There is no easy or gentle way to say this so allow me to be direct. LarryInFishers.com as a local Fishers news blog ends as of this post on Sunday, March 29th. This Web site & podcast series will continue in a different way moving forward. In addition, I am issuing a challenge to leaders & citizens in the Fishers community. Trust me, I made this decision well before the novel coronavirus disrupted our lives and economy.
Allow me to take some space and explain all this.
I moved to Fishers in 1991. I had lived in my apartment at the Indy east side neighborhood of Irvington for seven years and enjoyed living there. What brought me to Fishers was my marriage to Jane. She had already built a ranch home in the Sunblest neighborhood, and she talked me into coming to Fishers. It will grow, she said. My wife is always right and she was certainly correct about that.
So, I moved to this sleepy suburb of Indianapolis called Fishers, with a population under 10,000. I watched as the town, later to become a city, started to grow, just as Jane predicted. When our twin daughters started school, it was about the same time the giant growth spurt hit Fishers and the HSE Schools, which many say happened 2000-2010. Census figures showed a Fishers population in 2000 as 37,835….in 2010, it was 76,794. That was more than a 100% increase over ten years.
There was a newspaper that had been publishing for over 100 years, the Noblesville Daily Ledger. I subscribed and was very glad I did. The Ledger not only covered Noblesville and the county, it did a very nice job of providing news about HSE Schools and the Town of Fishers. When the news business began its major downturn 12-14 years ago, the Ledger eventually disappeared, much like many local newspapers everywhere in America.
When it was gone, I missed the Ledger. The Current in Fishers, a weekly newspaper mailed to everyone with a Fishers postal address, did its best publishing once a week but could not update us on daily developments.
As background, I worked in journalism as a radio reporter and anchor for about ten years. That ended in 1983 when I switched careers and joined the federal civil service. In 2011, I retired as a federal employee and wondered what might be next.
I am no tech wiz, but had some help from a friend who writes about technology nationally (thanks, Scott Fulton!) and started a fairly simple blog with the Web address of LarryInFishers.com – I have no idea why I chose that name but it was all I could come up with at the time.
I had a very simple goal in January of 2012 – just sit through town council and local school board meetings, take notes, then post a story about the meeting. I suspected a few government nerds such as myself would have any interest in my writings. My goals were modest.
Then, I began to realize something was happening. To my surprise, people were reading in numbers I couldn’t imagine. Some town council members were wanting to get to know me.
The only reason for all this attention at that time centered on the fact that I was the only reporter doing daily news coverage about Fishers. There were people in Fishers wanting local news and I was giving it to them on a timely basis.
That was the start of LarryInFishers.com. I have just completed eight years writing this blog. Even when traveling the state instructing for Indiana University, or on vacation in Florida, my laptop was always with me and I wrote many a story out of a hotel room far from Fishers.
I was shocked that my blog was getting so much attention. The one thing that bothered me was that I had to attach my name to it. If only we were back in the days when Benjamin Franklin could make up a lady’s name and write under a pseudonym.
I never wanted LarryInFishers.com to be about me, I wanted it to be about the events I was covering and the people I wrote about locally. I was never comfortable with celebrity, even a low grade form of celebrity.
As LarryInFishers.com continued, I was able to cover some historic stories about Fishers. That included, in my first year, the referendum campaign that switched Fishers from a town to a second-class city. I watched and wrote about the first mayoral campaign that included six candidates. The scariest evening of that campaign for me was moderating a candidate debate. I was told by others that it went well but was too nervous that evening to even judge for myself.
That election installed the Town Manager Scott Fadness into the new office of mayor. Covering Scott Fadness has been quite a job. The mayor is always thinking ahead, challenging his staff to do the same. Scott Fadness treated me with more respect than a small local news blogger likely deserved. Mayor Fadness and his staff have been great to me.
