(Commentaries from Fred Swift are posted on LarryInFishers.com as part of a partnership with the Hamilton County Reporter.  The piece below appeared in the June 28th edition of the Reporter)

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Drug overdose deaths in Hamilton County are averaging nearly three per month this year with an untold number of other non-fatal overdose cases.  Heroin is known to be involved, sometimes mixed with other opiate drugs, in a majority of the deaths and probably many of the non-fatal cases.

Is it an epidemic as some say? If it isn’t, it is nearing that point.

The most recent death was reported Monday, the 16th so far this year. For the entire year of 2016 there were 28 deaths in the county attributed to drugs, according to a concerned County Coroner, John Chalfin.

This year, probably for the first time, female fatalities have outnumbered male deaths. While it is widely believed that young adults in their 20s and 30th are generally the victims, the numbers show that individuals in their 40s and even late 50s have succumbed.

There are some efforts to combat the growing problem, but apparently no overall coordinated effort by law enforcement, emergency medical staff, health officials,
hospitals, the coroner and elected officials.

This week Chalfin contacted State Sen. Jim Merritt suggesting that the state provide
for more effective efforts to fight the problem. Merritt who represents a portion
of the county, has been an advocate for drug abuse legislation.

Hamilton County has long had a County Drug Task Force that works to locate
and charge drug suppliers. Ten detectives from various local police agencies are on
the streets pursuing dealers, according to Dwight Frost, head of the task force. The
task force is backed up by the Metro Drug Force operating in Marion County, but
aiding the surrounding counties.

The County Health Department has held a public training session on the use of
Narcan, a drug that can aid in reviving an overdose victim.

Grants were obtained to purchase Narcan for use by the public, and more than 80
doses of the drug have been made available to families which have a suspected
drug user, according to Health Department Director Barry McNulty. Another training
session is planned. All police and first responders in the county now carry Narcan.

The County Sheriff’s Department jail division processes hundreds of individuals
each year on charges that are either directly or indirectly related to the drug trade.
Some are charged with possession or selling, but others, charged with robbery and
theft, are known to be stealing to get money for drugs.

The Sheriff’s Department is also involved in education efforts to discourage
young people from getting into the drug scene. The DARE program (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) has special emphasis, The sheriff has a special relationship
with Hamilton Heights Schools in which an officer serves as a Resource Officer.
The other school systems in the county have their own resource officers who
spend at least some of their time in drug education efforts.

Despite it all, there is suspicion that dangerous drug use and crime associated
with it is growing; probably not to the extent experienced in some areas, but still
enough to create a serious problem.

Identifying the number of opiate related deaths is usually possible, but the number
of non-fatal overdose cases is difficult.  Most cases go to hospital emergency room
in either Hamilton or surrounding counties.

Emergency room records are hard to get even for law enforcement due to various
privacy laws and hospital regulations.  But, officials suspect there have been dozens
of individuals treated so far this year in the various area hospitals.

So, the true extent of the drug problem remains somewhat ‘under the radar’ partially
due to the stigma attached to drug abuse and partially due to the legal consequences
of illegal drug involvement.

And, while various agencies are working hard at educating, treating and trying
to reduce the number of drug users and drug peddlers, an effective and combined
overall effort to stem the tide has yet to be developed.

(Editor’s Note: State Senator Jim Merritt appeared on a recent LarryInFishers interview podcast and discussed this issue at some length.  You can listen to that podcast at this link.)

Ball State has placed a student on its Board of Trustees since the late 1970s, with about 20 students having served in that role.   Three of those student board members have been alums of the Hamilton Southeastern School District.

The latest appointee is Marlene Jacocks, a graduate of Fishers High School.  Another local grad, Kyle Pierce, was appointed to the board in 2013.  Dustin Meeks was a 2015 appointee.

“These appointments speak volumes about the education that is received at our alma mater,” Pierce said.  “We were taught to be engaged in our community, to think critically, to live lives showing our best character and to build a tradition.”

There are a total of 9 members on the Ball State Board of Trustees.

If you were given the chance to write a prescription for a perfect parade weather day and have it filled, it would be the weather Fishers had for the 2017 Freedom Festival Parade. Temperatures were in the 70s with sun in and out among clouds scattered overhead.  It was a bit windy, but that was the only complaint I heard all day about the weather.

Watching the proceedings from my perch across from the municipal complex along 116th Street, the parade got underway at about 4:05 and the last unit passed us a about 4:50.  The crowd was heavy and deep along that stretch of 116th Street.  Many families were on hand and all appeared to have a great time.

Below are videos of the high school bands and more pictures from the Sunday parade:

If there is one thing I have noted in the  local rails vs. trails debate, it is the fact that there are emotions running very high on this issue.  Sometimes, when emotions run that high, facts get a bit distorted.  I want to make a few specific comments here.

