I spent the last few days out of town seeing relatives, many I had not seen in quite a while.  It was a great time.

However, that meant I had to be away for the Spark Fishers Festival.  Since moving to Fishers, I have missed very few summer festivals, whether it is called the Fishers Freedom Festival or Spark Fishers.  2019 was a year missed.

But I am certain a good time was had by all.

One item that broke after I left town Friday had to do with the legal fees owed to the City of Fishers by the group called Save the Nickel Plate.  You may recall that back in April,  Hamilton Superior Court Judge David Najar dismissed legal actions filed by Save the Nickel Plate against the City of Fishers and awarded the city legal fees.  The judge wrote that Save the Nickel Plate’s legal actions were “frivolous and groundless.”

In a news release issued Friday, Fishers said the legal firm representing Save the Nickel Plate in this case, Brattain Minnix and Garcia, has provided notice to the court it will pay the legal fees in the amount of $72,367.50.

“The City of Fishers is glad to see the burden of these frivolous and baseless lawsuits will not be held by the taxpayers of Fishers but instead by the representatives of Save the Nickel Plate and their legal counsel,” said Ashley Elrod, public relations director for the City of Fishers. “This reaffirms the lack of legitimacy of the lawsuits and claims made by Save the Nickel Plate.”

In yet another matter, Clint Wilson was selected by members of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board June 26th.  He is scheduled to take the oath of office and assume his board seat at the July 10th regular board meeting.  Wilson will fill in the remaining term of Michael Bottorff, who resigned from the board in late May citing personal reasons.  The term runs through the end of calendar year 2020 and will be up for election in November, 2020.

I am scheduled to interview Mr. Wilson this week for a podcast, so watch for that in the coming days.

Another busy time on the roadways in and around Fishers for the work week starting Monday, July 1.  Also be aware of road closures related to the Spark Fishers Festival June 29th.

Here is the full and lengthy list of projects,  as provided by the City of Fishers:

=====================

by

Stu Clampitt

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County held a ribbon cutting for its expansion of the county’s current jail Friday morning.

The $13.5 million project added over 100 beds and allows for future expansions as needed. The jail was built 25 years ago to hold 296 inmates. It currently holds nearly 400 inmates.

“We are adding 126 beds in this facility,” Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush told The Reporter. “As of today, we have a little over 400 inmates. This will put us at a 537-bed capacity. We have the ability to add capacity in the future if we need to, but there are no current plans to in the works.”

A change in state law in 2016 added to the county’s woes. House Bill 1006 requires lower-level felons to serve their terms in county jails rather than state prisons.

Quakenbush said there are multiple reasons this project, which was begun under Sheriff Mark Bowen, was necessary.

“The two primary factors are the exploding growth and success of Hamilton County – the number of people coming here over the last 20 years – and those prisoners who would be housed at the state level, due to House Bill 1006, are now being housed here in our facility,” Quakenbush said.

While 537 beds may sound like a large number, relative to other parts of Indiana, that is a low number. Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said he is proud of how small the county jail is, relative to the population of Hamilton County.

“For a county of this size the inmate population is very low,” Heirbrandt told The Reporter. “When I travel all 92 counties throughout the state for my regular job, I look at the size of this jail, which was at 296 beds before the expansion. Having a population of almost 300k – that’s efficiency at its best!”

Heirbrandt and Bowen both credit collaboration between various agencies as key to keeping crime low in the community.

“I think a lot of it is the collaboration between the commissioners, the Sheriff’s Office, the prosecutor and the judges all working together to make this happen,” Heirbrandt said.

“The probation department and community corrections obviously play a big part in that,” Bowen said. “Hamilton County is blessed to be able to have a good working relationship with all of those entities to try to do the right thing and make sure we are serving folks’ needs and taking care of the underlying issues that need to be dealt with when it comes to making sure we are getting them on the right track and getting them the help that they need to try to prevent them from having to go to jail.”

When asked about the challenges law enforcement faces in keeping the crime rate, and thus the inmate population so low, Bowen pointed to the secondary effects of the drug problem.

“For Hamilton County, like most counties across the state it is theft and burglary,” Bowen said. “Often what we are seeing is the systemic issue with the opioid and drug epidemic. People are stealing from each other in order to support the habits.”

Heirbrandt said another part of the low crime rate is found in Hamilton County’s focus on rehabilitation.

“We do a really good job of identifying some of the inmates who get in here who, even if they go through community corrections, need help with job placement,” Heirbrandt said. “Some lose their jobs because of this [incarceration]. We work with them and try to get them back into society.”

The jail expansion includes five cell pods with 38 prefabricated steel cells consisting of two and four-man cells. The expansion also includes an interior recreation area, classroom and medical support area. Existing space within the old jail will be designed to accommodate dining space for community corrections participants. Construction began in April 2018. Inmates will be moved to the new facility on July 8.

The jail expansion is powered by the solar project.

by

Jeff Jellison

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham remains quiet on a State Police investigation into the County Treasurer’s Office.

Buckingham

The Treasurer’s Office was the focus of an investigation, requested by Hamilton County Commissioners in December, after a former employee alleged penalties were waived for late tax payments made by family members of the Treasurer’s Office.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham has refused comment on the investigation.

