by

Jeff Jellison

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham remains quiet on a State Police investigation into the County Treasurer’s Office.

Buckingham

The Treasurer’s Office was the focus of an investigation, requested by Hamilton County Commissioners in December, after a former employee alleged penalties were waived for late tax payments made by family members of the Treasurer’s Office.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham has refused comment on the investigation.

In April, Buckingham stated it was his policy not to comment on an investigation.

This week when asked about the status of the investigation, Buckingham again replied, “No comment.”

Reports have surfaced that Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton has been assigned as Special Prosecutor to the case by Hamilton County Judge Paul Felix. Buckingham did not respond to a request to confirm Eaton’s assignment.

Dillinger

“I trust Lee Buckingham, but this is becoming frustrating,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger.

Dillinger expressed his frustration stating, “We may need to make some changes in the Treasurer’s Office, but until the investigation is concluded we can’t.”

Dillinger told The Reporter earlier this year the Treasurer’s Office was in “upheaval,” and surveillance cameras have been installed to help monitor the handling of cash.

Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said, “This has went on longer than expected. I would have thought we would have some information from the Prosecutor’s Office by now. Hopefully, we will see something soon and be able to put any concerns to rest.”

Heirbrandt

Former Treasurer’s Office employee Susan Byer has filed a lawsuit against the county. Byer’s suit alleges she was unjustly terminated, and the action was in retaliation for the confrontation with Kim Good over Good posting family members’ payments as on time when they were in fact late.

Commissioners have described Byer as a “disgruntled employee.”

A jury trial for Byer’s civil suit is scheduled for April 27, 2020.

Hamilton County Reporter

Noblesville officials and construction crew members from United Construction Services and Butler, Fairman & Seufert, Inc. gathered on Greenfield Avenue for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the new roundabout at Howe Road. Striping of the road was completed Wednesday and reopened to traffic for evening commutes.

The newly-constructed project was selected by the Noblesville Engineering Department due to concerns with vehicle delays and safety. In order to create a safer and more efficient intersection, a roundabout was chosen.

“This roundabout provides a more efficient connection with Howe Road and 146th Street and adds a traffic calming effect on Greenfield Avenue,” said Assistant City Engineer Jim Hellmann.

INDOT selected United Construction Services to construct the roundabout, which cost $847,117.10. The project was funded through a federal grant with the City of Noblesville’s match of 20 percent ($169,423.42).

This is the third consecutive year the city has made improvements to Greenfield Avenue. Last year, Greenfield Avenue from State Road 37 to Boden Road was resurfaced using a Community Crossing Grant, which was funded evenly by the city and state. In 2017, the city resurfaced Greenfield Avenue west of 16th Street and constructed the roundabout at 10th Street.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Our annual quiz to allow the reader to see how well he or she is informed on local news events and history is the subject of today’s column. It’s a little tougher than last year’s quiz, but all the correct answers have appeared in Reporter stories.

Answers can be found below, following the questions.

1. Who was the most recent U.S. president to visit Hamilton County?
2. In what year were both Noblesville and Hamilton County established?
3. A dam on what county waterway created Morse Reservoir?
4. Hamilton County has four mayors. Can you name them?
5. For what is Norman Norell famous?
6. How many incorporated cities and towns are located in Hamilton County?
7. Can you name the nine high schools in Hamilton County?
8. Who is the longest serving elected official in Hamilton County?
9. Hamilton County has among the largest number of Carnegie libraries. Can you name them?
10. How many members of the U.S. Congress have lived in Hamilton County?

Continue reading Fred Swift’s annual quiz →

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County officials will hold a ribbon cutting for the expansion of the current jail at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28. The $13.5 million project will add 120 beds to the facility.

The initial phase of the jail expansion features five cell pods with 38 prefabricated steel cells consisting of two- and four-man cells. The expansion will also include an interior recreation area, classroom and medical support area. A second phase of the project could add additional beds.

The Sheriff’s Department is expected to move inmates into the new facility in early July.

The public is invited to tour the new expansion as well as the current facility. On Friday, June 28, “Slumber in the Slammer 2.0” takes place with a guided tour and more from 6 to 10 p.m., with financial donations accepted. Activities continue on Saturday, June 29 with guided tours taking place at 9 and 11:30 a.m.

Reservations are required and a $5 per person charge is required with proceeds benefiting the Chaplain’s Division. Click here to sign up for either event.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Another year, another Hoosier Crossroads Conference All-Sports championship for Hamilton Southeastern.

The Royals won the All-Sports Award for the 2018-19 school year, in addition to a sweep of the Boys Sports and Girls Sports championships. Southeastern totaled seven conference titles during the season, winning in baseball, girls basketball, boys golf, girls soccer, boys swimming, girls track and field and volleyball (tied with Avon).

