OK, how could I resist?  Here is my review of the 2017 Academy Awards TV show

You know it’s a big deal when a room full of entrepreneurs pack themselves into the Launch Fishers auditorium to hear from Governor Eric Holcomb, Mayor Scott Fadness, Launch Fishers Founder John Wechsler, ClearObject CEO John McDonald and many others.  The occasion was the February 21st unveiling of a new planned Internet of Things (IoT) Lab near Launch Fishers, contained within a state-designated Certified Tech Park.

The Tech Park designation is important because the first $5 million in state tax money generated by businesses in the Tech Park are plowed back into improvements at the Tech Park, rather then going into the state coffers.

In a podcast interview the day following the announcement with myself and Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal, John McDonald said this may be the first IoT Lab in the world featuring a public-private partnership.  There are many private companies with such operations, but he cannot find another IoT Lab like the one planned for Fishers.

If you want to better understand the Internet of Things, listen to the podcast with John McDonald.     John explains how nearly everything we use, including our cars and lighting systems, will be tied to the Internet, creating this Internet of Things.

McDonald is also hopeful the new IoT Lab will continue to establish Fishers as a hub for high-tech companies.  He credits Launch Fishers as a big part of bringing the high-tech culture to the Fishers economy.

McDonald’s company ClearObject (formerly known as CloudOne) will have its own employees working in the Fishers IoT Lab.  There is little doubt other high tech firms will follow.

This is the second time Governor Holcomb has visited Fishers this month in a public appearance (first was a legislative breakfast at Conner Prairie).  He and Mayor Fadness are clearly on the same page on how to grow the local economy.

“Fishers is on the cutting edge and on the move,” the governor said at the IoT Lab announcement.

If staying at the forefront of the high-tech world is an important cog in continuing the growth of Fishers, this announcement is a large step forward in that effort.

Keep in mind, Mayor Scott Fadness has promised the unveiling of even more initiatives at his State of the City address March 15th.

It’s one of the biggest parties of the year in Fishers, and this party benefits local schools. Friday night marked the annual Game Day celebration, the biggest annual fund-raiser for the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation.

It was a packed house, with bids stacking up for the many items in the silent auction. There was food and drink for all.

Continue reading Game Day Party Benefits HSE Schools Foundation →

The City of Fishers held a banquet Thursday night to recognize volunteers around the local community.

The Key to the City was awarded to Warren Harling, whose service on the local Plan Commission goes all the way back to 1993.  This is only the third Key to the City awarded by Mayor Scott Fadness.  The first two went to Tom Curry, founder of the S.P.O.R.T.S organization, and long-time Fishers Police Chief George Kehl.

“In 1993, the population of Fishers was 13,000 people,” Mayor Scott Fadness told the crowd.  “Warren Harling today is still on the Plan Commission, still on the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Not only does he serve on these committees month after month, but he presides over them.”

It was my honor to serve as emcee for the event.  Kudos to Tony Elliot, Dan Domsic and Mayor Fadness for holding this celebration of volunteering.  It’s the first time Fishers has ever done such an event.  I suspect it will not be the last one.

Below is a list of all those honored at the City of Service Evening, held at Forum Credit Union’s Conference Center:

Fishers Parks and Recreation Youth Volunteers of the Year:

Dorothy and Jacqueline Schmok

Fishers Parks and Recreation Adult Volunteer of the Year:

Bernard Thomasson

Department of Public Works Volunteer of the Year:

Stan Schenher

District Teacher of the Year:

Julie Alano

HSE Schools Foundation Volunteer of the Year:

Linda Witt

Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year:

Peg Powers

Key to the City:

Warren Harling

Winter may still be here, but road work in the Fishers area continues.  This includes more overnight lane restriction on I-69 at Exit 210.

Below is is listing for the work week beginning Monday, February 27th, provided by the City of Fishers:

by

Hamilton County Reporter

HAND’s plans to build 56 affordable
apartments on the former site of the
Noblesville grain elevator hit a snag
Thursday when the Indiana Housing &
Community Development Authority
declined to award the project highly-soughtafter
Low Income Housing Tax Credits to
fund construction.
Continue reading HAND Loses For Now, Maybe Later →

By

Hamilton County Reporter

Jason Sloderbeck, a 23 year veteran of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and current jail commander, is announcing his candidacy for the 2018 Hamilton County Sheriff race.

