The Fishers One organization issued a statement Thursday claiming Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools are not adhering to its own policy and state law in notifying parents of surveys being taken by their students.  HSE Schools say they are adhering to their policy and state law.

“Fishers One has received reports from parents that HSES has not requested parental
consent for to have their children participate in the recent Panorama Surveys for quite
some time,” according to the statement.  The group wants the school district to give notice and parental consent for “any personal analysis, evaluation or survey given to students not directly related to academic instruction.”

Fishers One also cites the Indiana Code, allowing parents access to educational materials used in the classroom.

The school district says it is following state law and providing parental notifications.

“HSE is acting in accordance with Indiana Code,” says HSE Spokesperson Emily Abbotts. “No students were/have been required to participate in the Panorama survey (which has been administered since spring 2019). Parents have been alerted via Skylert each year, a few weeks prior to the survey window, and offered an opportunity to opt their child out of the survey.”

School officials say the Panorama survey provides data leading to a safer and more supportive learning environment where students can see success in academics.  They add that the Panorama survey results are shared with families upon request.

The HSE District is offering the community an opportunity to review curriculum and continues to build on the data available at this link.

Some people just cannot afford housing on the amount of money they earn, and that is sadly too often the case in places like Fishers and Hamilton County.

Andrea Davis is Executive Director of HAND Inc., a nonprofit headquartered in Noblesville that works to bring attainable housing to the local area.

I spoke with Andrea in this podcast about the Cumberland Cottage housing development, the first for HAND in Fishers, as well as a number of other housing-related issues.

Since Andrea is a former journalist at the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ), I could not resist asking about her reaction to the IBJ’s acquisition of Inside Indiana Business.

Food insecurity is found in nearly every community throughout the nation, and Fishers has food insecure people.  A new community fund, Food For Thought, is being established locally.  The Youth Assistance Program and the HSE Schools Foundation have teamed up for the Turnover Hunger drive through September 10th.

For more details, see the information provided below:

=========

In past years, Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation has facilitated PastaBowl, a food drive where local students donated pasta that was distributed to local food pantries the same week as the Mudsock football game. This year, partnering with Fishers Youth Assistance Program, HSEF is excited to announce the new Turnover Hunger program.

From September 7-10, HSE students can bring in food donations to help stock local food pantries and assist with local programs that support food insecurity. There will be collection bins ready for donations at each school location!

• Grades PreK-4: boxed oatmeal or mac and cheese cups
• Grades 5-8: granola bars, peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers
• Grades 9-12: boxes of pasta

To donate, use this link.

In my opinion, there is no better place in the world to see live theater than New York City’s Broadway.  Director Oren Jacoby looks at how Broadway always finds a way to bring itself up once it is down.

The Fishers Health Department (FHD) says the 7-day look-back period for local positive cases is down by 10% compared to the previous 7-day period, but Fishers remains in a Level 3 COVID risk  level on a scale of 5 (5 being the largest risk level).  FHD Epidemiologist Josh Robinson describes the positivity decrease as “a slight positive note,” but there is more to the story.

“There is still a high level of COVID circulation in the community, so we do recommend that everybody still (take) every precautionary measure that they can,” Robinson said in a video update released late Tuesday.  The best precautionary measure is to take the COVID vaccine, according to Robinson.

The Hamilton County rate for unique individual positivity is 12.7%, up slightly from the previous week.  The local case incidence rate, a 14-day rolling average, stands at 42.07 new cases, up slightly.  Fishers testing site positivity cases are down from the previous week at 6.24%.

FHD has expanded testing hours and increased staffing.  You can get a test the same day you request an appointment.  The antigen test is available, with results ready in about a half-hour.  The PCR test results are normally available in 1 or 2 days.

Fishers contact tracing is current, keeping up with the number of cases, notifying those exposed to the virus.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability has gone up slightly compared to last week in our area. However, daily hospitalizations are showing an upward trend, in roughly the same place seen last January.

The number of Fishers residents getting the vaccination increased in August compared to July, with 2,500 people receiving at least the first dose.  However, that still leaves about 16,000 citizens of Fishers eligible for the shot but still unvaccinated.

If you have any questions about the vaccination or COVID, contact FHD at 317-595-3211.

You can view the September 7th video below.

I have written about the state of local news countless times in this space and it is mostly bad news.  For once, I have some good news.