Fishers finished the season with three HCC titles, in boys cross country, girls swimming and boys tennis. Noblesville won the conference championship in girls cross country.

The HCC also announced the All-Conference teams for baseball and softball. The lists are as follows

SOFTBALL
Team Standings
Brownsburg 7-0, Avon 5-2, Fishers 5-2, Franklin Central 4-3, Hamilton Southeastern 3-4, Noblesville 3-4, Zionsville 1-6, Westfield 0-7.

First Team
Avon: Hayden Batton, Zoe Frossard, Nicole Large.
Brownsburg: Mackenzie Bedrick, Anna Carroll, Kelsey Endress, Marah Wood.
Fishers: Brooke Benson, Courtney James, Hannah Mays.
Franklin Central: Macee Roberts, Maddie Weaver.
Hamilton Southeastern: Nicole Lang, Abby Taylor.
Noblesville: Chloe Tragesser, Ella White.
Westfield: Avery Parker.
Zionsville: Lucy Garrett.
Honorable Mention
Avon: Madyson Day, Makaela Penning.
Brownsburg: Maicey Bedrick, Sydney Rodeghier.
Fishers: Caroline Bernhardt, Olivia Latimer.
Franklin Central: Raigan LeMar, Josie Newman.
Hamilton Southeastern: Ava Aguilar, Kaelin Wincek.
Noblesville: Julia Furiak, Emily Minett.
Westfield: Reghan Oland.
Zionsville: Callie Rheinheimer.
Coach of the Year: Keith Brown, Brownsburg.

BASEBALL
Team Standings
Hamilton Southeastern 10-4, Noblesville 8-6, Westfield 8-6, Zionsville 7-7, Fishers 7-7, Avon 6-8, Brownsburg 6-8, Franklin Central 4-10.

First Team
Avon: Austin Baugh, Cam Melvin.
Brownsburg: Kerrington Cross, Parker Gryskevich
Fishers: Kyle Brenczewski, Nick Lukac
Franklin Central: Matt Hall
Hamilton Southeastern: Cole DeWael, Michael Dillon, Greyson Droste, Tyler Schweitzer.
Noblesville: Cooper Miles, Cade Nelis, DJ Owens.
Westfield: Trey Anderson, Parker Bard, Bryce Dorton.
Zionsville: Justin Castettes, Jack Firestone.

Honorable Mention
Avon: Lucas Carrillo.
Brownsburg: Travis Bevington.
Fishers: Tristan Baker, Jon Vore.
Franklin Central: Cade Fitzpatrick.
Hamilton Southeastern: Jack DeWolf, Anthony Eggers.
Noblesville: Ethan Imel, Brady Walden.
Westfield: Zach Collins, Kyle Pepiot.
Zionsville: Cole Connor, Colin Price.
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Sassanella, Hamilton Southeastern

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board appointed Clint Wilson Wednesday night to fill the remaining term of Mike Bottorf, through December 31, 2020.  Wilson was approved by a vote of 5-0.

Board member Janet Pritchett chose to abstain, saying she has nothing against Wilson, but abstained out of “principle.”  After the board meeting, Pritchett chose not elaborate on what she meant by “principle,” but may say more later.

Wilson will be sworn-in as a member of the school board at the July 10th meeting.  Former Board President Bottorff announced his resignation from the board in late May.

There were 24 applications filed to replace Bottorff, and the board named four finalists that were publicly interviewed June 18th.  The other three finalists were Travis Brown, Peter Griffin and Jeff Lantzer.

During his public interview, Wilson told board members he has three children, with two enrolled in HSE Schools.  His family moved to Fishers six years ago.

He is an agent with State Farm Insurance.

Wilson’s involvement as a volunteer for the Youth Mentoring Initiative and participation in the Finance Academy motivated him to seek this board seat, he said during the interview session.  He has observed many of the challenges students face in school these days.

As an insurance agent, Wilson collaborated with other agents to establish programs bringing potential clients into the office to discuss what is needed in each individual case.

Even with the many positive parents in the HSE Schools, Wilson said students face challenges in dealing with social media.  He has found that students learn much differently compared to when Wilson was in school.  He says critical thinking is very important for students to learn.

The board seat Wilson assumes will be up for election in November, 2020.

The Council Connect meeting Wedneday saw its largest crowd since the the sessions began earlier this year, with more than 20 people gathering at the Reserve in the Hamilton Trace complex, a senior citizens residential facility.

Council President Rich Block and Vice President Eric Moeller answered questions from the audience for about 90 minutes.

Transportation and economic development issues took center stage, but one central issue was the lack of an up-to-date printed map of the City of Fishers.  The councilmen promised to look into that.

There were a number of senior citizens on hand and they asked about Fishers stature as a senior-friendly city.  AARP announced in early 2018 the naming of Fishers as Indiana’s first age-friendly city.

