We have a local election in the books with the final results now certified, although the results were clear on election night. There will be other faces changing in Fishers in addition to the election.
First, the new faces coming to the Fishers City Council. John DeLucia, former member of the local Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board, will be a new addition to the Council in 2024. Tiffanie Ditlevson will assume her seat on the Council next year. Bill Stuart will be a new face at Council meetings next year as well.
Leaving the Council will be Jocelyn Vare, Crystal Neumann and David Giffel. My guess is that all three will continue to be involved in local civic affairs.
The City Clerk will continue to be Jennifer Kehl. She has held that office ever since Fishers became a city in 2015.
Dan Henke was unopposed as City Judge and will begin his new term in 2024.
Mayor Scott Fadness was unopposed in both the 2024 primary and general elections.
There are other changes coming to local officials outside the realm of elective office.
Edra Waterman has announced she will be leaving the Director’s job at Hamilton East Libraries (including the libraries in Fishers and Noblesville). She starts her new job in 2024 leading the Anderson Library. The Hamilton East Library Board will be charged with hiring a new Director.
Nataki Pettigrew, Inclusion & Equity Officer, will be leaving HSE Schools to take a similar position for Marion County’s Washington Township Schools in 2024. It will be interesting to see what the school board does with that position with Dr. Pettigrew’s exit.
One of the most important positions still open is that of HSE School Superintendent. Dr. Yvonne Stokes resigned under a separation agreement with the school board in September. The application process closes soon and the school board, along with a consultant, will sift through the candidates. It is expected that a new superintendent will be hired in the coming months, but no one knows an exact timeline.
One thing is for certain – there will be new faces in key positions around Fishers in 2024. What that will mean remains to be seen.