In April, Buckingham stated it was his policy not to comment on an investigation.

This week when asked about the status of the investigation, Buckingham again replied, “No comment.”

Reports have surfaced that Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton has been assigned as Special Prosecutor to the case by Hamilton County Judge Paul Felix. Buckingham did not respond to a request to confirm Eaton’s assignment.

Dillinger

“I trust Lee Buckingham, but this is becoming frustrating,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger.

Dillinger expressed his frustration stating, “We may need to make some changes in the Treasurer’s Office, but until the investigation is concluded we can’t.”

Dillinger told The Reporter earlier this year the Treasurer’s Office was in “upheaval,” and surveillance cameras have been installed to help monitor the handling of cash.

Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said, “This has went on longer than expected. I would have thought we would have some information from the Prosecutor’s Office by now. Hopefully, we will see something soon and be able to put any concerns to rest.”

Heirbrandt

Former Treasurer’s Office employee Susan Byer has filed a lawsuit against the county. Byer’s suit alleges she was unjustly terminated, and the action was in retaliation for the confrontation with Kim Good over Good posting family members’ payments as on time when they were in fact late.

Commissioners have described Byer as a “disgruntled employee.”

A jury trial for Byer’s civil suit is scheduled for April 27, 2020.

Hamilton County Reporter

Noblesville officials and construction crew members from United Construction Services and Butler, Fairman & Seufert, Inc. gathered on Greenfield Avenue for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the new roundabout at Howe Road. Striping of the road was completed Wednesday and reopened to traffic for evening commutes.

The newly-constructed project was selected by the Noblesville Engineering Department due to concerns with vehicle delays and safety. In order to create a safer and more efficient intersection, a roundabout was chosen.

“This roundabout provides a more efficient connection with Howe Road and 146th Street and adds a traffic calming effect on Greenfield Avenue,” said Assistant City Engineer Jim Hellmann.

INDOT selected United Construction Services to construct the roundabout, which cost $847,117.10. The project was funded through a federal grant with the City of Noblesville’s match of 20 percent ($169,423.42).

This is the third consecutive year the city has made improvements to Greenfield Avenue. Last year, Greenfield Avenue from State Road 37 to Boden Road was resurfaced using a Community Crossing Grant, which was funded evenly by the city and state. In 2017, the city resurfaced Greenfield Avenue west of 16th Street and constructed the roundabout at 10th Street.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Our annual quiz to allow the reader to see how well he or she is informed on local news events and history is the subject of today’s column. It’s a little tougher than last year’s quiz, but all the correct answers have appeared in Reporter stories.

Answers can be found below, following the questions.

1. Who was the most recent U.S. president to visit Hamilton County?
2. In what year were both Noblesville and Hamilton County established?
3. A dam on what county waterway created Morse Reservoir?
4. Hamilton County has four mayors. Can you name them?
5. For what is Norman Norell famous?
6. How many incorporated cities and towns are located in Hamilton County?
7. Can you name the nine high schools in Hamilton County?
8. Who is the longest serving elected official in Hamilton County?
9. Hamilton County has among the largest number of Carnegie libraries. Can you name them?
10. How many members of the U.S. Congress have lived in Hamilton County?

Continue reading Fred Swift’s annual quiz →

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County officials will hold a ribbon cutting for the expansion of the current jail at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28. The $13.5 million project will add 120 beds to the facility.

The initial phase of the jail expansion features five cell pods with 38 prefabricated steel cells consisting of two- and four-man cells. The expansion will also include an interior recreation area, classroom and medical support area. A second phase of the project could add additional beds.

The Sheriff’s Department is expected to move inmates into the new facility in early July.

The public is invited to tour the new expansion as well as the current facility. On Friday, June 28, “Slumber in the Slammer 2.0” takes place with a guided tour and more from 6 to 10 p.m., with financial donations accepted. Activities continue on Saturday, June 29 with guided tours taking place at 9 and 11:30 a.m.

Reservations are required and a $5 per person charge is required with proceeds benefiting the Chaplain’s Division. Click here to sign up for either event.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Another year, another Hoosier Crossroads Conference All-Sports championship for Hamilton Southeastern.

The Royals won the All-Sports Award for the 2018-19 school year, in addition to a sweep of the Boys Sports and Girls Sports championships. Southeastern totaled seven conference titles during the season, winning in baseball, girls basketball, boys golf, girls soccer, boys swimming, girls track and field and volleyball (tied with Avon).

Fishers finished the season with three HCC titles, in boys cross country, girls swimming and boys tennis. Noblesville won the conference championship in girls cross country.

The HCC also announced the All-Conference teams for baseball and softball. The lists are as follows

SOFTBALL
Team Standings
Brownsburg 7-0, Avon 5-2, Fishers 5-2, Franklin Central 4-3, Hamilton Southeastern 3-4, Noblesville 3-4, Zionsville 1-6, Westfield 0-7.

