been one of the engines that generated the massive growth Fishers has seen in the past 20-25 years.  Parents want their students in the HSE Schools.  Teachers want to work here.

A comment made at last night’s Fishers Town Council meeting by a long-time councilman could be ominous for the HSE Schools, if he’s right.

HSE Schools have been suffering from under-funding by the Indiana General Assembly.  The state funds most of the General Fund, which pays for school staff salaries.  In a school system, a huge part of the salary account goes to paying teachers.  As HSE’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter has explained many times, the funding increases from the state each year for the general fund have not kept up with inflation.  That means local school funding falls behind the cost of doing business year after year.

The school board just enacted budget cuts for the 2014-2015 school year of $2.8 million.  The biggest part of that is a reduction in the health insurance benefits for employees, raising deductibles that must be paid when using the medical system. Bottom line, it’s a fringe benefit cut.

The HSE board will be looking at even more cuts for the 2015-2016 school year that could include staff cuts that would dramatically increase class sizes.  Nobody wants that.

Next thing you know, Town Council Member Stuart Easley is before the school board at it’s April 14th meeting.  He unveils a proposal to have the Town of Fishers buy $3 million of land from the school system for the town’s use as fire stations, parks and other uses.  That would give local schools another year to lobby state lawmakers for a better funding deal, or start a new referendum campaign if that becomes absolutely necessary.

Easley wants to create a committee consisting of 3 school board members and 3 town council members.  The purpose of the panel would be to work out the details of any land sales and support the local school system in any other way the group may find.

All sounds great so far, right?  There’s one other fact that needs to be considered here.  Easley is running for a district city council seat in the May 6th Republican primary.  He has 3 opponents in that political contest.

That’s how politics enters the picture.  All 3 of Easley’s primary opponents criticized his proposal, all for slightly different reasons after the school board appearance.

At the April 21st Fishers Town Council meeting, the proposed committee was approved.  However, Councilman Scott Faultless tried to get a clear commitment from the council that this committee’s charge would only be to find a way to get $3 million to the school corporation.  He wanted the council to go on record that it would do whatever it takes to get the money to the schools.  No one else on the council would go along.

Then Faultless gave his reasoning.  Once the May 6th election is over, there could be less zeal for the town to help the school system, he argued.  He was trying to keep politics out of the decision as much as possible.

I am afraid politics is already in the middle of this issue.  After the council vote, I received reactions from 2 of Easley’s primary opponents and, to be fair, I asked the third to comment for this story.

Brad DeReamer repeated his view that any extra money in the town’s budget should be used for infrastructure and other needs within the jurisdiction of the municipality.  He accuses Easley of not doing anything about the HSE funding issues until 3 weeks before an election.

Easley’s harshest critic has been Ed Offerman.  In a statement after the council meeting, Offerman criticized Easley for not supporting Faultless’ effort to make the commitment of support for the schools now.  Offerman repeated his statement made at a council candidate forum where he called Easley’s proposal “deplorable” because of its’s timing just before an election.

Easley’s third opponent, Chad Garrard, says he is ‘skeptical” about Easley’s timing so close to election day, but he also is very supportive of any efforts to help the HSE Schools.  “I am happy to see the council doing that now, and I will be an active participant in any effort to help our schools,” Garrard said.

So, what is a voter to think?  Was Easley sincere in his proposal to assist our schools?  Or are his political opponents right in alleging Easley only did this for political reasons?

I have no idea what’s in the heart and mind of Stuart Easley. I have no idea whether his political opponents are right or are using this for political purposes themselves.

Here’s what I do know.  The real test will occur after the election. Will Scott Faultless be found to be correct?  Will the elected officials of Fishers turn their backs on the local schools after May 6th?  That’s what we should all watch.

I would hate to see us kill the goose that laid the golden egg. The local schools deserve the reputation they have earned.  That cannot continue without the funding to maintain excellence shown in every measurement one can imagine.  Let’s put politics aside after May 6th and get this done with a plan we can all get behind and support.

 

 

 

Fishers Council Votes to Create Joint Committee With HSE School Board

4.21.14

Panel to report on ways town can assist school system with budget woes

The Fishers Town Council voted to create a joint committee with the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board to find ways the town can assist with the school system’s budget problems.  This committee is being formed at the urging of Town Councilman Stuart Easley.

Easley has proposed that the town buy roughly $3 million of land owned by the school corporation.  This joint panel will explore the details of such a transaction plus look at other ways the town can support the local schools financially.

The committee will consist of – from the school board – John DeLucia, Katrina Hockemeyer and Ron Wilson.  From the town council, members will be Easley, Mike Colby and David George.

Councilman Scott Faultless offered an amendment committing the town to assisting the school system with $3 million in help with the committee charged only with determining how it can be legally done.  The town cannot just give the school corporation money under state law, which is why the land sale has been proposed.  Faultless’ amendment failed when no other council members supported it.  Faultless said he is concerned the commitment to help the schools could wane after the May 6th primary election.

Brad DeReamer, one of Easley’s opponents in a city council race, issued a statement shortly after the meeting repeating his stance that the town should use any extra money on infrastructure projects, not on buying land from the school corporation.  DeReamer accuses Easley of knowing about the school’s financial problems for some time, yet not proposing the land purchase idea until 3 weeks before an election.

Part of the council action offers to include Fall Creek and Delaware Township officials to possibly join or assist in the work of this committee if the township governments wish to join and offer financial help to the schools.

In other news from the council session…

-There was a discussion about what to do with private roads not being maintained up to standards.  Councilman Mike Colby singled out the road along the Sears hardware store near 116th and Allisonville Road, and the road near the the Ram Restaurant north of 126th Street.  He said both are in bad need of repair.  The town is still working on establishing ownership of both streets to determine the party responsible to care for these roads. Colby said he wants to push hard on the owners before the town considers taking responsibility for this road work.

–It was a special night of recognition for Hero Awards issued to 4 Good Samaritans.  They saved the life of a 12-year-old boy who collapsed while playing basketball at Fishers Junior High.  The Hero Award winners are –

Kristin Eiteljorge

Dama Fettinger

Jason Hollingsworth

Tom Fettinger

 

 

 

 

No Change in Parking Garage Spaces at Depot

4.18.14

Question Came Up at Last Night’s Council Forum

There have been rumors circulating lately in Fishers that the developer of the Depot at Nickel Plate, the large building under construction along 116th Street next to the post office, is reneging on its promise of public parking spaces in the garage planned for that project.  This question was raised during the at-large city council segment of last night’s council candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

According to Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness, “There has been no change in the number of public spaces from this project agreement that was approved by the council.”

Fadness tells LarryInFishers the Depot will have 84 public parking spaces in the garage.  There will also be over 60 spaces on the street.  These parking spaces are there to allow enough parking for the retail part of the Depot project.

Fadness added that the new train station project from developer Loftus-Robinson will contain a much larger number of spaces for the public and is envisioned to be utilized for public use during events in the area, such as those at the amphitheater.

 

 

 

Council Candidates have Their One and Only Debate

4.17.14 (Updated 4.18.14)

League of Women Voters Sponsors the Event

Janet Chandler is an experienced political debate moderator, having handled that role for many local League of Women Voters events. Hosting a joint appearance of all Fishers Republican candidates in contested races was a particular challenge.  It took 2 1/2 hours, but all the candidates there had ample opportunity to express their views on many of the key issues facing the new city.

The biggest fireworks came in the Northeast Council District (6) which has 4 candidates in the GOP primary.

Stuart Easley, a current and long-time member of the Fishers Town Council, is a candidate in this race.  Easley went before the HSE School Board to propose having the Town of Fishers buy $3 million worth of excess land to ease the budget woes faced by local schools in the 2015-2016 school year.

Ed Offerman, currently President of the Fall Creek Township Board, has been the harshest critic of Easley’s proposal.  Offerman called Easley’s proposal “deplorable,” accusing Easley of using the schools for political gain.  “Shame on you,” Offerman said.

Easley responded that he wants to use a surplus in the Fishers Town budget to help the schools preserve teacher and staff jobs while the Indiana General Assembly works on the funding formula.

Another Northeast District candidate, Brad DeReamer, emphasized that the school district is separately elected and should run the schools.  The city should cooperate when it’s beneficial to both sides.

The fourth council candidate in this district, Chad Garrard, admitted he is not familiar with Easley’s specific proposal, but he would make it a priority for the city to lobby the state legislature to fix the school funding issue for local schools.

Here are some of the points from each candidate that attended the April 17th session…

(NOTE – in 2 districts, the candidates are unopposed in the May 6th primary)

Click here for a map of the districts  

District 2 (Northwest)

Mike Colby  He’s lived in Fishers since 1986, served in the Army & Navy, and has been a Fishers Town Councilor for 4 years.  As a city council member, he will work to smooth the transition from a town to a city.  He claims to have self-funded his campaign.

Selina Stoller She grew up in a small town and studied engineering and business in college.  She believes in transparency, proposing to move council work sessions out of a small conference room into the more spacious council chambers.

District 3 (North Central)

​Eric Moeller  He has lived in Fishers 7 years and worked here 9 years. He believes this is a crucial time for the new city.  He wants efficient services and a robust program for economic development.  He wants Fishers to continue its encouragement of entrepreneurship through Launch Fishers and Launch Fishers 2.0.

