If you plan on voting at the polls on primary election day, May 2nd, keep an eye on your mailbox.  More than 21,000 voters will have a new polling location.  Poll site changes and poll site name changes for 17 precincts were approved by the Hamilton County Commissioners on Monday, March 13.

“Bright yellow postcards were mailed notifying those affected of their new voting locations,” said Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams in a county news release. “The cards will tell you the name and address of your new polling site.”

If you do not receive a yellow card in the mail and do not know where you are supposed to vote, you can find your voting location at indianavoters.com, hamiltoncounty.in.gov or by calling the Election Office at (317) 776-8476.

The Fishers Police Department will once again host a Teen Academy this year, June 5-8.  The Fishers FOP and the Fishers YMCA are partnering with the Department in offering this year’s academy.

This year’s academy will be held at Riverside Intermediate School.  The Teen Academy is a four-day camp providing law enforcement-type training that will, according to the Fishers Police, allow teens to better understand how law enforcement works.

The academy will begin with physical fitness at 9:00 each morning.  Participants will then attend informational sessions followed by practical hands-on training to reinforce the lesson(s) of the day.  Each day will end with a social activity between officers and students, and participants will be dismissed at 3:30 p.m.

The academy is open to youth in junior high who have completed the seventh grade through students entering their senior year in high school.  Applicants must be enrolled in or planning to attend a junior high or high school in Fishers in the fall of 2023.  FPD Officers will complete a background check on each applicant.  There is no fee for the Teen Academy, but advanced registration is required.  Walk-ins will not be permitted.  There are a total of 40 spots available for this year’s academy.

Registration is a two-step process.  Step one is a pre-registration application and initiation of a background check; once pre-registration and the background screening have been completed and an applicant has been approved for participation, applicants will receive an email from FISHERS, IN with final registration information and camp details.  Registration will be open until April 24, 2023 (or until the camp reaches capacity).

Begin the registration process using this link.

According to Fishers Police officials, the purpose of the academy is to provide teens with an opportunity to better understand police officers and, more specifically, to strengthen the relationship between the officers of the Fishers Police Department and the community.  Officers will provide an overview of the roles and responsibilities of FPD Officers and insight into some of the specialized units and skills within FPD.  Topics will include how to make a traffic stop, how the K-9 Unit works within the agency, the role of the Fishers Dive Team, and how Crime Scene Investigators process scenes. Students will have some classroom instruction and practical role play training each day.

With temperature readings expected to hit the 80 degree mark last this week, the City of Fishers has plenty of road construction on the agenda.

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

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STATE ROAD 37 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

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 Summer of 2023. View detour routes here.

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. Drivers can expect to see significant activity on I-69 at the 82nd Street interchange.

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

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
The City of Fishers is working on the completion of the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail. The remaining paving work from 96th Street to 106th Street is underway, and construction crews are currently working to clear and prep the area for paving. In the coming weeks, construction crews will begin the paving process.

On Tuesday, April 11, there will be an overnight lane restriction between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. on westbound 116th Street between Cumberland Road and Exit 5 for storm inlet repair work. 

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.

On Monday, April 10, lane restrictions will be in place at the Southeastern Pkwy. & Cyntheanne Road roundabout for storm sewer cleaning.

MASTERS ROAD
Beginning on Monday, April 10, Masters Road will be closed immediately east of Willowview Road as part of the Metro Airport Sanitary Sewer Project for approximately one week. Metro Airport can be accessed via Masters Road at 96th Street. 

You may have noticed that I have not posted a story on this blog for several days.  Let’s just say I have some personal reasons.

First, my granddaughter was born in South Dakota during the last few days of March.  Jane and I were very happy to be there for that special event.

Also, both Jane & I are dealing with some health issues as well.

The one story that has been all over the news the past few days is the tragic death of four people, two from Fishers and two from Noblesville, in a small plane crash near Venice, Florida.  Jeff and Patty Lumpkin from Fishers and Rick and Bethe Beaver from Noblesville all died in the Wednesday evening crash.

Bethe Beaver was best known as the owner of Indiana Elite Cheer and Tumbling in Noblesville.

My sincere sympathies go out to both families after this tragic event.

So, I am back, slowly recovering from a nagging health issue that should be gone in a day or two.

Hamilton County is preparing to conduct a primary election May 2nd and a November general election, but in order to do so, election workers are needed.

Here is a news release from Hamilton County asking for people to come forward and work in the upcoming elections:

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The Hamilton County Election Office is in need of poll workers for the Primary Election on May 2 – namely, inspectors, clerks, and judges.

“You must be a registered voter in Hamilton County to volunteer,” says County Clerk Kathy Williams. “The jobs do require some training, but they are paid, as are meals. Plus, it’s a great way to learn more about our democratic system and give something back to your community.”

Hamilton County is still looking for Republican Inspectors. These people are in charge of the precinct and must attend a training session on one of the following days: April 25 at 6:00 p.m., April 27 at 6:00 p.m., or April 29 at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. Other obligations include picking up supplies on April 29, setting up the polling place on May 1, and working on Election Day. The job pays $200, plus $25 for training and $20 for meals.

The county is also in need of Republican and Democrat judges. This position requires online training. These individuals will help set up the polling place on May 1 and run the polling place on May 2. These jobs pay $105, plus $15 for training, and $20 for meals. The Democratic judge will be paid an extra $15 to return election results to the Judicial Center in Noblesville with the Republican Inspector after the polls close.

