Once my retirement party was history and I looked at what to do next, after a few personal matters were resolved, I looked around at how I could volunteer my time and make a difference in the community where I had lived since 1991.

When my twin girls were growing up in Fishers, I subscribed to a daily newspaper, the Noblesville Daily Ledger.  I could follow municipal government, as well as the local school board and county government news.  It’s always good to know what is happening in the community around you.

Then the media landscape began changing dramatically.  The Ledger, which had been publishing for about 100 years, became a 2-day-a-week publication, then stopped publishing.  The Noblesville Daily Times made a go of it as a 5-day-a-week newspaper, but fell victim to the 2008 economic downturn.

The Times is still around today but not as a daily newspaper,

The bottom line is this….people living in Fishers had access to regular local news but as the economics of the media business started to change, news sources began to dry up.

That was the media environment I found when I considered starting a volunteer news blog centered on Fishers in January 2012.  I had been a journalist from the early 1970s to 1983.  Was I too rusty or could a take a leap and go back to covering local meetings and news events?

This little news blog has become much more than I ever expected.  But I was thinking the other day – what news sources are available to people in Fishers yearning for local journalism?

Here is a rundown of where people get their Fishers news, other than this news blog.

Current in Fishers….Anna Skinner is the editor of this weekly publication.  It has the most penetration of any local news source,  because it is mailed to everyone with a Fishers mailing address.  Anna works hard to get you the best and latest news.  However, Current in Fishers has a couple of challenges.  First, the paper is put together 4-5 days (most weeks) before you see it in your mailbox, so the news is a bit dated in many instances when you read it.   Second, Current in Fishers  relies heavily in feature stories…there is nothing wrong with that, but that limits space for other local news.

The Indianapolis Star….As I started this blog, the Star had no reporter covering the Fishers beat.  There had been one, but the newspaper underwent one of its many reorganizations of the editorial staff and only occasionally assigned a reporter to cover happenings in Fishers. Lately, the Star has taken more interest in Fishers.  Emma Kate Fittes has been covering the northern suburban education beat and has paid a lot of attention to the Hamilton Southeastern Schools.   John Tuohy has been busy covering Fishers on a regular basis, along with some other nearby communities.  Tuohy’s most memorable piece so far was all about whether Fishers had become the “no fun city.”  As you might imagine, Mayor Scott Fadness took issue with that assertion.  All-in-all, the Star has taken more interest in covering Fishers.  Let’s hope that continues.

The Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ)….The IBJ started a “North of 96th” beat to cover business and political news in the northern Indy suburbs.  Andrea Davis was the first reporter assigned to this beat, then Lindsey Erdody took it over once Andrea made the decision to leave journalism as a profession.  Lindsey is moving to coverage of state-wide politics and government.  IBJ is in the process of hiring a new North of 96th reporter.  The IBJ has generally paid attention to Fishers because of its unique economic development strategy and development as a city.  But Fishers is just one of many communities north of 96th Street.

Hamilton County Reporter….The late Don Jellison and his son Jeff started this paper and worked to grow it, in circulation and news content.  It is fairly easy to subscribe, you just send a message at their Web site ReadTheReporter.com.  I did that about a year ago, and immediately received a message from Jeff Jellison.  He was looking for more Fishers content in his newspaper and I was trying to figure out how to better cover county government.  That led to a news-gathering partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com.  That’s why you find the Reporter’s content on my blog, and my blog content in the Reporter.

Local Television Stations….With four local television news operations, you will occasionally see coverage of Fishers, but only as news developments determine it.

One of the reasons I started this blog was because Fishers was getting little coverage from other area media outlets in 2012.  Things are a little better today, but not where I would like to see it.  I do plan to continue this blog, but maybe, just maybe, other media will provide the regular news coverage local residents deserve.  Then, I would be able to retire – again.  But I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

This week, Adam & Larry review a film shot in Bloomington, Indiana, The Good Catholic.  Our guest this week is Amy Howell, Director of Film Indiana.

State Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers) honored students from Fishers High School with a resolution recognizing their top-place finish in this year’s We the People state competition during a Thursday Statehouse ceremony.

According to a story published by my news-gather partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, More than 600 stmdents from 14 high schools across Indiana participated in this year’s state competition. After securing the top title, the Fishers team will travel to Washington, D.C., to compete nationally in April.

“When students learn more about democracy, they are more likely to be civic-minded adults,” Huston said. “These kids are studying and discussing complex issues facing our country today and developing skills that will be an asset throughout their lives. I wish them luck as they represent Indiana at nationals.”

Led by teacher Liz Paternoster, 27 students participate on the team.

Huston said the We the People program was developed to teach students about the Constitution and civic responsibility through a combination of classroom curriculum and simulated congressional hearing competitions.

For more information about House Concurrent Resolution 49, visit iga.in.gov. To find out more about the We the People program and the national invitational, visit civiced.org.

Hamilton County Reporter

The Fishers boys basketball team played its Senior Night game Thursday, and it was
also trying to play the role of the spoiler.

