Mayor announces appointments to Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability

                                   Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability

The Fishers City Council has formally created the Advisory committee on Disability.  There had been an informal group, now it is official.

Mayor Scott Fadness announced Friday the members of the new committee, charged with providing strategic direction and guidance of the annual March Disability Awareness Month celebration and the Fishers ADA Transition Plan, along with providing feedback on the City’s current services, policies, and practices.

Here are the appointees, along with bios written by the City of Fishers:

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Cecilia Coble, City of Fishers CouncilwomanCoble has served on the Fishers City Council since 2015, where she currently serves on the Non-Profit and Finance Committees. In January 2020, Coble made history as the first woman to serve as Fishers City Council President. Coble is a special-needs parent and strong advocate for the disability community, serving as Co-Chair the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability. She also serves on the Fishers Arts and Culture Commission.
Coble received her B.A. from the University of Arizona and holds a J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. After law school, she worked as a Government Relations Representative for Bank One Consumer Lending Group, and as a Project/Account Manager for Pangea Lingua Translations & Communications in Indianapolis. She currently serves on the boards of the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities and the Thrive Social Club. Coble is an associate member of the Christamore House Guild and a former member of the Junior League of Indianapolis. She is also a former Co-Chair of the Indiana Chapter of The Autism Community in Action (TACA), and a former board member of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, and the Bev Hartig Huntington’s Disease Foundation.
Coble has been married to her husband, Mike, for 28 years. They have two daughters, Capri, a college junior and Crysta, a high school student with developmental disabilities. She enjoys the performing arts and traveling with her family.
Kelly Hartman, MA, Insights Consulting, Inc., President & CEO; Outside the Box, Inc., Co-Founder/Board Member; Professional Liaison at Indiana Association of Behavioral ConsultantsHartman has been working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for more than 32 years. As the President & CEO of Insights, she is a leader in the industry known for innovation and passionate advocacy. Insights provides residential, behavioral, and music therapy services to more than 1,100 people statewide. While she wears many hats, here at home she currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Fishers Advisory Council on Disability with City Councilwoman, Cecilia Coble. Kelly is also the Co-Founder of Outside the Box, Inc. (OTB), a curriculum-based program that focuses on skill development, job training and expressive arts through small, peer matched groups. OTB supports more than 350 individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities at their Indianapolis campus, but are planning to expand their programming into the Fishers community.
Darcy Keith, Award-Winning Public SpeakerKeith has experienced brain injury for over 30 years. As the only backseat survivor in her fatal car crash, Keith, a 22-year-old Ball State senior, had to learn how to begin life again – mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially – from injuries she sustained. Over the years, Keith has overcome her many life-altering experiences with success and has emerged as an expert on surviving and thriving through life’s challenges and trials. Keith is a national award-winning keynote speaker for seminars, conferences, and meetings for corporations, non-profits, and associations, as well as for the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens rookies as part of the NFL’s Rookie Success Program.  She is also on the Brain Injury Advisory Council for the Brain Injury Association of America.Keith resides with her husband and daughter in Fishers.
Stacey Oldham, Author, Resident and Past Co-Chair of the Fishers Advisory Committee on DisabilityOldham has been a resident of Fishers for 28 years. Her passion for helping those with physical and intellectual disabilities stems from her 37-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She co-chaired the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability with Cecilia Coble from 2016-2018. In these early days the committee received the 2017 Champions of Inclusion Award from the Governor’s Council on Disability. In her role on the committee, Oldham will work closely with City employees and committee members to identify projects related to the city’s infrastructure. She will also spearhead those working on a solution for accessible transportation. Oldham and her subcommittee are excited about the current pilot program for driverless transportation among many other initiatives set to increase the freedom of mobility for residents with disabilities. Her motto is, “I don’t have a Bucket List. I have a To Do List for others.” She believes the Fishers Advisory Committee is on the verge of some fantastic projects and opportunities that showcase the City of Fishers as a model for inclusion.

