A plea agreement hearing has been requested by Maxwell Winkler, who faces murder charges.  WISH-TV has a story you can access at this link.

It was 1969.  My first job in radio broadcasting did not involve any on-the-air announcing.  I was a 3rd-class licensed broadcast engineer charged with keeping an eye on the transmitter.  I changed tapes and records (we used vinyl in those days).

I worked for a man named Martin Williams, owner of WFMS.  Don’t confuse the 1969 version of the radio station with the country music icon it is now.  Back in those days, Mr. Williams would play entire record albums on the air, tracking them as you would if listening to the record at home.  We had to insert a commercial in the middle in order to turn the record album over and play the other side.

I was 19 years old at the time, Mr Williams was 65.  Martin Williams, as a young man, had met an aging Guglielmo Marconi, the man who invented wireless communications (radio). WFMS was the first FM radio station to go on the air in the Indianapolis market  because Martin Williams was enough of an engineer to know FM sound quality was much better than the AM band (largely used at that time by commercial radio).

My first experience working on Christmas morning was handling a shift at WFMS.  It was a little strange, but I had chosen to work in broadcasting knowing the stations remained on the air during holidays.

Here’s what surprised me.  WFMS was obviously playing Christmas music and much of Mr. Williams’ holiday music selection was very good.  Many people listened while opening presents on Christmas morning.  I began to get one phone call after another, thanking me for giving up my Christmas morning so they could enjoy music the radio station was playing.  That really made an impression on me.

Why am I writing about this?  Because we have plenty of people in Fishers, Indiana, and everywhere else this blog is read, working on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Think about police officers, firefighters, and the retail operations that are open on Christmas. Someone must staff our hospitals and emergency services.

Never forget our Armed Forces men and women in uniform, on duty here in America and around the world.  They are usually at work at Christmas.

There are many more examples of people working during the Christmas holiday.

If you know someone required to work on Christmas, let them know you are thinking about them.  Call your local police and fire department (use the administrative phone number please, not 911) and thank them for being on the job while you celebrate Christmas with your loved ones.

Thinking of others is what Christmas should be all about.

Although my regular beat at this news blog is Fishers, I do pay attention to developments in our neighbors to the west in Carmel.

I have a commentary on Indiana Forefront on recent developments there.  You can read it at this link.

After several months of study, discussion and public hearings, the Fishers City Council gave final approval Monday night to a $5 per month increase in city sewer rates.  The increase will be effective on February 1, 2016.

This rate hike will only impact part of the city, the section located in Delaware Township, which receives its sewer service from the city.  Fall Creek Township residents are serviced by HSE Utilities.

HSE also utilizes city infrastructure to provide sewer service and will be faced with increased costs as a result of this rate increase.  The city is allowed under state law to raise sewer rates by action of the city council.  HSE must gain approval from state regulators before raising rates.
During Monday’s public hearing, arguments were made to change the sewer fee structure from a flat charge per month to one based on usage.  Council members voted to keep the fees a flat monthly amount.

City officials argued in favor of the increase, citing the fact that Fishers hasn’t seen an increase since 1997 and the higher fee is needed to build and maintain the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The Fishers City Council approved the deal worked out with the state of Indiana, Hamilton County and Noblesville to basically rebuild State Road 37 from 126th Street north.  The City of Fishers will be paying $12 million as its share of the cost.

Mayor Scott Fadness pointed out the high points of the agreement, including turning the highway back to the state once construction is complete, which means INDOT will be responsible for maintenance of the roadway once it is fully built.  The design phase is expected to last 2-3 years, so construction will not be be starting soon.

The mayor also touted the agreement as giving control of the roadway to the City of Fishers during the construction period.  Mayor Fadness emphasized that he plans to be working with businesses and residents along the highway during the construction phase to minimize the pain for them.

Whether as a town or a city, Fishers has had a long and productive relationship with Conner Prairie.  So it was only fitting that Mayor Scott Fadness present a key to the city for the retiring President of the world-famous museum at the December 21st city council session.

Ellen Rosenthal will be leaving her job at Conner Prairie at the end of 2015.  She has been in a leadership position there since 2003 and president since 2005.  The nonprofit’s operation has seen a great deal of growth during her tenure.

Congratulations to Ellen Rosenthal as she moves on to other challenges in her retirement years.

Rumors have been running rampant in recent days that Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Pete Emigh will be stepping down.  Word is he is ready to move on.

Look for an official announcement in a day or two.

The next big question is – who will succeed Chairman Emigh?  There will likely be a number of candidates.  It appears there will be at least one hat in the ring from Fishers.

Current County GOP Party Treasurer and Fishers City Council President  Pete Peterson is expected to be in the running for the county party’s top job.

It will be interesting to see how the Hamilton County Republican Party leadership decision comes out in the end.

The weather has turned a bit more wintry, but city crews continue to work on our streets and sidewalks.  Here’s the schedule for the work week beginning Monday, December 21st….

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

LANTERN ROAD
Our crews are working hard, but Lantern Road between 116^th Street and Commercial Drive will continue to have lane restrictions in place. Please pay attention to signs displayed in the area and use caution while traveling.

SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS

Sidewalk improvements will be taking place near Portage way and Brooks School Road the week of Dec. 21.

UTILITY RELOCATION

Utility relocation work will continue in the alleyway between Maple Street and Lantern Road north of 116^th Street.

96^TH STREET

96^th Street will experience closures on Monday, Dec. 21 between Lantern Road and Cumberland Road. Closures will allow for geotechnical work between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

116^TH STREET

Lane restrictions will continue between Cameron Drive and Wainwright Drive for fence replacement. Motorists are encouraged to use caution while approaching lane restrictions and construction crews.

There was a sense of relief among the Fishers city leaders sworn-in to elective office today (12/18).  After a long journey that began in 2012 with the referendum creating a city form of government, our elected leaders will now have 4 years in office before facing the voters again.

In 2014, Fishers had its first city election.  However, that was only for a 1 year term, to be served in 2015, as the transition from a town to a city was underway.

Now the one-year transitional terms are over and those making the decisions in Fishers city government are beginning their normal 4-year terms on January 1, 2016.

We have had the unusual situation of conducting municipal elections in Fishers for 2 consecutive years.  

The swearing-in ceremony included City Judge Dan Henke, Mayor Scott Fadness, City Clerk Jennifer Kehl and most members of the Fishers City Council.

The current council will have its final scheduled meeting of 2015 on Monday, December 21st.  Long-time local leader Stuart Easley is to receive a key to the city at that session.

Suzie Jaworowski is a Fishers resident and a mother of four.  She has also set up an exploratory committee to become a candidate for a Senate seat in the Indiana General Assembly.

She is considering a run for Senate District 30, which is currently held by Scott Schneider.  Senator Schneider has announced he does not plan to run for another term.  This district includes parts of Washington Township and Lawrence Township in Marion County, as well as a portion  stretching from Carmel to Fishers in Hamilton County.

Jaworowski is currently Communications Director for Sunrise Coal.  She also serves as co-chair in Indiana for Carly Fiorina’s presidential bid.

If she decides to run, the campaign says it will be centered on the economy, education and personal freedom.

“When it comes to government, I believe less is more. There are situations where we need leaders to focus and I am particularly interested in helping promote solutions to attack drug abuse and mental health issues, both of which are taking a toll on our communities,” Jaworowski said in a campaign news release.

Should she decide to run, we will see what other candidates emerge in the May, 2016 Republican primary election.