The Flats Apartment complex in Fishers, located near 131st Sreet and State Road 36, has been sold for nearly $37 million, according to a story posted on the Indianapolis Business Journal Web site. The story cites Hamilton County official records as the source of the sale price.
For the details, read the IBJ online story at this link. (Note: If you are not an IBJ subscriber, you are limited on the number of Web stories you can access per month)
When a Fishers Police Officer or Firefighter is injured while performing her/his duties, and must miss work, that city employee is eligible for workers compensation, but that is less than the public safety officer would earn while on duty. A local group is working to fill that gap by raising money to allow these workers to supplement their workers compensation payments with added benefits. That group is called the Fifty Club.
It’s patterned after a similar organization that has been helping Noblesville for a number of years. The Fifty Club also provides supplemental benefits to a public safety officer’s family when that worker suffers an untimely death. Fortunately, that has never happened in Fishers Police history and there has been one instance of a death with Fishers Fire many years ago.
The Fifty Club is raising money to finance insurance policies for these added benefits. As part of the fund raising effort, a special event was held Monday evening at Top Golf.
Charter memberships in the Fifty Club of Fishers cost $1,000 initially and $250 per year after that. Regular memberships are an initial $250 and $250 per year. But the Fifty Club will take any donations from the public to help in their support of local public safety personnel. You can donate online at the group’s Web site, available at this link.
Learn more about the Fifty Club by listening to a recent podcast at this link.
Here are a few pictures from Monday evening’s Top Golf event:
Continue reading Fishers Fifty Club Raises Money For Local Public Safety Officers
(This story was posted on the Web site of the Hamilton County Reporter Monday afternoon. The story is being posted on LarryInFishers.com through a news gathering partnership between my blog and the Reporter)
The Hamilton County Reporter has learned the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a theft of campaign signs.
Reports indicate deputies were dispatched at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Sunday to Schwartz Trailer Sales located in the 100 block of Cicero Road in Noblesville. Schwartz Trailer Sales is owned by Jackson Township Board member Glenn Schwartz, father of Hamilton County Council President Steve Schwartz.
Steve Schwartz confirmed a report was filed after a surveillance camera caught images of a white female removing campaign signs from the northwest corner of 211th St. and Oakbay Drive.
Schwartz told The Reporter the incident reported on Sunday was not the first time his campaign signs have come up missing.
Schwartz is involved in a highly contested race with Noblesville resident Mark Hall for County Council District 3.
A series of images provided to The Reporter show a white female wearing a stocking cap removing Schwartz’s campaign signs.
Although the Sheriff’s Department would not confirm or deny the identity of their person of interest, other sources told The Reporter a follow-up investigation was conducted Sunday which included detectives interviewing Lisa Hall, wife of candidate Mark Hall.
On Monday afternoon Bryant Orem of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department issued the following statement:
“On April 29, 2018, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into missing campaign signs owned by Hamilton County Councilman Steve Schwartz. Schwartz reported campaign signs missing from the northwest corner of 211th Street and Oak Bay Drive. He further advised that signs in that location have come up missing on at least six (6) separate occasion with an estimate of 45 signs removed during recent weeks.
“Councilman Schwartz advised investigators he placed a camera at the location during the most recent incident. Photos of a female suspect removing signs have been turned over to investigators as part of the case. Investigators are working to determine the identity of the suspect.
“While it is still early in the investigation there are several issues for detectives to consider before determining what, if any, criminal or civil charges might be presented to the Prosecutor’s Office. Among these are a determination of whether signs were on public right-of-way or private property and, if on private property, who granted permission to place signs in the leased farm field.”
Monday morning Hamilton County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andre Miksha told the Reporter Monday his office had no information on the case.
Here is candidate Mark Hall’s response in the form of a news release issued Monday evening:
My opponent trespassed and placed signs without the permission of the Property Owner, Dr. Marc Zipper. There is no question that signs were placed illegally by my opponent on Dr. Zipper’s private property.
