As one goes through various stages of life, there are major milestones remembered for a lifetime.  For me, count my wedding day and the day my twin daughters were born as two major days to remember.

A new milestone is ahead of me this year.  For the first time, I will become a grandfather.  My daughter and my son-in-law, living in South Dakota, will become parents in August.  The emotions I feel are hard to describe, but I know they are wonderful.

The prospect of becoming a grandparent myself brings back memories of my own grandparents.  I am very fortunate to have clear and amazing memories of all four grandparents.

My grandfathers were larger-than-life men to me as a young man.  My paternal grandfather, Sam Lannan, was a farmer and political activist, holding several elected and appointed offices in Martin County, nestled in rural southwest Indiana. My maternal grandfather, Arnold Kidwell, lived close to us and I saw him regularly.  For a man with only a sixth-grade education (common for farm kids in his day) he had a great deal of intelligence and was as up-to-date on current events as anyone I ever knew.

Then there were my grandmothers, who were both saints in my view.  Dola Lannan was amazing in many ways, perhaps primarily because she put up with my grandfather Sam so well.  She had lots of grandchildren but knew all of us well.  I have so many fond memories of being around her.

My maternal grandmother, Alice Kidwell, told me something I still remember today.  Being a parent is a special experience, she told me, but being a grandparent is even better.  She lived to be 99 years of age, and was of sound mind up to about the age of 95.  I learned so much from her I could not even begin to describe it all here.

So, as I look forward to being a grandfather, I remember all four grandparents.  I know how lucky I am because I know a number of people that never knew any grandparents.

My daughter and son-in-law do not want to know the sex of the baby in advance, that is their call and, I am okay with it.  Will my wife Jane and I spoil our grandchild?  Of course, that’s part of the job.

But spending time with my grandchild will be the most important thing.  Jane and I will be heading to South Dakota even more often than we do now, because time is an important component of being a grandparent.  My dad’s parents did not live close to us but we visited Martin County regularly, and for that I am still grateful.

So, allow me this personal note on what is normally a local news blog to let everyone know I am anticipating another major milestone in my life.  This one may be the most special of all.

The city has accepted a bid from Harding Group to repave city streets during 2020 following a Monday vote by the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety.  The $2.66 million funding will mostly come from the Wheel Tax, although Mayor Scott Fadness emphasized that two parking lot paving projects in the area in commercial areas near City Hall will not by funded by Wheel Tax money.

The bid includes some sidewalk and curb work in the neighborhoods.  Subdivisions that will see this work include Auburn Springs, Pleasant View/Sweet Briar, Sandstone, Spyglass Falls, and Spyglass Hill.  For more details on the work, use this link.

The board also approved purchasing 15 new police patrol vehicles, all Ford Explorer hybrids, for a total of $538,155.  This only covers buying the vehicles, not the cost of outfitting each one with equipment for police use.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board discussed school start times, bus schedules and related issues for more than 90 minutes at an early morning work session Monday, but the board is no closer to a consensus or staff recommendation on where to go from here.  The longer these decisions are delayed, the more likely it will be that the current schedules may continue into next school year.

Superintendent Allen Bourff told board members he has been involved in internal discussions about the start time changes and bus system redesign since he assumed the HSE position in 2015.  Bourff also said the complexity of the various options has led to difficulty in communicating with the public on all the options.

Bourff cited several reasons why schedule changes are being considered by the school district.

First, there is scientific sleep research data that suggests that the school district should make some changes in the daily class schedules.

Second, Bourff says schedule changes can lead to better support of teacher professional development.

Third, there is a constant shortage of school bus drivers in the HSE School District, so redesigning the bus schedule can ease that shortage  by “economizing” the routes.

Finally, a redesigned bus routing system could also create more flexibility for all transportation routes. such as shuttle service between school buildings.

Surveys indicate abut 60% of the respondents do not favor a 3-tier bus scheduling system as proposed, while about 40% favor such a change.  Bourff says many in the community have questioned the reliability of those survey results.

The board is grappling with two concepts – “flipping” start times with elementary students reporting for class earlier with those at the secondary level starting classes later, and going to a 3-tier bus scheduling system.  Both can have an impact on the start and end time of classes each day.

The board held a robust discussion, looking at all proposals from a number of different angles.  After the session ended, Bourff emphasized that the agenda item on Wednesday night’s regular board meeting will remain a discussion item with no action expected.

Scott Spillman of Mudsock Sports told board members moving the secondary class day later could have an impact on the availability of gymnasiums for his group’s indoor programs and could complicate the schedules of volunteer coaches.

