After serving under Planning & Zoning Director Megan Vukusich as her assistant, Ross Hilleary has moved up to the Director’s chair with Megan’s departure.

According to a city news release, Hilleary’s responsibilities will include leading the day-to-day operations and implementation and special initiatives for long-range planning of the city’s parks, trails and greenways efforts and Unified Development Ordinance update.

“Ross has been instrumental in the success of our Planning & Zoning Department, and his efforts are crucial to elevating the quality of life in Fishers,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “I’m excited to collaborate with him as we continue investing in our community.

Hilleary will continue to lead the team in their efforts to identify gaps and priorities in the City’s trail network and potential funding sources; streamline and update the department’s review processes; educate the public and development community on land use and zoning regulations; and gather local data to assist policy makers and community officials in making informed decisions regarding the City’s future.

I turned 72 years of age September 3rd.  On September 13th, I began to feel my age.

The day started upon arrival at the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District Administration Building on Cumberland Road just before 6:30am.  Local television news crews were already on the scene, many doing live stand-up pieces for their morning news broadcasts.

Monday morning, the district placed a notice on its Web site that there would be a special meeting Wednesday morning at 7am.  The school board has a habit of scheduling work sessions at 7:30am which do not include actions.  This 7am session included action items “to be determined.”  That was very unusual.

Just after 5pm on September 12, the online posting from school officials listed the agenda items.  The board would accept the resignation of Dr. Yvonne Stokes and approve her separation agreement.  Dr. Matt Kegley would be named interim superintendent and paid a  stipend to take on the added responsibility until a new permanent superintendent is chosen.  The board provided no indication of when the search process would begin to replace Dr. Stokes or how it would be conducted.

I was at that event and its aftermath for a while Wednesday morning, went to  my home office to write the first story about it, then changed clothes to attend the State of the City Address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.  Then, I went back home to write that story.

There was a City Council Budget & Finance Committee meeting that evening.  It was at that session I began to feel the weight of a busy news day.  I will be writing about the 2023 Fishers city budget later, but allow me to express a few thoughts about our local school district.

As a resident of Fishers for 32 years, I have seen many changes in this place I have called home for so long.  The 1990 census put the population of the Town of Fishers at 7,508.  The 2020 census showed a population for the City of Fishers as just under 100,000.  Fishers has become a much larger and much more diverse place compared to the Fishers I experienced in 1991.  In general, that’s a good thing.

When Dr. Stokes was hired as the local school superintendent in April of 2021 as the first African-American to hold that position, I saw that as a step forward in the maturation of Fishers as a community.  I had a cordial relationship with Dr. Stokes.  She appeared on my podcast series several times and we spoke a few times during her tenure running the HSE Schools.

Any superintendent will make friends and enemies.  Superintendents are decision-makers and some people will like those decisions, and others will not.  I have never encountered a universally-loved superintendent.

One of the biggest remaining questions about Dr. Stokes’ resignation is whether this was genuinely voluntary or was this a “forced resignation,” as community member Stephanie Hunt argued during public comment at the Wednesday board meeting.  Board President Dawn Lang would not answer this question I posed at the post-meeting news conference – was Dr. Stokes told by the board her contract, which runs through the end of June 2024, would not be renewed?  When Indianapolis Star reporter Rachel Fradette asked the same question during her interview with Lang, the board president once again would not answer the question.

Reporter Fradette, in her IndyStar story, wrote that under Indiana state law, the board is not required to disclose such communications between the board and a superintendent.

Having lived in this community for a long time, I speak to many people and many choose to speak with me.  There is no way to officially confirm this, but more than one person in a position to know have told me Dr. Stokes was, in fact, informed by a majority of the current school board her contract would not be renewed.

Was her resignation forced?  There is no way to know that so members of the local community will need to reach their own conclusions.

Was race a factor in all this?  Dawn Lang was adamant in speaking with the media after the meeting, insisting race had nothing to do with this and she and the board have nothing but general praise for the former superintendent. Dr. Stokes co-wrote a statement with Lang which was very positive in tone.

However, Dr. Stokes chose not to appear at the Wednesday morning board meeting.  That says more than any words could express.

Dr. Stokes will receive her full pay through the length of her remaining contract and will retain several benefits through the end of June next year.  She and the board entered into a nondisclosure pact and promise not to sue each other over any of this.