Volunteers from our campaign are cooperating with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s department and the campaign has provided them full written documentation of our agreement for signage and exclusive use of the property in question. After our campaign losing so many signs we welcome the investigation into these matters and look forward to a quick resolution of the investigations regarding our missing signs.
On March 19th our Campaign asked permission in writing from Dr. Marc Zipper to place our campaign signs on his properties around Northern Hamilton County.
On March 22nd Dr. Marc Zipper granted our campaign exclusive permission in writing to place signs on his property.
On April 2nd the campaign wrote Dr. Marc Zipper explaining that a clutter of signs was now present on his property.
Just to double check and be certain – In this same communication the campaign asked if he has given any other candidate permission to place signs on his property.
His reply dated April 3rd at 9:22 AM reads –
“I did not give anyone permission to place signs on my property other than you. This is exactly what I was afraid of when I gave you permission. I leave it up to you to decide whether the other signs should be taken down now. I do not want anything to happen to you if you have them removed”. Best of luck with your campaign Dr. Marc Zipper
April 14th at approximately 11:00 AM we informed Councilman Schwartz in person, at the property location, that he did not have permission to place signs at the property and that the owner has people removing everyone’s signs but ours. We offered to show him the written permission. He approached our vehicle aggressively yelling obscenities.
As he neared my wife’s open window yelling and aggressive we pulled away to avoid a physical confrontation. Driving to the West my opponent’s son then gave me the finger and yelled as we drove off.
As agreed with the property owner, our campaign removed two signs this past weekend with permission in writing from the property owner. We seriously question our opponents repeated trespass violations but, in an effort, to take the high road we chose to not make a big deal of it at the time.
The owner has not given my opponents campaign permission to trespass on or place signs on his property.
To date we have had over 100 signs stolen and destroyed. The most recent theft we are aware of occurred as signs were removed from State Road 32/38 intersection in full view of a witness. She reported that our signs were placed in a trunk and replaced with my opponent’s signs. The sheriff’s department is investigating.
Our campaign followed the rules. We obtained permission in writing from the owner of the property and our opponent didn’t. His arrogant disregard for civility, rules and even common courtesy is beneath that of an elected official.
Before I embarked on the campaign, knowing that I was taking on the long-term establishment elected officials, I was warned by several other elected officials of the efforts that would be taken take to protect their power and position. I had no idea they would stoop this low.
I started covering school boards in 1977 and have learned a great deal about education after attending board sessions off and on for more than 40 years. My first time covering a school district with declining enrollment came in Columbus, Indiana.
The Bartholomew Consolidated Schools had to deal with declining school enrollment. The population of Columbus and the surrounding area within the school district had not seen a population decline, but demographic changes led to fewer students in school.
People around Fishers have been watching as the Hamilton Southeastern School District has struggled with massive growth that has been going on at least since I moved here in 1991. And I will admit, rapid growth is a big challenge for elected school boards and administrators, as well as the greater community.
But if you want to imagine a much bigger challenge, think about dealing with declining enrollment that means school buildings must be closed. That’s what Columbus was trying to handle in 1981 and 1982. One junior high school needed to be shuttered and perhaps elementary buildings were on the chopping block at that time.
Cummins Engine Company even offered to buy the oldest junior high structure, Central Junior High near downtown, to help the school board out. The board politely declined.
There were very emotional public meetings about all the options. Students and parents at Central Junior High presented a passionate plea to keep their school open, but were shocked to discover that if Central remained open, redistricting would be required and nearly half the students attending Central would end up going to another junior high.
The final decision was controversial in Columbus. Two older elementary schools were closed and a newer junior high building on the south side of the district was converted to a large elementary school.
I worked hard on that school closure story in Columbus while working as a reporter at WCSI Radio in Columbus. I was honored to have won an Associated Press award for one of the stories I wrote during that process.
I started thinking about all that when watching the coverage of the situation faced by the Carmel-Clay School Board. Those board members are dealing with a declining student population due to changing demographics. They are looking at the possibility of closing an elementary school.