The old town council and current city council members have always been responsive when I ask questions. That also applies to the local school board and school administrators. There are always a few isolated exceptions, but by-and-large, they have always treated me with great respect. I did my best to return the favor.
As an old radio guy, the emergence of podcasting began to fascinate me. Once again, my friend Scott Fulton provided some learned advice. In February of 2016, I posted my first podcast. I tried a series of tax podcasts but that didn’t attract much of an audience, so I stuck with interview podcasts with local people and added the Arts&Fishers podcasts with film reviews and other arts reviews. I still team up with Adam Aasen from Carmel and post film podcasts when we can both get together.
The number of people listening to my podcasts has surpassed any goal I had.
I want to explain, the best way I know how, why I have made the decision to end the local news blog.
First, I am not getting any younger. I find myself making more errors than just a few years ago and find myself not as sharp as I once was in handling the podcasts. I have high standards for myself and haven’t been meeting those standards lately.
Another factor is that my mother and my in-laws are getting up in the years and I need to be available to help when called upon. Jane & I know how lucky we are to have them and want to do all we can to be of assistance when needed.
Then, there is the news that I will become a grandfather in August. This is exciting. My daughter & son-in-law live in South Dakota so Jane & I are planning even more visits north & west of Fishers.
There is something else that bothers me and I hope all my readers understand. Doing this blog alone has not been easy. Even relatively small news organizations have other people to consult. When I work on a story, it’s all up to me. I make the decisions. That is a large burden, especially with the size of the audience reading this blog and listening to my podcasts. The burden is starting to wear on me after eight years.
I want to be clear that the only reason I am ending the news blog is due to the points I made in this piece. I am angry at no one and reiterate that, with very few exceptions, I have been treated with professional courtesy by all the people I cover.
Every time I contemplated ending the blog, I kept telling myself that I do not want to make Fishers a news desert, where local news is hard to find. More pressure will be put on people like John Tuohy, MJ Slaby and Holly Hays of the Indianapolis Star…..Kurt Christian from the Indianapolis Business Journal…Anna Skinner of Current…..Jeff Jellison of the Hamilton County Reporter, as well as the many editors and other decision makers at those news organizations and others. I would hope all will cover Fishers more completely in the future, even with the economic pressures these businesses are enduring.
Allow me to thank the news outlets that allowed me to do some writing for them. For a few years I wrote commentaries for Current in Fishers. I have also done some writing for the Indianapolis Business Journal, a journalistic institution that commands great respect in Central Indiana.
Last, but not least, my sincere thanks to the productive partnership formed with Jeff Jellison, publisher of the Hamilton County Reporter. Jeff & I were able to grow our audiences together and I wish Jeff all the best.
Let me say this once again – subscribe to your local media!
I do not plan to abandon LarryInFishers.com. I expect to continue film reviews and reviews of other arts events. I will continue producing podcasts, although not as many as in the past. The plan is to feature the work of nonprofit groups locally and people in the local arts scene as part of my Arts&Fishers podcast series. If Adam Aasen wants to keep our film podcast going, that is good with me.
Expect some news commentaries on this blog – how many and how often is unknown at this time, but watch for some posts all about what is happening here and elsewhere. It is the daily news coverage of local events that will end with this post.
I suspect there will be some that will miss reading this blog…to you I say, God Bless you! But if you want daily local news coverage to continue, there is a way. Fishers could do what local communities have done around the nation – start a nonprofit news organization.
Let me be clear, there are many in this community with ties to the nonprofit world and could step-up to the plate and get this going. I will be willing to help, but after eight years of blogging, I am only in a position to be supportive and can help if asked…I cannot take the lead.
There is always the chance someone or a group could form a for-profit business to produce local news, but that will be a tougher path. Frankly, I am in favor of any plan that would get the job done.
There is always a chance that not enough people in key places will support any local news organization, and if that is the case, so be it. This is a choice our local leaders and citizens must make.
