The Hamilton County Parks Department (HCPR) announced on Monday that photography permits will now be required for professional portrait and commercial photography conducted at county-owned parks.
The announcement was made on social media, which drew more than 1,600 comments, most of which were critical of HCPR’s decision to charge taxpayers to take photographs.
County officials on Tuesday said the decision was made by the Hamilton County Parks Board.
“I found about it just like everyone else,” County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “It wasn’t a decision made by the commissioners or the county council.”
The Hamilton County Parks Board, which oversees county park operations, is an independent board with no elected officials.
Heirbrandt said his understanding of the board’s action was to limit potential liability concerns and to help reduce conflict between competing photographers, as well as photographers and park guests.
Parks officials indicated the permits are only required for professional and commercial photography and videography.
Descriptions of those required to obtain a permit are:
Portrait photography: Individual portrait photographers hired for personal wedding, family, children or senior photographs.
Commercial photography: A business, photography studio, production company, or advertising/publicity firm hired by a client to create a product for profit, or to photograph a product that will be sold for profit.
Commercial videography: Filming of commercials for sales of products, advertising, video, television, and other filming (except for news media, park publicity or for an education requirement).
Fishers remains in the red, or highest, category for COVID community transmission rate in the past week. Fishers Public Health Director Monica Heltz says, in her most recent video update, that based on the state’s measurement criteria, Hamilton County will soon move into red status as well, which will trigger further restrictions county-wide based on guidance from the office of Governor Eric Holcomb.
Three additional COVID deaths have been confirmed among Fishers residents, raising the total to 58. Those numbers reflect the confirmed cases for the city, while many others are possibly linked to COVID but not confirmed by health officials.
In one day last week, Heltz says Fishers experienced its highest number of reported cases since the pandemic began. She was not specific about which day or how many cases were reported in that day.
If you want a COVID test through the Fishers Health Department, the availability is there. You can get a testing appointment the same day or the next day. The average wait for test results is 2.7 days, although there are a few outlier situations where the wait time is longer. This means the entire testing process for most is done in 1-3 days.
Health care capacity is mostly unchanged. Intensive Care Unit capacity at 20.9% in our geographic area, roughly the same as the previous week. However, the non-COVID patient count has decreased and the COVID patient count has increased. “This is a troubling sign,” said Heltz.
Each of the past three months, October, November and December, have seen increases in the number of positive cases. The count for December is roughly 2,800.
“We continue to expect that we will have an increase in January, February and March,” Ms. Heltz said. “We do have good news on the horizon. The vaccine is coming. We expect to get our first shipment this week. We’re very excited about that.”
She reminded Fishers residents that a survey is available to put yourself in line when vaccinations are available, with the order ultimately decided by the state of Indiana. That guidance from the state is not yet available.
It is known that health care workers, first responders, police and fire employees will be among the first to receive the vaccination.
“We do hope to start putting those needles in arms as early as next week,” said Heltz.
To place yourself in line for the vaccination, complete and submit the survey at this link.
You may view the entire video by Monica Heltz at this link.
The City of Fishers is asking residents about their interest in having the new COVID vaccine inoculation. The Fishers Health Department has developed an online form that can provide information to notify those with eligibility to receive the vaccine with a shot in the arm when it is their turn based on guidelines established by state and federal authorities.
“The purpose of the interest form is to provide information to the Fishers Health Department to assist in the preparations of COVID-19 vaccination distribution,” per the statement from the Health Department. “COVID-19 vaccinations are not anticipated to be available to the general public until mid-2021 but certain individuals may qualify to receive the vaccine sooner based on certain criteria. This survey is based on the most current criteria being utilized at the state and national levels for vaccine allocation and may change as new guidance is released to FHD.”
When the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board convenes January 13th, there will be three new members on the 7-member body. Sarah Parks Reese will be one of those new members taking her seat on the board that night.
There will be important issues for the board to consider on January 13th. I talk with Sarah Parks-Reese about that and much more in this podcast.
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board at-large election is over, and Suzanne Thomas emerged as the winner among 5 candidates. I spoke with Ms. Thomas on this podcast via Zoom about how she approaches her new role on the board.