This will be a painful process. Parent and community organizations are already gearing-up to defend the school located in their neighborhoods. Public meetings will be held and they will be emotional.
So when those of us living in the Fishers area within the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District see this, be thankful we are not dealing with declining school enrollment, at least not yet.
The HSE District is constructing a new elementary building just off Southeastern Parkway, on Cyntheanne Road. This construction is not to handle added enrollment, it is aimed at taking students out of mobile classrooms still being used at some Grade K-4 buildings.
But let’s keep an eye on the demographic forecast locally. The latest report from demographer Jerry McKibben showed very slight enrollment increases through 2021, followed by declining enrollments in years 2022-2027.
My bottom line message is this. Yes, rapidly growing enrollment numbers year after year take a toll on all of us. But I have covered declining enrollments.
If the demographic predictions are correct, it will be a few years before HSE Schools would face building closure decisions. And, there are always unforeseen future events, like an unexpected surge in population within the school district, that cannot be foreseen at this time.
But chances are, some day, HSE Schools will be dealing with declining enrollment. I saw what happened in Columbus and how painful and divisive such a process can be. We are beginning to see how this will impact Carmel. Just be aware it can happen to us in the next 5-10 years.
Larry reviews a film all about the life of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
We review the films Tully & You Were Never Really Here. Paster Joe Freeman is this week’s guest.
I have just seen the latest Joaquin Phoenix film, “You Were Never Really Here.” This is my review.
We never thought it would ever come, but warm weather is finally descending upon Fishers, and with the warmth, Fishers Police want to remind everyone that certain motorized vehicles are governed by specific city ordinances.
Let’s start with golf carts. Golf carts can be driven on streets under very specific circumstances only. Carts can be driven on subdivision streets when the neighborhood has all the following requirements in place:
1. Fishers has determined that golf carts may be safely operated on the streets within
the specific neighborhood;
2. A threshold amount (75 percent or higher) of property owners in the
neighborhood have voted in favor of allowing golf carts within the neighborhood and the results of the election have been certified; and
3. The proper signage in the designated locations has been placed.
It should be noted that only three neighborhoods meet all three criteria as I write this post. They are:
Britton Falls, Thorpe Creek, and Graystone.
If you live within these three neighborhoods and use your golf cart on subdivision streets, there are still rules and regulations you must obey, listed later below in this post.
Fishers Police officers would also like to remind everyone that there are state laws dealing with mopeds, scooters and small vehicles such as motorized bicycles – all must have plates and registrations. Other requirements include:
* Operators and passengers under the age of 18 must wear a helmet
* Divides into two categories;
* Class A MDCs
* Greater than 50cc
* Require Insurance
* Require Operators License
* Class B MDCs
* 50cc or less
* No license, no insurance
* Class B requirements
* 15 years old
* ID card with MDC Endorsement
* No passengers
* No interstates or sidewalks
* Not faster than 35 mph
Golf Cart
OPERATION REGULATIONS
a) Hours of Operation. Golf Carts shall only be operated on designated streets from sunrise
to sunset unless such golf cart is equipped with headlights, taillights, brake lights,
seatbelts, turn signals, and rearview mirror.
b) Right-of-Way. The operator of a golf cart shall yield the right-of-way to overtaking
motor vehicles
c) Streets. Golf carts may only be used on streets designated within the establish
neighborhood or other Fishers’ approved neighborhood areas. Nothing in this policy
shall be construed to apply to or limit the use of golf carts on golf courses or private
property.
d) Fishers Property and Sidewalks. Golf carts shall not be operated on any sidewalk,
pedestrian walkway, multi-use path, or trail or any other non-designated public ways.
The only exception to this use is of golf carts on Fishers’ municipal property for official
purposes.
e) Golf Cart Capacity. The seating capacity, normally no more than four (4) passengers,
shall not be exceeded nor shall the operator or any passenger be permitted to stand while
the golf cart is in operation.
f) Parking. Golf carts may only be parked in the same manner and at the same places
designated for parking of motor vehicles. The stopping, standing, or parking of golf carts
in areas where parking is not allowed or in any place that impede the flow of traffic,
pedestrian walkways, or a passageway is prohibited.
g) Alcohol Use. No person under the influence of an alcoholic beverage shall operate or be in control of any golf cart operated within the neighborhood. No golf cart shall have an open alcoholic beverage container aboard while in operation.
h) Valid License Required. Only persons possessing a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Indiana, another state of the United States, or an international agency shall be permitted to operate a golf cart on Fishers streets.
