The Fishers GOP Club is a group that gathers once a month and does things Republicans do, like socialize and hear from speakers talking about Republican things.  The Club was kind enough to invite this reporter to attend the March meeting Thursday night.

The reason I wanted to attend this party relates to the May 7th primary election.  As of this writing, the March 14th Fishers GOP Club meeting is the only time the two GOP candidates for Mayor of Fishers, challenger Logan Day and incumbent Scott Fadness, are scheduled to appear together.

In answering a question from the audience, both candidates indicated they would be open to a joint appearance or debate format if the proper forum is made available.  But, as of now, this was the only joint appearance by the two people on the ballot for Fishers mayor on the May 7th Republican primary ballot.

There were some other candidates on hand Thursday night.  City Judge Dan Henke, unopposed in the May primary, talked about what he does.  City Clerk candidates Jennifer Kehl and Jackie Bowen also addressed the crowd.  But the big turnout of Republicans were there to see Scott Fadness and Logan Day.

Candidate Day was first with opening remarks making just one quick remark about his 2-year involvement with the Save The Nickel Plate organization, saying that experience gave him the impression more involvement by the public is needed in city government.  Mr. Day also provided what he called the 3 Ts – Transparency (related to public involvement)…Taxes (how much to tax and how tax money is used)…..and Transportation (appropriate focus on areas such as I-69 & 116th Street)

Mayor Fadness began talking about the honor of the “amazing journey” he has experienced in Fishers, starting as an intern for the town, then becoming town manager and later being elected as mayor.  He pointed to 2008 as a key year….the great recession hit us all, property tax caps were enacted by state government and it was becoming clear millennials wanted to live in cities.  He pointed to job growth, the new Geist Park, the Nickel Plate Trail and the city’s comprehensive approach to maintain long-term viability.

The Mayoral candidates then took questions from the audience, covering issues such as affordable housing, the possible changes in County Option Income Tax (COIT) distribution and the condition of some roads in the northeast area of the city.

The candidates for mayor had a good and healthy exchange of ideas.  Let’s hope this is  not the last time they appear together before May 7th.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board will begin live-streaming most board meetings and making video recordings of those meetings available for at least four years, but the board split 4-3 in approving the policy.  Board members Sylvia Shepler, Amanda Shera and Brad Boyer voted no.

Boyer said the Indiana School Boards Association was advising local boards not to live-stream and make available videos of board meetings.

The video live-streaming is expected to begin at the next regular board meeting, scheduled for March 27th.  Only regular board meetings held in the board room at the administration building will be live-streamed and recorded.  Work sessions and meetings held at other locations will not be live-streamed or recorded.

The last few years have seen a similar refrain – Carmel gets more than its share of local county option income tax money, causing Fishers to be short-changed.  A bill moving through the Indiana General Assembly could change how decisions are made on distributing those funds.

The state has established the formula for the distribution of local income tax money.  This legislation would take that decision away from a state formula to a county option income tax council.

“The language in HB 1427 allows local county officials the opportunity to create a distribution formula that is fair and appropriate for Hamilton County” said State Representive Todd Huston, in a statement to LarryInFishers.  “I am confident that our locally elected officials in Hamilton County will come to an appropriate solution that works for our communities.”

The legislation now heads to the Indiana Senate.  Representative Huston says the prospects are strong that the Senate will go along with this language, but cautioned that the legislative process can be tricky before a piece of legislation makes it to the governor’s desk for signature.

When formulating the 2018 city budget, Fishers was projected to receive about $600,000 less than originally expected for its share of the County Option Income Tax (COIT).  City officials were told in October of 2017 that the state formula favored Carmel because it has more debt than Fishers.

Should this legislation that passed the Indiana House become law, the COIT distribution decision would be made by a council of Hamilton County taxing districts, rather than a state formula.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board affirmed decisions on appeals related to the controversy surrounding a member of the Fishers High School boys swim team Wednesday night.  The swimmer had been suspended due to allegations of sexual harassment but school officials lifted that suspension in time for the swimmer to compete in IHSAA tournament meets.

Here is the exact wording of the board’s action Wednesday night –

“Ratification of the decisions by the superintendent and the board in the matter of recent appeals.”

School Board President Mike Bottorff confirmed after the meeting that the appeals referenced in that action related to the swimmer controversy.  Bottorff said the board would have no further comment on the matter at this time.  The action ratifying the appeal decisions was part of the Title IX process, according to Bottorff.

This statement was part of the board’s consent agenda, which includes a number of personnel actions.  The item on board appeals was listed separately among the items listed in the consent agenda.  The vote to approve all items on the consent agenda, including the item on board appeals, passed on a vote of 6-1, with Amanda Shera voting no.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department was granted 14 new Ford police cruisers in action by the Board of County Commissioners on Monday. The cars include 14 older vehicles being replaced. Pearson Ford’s bid of $34,900 was accepted by commissioners as the lowest and best for the replacement units.

