During Monday night’s Fishers City Council session, 5 people spoke out against the Fishers Pride event and the drag show.  Those 5 objected to the presence of children at the drag show.

Stephanie Hunt, Fishers Pride President, defended the event.

“Parents who love their children, and embrace them just as they are, deserve a community that also loves and includes their children as they are,” said Hunt in a written statement. “They deserve leaders who acknowledge that, though they may not understand other’s lifestyles, there is no reason to fear or hate them. The children deserve to be able to attend a public event, held out in the open because there was nothing to hide, and not be ridiculed by adults who unfairly judge them out of hate and fear.”

You can read Ms. Hunt’s entire statement below.

Continue reading Fishers Pride reacts to City Council public comments →

At the end of each Fishers City Council meeting, Councilors allow the public to provide comment on any subject for up to 3 minutes.  Monday night, five people went before the microphone and complained about a drag show at the Fishers Pride Event held Saturday on the grounds of Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fishers.

The biggest concern expressed was that there were children at the event with the performers interacting with the audience.

Some want the Council to pass an ordinance preventing those under 18 from attending drag shows in Fishers.

“I’ve asked our police department to look into that,” said Council President Cecilia Coble.  “We will be looking into what can be done.”

In other comments, two residents of the Heritage Meadows neighborhood commented.  One talked about how her quiet neighborhood had seen Fishers grow around her, and how the noise generated by a nearby restaurant has changed what she described an an investment into a  previously quiet life.  Another raised the issue of motorized vehicles using the Nickel Plate Trail and the dangers that come with it.  Mayor Fadness says he is aware of that issue and his staff is working to deal with motorized scooters on the trail.

Finally, one man wanted everyone to know that even when the city is able to keep the property tax rate low, high property assessments result in much higher property tax payments for Fishers homeowners.

After much discussion and public comment, the Fishers City Councill voted unanimously in favor of a text amendment allowing Meijer to construct a grocery, pharmacy and fuel station at Southeastern Parkway and Cyntheanne Road.  The Fishers Plan Commission had provided a unanimous vote recommending the Council approve the measure.

There was discussion of traffic patterns and vehicular access in and out of the parking lot.  Meijer and city officials agreed Meijer made changes requested by the city administration.

Meijer has described this store as smaller than most other locations, such as the facility in Noblesville.  This Meijer would offer only groceries and a pharmacy, along with a fueling facility..

The Fishers City Council provided second reading on a proposed new noise ordinance, but chose  not to take final action after two restaurant owners expressed their concerns about the change.

The current Fishers noise ordinance is 10 years old and set at over 110 decibels.  The new proposed ordinance would lower that amount to 70 decibels  Owners of King Jugg and Parks Place restaurants said that measure would damage their ability to have live music.

Then there was a discussion about where the noise measuring device would be placed…10 feet from the stage or amplifiers, possibly 50 feet or another measure at the property line?

After listening to Assistant Police Chief Mike Taylor, the restaurant owners and city councilors, Mayor Scott Fadness said there was confusion about the details of how this ordinance would work and suggested postponing the vote on this ordinance until next month, allowing all parties to agree on the provisions in any new noise ordinance.

Keeping everything straight on when a public hearing is required on any issue before a city council can be confusing.  The City of Fishers updated me Monday morning on the Council meeting scheduled tonight at 7pm.

The 2025 Fishers City Council will hold a public hearing at tonight’s first reading of the 2025 city budget totaling $182.5  million. The spending plan will have its first reading tonight before councilors, with the final vote set for next month.

Another major item on the agenda, the fee schedule for the trash collection contract with Republic, will have its public hearing next month, as well as the final vote.  The first reading on that matter is tonight.

Also, the Council always offers Community Comment at the end of each meeting, allowing anyone to speak for up to 3 minutes on the subject of their choice.

I had been under the impression that there would be a public hearing at Monday night’s City Council session on the 2025 city budget, the trash collection fees under the new Republic contract, or both.  However, after receiving a clarification from city officials and reviewing the revised City Council agenda, it appears there will be no formal public hearings on either issue Monday night.