The Tigers took on Class 4A No. 1 Warren Central, which came into the Tiger
Den looking to complete an undefeated regular season. Fishers gave the Warriors a
battle, but Warren proved to be too much to handle, beating the Tigers 67-39 and
finishing its regular season at 25-0.

The Warriors got off to a fast start, leading 21-14 after the first quarter. Fishers
quickly cut that lead to 21-19 early in the second period, with Terry Hicks hitting a
3-pointer along the way. But Warren reasserted itself by the end of the half, leading
33-22 at the break.

“I don’t think you can win a game in the first half, but I think you can lose a game in
the first half,” said Tigers coach Matt Moore. “We dug too big of a whole early
and then didn’t close the half out well.”

The Warriors rolled through the second half, extending its lead to 20 points (46-26)
midway through the third quarter before Fishers cut it slightly, 47-29 at the close of
the period. Warren kept going in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Tigers 20-10.

“I thought we had a lot of good shots, I thought we got the ball in the basket area,
which is what we wanted to do,” said Moore. But the coach said a physical game
usually goes to the aggressor, and that’s what the Warriors were Thursday night.

“We’re a man or two down with injuries and other things, and so I was proud of our
guys that played, got us back in that game that first half,” said Moore. “Our crowd was awesome and hopefully we can carry that on into next Friday.”

Hicks scored 16 points for the Tigers, while Jeremy Szilagyi added 10 points.
Szilagyi got off to a great start, with seven first-quarter points. Hicks totaled six points in the second period. Josiah Matthews added eight points.
Fishers finished the regular season 11-11 and will await the winner of Tuesday’s
first-round sectional game between host Noblesville and Anderson. The Tigers will
play that winner next Friday, March 2, in the sectional semi-finals.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Over the years, several fantastic siblings have graced the Hamilton Southeastern swim teams.

Now, here come the Harter sisters.

Sophomore Abby and freshman Olivia both competed at the IHSAA state swim meet for the Royals on Feb. 9 and 10 at the IU Natatorium. Not only did both girls swim for HSE, they swam in the same events: The individual medley and the backstroke.

The sisters didn’t swim at the same time in the Friday, Feb. 9 preliminaries – they were in different heats in both events. Still, it was a fun experience for them both.

“I thought it was fun,” said Abby. “I really liked the competitiveness of it.”
“We already know Abby’s going to win every time,” said Olivia. “It’s still fun.”

Abby Harter finished in the top 16 in both events on Friday, so she came back to swim each one in the Saturday, Feb. 10 finals. Abby placed third in the backstroke and 10th in the IM.

“I’m really excited and I think next year I can do even better,” said Abby.
Olivia placed 18th in the IM prelims and 21st in the backstroke, just missing the finals. But she is a freshman, so there are still three more years to go. Abby said her younger sister “did really well” and would “be back next year better.”

And of course, Olivia was on deck during the finals, cheering her sister and all of the HSE swimmers on.

“It was really fun and it was just fun for the experience, and just being with our team is really fun,” said Olivia.Both girls are already gearing up for next season.

While there were several seniors providing leadership for the Royals this year, Southeastern also had many swimmers who will be back next year, and the Harter sisters can’t wait to see what’s next for their team.

“I’m really excited,” said Abby. “We have some people coming up as freshman too, so I think we can only go up.”

“We have some really good rising freshmen and it’s going to be really fun to see how we do with them,” said Olivia.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

A popular Noblesville restaurant, the Hamilton, is going out of business. The last day for the longtime eatery at 933 Conner St. is this Saturday. Owners Vanita Clements and Clyde Worley, who opened the Hamilton 16 years ago, said they plan to retire in order to enjoy more time with family and favorite activities.

* * *

Hamilton County government is now found on Facebook, posted by Tammy Sander, the county’s media consultant. Upcoming projects and events along with pictures of current events are found there. To locate the postings, visit Facebook.com/HamCoIndiana.

* * *

Jeff Heinzman, who served as treasurer of the Hamilton County Republican Party the past year, has resigned due to his decision to run for the GOP nomination for judge of Superior Court 1. He is involved in a three-way primary election contest with Michael Casati and Will Riley.

* * *

A Storm Spotters training session is planned for March 3 at Noblesville’s Hazel Dell Road fire station. The first session in the basic course will run from 9 until 11 a.m. It is sponsored by the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). More information may be found on their website, hamiltoncounty.in.gov/911/CERT.

* * *

The County Highway Department’s first major project of 2018 is expected to start within the next month with construction of a ‘flyway’ from 146th Street to southbound Keystone Parkway at Carmel. It is actually an extension of Lowe’s Way to allow much easier access to Keystone. It will bridge northbound lanes of Keystone and allow a merger to the south.

* * *

The City of Carmel has added movies to its attractions at the municipal ice rink. Friday there will be a double feature which skaters and visitors can watch. The outdoor movies begin at 5 p.m. The ice rink is located along Third Ave. SW, south of City Center Drive.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers pulled away from Kokomo in the fourth quarter and that led the Tigers to a
58-53 win over the Wildkats Tuesday night at the Tiger Den.