First Team
Avon: Hayden Batton, Zoe Frossard, Nicole Large.
Brownsburg: Mackenzie Bedrick, Anna Carroll, Kelsey Endress, Marah Wood.
Fishers: Brooke Benson, Courtney James, Hannah Mays.
Franklin Central: Macee Roberts, Maddie Weaver.
Hamilton Southeastern: Nicole Lang, Abby Taylor.
Noblesville: Chloe Tragesser, Ella White.
Westfield: Avery Parker.
Zionsville: Lucy Garrett.
Honorable Mention
Avon: Madyson Day, Makaela Penning.
Brownsburg: Maicey Bedrick, Sydney Rodeghier.
Fishers: Caroline Bernhardt, Olivia Latimer.
Franklin Central: Raigan LeMar, Josie Newman.
Hamilton Southeastern: Ava Aguilar, Kaelin Wincek.
Noblesville: Julia Furiak, Emily Minett.
Westfield: Reghan Oland.
Zionsville: Callie Rheinheimer.
Coach of the Year: Keith Brown, Brownsburg.

BASEBALL
Team Standings
Hamilton Southeastern 10-4, Noblesville 8-6, Westfield 8-6, Zionsville 7-7, Fishers 7-7, Avon 6-8, Brownsburg 6-8, Franklin Central 4-10.

First Team
Avon: Austin Baugh, Cam Melvin.
Brownsburg: Kerrington Cross, Parker Gryskevich
Fishers: Kyle Brenczewski, Nick Lukac
Franklin Central: Matt Hall
Hamilton Southeastern: Cole DeWael, Michael Dillon, Greyson Droste, Tyler Schweitzer.
Noblesville: Cooper Miles, Cade Nelis, DJ Owens.
Westfield: Trey Anderson, Parker Bard, Bryce Dorton.
Zionsville: Justin Castettes, Jack Firestone.

Honorable Mention
Avon: Lucas Carrillo.
Brownsburg: Travis Bevington.
Fishers: Tristan Baker, Jon Vore.
Franklin Central: Cade Fitzpatrick.
Hamilton Southeastern: Jack DeWolf, Anthony Eggers.
Noblesville: Ethan Imel, Brady Walden.
Westfield: Zach Collins, Kyle Pepiot.
Zionsville: Cole Connor, Colin Price.
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Sassanella, Hamilton Southeastern

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board appointed Clint Wilson Wednesday night to fill the remaining term of Mike Bottorf, through December 31, 2020.  Wilson was approved by a vote of 5-0.

Board member Janet Pritchett chose to abstain, saying she has nothing against Wilson, but abstained out of “principle.”  After the board meeting, Pritchett chose not elaborate on what she meant by “principle,” but may say more later.

Wilson will be sworn-in as a member of the school board at the July 10th meeting.  Former Board President Bottorff announced his resignation from the board in late May.

There were 24 applications filed to replace Bottorff, and the board named four finalists that were publicly interviewed June 18th.  The other three finalists were Travis Brown, Peter Griffin and Jeff Lantzer.

During his public interview, Wilson told board members he has three children, with two enrolled in HSE Schools.  His family moved to Fishers six years ago.

He is an agent with State Farm Insurance.

Wilson’s involvement as a volunteer for the Youth Mentoring Initiative and participation in the Finance Academy motivated him to seek this board seat, he said during the interview session.  He has observed many of the challenges students face in school these days.

As an insurance agent, Wilson collaborated with other agents to establish programs bringing potential clients into the office to discuss what is needed in each individual case.

Even with the many positive parents in the HSE Schools, Wilson said students face challenges in dealing with social media.  He has found that students learn much differently compared to when Wilson was in school.  He says critical thinking is very important for students to learn.

The board seat Wilson assumes will be up for election in November, 2020.

The Council Connect meeting Wedneday saw its largest crowd since the the sessions began earlier this year, with more than 20 people gathering at the Reserve in the Hamilton Trace complex, a senior citizens residential facility.

Council President Rich Block and Vice President Eric Moeller answered questions from the audience for about 90 minutes.

Transportation and economic development issues took center stage, but one central issue was the lack of an up-to-date printed map of the City of Fishers.  The councilmen promised to look into that.

There were a number of senior citizens on hand and they asked about Fishers stature as a senior-friendly city.  AARP announced in early 2018 the naming of Fishers as Indiana’s first age-friendly city.

One citizen asserted that Fishers motorists’ behavior is not good, with speeding a regular thing along main arteries such as 116th Street .  The councilman pointed to the recent actions standardizing neighborhood speed limits at 25 miles-per-hour.  They promised to raise the speeding on main streets with the police department.

On the transportation issue, the councilmen said the bus running during rush hours between Fishers and downtown Indianapolis several years ago had plenty of ridership when gasoline prices edged up to $4 a gallon, but when prices went down to near $2.50 a gallon ridership declined to the point where the bus operation was cancelled.  The city will continue to study mini-transit operations to navigate within the city if that becomes feasible.

Questions were raised about a developer buying homes just west of the Chatham Tap restaurant along 116th Street, with development possible but none announced at this time.  Councilman Block responded that those homeowners received a very good price when selling those homes, and added all that property in not now within the Fishers city limits.

Another Council Connect session will be scheduled during July or August, with the date, time and place to be named later.