Scott Fadness talks with a member of his staff prior to the Mayor’s Breakfast
When you call your annual fundraising event the Mayor’s Breakfast, that means the mayor will be there, along with many movers and shakers within the local community. The Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) held the event Thursday morning under a tent next to the historic Ambassador House. A large crowd was there to honor those mentoring young people in the Hamilton Southeaster (HSE)n Schools.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness led a panel discussion all about the value of being a mentor, with panelists:
—Chris Huppenthal: Teacher and retired Hamilton Southeastern High School basketball and state championship coach
—Bailee Poore: Former HSE student and player for Coach Huppenthal
–-Justin Masterson: Former professional baseball starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox,
Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Ex-big-leaguer Masterson is also a substitute teacher at HSE Schools.
Matt Kegley is the President of the YMI Board and expressed the importance of financial support, because it costs the nonprofit $1,200 each to match a volunteer with a student. Kegley also cited the many volunteer mentors, including three with more than 10 years of service.
YMI Executive Director Brittany Rayburn served as the MC for the breakfast event.
If you would be interested in volunteering as a mentor, check out this link.
The Gray Eagle Golf Clubhouse will have a restaurant, and netting, if the Fishers City Council goes along with the recommendation of the Fishers Plan Commission. Commission members voted unanimously for a favorable recommendation. The netting in the area will be 160 feet at its highest point, and as low as 50 feet in the area near residential property.
The Commission voted to allow yet another continuance for the Flat Fork Planned Unit Development. This is the third continuance of this proposal, which is very unusual. Planning and Zoning Director Megan Vukusich told the Commission the developer is trying to remove the commercial aspect to this development and there are talks ongoing to work out the purchase agreement with the property owner. The vote allowing the continuance was 7-1 in favor, with City Councilman Todd Zimmerman voting no. The proposed development includes multiple parcels on the north side of 96th Street, between Georgia and Cyntheanne Road. The Flat Fork Planned Unit Development would include a maximum of 220 single-family homes on the north side of 96th Street, between Georgia and Cyntheanne Road,
The Commission voted unanimously in favor of a resolution saying a planned development on South Street in downtown Fishers’ Nickel Plate District is consistent with the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan.
As many of you know, I was away from this blog for a few days dealing with a death in the family. During that time, Fishers announced Miebach, a firm headquartered in Germany, plans to move its North American headquarters from downtown Indianapolis to Fishers
The Fishers Redevelopment Commission approved an Economic Development Agreement with Miebach Tuesday afternoon. Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner said Miebach will occupy space in the Link building, once known as Navient. The 23 employees working now in Indianapolis will come to the Fishers location, and Miebach plans to add 22 workers to the Fishers office.
The employees will be earning $44-$53 per hour. The firm plans to spend $2.5 million in capital investments at the Fishers office.
Miebach will have access to training funds as part of the agreement, but when asked by a commission member, Baumgartner admitted that over the past 2 years, businesses moving to Fishers with access to training funds have not used any of that funding.
Miebach is a supply chain consulting firm.
Regarding the Link building, Baumgartner told commission members with Navient only using a small portion of that structure, the building is two-thirds vacant now, even with several operations that have recently moved into Link space.
In other items on the agenda approved unanimously by the Redevelopment Commission:
–A confirmatory resolution creating the Professional Sports and Convention Development Area for the new Events Center currently under construction. City Councilor David Giffel was the only comment during the public hearing and he praised the advantages for the city in creating this district.
–Declaratory Resolution for the District South Allocation Area, relating to development coming to the south side of South Street in downtown Fishers’ Nickel Plate District.
–The annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) report was shared with the commission members. It shows that in 2022, about 1,300 jobs were created in TIF Districts. The report also lists the average salary of the new jobs at $94,800 a year, with a total investment amount of over $1.2 million. You can read the entire report at this link.
