This week, Adam & I review the latest Steven Spielberg film, The Post.  It’s all about the Post’s involvement in the 1971 Pentagon Papers leak.  Our guest this week is the Film Commissioner for the City of Indianapolis, Teresa Sabatine.

Hamilton County Reporter

Christine Steinbock Pauley, the Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Carmel, announced last week that she will run for Hamilton County Council. She’s seeking to replace Paul Ayers, a Carmel resident who decided to not seek a third term.

Pauley said she decided to run because she believes her experience as Clerk-Treasurer and executive director of Carmel bond bank can now be best served at the county council level.

“I am a fiscal conservative who understands the need for strategic planning of investments while achieving the best possible financing options for the taxpayer,” she said.

Hamilton County Council District 4 covers Westfield, Sheridan and western Carmel.

Hamilton County Reporter

In a Hoosier Crossroads Conference battle of top 10-ranked Class 4A teams, No. 8 Hamilton Southeastern blasted No. 4 Zionsville 78-50 at the Royals’ gym.

It was the first loss of the year for the Eagles, and also knocked them back in the HCC race. The Royals are now tied atop the conference standings with Brownsburg; both teams have 3-0 records.

Aaron Etherington scored 21 points for Southeastern, including four 3-pointers. He was one of five Royals in double figures. Noah Smith added 15 points, handed out nine assists and made five steals. Chaz Birchfield reached double-double status with 12 points and 12 rebounds, also handing out four assists.

Mabor Majak added 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots, while Nick Bowman scored 10 points and dished out five assists.

Southeastern is 13-2 overall and plays at Mount Vernon tonight.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers picked up its first Hoosier Crossroads Conference win of the season at Avon on Friday, 64-39.

The Tigers built their lead after finishing the first quarter tied with the Orioles at 13-13. Fishers was ahead 29-24 by halftime and 39-31 after three periods. Fishers put the game away in the fourth quarter by scoring 25 points.

Terry Hicks scored 10 points in the fourth period and wound up the leading scorer with 17 points. Jeremy Szilagyi finished with 11 points and Alex Szilagyi scored 10; both made three 3-pointers in the game. Josiah Matthews also had a 3-pointer in the third quarter.

The Tigers are 1-3 in the conference and 7-7 overall. Fishers is now off until next Saturday, Jan. 27, when it travels to Lawrence North.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told the Fishers City Council December 18th of last year that the extent of the Central Green/Amphitheater upgrades will be determined by the bids submitted for the project.  The bids have been opened and it appears the city will be able to afford the full range of improvements.

The plans start with improvements to the Amphitheater stage itself, including a 25-foot expansion of the stage area.  A 1,700 square-foot pavilion structure will be built between City Hall and the Amphitheater stage.  This will add rest room facilities and provide meeting space for local groups.

Mayor Fadness said in December that the extent of other improvements would hinge on how the bidding process works out.

The Fishers Board of Works is set to vote January 22nd to accept a $4.1 million bid from Myers Construction to handle the renovation project.  That bid includes the following features:

–raising the grade of the site creating stadium seating north of the pavilion

–site and infrastructure improvements south of the pavilion

–24 jet fountain between City Hall and the new pavilion

–additional electricity for events

–site landscaping.

The entire project is due to be completed June 1st of this year, calling for a very aggressive construction schedule.  The Department of Public Works is asking the Board of Works to go ahead and approve the contract with Myers Construction January 22nd while the city’s lawyers review the provisions, allowing the contractor to line-up materials and sub-contractors.

The City of Fishers has reached an agreement with MetroNet, an Internet Service Provider, allowing the company to once again conduct construction activities within the city limits.  In August, the city issued a stop work order, and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission conducted an investigation into several incidents, including the rupture of underground natural gas lines.

The agreement allows MetroNet to once again do excavation work in Fishers.  However, the company has committed to several specific actions.  The terms of the agreement relate to training, safety, notification responsibilities  and restoration.  You can read the entire Memorandum of Understanding at this link.

The city says the agreement provides that any breach of safety protocol may result in a stop work order.  A statement provided by the city says Metronet has expressed strong commitment to working with the City of Fishers to ensure the safety plan is followed. Before digging resumes in neighborhoods, Metronet will be providing notice to residents affected within 30 days of entering their property.

The agreement between Fishers and MetroNet contains elements recommended by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

The agreement is scheduled to be formally approved at the Fishers Board of Works meeting set for January 22nd.