I was out of the meeting room for a time after the session ended, so I only was able to see a part of the impassioned remarks of a local African-American woman, identified by the IndyStar as Norma Johnson.  The 77-year-old made her point clear to the assembled media – she is convinced race was the reason for Dr. Stokes resignation and race was the reason, in Ms. Johnson’s view, Dr. Stokes never was given a fair shake by the current school board.

In Stephanie Hunt’s remarks before the board Wednesday, she said she was speaking on behalf of Black educators at HSE Schools, whom Hunt claims cannot speak out themselves due to “fear of retaliation.”

I do believe there is something positive to say about Wednesday’s board meeting, and that is the designation of Matt Kegley as the interim superintendent.  When I asked Dr. Kegley what his first priority will be in this new role, he raised the issue of the school funding referendum, which will be on the November ballot.  He knows the passage of this referendum is crucial to the future of the HSE School District.

Matt Kegley has a long association with the HSE Schools and will be a person capable of trying to bring stability to the states’ 4th-largest school district, something local teachers’ union President Abby Taylor told the board is badly needed at this time.  Dr. Kegley left open the possibility he could put his hat in the ring for the permanent job once the board decides how to proceed on Dr. Stokes’ replacement.

As Fishers continues to become a more diverse community, what the school board does, and how the local community reacts, will tell us all a lot about where Fishers is headed in the future.  As a local volunteer journalist, I will be watching, even at the age of 72.

Some years Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness uses the occasion of his State of the City Address to make big announcements, other years he likes to just highlight what is happening in city government.  In 2023, the mayor invited three of his department heads – Public Health Director Monica Heltz, Fire & Emergency Services Chief Steve Orusa and Police Chief Ed Gebhart, up to his State of the City stage.

Chief Gebhart focused on technology and how his department has a DNA lab used for identifying illegal weapons and getting them off the streets.  He also talked about how his Internet Crime Unit identifies those preying on children through technology.

Chief Orusa explained why his department has a paramedic assigned to each engine to assist quickly if needed.  Heat attacks, he said, need attention quickly, the sooner the better.

Director Heltz explained how her department uses data from 911 calls to identify how her staff can help prevent such emergencies before they happen.  She also discussed the food inspection program and how she works with business owners and managers of restaurants to educate them if there are problems with the inspection results and get the operation up to standards.

Orusa and Gebhart also talked about how their staff copes when dealing with difficult situations all during a shift and how their respective departments strive take care of both the physical and mental health of those on the front lines.

The mayor raised the issue of social isolation.  The panel agreed it is a good idea to keep an eye on neighbors in need of help.  The mayor told the story of a neighborhood complaining that a deck was not being kept-up properly, and when city staff knocked on the door, they found a man nearly dying of malnutrition and very dirty, with no one else living in the home. The bottom line message – look out for your neighbors.

This year’s State of the City address was held at a One Zone Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the Forum Conference Center, before a sellout crowd.

When Dr. Yvonne Stokes was hired as Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Superintendent in April of 2021, the school district made history by hiring its first African-American superintendent.  On September 13, 2023, the school board made history again, this time by accepting the resignation and separation agreement of Dr. Yvonne Stokes, the district’s first African-American superintendent.

The board, and attorney Chris Greisl, portrayed the separation as a mutual agreement.  Public speakers at the meeting described the situation as forced resignation.

Dr. Stokes will receive her full pay for the remainder of her contract, which runs through the end of June, 2024.  She will also be compensated for unused leave time, will have an annuity contribution as in her contract and will receive health insurance coverage for the remainder of her contract unless eligible to participate in a health care plan before that date.  Attorney Greisl said he and an attorney representing Dr. Stokes began talks on the separation agreement two weeks ago.

The board posted a notice Monday morning of a meeting to be held September 13 at 7:00am with no details on agenda items.  The agenda details were not revealed until just after 5:00PM September 12.

Interim Superintendent Matt Kegley will receive a stipend while serving in that capacity.  He told LarryInFishers he is open to being considered for the permanent Superintendent position, but the board has not indicated how it will move forward in selecting Dr. Stokes’ permanent replacement.