The Fishers Arts Council (FAC), in collaboration with Jiffy Lube of Indiana, is proud to announce the Fourth Annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists. This highly anticipated event brings together 41 talented artists from the communities of Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, and Cicero, showcasing a diverse range of painted mediums. The exhibit will be held at the “FAC Hub Gallery” located in the Collaboration Hub at Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Drive in Fishers.
The exhibit, which runs from September 5 through September 29, promises to be a captivating display of local artistic talent. Visitors can expect to see an array of paintings spanning various genres, including landscapes, portraits, abstract pieces, and floral compositions, each offering a unique perspective on Hamilton County’s vibrant art scene.
One of the highlights of the exhibit is the awards ceremony, which will recognize outstanding contributions in different categories. Awards will be presented for Best Landscape, Portrait or Figurative, Abstract, and Floral or Other. The coveted “Best in Show” prize, which includes a $1,000 cash award and a solo exhibit in the gallery in January 2024, will also be bestowed upon the top artist.
The distinguished jury responsible for selecting the winners includes Rena Brouwer, a renowned Indiana and national artist. Rena, who hails from Delphi, is an international award-winning watercolorist, instructor, and entrepreneur. Her impressive career spans over four decades, during which she has shared her artistic expertise at national art conventions, colleges, museums, and community venues across the country. Rena’s work, known for its contemporary style and focus on nature, has garnered recognition on a global scale.
The MashCraft People’s Choice Award adds an interactive element to the exhibit, allowing the public to cast their votes for their favorite artwork. Art enthusiasts can view the complete 2023 Juried Exhibit photo album on Facebook at Facebook.com/FishersArt and “like” their preferred pieces. In-person voting will also be possible during the Second Friday reception and awards ceremony scheduled for September 8, from 6 pm to 7 pm, with the award announcements following at 7:15 pm.
Second Friday receptions, which are free and open to all ages, have become a staple in the local arts community. September’s Second Friday will feature live music by Jasmine White of Indianapolis, sponsored by the Fishers Arts + Culture Commission. It’s an opportunity for art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the local arts scene, connect with artists, and enjoy an evening of culture and creativity.
Gallery viewings during the exhibit’s run can be scheduled by contacting the Fishers Arts Council at info@FisherArtsCouncil.org or by calling 317-537-1670. The exhibit will be open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Fridays by appointment.
The Fourth Annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists is a celebration of the thriving local arts community, offering an enriching experience for residents and visitors alike. Don’t miss the chance to explore the talent that Hamilton County has to offer and cast your vote for the MashCraft People’s Choice Award.
First, thanks to the many friends and relatives that wished me a happy birthday Sunday. Making it to age 72 is something to celebrate.
Secondly, heartfelt thanks to all of you commenting on my piece written about my late brother Tim. The words warmed my heart and will be a part of the grieving process. Every message helped me in that regard.
I live in a special place and have so many wonderful relatives. This is something I will never forget.
It was April, 1967. I was in my mid-teens, the oldest of six in my family. The number of siblings had just gone up to six with the birth of my youngest brother, Tim.
Then, 11 months later, I watched as Tim nearly died of a serious condition that doctors caught just in time. We were thankful he survived.
I will remember the energetic little boy that enjoyed other people so much. He kept that special talent of connecting with other human beings the rest of his life.
In adulthood, Tim wrestled with a condition not often diagnosed or treated at that time – depression. His bout with depression led to other challenges that made life difficult for himself and many around him for a long time.
Tim was able to get his life back together, largely due to his wife Shelly. He formed a close relationship to his step-grandchildren and life had meaning for him.
He had straightened-out his life the past ten years and things were better. Unfortunately, his overall health did not get better.
Tim had struggled with constant health challenges over the past few months. He was not well.
Then I got a call early September 1st. My brother Tony told me the hospital staff urged those close to him to come now. Tim didn’t have much time to live.
I was there standing next to Tim when he left this world. All I could think about was 1967, I visited him shortly after he was born. Now I am here with him as he passes from this world.
