Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is a local political commentator, ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Indianapolis and writes a subscription-based newsletter called the Cheat Sheet.

In a recent Cheat Sheet, Shabazz claims he had heard Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness was a finalist to replace outgoing Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar, but decided to take his name out of consideration.

So, was our current Mayor of Fishers in the mix to become the state’s Chamber President?

“It was an incredible opportunity and I was flattered to be considered but I have more I want to accomplish here in Fishers before I consider leaving,” Fadness wrote in a statement to LarryInFishers.

Scott Fadness was unopposed in the Republican primary this year and is also unopposed in the November general election for another fourt-year term as Mayor of Fishers.

The Hamilton County League of Women Voters wants to educate local citizens on what it takes to cast a ballot in the upcoming local elections.  The League plans 5 voter forums throughout the county.  The event in Fishers is set for Saturday, September 23, 3pm, at the Hamilton East Library on Municipal Drive.

Below is the full news release from the League of Women Voters:

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

The League of Women Voters of Hamilton County will host several voter forums this fall to explain the voting process, from finding your voting location to ensuring that you are registered to learning the requirements for early voting.

Area libraries will host the sessions, which are free and open to the public. Members of the league will present basic procedures, introduce voter resources and answer questions.

“We’ve heard from our members who work the polls that some voters find the process intimidating, especially if they’re new voters or have moved to Indiana from a state with different voting practices,” said LWVHC president Lisa Dick.

Indiana processes have changed a bit, too, another reason the local league devised these sessions to help voters, she said. For example, some changes to the process of applying for an absentee ballot are new this voting season.

Sessions will cover registration, such as when and how to register, age limits and deadlines, and ways to access information about candidates. Members will demonstrate how to use the Indiana Voters Portal, where users can complete a variety of tasks, and will introduce Vote411, the league’s website that features candidates’ statements and positions.

The Voter Forums schedule so far is:

6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, Westfield Washington Public Library, 300 W. Hoover Road, Westfield;

6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, Hamilton East Public Library, 1 Library Plaza, Noblesville;

3 pm. Saturday, Sept. 23, Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Dr., Fishers;

6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel;

6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, Sheridan Public Library, 103 W. First St., Sheridan.

While the league has focused on candidate forums in the past, Dick said the voter forums are a way to engage directly with voters about the election process. She met with Hamilton County election officials this summer to learn how the league could help.

“They encouraged us to promote doing everything early — registration, applying for absentee ballots if necessary, and voting early,” Dick said. “But as we hear from poll workers and from voters when we are out in the community, people have a lot of questions.”

The league will continue to gather candidate surveys for its Vote411.org guide, which allows users to plug in their addresses to see all the information they need about their precincts and voting locations. They also may read about candidates running in their areas who completed the survey.

“Vote411.org remains a critical tool for voters, with resources all in one place, tailored for each individual,” Dick said. “Coupled with these voter forums, young voters, new voters and anyone who wants to better understand the steps involved in this basic right of citizenship will have all the information they need.”

The League of Women Voters, formed in 1920, is a nonpartisan organization that encourages participation in government and works to increase understanding of public policy issues

After Jane & I returned from a trip to New York City in June of 2019, we had seen 2 Broadway plays, visited a jazz club, saw the Museum of Modern Art and taken a day-long tour of the city.  When I asked Jane what she remembered most about our time there, she didn’t hesitate -it was the 9/11 Memorial.

All I can say was the Memorial perfectly honored those losing their lives that day.  It was a moving experience.

I was preparing to teach the most complex course we had for people working in a federal agency when 9/11 happened.  We watched our televisions, saw what the attacks and were promptly ordered to close our office,  Not knowing what might come next that day, all federal agencies closed at mid-day on 9/11.

We should never forget that day.  We should remember how we pulled together as Americans.  You can argue about whether our government made the correct decisions following 9/11, but as a nation, there was a spirit we were all in this together.

