You have likely seen the political signs sprouting up throughout the City of Fishers the last few days.  The election campaign is underway.  Although Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd, there are ways to cast your ballot earlier.

The Hamilton County Election Office in downtown Noblesville will be the place to cast your ballot in what is termed “early voting.”  If you plan to be out of town election day, the absentee voting process is in place for you, if you do not wish to early vote.  You can find more information at this link.

Most Fishers city offices have already been decided.  Only one Democrat is on the ballot this time around.  Greg Purvis is running for an at-large seat on the Fishers City Council.  He is facing the three Republican incumbent at-large council members – Todd Zimmerman, Rich Block and Cecilia Coble.

In past election cycles since I began writing this blog in 2012, I have interviewed the candidates and written background pieces on each.  Due to other commitments this time around, I am unable to do that.  However, I would urge you to get to know these candidates, if you don’t already.  Each has a Facebook page.  Here are links to each one:

Cecilia Coble

Rich Block 

Todd Zimmerman

Greg Purvis

The best part of utilizing Facebook is its interactive nature.  You can ask questions of the candidates and they can respond to you.  Their platforms and views on local issues are also a part of each Facebook page.

In an at-large city council race, everyone in the City of Fishers votes on these candidates. Of the four hopefuls, the three receiving the most votes will win four-year terms on the council.

I have written often about the low voter turnout in recent elections.  Keep in mind that the more local the government, the more impact the elected officials have over your everyday life.  Take the time to look at each candidate, and then take the time to cast your vote.

If you have hazardous materials around your house, the City of Fishers is offering you an opportunity to safely dispose of all that.

Below is the rest of a city news release from the City of Fishers with all the details…

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Load up vehicles and head to Billericay Park, Fishers Stormwater Utility and the Fall Recycling Day along with Keep Fishers Beautiful return to a new location at Billericay Park on Saturday, October 31 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. While disposing of unwanted recyclable materials and household hazardous wastes residents will receive a pack of Dutchmaster Daffodils from Keep Fishers Beautiful volunteers. Bulbs are free to take on a first come, first served basis, and can be collected on site from a Keep Fishers Beautiful representative.   
 
“Our Fall Recycling Day is a great opportunity to keep the community beautiful while providing a valuable service for residents,” stated Mayor Scott Fadness. “By engaging residents in planting bulbs, we’re able to work together to keep Fishers a vibrant community as the seasons change.”
 
The Fishers Stormwater Utility aims to keep dangerous chemicals and pollution out of our local waterways by providing this very important service. Keep Fishers Beautiful (KFB) is an initiative that seeks to unite residents, volunteers and businesses/organizations with meaningful projects that beautify our public spaces and neighborhoods. Individuals interested in learning more or volunteering are encouraged to visitwww.Fishers.in.us/KFB or contact Dan Domsic atdomsicd@fishers.in.us. Specific details about materials being collected during the Fall Recycling day can be found on the City of Fishers’ website. 

Brian Lott’s firefighting career began on the Fishers Volunteer Department in 1981.  In 1986 he joined the Lawrence Township Fire Fire Department full-time.  Once Fishers started hiring full-time firefighters, he came back to Fishers in 1991.

During the growth spurt years of Fishers, Brian Lott has been at the center of the corresponding growth of the firefighting operation in Fishers.

He held the ranks of Chief, Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal during his 24 years as a professional firefighter with the Town of Fishers.

“Chief Lott and his family have shown great leadership to this department and this community through his years of service and his dedication to the men and women of this department is greatly appreciated,” Fishers Fire Chief said in a department news release. “He will be missed, but the legacy of his work will continue.”

A retirement recognition party for Brian Lott is planned at Fishers City Hall, 1-3pm, on Monday, October 12th.

Summer may be over, but road work continues full throttle around the City of Fishers. There are a number of important roadways with closures or restrictions.  the full list for the work week beginning Monday, October 12th, from the City of Fishers, is shown below.

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ATLANTIC ROAD CLOSURE

Beginning on Monday, October 12th, Atlantic Road will be closed between 136^th Street to just north of 126^th Street in order to stabilize and repave the roadway. Through traffic will not be permitted, but local traffic to driveways will be maintained. This project will be ongoing over the next few weeks, and updates will be post on the @DriveFishers Twitter account.

CYNTHEANNE ROAD

The week of October 12th there will be lane restrictions on Cyntheanne Road south of 104^thStreet for asphalt milling and resurfacing work.

LANTERN AND COMMERCIAL INTERSECTION

Lantern Road will remain closed the week of October 12th from Commercial Drive to North Street.

NORTH ST & MUNICIPAL DRIVE

Period lane restrictions will be in place on North Street and Municipal Drive for construction over next few weeks.

104^TH STREET

Shoulder work is scheduled for the week of October 12th along 104^th Street west of Cyntheanne Road. During construction lane restrictions will be in place.