It’s a story about press freedom, government secrets and it’s told by Director Steven Spielberg.  Here is my review of the film “The Post”

Hamilton County Reporter

Each year, Prosecuting Attorney D. Lee Buckingham II recognizes two officers in honor of each Hamilton County officer’s distinguished service to the community and the pursuit of justice. One investigator (usually holding an assignment as a detective) and one road officer are selected from the nominations garnered from within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

At a ceremony held on Jan. 16 in the Commissioner’s Courtroom at the Hamilton County Judicial Center in Noblesville, Prosecuting Attorney Buckingham said, “It is never easy to select the recipients of this award because of the difficulty in selecting just one recipient in each category from the many viable candidates within the county. Many of those who choose this profession and are selected to represent the departments within this county are dedicated, hard-working individuals who strive to be the best that they can be.”

Buckingham recognized Sergeant Greg Weesner of the Fishers Police Department as the Road Officer of the Year for 2017. Sergeant Weesner is simply one of the nicest guys to everyone he meets – be it a prosecutor, a defense counsel, or, especially helpful to his investigations, an offender. His understanding of search-and-seizure law is exceptional, and his gut instincts are quite honed. His cases continue to improve, as he learns from each experience. After serving for five years with the Charleston (South Carolina) Police Department, Sergeant Weesner joined the Fishers Police Department in 2012.

Buckingham recognized Detective Scott Goff of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as Investigator of the Year for 2017. As an investigator, Det. Goff works a variety of cases but has several in the sex crimes and child abuse arenas. A road officer for the Sheriff’s Office from 2007 to 2015, Det. Goff has been an investigator for a little over two years but has distinguished himself with thoroughness, diligence and a desire to learn more every day.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

The Indiana Transportation Museum (ITM), which has made its home in Noblesville since the early 1960s, has decided to leave and move its operations entirely to Logansport “and other locations,” according to museum board president John McNichols. “The decision was not up to us,” he said, referring to the Noblesville city administration’s failure to renew the lease on a parcel at Forest Park where the museum is located. In recent years ITM was the only user of the local railroad known as the Nickel Plate.

Controversy has developed during the past year over the city’s desire to convert the Nickel Plate to a walking, jogging and bike trail south of the city and give a new operator the right to start excursion train service to the north.

The departure may come without further discord. However, the timing of the move is a question that may have to await a meeting of ITM officers and city officials next month. The lease is up on March 1, but McNichols says it is not possible to fulfill ITM’s commitments to clean up the site and move all train cars by the first of March.

The museum had already planned to move some of its equipment to new locations, but further moving will have to await permission to use the Nickel Plate tracks from Forest Park to Tipton.

The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, owner of the tracks, has suspended ITM’s use of the tracks, citing safety concerns. This and other issues will be discussed at the meeting next month.

McNichols says his organization is doing well at its new location in Logansport. A successful schedule of Polar Express excursion trains between Kokomo and Logansport was well received and financially successful over the recent holiday season, he said.

The Port Authority meanwhile is preparing to approve a contract with the newly formed Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, created by the county tourism bureau to operate excursion trains on the railroad from Noblesville to Atlanta.

Brenda Myers, tourism director, said this week the organization is in the process of acquiring a locomotive, two passenger cars and a dining car for the coming summer season. Headquarters and train storage for the operation will be near Atlanta where improvements are being made for visitors in what is planned as a major tourism attraction.

The transportation museum’s ‘gems’ will be leaving the Nickel Plate. They include the 100 year old steam engine Number 587 and the so-called Flagler car, named for Henry Flagler, a wealthy industrialist who is credited for developing Florida tourism by building a rail line to Miami. His lavish private rail car is in the museum collection.

Opposition to Noblesville’s eviction of the ITM from Forest Park remains. Among the most vocal is longtime former ITM Board member Craig Pressler who says the city and Fishers officials wanted to get rid of the museum and hope to see some type of economic development along the Nickel Plate in southern Hamilton County.

The rail line south of Noblesville is to be converted to a pedestrian and bike trail similar to the Monon Trail, officials hope. Although no immediate plans have been announced, Noblesville’s media spokesman, Robert Herrington, said this week the trail may have to take a back seat for a while to bigger, more urgent projects.

Pressler says another trail planned and approved by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will duplicate Nickel Plate trail plans bringing a separate trail from Indianapolis to Fishers and on to Conner Prairie and making the conversion of the Nickel Plate unnecessary.

The current President of the Hamilton County Council, Steve Scwwartz, has announced plans to seek re-election this year.

According to his announcement statement, appearing in the Hamilton County Reporter, Schwartz describes himself as a “fiscal conservative” and touts budget surpluses and rainy day funds as major accomplishments.

Schwartz also touted his good relationship with the Hamilton County Commissioners.