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.

The Fishers Events Center added 2 more dates Tuesday morning to its growing list of acts headed to the new facility.

Country music star Megan Moroney will make a stop next year in what is called the “Am I Okay Tour?”  Her Fishers appearance is set for April 24.  Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 13th at 10 a.m. at FishersEventCenter.com.

The tour is named after her recently released sophomore album — a major critical triumph that debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and marked the year’s third-biggest debut from a female Country artist.

On Sunday, December 1, the Nitro Circus will make a stop in Fishers at the Events Center.  Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 13 at 10 a.m. Fans can secure their tickets early with an exclusive pre-sale starting tomorrow, Wednesday, September 11.  To sign up for presale access or more information, visit www.fisherseventcenter.com.

What is the Nitro Circus?  Here is the explanation provided in the news release from the Fishers Events Center:

Nitro Circus’s elite roster features top athletes like Australian Ryan ‘R Willy’ Williams, the holder of over 100 ‘World’s Firsts’ on both scooter and bike and one of the most viral sports figures on social media with videos garnering over 500 million views. Joining him are Adam Jones, a 6-time X-Games medalist in Freestyle Motocross, and Andy Buckworth, a BMX icon and the first rider to successfully land the superman double front flip. These athletes will push the boundaries of what’s possible with high-flying stunts, tricks, and heart-pounding excitement. Fans of all ages will witness all-new competitions, pitting the best against the best in friendly showdowns showcasing Freestyle Motocross, Skate, BMX, Scooter, and Crazy Contraptions. With nonstop energy underscored by a live DJ, attendees can join in on the fun with new interactive elements that bring them closer than ever before to the competition.

Fans are also invited to elevate their experience with the exclusive Nitro Circus Track Pass, designed for the ultimate fan and an unforgettable adventure.  With the Nitro Circus Track Pass, fans will enjoy early entry to beat the crowds, floor access for an up-close view of the Nitro Circus track, FMX and BMX bikes, an exclusive athlete autograph session* to meet the stars behind the stunts, a commemorative lanyard, a limited edition poster and more! *Nitro Circus Athletes subject to change.

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..