I have heard and read many national commentators ask this question – If 9/11 happened in 2023, would we unite as a nation once again?  That is a question we should all ask ourselves.

The Fishers City Council will be holding a public hearing on the $164 million 2024 spending proposal from the mayor September 18.  The Council’s Finance Committee heard from city department heads Monday morning to answer questions on their budget proposals for next year.

Here are some takeaways from what was discussed by all the departments answering questions from the committee:

Police

Chief Ed Gebhart says the FLOCK vehicle license plate reading system is “installed and awesome.”  He expects to partner with Indianapolis Police on some FLOCK cameras along 96th Street.  The chief also said he has no unfilled sworn officer position at the moment and has about 150 applications waiting for an opening, with at least one officer retirement coming soon.

Fire & Emergency Services

Chief Steve Orusa was asked about handling multi-story structure emergencies with more multi-story buildings being constructed in Fishers, and he responded that it does factor into firefighter safety.  However, his department is fully staffed and asking for personnel to fill-in when regular staff is away for training, physical training or other time off.  A new ladder truck int the budget will also help in fighting multi-story emergencies, along with full staffing, per the chief.

Department of Public Works 

Director Eric Pethtel explained plans to ramp-up the sidewalk replacement program.  He also answered questions on landscaping the city’s medians, reducing the danger to city workers needing to cut grass on those medians.  The new landscaping will not require grass cutting.

Health Department

Public Health Director Monica Heltz answered questions on a number of subjects, including vaccinations, mental health programs, blood testing and the fact that the Fishers City Health Department has a lower tax rate than those served by the Hamilton County Health Department.

Engineering

New Director of the Engineering Department, Hatem Mekky, addressed a number of issues, including the interchange of 141st Street and State Road 37.  Bids will be received in April of 2024.  Funding for the city’s share of that project will come from cash reserves, debt, or a combination of both.  Mekky also said a list of neighborhood streets slated for resurfacing in 2024 should be available in November/December of this year.

I have covered the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board for about 12 years.  I do not recall a past situation where the board called a special meeting on 2-days notice for 7am with no specific agenda items revealed.  Yet, this is what happened Monday morning (September 11).

Even though the board has scheduled its next regular session September 19, it appears there remains one or more items requiring action before September 19.

On the 7am Wednesday meeting agenda, both action and information items are listed as “to be determined.”

The meeting will be live-streamed on video at this link.

Saturday, September 9, was a busy day along Municipal Drive in downtown Fishers.  You had the normal morning crowd for the Farmers Market, but the Fishers Fire Department hosted it annual Safety Day on part of Municipal Drive at the same time.

The turnout was good for both events, with the only problem moving vehicles and pedestrians in and out of the festivities.

Here are a few photos from Safety Day 2023.

The old saying that history has a way of repeating itself held true Friday night at the 2023 Mudsock Football Game, pitting city rivals HSE and Fishers High Schools against each other once again.  Last year, the game went overtime, Fishers scored a touchdown in the OT period but failed the extra point attempt,  HSE scored on their chance and converted the extra point to win.

This year, the game once again went into overtime, Fishers had the ball first, scored a touchdown, failed in a 2-point conversion attempt, HSE scored a TD, converted the extra point and won by one point, 35-34.

It was the competitive contest most experts predicted, with two teams ranked highly sate-wide in IHSAA 6A going back and forth.  HSE got out to an early lead, but as most rivalry games go, Fishers picked up momentum in the second half and the game was on.

As usual, the atmosphere was electric with a full house in the stands and many standing around the Fishers Tigers football facility.

Another highlight was the recognition of the 2023 HSE Schools Teachers Of The Year (see video above).

As I walked away from this year’s Mudsock contest, I appreciated the perfect weather and wondered, could these two teams face each other in the Sectional post-season tournament?  It is possible.

The Fishers Fire Department Safety Day has become a regular early-September event and 2023 is no different.  Check out the activities set for Saturday, September 9, 8am-noon, at municipal complex, where the Fire Department headquarters are located.

