Government can become complicated and difficult, and many people just give up on trying to understand it.  The City of Fishers offers a program that let’s you learn about the various parts of your local government.

The program is called the City Government Academy.  It’s a 10-week program…you can see the days and dates of the upcoming program at this link.

If this sounds like something you would like to try, email Dan Domsic or call 317-595-3151 at least two business days prior to the first meeting.

The registration form can be found at this link.  Deadline to register for the next class is September 13th.

Fishers is moving forward with plans to develop the Nickel Plate Trail, the former rail line running through the city.   NBBJ and Ex2 Partners will work collaboratively to develop a master plan for  the Nickel Plate Trail from 96^th Street to 146^th Street in Fishers.

Those two firms will be working with Indianapolis-based strategic consulting firm, Ex2 Partners, who are known for their approach to community engagement and branding.

“Combined, NBBJ and Ex2 Partners bring global experience and local expertise to what promises to be an engaging process for our city and residents,” said committee co-chair Amanda Welu in a city news release.  

The committee and selected contractors will be looking at activation spaces, and design elements, including various types of intersection crossings. The City of Fishers Engineering team will evaluate each crossing to determine whether an “at grade” crossing or separated grade crossing is appropriate. At this time, 116^th Street is the only intersection that has been evaluated, with a recommendation for a separated grade via tunnel.

“Our committee’s vision is to create a destination like no other with the Nickel Plate Trail that harnesses the heritage and entrepreneurial spirit of Fishers,” said committee co-chair John Weingardt, Fishers City Councilman. “Resident input will be instrumental in developing a robust master plan for the experience of the Trail. People of all ages are excited to give their ideas, and we can’t wait to hear them.”

The committee plans public outreach efforts, expected to begin this fall in Fishers.  Those interested in learning more may contact npt@fishers.in.us. The Trail will extend beyond Fishers to the north and south, thererfore, the City of Noblesville and the City of Indianapolis are also providing input into the master planning process.

When Assistant Superintendent Mike Beresford left the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District to assume the superintendent’s position next door in Carmel, someone needed to take over Dr. Beresford’s duties heading up security at HSE Schools.  Ryan Taylor moved from being a high school assistant principal to leading the district’s security efforts.

Wednesday night, Taylor reviewed the security situation with the HSE School Board.  When Governor Eric Holcomb offered to provide hand-held metal detector wands, HSE requested the maximum number allowed by the state formula, 91.  But Taylor made clear that even though the wands will be delivered soon, there is no plan in place as to how they will be utilized.  Administrators are consulting with the district’s attorneys and insurance carriers on what policies are within the law and reasonable when determining when and how these hand-held metal detectors will be utilized.  Once that process is complete, school officials will recommend a set of policies to submit for school board approval.

Taylor also described the “text-to-tip” program where students and parents can send information to school administrators and safety personnel.  “We have students now tnat aren’t going to tolerate unsafe situations,” Taylor told the board.  “They are informing us…we want to continue to establish those relationships with our kids.”

The metal-detecting wands are one tool schools can use, but Taylor warns there are no instant answers, many tools must be used together for an effective safety program.  A Parental Advisory Committee is forming and will be meeting soon as part of the overall HSE Schools safety program, according to Taylor.

by

Mo Merhoff

President, One Zone Chamber of Commerce 

(NOTE:  This is a commentary, posted here through a partnership between the Hamilton County Reporter and LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece was published on the front page of the Reporter’s August 9th edition)

If there’s a gift we’ve been given from the recent abhorrent vandalism at the Shaary Tefilla Temple, it’s the less-than-subtle reminder that prejudice and hatred isn’t gone. Not from the world, not from our country and not from our communities.

As Governor Holcomb has shown, it’s provided some impetus for us to address the fact that Indiana remains one of only five states in the country without a hate crimes bill. While we’d argue it’s pretty disappointing we need any more reasons to get off that short list, it’s focused our attention, and provided us with an opportunity to get something done. We support the governor’s view.

There are those who will counter that no one can legislate fairness, nor eliminate bigotry with a law. True. Others will argue that we need a lot fewer laws, not more. Arguably, also true.

But even if the recent incident doesn’t upset your own personal principles or strike you as in conflict with the sense of fairness our country has strived for centuries to portray, inclusion is a business issue. Those businesses we hope to attract to Indiana, as well as those we hope to retain, want to hire the best and brightest employees they can find. Even the perception that Indiana chooses to dismiss the significance of an inclusive culture can be detrimental to our economic development efforts.

Indiana already suffers from a lack of strong population growth. We’re growing at almost half the average of other states. There is no reason our culture should be labeled as something it’s not, simply because we want to avoid legislation that makes it clear we don’t choose nor support inclusion and diversity.

Simply put, Indiana won’t make anybody’s short list if we dismiss this need nor presume it doesn’t matter. It does.

Indiana should pass hate crimes legislation. We need to stop tolerating intolerance.

When I sat down to record a start-of-the-new-year 2018 podcast with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness January 3rd, I had several questions for the mayor.  One question I did not expect him to answer directly was whether he planned to stand for re-election in 2019.  After all, it was about a year away from the next election.  I was wrong.  He did answer, telling me that he had recently spoken to his department heads and revealed to them (and me) his intention to run for a second full term (he served an extra year as the town of Fishers transitioned to a city).

