2019 has been a very busy news year in Fishers. In my nine years of news blogging locally, I believe I can say that was true for each and every year.
It is once again time to go back through the news stories of 2019 and try to find my Top 20 list. Most news organizations have many meetings and tons of heated arguments for any top news story list. For me, writing this blog alone, I can only have a debate within my own mind.
So, I’ve finally settled on a list. Just so you know, there were several news stories that just barely missed. Among them include Governor Holcomb choosing to announce his anti-vaping policy at Fishers High School, Bob McCutcheon’s resignation from his city post after many years of attracting acts to the city Amphitheater, the debate over creating a Geist Lake Conservation District, the creation of the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission, and the agreement between city officials and MetroNet on how to move forward with installing fiber cables in local neighborhoods.
Here is my listing of the top news stories for Fishers during 2019, from number 20 to the most important (in my view) as number 1.
20) Arrests for Amphitheater American flag fire A pair of 18-year-olds were arrested in connection with a fire set on an American Flag that had been placed on the wall of the city Amphitheater stage, the day after the 4th of July.
19) Mike Bottorff resigns from the HSE School Board Bottorff was the school board president at the time, but in a message to his fellow board members, cited family reasons for his decision to step down in late May. Clint Wilson was selected by the board to fill-in the remainder of Bottorff’s school board term.
18) HSE Schools install solar projects Bob Rice is in charge of this program, which is already powering schools and more are scheduled to be added.
17) Jeff Hill leaves the city, Jason Taylor assumes the job With the large number of projects underway on Fishers streets and roads, the person directing the city engineering department is a key individual. With the State Road 37 project getting underway in earnest during 2020, Jason Taylor, formerly the assistant to the director of engineering, assumed that post during 2019. Hill left the city for a private sector opportunity.
16) Mike Reuter retires Mr. Reuter has been at the financial helm of the local HSE School District for about 25 years. He will continue to contract with HSE Schools for financial services.
15) Fishers men indicted on firearms charges This story received a lot of attention locally and regionally because the U.S. Attorney’s office alleges the two men were conspiring to sell weapons to ISIS.
14) HSE Schools explore flipping start times School Superintendent Allen Bourff has been discussing the possibility of having elementary students start school earlier and secondary students reporting later. This is the result of medical studies showing older students need more sleep. The community meeting held to gather comments found a number of parents opposed to the change, but some voiced support. School administrators plan to have a recommendation for the school board early in 2020.
13) The Fishers Police Department begins deployment of body cams Officers are being equipped to record themselves while on duty. A civilian employee is included in the 2020 budget to manage the program and the massive amount of video recordings.
12) HSE School Board issues an apology to the local community The board said it has not upheld the school corporation’s normally strong reputation within the local community and around the state. Acting board President Sylvia Shepler’s statement on behalf of the entire board acknowledges. “…it appears our actions have further divided and brought unnecessary criticisms from the media, our community, our staff and our students. On behalf of the board, I want to apologize.” The statement was issued in June.
11) Fishers City Clerk investigation An outside law firm was hired by the city council to probe allegations of civil rights law violations against City Clerk Jennifer Kehl. The investigation found no law violations, but did say there were “management issues” with Ms. Kehl, and the city has taken all duties away from the clerk that are not specified in state law. The report itself has never been released publicly. Jennifer Kehl denies all allegations of wrongdoing and/or management issues.
10) The Yard & Fishers District begin to open Slowly but surely, restaurants and other businesses in The Yard and Fishers District development are beginning to open for business.
9) Rick Wimmer retires from coaching The Fishers High School football coach started the program as the school first opened. He won a state championship during his tenure. Coach Wimmer will remain a physical education teacher at Fishers High School. His replacement has not been hired yet.
8) Todd Huston named Indiana House Speaker-Elect It was announced that the member of the Indiana House representing Fishers will be the Speaker of House after the 2020 legislative session, replacing the retiring Speaker Brian Bosma. Leah McGrath, leaving as Fishers Deputy Mayor, plans to run for the Bosma open seat in the 2020 election cycle.
7) State Road 37 Project moves forward The construction crews are hard at work with reconstructing the east-west intersections with State Road 37 in Fishers. The first interchange to be built will be 126th Street, and the major construction activity is set to start in March, 2020.
6) Reynolds Christmas light display donated to Conner Prairie The family owning Reynolds Farm Equipment announced last July they would be donating their locally-popular Christmas light display to Conner Prairie. Reynolds had offered the free display on their property for many years, but with continuing development in that area and construction nearby on State Road 37 underway, the family decided to donate the light display to Conner Prairie, which made it part of their Christmas program.
5) Hamilton County enacts 911 tax An income tax increase of one-tenth of one-percent will be levied on all Hamilton County residents following the approval of the tax by the sufficient number of municipalities in the county satisfying state law. The money will be used to pay for 911 emergency services.
4) $160 million development along 116th Street downtown Preliminary work is already underway for a large development along 116th Street in downtown Fishers, near the municipal complex. First Internet Bank will be moving its headquarters there, and Browning investments will be building commercial, residential and hotel facilities.
3) Nickel Plate rail tracks removed, making way for the trail After much planning and controversy, the railroad tracks along the Nickel Plate were mostly removed, making way for the construction of the Nickel Plate Trail.
2) HSE Schools enact a nondiscrimination policy This policy update had been stuck in a policy committee for over three years, but when it finally emerged, there was much controversy over whether to name protected classes of students, such as those transgender. The first reading left the named classed out, but a group of local citizens calling themselves HSEqual organized and worked to change school board members’ minds. The second and final reading saw the passage of an amendment including protected classes of students from discrimination.
1) Local city elections The Republican primary election for city officials in Fishers saw no surprises, with incumbent Mayor Scott Fadness defeating challenger Logan Day by a wide margin. City Clerk Jennifer Kehl and some incumbent members of the city council won nominations over challengers. In the general election, history was made as two Democrats won seats on the Fishers City Council, Jocelyn Vare and Samantha DeLong. Losing their council seats were Republicans Rich Block and Eric Moeller.
So, that’s my list. Feel free to disagree, argue or take issue with this listing to your heart’s content, because this is my list and my list alone, no one else put it together.
But, allow me to wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2020!