I am certain there are people waking up this Sunday morning in Fishers wondering why there is so much commotion about the retirement of one football player.  There are football fans still in shock about Andrew Luck’s decision to retire just before the start of the 2019 NFL season.

There are football reasons for concern, and there are non-football reasons for concern.  Allow me to start with the non-football part.

Whether we like it or not, taxpayers have a major investment in the Colts and Lucas Oil Stadium.  Those of us living in the Indianapolis area must be cognizant of one important fact…we are one of the smallest markets in the NFL.  Of the 30 metropolitan areas with an NFL team, Indianapolis is 25th.

When the lease on the old RCA (formerly Hoosier) Dome no longer made sense for the city economically, the city and the Colts were at a crossroads.  Would the Colts leave for another market (remember, Los Angeles had no NFL team at that time) or would state and city officials find a way to finance a new NFL stadium in Indy?

Because our market is small by NFL standards, our local elected officials decided to pony up public money to keep the Colts here.  That was the only way to keep the team.  You can make arguments either way as to whether that was the correct decision, but that is the way things stand so that is the reality we face.

That is why Andrew Luck’s retirement is something non-football fans should understand.  We all have an investment in the Colts.  When the Colts do well, we all do well.  When the Colts do not win, we all suffer some as a result.

It is a fact that very few teams make the playoffs and progress into the post-season without a top-shelf quarterback.  There are only a small number of quarterbacks in the NFL capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl.  Andrew Luck was in that small number.

One NFL General Manager reportedly offered the Colts their entire draft if they could obtain the rights to the number one pick that year, which everyone knew would be Luck.  The Colts refused, understanding the need for a high-caliber quarterback.

It will take the Colts some years to recover from this.  The chances of the Colts being a contender for a Super Bowl title are down this year, and likely for some years to come.

This damages the value of that public investment area taxpayers have made, and are still making, to keep the Colts around.  We should all understand this reality.

But there is a football consequence that must be considered. As recently as 1977, the NFL regular season consisted of 14 games.  That number then went to 16, where it is today.  But that does not include playoff and preseason games, or full contact practice sessions.

With players bigger and faster than ever, the physical toll this game takes on the bodies of the players is something most of us will never understand.  Read accounts from former players.  Talk to a medical professional that treats current or retired NFL players.  They all tell the same story.  The NFL beats your body up in a savage manner.

Personally, I do not blame Andrew Luck for retiring.  He has played through difficult and painful injuries in the past.  It appears he would be forced to play through a lot of pain in order to play for the Colts this season.

I expect more players to end their NFL careers earlier than ever as we move forward.  The physical toll is just too much for any human to endure.

Much has been written about the Colts crowd booing Luck as he left the field of the preseason game Saturday night.  I suspect that came because of the shock felt by devoted football fans.  From everything I know, Luck was involved in the Indianapolis community in a very positive way, above and beyond what is expected of a first-tier athletic star in our society.

I wish Andrew Luck all the best in whatever the future has in store for him.

But remember this when the NFL and the players’ union enter the next contract negotiations.  One big goal of the owners is to expand the number of games in the regular season and possibly the playoffs.  The players will balk at putting their bodies at risk even more in the coming years.

Just a few things to think about as Andrew Luck moves into NFL retirement

Hamilton County Reporter

A portion of the construction on the Levinson project has stopped after complaints were received from downtown businesses and residents regarding vibrations from the pounding of construction materials into the ground.

A few downtown businesses reported damage to their building’s masonry and items falling off shelves due to the vibrations.

A statement issued by the City of Noblesville to the Hamilton County Reporter said:

“The decision to halt sheeting installation was made last week. The city discussed its concerns about the process and feedback shared by nearby tenants about the vibrations. It was decided to stop operations and look into other options. The construction team is preparing to mobilize a different method, which will efficiently speed up this work and cause less vibrations. In the meantime, the existing sheet piles that are sticking up out of the ground will be pulled up and removed.”

Robert Herrington, Communications manager for the City of Noblesville, said the shutdown is only for sheeting material installation. Utility work and limited excavation will continue.