School administrators will put together a recommendation for the board, but it will not likely happen soon.

There are a few dates on the annual calendar that mark a fund-raising event for the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation, and February 21st is a big date in 2020.  That’s the day set aside to celebrate Game Day, now in its 8th year.

The festivities begin at 6:30pm at Conner Prairie.  It’s a time to don your favorite team’s gear and celebrate, while supporting an organization providing funds to the local school district.

Included in this year’s Game Day:

• Dine on  game day food and sip beverages
• Enjoy a photo booth and pop-a-shot fun
• Sing along to your favorite 90s hits with live music from Mixtape
• Mingle with friends, neighbors, teachers and principals
• Browse our impressive silent auction which includes a vacation in Key West!

Your $75 ticket includes a $50.75 tax deductible donation benefiting the more than 22,000 students we serve. HSE Faculty, alumni who register for the Tigers Royals Alumni Network, and Grow Club members are eligible for discounted pricing.  Don’t forget, you must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event.

Buy your tickets online at this link.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)

For folks middle-aged and beyond who have lived in Hamilton County most or all of our lives, there is a very familiar rhetorical question we so often get from newer residents. It goes like this: ‘I bet you’ve seen a lot of changes, haven’t you?’

The answer could not be anything but an emphatic yes.

‘In what ways?’ is sometimes to next question. That could take hours to answer. Where do you start?

Numbers somewhat tell the tale. For example, 50 years ago we had 54,000 residents compared to 330,000 today. That should give anyone a hint.

From there on, opinion enters. Some would say life was better 50 years ago, some would say not as good as now. In 1970 and before, the Indy suburbs had not reached most of the county.

Today there are not a lot of counties in America faster growing than ours. There are some in Florida, in Southern California and around Washington, D.C.

Some of those other growing areas have encountered problems with terrible traffic congestion, school problems and insanely high housing costs and property taxes. In Hamilton County, not so much.

A half-century ago our area was beginning to change, but was still largely rural. Noblesville with 7,600 residents was the largest city. Most folks knew each other in Noblesville as well as in the other county communities.

Life did seem more relaxed, easier to get around, find a parking space and be on a first name basis with most neighbors, employees in local businesses and public officials.

Entertainment and recreational opportunities were here, but more limited. The old Diana theatre in Noblesville and the Carmel Theatre were popular. The Rainbo Roller Rink was an attraction along with the Forest Park swimming pool and Northern Beach in the summer.

Going into Indianapolis for major shopping or some necessities was easier with few stop-and-go lights. School enrollments were smaller, which may have been better is some ways although not as many courses were offered.

Today, we have many more shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. Many roads have been built or vastly improved. We no longer have any gravel roads.

We have amazing county and city park systems. There are many more cultural and charitable organizations than in the past.

Hospitals and medical facilities abound along with social service agencies for those in need of various services.

So, that’s taste of the changes we have seen and experienced over 50 years. Does it all make for a better lifestyle? Maybe not in every way, but certainly for most folks, most of the time the changes have been beneficial.

We just have to tell newer residents that in many areas, Hamilton County is an almost unrecognizably different place than in the past, with infinitely more of everything. And, certainly if you like progress, our progress has been top-notch.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor 

Hamilton County Reporter

FISHERS – The Fishers girls basketball team got two things out of its 72-60 win over Avon Saturday afternoon at the Tiger Den.

First, it was the Class 4A No. 4 Tigers’ Senior Day, always a reason to want to win. Secondly, Fishers clinched at least a share of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference championship with this victory.

The Tigers are 6-0 in HCC play, with one more game to go, Friday at Franklin Central. Before that, Fishers will play at Lawrence North on Tuesday.

“We got two more games,” said Fishers coach Lauren Votaw. “First up is LN on Tuesday, so trying to stay focused for them. And then of course the conference game next Friday. I’m still just loving coaching this team and very proud for them that they earned themselves at least a piece of that title tonight.”

The Orioles scored the first basket of the game, but it was all Tigers after that.

Katie Burton scored Fishers’ first seven points, then Olivia Smith made a layin to
get the Tigers up 9-2. Fishers continued to roll through the quarter, which finished
with a Burton jumper to give the Tigers a 22-12 lead after one.

Fishers embarked on a 8-0 run early in the second period. Burton and senior Tamia Perryman made back-to-back 3-pointers, then senior Lydia Stullken finished it with a layin.

Avon hit a pair of 3s late in the quarter, but the Tigers held a 38-25 lead at halftime.