The Noblesville girls soccer team defended its Class 3A state championship on Oct. 31 at Reynolds Tigers Stadium in Fishers. The Millers beat Guerin Catholic 3-0 and finished their season 17-0-1. (Reporter photo by Kent Graham)
by
Fred Swift
Hamilton County Reporter
Rarely in our time has there been an event that has affected every person in our county as has the current COVID-19 epidemic. About 275 lives have been lost to the invisible enemy.
Schools, churches and most businesses have curtailed activities. Many sports programs, Fourth of July activities, organizational meetings and large gatherings have been suspended in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.
At year’s end, there is hope that the newly introduced vaccine will enable the community to return to some degree of normalcy during the new year.
Second on our list of top stories for 2020 was the social unrest following the death of George Floyd that spilled over into Hamilton County with several protests conducted in Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers and Westfield. Unlike other protests conducted throughout the nation, all in Hamilton County were peaceful.
Following the death of George Floyd, peaceful protestors took to the streets of Hamilton County’s cities this past summer, as they did in Carmel on June 1. (Reporter photos by Jeff Jellison)
Election 2020 is our third story of the year. Locally, Democrats mounted their greatest effort in a century to break the Republicans hold on public offices. But, in the end, the GOP won out.
Although Democrats point to getting an increasing percentage of the vote, in raw numbers Republican candidates won by huge margins except at the top of the ticket where President Donald Trump’s vote total was only 14,000 ahead of challenger Joe Biden.
The fourth story involves the sudden surge in plans for downtown Noblesville redevelopment as the city moves to catch up with neighboring cities. Plans for three new mixed-use projects and a three-level parking garage were unveiled, and at year’s end another earlier project, The Levinson, is nearing completion.
Early in the year, allegations of favoritism for some taxpayers led to a lengthy State Police investigation in the County Treasurer’s office. Police found no illegal practices but civil lawsuits followed. A former employee, Susan Byer, made the allegations of wrongdoing, then ran and won the office in the November election.
Late in the year, a still-unresolved spat developed between Noblesville city leaders and officials of Industrial Dielectrics Inc. (IDI) The city’s planned route of the Pleasant Street Bypass takes out a portion of the IDI parking lot. It’s a move that the longtime business strongly opposes and has indicated it will leave Noblesville if the city pursues its current plans.
High school sports, always popular in our county, continued to make history during the year. The Carmel girls swim team won a national record 34 consecutive state championships.
The Noblesville girls soccer team won a second consecutive state championship while Westfield’s football team, rapidly becoming a state power, became state runner-up in the “big” school Class 6A. They won the state in 5A a few years ago.
And, in basketball, defending state champion Carmel won a sixth straight sectional before the state tourney was suspended due to health concerns.
The county’s taxable assessed valuation surged this year by $1.3 billion mostly due to record new construction. The big increase in assessed value enabled taxing units to hold tax rates to existing, or in some cases lower levels.
A community controversy developed in October when Beaver Materials Inc. announced plans to dig a gravel pit along Allisonville Road south of Potters Bridge. Residents of nearby subdivisions protested vigorously, and after a plan commission tie vote on the gravel proposal, Beaver withdrew its request for rezoning. It can reapply later, but there has been no indication if or when that might be.
Work got underway this year on the State Road 37 conversion to a freeway-style highway, but major cost overruns of at least $40 million were announced in November. Work will continue as Fishers city government and county officials vowed to take the project to completion.
And, last but not least, Clay Township officials unveiled a huge $60 million Community Impact Program, likely the largest township building program in the state. It includes new fire department facilities, park upgrades, a historical society museum and a fieldhouse for the Carmel Dads Club.
With the dawn of the new year, The Fishers Arts Council has announced plans for the Art Gallery at City Hall. Below is a news release detailing the plans, and included is some of the art work itself.
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The Fishers Arts Council announces its 2021 Season of Art at the Art Gallery at City Hall, Fishers. The exhibits will feature 12 monthly exhibits and 4 quarterly exhibits in The Alcove at the Art Gallery. New this year will be a series of Mini Exhibits at the Art Gallery featuring the work of noted Canadian artist, Hugh Syme.