(Candidate Georgia Brown did not attend the forum)

District 5 (Southwest)

Bill Brown  He has resided in Fishers for 36 years and has obviously seen the massive changes in the community during that time.  His 3 children have all graduated from the HSE School System.  As a council member, he would emphasize working as a team.

David George He is currently a member of the Fishers Town Council  He’s an engineer by trade and has worked on road projects for the Department of Transportation (DOT).  He now does site selection in the private sector.  2015 will be a key year for local roads, he says, because many of the streets built when the town expanded in population are now 15-20 years old and need maintenance.  He’s lived here 18 years, all of them within the current council district boundary.

District 6 (Northeast)

​Brad DeReamer  He’s a former mayor of Greenfield and is self employed with ownership in 8 different companies.  He retired in Fishers.  He is the only candidate for office that has been an elected official in a city.  Fishers needs to develop a vision, establish a plan and create an economic base to pay for those plans, he says.

Ed Offerman  He describes himself as a conservative with libertarian tendencies.  He served on the Fishers Town Council for 6 months, to fill out the end of a term.  He’s currently President of the Fall Creek Township Board, where he claims the tax rate has remained low.  He calls himself a staunch supporter of individual rights.  A new fire station will soon be needed in the area of the hospital corridor near I-19 & Exit 210, he says.

Chad Garrard His goal is to make Fishers the healthiest city in America.  The town is in good financial condition, he says.  He supports the building projects downtown, pointing to how Valparaiso went from a sleepy small town to a vibrant one by building up areas like Fishers and constructing a downtown.  He’s proud to call Fishers his home.

Stuart Easley  He points to his 22 years in Fishers, 19 of those years as a Fishers Town Council member.  He looks to the future.  His issues include public safety, low taxes and quality of life.  He claims his record shows he’s always looked after the taxpayer’s money.

At Large Council Seats (Top 3 win a nomination)

​Todd Zimmerman He and his mom moved to Fishers in 1989.  He served as chaplain for the Fishers Police & Fire Departments for 5 years.  He believes long term planning is needed to keep Fishers’ road system in good shape and will hold the mayor accountable.  He believes the new city should take risks to create and maintain a walk-able, live-able downtown.  He plans to listen to his constituents as a council members.

Rich Block  After a stint in the Air Force, he went into real estate and has been a part of that business for many years.  He believes his expertise in real estate will help him contribute as a council member as the new city considers issues tied to the real estate market.  He has raised his family in Fishers.  He favors development of a comprehensive plan to maintain and construct roads in Fishers.  He’s a proponent of attracting a larger commercial base.

Cecilia Coble  She has been a long-time volunteer in the Fishers community.  She holds a psychology degree and has worked in government relations for financial institutions.  She is a believer in finding best practices used by other cities and putting those ideas to work here.  As a council member, she plans to stay in constant touch with community organizations, such as Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and Homeowners Associations (HOAs).

Jason Meyer  He’s a small business owner with an engineering services company.  He likes to ask a question of the voters – what should Fishers look like 5 years from now?  He believes local quality of like is a major issue for the new council to handle.  He describes his greatest quality as uncompromising integrity.

Jeff Heinzman  He has extensive experience working for state government, particularly in the area of small business development. He touts his lengthy experience in the public and private sectors. A major​ goal for him on the council will be fiscal restraint.  He is a big believer on conducting an operational analysis for major issues, like the study recently concluded on the Indianapolis Public School System (IPS).

(Todd Bracken did not attend this event)

 

 

 

Being a Debate Moderator

4.17.14

Final Joint Appearance for all 6 Fishers Mayor Candidates Prior to May 6th

I have no idea what a political candidate experiences when preparing for a pre-election debate.  But I just experienced what’s it’s like to be a debate moderator.  It sounds like fun, until you start preparing for it.

I did some research into the person most experienced at moderating presidential debates, Jim Lehrer.  He doesn’t paint a pretty picture of that job.  No matter what questions you ask, there will be a segment of the population angry with you for not asking their key question.

I thought about that long and hard in preparation for the April 16th Fishers Mayoral Debate.  I have to give a major shout-out to Jocelyn Vare and Gavin Fisher of the Fishers Arts Council.  They both kept me involved in the planning and format for the debate.  They listened to my suggestions and had many good ideas of their own.  It all came together to result in a very healthy exchange of ideas from the candidates.

I had two important jobs at the debate…ask the questions and keep the debate moving along.  Keeping the debate moving turned out to be no problem.  Writing the questions was the toughest part.

The Fishers Arts Council set up an e-mail account prior to the event.  There were some questions submitted via e-mail.  A few people sent long lists  of questions, so I couldn’t incorporate them all.  So I made it a goal to include at least one issue raised in each e-mail submitted.  Since these folks took the time to send in suggestions, I made an effort to make them each feel included.  It helped that all the submissions contained good and timely issues.

I had attended the two previous joint appearances by the mayoral candidates sponsored by the Fishers Chamber of Commerce and the local League of Women Voters.  That allowed me to try fashioning some questions not specifically addressed in those forums (by the way, both of those events were done very well by each group).

I was prepared to be peppered with criticism for all the questions I never asked.  So far, that hasn’t happened.

After being accustomed to sitting on the opposite side of the Fishers Town Hall Council Chambers at the media table, I was stationed in the area normally occupied by Town Manager and Mayoral Candidate Scott Fadness. Note to Scott – the place looks a lot different from that vantage point.

As a moderator, you worry about hosting the final scheduled debate.  If candidates are going to take some nasty political shots at one or more or their opponents, this is where it would happen.  It didn’t in Fishers.  The candidates were all business with no personal attacks.  They stayed with the issues.

I have to credit the crowd.  It was standing room only.  Supporters of several candidates wore T-shirts in support of their respective mayoral hopeful.  But those on hand were respectful and relatively silent during the event.  There was no applause and no boos, hisses or catcalls.

I guess we do politics respectfully in Fishers, at least so far.  As election day draws near, let’s hope we don’t see some of the negative direct mail campaigns we’ve seen in other local elections.

I must be honest.  I was more than a little nervous as the debate was beginning.  I have no idea how the candidates felt, but they all seemed ready and smooth in their responses to my questions.  If any of them were nervous, it didn’t show.

I made one final plea to those on hand for the debate – the candidates are doing their jobs by communicating with the public, it’s now time for the voters to fulfill their obligation to vote.  It’s a disgrace that in Hamilton County, fewer than 15% of the registered voters bothered to cast a ballot in the last round of municipal elections.  Let’s hope Fishers voters can surpass that mark on May 6th.

 

 

Easley Proposes Town Purchase $3 Million of School Owned Land

4.14.14 (Updated 4.16.14)

School Board Approves $2.8 million in Budget Changes Next School Year

Fishers Town Council Member Stuart Easley proposed to the Hamilton Southeastern School Board that the town of Fishers buy $3 million of vacant land owned by the school corporation.  Easley will be offering his idea at the next town council meeting scheduled for April 21st.

Easley also proposed a committee comprised of 3 town council members and 3 school board members to work out the details of the proposed land sale and to advocate more funding for the local schools from the Indiana General Assembly .

Easley told the board the town needs land for parks and fire stations and would assist the school corporation by proposing the purchase of the land to help the school system get through the 2015-2016 school year without the painful cuts suffered in the 2014-2015 school session.

Easley is 1 of 4 candidates in Fishers City Council Northeast District 6 Republican nomination.  Brad DeReamer, another District 6 candidate, was also at the school board meeting.  He said in a statement that Fishers municipal taxes should fund the town, not the school system.  DeReamer does believe we have a good school system and supports it, but the elected school board should run the schools.   According to DeReamer, If the town has $3 million to spend, he would prefer the funds be used to lower taxes or be utilized for the town’s road infrastructure.

District 6 Council Candidate Chad Garrard says he supports funding local schools but the funding issues at HSE are not new.  “This is a perfect example of being reactive rather than proactive,” Garrard says.

Ed Offerman, another District 6 Council candidate, accused Easley of “political grandstanding 3 weeks before an election,” which Offerman called “deplorable.”  Offerman, currently President of the Fall Creek Township Board, claims the township was working on a plan to buy school corporation property for a new fire station in District 6 (northeast) to service the area near the Medical Corridor along 136th Street.  Offerman claims the township delayed acting on the proposal to “avoid the appearance of making spending on public safety a campaign issue.”

In other board items..

–The board postponed action on the proposed 2014-2015 school calendar to the April 28th session.  The calendar, in its present form, would provide the first day of school as August 12th, 2014, and the last day of school May 26th, 2015 (assuming no additional added days due to weather closures). Fall break would be October 22nd & 23rd.  Christmas break would be December 21st through January 1st.  Spring break would be April 1st through April 8th, 2015.  One reason for postponing the vote is to consider whether President’s Day, Februay 15th, 2015, should be a flex day if needed for weather closures.   Click here to see the proposed calendar in detail.

–The board approved the issuance of bonds to fund the iPad initiative.

 

 

 

Reflecting on a Busy Time

4.13.14

Plenty of work to do

When I started this news blog in January, 2012, I had very low expectations.  No news outlet was giving regular, immediate coverage of Fishers news at that time.  The Indy Star and the local TV stations covered events occasionally but no one covered the town regularly.  Current in Fishers does a good job of covering local events, but it’s mostly a weekly print publication with some Web presence.