Kokomo led 18-13 after the first quarter, but Fishers came back to tie at 24-24 by
halftime. Alex Szilagyi helped out with two 3-pointers in the second period.

The Wildkats then edged ahead 41-40 after three quarters before the Tigers outscored Kokomo 18-12 in the fourth. Willie Jackson scored 12 points for Fishers in that period, including a 6-of-6 effort from the free throw line.

Jackson finished the game with 20 points. Terry Hicks was next in line with 18
points; he scored eight in the third quarter. Szilagyi had three 3-pointers for 9 points.

The Tigers are 11-11 for the season and host Class 4A No. 1 Warren Central on
Thursday in their regular-season finale.

The Wednesday edition of my news-gathering partner, The Hamilton County Reporter, has a front page story about  Rick Sharp, a former Carmel Council president and current candidate for an at-large seat on the Hamilton County Council, filing a lawsuit in Hamilton County Superior Court 3 alleging a new ordinance passed by county commissioners violates his First Amendment right to free political speech.

Last week Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the placement of signs in county-owned public right-of-ways. Commissioners cited public safety as the reason for the ordinance. Commissioners say placing signs in public right-of-ways makes it difficult for motorists to recognize regulatory signs which are necessary for safe travel and often block the vision of motorists at intersections.

In his complaint Sharp says the commissioners make no showing of any public safety necessity and, even if they could, any alleged public safety concern does not outweigh the United States Constitution’s First Amendment right of free political speech enough to allow commissioners to restrict or regulate political speech.

Sharp alleges he would suffer irreparable harm should the court not grant injunctive relief prohibiting the enforcement of the ordinance.

Sharp is asking Judge William Hughes to declare the ordinance void and to award him costs, expenses and attorney fees.

Sharp is represented by Westfield attorney Timothy Stoesz.

by

Fred Swift

(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) 

Hamilton County Reporter

Property taxpayers in Hamilton County will not see any significant increase in their tax bills this year, although tax rates will be up slightly in 11 of the municipalities and townships. Rates will decrease slightly in six other taxing units.

Local taxes remain relatively low compared with other areas of the state thanks in part to the county’s huge base of taxable real estate now nearing $21 billion. The tax base on which property taxes is levied has increased 4.2 percent in the past year due largely to new construction and trending increases of individual tax assessments. Individual statements, going in the mail in April, are a combined total of the tax bill for cities, towns, townships, libraries, schools and the county government. Taxes are due May 10 and Nov. 12.

Property taxes do not cover the entire cost of public services. In all taxing entities except schools, a one percent County Income Tax also funds a significant portion of local government spending. Schools receive a distribution of state tax revenue for the major portion of their cost of operation.

Among the county taxing units, Sheridan has the highest tax rate of $3.21 per hundred dollars of assessed value while unincorporated White River Township has the lowest at $1.50.

Deputy Auditor Lee Graham, who calculates the rates, notes that slight increases in the overall rate for Jackson Township, Arcadia, Atlanta and Cicero come because of Hamilton North Library improvements, and the higher Clay Township rate is due to a fire rate increase.

Listed in the table are the tax rates paid in 2017 compared with new 2018 rates rounded to the nearest penny.

The figures are overall tax rates for the various districts. A complete breakdown of separate portions of the rates in each municipality, township, library district, school and county is found in a legal notice published in Monday’s Hamilton County Reporter.

Monday night, the Fishers City Council approved a $5 million bond to finance the purchase of land for a new city park located on Geist Reservoir’s waterfront.  The only dissenting vote came from Councilwoman Selina Stoller, who also voted “no” on the bond in last week’s City Council Finance Committee meeting.

A $12 million bond is currently in place, but the eminent domain process has valued the land roughly $6 million more than the city’s offer to purchase the parcel from IMI Incorporated.  That required the additional bond to complete the purchase through the state’s condemnation process.

Council President Todd Zimmerman allowed public comment before the vote.  Former Fishers Town Councilman Mike Colby and former Democratic Council candidate Greg Purvis both spoke against the bond issue, citing to the possibility of ongoing costs the city may face in the future developing this park.

The council voted unanimously to suspend the rules, allowing a final vote on the bond Monday.  Stoller voted to suspend the rules and allow a final vote Monday, but voted “no” when the bond was up for approval.

In another financial item, the council voted unanimously to re-establish a
Cumulative Capital Development Fund for 2019.  City staff told council members this simply conforms current systems to changes in state law.  Some local residents apparently were under the impression passing the establishment of this fund would raise the city tax rate by 5 cents for each $100 of assessed property valuation.  City officials assured those at the session that the mechanism for consideration of such an increase is not changed by this vote and the city has no plans at this time to raise the local property tax rate for this fund.

In one more financial matter, the council unanimously approved an study done by Policy Analytics, an independent firm, commissioned by the city to conduct a study of data related to the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in economic development.  Mayor Scott Fadness plans to present the report to the Hamilton Southeastern School Board next month.  You can read the report at this link.

Finally, Todd Muth of the Fishers Fire Department was recognized by the council for an Employee Service Award.

The only member of the council absent from Monday’s meeting was Eric Moeller.