In closing, I want to sincerely thank all of you. The readers of this blog are the people that kept me going for more than eight years. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
This has not been an easy decision but one I had to make. Now is the time.
My last message is this – be an active citizen. Attend community and government meetings. Engage your elected officials. Do your part.
Thank you, Fishers. I may end this news blog but continue to reside in Fishers and still care about my local community. That’s why I started this blog in the first place.
Thank you Larry for your years of dedication to our community. Your work will be missed.
Best of luck Larry. I’ve enjoyed reading your work in that other online newspaper that wasn’t the Noblesville Times. You’ve done an admirable job keeping Fishers folks well informed. The Reporter will miss you!
I always look for your news on Twitter. I appreciate all of the effort as you keep us informed of what is happening in Fishers. You will be missed!
Thank you Larry. You’ve been a real fair and balanced journalist. The industry needs more people like you. Congrats on your retirement.
Thanks for your service on the school board, Terry
I am selfishly saddened by this news but I appreciate why you have come to this decision. I wish you and Jane the best. I’ll look forward to occasion posts.
Thanks, Larry, for keeping us informed for the last eight years. Speaking from experience, you’re gonna love being a grandpa!
Thanks Larry. We have been here five years and learned early you were the local news source. Your sentiment about supporting news organizations covering local is spot on.I, too, was a radio news reporter/director in the same time period in NE Indiana, FT. Wayne region. Once you have the bug it doesn’t leave. Hopefully, IBJ or Mr. Jellison can pick it up. I understand your reasons for departure. God Speed and happy grand parenting. It’s why we are here.
I wish you and Jane the best. Do you! Thank you for your time dedicated to covering this city!
Thank you Larry. We have greatly appreciated your efforts and are sad to see you go. Best wishes to you! Enjoy those grandchildren!
Congratulations on being a grandfather! Thank you for always being a cheerful face at school board meetings. Your podcasts are top notch. Stay in touch.
A tremendous job you have done, Larry. -30-
Well done, Larry. Be proud of your Passion and your commitment to excellence.
Many thanks, brother!
I just (sort of) got to know you and now you’re stepping away. I will miss you, Larry! (Now what am I gonna do with my nitpicky editing?)
Having walked in your shoes (as a former radio reporter in Illinois), I can certainly appreciate your decision. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to deliver the news. We moved to Fishers three years ago to be close to our son, daughter-in-law and four young grandsons. I quickly sought out local news sources to learn as much as I could about our new hometown. You will be greatly missed.
As others have said, THANK YOU Larry.
I find that when I attend meetings around our town, I tend to look to see if you are there covering it. It is rare you aren’t! Hopefully we’ll still see you around! You’ve truly been a core person in helping make Fishers the great city it is.
Enjoy the grandchild!
Thanks, Brad!
Larry,thank you for all the hours you have given to Fishers and the greater Fishers area. I was blessed to have been an impacted citizen during much of your tenure. It was a great contribution to the community to have had your quality commentary. Best wishes and enjoy your family time.
Thank you for all of the time you’ve put into this. I have enjoyed reading you for a long time now. Enjoy the extra time you will now have.
Thank you for your service to our community. Your posts will be missed and I sincerely hope someone steps forward to pick up this important work.
Congratulations, my old friend, on these years of service to your community. And well done on explaining your decision in your typically clear and thoughtful manner. I wish you continued enjoyment of your growing family.
Larry, as a transplant to Fishers almost 20 years ago, I was happy to stumble upon your blog. You’ve been, to me, the Walter Cronkite of the Fishers, and I aill miss seeing your posts. You brought to light things I would have missed otherwise. May you have many more fulfilling years.
Thanks Larry. Really appreciate your service through these years.
Larry, I want to tell you how much I’ve respected your writing and effort in making sure you got the story correct, without prejudice, adding bias or exaggeration. Thank you sir, enjoy your family.
Hope to see you around often, if for no other reason than to show off pics of your grandbaby.