The two most prominent sources of business news in Indiana, the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) and Inside Indiana Business (IIB), are joining forces.  More specifically, IBJ is buying IIB.  Gerry Dick, the anchor of the weekly Inside Indiana Business television program, owns IIB and made the decision to sell.

In an IBJ podcast released Tuesday, host Mason King had IBJ co-owner Nate Feltman and Gerry Dick as guests and they talked about why IBJ bought IIB and why Gerry Dick decided to sell.

Both operations will stay with their current work force with no layoffs, according to both Feltman and Dick in comments made on the podcast.  They will be housed in one location, most likely the current IBJ home on Monument Circle.

I have small connections to both operations.  I wrote for the online version of Indiana Forefront for a few years, and authored a commentary on the first Fishers mayoral election back in 2014 published in the print edition of IBJ.  I have had several IBJ reporters on my podcasts as guests.

When Gerry Dick decided to open an office at Launch Fishers, he graciously accepted my invitation to appear on one of my podcasts.  We had a good conversation.  Gerry Dick is a very affable yet professional news person.

The most important aspect of this transaction is this – both operations will remain local.  Both will be owned by the current IBJ group – Nate Feltman, Mickey Maurer and Bob Schloss.  They are all local people.

IBJ was owned by a national organization, American City Business Journals, in 1986 but Mickey Maurer bought the paper in 1990, believing local ownership of such a publication was (and is) important.

There is much each organization can gain from this new configuration.  IBJ, which has focused on Central Indiana, now can use the IIB infrastructure than extends throughout the State of Indiana.  IIB uses TV, radio and online presence.  IBJ is a print enterprise with a heavy online operation and produces podcasts, as does IIB.

This arrangement will strengthen the business news reporting greatly in both Central Indiana and the entire state.  Most importantly, ownership of this news organization will remain local.

In an age where large corporations own most media (the IndyStar is owned by national publisher Gannett) the business news in our area will be owned and operated locally.  In today’s news business, that is very good news.

It’s always a good feeling to return home on Labor Day after a great trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, spending time with my daughter, son-in-law and one-year-old grandson Dakota.  Turning 70 was special on September 3rd, just feeling lucky & thankful to be here with generally good health.

But now that I’m back, I have budgets on my mind.  After watching & listening to the YouTube video of the recent City Council Finance Committee meeting and listening to a city briefing on the budget August 31, I know a lot more about what to expect as the city budget process moves forward.

The mayor is proposing a spending plan for 2022 of $121.64 million with cash reserves for all funds at $41 million.  Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren says this is $10 million more than required under the city’s guidelines for cash reserves, but Mayor Scott Fadness believes the extra money could be a cushion when plans advance in the coming months for a new city hall, arts center and community center, none of which are part of the 2022 budget proposal.

Fadness expects those project plans to be better understand once a group of experts sift through requests for proposals from the private sector.

But the city does plan to hire 3 more uniformed police officers next year, bringing the total of the sworn officers in Fishers to 123.  The city plans to fully staff the new fire station on the northeast side of the city (once constructed) by hiring 8 new firefighters.

City employees (including elected officials) would receive a 4% pay increase in 2022 under the mayor’s proposal.

Fadness is concerned about a 3.6% decrease in Local Income Tax (LIT) funds for 2022, based on numbers provided by the state.  City number crunchers had forecast a 4.1% increase in that tax revenue.  The difference is costing the city $5 million in revenue.  Fadness has asked House Speaker Todd Huston for an explanation as to how the Indiana Department of Revenue came up with the distribution allocation numbers.

HSE Schools will begin their budget process shortly.  Expect an increase in the 2021 budget of $259.25 million when the 2022 plan is revealed.

Ever since the beginnings of this local Fishers news blog in 2012, I have sent the same message to those kind enough to read me.  Budgets are perhaps the biggest decisions local governments make.  It sets the priorities for government in the coming year.  Yet, there is often very little public comment on the budgets during the decision-making process.

The Fishers City Council has a lot to say about the final budget numbers.  The council will conduct a public hearing on the 2022 budget plan.  Take the time to understand the priorities in the city budget and, if you think priorities should be different, this is your chance to have your voice heard.

Bottom line is this….pay attention to budgets.  They decide where your tax dollars are spent.

Hamilton County announced Friday that there will be lane restrictions over the White River Bridge on 116th Street, along the line between Fishers and Carmel.  The lane closures are scheduled to begin on or after September 20th with the work expected to be completed by November 9th.