Board President Lang, in meeting with reporters following the board session , strongly denied race had anything to do with Dr. Stokes resignation and separation agreement.  Members of the public speaking to the media following the meeting had a very different view, asserting that race was involved in this decision.

In her opening statement Lang said “change is never easy,” and says she and the board will move forward to “strengthen and unite Hamilton Southeastern.”

Hamilton Southeastern Education Association President Abby Taylor expressed her concern about how the decision was handled, particularly the 7am start time not allowing teachers to be present for a decision impacting their work life.  She also criticized the board for creating rumors and speculation that creates distrust of the board and is not helping when a “desperately needed” referendum is on the November ballot.  Teachers, Taylor said, are looking for stability, yet their voices continue to be suppressed.

The motion to accept Dr. Stokes’ resignation and separation agreement was passed unanimously, with Sarah Donsbach and Sarah Parks-Reese saying they voted yes only out of respect for Dr. Stokes.

There is much more to report on this story and I will be writing more as time goes on.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the Hamilton Southeastern School Board posted the agenda items for the 7am Wednesday meeting, and it indicates votes to accept the resignation of Dr. Yvonne Stokes, the superintendent, and approve her separation agreement.  Dr. Stokes’ contract runs through this school year.

It appears a contract for the current Assistant Superintendent, Matt Kegley, will also be on the agenda, possibly for his assumption of the superintendent position.

No more details are available at this time.  There will be an update here after Wednesday morning’s meeting.

Verizon initially was eager to construct 5G towers around the City of Fishers and many are in operation.  However, in recent months and years, Verizon has stopped construction of these towers.  Once right-of-way is granted for the towers, Verizon has two years to at least begin construction.  At Tuesday morning’s Board of Works and Safety meeting, Tami Houston, Assistant Engineer for the city, told the board seven such tower rights-of-way have had the two-year period expire, leading to the board vote revoking those rights-of-way.  Houston told Mayor Scott Fadness there are about 80 such rights-of-way set to expire in the future if Verizon chooses not to construct towers at those locations, with 30-35 such grants expiring soon.  Verizon has not commented on why it has chosen to stop constructing 5G towers in Fishers.

In other matters before the board:

–The board voted to  expand the current 25 mph speed limit on 116th St from Commercial Drive further to the west to Holland Drive. Currently it is from Commercial Drive to Fishers Point Blvd.

–Janitorial services for the city will continue with Kleenit Group following a contract extension going through 2026.  The contract cost will remain the same at $585,000, with  reduction in services in areas such as the frequency of vacuum cleaning carpet and trash removal.  Once the new City Hall and Arts complex opens, there will be a 3% increase in the cost in 2026 and again in 2026 to handle cleaning at that facility.

–The aforementioned Tami Houston was recognized by the Board and Director of Engineering Hatem Mekky for her 15 years of service to Fishers.

Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is a local political commentator, ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Indianapolis and writes a subscription-based newsletter called the Cheat Sheet.

In a recent Cheat Sheet, Shabazz claims he had heard Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness was a finalist to replace outgoing Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar, but decided to take his name out of consideration.

So, was our current Mayor of Fishers in the mix to become the state’s Chamber President?

“It was an incredible opportunity and I was flattered to be considered but I have more I want to accomplish here in Fishers before I consider leaving,” Fadness wrote in a statement to LarryInFishers.

Scott Fadness was unopposed in the Republican primary this year and is also unopposed in the November general election for another fourt-year term as Mayor of Fishers.

The Hamilton County League of Women Voters wants to educate local citizens on what it takes to cast a ballot in the upcoming local elections.  The League plans 5 voter forums throughout the county.  The event in Fishers is set for Saturday, September 23, 3pm, at the Hamilton East Library on Municipal Drive.

Below is the full news release from the League of Women Voters:

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The League of Women Voters of Hamilton County will host several voter forums this fall to explain the voting process, from finding your voting location to ensuring that you are registered to learning the requirements for early voting.

Area libraries will host the sessions, which are free and open to the public. Members of the league will present basic procedures, introduce voter resources and answer questions.

“We’ve heard from our members who work the polls that some voters find the process intimidating, especially if they’re new voters or have moved to Indiana from a state with different voting practices,” said LWVHC president Lisa Dick.

Indiana processes have changed a bit, too, another reason the local league devised these sessions to help voters, she said. For example, some changes to the process of applying for an absentee ballot are new this voting season.