It is hard to lose a sibling, but when you are the oldest brother in a large family, it is even more difficult. I saw Tim grow up. I sat with him when he had asthma attacks and it was not a given he would take the next breath.
The world lost a special soul September 1st. It has not been easy for me to process this.
I went to a high school football game the evening of September 1st hoping to get my mind away from all this. I lasted until halftime. The events of the day had robbed me of any remaining energy.
Tim made it clear to Shelly he wanted no traditional funeral or calling. He asked to have his remains cremated and his ashes spread over a place special to he and Shelly. Tim did ask we have a family party in his honor, a celebration of his life in the Irish tradition. That will happen, as he asked.
I will miss my youngest brother. It remains hard to image living in a world without him. But I do believe he is in a much better place now, with his parents and many other special people.
I appreciate you allowing me a point of personal privilege in this post. It is not about Fishers or news. I thank you for reading about my brother Tim.
I haven’t posted about local news lately and may take just a few days away from blogging, but I will be back soon.
Those of us living in Fishers have a certain view about our city. Jody Britten has lived in Fishers for nearly 15 years. As a speaker, writer and researcher, she travels extensively around the nation and sometimes abroad. She has found that the image of Fishers, Indiana is not always a positive one outside what she describes as the “Fishers Bubble.” She cited specific situations where highly-trained professional people living in other states have chosen not to locate in Fishers because of our reputation.
What caught my attention was a piece Jody wrote on the online platform Medium. You can read that commentary at this link.
I invited Jody Britten to appear on a podcast to further discuss her contention that many of us in Fishers live in that “Bubble.” Listen at the link below.
Author John Green did not just grant an interview with the Indianapolis Star about the Hamilton East Library Board, he also talked with a New York Times reporter about the same set of issues. So, our local library board is now featured in a national publication.
You can read the full article at this link. (Note: As a subscriber of the Times, I can gift a limited number of articles per month. This article is gifted by me so there is no paywall)
Local author with a national reputation, John Green, has inserted himself into the controversy over the Hamilton East Library’s policy of reviewing every young adult book in the collection. The library board recently voted to “pause” the implementation of that policy, at least for now.
Nonetheless, author Green has granted an interview to Indianapolis Star reporter Rachel Fradette and has a lot to say. Green argues this entire situation could have easily been avoided.
“We never would have been in this situation if the majority of the board had listened to librarians and their constituents,” Green tells reporter Fradette. “There were people sounding the alarm about this long before I did. For whatever reason my sounding the alarm got a lot of attention.”
Green had criticism for library board member Ray Maddalone for reading a brief passage from his book “The Fault In Our Stars.” He expressed a dislike for what he describes as reading his work “out of context.”
in other comments he made during the interview:
–He is happy librarians have kept their jobs at the Hamilton East Libraries (in Noblesville and Fishers)
–His books are “not pornography” and he is confident other books taken from the Young Adult collection in the library are not pornography.
–He does view the Hamilton East Library policy as censorship.
Because he mentions Fishers specifically, here is the final paragraph Green provides to reporter Rachel Fradette:
“I love Indianapolis. I love Central Indiana. And I love Fishers … I really want people outside of Indiana to see the Indiana I see … One of the points I tried to make in my initial letter because I understand the priorities of the government in a town like Fishers is that this is really bad for business. It’s really bad for students. It’s really bad for everything that you’re trying to celebrate about what makes Central Indiana cool.”
You can read the story at this link (NOTE: You must be an IndyStar subscriber to access this story. Online subscriptions are very inexpensive. Let me say this again – SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR LOCAL MEDIA!)
The Associated Press is out with its Class 6A high school football poll and both Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High Schools are in the top ten. Hamilton Southeastern is ranked number 4 and Fishers is number 7.
Two other area schools made the top ten….Westfield is number 5 and Noblesville is number 10