In other action at their regular meeting, commissioners appointed Barbara Scott to the county Community Corrections Advisory Board. Scott directs Aspire, the mental health agency for the county. She fills a vacancy on the board created by an earlier resignation.

Commissioners also approved retirement of the Sheriff’s Department K-9, and granted a department request that the dog by given to its longtime handler, Lt. Dustin Dixon.

The county officials also voted to grant an abandoned Midland Railroad right-of-way at Durbin to adjoining property owners. The strip of ground was used for a railroad siding at the Durbin grain elevator when the Midland was active. The ground will now, under private ownership, be returned to the tax rolls.

Following their regular session, commissioners conducted a work session with Kent Irwin Associates, a firm engaged by the county to review and recommend new salary scales for executive positions in county government.

No decisions were reached, but when a recommendation is formulated it will be placed in ordinance form for County Council consideration. Executives included in the study are generally department heads of the various offices of county government.

Hamilton County Reporter

After extensive planning and preparation, the Hamilton County Community Opioid Prevention Efforts (COPE) Quick Response Team (QRT) announced implementation of the program effective Monday. Surrounded by public safety officials, government leaders and private organizations, Monica Greer, Executive Director of the Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, presented program details that will assist county residents dealing with overdose issues.

Utilizing the QRT concept originating in southwest Ohio and successfully implemented in other locations, COPE QRTs have been established in Carmel and Westfield as pilot programs with the rest of the county added throughout 2019. Each QRT is comprised of a law enforcement officer, a medic and a peer recovery counselor provided by Aspire Indiana. The team’s goal is to meet with an opioid overdose patient within 48 to 72 hours of the event to check on the individual and provide them with details of services available to both the survivor and family members. This includes counseling by a peer recovery coach and information on treatment services in an attempt to stop any repeat behaviors. The QRT will provide support as it attempts diversions and alternatives to incarceration when/if appropriate.

Hamilton County has experienced a steadily increasing number of overdose calls and deaths in recent years. In 2018, Public Safety Communications dispatched 459 overdose calls while the Coroner’s Office reported 38 overdose deaths.

Funding for the COPE/QRT program comes from grants through the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions and the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

During its first meeting in January, the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission did not officially conduct business, it was more of a briefing session by city staff on what the organization is expected to handle.  In the body’s second session held Tuesday night, members voted to install David Decker as its first Chairman.  Cecilia Coble was elected as Vice Chair.

The commission was briefed by staff on a number of issues.  There were two items from the Fishers Parks and Recreation Department worth noting.

First, the Farmer’s Market held outside at the Amphitheater will run from May to the end of October in 2019.  After October, the Farmer’s Market will move inside to the Holland Park shelter house November and December.  Parks officials say the attendance at the indoor Farmer’s Markets dropped off dramatically after Christmas, resulting in the schedule change.

Second, the Amphitheater will host three Saturday night concerts aimed at music fans in their 20s.  The events are expected to be scheduled in mid to late summer.  The acts that will perform have not yet been announced, and no specific dates have been announced.

The next meeting of the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission will be May 14th.

As Fishers becomes a more diverse community, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District has ramped-up its English language programs.  The State of Indiana has recognized HSE Schools for the efforts in English education.

The Indiana Department of Education (DOE) announced Tuesday HSE Schools have been awarded of the 2018-2019 Title III Distinguished Indiana School District Award. Hamilton Southeastern Schools was chosen to receive this distinction for demonstrating a commitment to English Learner success through strategic programming, rigorous instruction, inclusive school culture, and beneficial partnerships with families and the community, according to a DOE news release.

“I applaud the dedicated work of the students, families, staff, and communities of Hamilton Southeastern Schools,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff and Director Danielle Riego, Hamilton Southeastern Schools represents the vision of working together for student success by ensuring English Learners, and all children, have opportunities to succeed.”

HSE was selected after a review of English Learner performance data by DOE from all public-school districts and charter schools, followed by a two-part interview process, including an on-site visit.

The Title III Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Immigrant Students of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 aims to help ensure that children who are LEP attain English proficiency, develop high levels of academic attainment in English, and meet the same state academic content and student academic achievement standards as all children are expected to meet in the State of Indiana.

The City of Fishers is gearing up for the summer road resurfacing season.  The Board of Public Works and Safety approved a $1.342 million bid Monday from Calumet Contractors to perform the work.  The resurfacing will be done in Timber Springs, Hamilton Proper,
Hawthorne Ridge, and 121st Street from Cumberland Road to Hoosier Road.  The city engineering department says those streets are in poor condition and in bad need of resurfacing.  Funds for this project will come from the Wheel Tax.  Resurfacing work is expected to get underway this spring.

In another road matter, the board approved the final part of the road widening on Allisonville Road to 4 lanes.  Rieth-Riley was awarded the $1.58 million project, widening the roadway from Smock Creek to 0.3 miles north of Smock Creek. This
location is between the existing 4 lane section just south of Smock Creek and ties
into the two new projects of 126th and 131st and Allisonville.

