It was March earlier this year when I received one of the highest and most humbling recognitions I have ever had – the Jefferson Award.  These awards are bestowed on people making a difference in their own communities in public service.

I was receiving the award because of my local news blog and local podcast series.  I was told I would be allowed to speak, but with a 2-minute limit.  Being a former radio journalist, I learned how to be brief.

The question swirling around my mind was, what will I say?  The first point was easy, thanking my wife Jane for supporting me in this volunteer endeavor.

Then, I realized why I started the new blog in 2012.  No news organization was providing day-to-day real time coverage of Fishers, the place where I have resided since 1991.  I started the blog to let people know what their town (now city) council was doing, as well as the local school board.

I went from a handful of people reading in the early days to thousands of unique visitors every month.  This continues to amaze me.

It is a lot of work to keep this blog going.  It is a lot of work to schedule, record and post-produce podcasts with all local City Council candidates accepting my invitation to appear.  Why do I do all this?

There are a number of reasons, but it boils down to one major objective – local civic engagement.  My greatest moments of this volunteer work come when I receive a message from someone in Fishers saying that person is now engaged in what’s happening in the news locally, never voted in local elections before, but has now registered and regularly votes in local elections.

When I see or hear comments like that, I have achieved something.

Even with all that, let’s be real.  Our Fishers city elections in the past have had very low voter turnout numbers.  There are a couple of dynamics in this year’s Fishers election that could impact turnout, in a positive or negative way.

First, there is no election for mayor.  Scott Fadness has been unopposed in the primary election and has no opponent in the November general election this year.  No doubt his sizable campaign stash of cash scared a number of would-be challengers away.

Secondly, we have a very important school referendum.  Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools passed a property tax referendum in 2016, but that will expire at the end of 2023.  I have and will continue to write about this referendum as we move closer to election day, but that vote will say a lot about the future of our local school district.

Voting is a civic duty, in my view, and I would hope many eligible voters will cast their ballots in early voting, on election day or through an absentee ballot (if eligible under state law).

In order to vote, you must be registered.  The deadline to register is Tuesday, October 10th.

Not sure whether you are currently registered?  If not, not sure how to register?  It is very easy.  In order to check your voting status, and register online if needed, use this link.

All but one City Council spot in Fishers is contested.  The City Clerk position is also contested in the 2023 general election.

Your local city government and the local school district both have a major impact on your quality of life.  Register to vote if not already registered.  You can vote on election day or take advantage of early voting.  I will be writing more details on early voting when available.

In a democracy, voting is a civic duty.  Please do your duty!