Featured exhibits are the 12th Annual Senior Showcase presented by Star Financial in April; the Hamilton County Artists’ Association exhibit in July; the 2nd Annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists in September presented by Jiffy Lube of Indiana; the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana Members Exhibit in October, and The Watercolor Society of Indiana Juried Exhibit in November.
Individual featured artists are Jeremy Mallov with his January exhibit, “Local Splendor;” Freddie Kellen and Tom Mueller with their May exhibit, “Our Dreams, Our Realities;” Romeo Zivion with his June exhibit, “Stepping Back,” and then Ingrid Blount and Olivia Ash in August with their “Painting Words and Emotions: A Story of Sisters.” The Alcove at the Art Gallery at City Hall will feature quarterly exhibits by Rebecca Robinson entitled, “The Art of Bridging the Gap;” Brinton Farrand, entitled, “Embrace the Chaos, Out of Chaos, Comes Order;” Craig Ogden, entitled “My New Paintings;” and Margot Bogue “Paintings by Margot.”
New to the gallery this year are a series of Mini-Exhibits in January February and March featuring the work of noted Juno Award winning artist Hugh Symes, noted for his cover art of the musical band, Rush along with many others.
The exhibits will feature free Friday receptions when the public is invited to meet virtually or in-person to interact with the artist. Live receptions will be dependent on COVID protocols at the time. The January and February receptions will be virtual due to COVID restrictions. The Gallery is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday and from 10 am to 12 pm when the Fishers Summer Farmers Market is open. Groups are advised to give advance notice at info@fishersartscouncil.org.
The administration of Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness came up with an idea that recognizes local people for their acts of kindness while also supporting local restaurants.
The mayor set aside $100,000 in city funds to reward those providing help to others in Fishers. Each person with an act of kindness receives a $50 gift card to a local Fishers restaurant.
What counts as an act of kindness? If you follow the city’s Twitter account, you will find instances galore.
There is Laura, providing treats to her neighbors and friends. Johanna and her brothers put Christmas lights up for their elderly neighbors. Heather and her family made care bags to give out to those in need.
The goal is to showcase 2,000 acts of kindness in Fishers. The city is on its way toward that goal.
City Spokesperson Ashley Elrod says just over 100 gift cards have been handed out so far with 100 more set to go soon.
You can nominate someone for an act of kindness by filling out the online form at this link. If the nominee is selected, a $50 local restaurant gift card will be handed-out to the nominee.
This is your chance to recognize the many people doing wonderful things throughout the Fishers community.
Sarah Donsbach was the winner when Hamilton Southeastern School Board election results were certified by the Hamilton County Clerk’s office by 20 votes. One of her opponents, incumbent Amanda Shera, filed for a recount and the recount resulted in another Donsbach win, this time by 19 votes.
As she prepares to assume her new role as local school board member, I spoke with Sarah Donsbach about what the board faces in 2021.
The novel coronavirus and the many ways it impacted Fishers life was the biggest local story of2020
During the final days of December, I have been mulling the question of how to handle the top Fishers news stories for the year of 2020. In the past, I have ranked the top 20 stories, from number 20 or 25 up the the top news story at number one.
In 2020, that just doesn’t work because we have never had a news year that compares in any way. The novel coronavirus has upended the lives of most people in the world and Fishers is part of that world.
COVID-19 is so pervasive in most of the news stories in 2020 I cannot do the normal ranking. So, here is what I will do in this piece. I will begin with the ways COVID has impacted the lives of those of us living in Fishers.
Then, I will simply list the other news stories in the past year that were important, but not COVID-related, in no particular order, because the coronavirus was by far the biggest story of 2020.
I was covering a Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting early this year when the news broke that the NBA was “suspending” its season after a COVID outbreak in Oklahoma City. It didn’t take long to see the impact on all of us as the days rolled along in March and April.