Hamilton County Reporter

On Sept. 18, Nickel Plate Arts will hold its seventh anniversary gala with the fourth edition of the Nickel Plate Arts Awards to celebrate the area’s burgeoning arts scene and recognize some of the most valuable artists and arts advocates. The gala will happen at the Mill Top Banquet and Conference Center and feature dinner by Jacquie’s Catering, wine from Mr. G’s liquors, live music, hands-on arts experiences and a live auction during Nickel Plate Arts’ premiere fundraiser of the year.

Aili McGill, executive director for Nickel Plate Arts, emphasizes the importance of the upcoming anniversary gala to Nickel Plate Arts’ ongoing success.

“This year’s gala is critical to Nickel Plate’s overall financial health, and also allows us to share the stories of how the members of our creative community are improving the quality of life within and promoting economic development throughout the Nickel Plate region,” McGill said.

More specifically, McGill says, “This year’s gala will allow us to raise funds for our next big project, which is our proposed ‘Artist Academy,’ a highly-cultivated series of classes, workshops, and other resources developed in conjunction with partners throughout our network to offer artists of all experience levels important professional development and growth opportunities.”

Nickel Plate Arts’ goal is to raise funds to develop these classes and offer them to artists affordably.

McGill is eager to honor each of the nominees. “This year, we recognize 22 individuals who are actively engaged in strengthening the arts community.”

Here are the nominees for the 2019 Nickel Plate Arts Awards:

Emerging Artist of the Year

• Krista Darrow
• Robert Adams IV
• Gloria Merrell

Artist of the Year

• Leslie Ober
• Geoff Davis
• Michael Janosky
• Kerry Ruschhaupt

Arts Educator of the Year

• Sue Payne, Conner Prairie and Hamilton County Artists’ Association
• Deanna Leonard, Caravan Classes
• Conner Prairie
• Ed Gedeon, Comics & Cartooning Class Instructor

Arts Champion of the Year

• Fishers Arts Council
• Bonnie Ramirez, Our Town Cicero Third Thursdays
• Jill Lehman, High Frequency Arts
• Brian Short, Prizm the Artist’s Supply Store
• Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy
• Meredith Ziegenhagel, Ziegenhagel Wagner Group

Public Art Project of the Year

• Thompson Thrift, Fishers District development mural project
• Intuitive Health & Riverview Health, sculpture project at new Fishers location
• Riverview Health, sculpture project at new Infusion Center in Noblesville
• Noble Coffee & Tea Company – Indoor bird mini-murals in Noblesville
• Boaz Construction – Meadows Design Complex renovation in Indianapolis

With continued support from patrons and engagement from local artists, Nickel Plate Arts believes its future is bright.

“Moving forward, we hope that everyone who experiences our community will participate in the creative economy in some fashion,” said McGill. “That can include buying handmade gifts, investing in an amazing piece of art, supporting local musicians or actors, taking a class, enjoying well-designed public art, or even creating their own art or handmade product! We are working every day to remove barriers and roadblocks so that every can experience art here every day!”

For ticketing information on Nickel Plate Arts’ seventh annual Anniversary Gala, visit nickelplatearts.org/gala.

(Editor’s Note: On August 21st, Fred Swift wrote a commentary published in the Hamilton County Reporter and posted here on my news blog as part of a news-gathering partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com – the Reporter published a response to Fred Swift’s commentary in the August 24th edition of the Reporter from Hamilton County Councilman Rick McKinney.  Below is the response, in the form of a Letter to the Editor)

Dear Editor:

The title is misleading and implies, to the casual observer, that the Hamilton County government is seeking a tax increase, which is certainly NOT true!

A better title would have been: “Cities seeking to increase local income tax”.

Mr. Swift’s premise that Hamilton County government could easily absorb the costs of the 911 Communications system by itself is simply nonsensical.

The Commissioners wrested control of the 911 department from the Sheriff approximately eight years ago, which was a first in the 30-year history of 911. They proceeded to create a new entity to fund the 911 Communications Center that would be controlled by the cities, funded by contracts with the cities and the county plus the excise taxes from cellphones and landlines, and managed by the commissioners. As a result, the northern communities have been subsidized by both the cities and the county.

