I spoke to a number of people around town this past week on what to expect in the annual Mudscock rivalry football game pitting crosstown rivals Fishers and HSE against each other.  The consensus from those “in the know” on the local football scene was that HSE was the better team and would likely win.

Those with experience in this qualified their prediction with this – it is a rivalry game and anything can happen.  It did at HSE High School Friday night.

The first half was all Fishers, although the Royals did score a touchdown.  HSE came out with a lightning strike, a long pass that gave the Royals a quick touchdown to start the second half.

It became a dogfight after that throughout the second half.

In the end, the Fishers Tigers pulled the upset and won the Mudsock trophy on the Royals home field.

Most of these games in the past have been competitive, even when one of the two teams would appear to be the better squad.

But the biggest part of the Mudsock Game is the spectacle, the huge crowd and the energy everyone could feel being a part of the contest.

Congratulations to the Fishers Tigers for a well deserved win.  The HSE Royals fought to the very end and made this a close game, with Fishers winning 37-35.

I always enjoy the Mudsock Game.  This year, I was once again reminded why.

In this Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board election, all those living within the HSE District vote on the elections within all three townships.  In Fall Creek Township, Terry Tolle is a candidate.  Here is my podcast conversation with Terry.

It was quite an honor to be invited to speak before the Fishers Newcomers Club Thursday afternoon.  I gave a short speech and took many questions.

The ladies asked questions about Fishers and what is happening around the city.  Some included how the city does (and does not) cater to the needs of senior citizens, the status of various road projects and development around the city.

My thanks to the Newcomers Club for the invitation.  It was a pleasant experience for me.

The 16th Geist Half Marathon is ready to go Saturday, September 14.  This year’s expanded event features three race distances: a half marathon (13.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), and 5K (3.1 miles) race supported by nearly 350 community volunteers.

City officials say registration numbers have already surpassed last year’s numbers, with more than 2,500 participants prepared to run.

The post-race party will feature a pancake breakfast to raise funds for Hero Hut, a nonprofit that works to build community for veterans and first responders, along with food and drink from vendors including MashCraft Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Java House, and Smoothie King.

Event registration is open through Friday, September 13, at 11:59 p.m. at GeistHalf.com. 

There will be road closures in the area of the Half Marathon.  More details are available at this link.

Here is the Saturday schedule:

Start/finish line is located on the north end of the Olio Road bridge across Geist Reservoir (11300 Olio Road, Fishers). Event booths will be setup beginning near 116^th Street and Olio Road.

The community comment part of Monday’s Fishers City Council meeting featured 5 speakers critical of Fishers Pride for holding a drag show during a Sunday Fishers Pride event on Holy Family Episcopal Church.  Those comments centered on what those speakers considered a sexualized event with young children present.

Organizers of the event responded that the drag show was in no way sexualized and the children present were with their parents who allowed the youngsters to attend the show.

Now, the leaders of the 2 major political parties have responded to this controversy.

Hamilton County Republican Chair Mario Massillamany, in a statement circulated earlier in the week, argues “images of a sexualized drag show targeting children at this event are deeply concerning.”  He also criticized Hamilton County Democrats for their involvement in the Pride event, as well as candidates for Hamilton Southeastern School Board.

Hamilton County Democratic Chair Jocelyn Vare responded by citing a 2015 proclamation supported by Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and passed unanimously by the City Council, declaring the city “must create an environment of equality, in which human dignity, inclusiveness, and diversity are celebrated values, and an environment in which discrimination of any kind is not tolerated.’”  Vare goes on to say, “A few noisy individuals have purposefully demonized a performance at a recent family-friendly community event that was held to celebrate diversity, inclusivity and love.”

You can read each entire statement below:

Continue reading Local political parties weigh-in on Fishers Pride event →

A new Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools policy on communications between staff members of the school district and students passed unanimously Wednesday by the board of trustees Wednesday night on second reading, with a long discussion about exceptions.

The HSE Policy Committee recommended language in first reading, board members had some concerns, so the Policy Committee took a second look at the policy and what exceptions might be needed.

Board member Sarah Parks-Reese told a story of a student that took her life at a local  junior high and discussed situations where a teacher may have established a trusting relationship with a student and wanted to talk with the teacher outside the district’s communication system.  A long discussion resulted in board member Ben Orr raising the issue of liability on the part of a teacher communicating with a student that harms her/his self.

The policy provides exceptions where staff members are acting as a parent, such as arranging for a babysitter.  There is also an exception for emergency situations where school system connections are not as quick for the user.

In the end, the board voted unanimously to pass the policy as last recommended by the Policy Committee.  The new policy is effective January 1, 2025, allowing time for training and communication about the new policy.

You can read the policy language at this link.

Brian Murphy was hired in March of this year as Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.  As of September 30, he will no longer be in that job.

Murphy has submitted his resignation effective at the end of this month.  The school board approved his resignation at Wednesday’s meeting.

Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) President Abby Taylor told a gathering of teachers just before the board meeting that Murphy’s’s resignation “is the best case scenario for our teachers in the district.”

Murphy was at the center of an Unfair Labor Practice filing by HSEA claiming a “hostile work environment”

HSE Schools have not yet announced an interim Director of HR.

It was about one month ago when I sat down with Tom Killian to record a podcast.  The Executive Director of the Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF) spoke with me about the local nonprofit organization.

Tuesday it was announced Tom Killian will be leaving the foundation.  He will be taking a position with a national organization.  October 15 will be his last day at HCCF.

When Killian was hired by HCCF, the foundation’s total assets were $46 million.  During his 7 1/2 years at HCCF, the assets now total $133 million.  He also launched a comprehensive strategic plan, and developed key partnerships to drive community connectivity in behavioral health, food insecurity, and housing.

In light of Kilian’s departure, the Executive Committee of the HCCF Board has named Danielle Stiles-Polk, currently serving as Vice President of External Strategy & Development, as Interim President. Stiles-Polk, a respected leader within the organization, will guide the foundation through this transition.

My best wishes to Tom Killian in his next adventure.  I have linked below to the podcast we recorded together about a month ago.

The long agenda resulted in a longer-than-normal Fishers City Council meeting Monday.  Many issues were for a first reading, with no council vote yet.  That Included the 2025 budget proposal and the rates for the new 10-year city-wide trash collection contract with Republic.  I have reported on both these issues extensively during the the past weeks and months.  Both will come up for a final vote before the Council in October.

There were some other interesting items from the council session.

–The annexation of an area in the southeast part of Hamilton County adjacent to Fishers and near Fortville was on the agenda had a fiscal plan adopted by the Council.  This will continue a process expected to end in a final action on this annexation in May or June of 2025.

–ThermoFisher is a large life science firm that received a tax abatement as part of an economic development package for a Fishers location.  The business was technically out of compliance to keep that abatement, but the company, according to Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner, is in compliance with the conditions of that abatement, but a shuffling of staff members at ThermoFishers was the reason a form was not filed on time.  The Council approved a waiver of noncompliance for ThermoFisher.

–The Council approved an overlay district recommended by the Plan Commission.

The Fishers City Council opened Monday night’s session honoring two individuals with long ties to the Fire and Emergency Services Department.  Fire Chief Steve Orusa handed out the awards.

Dave Cohen has served on the Fire Merit Commission for 19 years and was honored for his service.

Brandon Chevillet, or “Chevy” as he is known within the department, was recognized for his 25 years of service.

Both received a round of applause from those in the audience.