The sponsorship for the summer musical series Symphony on the Prairie wasn’t open for long.  Kroger has take over as the sponsor for the symphony tradition, at Conner Prairie in Fishers.

The announcement was made this morning, and reported by Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Marsh has sponsored the series since it began in 1982, and had been slated to continue as the title sponsor this year, before the grocery chain filed for bankruptcy.

You can read Lindsey Erdody’s story at this link.

When the Associated Press ran a  story May 11th about attorney Jennifer Messer’s legal work for the City of Fishers, only two months of billing records were released at that time. Fishers city officials have now released records from 2015 through April of 2017.

The records show daily billing for legal services.  In most months, based on the claims submitted by Mrs. Messer, she was paid less than $200 per hour.  In a few instances, she was paid more, the most being $211 per hour one month.

The legal work was largely done from her home in suburban Washington DC.  Her husband is Congressman Luke Messer, and he is considering a run for the United State Senate seat now held by Joe Donnelly.

Here are the records, as released by the City of Fishers:

January-April 2017

January-December 2016

January-December 2015

(Editor’s Note:  This commentary by Fred Swift appeared in the Hamilton County Reporter and is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter 

It doesn’t sound like a job many people would want, being Democratic Party chairman in Hamilton County. And, the job doesn’t pay anything. But, Joe Weingarten asked for it, got it and is looking forward to the challenge.

The 11-year Fishers resident took over the position in March from Keith Clock who gave it up after serving more than 10 years. Weingarten wants to invigorate the party which hasn’t won a major office since Robert Wical was elected mayor of Noblesville 42 years ago.

The chairman’s job is to assemble and maintain a county organization of over 200 precinct committeemen, raise campaign funds, and spearhead an effort to win those elective offices on the local ballot.

Next year features big local elections with 58 positions on county ballots including those of nine state legislators whose districts are entirely or partially in Hamilton County, 13 county offices, nine township trustee offices and 27 township board seats. Every one of these offices is currently held by a Republican, many of whom have good name ID and generally favorable reviews on job performance.

Weingarten’s job would seem overwhelming. So, what’s he going to do?

He is going get more aggressive in speaking out on issues. He says, for example, that local officials are organizing Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs) when they are not needed. He says he will question such things as Fishers’ payment of huge fees for a politically connected attorney to represent the city in Washington.

But, nuts and bolts are important too, Weingarten realizes. He claims to have 70 percent of the precinct committeemen jobs filled, and is encouraging party auxiliary groups such as a women’s Democratic organization and high school Democratic clubs. In early June there will be a ‘candidates school’ for persons interested in running for office next year.

The new party chairman sees a future for the county party which has been in the minority since the Civil War. He says more Democrats or folks that can be persuaded to vote for the party candidates, are moving into the county.

While Weingarten is officially retired, he operates a small business and is heavily involved with Boy Scouts as well as working on his political agenda. His task of building a party is not going to be easy. Republicans are aware of his plans and of the demographics that show more Democrats moving in. But, there are also a lot of new Republicans who have been leaving Indianapolis for years.

So, don’t look for a Democratic sweep in the near future, but hints of a two-party system may be on the way; not a bad thing for either party because with no competition the only existing party can become lax, and that’s no good and no fun in our political system.

It should come to no one’s surprise, but the big question now is – what happens next?

The Marsh Supermarket chain has sponsored Symphony on the Prairie, at Conner Prairie in Fishers, since the series began in 1982.  With the filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Marsh has officially bowed out as the sponsor of this very popular Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) summer series.

Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal cites a news release from ISO.  The release says “details on the new era” of the series will be announced Wednesday.

You can read Lindsey Erdody’s full story at this link.

The City of Fishers offered material and labor, local businesses donated money and lots of PTO parents worked for a long time to make the Riverside Intermediate School’s new playground a reality.  Tuesday morning marked the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the schools.

With the 2017 Indiana legislative session behind us, State Senator Jim Merritt talks about what has been accomplished at the Statehouse this year, and discussed a few other subjects

An unexpected settlement check of $150,000 from a corporation, to the City of Fishers, will go toward the new Internet of Things Lab being put together near Launch Fishers.  The Lab will be managed by the staff at Launch.

Fishers Director of Economic Development Brandon Dickinson told LarryInFishers the nature of the settlement brought the $150,000 to the Redevelopment Commission , and the city staff recommended the money be put into equipment and other startup expenses for the Lab.  Commission members approved the transfer of the money to Launch Fishers at the Monday meeting.

Motorists driving in school zones around Fishers will have flashing speed limit signs, but it won’t happen anytime soon.  The Board of Public Works and Safety Monday approved a Local Public Agency contract with the Indiana Department of Transportation, with the state providing 90% of the funding for the signs, and Fishers picking up the remaining 10%.

City Director of Engineering Jeff Hill told board members he anticipates bids to be accepted in early 2018, with the signs installed in 2019 or 2020.  The signs will be programmed to flash only when school speed limits are in place, generally while school is in session.

Hill said his department is looking at standardizing the school speed limits around the city.

During the Monday session, the board also approved “Plant a Tree” grant recipients, and passed a field use agreement between City of Fishers and Fishers Soccer Inc. (also known as Indy Premier Soccer Club).

It was picture-perfect weather for the Fishers City Hall Open House Monday evening.  Most city departments had people, demonstrations and equipment on hand for the youngsters to try.  Construction equipment and snow plows were popular, but nothing can beat getting up close and personal with fire trucks and police cars.

Continue reading City Hall Open House Draws Families Downtown →

When I sat down to record a podcast with the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) “North of 96th” reporter Lindsey Erdody May 16th, we talked about a number of issues related to Fishers and Hamilton County.  One issue we discussed was the future of the Nickel Plate Rail line.  Lindsey said she was working on a story for the IBJ print edition.  You can listen to the podcast at this link.

Lindsey’s story about the Nickel Plate Rail line has now been published.  She does her research and talks to a number of people involved in the debate.

You can read Lindsey’s story at this link.   Note that if you are not an IBJ subscriber, you may be limited in accessing this story.  But you can always buy a print edition of the IBJ.