I recall my last in-person podcast with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, asking him what the experts he consults were telling him in April about just how bad the coronavirus crisis would be. The mayor pulled no punches in saying this will be bad and it is up to all of us to behave in a way that will limit the spread of the virus.
Sadly, many of us have not behaved so well.
So, what stories in Fishers were related to COVID? The start was the decision by Mayor Fadness to create a city Health Department. He did so after discovering that county health officials had no plan in April to implement a COVID testing regime. The mayor was convinced having COVID testing available would be key to promoting health and commerce in his city. So, had it not been for the novel coronavirus, it is unlikely Fishers would have its own health department.
The testing began in late April, free for Fishers residents and available to businesses for a fee. The mayor recently said on a Zoom podcast recording that Fishers had conducted more than 29,000 tests so far.
COVID has crippled the HSE Schools ability to conduct in-person classes. When the pandemic first hit in the spring, all classes went all virtual. Later, a plan was developed to allow grades K-4 to have in-person classes, set up a 50% in and out of in-person classes and virtual for grades 5-8.
Then, the coronavirus numbers spiked in October and November. Substitute teachers were in short supply and the in-person classroom sessions could not be staffed. Classes went all-virtual again.
A new school board will take office in January (more on that later) and will need to decide what to do about the virtual classes now in place through January 15.
That’s just an overview, there are many more aspects. This is just the way of saying COVID was by far the biggest news story of 2020.
Now, let’s look at some other important news for Fishers in 2020, in no particular order:
–The racial issues sparked by the death of George Floyd were felt in Fishers. There were several demonstrations dealing with race in the city during 2020. The City of Fishers offered a program, Interrupting Racism, to any Fishers resident wanting to attend the seminar. This city program was in the works long before the George Floyd death.
–HSE School Superintendent Allen Bourff announced his intention to retire at the end of June, 2021. He and his wife plan to remain residents of Fishers.
–The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board will swear-in three new board members in January. Sarah Donsbach, Sarah Parks-Reese and Suzanne Thomas will take office at the first board meeting in 2021, scheduled for January 13.
–The City of Fishers landed some economic development projects. INCOG, a biopharma firm, plans to locate in a building yet to be constructed near I-69 & 116th Street. The former Roche Building facing I-69 will now be the headquarters for Round Room. Also, the major development in downtown Fishers, along 116th Street just west of the municipal complex, continues its construction with part of the development set to open in 2021. This includes a new headquarters building for First Internet Bank.
–The State Road 37 construction continues, with the interchange at 126th Street complete. The cost of the project rose from the initial estimates, but Mayor Fadness says the extra money can be borrowed with no impact on the city’s property tax rate. The Hamilton County Council voted to provide its share of the extra cost.
–Cecilia Coble was elected President of the Fishers City Council. She is the first woman to assume that post.
–The Fishers Test Kitchen opened as part of the Fishers District development. Many new restaurants opened their doors in that project in 2020.
–A September fire at Sunblest Apartments resulted in no injuries but many families were forced to find other arrangements for a home.
–Finally, I announced in late March my intention to end the news blog after 8 years of writing about news in Fishers. It is hard work to cover news as a volunteer and I just wanted to focus on reviewing films and other arts events in the area. Then COVID hit and I felt a responsibility to cover news a bit longer with so much important news breaking almost daily. Then I contracted the novel coronavirus, testing positive in late October. When you have no energy to do much of anything because the virus sucks all the energy from your body, you have lots of time to think. I made a decision to continue with the Fishers local news blog because it is the right thing for me to do at this time. So, I am still writing.
On a personal note, 2020 had its high point for me. I became a grandfather for the first time on August 11, 2020. My grandson Dakota is a tremendous gift and I love every moment spent with him. So, I look back on 2020 as a very mixed bag personally.
With vaccines being developed for COVID, 2021 holds much promise for better things to come. I sincerely hope that is the case.
Last, but not least, my sincere thanks to all my readers of this blog and listeners to my podcasts. I am a volunteer, not in any of this for money. I continue my volunteer work due to the the many comments received from you, the public. The number of readers and listeners is growing and that is what keeps me going.
Happy New Year, Fishers! Let’s celebrate (in a safe manner).
