by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Fourteen non-profit social service organizations will share nearly $4.4 million in county funds approved Monday by Hamilton County Commissioners. The annual allocations, payable after Jan. 1, are granted to agencies that perform services for the public.

The money supplements budgets of private groups whose work might otherwise have to be undertaken by local government. The County Council appropriated the funds to agencies that request assistance. Good Samaritan, which provides food and clothing to the needy, will receive $50,000. The Hope Family Care Center will get $15,000. Chauice’s Place, $30,000; Meals on Wheels, $10,000; Prevail, $180,000; Prime Life Enrichment, $240,000; The Shepherd Center, $40,000; Trinity Free Clinic, $74,000; and The Youth Mentoring Initiative, $10,000.

Organizations with county contractual agreements include Cherish Center getting $30,000 and Hamilton County Humane Society, granted $122,000.

Matching grants were approved for Janus Development’s Hamilton County Express public bus system operations fund for $386,095 and the Hamilton County Express capital fund for $33,720.

Aspire mental health service was allocated $2,284,432, which is mandated by state law, and Janus $775,000, also a statutory amount for handicapped development.

The Hamilton County Leadership Academy, Conner Prairie and Invest Hamilton County economic development project submitted applications but were not granted funds.

In other action Monday, Commissioners revealed they have received six responses to a Request for Proposals for a new parking garage in Noblesville planned along Clinton Street between 8th and 9th streets. The proposals will be reviewed with possible awarding at their next meeting.

The multi-level garage is part of a major city-county downtown redevelopment project announced earlier. It includes selling the county’s current parking lot south of Conner Street for a major mixed-use development. The deal includes the city paying the county $4.5 million for the Conner Street lot and giving the so-called Armory Lot on the north side of Logan Street to the county.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton released his findings Wednesday regarding the Indiana State Police’s investigation into the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office.

Eaton

“After a thorough investigation, we found insufficient evidence to prove that Hamilton County Chief Deputy Treasurer Kim Good’s parents were improperly permitted to make late property tax payments without paying late fees as required by law for those transactions,” said Eaton. “We did find that if any waiver of any late fee was granted over the years to anyone that it would not be a crime under Indiana Law.”

The report goes on to state that recordkeeping in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office is insufficient to determine if late fees were waived for property tax payments that were received after the due date. Eaton did conclude that as a result of the incomplete recordkeeping, it is possible that a payment could be received after the deadline and still be processed as an on-time payment.

“Simply put, even if there were a violation of the law, there is no provision in Indiana criminal law that makes this specific conduct a crime. Therefore, no criminal action can be taken to rectify the matter or hold anyone criminally accountable under the law,” said Eaton. “I reviewed every resource I could to determine if this action was criminal, and given the evidence, the answer is no.”

Eaton was appointed as Special Prosecutor in April by Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Paul Felix at the request of Hamilton County Prosecutor D. Lee Buckingham II. Eaton was tasked with reviewing the Indiana State Police’s investigation into the Treasurer’s Office to determine if there was criminal activity taking place in the management of the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office.

Indiana Code 6-1.1-37-10 states that if property taxes are not completely paid on or before the due date, a penalty shall be added to the unpaid portion in the year of the initial delinquency. Under the law, Indiana Code 6-1.1-37-15 allows the Treasurer to waive, negotiate or settle penalties if a formal policy is presented to and approved by the Hamilton County Council. According to Eaton, there is no evidence that such policy for waiver exists, which means any waiver for Good’s parents or anyone else were unlawful.

According to the report, the scope of this investigation was limited to the processing of payments by the Treasurer’s Office, the records of those payments, any direct criminal act committed by any employee of the Treasurer’s office against any other employee of the Treasurer’s office during or because of employment with the Treasurer’s office, and truthfulness and honesty with investigators. It did not consider any other avenue of investigation of the office or personnel beyond those listed as it would have exceeded what was believed to be the jurisdictional scope allowed by the Judge’s order assigning a Special Prosecutor.

The report also concluded that there is no evidence that any employee of the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office was intimidated, harassed, or otherwise the victim of a criminal act. There is insufficient evidence to make a finding of criminal acts committed by employees of the Treasurer’s Office during or because of their employment with the Treasurer’s Office. The failure to maintain the records of when payments were actually received is not a crime that can be prosecuted under the law as it exists in Indiana.

