In this week’s edition of Hamilton County Goes To The Movies, Adam & Larry review Avengers: Infinity War.  Larry talks about some films he screened at this year’s Indy Film Fest.  Our guest this week is Ted Green, producer of a new documentary film, Eva, about Holocaust survivor Eva Kor.

The weather was a bit cool, but a nice Saturday in early May for the first outdoor Fishers Farmers Market in 2018.  With the Amphitheater area under construction, the event was moved slightly south and east.  Once the Amphitheater construction is complete, projected to be sometime in June, the market will move back to the stage area.

With the stage under construction, market shoppers were provided music containing a Mexican flair, with the group playing on the porch of the Braden Building.

The Fishers Farmers Market will continue through the summer, Saturdays 8am-12 noon.

A Mexican duo provided the music for the first outdoor market this year

As we get deeper into spring, the Fishers area road construction listing continues to lengthen.  Note some closures around the municipal complex in the Nickel Plate District for special events.

One item not included in this listing is the planned closing of the intersection at 131st Street and Cumberland Road.  A roundabout is being constructed there and the city is waiting until school is out of session to begin the project.

Now, on to the listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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136TH STREET   

Beginning on or after May 7, 136th Street will be closed between Southeastern Parkway and Prairie Baptist Road for the construction of a new roundabout. See the Detour Map.

NICKEL PLATE DISTRICT

Municipal Drive in front of City Hall will be closed for the Hope for Happiness event on Friday, May 4 from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. All other access around the Municipal Circle will remain open.

On Saturday, May 5, between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., road closures will take place along the east side of the Municipal Circle along Municipal Drive for the Fishers Farmers’ Market. Access to Municipal Drive from North Street will also be closed during this time. Farmers’ Market parking is available in The Depot and The Switch garages (see the Parking Mapfor more details).

The Board of Works has passed an ordinance for no parking in the Nickel Plate District between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., beginning on May 1 (there will be a 2-week grace period where no tickets will be written). See the Parking Restrictions Map for more information.

GEIST RIDGE DRIVE   

Geist Ridge Drive at Florida Road will be closed beginning on May 7, as Hamilton Southeastern Utilities has contracted Culy Contracting to perform sanitary sewer repairs in this area. Access into Valleys at Geist subdivision will be available on Olio Road or 104th Street. Temporary lane restrictions on Florida Road may occur in this area due to construction traffic.

106TH STREET   

106th Street is closed to through traffic from Eller Road to Allisonville Road and from Allisonville Road to Hague Road for the 106th Street Infrastructure Project. Closures for through traffic will also take place from Hague Road to the Crosspoint Boulevard/Lantern Road roundabout. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

131ST STREET   

Beginning on May 29, the intersection of 131st and Cumberland Road will close for 45 days to construct a new roundabout.

Periodic lane restrictions will occur at the intersection of 131st Street and Cumberland Road as utility relocation work is completed.Expect lane restrictions, weather permitting, along 131st Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road for the construction of the Conner Trail from Conner Prairie to the Municipal Complex. Lane restrictions will also take place on Lantern Road between 131st Street and Municipal Drive.

ELLER ROAD   

Eller Road is closed to through traffic south of White Horse Lane for concrete work associated with the 106th Street Infrastructure Project.

ALLISONVILLE ROAD RESURFACING & INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT   

Lane restrictions will be in place, as weather permits, along Allisonville Road from 126th Street to 131st Street for tree clearing ahead of the start of the roadway expansion project. Restrictions will be in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and flaggers will be on site directing traffic, as necessary. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

I-69   

As part of a $92 million design-build contract, Milestone has added a third lane in each direction to the median, repaired and resurfaced existing pavement, and rehabilitated bridges and drainage structures on 15 miles of I-69 in Hamilton and Madison counties. Construction of an additional auxiliary lane between the 116th Street entrance ramp to I-69 South and the I-69 South Exit 204 ramp to 106th Street will continue through next spring.

I-69 South will be temporarily reduced to two lanes to allow space for the State Road 37 and 116th Street entrance ramps to safely merge while construction continues on the southbound auxiliary lane between the 116th Street and 106th Street ramps.

Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT via email or at 1-855-463-6848.

STATE ROAD 37  

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Delaware Township Trustee Office. Additional information is available on the project’s new website.

The State Road 37 improvement project is a $124 million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton County, Noblesville, and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed via email to Drive Fishers.

When Scott Fadness became Mayor of Fishers in January, 2015, his first major initiative was the Mental Health Task Force.  The mayor is now in his fourth year in office and the task force continues to make progress.