Sessions will cover registration, such as when and how to register, age limits and deadlines, and ways to access information about candidates. Members will demonstrate how to use the Indiana Voters Portal, where users can complete a variety of tasks, and will introduce Vote411, the league’s website that features candidates’ statements and positions.

The Voter Forums schedule so far is:

6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, Westfield Washington Public Library, 300 W. Hoover Road, Westfield;

6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, Hamilton East Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, Noblesville;

3 pm. Saturday, Sept. 23, Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Dr., Fishers;

6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel;

6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, Sheridan Public Library, 103 W. First St., Sheridan.

While the league has focused on candidate forums in the past, Dick said the voter forums are a way to engage directly with voters about the election process. She met with Hamilton County election officials this summer to learn how the league could help.

“They encouraged us to promote doing everything early — registration, applying for absentee ballots if necessary, and voting early,” Dick said. “But as we hear from poll workers and from voters when we are out in the community, people have a lot of questions.”

The league will continue to gather candidate surveys for its Vote411.org guide, which allows users to plug in their addresses to see all the information they need about their precincts and voting locations. They also may read about candidates running in their areas who completed the survey.

“Vote411.org remains a critical tool for voters, with resources all in one place, tailored for each individual,” Dick said. “Coupled with these voter forums, young voters, new voters and anyone who wants to better understand the steps involved in this basic right of citizenship will have all the information they need.”

The League of Women Voters, formed in 1920, is a nonpartisan organization that encourages participation in government and works to increase understanding of public policy issues

After Jane & I returned from a trip to New York City in June of 2019, we had seen 2 Broadway plays, visited a jazz club, saw the Museum of Modern Art and taken a day-long tour of the city.  When I asked Jane what she remembered most about our time there, she didn’t hesitate -it was the 9/11 Memorial.

All I can say was the Memorial perfectly honored those losing their lives that day.  It was a moving experience.

I was preparing to teach the most complex course we had for people working in a federal agency when 9/11 happened.  We watched our televisions, saw what the attacks and were promptly ordered to close our office,  Not knowing what might come next that day, all federal agencies closed at mid-day on 9/11.

We should never forget that day.  We should remember how we pulled together as Americans.  You can argue about whether our government made the correct decisions following 9/11, but as a nation, there was a spirit we were all in this together.

I have heard and read many national commentators ask this question – If 9/11 happened in 2023, would we unite as a nation once again?  That is a question we should all ask ourselves.

The Fishers City Council will be holding a public hearing on the $164 million 2024 spending proposal from the mayor September 18.  The Council’s Finance Committee heard from city department heads Monday morning to answer questions on their budget proposals for next year.

Here are some takeaways from what was discussed by all the departments answering questions from the committee:

Police

Chief Ed Gebhart says the FLOCK vehicle license plate reading system is “installed and awesome.”  He expects to partner with Indianapolis Police on some FLOCK cameras along 96th Street.  The chief also said he has no unfilled sworn officer position at the moment and has about 150 applications waiting for an opening, with at least one officer retirement coming soon.

Fire & Emergency Services

Chief Steve Orusa was asked about handling multi-story structure emergencies with more multi-story buildings being constructed in Fishers, and he responded that it does factor into firefighter safety.  However, his department is fully staffed and asking for personnel to fill-in when regular staff is away for training, physical training or other time off.  A new ladder truck int the budget will also help in fighting multi-story emergencies, along with full staffing, per the chief.

Department of Public Works 

Director Eric Pethtel explained plans to ramp-up the sidewalk replacement program.  He also answered questions on landscaping the city’s medians, reducing the danger to city workers needing to cut grass on those medians.  The new landscaping will not require grass cutting.

Health Department

Public Health Director Monica Heltz answered questions on a number of subjects, including vaccinations, mental health programs, blood testing and the fact that the Fishers City Health Department has a lower tax rate than those served by the Hamilton County Health Department.

Engineering

New Director of the Engineering Department, Hatem Mekky, addressed a number of issues, including the interchange of 141st Street and State Road 37.  Bids will be received in April of 2024.  Funding for the city’s share of that project will come from cash reserves, debt, or a combination of both.  Mekky also said a list of neighborhood streets slated for resurfacing in 2024 should be available in November/December of this year.