With over 23 years of local law enforcement experience, Sloderbeck has an in-depth understanding of the issues facing the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. “I am pleased and honored to announce my candidacy for Sheriff of Hamilton County. During my 23 years in the Sheriff’s Office, I have worked in almost every capacity there is within the agency. I have dealt with the issues first-hand, gaining valuable experience and a thorough understanding of the complexities, capabilities, and limitations of the entire office. I will use my background and hands-on experience to strive for a more efficient and effective office, where every decision affecting our law enforcement is based solely on the safety, security, and financial well-being of the community.”

While Hamilton County is unique in many ways, the major issues facing law enforcement and our community are not much different than other counties around the country. “As sheriff of Hamilton County, I will be committed to raising the standards and expectations of the office, and the agency as a whole. My top priorities are, and will continue to be: the drug addiction problems that are not only affecting our community, but many communities across our nation, the closely related mental health problems that all communities are facing right now, and to constantly be a provider of information and support to our community in order to combat domestic violence and abuse.”

Jason is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County; a graduate of Noblesville High School, Vincennes University, IMPD Leadership Academy, and Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Jason lives in Arcadia with Michelle, his wife of almost 20 years, their 17-year-old daughter Claire, 23-year-old stepdaughter Alyssa, and his 4-year-old German Shepherd, Maddox. His stepson Allen is married and recently had Jason’s first grandson, Dawson.

The Hamilton Southeastern(HSE) School Board will make no boundary changes impacting students at HSE Intermediate/Jr. High School.  Superintendent Allen Bourff told the board families have been allowed to make their own choices, resulting in no recommendation to the board for any changes in boundary lines.

About 100 families chose to have their students enrolled in Fall Creek Intermediate/Junior High, satisfying the student imbalance issue.  Some families could not make the choice if transportation was not provided.  The school corporation will provide bus service to most of the volunteering families, but not all.

In other school board items:

–The school system will be heavily involved in events planned around Fishers for Disability Awareness Month in March.  You can find out more about those events at this link.

–HSE Schools may end its relationship with The Crossing in Noblesville as the district’s alternative school.  Administrators are preparing to establish an HSE Alternative School and will report back to the board once a recommendation is ready.  Alternative schools are for students unable to function in a normal school setting.

–Administrators briefed the board on plans to expand the World Languages program.  A recent survey showed Spanish as the most popular language, with French and German second and third.  You can review the survey results at this link.  The board will receive a recommendation from school staff later.

–Director of School and Community Relations, Bev Redmond, outlined plans to upgrade and re-brand the schools presence on the Web and social media.  A contract is being negotiated with a private firm to help make that happen during the next several months.

— HSE schools swept the top 4 places in the state Science Bowl competition.  The results show:

Riverside Intermediate – State Champion

Sand Creek Intermediate – State Runner-Up

Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate/Junior High School – State Third Place

Fall Creek Intermediate School – State Fourth Place

–Area 5 Director Pamela Hallock of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association presented a grant award to three Riverside Intermediate teachers:

Brieann Saxhaug-Toste

Barbara Glenesk

&

Samantha DeKruiff

They earned the award for their school garden project. Student representatives from each of the classes joined their teachers for the presentation.

When the big announcement was made that Fishers would be the site of a new Internet of Things Lab, John McDonald, CEO of Fishers-based ClearObject, says it took about a year to finish the deal creating the project.  McDonald’s firm plans to have its own staff on site at the lab, slated to open during the summer of this year.

McDonald sat down for a podcast interview with LarryInFishers, along with Lindsey Erdody, North of 96th reporter for the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Fishers firefighters responded to the YMCA late Tuesday morning.  Initial crews believed there had been some kind of chemical release.  The Y was closed for a time at mid-day as the fire department investigates the incident.

Fire officials report the following as the building was evacuated:

18 people were evaluated

7 transported to area hospitals –  1 child (age not available) and 6 adults.

Fire officials released the building back to the YMCA management at 1:10 this afternoon.  The building opened later in the day.

The exact cause and chemical is still under investigation