Chrissy Pogue, Transition Specialist for Hamilton Southeastern SchoolsPogue’s responsibilities include working with both high school programs and overseeing Hamilton Southeastern School’s four transition programs. She has four job coaches on her team that help find volunteer and paid positions for students within the city. Pogue has been in this role for almost 11 years when it started with one transition program/classroom and an off-campus site. From there, it is has evolved into four different programs/classrooms servicing over 40 young adults. She enjoys helping families prepare for life after high school in whatever way is most meaningful for the young adult. Integrating all four programs within the community in various ways throughout the week and helping Fishers continue to be an inclusive city continues to be her goal every day. Pogue conducts parent trainings as well as training for other district employees throughout the year. She is currently on the board at Janus Developmental Services, co-facilitator for the Central Indiana Transition Cadre, and co-facilitator for the Inclusion in the Workplace Networking Group. She has been involved with the Fishers Disability Council since 2017, specifically within the employment subcommittee. Prior to her current position, she was a Life Skills teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School.

In her free time, she enjoys being with family and friends, watching the Colts, running, and traveling to warm destinations. Pogue is married, has four children, and has lived in Fishers since 2002.
Wilbur E. Sutton, Advocate and ResidentSutton has more than 52-years of experience with Patterson Dental Company in Dental Equipment Sales and Management. He is now retired from working with clients in Indiana and Illinois on new office designs and expansions. Sutton currently serves on the Board of Directors for Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis, a homeless family housing program, on the Hamilton County Housing Coalition, and serves on the Fishers Advisory Council for Disability Awareness with a focus on accessible and affordable housing. Sutton is an active member of Fishers United Methodist Church.
Michelle Steltz, Financial Controller for Opportunities for Positive Growth, Inc.A Fishers resident since 2003, Steltz is married with a teenage daughter who attends HSE schools and dances. Steltz grew up in Central Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Industrial Management. Currently she is the Financial Controller for Opportunities for Positive Growth and she also serve as The ESOP Association Indiana Chapter President. She has been involved with the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability for several years and have enjoyed learning more about the City through the process. In her free time, she enjoys attending Purdue Football and Basketball games, watching her daughter dance, and enjoys historical documentaries, podcasts and books.Steltz resides with her husband and daughter in Fishers.
Shelby Slowik, Associate Vice President of Human Resources for Conner PrairieSlowik is the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Conner Prairie Museum. Her role includes overseeing employee relations, recruitment, payroll, training and volunteer and internship programs.  She has been with Conner Prairie for seven years working with some of the most talented and diverse humans. Working with and connecting “Prairie People” to their passions is a position she plans to enjoy until retirement. Slowik has over 30 years of human resources experience, predominantly in healthcare and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Conner Prairie, she worked for 17 years at St. Vincent Medical Group in various leadership roles. She holds several certifications in the human resources field. Slowick is a long-term Hamilton County resident and has served on the Fishers Advisory Council on Disability and its employment subcommittee since established.
Ross Hilleary, Asst. Director of Planning & Zoning and ADA Coordinator for the City of FishersHilleary currently serves as the Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning and is the ADA Coordinator for the City of Fishers. A native of central Illinois, Hilleary moved to Fishers in 2017. He has a passion for looking at ways to improve the built environment and the community we live in today through sustainable measures, smart growth practices, and community design standards. Hilleary believes that public art and cultural programming are essential for a vibrant community and quality of life. In 2021, Hilleary was awarded the Nickel Plate Arts Emerging Arts Champion. He has a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University and is CNU-Accredited.Hilleary resides with his husband in Fishers.

Learn more about the committee and their full list of roles and responsibilities at this link.

IndyStar: Downtown Fishers old buildings in disrepair, to be demolished

There is construction along 116h Street east of the municipal complex with new structures on the way.  When the development was first announced, city officials made clear they wanted to preserve some of the older brick buildings as a tip of the hat to the Fishers many of us recall from years ago.

