There are now 4 candidates in the District 4 race for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board. The latest addition was filed Tuesday by Chad Curtis.

Here are the school board filings for HSE as of 4:15pm August 23rd”

District 1

Brad Boyer
Jackie Howell
Tiffany Pascoe

District 2

Juanita Y. Albright
Janet Pritchett

District 3

Dawn Lang

District 4

Julie A. Chambers
Chad Curtis
Harry Delks
Ben Orr

The deadline to file candidacy for the HSE School Board is noon August 26.

In this election, voters cast ballots only for the district where they reside within the HSE school district.

To access the district map, use this link and on the right hand side of the page, click under “Current District Lines.”

Another candidate has filed for a seat on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board.  Harry Delks, the current and long-time Facilities Director for HSE Schools, has filed to run in District 4.

It is presumed Mr. Delks would need to leave his post working for HSE Schools if elected.

Here is the rundown on the candidates for HSE School Board, as of close of business August 22nd:

District 1

Brad Boyer
Jackie Howell
Tiffany Pascoe

District 2

Juanita Y. Albright
Janet Pritchett

District 3

Dawn Lang

District 4

Julie A. Chambers
Harry Delks
Ben Orr

The deadline to file candidacy for the HSE School Board is noon August 26.

In this election, voters cast ballots only for the district where they reside within the HSE school district.

To access the district map, use this link and on the right hand side of the page, click under “Current District Lines.”

2022 celebrates the 10th anniversary of the annual Blues Fest at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater September 2nd & 3rd.  Here is the lineup, with links with more information about each act:

Friday, September 2 

4:15-5:15 p.m. / Jamiah Rogers

5:45-6:45 p.m. / Nick Alexander

7:15-8:45 p.m. / Grady Champion  

9:15-10:45 p.m. / Larry McCray  
 
Saturday, September 3 / Ladies in Blues  

4:15-5:15 p.m. / Veronika Jackson  

5:45- 6:45 p.m. / Nora Jean Wallace  

7:15-8:45 p.m. / Melody Angel  

9:15-10:45 p.m. / Joanna Connor  

No tickets are required for admission. Vendors will be on-site offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, food, and refreshments. Coolers, chairs, and blankets are welcome.  

Free parking is located in the Switch, Police, and Spark Apartment garages. Street parking is also available throughout the Nickel Plate District and downtown Fishers.

The name Andretti is synonymous with auto racing throughout the world.  Mario Andretti did not just win the Indianapolis 500, he was also a star in Formula One, winning the World Driving Championship.

Mario’s son Michael has always been described as the one with the business acumen in the family.  Michael could never get that Indy 500 win as a driver, but cars he owns have entered victory lane 5 times at Indy.

Andretti Motorsports is making a bid to be part of Formula One and we will see where that goes.  Any future Formula One Andretti team is expected to be headquartered in the Fishers facility.

The announcement Monday that Andretti Motorsports is constructing its world headquarters in Fishers was a mammoth win for Mayor Scott Fadness and his economic development team.

I have received a couple of questions about this announcement.

First, where exactly on the airport property will the complex be built?  City officials say it will be at the southeast corner of the property – along Hague Rd. just south of Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and along the Nickel Plate Trail.

The second question that has arisen deals with how the development may impact the wildlife at Ritchey Woods.  According to the City of Fishers, part of the Andretti company’s interest in that location is being next to Ritchey Woods.  “It will not encroach on the boundary and Andretti has strong interest in supporting/preserving the adjacent land and incorporating sustainability into this project,” according to city spokesperson Ashley Elrod. “They specifically mention the Nature First program in their release as a future benefit and collaboration.”

When Mayor Scott Fadness told me in a recent podcast that there was a project coming to Fishers that is “downright cool,” I suspect this is the one.

The City of Fishers has been well-known for attracting high-tech enterprises, but now auto racing is part of the local business scene.

The State of Indiana announced Andretti’s plans Monday morning.  Below is the full news release:

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Andretti Global, the parent company of Andretti Autosport, announced plans today to establish its universal motorsports headquarters in central Indiana, enabling increased innovation and creating up to 500 new jobs by the end of 2026.