Once I retired from the federal government after 28 years of service, I took care of some personal matters that came up, then started the LarryInFishers blog.  My goal was simple.  I had been a news reporter years ago.  I would sit-in on public meetings and write about what I witnessed.  I would do that because no one else was doing it.

Now, more than 2 years later, I wonder how in the world I got here. I have exceeded any expectations one could imagine when I started this endeavor.  I just had an Op-Ed piece published in the Indianapolis Business Journal.  I also had a piece published on their Web site a few months ago.  I write a biweekly commentary for Current in Fishers.  And I am in the process of preparing to moderate a debate April 16th sponsored by the Fishers Arts Council featuring candidates for mayor of Fishers .  Trust me, I could never imagine doing any of this when I started this blog.

This is, and always has been, a volunteer effort on my part.  Some retirees volunteer at a hospital.  Others work with the homeless. Many work with their churches.  My way of volunteering it trying to close what I’ve seen as a local news hole.

Perhaps another part of what keeps me going is the constant supply of news in Fishers.  I covered the referendum campaign over whether to become a regular city as Indiana has known it or go to the council-manager style of governance.  The regular city was a big winner.  It was a very important story to cover.

Now we face the primary election.  We have a largely one-party system in Fishers with Republicans in control.  That’s why the primary election is so important here.  Once the primary is over, and we move closer to the general election in November, I will be looking at all the other candidates.  3 Democrats have filed to run in district city council races and the party can appoint candidates for other offices where no Democrat has filed.   It will be interesting to see if any third party candidates emerge.  In any case, I’ll be talking to all the candidates.

Then there’s the Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation.  Local school budget woes are well known.  Budget cutting continues. The only solution to the funding problem lies within the Indiana Statehouse and the General Assembly.  This will be a huge issue in the 2015 legislative session.

I am amazed at the following this news blog has received.  There are some weeks I have 1,500 to 2,000 page views.  That is what keeps me going as a volunteer news blogger.  You continue to read what I have to write.

As long as I am able, I will continue to write on this blog what I know is happening in and around Fishers.  Even at busy times like this, I think about people who regularly read what I have to write.  You are the reason I keep going.  Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

Soccer Travel Teams to Split With SPORTS, Pay for Use of Town’s Fields

4.7.14

Large Payments to Trainers Spark the Change

The local Fishers SPORTS organization will “disassociate” with the travel soccer organization.  This will allow the SPORTS recreational soccer operation to continue its access to fields owned and largely maintained by the Fishers Park Department.  That word came during the town council work session.  Town Manager Scott Fadness told council members the travel teams will pay $50,000 a year for access to specified fields.  The town had questioned some of the salaries paid to travel soccer team trainers, which ranged as high as $60,000 and resulted in the action by SPORTS and the travel soccer teams to “disassociate.”  The revised ordinance spelling out this agreement will  be presented at a future town council regular meeting for action.

In council action during the regular session…

–The council approved moving forward with an ambitious sign program.  The project will cost over $1 million and build gateway signs as people enter Fishers.  It will also provide signs that will direct people to local areas of interest.

–Final approval was given to annex 60 acres of property for the Cyntheanne Park at 101st and Cyntheanne Road.  The park is expected be ready by spring of 2015, with the snow slide hopefully ready for the next winter season (2014-2015), according to Town Manager Fadness.

–Council members approved a major downtown road and infrastructure project.  The Downtown Infrastructure Improvement project includes the reconstruction of Maple Street to include on-street parking, a new east/west road to connect Lantern Road with Municipal Drive which will include on-street parking, a new railroad crossing and an upgraded rail crossing at Lantern Road to include flashing lights and gates, and the installation of water and sanitary sewer.

–Approved funding for a study of Geist Lake.  The report resulting from the study will provide a list of options on maintaining and improving conditions on the lake.  Fishers will work with Citizens Energy (which technically owns Geist Reservoir) and the City of Indianapolis, along with other government agencies on any plan for the lake.

–Approved a proclamation naming April 7th as “We the People” team day, in honor of the Fishers High School state championship team.  The group will be competing in the national finals later this month in Washington DC.

–The intersection of 106th and Crosspoint will be closed beginning April 15th for 60 days to allow construction.

–The Fishers Fire Department touted an amazing first quarter statistic.  Those suffering cardiac arrest had a surviveability rate of 65% when transported by Fishers Fire Rescue crews.  Fire Chief Steve Orusa credits the department’s success to an initiative called “Protecting the Heart of Fishers.” The initiative includes quick calls to 911, more citizens trained in CPR, use of AED equipment and Fishers’ close proximity to heart facilities.

 

 

 

Fall Creek Township Board Votes Down Fire Dept. Spending

3.27.14

Town has pledged to pay for station upgrades

The Fall Creek Township Board took 4 votes on spending township funds on fire station upgrades, all were voted down by tallies of 2-1. In each case, Board President Ed Offerman voted in favor of the appropriation, Doug Allman and Dan Rieke voted no in each case.

The township was asked to help out with the cost of various upgrades when the township had money in its public safety and general fund accounts.  Allman and Reike pointed to comments made at the last meeting by Fishers Town Council members, saying the town will pay for the upgrades no matter what decision the township board makes.

All 3 township board members defended their record in the past supporting the fire department, pointing to the spending to  purchase equipment equipment such as a rescue boat, ambulance and tanker truck .  They were concerned about a “misconception” in the community that the Fall Creek Board members were not supportive of the Fishers Fire Department, which all 3 vehemently deny.

Fall Creek Township contracts with the town of Fishers to provide fire protection in the unincorporated areas of Fall Creek Township not within the town.  The fire station needing upgrades is adjacent to the trustee’s office.

 

 

 

First Look at HSE Budget Cut Proposals

3.22.14

$1.5 Million in Health Care Changes During Next School Year

We are getting our first glimpse into the spending reductions being proposed in the Hamilton Southeastern School System.  Based on a document posted on the school system’s Web page, $2.8 million of savings have been identified for the next school year (2014-2015). Spending cuts must total $5 million over the coming two school years to put the school corporation’s finances into balance.  Some items are cuts in spending, others will raise revenue for the school system.

The document’s largest spending reduction listed in the 2014-2015 school year would come from plans to “modify health plan benefits for all participants” and save the school system $1.5 million.  The document does not specify what the modifications will entail.

The next largest item listed would expand “pay to participate” fees. High school athletic fees would be $225, Junior high athletic fees $100 and non-athletic extra curricular activities would cost $25. This is projected to raise over $384,000 toward closing the budget gap.

There are several items on the list to reduce staffing costs.  The proposal would not fill 3 currently open Teacher Development Specialist positions, not fill an open secretarial spot in the central office, eliminate a part-time treasurer position at HSE High School and reduce Instructional Assistant work days from 185 to 180 (except Special Education).

An in-house school committee has worked for months to develop these budget cutting proposals.  More details are expected to be revealed at the Monday, March 24th, school board meeting.

The school board is expected to discuss these proposals and then act on the cuts at an April meeting., possibly on April 14th.

Below is a full listing of the budget reductions proposed for the 2014-2015 school year, based on the document posted on the school system’s Web site.

–Modify health plan benefits for all participants   $1,500,000

–Expand pay to participate fees (all non‐athletic ECAs $25, JH athletics $100, HS athletics $225)​    $384,615

–Don’t fill 3 open Teacher Development Specialist positions   $260,000

–Reduce supply budgets 50%    $350,000

–Revise Professional Development schedule and delivery model to require less substitute teacher coverage   $200,000

–Don’t fill open Central office secretarial position    $40,000

–Adjust facility charges to non‐school groups using school facilities    $30,000

–Reduce all non‐Special Ed Instructional Aassistant days down to 180 from 185    $20,541

–Charge students for diplomas and diploma covers   $20,000

–Stop providing food/meals at all meetings and beginning of the year   $15,000

–Eliminate part‐time treasurer position at HSE HS   $14,839

–Charge fees to cover the remainder of the costs to the District for Camp Tecumseh   $10,000

–Offer half day kindergarten at 1 location with minimum class size‐parents to provide their own transportation   $10,000

–Eliminate the cost of Creating Positive Relationships for free/reduced lunch students     $7,200

–Move to an online ordering system for all supplies to standardize supplies, save paper and postage costs    $5,500

–Sell graduation CDs to help offset graduation expense   $5,000

–Reduce daily interschool mail to 3 days a week      $2,080

 

 

 

Irsay Arrest Story Hits Home for Many

3.19.14

Addiction Pain Felt by Many Families

I just finished reading a short book about the history of the Colts written by Indianapolis Star Sportswriter Phillip B. Wilson.  A large portion of the book is about current Colts owner Jim Irsay.

The book goes into chapter and verse about how Irsay may be the best, most compassionate NFL owner, especially in how he treats his employees.  He is portrayed as a charitable man with a penchant to help people when they are down and out.  You finish the book feeling Jim Irsay is just a really good guy.

So how can this man portrayed as a top notch human being be arrested by Carmel police on a traffic charge then face felony charges for allegedly having prescription drugs in his car with no apparent prescription?