The State of Indiana also changed the funding flow so it would receive all the excise taxes from cell phones and landlines, then distributes them back to individual counties under a formula devised by them: It is not a “contribution” from the State as Mr. Swift implies. Nor does Hamilton County receive 100 percent of the taxes generated by its cell phone users.

The surplus Mr. Swift mentioned is already allocated for specific needs and purposes: Proper cash flow to fund routine operations and avoid short term borrowing ($15 million), allocation for Judicial Center expansion ($12 million), reserves for possible cost overruns on State Road 37 ($10 to 12 million) and future road projects at 146th Street and Allisonville Road.

The Hamilton County Council is NOT in favor of an increase in the Local Income Tax. Period.

Rick McKinney

At-Large Member, Hamilton County Council

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern toughed out a season-opening win Friday at Reynolds
Royals Stadium, holding off Lawrence Central 24-20.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Royals opened the second period with a
touchdown on the first play of the quarter. Chris Stein ran seven yards up the
middle into the end zone to get Southeastern on the board.

Minutes later, Jake Huston made an interception, and the Royals took advantage. They got into the red zone, and eventually Alex Geroulis kicked a 30-yard field goal. Southeastern later scored on a nice pass from Andrew Hobson to Deandre Rhodes, a 51-yard touchdown
reception. Geroulis kicked the extra points after both TDs.

The Bears scored before halftime, but HSE still held a 17-7 lead at the break.
Lawrence Central scored a third-quarter touchdown to get within 17-14, and the
score stayed there until the 7:12 mark of the fourth period. Hobson threw a 30-
yard pass to Nathan Wolf, who found his way into the end zone. Geroulis’ extra
point kick made the score 24-14.

The Bears got one more touchdown with less than a minute left in the fourth
quarter. Lawrence Central tried an onside kick, but touched the ball before it
went the mandatory 10 yards. Southeastern got the ball back and kneeled it out.

“It was nice to get some stops, but to be honest, we probably shouldn’t have
been in that situation,” said Royals coach Adam Morris. “I thought that we did a
good job in the first half. I thought we had energy, enthusiasm. I just thought it
kind of faltered in the second half. That’s why they were able to come back and we
were lucky to walk away with a win.”

Hobson finished the game passing 15-of-25 for 233 yards, including the two touchdowns. Rhodes caught six receptions for 144 yards, with Ben Boysen making five catches for 46 yards. Tylin Taylor led the rushing with 61 yards.

Southeastern will travel to North Central next Friday for what will be a
tough game with the Panthers.

“I think what people used to think of as North Central is no more,” said Morris. “They are an elite 6A MIC program. If you don’t play well, they’re going to beat you and beat you by a lot. So we’re going to have to have a good week of practice and show up with our best effort
next week to win it.”

Hamilton County Reporter

The first game of the 2019 Indiana high school football season turned into a big victory for Fishers on the biggest stage in the state.

The Tigers overwhelmed North Central 26-0 in the opening game of the Horseshoe Classic Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The victory was the first for Fishers over the Panthers since 2016 and also came over a North Central team that was ranked No. 7 in Class 6A.

The Tigers set up their first scoring drive after Jackson Dunn caught a Panthers pass for an interception. The drive culminated in a nine-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Roux to Jeffrey Simmons, getting Fishers on the board.

Grant Whetsel then collected another NC interception on the first play of
the Panthers’ subsequent drive. The Tigers eventually settled for a field goal,
a 19-yarder from Jack Phillips with 13 seconds left in the first quarter. Phillips
also kicked the extra point for the Fishers’ touchdown.

In the second quarter, Collin Shelton grabbed a North Central interception,
which set up a long scoring drive for the Tigers. The drive finished when Nick
Leath corralled Roux’s second touchdown, this one from 17 yards, which
Phillips followed up with another extra point kick. Phillips later kicked a 48-
yard field goal, putting the Tigers up 20-0. On the next drive, Geoffrey Brown
picked off a Panthers’ pass, and ran it in 20 yards for a touchdown.

All of the game’s scoring took place in the first half. The Panthers tried to
put together a couple of fourth-quarter drives, but Fishers held them off. Whetsel made a second interception; Fishers picked off North Central six times in total.

