Hamilton County Reporter

A thank you note from Carmel Council Candidate Adam Aasen to Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard that was posted on social media has created not only a social media stir, but also a police investigation.

The note was originally reported to have been taken from Brainard’s trash, possibly on private property.

A photo of the note was originally posted on social media by Rick Smith, Noblesville.

In a conversation with Reporter Publisher Jeff Jellison, Smith said his social media post stating, “Well, it was all on the down low. After hearing Adam Declared Allegiance to the Mayor I staked out the Mayors trash. It took two weeks of searching but I knew sooner or later I would find it,” was sarcasm and not meant to be taken seriously.

Carmel Clerk Treasurer Christine Pauley told The Reporter she originally found the note in a small public trash can, then passed it along to someone else. She said she does not know how it came to be photographed and posted by Smith.

Pauley said the note was in a public trash can on city property, not on private property as has been alleged.

Carmel Police choose not to comment about an ongoing investigation.