As is the case with many families in America and around the world, I have experienced someone close to me struggle with an addiction problem.  The story is often the same.  The person appears to be a great person, have a great personality, someone everybody likes.  Then that person falls into the abyss of addiction and another side of that person begins to show.

This is a painful thing for any family to experience.  It is especially painful to see how this addiction ruins the life of the addict and the lives of nearly everyone close to him.

This is what appears to have happened to Jim Irsay.  Based on what Wilson wrote in his book, Irsay runs the Colts organization like everyone on his payroll is a member of his family.  Wilson makes it clear Irsay wants no public recognition for any of the help he gives his employees or others in the Indianapolis community in need of help, but he regularly administers acts of kindness.

That’s why so many people are rooting for Jim Irsay.  We want him to conquer this horrible addiction.  This is his second public round of getting help.  Let’s hope this time he makes it, with the support of his close friends, family and a wider community that wants to help him just as Irsay has helped so many other people throughout his time here in the Indy area.

The person close to me has been doing much better in his battle with addiction.  One thing that people battling this will tell you – the battle never ends.  You can finish rehab, be clean for quite a while, but the battle to stay clean is fought every single day for the rest of your life.

An addiction counselor once told me rehab is an ugly, nasty and very hard process.  No one goes through rehab unless it’s necessary.  Many addicts go through rehab many times before it finally pays dividends.

Let’s hope Jim Irsay, a very good man with a very big addiction problem, can win this fight.  He’ll have his family, close friends, and an untold number of people connected with the Colts in his corner.  Our hopes and prayers are with Jim Irsay, as well as every other person and family dealing with this horrible addiction problem.

 

 

 

Path to Mass Transit for Fishers is Murky

3.17.14

New Law Provides Little Specific Guidance

The Fishers Town Council was looking for information on current planning for a possible regional transit system.  When Sean Northup, Assistant Executive Director of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) met with council members in a March 17th work session, they were hoping to get a glimpse of how the new state law on mass transit will work, if signed into law by Governor Pence.

When Northup was finished briefing council members on the new law, there was a lot still unknown.  That’s not Northup’s fault, since he’s an administrator.

To begin, there is no single organization cited in the new law to manage any new regional transit system.  Northup says local governments will be forced to enter into “interlocal agreements,” which essentially means individual local governmental units need to reach agreements with each other.

If the governor signs the mass transit measure into law, then interpretations of how the law will be administered will begin to be issued.

In the meantime, local governments will also be looking toward a referendum for voters to decide whether mass transit would be funded partially be an increase in the local option income tax.  That referendum could come as early as 2015 or 2016.

The new law bars light rail, but MPO will include cost estimates for light rail in its planning because the Indiana General Assembly could change its mind during the many years it would take to begin building such a system.

Federal funding is not a certainty, with about 400 localities applying for these grants every year.  Congress has cut the appropriations for such funds in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Fishers Town Council has yet to take any position on a regional mass transit system that would include Fishers.

Bottom line, the passage of this law by Indiana lawmakers is just the very beginning of a long process to bring a modern mass transit system to Fishers and surrounding areas.

In other town council news….

–The council OK’d spending $120,000 for a mountain bike trail at the new Cyntheanne South Park.  This trail is expected to draw mountain bike enthusiasts from long distances to experience it.

–Alyssa Hunter was sworn-in as Fishers 102nd police officer.  The council noted that all 2013 officers have been hired by current Police Chief George Kehl.

 

 

 

Kroger & the Fishers Town Council

3.11.14

New Proposed Superstore Fails to Get Support from Even 1 Council Member

I was out of town checking local developments on my laptop when I found an article on the Indianapolis Business Journal Web site written by Andrea Davis.  It described a new giant superstore Kroger was planning to replace its current grocery at 116th & Olio Road.

The proposal would be much more than a grocery.  It appears to be closer to a Meijer or Super Target.  This would create a big change in that part of town.

Upon my return to Fishers, I wrote a story on this site about the upcoming plans based on information available on the council meeting agenda.  I had a member of the town staff point out something in the piece that might not be accurate.  A town official contacting me about a story rarely happens.  That was my first clue this issue was going to be controversial.  (By the way, the staffer was right and I clarified the story).

When I entered the council chambers for the May 3rd meeting, there was a representative of the neighborhood group opposing this proposed Kroger Superstore at the media table.  I received a detailed history of how the town council made very specific promises to residents of the 116th & Olio Road area many years ago  on what would and would not be developed commercially near that intersection.  In the neighborhood’s view, the proposed giant store would violate those promises.

When the Kroger items came before the town council, long-time council member Stuart Easley recounted in some detail what assurances the council gave neighborhood residents many years ago.  The council tabled a proposed annexation tied to the development.

Then the council needed just one vote to send the proposal to the Fishers Plan Commission.  The Kroger plan did not receive one vote from the six council members at the meeting (Scott Faultless did not attend).  I’ve covered the council for over 2 years and cannot recall this ever happening.

A Kroger spokesman has since been quoted in the Indianapolis Star as saying the company will continue to pursue the plan, despite the council’s very cool reception to the idea.  Kroger is entitled to have its plans vetted by the Fishers Plan Commission, even with the lack of even 1 vote from the council.

Keep in mind there is one town council member on the plan commission, Mike Colby.  The other plan commission members are town council & township trustee appointees.  As I understand the process, the plan commission will consider the plans and vote to recommend, not recommend or provide a neutral recommendation to the town council.  At that point, the whole matter will be back in the hands of the town council.

After watching the town council’s initial reaction to all this, one would wonder why Kroger is even bothering to move forward with the plan commission process.  I had one official tell me privately, shortly after the town council session, that he would expect Kroger not to even go before the plan commission.

From everything I know, Kroger is a good company and has been an outstanding corporate citizen where the firm does business, supporting local charities and events.  The company will have its work cut out for it in finding a way to satisfy the neighborhood and get the upgraded new store it wants to build in OIio Road.

This will be story worth watching.

 

 

 

HSE Schools Will Reveal Budget Cut Proposals This Month

3.10.14

For the past several months, a committee has been looking into ways to cut the budget for Hamilton Southeastern Schools 5% over the two coming school years.  The in-house panel studied options for reducing the school corporation’s budget to adjust for a failure of state funding to keep up with the rate of inflation.

HSE Schools Superintendent Brian Smith told LarryInFishers the school board will receive these spending cut recommendations at the next board meeting.  The board has tentatively scheduled a work session for March 18th at 7:30am.  Any actions to reduce spending must be approved by the HSE board.  Publicly receiving the recommendations from the panel is the first step with no board action expected immediately.

In other school board news…

–The board approved a plan for non-certified (mainly non-teaching) staff to make up the time lost for days off due to weather.  They will all have the option of working additional tasks to accrue the hours lost and earn the pay not accrued earlier due to weather related closures. Examples of non-certified staff are food service workers, bus drivers, permanent substitute teachers and instructional assistants.

–The board was briefed on plans to allow district Web site pages to be better seen on smart phones.  This would not be an Android or iPhone App, but would allow smart phones to better use the pages on the HSE school Web site.

 

 

 

Colby starts work on Medicaid panel

3.9.14

Town Council member on governor’s advisory committee

Mike Colby is a long time member of the Fishers Town Council.  Last July, Colby was named to the Indiana Medicaid Advisory Committee by Governor Mike Pence.  The committee has just completed its first meeting, and Colby says he’s optimistic about what the committee can accomplish.

Colby has extensive experience inspecting long term care facilities.  Many of these places contain Medicaid patients.

Colby has been told the by committee staff they plan to use his expertise in the panel’s work.

Indiana is asking for a waiver from the federal government to implement the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP).  Colby is a big fan of HIP, but is not sure how the final decision will come down.  The federal government will make that call.

This committee’s job is to advise the governor on how to administer the Medicaid program in Indiana, so most of its work will begin when the final decisions are made on the details of Indiana’s Medicaid program.

Many members of the advisory committee are representatives of various industries tied to the Medicaid program.  Colby is quick to say the governor appointed him as a citizen member of the committee with no direct ties to companies doing business with the Medicaid program.

Medicaid can be a complex program to administer.  Mike Colby will be working on a committee advising Governor Mike Pence on how to move forward with Indiana’s version of a Medicaid program.

 

 

 

DECA COULD LOSE FISHERS TAX ABATEMENTS

3.7.14

Debt Collection Firm Having Difficult Financial Challenges

When a business locates in Fishers and requests a tax  abatement, the town council will often provides the firm with a tax abatement.  The business, in turn, is required to maintain a specified level of employees in order to preserve the tax breaks.  If the business doesn’t meet its promises for the number of employees within a specified time line, the town can exercise a “claw back” provision that can require the business to pay back the tax abatement to the town.

When  stories surfaced that the Fishers debt collection company Deca has been experiencing financial issues, I asked Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness what tax breaks were bestowed on Deca.  Fadness says Deca received a tax abatement from the town council about 2 years ago.  The council set a benchmark of 120 jobs by December 31, 2015.

The town conducted a compliance check on Deca in 2013 and Deca has 90 employees.  If Deca were to stop operating, Fadness says the town can move to recoup the tax breaks.

The town staff is reaching out to Deca in light of the recent media reports “to better understand their situation,” according to Fadness.