The board approved a supplemental agreement for the planned roundabout at 126th Street and Ford Road.  The city plans to move forward with the design if the Board of Works approves the agreement for construction in late 2019 or 2020, and dependent upon the right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation

The city long-ago worked out an agreement with the Indianapolis Airport Authority to develop land within the local airport near 106th Street and Allisonville Road.   The board voted for an extension of the contract with Jones Lang LaSalle to market the airport land for sale or lease, for another year, until March 16, 2020.  The city will not be liable for any broker fees under this agreement.

Neighborhood Matching Grants were approved by the board. $35,000 will be spent by the city on these grants.  For a full listing, use this link.

The board also voted to approve $20,000 in neighborhood tree matching grants.  To view a map of the areas approved, use this link.

“Indiana already has one national black eye in the aftermath of the RFRA debacle. It doesn’t need another because some legislators insist on letting it remain one of the few states without a meaningful hate crime law.”

–Greg Weaver, former government and politics editor at The Indianapolis Star.

Indiana is at an important crossroads.  If our lawmakers at the Statehouse make the wrong decision, the entire state will pay a dear price.  It is all about a hate crimes law (also known as a bias crimes law) and Indiana is on a list that is not a good one.

The Hoosier state is one of 5 states without a hate crimes law.  The Indiana Senate passed a strong piece of legislation out of committee early in the session, then the bill was amended on the Senate floor in a way that cut the guts out of the proposal.

The bill is now in the hands of the Indiana House of Representatives.  What happens next will have major economic ramifications for us all.

The Senate cut-out the list of groups covered by the bias crimes law, including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.  Without that list as part of the law, Indiana will remain on the list of 5 states without a hate crimes law.

Two men attended a news conference at the Statehouse a few days ago, put on by the Indiana Technology & Innovation Association.  One was John McDonald.  He is the CEO of Clear Object, one of the fastest growing tech companies in the state, headquartered in downtown Fishers. The other was John Wechsler, founder of Launch Fishers and the Indiana Internet of Things Lab located in Fishers.

Both men understand what is at stake here.  If our state legislators do not enact a meaningful bias crimes law, tech companies cannot survive here.

Check out what McDonald said about the importance of including a specific list of the groups covered in this law.

“Technology is Indiana’s fastest growing sector, but we’re in a death match for talent. There aren’t enough skilled workers to fill the jobs we’re creating,” said McDonald. “Having Indiana on the list of 5 states without a bias crimes law is a barrier to attracting skilled talent to our state. We can’t get off this unflattering ‘list of 5,’ without a list.”

Firms such as Eli Lilly and Cummins Engine have told lawmakers much the same thing….without a meaningful hates crimes law, young talent will not locate here.  Our reputation will be that of an intolerant state.

Anyone living in Indiana, and I’ve lived here all my life, is aware we are, by and large, a welcoming place.  Like any other state, we have our small segments of people with other ideas, but we are a largely welcoming place.  If our laws do not reflect that, our reputation elsewhere will not reflect that.

Greg Weaver was an editor of politics and government at the Indianapolis Star.  I have never met Mr. Weaver, but based on comments I have seen and heard, the reporters working under him all thought the world of him.  Sadly, he left journalism by taking an early retirement incentive from the Star’s owner, Gannett.

If you want a view on the importance of Indiana’s reputation, read the piece he recently wrote, published in the Terre Haute Tribune Star, at this link.  He says it much better than I ever could.

A letter to the editor was published in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s March 8th edition, signed by Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, several other area mayors and a number of business leaders.  They all urge Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma to restore “the list” to the hate crimes bill (SB12).

Governor Eric Holcomb is solidly behind a meaningful hate crimes law.  Some people are worried the governor has not been aggressive enough in using his bully pulpit to make the case.  It should be noted that Indiana’s governor is institutionally weak in dealing with laws.  The governor can veto legislation, but a simple majority in the Senate and House can override a governor’s veto.

The issue before our lawmakers is clear.  If a meaningful hate crimes bill is not enacted, high-tech firms will not grow, and maybe need to leave the state of Indiana because employees will refuse to live here.  Large companies founded in Indiana, such as Lilly and Cummins,  will not be able to grow their work force and, over time, could be forced to move their headquarters elsewhere because employees will not come to live and work in a state they do not view as welcoming.

So, here we are, at a crossroads.  Our state faces the real possibility of becoming an economic backwater.  What will our lawmakers do?

I know one thing, after getting to know many legislators over the years.  They read their mail.  They pay attention to comments made in phone calls and e-mails.  They all pay attention to what their constituents are saying.

If you have strong feelings about the bias crimes law, now is the time to let your member of the House and Senate in the Indiana Legislature know what you think.

Supporting a meaningful hate crimes bill, with a list, is not just critical to the economic future of Indiana…..it’s the right thing to do.