Dylan Scally led the Tigers’ rushing with 58 yards. Roux finished the game
completing 9 of 23 passes for 80 yards.

Fishers earned its first shutout since 2017, and the Tigers became the first
team to shut out the Panthers since 2015. Fishers will travel to Pike next Friday.

Motorists traveling north and south this weekend (August 24 & 25) will see brief 10 minute road closures.  Also, look for more construction work around I-69 in Fishers.

For more on that, and other road construction news in and around Fishers, here is the weekly report from the City of Fishers:

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The Fishers city general election is set for Tuesday, November 5th, and the Hamilton County League of Women Voters is sponsoring a candidate forum on Tuesday, October 1st, 7pm, at Fishers City Hall City Council Chambers.  The League plans to invite all candidates to the the event.

There  are four contested city council races this year in Fishers.

Democrat Samantha DeLong is challenging Republican incumbent Eric Moeller in the North Central District.

Lane Skeeters, a Democrat, is running against Republican incumbent South Central District Councilman John Weingardt.

Democrat Adam Kaps is running against long-time Republican incumbent David George in the South West District.

Democrat Jocelyn Vare is challenging the three Republican at-large council members…Rich Block, Cecilia Coble and Todd Zimmerman.  The entire city votes in the at-large election, with the three top vote-getters winning a council seat.

The League plans on sponsoring other city election candidate forums this year.  All start at 7pm.  They include:

• Sept. 5th at Carmel City Hall
• Sept. 26th at Noblesville City Hall
• Sept. 30th at Westfield City Hall

If you are looking for yoga in Fishers, you will soon find it.  Developer Thompson-Thrift announced Thursday the Hot Room Yoga studio is coming to the new Fishers District development, near The Yard & IKEA, along 116th Street and I-69.

“We’re excited to have The Hot Room Yoga studio as part of our retail mix at Fishers District.” said Brandon Borah, Senior Leasing Representative for Thompson-Thrift, in a company news release. “Fishers District promises to be more than just a culinary destination for the Fishers community, but a place where people can also enjoy services promoting a healthy lifestyle all in one convenient location.”

The Hot Room Yoga studio will occupy about 2,804 square feet of retail space beneath the multi-family residential building known as The Mark at Fishers District, in the Spring, 2020.

“At The Hot Room, we’ve curated the most effective hot yoga and hot Pilates classes so students can experience massive physical and mental transformations quickly and jumpstart their most powerful life, regardless of their fitness level. We are beyond excited to expand our presence to the Fishers area and be a part of this growing community and beautiful development.” according to Hye Jin Kalgaonkar, The Hot Room Owner and Instructor.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

The football fans who will be attending Friday’s season opener for Hamilton Southeastern will see an experienced home team at Reynolds Royals Stadium.

Southeastern hosts Lawrence Central in its opener, which kicks off at 7 p.m. That will begin the second season at HSE for Adam Morris as head coach of the Royals, and he is highlighting the experience that will be returning at several positions.

One of those positions is at quarterback, where senior Andrew Hobson is returning. Hobson finished last season very strong, throwing for 555 yards and seven touchdowns in the final three games of the season.

The Royals will also be strong at the wide receiver position, with two returning seniors. Ben Boysen is led Southeastern in receptions last year with 49, gaining 464 yards. DeAndre Rhodes had 10 catches, including one for a touchdown. As for the line, Morris said his team will have a “lot of talent but youth” on the offensive line.

Morris said that Southeastern will also have experience returning on the defensive line and in the defensive back group. The defense includes a host of seniors, James Pflumm, Evan Lantz, Chris Stein and Jake Huston, plus junior John McCall . Lantz had 5.5 sacks last season, while McCall totaled 54 tackles.

After hosting Lawrence Central, the Royals will travel to North Central for a Week 2 game, then host Avon in Week 3 to begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play. Southeastern will travel to Fishers for the Mudsock game in Week 4; the Tigers are a potential Class 6A Sectional 4 opponent, along with Carmel and Westfield.

“In 6A football your sectional is always going to be tough,” said Morris.