 

 

 

 

Fall Creek Twp Bd, Fishers Talk About the Fire Station

3.6.14

Town Council provides assurances the fire station will be refurbished

Fishers Town Council President John Weingardt, Council Vice President Pete Peterson and Council Member Mike Colby assured the Fall Creek Township Board the fire station at 116th Street and Brook School Road will be refurbished through the town’s issuance of a bond.  When Fire Chief Orusa came to the township board at their last meeting it was with a list of wants, not needs, Weingardt said.

Weingardt told the board Township Trustee Jeff Hern had indicated to town officials there was extra money in the township budget earmarked for public safety that could be spent on the fire station.

Weingardt was clear that any decision to use the additional $75.000 for the fire station is totally a decision for the township board.  Township Board Member Dan Reike said he wants some additional information before the board votes on the issue.  At the previous board meeting, Board President Ed Offerman made a motion to approve some spending on the fire station, but the motion was not seconded by either of the other two board members.

Board Member Doug Allman had asked at the previous meeting why the town wasn’t paying for the items on Chief Orusa’s list, but said his questions on the issue have now been answered by the Fishers Town Council Members.

The Fall Creek Township Board has so far taken no action on spending the extra $75,000 in the public safety budget.  Dan Rieke said he wishes the money could be returned to taxpayers. but state law does not allow that.

 

 

 

Time in the Capitol, Good to Be Home

3.6.14

Glad to be back after DC trip

Being a retired guy means you are asked to volunteer often, so when a nonprofit group that advocates for federal employees and retirees asked me to attend a legislative conference in Washington DC, I couldn’t say no.  It is a privilege to walk the halls of congressional offices and speak to the staff members of our elected officials in the nation’s capitol.  I was a bit surprised at how much the staff members are genuinely interested in the views of people back home in Indiana.

One thing that impresses me about Washington is just how beautiful the city is and how impressive it is to see the many historical sights and museums.  I can understand why people choose to live here, even with the very high cost of living.

It is also true that every time I leave town, I am always anxious to get back home to Fishers.  And upon my return, I found yet another big local controversy.

While in Washington I saw the story posted by Andrea Davis of the Indianapolis Business Journal about plans for a new giant Kroger super store at 116th and Olio Road, replacing the current grocery at that location.

Once I arrived at the council chambers for the regular Fishers Town Council meeting March 3rd, a resident of the area around 116th & Olio Road made contact with us at the media table.  We were briefed on the history of that area’s commercial development and promises that were made 10-12 years ago to the residents of that area.

Bottom line, the residents feel this Kroger plan violates commitments made by the town council years ago not to increase the large commercial presence in that area of town.

When the proposal came up for first reading at the council meeting, long-time council member Stuart Easley gave a rundown in his understanding of long-standing promises made to residents in that area.

For such a proposal to be passed on first reading, it takes just one vote by a council member to move the plan past first reading.  In this case, the Kroger super store plan could not come up with even one vote to move it along.

Kroger is still entitled to a hearing by the Fishers Plan Commission.  But with the failure to get even one council member to back this proposal at the council meeting, one wonders how Kroger will get the political support needed to get this new store approved.

It is also interesting that  no one representing Kroger was available at the March 3rd town council meeting to speak in favor of the proposed project.

The ivory tower on Capitol Hill is the place where our national decisions are made.  But coming  back to Fishers and seeing how issues are handled here was a good feeling.  It’s good to be back home again in Indiana.

 

 

 

Fishers Town Council Hands Kroger a Setback on New Store Plans

3.3.14

Proposal next goes to the Plan Commission

When the Fishers Town Council took up the plan for a new huge Kroger store at 116th and Olio Road, not one council member would recommend it for first reading.  That means the proposal will go before the Fishers Plan Commission with no one on the town council willing to provide any support.  The council then gets the plan back from the plan commission on a future date.  If the meeting Monday night is any indication, the council will not look favorably on the idea.

Council Member Stuart Easley provided his perspective, providing some history on the promises made when the corner of 116th and Olio was last being developed commercially, saying this proposal “goes against every tenet established at that time.”

Several residents of the area were at the council meeting and plan to oppose the new Kroger store as the plan commission considers it.

Kroger is entitled by law to have the local plan commission consider the plans.  Plan commission members will vote out a recommendation, and the project will then return to the town council for a vote.

Bottom line, the new huge Kroger store proposed at 116th & Olio Road received a major setback at the March 3rd Fishers Town Council meeting.

In other town council news from March 3rd…

–The council unanimously approved a resolution opposing Governor Pence’s proposal to eliminate Indiana’s Business Personal Property Tax.  If it were enacted, in some instances homeowners would have to pick up the slack, in other cases the town would simply lose the tax revenue, depending on several factors in the state’s property tax laws.

–In a work session, council members talked to Tim Monger of the Hamilton County Alliance, an economic development group promoting business for the entire county.  Council members asked that the Alliance facilitate a resolution to the question of whether previous non-compete agreements are still in place.  For many years, there was an agreement among Hamilton County municipalities not to compete on economic development projects, but at least one city is now not going along with the pact.  Fishers is asking that the issue be resolved one way or another through the Alliance.

–Fishers share of Hamilton County’s 911 emergency phone response system will be increasing if nothing is done about the funding formula, which many on the council have described as inadequate.  Town Manager Scott Fadness told council members the Indiana General Assembly will be required by law to revisit the funding for 911 service in 2015.   Fadness says Fishers needs to partner with other Indiana localities to lobby the legislature next year in order to fix a broken funding formula.

​–Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot told the council the Parks Advisory Committee has come up with a recommended name for the new Cyntheanne South Park…the name is Flat Fork Hill.  The name will undergo a comment period from the public, then the naming decision will be before the council.  Elliot also briefed council members on plans to replace the playground area at Holland Park, which is now 20 years old.

–Council approved moving the bus stop for the downtown Indy commuter bus from Crosspoint to the Eastern Star Church.  The annual cost of maintaining the parking lot will be $15,000 per year, and will be part of the new city’s budget process beginning in 2015.

 

 

 

Fishers – Reasons to be Proud

2.27.14

There have always been plenty of reasons Fishers is a good place to live.  A few events this week remind us again of why that is the case.

I’m out-of-pocket a good part of this week but have been checking in on what’s going on.

The first item is another reason to be proud of our public safety staff.  A 12 year old boy was playing basketball at Fishers Junior High School.   Fishers Police Sergeant Troy Fettinger was doing a routine security check when he found the boy collapsed during the game.  The officer went to his car to get the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).  With the help of an emergency room physician in the crowd, the machine was used to shock the young man.  Use of the AED and quick action by the officer and doctor saved the boy’s life, based on a medical analysis completed later.

In another salute to local public safety workers, movoto.com named Fishers the second safest suburb in America (Carmel was number 1).   The site moveto.com focuses on real estate issues.

Finally, the recently enacted Community Art Master Plan will result in an award from the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association.  The group says it will present the honor to the Town of Fishers at its spring conference coming to Ball State University.   The Fishers master plan focuses on public art and its value to the entire community. The Fishers Arts Council was a large part of fashioning the plan, in conjunction with the town council.

Arts Council President Jocelyn Vare said, “The Fishers Arts Council identifies new arts opportunities and connects creative people, organizations, businesses and volunteers together to bring those opportunities to life in Fishers.”  Vare said it’s been exciting to see the idea of an arts plan evolve and become a reality.

In Fishers, our public employees are saving lives, we’re being recognized nationally as one of the safest suburbs in America and we’re receiving an award for our public arts efforts.  I would say it’s been a good week for the Town of Fishers.

 

 

 

 

HSE School Board Approves Extended Days

2.24.14

Action prevents added days in June

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted 5-1 for a plan to extend school hours in order to avoid holding classes for three extra days in June.  The school system is being given the authority by the state to lengthen the school day in place of adding days to the school calendar.

Board Member Katrina Hockemeyer voted no after expressing concern that the board was voting on the plan without a good answer from the school administration on how hourly workers would be impacted, since the longer school day would not allow them the same number of hours worked.  The biggest concern was over instructional assistants and food service workers.  The administration said they would look at creative solutions to address this but had no specific answer as to how at the board meeting.

The new hours will start Monday, March 3rd.  The plan will add:

–5 minutes a day to half-day kindergarten classes

–9 minutes a day to K-4 classes, plus Fall Creek & Sand Creek Intermediate

–15 minutes a day to Riverside Intermediate and the junior high schools

–14 minutes a day to the HSE Freshman Center, Fishers High School and HSE High School

Several administrators spoke before the board explaining how the extra time would be a good thing academically.

Only one member of the audience spoke, and he was not against the plan, he was most concerned about the board not being consistent with its own policies by not reaching out to all parents in the district for comments on the proposal.

In other school board news…..

–The state champion We the People team from Fishers High School was honored by the board.

–There is a possibility the Fishers-HSE football game may not be played at the HSE field this season.  HSE principal Matt Kegley told LarryInFishers the issue is under consideration but no decisions have been made.  There are concerns about handling the parking with the large crowd normally on hand for the Mudsock contest because of construction on the new Senior Academy

–The board received an update on the Senior Academy construction and Skillman assured the board that even with the bad weather this winter, the project is on schedule.

–The HSE School Foundation’s annual Dollars for Seniors program (formerly known as Dollars for Scholars) raised $53,000, exceeding their goal.