Stoesz: Lack of crime doesn’t mean lack of wrongdoing

The criminal investigation that focused on the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office began after former county employee Susan Byer filed a lawsuit stating she was unjustly fired after making allegations of late property tax payment penalties not being charged to family members of Treasurer’s Office employees.

Stoesz

Byer is represented by Westfield-based attorney Tim Stoesz.

Stoesz issued the following statement on Wednesday after Special Prosecutor Brent Eaton released the findings in his investigation:

“Special Prosecutor Brent Eaton did a very good job. The report vindicates Susan’s allegation that the property tax payments of Kim Good’s parents were processed late, and not designated as late, allowing the late penalty to be waived. Just because a crime wasn’t committed doesn’t mean wrongdoing did not happen. We look forward to reading the Indiana State Police Investigation Report.”

The Fishers Police Department announced Wednesday that it has received a sixth consecutive accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  The department also says it has received the Meritorious Award for being an accredited agency for more than 15 continuous years.

Meritorious agencies receive an enhanced Certificate of Meritorious Accreditation, displaying a blue “Meritorious” ribbon and an inscription proclaiming their 15 or more years of accredited status.

Being accredited by CALEA consists of a four-year process measuring adherence to strict international guidelines of policing and organizational practices.  At the end of the fourth year, CALEA assessors visit the agency to review day-to-day operations of policies and procedures. After confirming compliance, observations of agency activities, and interviews, the Commission voted unanimously to award the Fishers its 6th award.

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of the following law enforcement’s major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers started its season Tuesday with a convincing win at Ben Davis, by the score of 71-58.

The Tigers led 20-16 after the first quarter, with Jeffrey Simmons pouring in nine points, and Alex Szilagyi adding seven. Both players were just getting started. Simmons added another nine points in the second period, and Fishers stayed ahead 34-20 at halftime.

Szilagyi hit a 3-pointer during the second, and he threw in two more triples in the third period. That helped the Tigers maintain a 51-48 advantage after three quarters. Fishers ran away with that final period, outscoring the Giants 20-10.

Four different players scored at least four points, including five more from Simmons.

The sophomore Simmons finished the game with 29 points, while Szilagyi added 22 points.

The Tigers are back in action next Tuesday at Muncie Central.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern got off to a good start in its season-opening game, and that led the Royals to a 70-46 victory over visiting Muncie Central on Tuesday.

Southeastern led 16-4 after the first quarter and held a 30-20 advantage at halftime. The Royals outscored the Bearcats 18-8 in the fourth period and had three players reach double figures in the game.

Mabor Majak led the way, earning a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, in addition to two blocked shots.

Kole Hornbuckle added 15 points, and DeAndre Rhodes had a solid game with 10 points and six assists. Sam Jacobs handed out four assists.

Southeastern travels to Mason, Ohio on Saturday to play another Ohio school, Hilliard Bradley, as part of a tournament.

The Fishers City Council took action Tuesday night to approve next steps for three economic development projects.

The council approved Economic Revitalization areas, moving forward with the Hub & Spoke, as well as the Sitel projects.  The council also approved the first amendment to the economic development agreement with Nickel Plate Station.

Hub & Spoke is under construction on 106th Street near I-69 & the planned Nickel Plate Trail.  It will be a center for the construction industry, with training programs for those aspiring to work in the construction trades.

Sitel is a customer service company, planning on bringing 350 jobs to Fishers with a location at 121st Street and Cumberland Road.

Nickel Plate Station is planned to be a mixed-use development north of 116th Street in the downtown area of Fishers.

In other city council items:

–The accounting firm BKD has given the city a “clean opinion” in a recently-concluded audit, according to Councilman and Finance Committee Chair John Weingardt.  The city several years ago chose to use a private accounting firm audit instead of using the State Board of Accounts.

–Hamilton County Council President Brad Beaver and incoming President Rick McKinney stopped by the city council meeting as a courtesy.  Beaver briefly talked about the upcoming construction on State Road 37.  McKinney touched on the work coming at 146th Street and State Road 37.

