by
Fred Swift
Hamilton County Reporter
(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com. This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)
Each year at this time the Reporter attempts to recap the top news stories of the past year in Hamilton County.
The Number One story of the year was the double murder-suicide that occurred earlier this week in Noblesville. Todd Moon shot and killed his parents, Donald and Joyce Moon, before killing himself.
Chalfin
The second big story of the year was the alarming and continuing increase in deaths due to drug overdose and addiction. By year’s end the number of county residents succumbing to powerful and illegal drugs will likely exceed 40 with 36 cases now confirmed and eight more awaiting toxicology reports, according to Coroner John Chalfin. The toll may well be higher because deaths in Marion County hospitals are not routinely reported to Hamilton County authorities. As recently as three years ago there were only 18 such deaths confirmed in the county. The coroner says he believes there is a lack of understanding of how serious problem in becoming. He has found the deadly mixing of heroin and fentanyl is the greatest problem. He says law enforcement, courts and health officials are working hard to fight the problem. Chalfin has recommended legislation that would improve more accurate reporting of fatal overdose cases. Public service agencies are looking for ways to curb the epidemic, but the cases keep coming. It’s part of a nationwide crisis with no immediate end in sight. Most, but certainly not all victims, are younger adults.
Number 3 is the ongoing efforts to save the Nickel Plate Railroad or at least part of it. Few issues have held the public’s interest for a longer period of time. During the year the railroad line’s owner, Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, essentially evicted the Indiana Transportation Museum from the rail line by handing over operation to the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad which is a new organization formed by the County Tourism Bureau. The Nickel Plate Heritage group plans to have trains on the tracks next year from Noblesville north while cooperating with Noblesville and Fishers’ wishes to see the tracks south of Noblesville converted to a walking and bike trail. At year’s end the Noblesville Parks Board agreed not to renew ITM’s lease at Forest Park.
Number 4 is the continuing dynamic growth and development in the county. The new Riverview Outpatient Hospital at Westfield and the much publicized Ikea superstore at Fishers, the huge Midtown Redevelopment Project along the Monon at Carmel and the Blue Sky headquarters and Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville, are only some examples of the development during the year. There have also been hundreds of building permits issued for new homes and business buildings along with dozens of road improvements and other infrastructure projects.
Number 5 is the designation of Hamilton County’s cities as the best places to live in America. Carmel, Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville have all been listed during 2017 by national publications such as Money Magazine, Forbes and SafestCity.com. Local communities have been selected because of low crime, good schools, low unemployment, reasonable housing costs and low taxes among other criteria.
Number 6 story involves the retirement or planned retirement of many prominent public officeholders. State Sen. Luke Kenley and Superior Court Judge Wayne Sturtevant retired, and State Rep. Kathy Richardson, Judge Steve Nation, County Councilman Paul Ayers and County Clerk Tammy Baitz have said they will end their service when terms expire next year. In addition, Sheriff Mark Bowen ends his time as sheriff due to term limits. Rarely have so many officials planned to call it quits at one time.
Number 7 was the end to a 12-year Home Place struggle to keep from being annexed by the city of Carmel. The unincorporated Home Place area founded more than 100 years ago, was the last un-annexed portion of Clay Township. Residents who opposed a city tax rate and possible redevelopment in the area, decided against an expensive appeal to the state Supreme Court in order to continue their legal battle against annexation.
Number 8 was the decision by the Indianapolis Colts to move their training camp to Grand Park at Westfield. The move is believed to be a big win for the Westfield area which may see an increase in visitors who in turn will spend their money at local restaurants and motels, not to mention the publicity that always follows the Colts’ activities at camp.
Number 9 is the Carmel High School girls swim team’s national record of 31 consecutive state championships, not only in swimming, but in any sport. The CHS boys team also won this year making it their 17th championship. Making the record especially remarkable is that in landlocked Carmel, most all swimming is learned and practiced in a pool, not in a lake or ocean.
Number 10 is the fire that heavily damaged the former Stevens Spring Company factory at Cicero. The February blaze resulted in evacuation of a nearby apartment complex and brought fire investigators to the scene. Cause of the fire was never ruled anything other than accidental.
Rounding out the list of top stories for 2017 is the only fatal plane crash in the county during 2017. On Aug. 31, Norman Lavine, 78, Carmel, alone in his plane, crashed on takeoff from Metropolitan Airport at Fishers.