I’m very saddened by this news and have always appreciated the direct access you provide to all the goings-on around Fishers. I’ve also had the privilege and pleasure to participate in two of your podcasts and greatly enjoyed it. It was quite impressive how pr Thanks for all that you did in keeping Fishers residents up-to-date on all of the latest news in Fishers. Your reporting will be missed BUT, like you, I hope that the silver lining of your departure will be the planting of a seed for another local news organization to sprout. Though it would be difficult for even a well-staffed office to keep up with the coverage you provided.
From one Fishers resident to another, thank you! Enjoy all the time you can with family and we’ll all look forward to any opportunities we have to hear from you in the future.
Thanks Larry, even a young local nonprofit “America’s Role Models” enjoyed sharing your stories from Fishers, and learned few things as well! Good luck and hope to patch up in some way down the road!
Hey Larry, congratulations and I wish you the best! You have provided a great service to our community! I have always enjoyed our conversations. Have fun spoiling the grand baby!
Thank you for the great stories and opinions Silence DoGood. You were one of the few writers left that I enjoy reading on a regular basis. Your stories were enjoyable, easy to read, honest and often from the heart. Even if you wrote personally biased pieces, they were honest and never left me feel like you were saying it to sell more papers or get more “likes” or “shares”. We are losing more good writers than we are gaining. Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with us.
I appreciate everything you’ve done. I remember a while back when you contemplated walking away and I was happy you continued. But it sounds like this us a great decision for you and your family right now. Best if luck in whatever you decide to do next.
This city and its citizens owe you a great debt of gratitude, Larry. You have given so selflessly of your time with nothing but public information in mind. I applaud you and thank you greatly. It was your blog that truly sparked my interest in local current events. Your shoes are quite large, but I hope someone can come along and fill them. Your presence and insight will be missed.
I have only been following you for a couple of years but have thoroughly enjoyed it. You have been a huge asset to Fishers and we owe a debt of gratitude to you. Stay safe and healthy and enjoy your family.
It was always a pleasure working with you, Larry! You are a true public servant.
Larry,
Thanks from a new subscriber to your service. I’m sad that I did not get to enjoy your work for longer but understand your decision. As a fellow grandpa I wish you many hours of enjoyment and impact you can have on your family. I look forward to future info you provide in whatever capacity. One of my favorite quotes is “No one can do everything but everyone can do something” Thanks for doing your something so well!
Thank you Larry! Godspeed to you and your family.
Appreciate all you have done Larry. Thanks
Thank you, Larry! Your voice will be missed. We need to stay informed and hold our community leaders accountable and you helped do just that. Enjoy your family and your new endeavors.
You achieved a remarkable level of professionalism for a “one man show.”
Government functions best when citizens and the news media are attending
meetings, observing, and reporting. Thank you for doing all three. You will be missed.
Thank you so much for the work you have done for our community over the years. I truly appreciate all of your hard work.
You will truly be missed!
Thank you for 8 years of service to the community! You really filled the void on local news for the last 8 years. Enjoy the next phase in your life as a grandparent! How fabulous.
Larry, on behalf of the Fishers Arts Council, we can’t thank you enough for being a friend of the arts. I hope we will continue to see you in the future. We wish you the best in your new duties as “grandpa.” Our best to you and your family.
Larry, thank you for your many years of service. You did wonderful job. You will be greatly missed.
Larry, Sorry to see you cut back. I met you at the authors event at the Fishers Library and have followed you ever since. I look forward to your future posts. All the Best, Asa
Larry, you have addressed our needs for local Fishers news for a lot of years and your daily blogs will be missed. However, I completely understand the “Life > Work” message you are pertaining in your blog post. Very best wishes on your future life endeavors. I look forward to any content you may post. Thanks, Brett
Thank you for all of your time and effort sharing the important information of Fishers. You’ve kept us in the know as this town has become a city. Truly appreciate everything you’ve done.