“We knew that they had the size advantage, but we thought that we had the speed and the depth advantage, so we really wanted to make sure that we took care of that initially,” said Votaw. “I was really proud of our kids and the way that they took care of the basketball while still pushing the pace. That’s something that we’ve worked on and so I was really
proud of that today.”

Another Orioles 3-pointer cut Fishers’ lead to 10 to start the second half. The Tigers responded with a 10-0 run to go up 48-28. Perryman made consecutive layins to get the lead up to 20 points, then answered an Avon basket with one of her own, giving Fishers a 50-30 advantage.

Senior Kaitlynn Feagan hit a 3-pointer late in the third to push the Tigers ahead 60-36. Early in the fourth quarter, Fishers used a 6-0 run to get its biggest lead of the game, 67-40; Hailey Smith finished the run with a layin. Avon tried to make a comeback in the final six minutes of the game, but the Tigers’ lead was too much to overcome.

Burton led Fishers with 25 points and also collected seven rebounds. Perryman scored 16 points and handed out four assists, while Hailey Smith added 10 points. Stullken pulled six rebounds and Audra Emmerson dished out nine assists.

The Tigers are 19-1 overall.

Hamilton Counter Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern made a second-half comeback and that led the Royals to a 55-42 win at Mount Vernon on Saturday.

The Royals started the game with a 7-2 run, but fell behind by as many as nine points in the second quarter. The Marauders led 26-21 at halftime. Southeastern began to cut into the
lead in the third period, getting within 35-33 by the end of the quarter, then took the lead
when Elliot Robinson hit a 3-pointer on the first possession of the fourth period.

Royals coach Brian Satterfield said his team played great defense in the second half, allowing Mount Vernon only three made field goals in that half.

Kole Hornbuckle scored 18 points for the Royals and collected five rebounds. Mabor Majak added 16 points. Vinny Buccilla dished out 10 assists and made two blocked shots.

Southeastern is 9-5 and travels to Noblesville on Friday for a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern boys basketball coach Brian Satterfield was honored during the boys game Friday night for reaching 300 career wins. Satterfield earned his 300th win last Saturday when the Royals beat Anderson. Satterfield has been the boys coach at Southeastern since 2002 and has led the team to three sectional championships, as well as coached two Indiana Mr. Basketballs (Gary Harris and Zak Irvin).

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County Democratic Chairman Joe Weingarten has questioned the appointment of Lisa Charles as the county’s Veterans Service Officer by the Hamilton County Commissioners.

Weingarten

In a statement provided to the Reporter, Weingarten said, “As both a veteran and Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party I am dismayed but not surprised that the County Commissioners failed to follow law in the appointment of the County Veteran Service Officer.”

According to Weingarten, Indiana law requires a Veteran Service Officer to reside in the state for five years.

“It appears that Ms. Charles has only lived in the state for a few years, having moved here from California in 2018, and state law requires anyone appointed to this position to have lived in the state for five years,” said Weingarten. “This is the second violation in a row by the Commissioners in this type of appointment. The previous CVSO also did not meet legal requirements for the position.”

The recommendation to appoint Charles came from a three-member committee, which included Mark Smith, District Service Officer for the Indiana Department for Veterans Affairs. Smith served as an independent person and assisted with the interviewing process that resulted in the recommendation to appoint Charles.

“As veterans, we swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” said Weingarten. “The commissioners also swore an oath to ‘support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana’.”

The Commissioners have said they are aware of the concerns and stated, “We want to ensure that we have the most qualified person to assist our veterans, and if the appointment was not correct, we will take corrective measures.”

Hamilton County Reporter / WISH-TV

Rescue workers in Hamilton County freed two workers who were stuck in a collapsed trench Thursday night. Jackson Township fire officials stated, the rescue quickly became a team effort with seven fire departments responding, including Noblesville, Westfield, Fishers and Carmel.

According to Jackson Township Fire Department Chief Jeff Muszar, two men became trapped in the trench sometime before 6 p.m. The men were working for a private contractor and digging for a sewer line which had become clogged.

Muszar said one worker was trapped from the waist down in the trench along Maple Street in a residential neighborhood in Arcadia.

Carter

Jackson Township Battalion Chief James Carter told WISH-TV, “Anytime you have a trench collapse there’s obviously the potential for a secondary collapse because the ground is unstable and collapsed in the first place,” said Battalion Chief James Carter with the Jackson Township Fire Department. “So, it takes them coming in, shoring to stabilize that trench to prevent a secondary collapse.”

One man was able to self-rescue with assistance shortly after becoming trapped and refused medical assistance after evaluation. The second man was freed about 7:30 p.m. and airlifted to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and is in stable condition.