Below is the full statement from the county highway department:

=================

Please be advised, beginning on or after Monday, September 20, lane closures will be in effect for 116th Street between River Road and Eller Road for the rehabilitation of Bridge No. 160: 116th Street over the West Fork White River. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times on 116th Street throughout construction. Lane closures are expected to be lifted by Tuesday, November 9.

In addition, River Drive West will be closed at 116th Street for the first project phase beginning on or after Monday, September 20. Residents are requested to utilize the signalized intersection at 116th Street and River Drive East for the duration of the closure.

Please exercise caution while driving through the construction zone.

The meteorologists say September 1 is the first day of the fall season, but we know there are plenty of good-weather days left for road construction in and around Fishers.

State Road 37 work continues.  The west side of 131st Street has been blocked, but that is expected to change, switching over to a blocked east side of the highway, likely beginning late in September.

For what is happening now, here is the road construction update, as provided by the City of Fishers:

===========

STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes. Thru traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.

STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST / 135TH STREETS
The westside of 131st Street at SR 37 is currently closed as work progresses on the interchange. SR 37 will remain open both north and southbound. SR 37 southbound left and right turns onto 131st Street will be restricted. Westbound left turns onto SR 37 will also be restricted on 131st Street. View the detour map here.

The Northbound SR 37 right turn lane onto 135th Street is currently closed from 131st Street to approximately halfway to 135th Street for Phase 1 construction. This portion of the dedicated turn lane will not reopen to regular capacity until the interchange is complete.

Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

116th Street in downtown Fishers has fully opened to four lanes of traffic after the completion of the Nickel Plate Trail tunnel. Upon completion of the Nickel Plate Trail, slated for Spring 2022, pedestrians will access the trail via the tunnel to provide safe passage beneath 116th Street. Construction in the area related to the downtown development projects will impact the roadway at various times in August and September.

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
Paving of the northern portion of the Nickel Plate Trail is currently taking place, beginning at 131st Street and moving north of 146th Street over the coming weeks. The project is anticipated to take approximately six weeks to complete, pending weather delays. A speed table (roadway crossing) and pedestrian warning signal for motorists will be installed at 141st Street during this construction. Until paving is complete, this northern portion of the railbed remains closed and no trespassing is permitted. The northern portion is anticipated to be open for pedestrian use by the end of October.

106TH STREET 
On Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 106th Street will have lane restrictions in place between Mollenkopf Road and Hoosier Road for storm work. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic.

ADA ramp and curb reconstruction has started as part of the 2021 Resurfacing Project. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.

My brother Tom is 2 years younger than me.  He called on September 3rd to remind me that a number is just that – a number.

Tom & I grew up together and he has a couple of years to go, but September 3rd, 2021 does represent a number – it is the day I turn 70 years of age.

Reflecting on that number brings so much into my mind I cannot express all of it here, but let’s look at some of the major thoughts.

We do not choose our families, but I hit the jackpot with mine, with a pair of wonderful parents.  My mom is still around at age 91 and I treasure every day with her.  My dad has been gone for 27 years but taught me so much that remains with me today.

I am the oldest of 6.  I am so proud of all 5 siblings.  They are special people.  My extended family is also important to me.  So, I may not be wealthy in some ways, but very rich in others.

My wife Jane has been by my side for 30 years.  No father anywhere can be more proud of his daughters as I am of twins Allison and Mary.  They have grown up to be outstanding young women.

I have made so many friends through my work in radio broadcasting and the federal government.  There is no way I could name you all here, but you know who you are and I have not forgotten any of you.

Facebook is something that is good and not so good at the same time.  But it does provide a way for people to wish others a happy birthday, and I have a long list of well-wishers on this September 3, 2021.  I cannot reply to everyone wishing me a happy birthday, but do try to add a like to each one just to let you know I saw and read your message.

So, there is a lot to look back upon over 70 years.  The many people I have known and so much I have been able to achieve.  I feel extremely fortunate to be in relatively good health for a guy my age.

The past nearly 10 years has been my volunteer effort as a local Fishers news blogger.   I’ve tried to quit at least twice, but circumstances always draw me back into the fray.  We have a special community here in Fishers and it will stay that way only if we, as the citizens of this city, pull together to keep it special.

Thanks for reading this blog and listening to my podcasts.  I’m looking back over 70 years and have no idea what the future looks like – but for as long as I am able, I’ll be writing about it here.