However, a story posted on the IndyStar Web site early Friday morning says some of those historic places are in such disrepair, they cannot be saved.  One building is the one that once housed the Nickel Plate Bar & Grille.

I had been hearing rumors for many months that the old Nickel Plate location, and a few others, were in such bad shape that there was no way to save them.  I was never able to get anyone to go on the record saying that, but Star reporter John Tuohy has CRG Development President Chris Reid going on the record about the historic buildings that will not survive the new development because they cannot be saved.

My wife Jane and I frequented the Nickel Plate Bard & Grille and were saddened when the establishment closed.  It is sad to see some history gone in Fishers, but if the building cannot be saved, then that’s they way it will be.

You must be an IndyStar subscriber to access the story at this link.  Once again, it is very inexpensive to buy an IndyStar online subscription.  Please, once again, I would urge you to support out local media outlets.  Without that support, we will not have local news.

Summer seasonal jobs open up in Fishers

The City of Fishers is looking to fill 100 summer seasonal jobs.  Both full-time and part-time positions are available.

These jobs include –  maintaining Fishers’ parks, trails, and greenspaces; hosting youth summer camps; and upkeep of stormwater and sewer systems.
Here are the available jobs, as provided by the City of Fishers (including some full-time, year round openings):
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Fishers Department of Public Works – Summer Seasonal:  
Fishers Parks – Summer Seasonal:  
Community & Public Relations – Fall Seasonal:
Fishers Department of Public Works – Permanent Part-Time:

Full Time Positions:

Learn more and apply at fishers.in.us/jobs.

 

Early voting starts Wednsday, April 20

Early voting in Fishers at the Holland Park shelter house

The 2022 primary election day in Indiana is Tuesday, Mary 3rd, but voters in Fishers have a chance to vote early starting Wednesday, April 20th.  The locations will be Roy G Holland Memorial Park Building, 1 Park Drive, Fishers…and Billericay Park Building, 12690 Promise Road.

Here are the hours for Fishers early voting

April 20-21 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
April 22-23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
April 27-28 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
April 29-30 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

FPD civilian, Mayor’s Youth Academy

Tammy King receives 20-year award from Chief Gebhart

The Fishers City Council looked on as a long-time civilian employee of the police department was recognized and a group of high school students presented 3 global trends.

Tammy King, a 20-year civilian employee of the Fishers Police Department, received an award for her service to the department.

Also, a group of local high school students, members of the Mayor’s Youth Academy, presented their top 3 global trends to council members.  They are: Eco-Awareness, Housing and Civic Education.

 

Members of the Fishers Mayor’s Youth Academy speak before the City Council

HSE Board talks about handbooks, dress code

Board members and administrators gather to discuss handbooks

An early morning Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board work about student handbook language for grades kindergarten through 8th grade morphed into a school board discussion about dress codes and when a girl’s shirt is too short.

Board member Janet Pritchett began the conversation saying some students are missing class time due to being pulled away after to concerns about possible dress code violations for wearing shirts cut off above the waist.

Board President Julie Chambers indicated the slight cutoff of a shirt should not prevent a student from being in class.  She would like more information on who is being disciplined for dress code violations.

Superintendent Yvonne Stokes said safety is important in relation to any dress code, particularly in this era of COVID.

Board Member Suzanne Thomas asked why the district couldn’t have a policy of no midriff showing for anyone while in school.  Chambers responded that definitions of “midriff’ may not be the same for everyone.

One building administrator told the board most male teachers in his school wouldn’t touch the dress code issue.  Another administrator said dress code issues are only about 1% of what he handles in his building.

“How people are dressed has little to no effect on how they’re learning in a classroom,” Board Member Brad Boyer said.

Board member Sarah Donsbach argued that girls are being “disproportionately impacted” by the dress code rules.