 

 

 

The 2013 Past Bowl Trophy Goes to

Fishers HS

2.22.14

Competition Benefits Food Banks

Fishers High School suffered a heartbreaking loss on the basketball court Friday night (2.21) to Noblesville,  but their was a win in another competition.  Fishers High School won the annual Pasta Bowl competition.

At the Mudsock Game, the annual football contest between HSE and Fishers High Schools, fans are asked to donate pasta for area food pantries.  There is one box for Fishers fans, another for HSE as you enter the Mudsock Game.   The school with the most number of pounds donated wins.

The main sponsor for the 2013 Pasta Bowl Competition was Meijer Stores.

Here is a list of other organizations involved:

Second Helpings

Fall Creek Township Trustees Office

Delaware Township Trustees Office

Saint Louis de Montfort “Sally Burton” Food Pantry“

Come to Me” Food Pantry

Trensy

Graham Rahal Foundation

Citizens State Bank

 

 

 

 

Fishers Council Joins in Fight for School Funding

2.20.14

Hamilton County elected officials joining forces to add local school funding

The train station vote seemed to dominate the news coverage of last Monday’s Fishers Town Council session, but another important vote was cast in that meeting.

The council voted unanimously to back a resolution urging the Indiana General Assembly to address a serious imbalance in school funding.  The formula now puts schools systems such as HSE and Carmel at the bottom of per pupil funding from the state, which provides nearly all the money to pay teachers and other school personnel.

Fishers council members joined other local government units in the county, including the Hami​lton County Commissioners, in backing the resolution.

 

 

 

Fishers Police Chief Hands Out Award

2.20.14

Winner is an officer and his dog

Fishers Police Chief George Kehl handed out his annual Chief’s Award to a duo…not 2 officers, but an officer and his dog.

Ryan Jones and his K-9 Arrack earned the honor by apprehending a number of suspected criminals in Fishers an nearby jurisdictions.

Officer Jones has been with the Fishers Department for seven years.  He’s been teamed up with Arrack since 2010.

 

 

 

 

Fall Creek Township Board to Ask for Meeting With Fishers Officials

2.19.14

Township Board Members have questions on Fire Department Expenses

The Fishers Fire Chief Steve Orusa asked the Fall Creek Township Board for money to fund improvements at the fire station adjacent to the township offices at 116th Street and Brook School Road.  The township board members asked why the Town of Fishers is not funding these improvements.

To get answers to those questions, board members will ask for a meeting with Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness and town council leadership to better understand why the township is being asked to foot the bill for these projects.

Chief Orusa is asking the township to fund parking lot repairs, a workout facility for firefighters, an electric power generator to serve the fire and township complex and and expansion of the gear room to care for firefighter equipment.  The total cost would run into several hundred thousand dollars.

In other action, the township board approved money to provide a office and meeting space for Hamilton County Youth Assistance. The program provides assistance to at risk youth and their families. The township will provide office space in the basement of the township building currently being leased to the Fishers Park and Recreation Department.

 

 

 

Final Fishers State of the Town Address

​2.19.14

Council President Weingardt Touts the Council’s Many Accomplishments

Former Town Council President Walt Kelly gave the first Fishers State of the Town address many years ago.  Current Council President John Weingardt gave the final Fishers State of the Town address February 19th at the monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

With Fishers transitioning to a city in 2015, the new mayor of Fishers will provide the first Fishers State of the City address a year from now.

In his address, Weingardt put the town’s economic development efforts front and center.  The town was able to attract new employers Vox Lumen, First Internet Bank and Ossip Optometry. Businesses were also retained in Fishers, including Blast Media, OfficeWorks and Meyer Najem.  Launch Fishers has helped new business start-ups.

The many new construction projects downtown were listed by the council president.  They include the now-under-construction Depot at Nickel Plate, the new Meyer Najem Building, the old KFC site development and the most recent train station redevelopment.

There were a number of infrastructure projects listed, including several street and road improvements.

Weingardt emphasized the importance of schools and the local funding crisis.  The town council recently enacted a resolution also passed by other elected bodies in Hamilton County urging the Indiana General Assembly to provide adequate funding for the local school systems.  HSE Schools are looking to cut 5% from the budget over the next two school years.

The Fishers Town Council has a vision “about creating a vibrant, thriving and financially sustainable community,” Weingardt said.

The council president complimented the town staff in their work keeping local streets and roads clear during this winter season. The brought a round of applause from the crowd.

There were about 300 people on hand for the State of the Town Chamber luncheon.  The March event will feature all six candidates for mayor of Fishers in the May Republican primary.

 

 

 

Buses, Trains and Mass Transit

2.18.14

Has Fishers been pushed back to the end of the transit line?

At the Februray 17th session, the Fishers Town Council approved a new building that will, among other things, act as a train station along the Nickel Plate rail line.  However, the discussion held in the work session before the regular meeting showed how difficult it may be to get a mass transit system to use the new station.

Current planning calls for 3 main transit lines to run between suburban areas of Indy and downtown Indianapolis.  The Nickel Plate rail line is one of those three.

However, town staff and some council members have been receiving feedback that the Fishers line, be it rail or bus rapid transit on the property which is now the Nickel Plate line, would be put to the back of the funding priorities.

If the Indiana General Assembly eventually allows referendum votes on mass transit, Fishers voters may well hesitate to support a system where residents would pay taxes to support a line that won’t be built locally for up to nine years.

The Fishers Town Council has so far taken no position on any of the transit systems suggested by planners up to now.  Another wild card is what the state legislature may or may not do.  The Senate bill now under consideration in the House rules out rail, which suits Fishers better because a rail line already exists through town.  However, if the Nickel Plate line is transformed to bus rapid transit, meaning the rail lines would be replaced with a road surface for rapid transit buses, there are unresolved  legal issues that could complicate that idea, according to the work session discussion on February 17th.

Council members say they want to communicate with the people planning regional mass transit at the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Indianapolis about moving up any mass transit plans for Fishers.

Meanwhile, the commuter buses now running between Fishers and downtown Indy will soon have a new home.  Bus riders have been parking at a lot in Crosspoint and catching the bus at that location.  That site will no longer be available soon and no site is likely to accept the bus parking lot without some sort of compensation.  The town is near an agreement with the Eastern Star Church to bring the bus parking there.  The town will pay the church $15,000 a year to handle wear and tear, as well as liability issues.  Once the contract is complete, it will be voted on by the council

 

 

 

Train Station Meeting II

2.17.14

Politics beginning to enter discussion.

It’s not often the Fishers Town Council makes the front page of the Indianapolis Star, but it happened on February 18th.  We had a couple of TV stations, plus my colleagues from the Indianapolis Business Journal and Current all on hand to cover the meeting with the Star.  And we all witnessed quite a meeting.

I won’t rehash what I’ve already written.  However, there was an exchange about the train station vote that bears mentioning.

Council member Renee Cox, also a candidate for mayor of Fishers, voted no on the new train station building, saying at the meeting the process to award the project was not transparent.  She issued a news release the next day adding she was not happy with the selection process in this case.  She alleges the developer, Loftus Robinson, “…dictated to the Council what they needed in order to complete the project.”  She also said in her news release, “Other firms weren’t even given the opportunity to compete…”

Councilman Mike Colby was clearly upset with Cox during the council meeting, charging she had no problem with the project as recently as last week and claimed she had only political motives to now oppose the plan.

Councilman Stuart Easley tried to play peacemaker, saying it’s not always a bad thing for elected officials to change their minds.

The political dynamics will be around in council decision making at least until the May 6 primary election is behind us.  With Fishers transforming itself into a city, 5 current council members are running for the new city council.

Two are not in the council race.  Scott Faultless is stepping down from elected office once his current term is up for personal reasons.  Renee Cox is running for mayor, and is therefore not eligible by law to run for a council seat.

The Town Manager Scott Fadness, appointed by the current town council, is running for mayor.

This all adds up to looking at the council’s actions through a political prism.  That isn’t entirely fair because the council will need to make important decisions before the May primary and not all votes will be political.  The political backdrop just adds another factor when these important decisions are analyzed and made.

 

 

 

Fishers Council OK’s New Train Station

2.17.14

Verbal Sparks Fly

The Fishers Town Council approved a new project on municipal grounds to replace the old train station with a new building.  The vote was 5-2, with council members Renee Cox and Scott Faultless voting no.

The $28 million plan will consist of $18.5 million from the developer Loftus Robinson and the remaining amount from the town.  The town’s share would not exceed $9.5 million. The town donates the land but gains a 400 car parking garage with some spaces designated for public use, depending on the day and the time.

The building will house commercial tenants and residential apartments.  The apartments will rent for about $1,200 a month for 1,000 square feet of space, before any tenant assessments.  Director of Community Development Tom Dickey says that puts the rents on the high end in the Fishers market.

During the public hearing, all speakers opposed the plan except one.  The most pointed comments came from Democrat city council candidate Greg Purvis.  He accused the council of demolishing a local “icon” in the old train station.  He charged the council with hiding this item on the council’s published agenda.  He also pointed out that Town Manager Scott Fadness, a candidate for Mayor of Fishers, has received campaign contributions from the developer that was awarded the contract.