Lots of road construction ongoing in and around Fishers.  Also, we aware of more neighborhood street resurfacing and road closures coming for the September 16 Geist Marathon & 5K

Below is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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

To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com. 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 141ST STREET
A pre-construction phase at SR 37 & 141st Street is currently in place. During this phase, 141st Street will be a Right-In-Right-Out (RIRO) traffic configuration. 
This is not the permanent configuration. This will allow for traffic to flow more freely along SR 37 until the next phases of construction can be activated. This will eliminate backups along SR 37 that have caused dangerous stops to the free flow traffic and backups on the 146th Street interchange. Again, this is not the permanent configuration for 141st Street. The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Spring 2024. View detour routes here. 

View how to merge safely onto Northbound SR 37 from 141st Street here and onto Southbound SR 37 from 141st Street here. To navigate the merge, remember:

• Use the accel lane to gain speed, not stop
• Use your mirrors and pay attention
• Look for a gap in SR 37 traffic and safely merge

To learn more about the Clear Path Improvement Project and sign up to receive text and email updates, visit clearpath465.com 

I-465 & I-69
Drivers will see an increase in construction along the I-69 corridor in the coming months. This work will focus on reconfiguring the interchange at I-465 and I-69. New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Blvd. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Blvd. will remain open. 

The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is currently closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com 

To learn more about the Nickel Plate Trail, view the Capital Project Dashboard here.

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
The City of Fishers has completed the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail between Hague Road and 106th Street. Coordination and planning are underway with Indianapolis for the final phase between Hague Road and the crossing of 96th Street.

There are daily lane closures currently on Cumberland Road, just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work. The northbound right turn lane and the southbound passing blister will be closed.

Phase 2A traffic restrictions are in effect. These restrictions eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. 

Utility relocation work is ongoing.  Periodic lane closures may be necessary to complete this work.  Please watch for flaggers and workers in and around the construction zone.  Construction crews are continuing to work on storm sewer installation and roadway grading.  Crews have begun working on the widening of the westbound bridge over the White River.  The contractor has installed cofferdams and delineating buoys in the White River for pier construction.  Please use caution if canoeing or tubing through the work zone.  For additional project information, visit the 146th St. & Allisonville Rd. Project Page here.

126TH STREET & PROMISE ROAD
On Monday, Sept. 11th and Tuesday, Sept. 12th, westbound 126th Street at Promise Road will have lane restrictions in place between 9 am and 3 pm to allow contractors to repair the railing near the bridge.

TANGLEWOOD ROAD RESURFACING
Weather permitting, DPW crews will be resurfacing Federal Place in Tanglewood subdivision Wednesday, Sept. 13th through Friday, Sept 15th.  Parking restrictions along Federal Place will be in place during this time.  You can find affected roadways here.

There is a sanitary sewer project currently taking place at Metro Airport at 106th Street & Allisonville Road. There are times where lane restrictions may be in place on Allisonville Road. Please use caution in this area.

106^TH STREET TRAIL RESTRICTIONS

.

The reporters and editors of the Indianapolis Star have been providing lots of space to the Hamilton East Library Board lately.  The many controversies surrounding some board decisions has created plenty of news.

The latest story to appear on the IndyStar Web site Thursday explores the possibility that there could be changes in how members of the Hamilton East Library Board are appointed.  Currently, members are appointed by the Hamilton County Council and County Commissioners, the Noblesville School Board and Hamilton Southeastern Schools.  This was setup back in the days when Fishers and Noblesville were much smaller cities.  Hamilton Southeastern Schools only has one appointee because the headquarters of the library system is in Noblesville.

County Commissioner Christime Altman indicated to Star reporter John Tuohy that she would have no problem changing state law to update the way library board members are appointed in the Hamilton East system.

There is much more in reporter Tuohy’s story, which you can read at this link.   (NOTE:  Many Star stories online are only available to subscribers.  Online subscriptions are not that expensive.  Let me repeat once again – subscribe to your local media!)