However, since both items are for first reading only (meaning it moves forward with the vote of just one councilor) any public hearing on the budget and trash fees would be held in October, when a final vote is taken on each matter.

It should be noted that the City Council closes each meeting with “Community Comment,” an opportunity for the public to comment on any issue for up to 3 minutes.

The Council’s Finance Committee has held several meetings to review the 2025 $182.5  million spending plan for 2025.  The Board of Public Works and Safety has approved the contract with Republic Services, providing city-wide trash collection beginning in January of 2025.  The Council is required to vote on the fee schedule as part of that agreement with Republic.

The council agenda also includes a vote on a new noise ordinance and a fee schedule for emergency services.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm Monday, at the City Hall Theatre.

There has never been a Pride event in the city of Fishers, but that ended Saturday when Fishers Pride Inc. sponsored the first such event. Fishers Pride Inc. supports the local LGBTQIA+ community and families.

The weather on the grounds of the Holy Family Episcopal Church was perfect, some sun, some clouds and temperatures in the 60s.  There was a festive atmosphere among the people and the music.

There were commercial vendors, nonprofit organization tents and presence from some political organizations and candidates.  Walking around the festivities gave one the feeling of a good time for all.

Below are a few photos I shot perusing the grounds and activities.

Continue reading Fishers’ first Pride Fest →

Safety Day has become an annual event for the Fishers Fire Department.  Saturday morning featured the coldest morning temperatures since last April, but that did not stop a number of families from checking out the many vendors and features held next to the Fishers Fire Headquarters on Municipal Drive.

There is something about young people and fire trucks that is special, and that was on display at the 2024 Safety Day.  I took a few photos while walking the grounds.

There will be some lane restrictions along State Road 37 and 141st Street in that construction area this week.  For more on that, and a complete listing of all the area road construction work in the coming week, here is the full rundown, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers area road construction listing for the work week starting Monday, September 9 →

Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) is set to celebrate “Welcoming Week” from September 13 to 22, 2024, at its Fishers and Noblesville locations. This initiative is part of a nationwide movement led by the nonprofit organization “Welcoming America,” which aims to foster connections between immigrant and non-immigrant communities across the U.S.

Welcoming Week is an annual series of events where neighbors, newcomers, and long-time residents come together to build stronger, more inclusive communities. Through these gatherings, Welcoming America highlights the positive impact of embracing diversity.

HEPL will use the week to celebrate the multicultural makeup of the Fishers and Noblesville communities, while showcasing how the library’s mission and services support inclusivity throughout the year. The public is invited to join cultural and civic programs hosted during the week.

“We are thrilled to offer our first-ever Welcoming Week at Hamilton East Public Library!” said Amber Wright, Director of Public Services at HEPL. “This aligns perfectly with our vision of being ‘a connected library in a connected community.’ Fishers and Noblesville are home to residents from around the globe, and while we provide resources year-round, this week gives us an opportunity to especially celebrate the diversity that enriches our community.”

In addition to Welcoming Week events, HEPL offers ongoing services to support language learning and cultural engagement, including ENL conversation groups, language translation services, and partnerships for English language learner (ELL) classes.

2024 HEPL Welcoming Week Events:

• Venezuelan History, Culture, and Migration (Thu. 9/19 | 6-7:30pm | Noblesville Library)
• Bollywood Dance and Culture with Teaching Artist Usha Sirimalle (Thu. 9/19 | 6:30-7:30pm | Fishers Library)
• Paper Picado Banner with Teaching Artist Beatriz Vasquez (Sat. 9/21 | 11am-12:30pm & 2-3:30pm| Ignite Studio at the Fishers Library)

Year-round services and materials:

• Weekly ENL Conversation Group
• Propio language translation service
• ELL Classes, in partnership with Washington Township Adult Education
• World Language collection – books and films

Online Resources:

• Mango language learning
• A-Z Maps Online
• A-Z World Travel
• Ancestry.com (library edition)
• Gale in Context – Global Issues
• Gale in Context – World History
• Global Road Warrior
• National Geographic Kids
• Newspapers.com World Collection

More details about HEPL’s programs and resources can be found at hamiltoneastpl.org.