“Indiana has long been the racing capital of the world, and Andretti Autosport’s commitment to growth here will only further cement our state’s leadership position in Motorsports and STEM-related pursuits,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “This new campus will not only bring new, exciting employment opportunities and serve as an asset for one of our fastest-growing communities, but it will also show just how much this living legacy, one of the most globally iconic brands known, continues to invest in the future of our great state.”

“I am excited to celebrate this legendary racing family of entrepreneurs in their competitive quest to innovate in the global racing industry,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers. “Indiana continues to demonstrate leadership in this sector as well as its position as a premier destination for automotive, speed and mobility-focused industries.”

Andretti Global will invest $200 million to build a modern, 575,000-square-foot facility on 90 acres in Fishers near the Nickle Plate Trail, Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport. The new development will serve as the headquarters of Andretti’s global commercial functions and the base of operations for the team’s current NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights and IMSA programs, as well as other future racing initiatives. In addition to housing day-to-day operations for the racing team, the building will be home to the advanced research and development efforts of Andretti Technologies.

“Indiana holds an important place in the history of racing, and in my career as a driver and an owner; I’m happy to confirm that the Racing Capital of the World will continue to be the home of our global racing efforts for a long time to come,” said Michael Andretti, chairman and CEO of Andretti Autosport. “Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked to expand our operations, and I’m proud of our steps to create a diverse racing portfolio. For us, it’s about more than just having somewhere to work on the cars; it’s about having a global motorsport home and sharing that with our people, our fans, and our sponsors to advance the sport and leave a lasting legacy.”

Planning of the new headquarters is underway, with construction expected to begin in the fall and the facility expected to be operational by 2025. The collaborative campus will feature modern technologies and create a work-life environment to support Andretti’s team, fans, and partners. Additionally, the headquarters’ location will allow Andretti Global the opportunity to welcome community and race fans from the around the world through involvement with the Fishers Parks Nature First program, planned indoor amphitheater and museum and innovation center that will preserve and showcase the Andretti legacy and inspire the future of motorsports.

“Partnering with Andretti to bring an incredible mix of innovation, visitor experiences and a commitment to the local community is a dream come true for this special property at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “Fishers will be a welcomed home for the future of Andretti, and I look forward to celebrating their successes together.”

Andretti operates worldwide in seven racing championships and across eight types of motorsports with 17 full-time drivers. Since establishing the team in 2003, Michael Andretti has built a diverse, global enterprise competing at the highest levels of motorsport and reaching all five habitable continents. In his time as a team owner, Andretti has collected 17 championship titles and 252 race wins – including five Indianapolis 500 victories, victory at the Bathurst 1000, a Sebring 12 Hour title and wins in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and Extreme E series.

“In 2015, the Indianapolis Airport Authority and the City of Fishers partnered to maximize the use of this land and thus increase to an even greater level the quality of life for residents of Fishers, said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “We are so pleased Andretti chose this location and supports the vision for this vital part of Fishers and the iconic team that leads this great effort.”

Pending approval of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board of directors, the IEDC will commit an investment in Andretti Autosport of up to $19 million in the form of conditional tax credits and up to $125,000 in training grants based on the company’s plans to invest in its Indiana operations. The city of Fishers has approved additional incentives.

When recording a podcast with Mayor Scott Fadness August 5th, I remarked that when moving to Fishers in 1991, one could not envision a condo project with homes selling for up to $1 million, yet the city announced the REV development at about the same time of that recording session with that price tag.  The mayor was very upbeat about the mixed use plan, including commercial as well as residential space directly south of the municipal complex on 116th Street.

I was unable to attend the August 15th City Council meeting (my grandson turned 2 years old, so I had a legitimate excuse).  Councilors voted 6-2 approving the economic development package for the $35 million development.  The two Democrats on the council, Jocelyn Vare and Crystal Neumann, voted no.  Councilor Pete Peterson was absent, although there were unsuccessful attempts to connect him to the  meeting remotely.

The incentive package includes a $99,000 waiver of sewer and wastewater initial fees, but such fees would be paid for ongoing service.  There will be a $3.1 million Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bond, which essentially means property taxes assessed go to paying-off the bond.  There will be a connection to the Nickel Plate trail available to the public.  There will be right-of-way provisions allowing the current traffic signal on 116th Street at the municipal complex connecting to the REV development.