Those involved in the mental health initiative gathered at Launch Fishers Friday morning for a progress report

Perhaps the most telling piece of information shared during the session came from Fishers Fire Chief Steve Orusa.  He told those assembled that there have been no teen suicides in the City of Fishers since 2014.

HSE Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff outlined how the recent referendum approved by local voters has allowed the school corporation to place more mental health professionals in the schools, with 13 therapists serving 21 school buildings.  This allows earlier interventions when students need mental health treatment.

Mayor Fadness pointed to the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.  The public debate has centered on firearms policy, but the mayor cited the strides the task force has made in allowing the many stakeholders, including the city and schools, to work together, is one way to intervene early when a teenager is troubled and in need of treatment. that can sometimes make the difference in preventing such situations, according to the mayor.

The Mental Health Task Force has accomplished much in nearly three-and-a-half years, but there is much more left to do.

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) 

Primary of special importance . . .

The sometimes heated Republican primary election campaign comes to an end Tuesday when Hamilton County voters go to the polls. Voter turnout is not expected to be large, but results of the primary may have substantial consequences for the next four years, especially in county government.

Great interest, both here and statewide, is focused on the GOP ballot where an often nasty, hard-fought race for the nomination for U.S. Senate will be decided. Mike Braun, Luke Messer and Todd Rokita are seeking the right to face incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in this fall’s general election. The race is considered a toss-up.

Fifth District Congresswoman Susan Brooks gets a free ride in the primary where she is unopposed for nomination to a third term.

County Races

At the county level, the primary is of extreme importance because Republican candidates nearly always sweep fall elections. The greatest interest appears to be in three county council races which could determine control of the county’s fiscal body.

Currently, there is a factional divide, sometimes more personal than philosophical, with very conservative fiscal members Rick McKinney, Fred Glynn, Brad Beaver and Paul Ayres (who is retiring) on one side. (McKinney and Beaver’s seats are not up for election this year.) On the other side, current members Steve Schwartz, Jeff Hern and Amy Massalmany are somewhat more progressive on fiscal matters.

In District 1 (parts of Clay and Delaware Townships) incumbent Glynn faces a determined effort by Sue Maki. In District 3 (Noblesville, Jackson and White River Townships) a contentious contest features incumbent Steve Schwartz challenged by Mark Hall, and in District 4 (Adams, Washington and parts of Clay Townships) a four-way race features Ken Alexander, Sheldon Barnes, Christine Pauley and Rick Sharp.

These three Council races are expected to be close, as is the race for County Sheriff where four career lawmen seek the GOP nomination. Bill Clifford, Eddie Moore, Dennis Quakenbush and Mitch Russell are waging aggressive campaigns, but have kept it a generally ‘clean’ race with each touting his own considerable credentials. The outcome is considered anyone’s guess.

A three-way race shapes up for judge of Superior Court 1 with the winner to likely take retiring Judge Steve Nation’s bench. Mike Casati, Will Riley and Jeff Heinzmann are vying for the nomination. The contest is low-key compared to some of the other races.

Incumbent County Commissioner Christine Altman is being challenged by an outspoken Matt Milam. The winner will run in November seeking to join Steve Dillinger and Mark Heirbrandt on the three-member board.

Unopposed in Tuesday’s voting are Prosecutor Lee Buckingham, Superior Court 6 Judge Gail Bardach, Kathy Richardson for County Clerk; Robin Ward, incumbent Assessor; Jennifer Hayden, incumbent Recorder and John Chalfin, incumbent Coroner.

Legislative Races

In Noblesville, Wayne and portions of White River Township, four candidates are competing to capture a seat in the state House of Representatives, vacant with Rep. Kathy Richardson’s decision to not run again.

Brad Beaver, Garen Bragg, Charles Goodrich and Greg O’Connor are running to represent the district. Another race for a House nomination is set in Clay Township where incumbent Jerry Torr is challenged by Tom Linkmeyer. And, for State Senate, incumbent Mike Delph is opposed by Corrie Meyer in a district that includes most of Clay Township and portions of Marion County.

Township Ballot

At the township level, there is only one contest for trustee, it pits Robyn Cook of Atlanta against incumbent Chris Miller for Jackson Township trustee. There are also a scattering of township board races in Noblesville, Clay, Delaware, Washington and Fall Creek Townships.