–The council gave final approval to the Non-Profit Committee recommendations on city grants to local organizations.  The following received the final go-ahead:

Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program – $65,250
Youth Mentoring Initiative – $64,707
Janus Development Services – $15,043
Conner Prairie Museum – $100,000
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation – $10,000

–Fishers Firefighter Brian Reeves was honored for 20 years of service.

A Fishers Police Officer has been placed on paid administrative leave as the Indiana State Police conduct an investigation into allegations of ghost employment.

To access the story from the WRTV Web site, use this link.

The film started a short theatrical run, then moved to Netflix.  Wherever you see it, the new Martin Scorsese film “The Irishman” has plenty of star power, with Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci in the starring roles.

Here is my review.

Fishers firefighters responded to the report of a blaze at the Fishers Wendy’s restaurant on 96th street.  The call came at 2:47am Monday.  No one was in the building at the time, so there were no injuries.

According to officials, the fire appears to have originated in the kitchen area. The interior of the building suffered extensive smoke and fire damage.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.  It is not yet known how much damage was done to the building and investigators have not estimated a dollar amount.

Every time I need to be out of town, there is always a truck load of news going on in Fishers.  I spent most of the previous week in Evansville instructing for Indiana University.

Fishers had a lot going on during that time.  The first story deals with a dog,

Police K-9 Harlej was memorialized with a gathering at Fishers High School.  Police K-9 dogs become a part of the police family, so when one dies in the line of duty, it is very hard on the entire Fishers Police force.

Harlej wasn’t just known throughout police headquarters, he made many visits to local schools.  A number of youngsters felt connected to Harlej, which contributed to the community-wide sadness expressed at the memorial service.

Harlej was Officer Jarred Koopman’s K-9, and he spoke with the media Friday about his time with the dog.  I had to miss that as well while out of town.

There was plenty of other news in and around Fishers this past week.

–Local School Superintendent Allen Bourff conducted a community meeting asking for public comments on a proposal to “flip” start times, so secondary students would start classes later and elementary grades would start earlier.  Thanks to my lovely wife Jane, I received a summary of what was said at that session.

Let’s just say the comments were varied, but a majority of those speaking asked school officials to consider the financial and family hardships connected with this proposed change.  There were speakers supporting the change, allowing high school age students to sleep longer before heading to school.  Medical research indicates this would help older students be more productive at school when reporting later.

My wife Jane was impressed that despite varied opinions being expressed at this meeting, everyone was respectful of differing opinions and all comments were well-thought-out.

–The City of Fishers announced a California firm, PerceptIn, would be coming to Fishers.  This is a company specializing in autonomous vehicle technology (self driving cars).  A pilot program is planned during mid-day, shuttling workers from the Launch Fishers – IOT Lab area on Technology Drive to and from downtown Fishers for lunch breaks.

–It was announced this past week that the City of Fishers will be losing two key city employees.  Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath is going to become Vice President of Public Affairs for Knowledge Services, which is building a new headquarters building near I-69 and the Navient building.  Lindsey Bennett has been the Assistant City Attorney in Fishers, and is leaving that post to become City Attorney for the incoming mayor of Noblesville, Chris Jensen.

–I’m just starting to sort this out, but it appears there has been a petition filed for a Geist Lake Conservancy District.  The lake is deteriorating and experts say the lake could go toxic at some point in the years to come if nothing is done.

On that point, many Geist residents agree, but there is much controversy surrounding the proposal by the Geist Lake Coalition.  The Coalition believes homeowners in the neighborhoods adjoining the lake should be paying for the clean-up. Groups such as “Make Geist Great Again” argue that only property owners on the lake itself should be paying the bills, along with a few other stake holders.

This is just the beginning of a long process, which I will be reporting on in the months, possibly years, to come.  The future of Geist Lake is a major issue for this entire area, including three counties that border the reservoir (Hamilton, Marion & Hanckock).

–Another story that may have local implications is the announcement by Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma that he plans to step down after the coming legislative session.  The next speaker is expected to be selected before the next session begins, and reporter Lindsey Erdody, who covers politics and the General Assembly for the Indianapolis Business Journal, is reporting local House member Todd Huston is the likely front-runner to succeed Bosma.

It’s all speculation so far, but if the Speaker of the Indiana House is from Fishers, this will be a very important development and would be a very good news for Fishers.

Let’s all relax and enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family.  I am certain there will be more news about Fishers before the year is out.