106^TH STREET & ELLER ROAD

Construction on the 106^th Street and Eller Road turn lane will continue the week of October 12th. During construction periodic lane restrictions will be implemented between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Lane restrictions will continue through mid-October.

116^TH STREET

There will be lane restrictions beginning on Monday, October 12 on westbound 116^th Street from Holland to Cameron for fence replacement.

131^ST STREET

Small lane restrictions will be in place at the intersection of 131^st Street and Cumberland Road for utility work on Tuesday, October 13. Police will be onsite to assist with traffic control.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is recommending a sewer rate increase for next year, upping the monthly residential bill from $26 a month to $31.   Fadness told the Fishers City Council Finance Committee Monday night the local sewer rates have not been increased for 20 years, and even if the proposed hike goes into effect, Fishers’ rate will still be the lowest among municipalities in our geographical area of Indiana.

Fishers only bills for sewer service in part of city, the remainder of the customers are served by HSE Utilities. If this increase in enacted, Fadness told the committee it is his intention to enter into talks with officials of HSE utilities on how that utility will handle the increase.  Fishers processes sewage generated by areas of Fishers served by HSE Utilities.

City Attorney Chris Greisl outlined the legal process to enact this increase.  There will be 3 readings, one reading per city council session.  There will be a public hearing.  There is a process for remonstrance if impacted residents choose to remonstrate.

The first reading of this proposed sewer rate hike will be at the next Fishers City Council meeting October 19th

There are a couple of open houses coming up involving departments within the City of Fishers.

The first is set for Wednesday, October 7th, at Fishers Fire Station 392, located at the corner of 116th Street and Brook School Road.  This station has recently been remodeled. Don’t miss your chance to tour the station and meet some local firefighters.  It all starts at 5pm and ends at 9pm.  There will be refreshments available.

The second open house will be later in the month. October 27th.  This is sponsored by the Fishers Department of Public Works (DPW).  It starts at 5pm and goes to 8pm, at the DPW garage, located at 10200 Eller Road.

“Our team loves the opportunity to connect with residents during the open house,” stated DPW Director, Eric Pethtel in a city news release. “It’s not uncommon to see DPW staff painting alongside children, explaining the machinery and enjoying the open house just as much as our guests do.”

Admission is free, and scout groups working on their badges are welcome.

Here’s what the news release says about the open house:

Light refreshments will be served during the event, and children can paint-a-plow or street sign that they might see around the city in the future. Fishers DPW includes four divisions; street maintenance, park maintenance, facility maintenance and water quality, and staff from each division will be able to explain the role they play in keeping our community vibrant.

Opera is, by any description, an example of high art.  If you are looking for an opera to attend nearby, you are most likely to find live productions at a major university. The opera company in Indianapolis has struggled but is planning a new season.  If you want to see opera at a high level, one would likely attend the local movie theater productions beamed live from the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center in New York.

There is a group in Fishers attempting to bring opera to our fair city.  They call themselves Projekt:Opera and plan their first big production Saturday, 7pm, October 17th, at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church, 10500 Est 126th Street.  Their inaugural show will be Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

I do not profess to be any kind of opera expert, but there are 2 I have seen performed and enjoy.  One is Bizet’s Carmen.  The other is The Magic Flute.  If you have never seen opera performed live, The Magic Flute is a good place to start.

One thing that puts off American audiences is the fact that most famous operas are performed in German or Italian.  The producers of the October 15th production promise this will be shorter than the usual Magic Flute (some can go on for 3-4 hours, and this one won’t be anywhere near that long).  There will also be a narration throughout the opera, making it easier to understand.

If you are ready for your first opera experience, or if you have seen opera and want to attend this production, tickets are $20 and can be ordered at this link.

This Fishers arts community is growing rapidly.  This is your chance to support local artists.

Here’s the latest on the Sunday morning activity at the Fishers 96th Street Walmart, from WTHR at this link.

Fishers road construction continues in full force during the work week beginning Monday, October 5th.  The full listing from the city is below:

LANTERN AND COMMERCIAL INTERSECTION

Lantern Road will remain closed the week of October 5 from Commercial Drive to North Street.

106^th STREET & ELLER ROAD

Construction on the 106^th Street and Eller Road turn lane will continue the week of October 5th. During construction, periodic lane restrictions will be implemented between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Lane restrictions will continue through mid-October.

116^th STREET

There will be moving lane restrictions between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 116^th Street from Allisonville Road to Olio Road for utility work. Arrow boards will be displayed to help direct traffic and caution is appreciated while traveling in the area.

131^st STREET

We appreciate your patience as shoulder work continues along Parkside and Cumberland Road. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

136^th STREET

136^th Street will have restrictions west of Cyntheanne Road for shoulder work, asphalt milling and resurface work through the week of October 5.  Cyntheanne Road, south of 136^th Street, may see shoulder work for asphalt milling and resurfacing.

My latest commentary on Indiana Forefront explores how the online news Web site Politico could change up the Central Indiana journalism scene.  You can read my commentary at this link.