Council Vice President Pete Peterson mocked Purvis’ claim the building is an icon.  “I have a pair of boots older than that train station building,” Peterson said.  (The building was built in 1996).  Peterson alleged Purvis was spreading misinformation about the project on social media.   He called the comments about Fadness’ fundraising “reprehensible” since the town manager had no vote on awarding this contract.

Councilman Scott Faultless took Purvis to task for advocating a mayor form of government in Fishers knowing a mayoral candidate would need to raise a large amount of money to run.  Faultless called Purvis’s comments “beyond disingenuous.”

If all goes as planned, the project will break ground this summer and be completed by the end of 2015.

 

 

 

Fishers Named a “Safe City”

2.12.14

Honor comes from Neighborhood.com

Fishers has received a number of honors from national organizations, and you can now add one more.  Neighborhoodscout.com, a part of Location Inc., ranked Fishers the 36th safest city in America.

The firm evaluates communities with populations of 25,000 or more.  The ranking is  based on the total number of crimes per 1,000 residents.  Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, forcible rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

Fishers Police Chief George Kehl was clearly excited at the recognition and his department’s role in making it happen.  “This award is a direct reflection of the active partnership between the dedicated men and women of the Fishers Police Department and the residents they serve,” Chief Kehl said.

Only two cities in Indiana qualified for this recognition, Fishers being one of them.  Carmel is the other, ranked 33rd.

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Scott Faultless Ends 19-year Local Political Career – For Now

2.10.14

Cites Personal Reasons for Not Running

Scott Faultless has been at the center of the Fishers political universe for 19 years on the town council, many of those years as council president. He has decided not to run for political office as Fishers moves to city government.

The veteran councilman would not comment specifically on why he made the decision to stay out of the political fray this time around other than to say the reasons are personal.

In an interview with LarryInFishers, Faultless expressed how proud he is of his tenure as council president and feels he left the town in better fiscal health during his stint as president.  He also talked about how much he enjoyed working with the police department in Fishers.  He also expressed how much he enjoyed his interactions with the residents of Fishers.

Faultless would not indicate whether there are any plans to stay active in the local community, saying it’s too early to know.

He did not rule out a future run for office if his personal situation changes.

Scott Faultless had many supporters and detractors during his long tenure on the Fishers Town Council.   No one can deny this fact – he has been one of the major decision makers in fashioning Fishers into the place we know today.

 

 

 

HSE Schools to Increase Use of Social Media

2.10.14

Former HSE Teacher to Run New Program

Anna Stumpf was a teacher in the Hamilton Southeastern School System.  Her husband still teaches there.  She and her family live in the school district.  Now, Anna Stumpf is taking on a new challenge to tell the story of HSE schools through stories of individual teachers.

The HSE School Board approved a tentative contract with Stumpf to utilize social media and tell the story of the school district.  The contract will be final once minor changes in the language are complete.

With the school corporation cash strapped and looking to cut 5% from the budget over two school years, Stumpf proposed installing power charging stations for cell phones and other personal use items at the local high schools and selling ad space at the charging stations to pay for this social media plan.   Over time, Stumpf hopes selling ad space on a Web page, as well as using social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Vine to promote the Web page, will enhance the revenue and more than pay for the public relations effort.

Stumpf told LarryInFishers she envisions highlighting teachers working in the school system as well as spotlighting people and programs that do not now have a presence.

In other school board news…

–Superintendent Brian Smith is working with local members of the General Assembly to solve a massive funding problem with school transportation.  Smith met with State Senator Jim Merritt and told the board the senator fully understands the problem and will work with local House member Todd Huston to solve it during the remaining days of the legislative session.

–The board approved a resolution to be brought to virtually all Hamiton County governmental bodies supporting funding for local public schools.  The document touts the connection between a strong, well-funded school system and local economic development.

 

 

 

Big Night for Economic Development

2.3.14

Downtown, Crosspoint and Saxony are targeted

The Fishers Town Council moved forward on projects downtown, at Crosspoint and Saxony Beach.

The council gave approval to to build a mixed use office building where the KFC restaurant had been located downtown at 116th Street and Lantern Road.  Community Health will be leasing a large part of the building.  The developers told the council a “white tablecloth” restaurant was being sought for the property. The plan includes a 330 car parking garage that could be used by the public during nights and weekends for downtown events.  If all goes according to plan, construction could start as early as this summer.

The council passed a measure allowing Ossip Optometry to move into a currently unused space in the 9700 block of Crosspoint Boulevard.   The plan is expected to retain 15 jobs, move 54 positions to the Fishers facility and  is projected to create 58 new jobs by 2018.  Ossip will be granted a tax abatement in exchange for developing the property.

The council voted 4-1 to move forward with plans for construction of a community facility at Saxony Beach and otherwise support the beach area.  Councilman Mike Colby voted no, saying he has reservations about the plan and is skeptical of the town supporting the beach.

 

 

 

HSE Board moves forward with iPad program

1.27.14

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board voted unanimously to move forward with the HSE21 program which will, over a phase-in period, provide iPads for students in the school system and, hopefully, reduce textbook rental costs over time.

The first to get the iPads will be 5th & 6th Graders in the fall of 2014.  At the start of the fall semester in 2015, the program rolls out to Grades 7 & 8, with a “buy your own device” or rental program optional for grades 9-12.  In the fall of 2016, school officials will look at providing the devices for grades K-4,  but the exact grade structure that year is yet to be determined for certain, pending the outcome of some pilot programs in the lower grades.

There will be a fee attached to the iPads for students.  The estimate for for fall, 2014 will be $74.75 for Grade 5 and $82.93 for Grade 6.  The fees will drop each year for the next 2 years.

Assistant School Superintendent Beth Niedermeyer told the board parent meetings and student instructions will be conducted in the spring of 2014 to discuss responsible use of the technology.

In other school board news….

–The board was briefed on a plan to fund new social media programs for the school system by selling advertising to commercial sponsors at cell phone charging stations to be located at the high schools and perhaps the junior high buildings.  No action was taken, but board members appeared anxious to move forward with the plan.

–A contract providing upgraded security systems for school buildings received final approval from the board.

–A survey of students conducted by the Gallup organization was discussed.  The results were mostly positive, but some board members were concerned about the lowered student engagement each year from grades 5 through 12.  School administrators promised to follow up on how to improve engagement by students.  Gallup conducted the survey at no charge to the school system.

–Mike Reuter, the school corporation’s Chief Financial Officer, gave the board a final rundown on school finances for 2013.

 

 

 

Commuter Tax?

1.26.14

Idea being pushed by Indy Chamber

Kathleen McLaughlin has a story on the front page of the Jan 27 – Feb 2 edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ).  It has a good discussion on the possibility of a commuter tax that would have an impact on Fishers.

The Indy Chamber of Commerce CEO Micheal Huber calls it a nine-county issue (including Hamilton).  Huber calls this issue one of his Chamber’s top 5 issues.

A commuter tax is an income tax levied on suburbanites working in Marion County and living in an adjacent county. Before my retirement, I made the daily commute from Fishers to downtown Indianapolis.  Such a tax, if enacted, would have applied to me.

There are plenty of convincing arguments on both sides of the issue.  One important opinion is that of State Senator Brandt Hershman , chairman of that body’s tax writing committee. He’s quoted in the IBJ piece as saying such a proposal would, in essence, be “taxation without representation.”

Hershman then goes on to say he understands the budget pressures Indianapolis is enduring and would be willing to explore potential revenue streams, according to the IBJ story.

I don’t like being taxed any more that the next person.  But I understand the argument fro the commuter tax.  Fishers went from being a small, sleepy farm town in the 1960s to a suburb with a population of about 80,000 only because of its proximity to the city of Indianapolis.

It’s unlikely such a tax would be considered in this legislative session, but the 2015 legislature may be asked to at least look into this idea.

Ms. McLaughlin’s story cites an IU  economist who points out that the adjacent states of Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky all have some form of commuter tax.

We all must remember that even if we live in Fishers and commute to work in Indianapolis, we are traveling Indianapolis streets and accessing services provided by Marion County.

I’m not for or against a commuter tax.  I just think it needs to be studied and considered.

(NOTE: The IBJ story referenced in this commentary is behind the IBJ’s pay wall.  You need to buy the paper on the newsstand or subscribe online to read the entire article)

 

 

 

HOWARD STEVENSON SWORN-IN AS HSE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

1.23.14

After a selection process that spanned several weeks and a number of interviews with potential candidates, Howard Stevenson was sworn-in as the newest member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board.

“I learned a lot going through the (selection) process the last few weeks,” Stevenson said.  “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board.  Everyone has been very hospitable and cordial.  I am excited about becoming a part of the team.”

Stevenson will serve out the remaining term of Daren Sink, who resigned his board seat after landing a new job outside Indiana.

Under state law, when there is a local school board vacancy, the remaining board members select the replacement when a seat becomes vacant.

 

 

 

Launch Fishers spawns Launch Indiana

1.22.14

New State Venture for business start-ups

More than one year ago, Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness and John Wechsler were working on a small business incubator for start-ups in Fishers. After some funding from the Town of Fishers and some space in the basement of the Fishers Library, Launch Fishers was born in 2012.