Democrats

Voters in the Democratic primary will have precious few choices to make. They will help choose a candidate for Congress along with voters in the entire Fifth District. Five candidates are seeking the nomination: Dion Douglas, Sean Dugdale, Eshel Faraggi, Kyle Moore and Dee Thornton. The winner will challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Susan Brooks in November.

For county office the only contest is between Jeremy Hawk and Gregg Werling in County Council District 3. In one township (Delaware) there is competition with four candidates running for three spots on the ballot, and in a county-wide race there is competition for 27 delegate positions to the Democrats’ state convention, but, these are party positions and not public offices.

At this time Democrats have no candidates for most county offices, leaving Republicans unopposed for two Superior Court judgeships, sheriff, prosecutor, county clerk, Assessor, Recorder, Commissioner and Council in District 2. The party has no candidates for township trustee in eight of the nine townships.

The party central committee does have the right to fill vacancies on their ticket, but as yet have not announced names of any candidates-to-be.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has a phrase he uses very time he has the opportunity – the mayor wants his city to be “smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial.”  The Hamilton Southeastern School District takes in the City of Fishers and some surrounding areas, but the schools have seized that cue from the city administration and have taken on an entrepreneurial and an innovative approach to education.

That was on display Wednesday night at the school corporation’s “Evening of Innovation” at HSE High School.  The booths consumed all of the College & Career Academy and spread into adjacent hallways.  There was a large crowd on hand on a gorgeous spring Fishers evening.

You experienced everything from chickens to robotics to virtual reality, and plenty more.

This event was so big there is no way to write a summary, so I tried to capture it in a series of photos…lots of photos, which you see below.

Continue reading HSE’s Evening Of Innovation →

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) 

Why do some public officials try so hard to hide the reasons behind the dismissal of an employee when doing so only fuels the public’s demands for answers? This behavior can bring harmful community gossip that sometimes accompanies these actions.

While Carmel Clay Schools is not the only public entity to deny revealing the reasons for employees’ forced departure from high profile positions, two recent examples are certainly cases in point. Last year Carmel finally got resignations it obviously wanted from its school superintendent and its director of human resources. This came after months of questions and speculation as to why the two administrators had earlier been placed on administrative leave.

The Indianapolis news media had a ‘field day’ reporting the schools’ refusal to tell why the actions were taken, how much money was being spent on continued compensation and a demand to see public records. And, the publicity hasn’t ended.

Then, in recent weeks, the highly successful coach of the girls’ high school basketball team was dismissed for reasons not revealed. This also caused an outcry for reasons including a student protest march through town and more negative publicity which will likely continue. In both these cases there was certainly no misappropriation of funds, no illegal misconduct and no violence alleged. In fact, nothing has been alleged because the school says it doesn’t have to tell anything. Maybe so, maybe not, but it’s not very good public relations.

Why all the secrecy? We can logically assume that attorneys in our sue-happy environment are telling school officials to make “no comment” for fear of a lawsuit. But, we should not live in constant fear of a lawsuit at the expense of the public’s right to know the reasoning behind our public officials’ decisions.

Now Carmel has a new blooming controversy involving the possible closing of two elementary schools. This time, there is a reason given. It’s a predicted decrease in enrollment. The plan is apparently to build a new school in a new location to take the place of Carmel Elementary and Orchard Park schools.

Opponents, now passing petitions against the plans, claim both the schools are operating at more than 90 percent capacity and building an expensive new facility will harm established neighborhoods where the two targeted schools are located.

The matter could be a big issue in the November school board election when three of the five Carmel Clay board members’ terms are up. Hopefully, this time officials will give more detail on their reasons for the closings and cost-effectiveness of building a new facility to take the place of the two affected schools.

Hamilton County Reporter

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has decided not to file any criminal charges regarding last weekend’s campaign sign incident.

Neither Hamilton County Council candidate Mark Hall nor his wife, Lisa Hall, who was seen on camera removing campaign signs belonging to Hamilton County Council President Steve Schwartz from the northwest corner of 211th Street and Oak Bay Drive will be prosecuted.

A press release from the sheriff’s office read, “Investigators from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office forwarded their findings in the case of missing campaign signs to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, May 2. After reviewing the findings, no criminal charges are forthcoming in the incident.”

Marvel Comics has created a new Avenger film, this one titled Infinity War.  Here is my review.

Tropical Smoothie had its first location in Destin, Florida.  Now it is franchising and, according to an Indianapolis Business Journal story by Samm Quinn, there will be Tropical Smoothie locations in Indiana, including two in Hamilton County.

Read more from the IBJ Web site at this link.