For many years, Fishers residents have complained about the private roads in disrepair throughout the city.  The Board of Works and Public Safety took an important step in moving forward on two projects under a provision called The Barrett Law, a process that begin in March of this year.

Property owners in the commercial area of these roads would share in the cost of repair and reconstruction, and can pay over time if they so choose. Once that is complete and the work is done, those roads would be included in the city’s inventory of streets and roads for any further work.

Two areas of roads, east and west of State Road 37, on the northern end of the city, are the first sections of private roads targeted to be fixed under the Barrett Law.  One section is  Trade Center Drive, Britton Park Rd (between 135th St and 141st St.), and Park East Court.  The other is Parkside Drive, Publishers Drive, and Enterprise Drive.  The cost of the projects are $1.9 million and $571,000.

Since some property owners reside out of state, the city has extended the period of time to file objections, with the deadline now set at October 9.

In one other item of note on the board agenda, Fishers Fleet Management Director Tabatha Miller asked the board for up to 49 replacement police vehicles at a cost not to exceed $2.5 million.  Miller told the board the high number is attributed to budget years 2022. 2023 and 2024.  Some vehicles are already ordered, this board action is requested just in case those orders are cancelled and must be ordered again.  Six vehicles ordered in 2022 are just now being assembled by the manufacturer, Miller said.   The Fishers Police Department has 171 police cars total.

The fleet request before the board only covers the cost of the vehicle, not the the equipment needed to use in law enforcement.

“These are unusual times we find ourselves with our fleet,” Mayor Scott Fadness said.  Fire, police departments and ambulances are facing challenges, but Fishers is not alone in dealing with this issue.  Miller says Fishers is doing “fairly well” compared to other municipalities facing this fleet challenge.

The board approved the request from fleet management.

Here is the video version of my podcast with author Sonali Dev.

The Hamilton East Library is holding a special event Saturday, September 30, 2:30-4:30pm, at the Forum Events Center.  Three authors will be on hand to talk about their books and sign books as well.

One of those authors is Sonali Dev, a prolific writer.  She will be discussing her book “Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors.”  The library arranged for me to record a podcast with Sonali Dev.  Listen at the link below, I think you will enjoy the conversation.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board is once again featured on the front page of the Indianapolis Star, this time in the Monday morning edition.  The story is all about a proposed contract with Bondry Consulting and the board’s interactions with Chief Financial Officer Katy Dowling.

I have reported previously on all this, but reporter Rachell Fradette does a deeper dive into the story.  It all revolves around HSE School Board Member Ben Orr’s desire to have outside financial advice and Dowling questions why he needs that since that is her job as CFO.

Orr endorsed the work Dowling is doing for the school district, but reporter Fradette reminds her readers that Dowling’s contract did not receive the 2-year renewal that had been traditional previously.

There is a lot more to read in the IndyStar story, which you can access at this link.   (NOTE:  Access to this story may be limited if you are not an IndyStar subscriber.  Online subscriptions are relatively inexpensive.  Once again, please, subscribe to your local media!)

At the September 20 Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting, the public was introduced to the HSE High School ESports team.  What is this thing called ESports?  It is basically competition among schools all about computer gaming.

Students have competed in games such as Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers, Valorant, League of Legends and Chess.  This past summer, students playing Valorant were crowned National Champions at the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF) competition. Additionally, HSE Esports placed third in Overwatch and two HSE Esports players competing in Super Smash Brothers placed as individual finalists.

While speaking before the board, the team and Coach Keaton Squires said the team has pitched-in to buy the technical equipment needed in order for the team to practice and prepare for upcoming competitions.

Mr. Squires told the board his team needs $15,000 to buy the equipment needed.  He wasn’t asking the board for money, he was asking for the community to help the team.

It was a matter of days and a Go Fund Me page was established for the team.  The early contributions as of Sunday evening total just over $4,200.

If you would like to contribute to the HSE High School ESports team, use this link.

Another week brings another update on road construction and other projects in and around Fishers.

Here is the update, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers road construction update for the work week starting Monday, September 25 →

Howard Stevenson served on the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and is currently President of the Fishers Plan Commission.  He now is a candidate for an at-large seat on the Fishers City Council.  He talks with Larry Lannan and Mike Fassold in this podcast episode.

Jocelyn Vare was one of two Democrats elected to the Fishers City Council 4 years ago.  She is seeking another term as an at-large Councilor.  She joins Larry Lannan and Mike Fassold in this podcast episode.

As part of my Fishers City Council Candidate podcast series, this episode features at-large Councilman Todd Zimmerman, who is seeking another term on the council.  Mike Fassold joins Larry Lannan in the discussion.

As I begin my series of podcasts featuring candidates for Fishers City Council, this episode features at-large incumbent Council Member Cecilia Coble.  Retired Fishers Junior High School Teacher Mike Fassold joins Larry.