A new political action committee has been formed with the title – Fiscal Conservatives of Hamilton County.  I talked with members of that committee…

A Fishers man police say was undergoing an emotional crisis is dead and police continue to investigate.  John A. Donadio, 51, reportedly threatened officers with a gun, police fired at him, then turned the weapon on himself.

Here is what happened in the 12000 block of Colbarn, in the Sunblest neeighborhood:

On July 3, 2017 at approximately 10:15am, two Fishers Police Officers responded to a welfare check on John Donadio, who was having an emotional crisis. A former in-law, who John had been living with, called 911 with concerns about Mr. Donadio’s mental health. Upon arrival, two officers made contact with Mr. Donadio, who was sitting in his parked vehicle on Colbarn Drive. After the officers made contact with Mr. Donadio, he displayed and then threatened the officers with a handgun. The officers responded to the threat by shooting at the suspect. As officers began shooting, Mr. Donadio turned the gun on himself. Mr. Donadio was pronounced dead at the scene.

Our investigators are currently conducting a thorough investigation by collecting all relevant information and evidence. At this early stage in the investigation, it is not possible to determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.

Per our policy, both involved officers have been assigned to administrative duty pending the results of the investigation.  

It’s often hard to tell what stories on this news blog will get a great deal of interest and which ones get little attention.  When I wrote my story Wednesday night on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting, I knew one item would get more attention than most.  I had no idea how much people would read it.

It appeared to be a meeting like most others at first.  The companies recommended by the school administration to conduct a branding study and overhaul the school system’s Web site gave an overview of what they plan to do if awarded contracts by the board.

Once the presentations were complete, the first question from the board came from President Matt Burke – would this process look into changing the name of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools?  The answer was yes, if that is what board members want.

Board member John DeLucia then chimed in that there is often confusion from those outside our district, since we have one high school named after the school corporation (HSE) and the other high school named after the city within district boundaries (Fishers).

Another board member asked what the board would need to do if a name change was approved, and Superintendent Allen Bourff said there is a process but approval would likely be no problem.

Then Board member Sylvia Shepler asked where the money would come from for all this. HSE Schools CFO Mike Reuter said no tax money would be used.  The Coke Fund, money received for giving the beverage company exclusive rights in the school corporation, and other corporate sponsorship funds, would be tapped to pay for the branding and Web site projects.  Both projects total will cost roughly $98,000.

The board approved the contracts unanimously.

Once I posted that story, the hits just kept on coming.  Even as of this writing, the evening of July 2nd, a number of people accessed the article today.

Here’s what that tells me – this issue has struck a chord with local residents.  Let me be clear – there has been no decision made on a name change and we are a long way from that. There is no guarantee the board will change the name of Hamilton Southeastern Schools once the branding study is done, which could take up to 9 months.

The branding process includes looking for what image the school system wants to project. It can include visual components, such as a logo and Web site look.  But it can also incorporate a school district name change.

We are many months away from even a recommendation, much less a board decision on this matter.  In the meantime, I expect lots of local chatter on this subject.

In this week’s edition of Hamilton County Goes To The Movies,  Adam & Larry review the new film Baby Driver.  Amy Pauszek is the guest, talking about local independent films.

(Commentaries by Fred Swift are published in the Hamilton County Reporter newspaper and are posted here as part of a partnership between LarryInFishers.com and the Reporter)

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Even though many folks say they are sick of politics, the fact is there is already early
activity in the local political world gearing up for next year’s primary election, now
ten months away. And, whether everyone likes it or not, political choices are important
to the future of Hamilton County.

Here are a few things to watch.

Changes are likely in the local judiciary. Superior Court 5 Judge Wayne Sturtevant
has announced his retirement effective in November of this year. Superior 1 Judge
Steve Nation is seriously considering retirement next year. Circuit Judge Paul Felix
is being considered for a federal court bench. And Superior 6 Judge Gail Bardach
is up for election next spring. She is likely to run for re-election.

A vacancy created by Sturtevant’s retirement comes first and will be filled by
a governor’s appointment. At least two names have been mentioned as possible
candidates: Court Magistrate David Najjar and Carmel City Judge Brian Poindexter,
but neither has confirmed their interest.

Looking at the important, but often overlooked, County Council, a move to
change the factional lineup on the county fiscal body is said to be in the works. Currently,
very conservative members hold a 4-3 edge. Fred Glynn, one of the four and
president of the council, is up for election in the 2018 Republican primary. Reliable
insiders say a prominent Carmel woman will soon announce her candidacy against
Glynn.

Two candidates for sheriff came out very early in what is expected to be a
crowded field. Deputies Bill Clifford and Jason Sloderbeck have already said they
want to succeed retiring Sheriff Mark Bowen. Two, three or more others are expected
to enter the GOP primary race.

In a surprise announcement this week, Corrie Meyer, Carmel, said she will run
against conservative incumbent State Sen. Mike Delph who represents the Carmel
area in the General Assembly. Meyer heads the Carmel Redevelopment Commission.

And, potentially effecting next spring’s elections was this week’s announcement
that a new political action committee (PAC) has been organized at Fishers.
Called Fiscal Conservatives of Hamilton County, the group has as one of its principal
members Bill Smythe, who jumped into Republican politics in 2016, running
unsuccessfully for county commissioner.  He has said he wants to remain active in
local politics.