First, I have taken no position on whether the Nickel Plate rail line running through Fishers and Noblesville should be transformed into a trail or remain a rail line.  I have written about my fondness for the history of the train in shaping this area over the past decades.  I can also see the benefits of a trail.  But I have not come down on either side.

I wish to clarify something that appeared on the Noblesville Neighbors “Save the Train” Web page recently.  You can see it at this link.

In that posting, it states the following:

“Larry of Fishers reported today that the only proposal matching the desires of the Owners was the Northern-only bid submitted by the Hamilton County Visitors and Convention Commission. (a government agency…possible conflict of interest?)
Didn’t the HHPA make a statement that all proposals are confidential…? So how did Larry come to know this information?”

First, I did not report this.  What I did was repost a commentary written by
Fred Swift and originally published in the Hamilton County Reporter newspaper.  The Reporter and I have a partnership agreement.  That means the Reporter prints items from my news blog, and I post some items from the Reporter.

Fred Swift’s commentaries appear on my news blog as part of that partnership.  That does not denote that I agree or disagree with Fred’s observations, analysis or opinions.  His commentaries are posted as food for thought.

If you read the post on my blog at this link, you can see the item is clearly posted as a commentary by Fred Swift and not my own.

I am not being critical of the Noblesville Neighbors Web page.  They have strong feelings about this issue and are trying to put together all the information about the Nickel Plate’s future in one place.

I just was to be clear that I have taken no position either way on this issue.  I have no idea which proposal for the future of the rail line will be awarded by the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority.  Fred expressed his view based on the people he talks to and his own analysis of the situation, and that should be considered.

The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority has a meeting scheduled for July 10th.  We will likely know more at that session.

It all started at a meeting where Adam Aasen and I met in person for the first time.  We were both familiar with each other’s work.  Adam writes about local issues in Carmel.  I write about Fishers on this blog.

Adam had listened to a few of my film review podcasts and mentioned that he, too, enjoyed film.  One thing led to another, and now Adam & I have started a weekly podcast. The title is Hamilton County Goes To The Movies.

We will talk about one or more films now in theaters, plus add to the discussion someone local to talk about that person’s connections to movies.

In our first segment, Adam & I review the latest Tom Cruise film, The Mummy.  In the second segment, we bring Joe Freeman into the discussion.  Joe is a retired minister often referred to as the “village pastor” of Fishers.

If you have any comments or other feedback about this podcast, send us your thoughts at a special e-mail account we setup just for that – HamiltonCountyGoesToTheMovies@gmail.com

Another long listing of road construction projects in and around Fishers.  A heads-up on Allisonville Road and 146th Street traffic pattern change in the northbound lanes, wit two left turn lanes and one lane northbound.

Below is the complete listing of road work scheduled the work week starting Monday, June 26th, as provided by the City of Fishers

===============================

96TH STREET

Construction has begun on the new roundabout at 96th Street and Lantern Road. 96th Street traffic between Kincaid Drive and Fitness Lane/Pinecreek Drive will be reduced to one lane in each direction throughout the summer.

BROOKS SCHOOL ROAD

The Brooks School Road bridge over Interstate 69 is closed as Milestone Contractors rebuild the bridge deck. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Promise Road via 126th and 136th streets. The bridge will remain closed until August.

ALLISONVILLE ROAD AND 146TH STREET

Hamilton County Highway Department has changed the traffic pattern for northbound Allisonville Road at 146th Street. There are now two left turn lanes and one northbound through lane.

116TH STREET

There will be lane restrictions on 116th Street between I-69 and Cumberland Road throughout the summer in order for the contractor to make improvements to 116th Street.

113TH STREET

Lane restrictions will occur on 113th Street from Olio Road to Florida Road throughout the summer in order for the contractor to resurface and make improvements to the roadway.

126TH STREET

Expect periodic lane restrictions between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on 126th Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road while the contractor installs passing blisters near Reserve at Lantern. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic during the restrictions.

I-69 AND CAMPUS PARKWAY

The Campus Parkway interchange was recently shifted into a double-crossover traffic pattern. The interchange will remain under construction through July, when it is expected to be fully open to traffic in its permanent configuration.

Multiple traffic lane shifts will be required to complete construction of the new interchange design. Each phase of remaining construction will bring the interchange closer to its final traffic configuration and capacity. For more information about the new traffic pattern, please visit http://www.in.gov/indot/3441.htm

Milestone Contractors has begun mobilizing cranes and other equipment and setting a temporary concrete barrier wall along I-69 at Campus Parkway Exit 210. Work will require alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound I-69 between 9 p.m. and 6 p.m. Lane closures may recur each night through the end of the week depending on weather and progress. Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT at eastcentralin@indot.in.gov or 1-855-463-6848.