Land  owner Mike Alboher told the council he had been pitched many development ideas for that land but was “blown away” by the plans by Tony Birkla.  Birkla’s firm plans to develop the REV project.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools would continue to receive property tax money from the TIF project property tax assessment as long as the referendum remains in place.  That referendum ends in 2023 and must be renewed by another vote. The local school board is considering how to move forward on a referendum proposal to be placed on the ballot next year.

Mayor Scott Fadness emphasized that income tax revenue from those residing in the REV project would end up with the City of Fishers.

Councilor Jocelyn Vare raised concerns  about condos selling in the range of $600,000 up to $1 million, saying that would be a prohibitive price point for most Fishers residents.  Others on the council, and developer Birkla, say the availability of this housing would prevent many in Fishers from moving to Carmel in search of higher-end housing.

So, the REV development is moving forward with the approval of the economic development agreement.  I have a feeling the discussion of housing in Fishers is just getting started.

I first met John Wechsler during 2012, early in local Fishers news blogging journey.  He partnered with the then Town Manager Scott Fadness to start a co-working space called Launch Fishers.  It received funding from the Fishers Town Council to start operations in the lower level of the local library (now the Ignite space).

Launch eventually outgrew the library and moved to a building that had been vacated by a private firm on Technology Drive.

Launch Fishers began as a way to provide support to a start-up business not quite ready to lease an office but growing to the point the kitchen table is no long sufficient.  You buy a membership that provides space, a very fast internet connection and, most importantly, a chance to interact with others starting up their own business operations.

Many co-working spaces come and go, but Launch Fishers has just celebrated its 10th anniversary.  Many experts credit the leadership provided by John Wechsler as the reason Launch Fishers succeeds where many others have failed.

John has been involved in more operations than Launch.  He was instrumental in convincing the State of Indiana to locate its Internet of Things (IOT) Lab near Launch Fishers.  The Test Kitchen at the Fishers District was an idea Mr. Wechsler was able to bring to fruition.

I recorded a podcast with Wechsler and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness about three months ago when John announced his intention to move on from running Launch.  You can listen to that podcast at this link.

When Launch Fishers celebrated its 10th anniversary, Mayor Fadness was there to award John Wechsler the Key To The City.

John Wechsler is moving on to a new challenge in the private sector, but has left a leadership team in place to keep Launch Fishers the vibrant place he helped create.  John will continue to serve on the board of director of Launch Fishers, a nonprofit organization.

Congratulations to John Wechsler as he moves on the new adventures, something he always encouraged others to pursue.

If you ae one that keeps track of local posts on social media, you have likely seen a number of comments about a poster in an HSE School District high school classroom about defunding police and Officer Noah Shahnavaz, a policeman that died in the line of duty working for the Elwood Department.

HSE  Schools issued a statement Saturday morning.

“The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of School Trustees deeply regrets the pain that was caused due to a student-made research poster that was displayed in one of our high school classrooms,” the statement reads. “As a district we recognize our responsibility to provide a safe environment for students to learn and we failed to provide that in this case.”

Here is the rest of the statement:

Losing Officer Shahnavaz, a young alumnus of HSE Schools, who not only served his country selflessly, but was protecting others in his job as a police officer, was devastating. HSE has let the Shahnavaz family know how deeply sorry we are to have contributed to more heartache for them. The teacher involved has apologized as well, and is deeply remorseful for causing additional pain to her student and their family.

HSE does not advocate for defunding the police. HSE works closely with the Fishers Police Department with the resource officers that are present in our buildings, the officers who help with traffic at our schools, and the officers who help monitor our community 24/7 to keep our students safe. We are and continue to be tremendously grateful for their service. Our students, staff and community are much safer because of our relationship with our police department.

HSE Schools will use this experience as an example of how we can and must do better in the future to ensure all our students feel safe, accepted, and supported.    

Watch for lane restrictions along the State Road 37 construction zone and on 116th Street in the coming week.  Also be aware of traffic implications of concerts scheduled for the Nickel Plate Amphitheater.

For more details on that, and more, see the latest below, as provided by the City of Fishers:

I had a number of questions when I sat down with Dr. Matt Kegley for this podcast.  As the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools’ Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Kegley & I talked about a number of issues.  Among them were: academic performance, test scores, a possible Hamilton County Career Center and a new grant.

You can listen to the podcast at the link below.