And finally, the county is in need of Republican and Democratic Clerks to run the electronic polling pads. This position requires online training. The job pays $105, plus $15 for training and $20 for meals.

If you’re interested in learning more, or would like to apply for a position, please fill out and return this form. https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1351/Poll-Worker-Form

One of the big events of the Fishers summer is Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie.  The lineup for 2023 was announced Tuesday.

For the details, use this link.

Every spring around this time it happens.  Check the local Fishers government calendar and there is little, if any activity.  Why?

The answer is simple.  The local school district, Hamilton Southeastern, is on spring break this week and it seems half the town is away.

With so many young families populating out fair city, it is no surprise that it is easier this week to get a restaurant reservation this week.  Check Facebook and other social media.  You will find families on beaches and plenty of other destinations.

So, enjoy spring break week!  Next week, it’s down to business again.

There are a number of contested primary elections in and around Hamilton County, but in Fishers we have only one, for Fishers City Clerk on the Republican ticket.  If you wish to vote in that local election, the deadline for submitting your absentee ballot is April 20th.

According to the Hamilton County Elections Office, the absentee form can be submitted electronically at www.indianavoters.com. You can also call 317-776-8476 and make a request for an application over the phone.

Once you have received your ballot and completed it as directed, you can submit your ballot by mail or return it in person. All mailed-in and dropped-off ballots must be received by the Elections Office in Noblesville on or before 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information on absentee ballots, and who qualifies to vote absentee in Indiana, use this link.

Early voting is also getting underway locally.  The following Noblesville locations are open as of April 4th:

Noblesville 
Judicial Center, One Hamilton County Square, Noblesville 
April 4-6 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April 10-14 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April 17-21 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
April 24-28 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April 29 from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.
May 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville
April 4-6 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
April 10-14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
April 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
April 24-29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Two early voting centers will be available in Fishers as of April 19th:

Roy G Holland Memorial Park Building, 1 Park Drive, Fishers
Billericay Park Building, 12690 Promise Road, Fishers 
April 19-20 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
April 21-22 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
April 26-27 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
April 28-29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The only primary election contested in the City of Fishers is the Republican race for City Clerk.  Incumbent Jennifer Kehl seeks another term, and is challenged by Rachel Segars.  Ms. Segars is the wife of Fishers City Council Member Pete Peterson.

Primary election day is Tuesday, May 2nd.

The economics of sports has changed dramatically since my early days of watching the product in the 1960s.  Baseball, in particular, is a game I like to watch on the home screen.

The cycles of watching local sports teams, or just teams in your area, have gone back and forth.  Sometimes it is difficult, or virtually impossible, to watch your favorite Major League Baseball team.  Other times, it’s easy.

I happen to be a fan of the Cincinnati Reds.  I had a cable package at one time that gave me nearly all Reds games.  I had to cancel that provider because the cost was just way too high.  But that meant I lost my Reds games.

Now, I can use streaming to watch my Reds (even if they are rebuilding and not likely to contend this year).  Bally Sports has a streaming service.  It offers both Indiana Pacer NBA games and the Reds.  The cost is about $20 a month, a bit steep but worth it for fans of both teams.

So, I was looking forward to watching the Reds this season.  But wait, we have a new complication.

The parent company of Bally, Diamond Sports Group, has filed bankruptcy in an attempt to restructure its debt.  Cable TV cord-cutting, coupled with a weak advertising market, has hit regional sports networks like Diamond Sports Group hard.

There are lots of online journalists writing about this regional sports network economic model.  Based on that reporting, some are doing well, but firms like Diamond Sports are obviously struggling.

Diamond owns rights to a number of teams through its regional networks…14 Major League Baseball teams, 16 in the NBA and 12 National Hockey League clubs.  The NBA and NHL are nearing the end of their seasons, but what about baseball?

As the season starts, Diamond and Bally are broadcasting all their regional sports network games.  But one wonders how long that will last.

Diamond has said it may keep some baseball contracts and cancel others.  For example, deciding to keep the Arizona team but dropping the Cincinnati Reds.  Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has said the contract language with these regional sports networks says if you cancel one team’s pact, you have cancelled them all.

I have not read these contracts and am no lawyer myself.  But even if the contracts say what Commissioner Manfred says, it will ultimately be up to the bankruptcy judge to make final decisions on these matters.

So, I start the season able to watch my Cincinnati Reds.  It is sad that future access to my favorite MLB team may not be in the hands of the teams or the TV execs, but a bankruptcy judge.  So is the state of sports economics today.

The Geist Waterfront Park is something people in and around Fishers have been anticipating for some time.  The park itself was finished just in time for winter to set-in, so this spring will see the first use of this local amenity.

When the city opened the park for a few hours on a cold, windy November day last year, hundreds of people were there.  Clad in winter coats, youngsters were enjoying the playground with their parents.

Daniel Bradley of the Indianapolis Business Journal wrote a lengthy piece in this week’s IBJ print edition, also available online.  In addition, IBJ wrote an editorial lauding Fishers for having the vision to acquire the land and build this park, the only public space on Geist Lake.

You can read Daniel Bradley’s story at this link.   The IBJ editorial is available at this link.

NOTE:  The links above may not be available if you are not a subscriber.  I have written this before and will do so again…Subscribe to your local media!  Otherwise, it may not be there tomorrow.