One citizen asserted that Fishers motorists’ behavior is not good, with speeding a regular thing along main arteries such as 116th Street .  The councilman pointed to the recent actions standardizing neighborhood speed limits at 25 miles-per-hour.  They promised to raise the speeding on main streets with the police department.

On the transportation issue, the councilmen said the bus running during rush hours between Fishers and downtown Indianapolis several years ago had plenty of ridership when gasoline prices edged up to $4 a gallon, but when prices went down to near $2.50 a gallon ridership declined to the point where the bus operation was cancelled.  The city will continue to study mini-transit operations to navigate within the city if that becomes feasible.

Questions were raised about a developer buying homes just west of the Chatham Tap restaurant along 116th Street, with development possible but none announced at this time.  Councilman Block responded that those homeowners received a very good price when selling those homes, and added all that property in not now within the Fishers city limits.

Another Council Connect session will be scheduled during July or August, with the date, time and place to be named later.

It is rare that a carjacking of any kind is reported in the City of Fishers, but police say an Amazon contract driver was reported carjacked at Minden Drive and Dorster Street, in the Zimmer Park area of Saxony, at around 10:15 Tuesday morning.

The suspect fled the scene, and no one was injured.  However, the suspect did get away in the Amazon driver’s vehicle, which contained Amazon shipments to be delivered.

Here are the details, as provided by the Fishers Police Department in a news release:

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

On June 25th, 2019 at 10:13 AM, the Hamilton County 911 Communications Center received a phone call from an individual reporting he had been carjacked at gunpoint by an unknown assailant at the intersection of Minden Drive and Dorster Street. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded that the driver exit the vehicle. After the victim exited the vehicle, the suspect fled the area traveling eastbound towards Olio Road. The suspect was initially a passenger in a black GMC full-size SUV, which followed the van as it fled the scene.

The victim is a contracted delivery driver for Amazon. The stolen vehicle containing Amazon packages, is a late model white Ford 250 Transit Van. The Ford 250 Transit Van has a light blue piece of paper displayed on the front dashboard. The suspect is described as a mid-twenties, slender build, black male wearing grey running pants, grey hooded sweatshirt, black beanie, and black shoes.

The suspect is no longer in the area. There were no injuries during this incident. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact Detective Edgar Holmes at (317)-595-3300.

The City of Fishers must work through the issues involved in rolling out the next generation of wireless technology – the 5G network.  Most cell phones now use 4G technology.

The Indianapolis metropolitan area has been chosen by the industry as a place where 5G will be installed first.  The question before the City of Fishers is this – does the city encourage wireless companies to move into neighborhoods, and how should concerns from individual subdivisions be considered as the new technology is installed around the city?

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness presided over a work session Monday afternoon with the Board of Public Works and Safety, all about 5G.  The board consists of the mayor and his two appointees, Jeff Lantz and Jason Meyer.

City Attorney Chris Greisl gave the board a rundown on the machinations leading up to the legal landscape of today.  Bottom line, as the law stands now, requests to install 5G towers in Fishers neighborhoods will be decided by the Board of Works.

Mayor Scott Fadness says the board could soon see 15-20 individual proposals from commercial providers at every meeting in the near future.  The question board members must decide is how to balance encouraging Fishers as a place where the new technology is welcomed and the aesthetic concerns neighborhoods may have with the look and placement of 5G towers.

For example, if a resident has a nice picture window that is blocked by the placement of a new 5G tower in the neighborhood, would that resident be able to ask the city to move the tower a few feet to preserve the view?

One major difference between 4G and 5G wireless technology is the need for more towers with 5G.  A 5G tower has a range of only 500-1,000 feet, meaning more towers are required.  4G towers cover a much wider geographical area.

Fadness expects Verizon to have the most interest in installing 5G wireless networks in Fishers residential areas.  AT&T has already built a fiber optic network in most Fishers neighborhoods, but Verizon has not.  A residential 5G network would allow Verizon to offer residential high-speed Internet and television service through a 5G network.

The mayor said he has received comments from Fishers residents about the possible health risks attached to 5G wireless technology, but referred at a May 12th New York Times story that points out a Russian disinformation campaign on 5G health risks.  The mayor also talked about that subject in a recent podcast interview with me.

The wireless firms expect this new 5G network to be the technology of the future that should last for decades, so it is not expected to by usurped by new technological advances in the foreseeable future, Fadness told fellow board members.

The board reached no decision at the Monday discussion.  The mayor plans to invite technical experts to talk with board members at a future board work session, possibly in August.

With the Internet streaming services all the rage with entertainment production and Wall Street, the question arises – what is the future of the film business?  Will the traditional movie theater survive?  I have a few thoughts.