DISCLAIMER, LIABILITY, AND INSURANCE
a) Disclaimer. Golf carts are not designed for or manufactured to be used on public streets, and Fishers neither advocates nor endorses the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets. Fishers in no way shall be liable for accidents, injuries, or death involving the operation of a golf cart.
Another work week is on the way and another week of road construction in and around Fishers is on tap. Many of the items on the list have been there for several weeks, but I draw special attention to two items below.
The first is a new city ordinance taking effect May 1st that restricts parking on the street within the Nickel Plate District in downtown Fishers from 3am to 6am. Signs are in the process of going up in the impacted areas. The city will give residents a 2-week grace period before writing tickets.
Second, there is another update meeting set on the plans for State Road 37 construction. It will take place Tuesday, May 15th, at the Delaware Township building on 131st Street, between State Road 37 & Lanter Road. The session is scheduled to begin at 6pm.
Below is the road construction listing for the work week starting Monday, April 30th, as provided by the City of Fishers:
================
136TH STREET
Beginning on or after May 7, 136th Street will be closed between Southeastern Parkway and Prairie Baptist Road for the construction of a new roundabout. Details on detour routes coming in next week’s email.
NICKEL PLATE DISTRICT OVERNIGHT PARKING
The Board of Works has passed an ordinance for no parking in the Nickel Plate District between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., beginning on May 1 (signs will be placed throughout the District). Once signs are placed, there will be a 2-week grace period where no tickets will be written. See the Parking Restrictions Map for more information.
106TH STREET
106th Street is closed to through traffic from Eller Road to Allisonville Road and from Allisonville Road to Hague Road for the 106th Street Infrastructure Project. Closures for through traffic will also take place from Hague Road to the Crosspoint Boulevard/Lantern Road roundabout. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.
131ST STREET
Periodic lane restrictions will occur at the intersection of 131st Street and Cumberland Road as utility relocation work is completed.
Expect lane restrictions, weather permitting, along 131st Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road for the construction of the Conner Trail from Conner Prairie to the Municipal Complex. Lane restrictions will also take place on Lantern Road between 131st Street and Municipal Drive.
ELLER ROAD
Eller Road is closed to through traffic south of White Horse Lane for concrete work associated with the 106th Street Infrastructure Project.
ALLISONVILLE ROAD RESURFACING & INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Lane restrictions will be in place, as weather permits, along Allisonville Road from 126th Street to 131st Street for tree clearing ahead of the start of the roadway expansion project. Restrictions will be in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and flaggers will be on site directing traffic, as necessary. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.
I-69
As part of a $92 million design-build contract, Milestone has added a third lane in each direction to the median, repaired and resurfaced existing pavement, and rehabilitated bridges and drainage structures on 15 miles of I-69 in Hamilton and Madison counties. Construction of an additional auxiliary lane between the 116th Street entrance ramp to I-69 South and the I-69 South Exit 204 ramp to 106th Street will continue through next spring.
I-69 South will be temporarily reduced to two lanes to allow space for the State Road 37 and 116th Street entrance ramps to safely merge while construction continues on the southbound auxiliary lane between the 116th Street and 106th Street ramps.
Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT via email or at 1-855-463-6848.
STATE ROAD 37
A public meeting will be held on Monday, May 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Delaware Township Trustee Office. Additional information is available on the project’s new website.
The State Road 37 improvement project is a $124 million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton County, Noblesville, and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed via email to Drive Fishers.
It was opening night for the Indy Film Fest April 26th. The opening night film showing was Tully, a Charlize Theron movie about the highs and lows of being a mom. Here is my review.