STATE ROAD 37

Construction contractors plan to shift State Road 37 traffic lanes this weekend for a $1.5 million drainage structure construction project between 146th Street and Greenfield Avenue in Noblesville. Northbound lanes are scheduled to be shifted on Friday night, and southbound lanes are scheduled to be shifted Saturday night. Single-lane closures in each direction will be scheduled between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The first phase of construction, which is currently underway, will shift two lanes in each direction toward the right shoulders to provide room for construction in the median. The second phase will shift traffic toward the median to allow construction to be completed along the outside shoulders. All work on the project is expected to be complete this summer.

Starting May 1, geotechnical drilling will begin along the State Road 37 corridor as part of the final design phase of State Road 37 Improvement Project. Lane and shoulder restrictions will be active through the June 30.

Motorists will see staked locations along the corridor starting with the 141st Street intersection. The geotechnical drilling will cause lane restrictions from 131st Street through 146th Street through June 30. Southbound restrictions will not begin until 9 a.m. daily and northbound restrictions will be done daily before 4 p.m. to allow for maximum traffic flow during peak hours.

State Road 37 turn lanes will not be affected during lane closures and crews will maintain a minimum of one through-lane at all times.

The SR37 improvement project is a $124 Million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton Co, Noblesville, and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed to drivefishers@fishers.in.us.

OUTSIDE OF FISHERS

The City of Carmel has closed 116th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway for the construction of a roundabout. This closure is expected to last for 75 days. Questions and updates about this project should be directed to the City of Carmel at 317-571-2400.

The Kroger store at 116th Street and Cumberland Road held the grand opening for the newly-remodeled grocery, and the company opened its checkbook to support area charities.

Kroger Public Affairs Manager Eric Halvorson handled the Master of Ceremony duties at the event, as local store workers and city officials took to the podium.

But the important part of the festivities centered on checks handed out to local groups doing good things in the area.

Here’s a listing of Kroger donations announced at the Friday morning event:

Fishers Summer Lunch Program                                         $4,000

Fishers Fire Department Foundation                                 $  500

Fishers Police Department                                                     $  500

Third Phase                                                                                   $  500

Disability Roundtable                                                               $  500

Hatch for Hunger                                                                       $25,000

Gleaners Food Bank                                                                 $30,000

(NOTE:  Commentaries from Fred Swift are posted here as part of a partnership between LarryInFishers.com and The Hamilton County Reporter newspaper.)

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter 

The only proposal for the future of the Nickel Plate Railroad
which apparently matches the desires of local officials is a plan
submitted by the Hamilton County Hamilton County Visitors and Convention
Commission.

The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, owners of the Nickel Plate tracks, had asked for proposals from groups interested in operating on the rail line. Four proposals were received by the port authority’s deadline.

The future of the railroad is complicated by a federal law suit filed last week
by the Indiana Transportation Museum claiming their rights have been violated
because they are no longer allowed to use the railway.

The future of the historic railroad has become a controversial topic in Noblesville
and other communities through which the Nickel Plate runs. No trains have run since
March of 2016 when the port authority suspended the museum’s permit to use the
tracks due to safety concerns. The museum, headquartered at Forest Park, had operated
excursion trains for the past 20 years including the popular Fairtrain.

The four proposals being considered by the port authority came from Indianapolis Metro Railway Company, the Hoosier Heritage Railroad Inc. of Fishers, the
Transportation Museum and the Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Only the Visitor and Convention plan proposes to continue rail service north from
Noblesville to Tipton while turning the rail bed from Noblesville south into a hiking
and bicycle trail. Local officials in Fishers, Noblesville and county government have
generally favored this idea although as controversy grew, they have said no decision
would be made until more information is gathered. The other three groups want to
keep the rails intact to Indianapolis.

Officially, the port authority will rank the proposals by July 1, and announce a
decision at an undetermined date thereafter.  That date could be delayed indefinitely
by the lawsuit as there is no certainty when the suit will be adjudicated.

In the meantime, of course, no trains on the Nickel Plate.

Mike Reuter is the Chief Financial Officer for the Hamilton Southeastern Schools.  He talked to Larry about a number of school finance issues.

Monday night’s Fishers City Council meeting took time to honor two groups of people, the Citizen’s Academy graduates and Mayor’s Youth Council.  Here is list of those honored, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Citizen’s Government Academy Graduates:

Cecilia Shaw

Haley Waldkoetter

James Greig

Jason Arnold

Jason Dew

Ken Jansing

Mayor’s Youth Council:

Claire Baney

Stephen MacKenzie

Madison Schwarz

A’Lyrika Bowens

Emma Crell

Kevin Kwon

Sophia Silcox

Rachel Billheimer

Nevile Makau

Elijah Heindricks

Jada Edson

Joe Bergin

Jack Huybers

Ariana Bailey

Kyler Mansinne

John Ryu

Hanna Scholl

Sarah Jacobs

Adam Howard