Today, Scott Fadness made it official, issuing a news release announcing his intention to run for another term as Fishers’ Mayor.

“It’s rewarding to see what we’ve accomplished as a city. Collaboration with business, nonprofit, community and neighborhood leaders has made Fishers strong,” the incumbent mayor said in a news release.  “Being named the ‘Best Place to Live in America’ reflects the thoughtful planning and hard work we have undertaken.”

Fadness cites his accomplishments in economic development, quality of life, infrastructure and technology.  Since taking office in 2015, the mayor cites data showing more than 4,500 new jobs have been created in the city and Fishers has attracted $330 million in new private investment.

“As long as we have the courage, energy and entrepreneurial spirit to take what is happening globally – embrace it and adapt – we will continue to be a strong community. When we approach challenges with innovation, we succeed,” said Fadness.

Fadness points to other achievements during his tenure as mayor, including attraction of Ikea, Top Golf, the new downtown amphitheater, the nation’s largest urban farm – Agripark, the recent announcement of the Geist public park project and the upcoming Yard project.

In his re-election campaign announcement, Fadness also emphasized his partnership with schools, health care providers, and community organizations to remove the stigma around mental health issues, raise awareness and prevent suicide. As a result of his efforts, Mayor Fadness received the Government Leader Award from Mental Health America of Indiana (MHAI).

So far, no one has announced an intention to challenge Mayor Fadness in the Republican primary election, set for May of 2019.

A growing city always balances two competing concepts in personnel budget planning – how do you hire the extra employees needed and still fill the need to provide pay raises for those currently on your staff?

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told the City Council Finance Committee Wednesday evening that he tried to do just that in proposing parts of his 2019 city spending plan.  The mayor is proposing that a 3% pay increase be included in the budget for next year.  The 3% raise would also apply to elected city officials.

The mayor is also proposing to add 5 new police officers to the force…with 2 of those 5 to be assigned as resource officers in HSE Schools.  He also wants council members to add 3 new firefighter positions.

The budget blueprint does not increase the health insurance costs for city workers, and continues the city match to employee contributions to the 457 retirement savings plan.

As many road projects reach completion around Fishers, including the Brooks School Road closure in the Geist area, many local residents are asking when the work will be complete in the areas of 106th Street and Eller Road.

City officials say that construction is expected to be finished by the end of the year, with the currently-closed areas around 106th and Eller Road re-opened.  The construction is taking a long time because utility connections are at the heart of this project.

INDOT finished its work on the Brooks School Road Bridge recently, reopening that stretch of the road.  The roundabout at 131st Street and Cumberland Road was open to traffic well before the start of school.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation is gearing-up for one of its biggest fund raising events of the year, the VIP tickets for the annual Mudsock football game with HSE & Fishers High Schools battling it our in a rivalry football game September 7th.  I talked about that event, and many other issues, with the Executive Director of the foundation, Justin Hirnisey.

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) 

Forest Park may be more attractive in the next year or two without the Indiana Transportation Museum rail yard, but everything has its price. Noblesville is losing some of Indiana’s oldest and most famous railroad relics.

Of course, the public never got to fully appreciate a restored display of rail cars and locomotives because the museum never completed its plans for a true outdoor museum of railroading. There was never enough money.

After more than 40 years, city officials grew tired of the unfinished and “junky” looking site that the museum leased in Forest Park. Last month the rail cars and equipment began a slow exodus from the park after a court ordered their removal.

Through the years, museum personnel did provide a popular Fair Train and some other excursion trains on the Nickel Plate tracks which run the length of Hamilton County. But, safety concerns put an end to that more than a year ago. The museum has now moved its operation to Logansport.

On the brighter side, the new Nickel Plate Express, with funding assistance from the county tourism bureau, is set to begin operations in mid to late September. Newly purchased passenger cars, a dining car and two locomotives will run on the rail line. A traditional caboose will ultimately be added. Nickel Plate Express has not attempted to purchase any of the museum’s pieces.

In the beginning, the new train will run only from 206th Street to Atlanta because of the condition of the rail bed south of 206th, according to Nickel Plate director Toni Dickover.

Eventually, the excursion train will run from Noblesville, possibly as far north as Tipton. It will not be able to offer a Fair Train because the railroad south of Noblesville is planned to become a walking and biking trail similar to the Monon Trail. But, other popular rides on the Santa Train and Pumpkin Patch will be seasonal opportunities for youngsters.

The collection of vintage museum rail stock is being scattered. The century-old steam engine 587 is being renovated in Kentucky. It may go to Logansport when it is returned to service, according to some reports.

The historic Flagler Car, built for industrialist Henry Flagler, has been sold to a private buyer. One report indicates it may go to the Monon museum at Monon, Ind., but that is not confirmed. Flagler is credited with creating a tourist mecca of Miami, Fla., in the 1920s by building a rail line to South Florida.

And, no one seems to know what has become of the restored interurban car known as the ‘City of Noblesville.’ It was restored about 1970 for use as the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce office and was located along North 8th Street near the city water plant before going to Forest Park.

National Night Out is a yearly event to remind citizens to be aware of how they can avoid being crime victims, and it is a chance for local police officers to mingle with the public.  That’s what happened in Fishers Tuesday night as the Night Out was observed at tow locations, Holland Park and Brooks School Park.

Below you will find some pictures from the 2018 local version of National Night Out:

Continue reading National Night Out In Fishers →