CFO Katie Dowling cautioned board members to be aware of liability issues tied to all this.  She pointed to the board discussion as to how different people define midriff different ways.

The dictionary definition of midriff is, “the region of the front of the body between the chest and the waist.”

An administrator also suggested the board consider what specific people and families are comfortable with any dress code, and factor-in the issue of diversity into the mix.

Before the dress code discussion, administrators explained proposed handbook changes for grades K-8, dealing with attendance, academics and adding language about disciplinary  actions for micro-aggressions and hate speech.

It is now up to administrators to take the many board comments and propose handbook language for board approval.

Call it plans for a Fishers “Arts and Municipal Complex”

When the Fishers City Council was briefed on plans for a new City Hall Monday night, I noticed something interesting about the rendering shown above.  The sign at the front of the building says “Arts and Municipal Complex.”  The words City Hall are not there.

In a podcast recorded Monday morning, Mayor Scott Fadness said, ““This is going to be an arts center with a few offices above it.”  Thus, the word “Arts” precedes the reference to “Municipal Complex.”

That is the vision for the new structure explained to council members.  Architect Jeremy Welu, a partner and co-founder of DELV Design, reviewed several renderings of what the finished product will look like once completed in March of 2024.

Welu described the breezeway between the 250 seat auditorium and the part of the building that will house city officials and staff.  The entire first floor will be dedicated to the arts.

When questioned about any supply-chain issues in obtaining needed material for construction, Kevin McGovern of Meyer-Najem said the plans contain contingencies built into the project just in case such issues arise.

The current City Hall is sinking, according to engineering studies, and the cost of keeping the current structure afloat would be prohibitive over time, says Mayor Fadness.  As a result, plans were launched last year to put together plans for a new center of Fishers City government.

Just don’t call it a City Hall.

Here are more artist renderings of the complex:

Senior Showcase Art Exhibit on display at City Hall

Art by Gabby Zacheri, Fishers High School

The Senior Showcase, featuring art from seniors at Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School, is back for its 13th year.  The artwork will be on display at Fishers City Hall through April 29th, and can be viewed on business days 8:30am-4:30pm.

There will be a public reception Friday, April 22nd, 6:00-7:30pm at City Hall.  Live music will be provided by Photo 51, formed by students from Fishers High School. Following the reception there will be an awards ceremony at 7:30 pm in the auditorium of Fishers City Hall where City Council President Todd Zimmerman and Marquisha Bridgeman, Community Relations Manager of STAR Bank will present the awards.

Award categories are Best of Show; Art Best Reflecting the Written Word; First, Second, Third Place and Honorable Mention for 3D art, Drawing, Painting and Photography. Combined, there are 50 student artists whose work is on display, truly showcasing the incredible talent of our graduating seniors.

As the title sponsor, STAR Bank will be providing scholarship awards for Best of Show ($500) along with First Place awards in each category ($250 each). Four Day Ray Brewing will be sponsoring all Third Place awards ($100 each). Second Place awards ($150 each) are sponsored by Cordoba Strategy Group, Propeller Marketing, and Schoolhouse 7 Café. Fishers Arts Council board Vice President, Tom Rich, is sponsoring all honorable mention awards ($50 each).

County campaign sign ordinance – first amendment issues?

I posted a story on this blog last Thursday about a news release issued by Hamilton County all about new rules governing campaign signs at early voting and voting day locations.

Now, WISH-TV reporter Garrett Bergquist aired a story Friday about concerns some have with the First Amendment issues tied to such restrictions.

The story quotes Hamilton County Democratic Chair Dayna Colbert as voicing those First Amendment free speech concerns to the county election board and the state party.  Berquist also cites comments from Paul Helmke, an IU professor and former mayor of Fort Wayne, saying there appears to be no compelling government interest in restricting the number and size of political signage.   The county defends the legal authority for the County Commissioners to enact such a rule.

You can access the WISH-TV story at this link.