Launch Fishers has been a huge success, with many of the start-ups moving on to larger quarters and employees of their own.  The state Indiana has been watching the Fishers experiment and wants in on the deal.  Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann made the announcement today, and Launch Indiana is born. The state is taking the Fishers idea and expanding it to small business entrepreneurs throughout Indiana.

Below is the full text of the news release announcing the new venture.

=======================

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Jan. 22, 2014) – Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann today announced that the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) is partnering with Launch Fishers to establish the Launch Indiana SBDC (“Launch Indiana”). Launch Indiana will connect Indiana’s innovation-driven entrepreneurs with mentorship, education, and assistance from successful entrepreneurs. Lieutenant Governor Ellspermann noted, “This partnership with the highly successful Launch Fishers team will provide important services to Hoosiers in an environment designed and staffed to service this special group of innovative entrepreneurs. Our Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship continues to expand its wide range of support to a critical part our economy for today and in the years to come.” Launch Indiana will operate out of Launch Fishers under the leadership of serial entrepreneur John Wechsler. Launch Indiana will serve entrepreneurs statewide with a sharp focus on high potential companies known as, what Wechsler calls, “Innovation Driven Enterprises.” “We are excited to use Launch Indiana as a way to connect startups with entrepreneurs who have raised angel and venture capital funds, scaled companies to international audiences and gone through exit events of all types” said Jacob Schpok, State Director of the ISBDC. “Through decades of experience, Mr. Wechsler understands what high-growth startups need. With his track record of mentoring entrepreneurs and supporting the Indiana startup scene, we are thrilled to have him running this program.” On the importance of mentorship, Wechsler commented, “in my career as an entrepreneur, I have experienced first-hand the value of mentorship and guidance from those who have been through the journey.” Wechsler continued, “The mission of Launch Indiana is to increase the number of successful Indiana-based innovation-driven enterprises.” “Launch Indiana is the natural next step in the continued investment in entrepreneurship,” said Fishers Town Council President John Weingardt. “We are looking forward to building on the success of Launch Fishers and having the next chapter begin here in Fishers.” To learn more about Launch Indiana or apply for assistance visit LaunchIndiana.org About Launch Indiana SBDC The mission of Launch Indiana SBDC is to increase the number of successful Indiana-based innovation-driven enterprises through mentorship and education. Launch Indiana is a joint initiative of the ISBDC and Launch Fishers. More at LaunchIndiana.org About Launch Fishers Launch Fishers is a launch pad for high-potential enterprises located in Fishers, Indiana. Created by John Wechsler in conjunction with the Town of Fishers in 2012, Launch Fishers has grown to nearly 300 members in a wide array of industries and ranging from startup to expansion-stage companies. More at LaunchFishers.comAbout ISBDCThe ten Indiana Small Business Development Centers (ISBDC) support the formation, growth, and sustainability of Indiana’s small businesses by providing entrepreneurs expert guidance and access to a network of resources. Funding for the regional ISBDCs comes from state universities, chambers of commerce, economic development offices, mayor offices, and banks. Statewide financial support is provided by U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College. Administratively, the ISBDC Lead Center is operated by the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (OSBE), an agency of the Office of Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann. To

 

 

 

 

FISHERS GOES TO THE BACK OF THE MASS TRANSIT LINE

1.21.14

Latest planner proposal delays Fishers plan to 2024, maybe

The Central Indiana planners putting together ideas for mass transit had, in the past, placed Fishers in the early stages of any movement toward a regional system.  The Fishers Town Staff told council members at a work session that those plans have radically changed.

Instead of using the Nickel Plate line for rail or rapid bus service in the early stages of any system, regional planners have now focused on dedicated bus lines from Carmel to downtown Indy and the airport and downtown.

Based on the updated plans, Fishers would receive a mass transit system connecting with downtown Indy in 2024, and only if federal funds are available to pay for it.  If no federal funds can be found, the idea would be scrapped altogether.

The discussion was sparked by a request from the same group of regional mass transit planners to hold a panel discussion on the ideas in Fishers.  Council members said the council has not come up with a position on mass transit yet and should not host such an event until the council weighs in on the system and how it should be fashioned.

It should be noted that the Indiana General Assembly will make any final decisions on a mass transit system, but this planning group has been heavily involved with legislators on the issue for central Indiana.

During the regular council session, approval was given to purchase the final piece of land in downtown Fishers to allow another access to the town hall grounds directly from the Target shopping center area.  This is part of the overall plan to develop the downtown area of Fishers.  The owner originally balked when approached by the town to sell his property, but the threat of a possible condemnation helped bring about the sale.

Finally, Ms. Amber Ross and Mrs. Melissa Pillhower were presented with HERO awards from the council.  On November 12, Ronald Perry’s vehicle ended up in a pond near 126th Street and Hawk’s Landing Drive.   The two honored ladies, along with two other men not able to attend the council meeting, were able to save Mr. Perry.  Perry was also in attendance at the awards ceremony.

 

 

 

 

HSE School Board gets new member, new president

(1.14.14)

Howard Stevenson is new board member, John Delucia is president

Attorney Howard Stevenson has been selected as a new member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board.  Mr. Stevenson emerged from a final list of potential members.  Daren Sink resigned his board seat.  Under Indiana law, the school board votes on the replacement for the remainder of Mr. Sink’s term, and Mr. Stevenson was selected by the board to be that replacement.

The board voted to make John Delucia president for 2014.  Ron Wilson will serve as vice president and Sylvia Shepler was voted to be board secretary.

 

 

 

FLOODING IN LUXHAVEN

(1.9.14)

Dealing with the past, worried about the future

Dave Cruser has lived in the Luxhaven neighborhood near Fall Creek for 57 years, Rick Monk for about 40 years.  Both agree that recent flooding in their neighborhood has never been as bad as the recent high water events.  The area encompasses about 72 homes.

Many Luxhaven residents were on hand for a meeting January 9th at the Fall Creek Township Building.  Township Trustee Jeff Hern brought together local officials from county and state government to help answer their questions about recent flooding.

County Surveyor Kent Ward said Fall Creek is not regulated under law, which limits what government can do.  He did outline how costs could be shared by property owners along the stream if debris is found to be the cause of flood events.  When questioned by residents about why the flooding is so much worse now, Ward indicated state and national trends show more large and intense events are becoming the “new normal” in disaster planning.

Cruz and Monk indicated they suspect the level of development in the area could be a big part of the problem, but admit they have no evidence to back up the suspicions.  Both moved to the Luxhaven area when it was mostly rural.  The Geist area development came much later.

Monk said he hopes the homeowners in Luxhaven can forge a neighborhood association to deal with these issues.  In the meantime, homeowners will investigate the disaster assistance available from the state and federal governments to help in cleaning up the flood of just a few weeks ago.

Luxhaven is located in the Geist area off Florida Road.  It lies in Fall Creek Township and is not within the Town of Fishers.  Fall Creek Township contracts with the Town of Fishers for Fire protection.

 

 

 

COUNCIL SAYS YES TO 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEALS

1.8.14

John Weingardt remains council president

Fishers will lure a Colorado company to town and preserve a current local business with actions by the town council.

Vox Lumen, a Littleton, Colorado firm, is moving its headquarters to Fishers.  The company will get $800,000 in assistance from the Town of Fishers, which will be repaid by the corporation’s future property tax payments.  Vox Lumen is involved in advanced high-tech lighting systems.

Office Works has extended its lease for the Fishers location for 5 more years with $150,000 in help from the town.

The deals must be approved by the local redevelopment commission and economic development commission.

The council voted to have John Weingardt remain as the body’s president for 2014. The only no vote came from Councilman Scott Faultless. Pete Peterson was unanimously approved for another year as the council vice president.

The meeting opened with plaudits for the staff in its handling of the snow and ice removal from town streets.  Town Manager Scott Fadness says he has been in touch with Indianapolis to share information on how the town manages to handle its snow removal.

The council approved the purchase of 3 buildings and adjacent lots for future downtown development.  A 4th building, housing a lawn mower repair shop and the home of the business owner, has not been purchased.  Fishers Economic Development Director Tom Dickey told the council condemnation, or acquiring the property by eminent domain laws, may be necessary to secure the property for the town.

The council moved forward on first reading improvements to the workers compensation program for Fishers public safety workers.  The council approved changes in the health insurance coverage for public safety employees injured in the line of duty, allowing these employees’ families to be covered by the town health insurance program.

Launch Fishers will receive $50,000 in town funds to partner with the state and provide a state-wide entrepreneur mentoring program.  Over 100 companies from around the state are expected to visit Launch Fishers under this plan.

The council discussed a long standing agreement with nearby municipalities on how to handle economic development competition.  The council consensus was that the agreement has been ignored by others and may no longer be valid. Council members vowed to follow-up on the status of this pact.

 

 

 

HERO CEREMONY

SET FOR JANUARY 6

Three “Good Samaritans” are to be honored at the regular Fishers Town Council meeting set for Monday, January 6th, at 7pm.

Fishers Police Spokesman Tom Weger says the victim whose life was saved, Ronald Perry, 55, from Anderson, drove his car into a retention pond at 126th Street and Hawks Landing Drive on November 12th of 2013.

Three passersby were credited with saving Mr. Perry’s life by risking their own lives to assist him.   Those three will be honored at the January 6 town council session.

According to Weger, Mr. Perry has been released from the hospital and his health is improving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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