Hamilton County Leadership Academy Looking For A New Leader

Jill Doyle

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Hamilton County Reporter

Jill Doyle, Executive Director for the Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA), has announced she is stepping down at the end of August. Doyle has served HCLA for the past seven years.

In a statement posted on the HCLA website, Doyle said, “The Hamilton County Leadership Academy has a strong board of directors in place and a dedicated group of volunteers and stakeholders ready to continue to move this organization forward.  I have no doubt that HCLA is in a great position for the future!”

Doyle thanked the people who had helped support and mentor her in her role as executive director. “I firmly believe in this community leadership program and know that I will continue to see many of you leading and contributing to all of the organizations that make Hamilton County a great place to live, work and play,” Doyle said. “I will always be an advocate of HCLA and hope that you will also continue to support the mission of educating and inspiring leaders to create change in our community.”

HCLA Board President Jody L. Dedon responded to Doyle announcement by thanking Doyle for her service and dedication.

“Jill has made Hamilton County a better place through her service to HCLA,” Dedon said. “Through Jill’s unyielding leadership, HCLA is poised for future growth. A board transition committee is already working toward identifying candidates.”

A new executive director is expected to be named this fall.

Decision Time on the Nickel Plate Line

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(Note: Commentaries by Fred Swift are posted on as a result of a partnership between the Hamilton County Reporter and LarryInFishers.com.  Views expressed are those of Mr. Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views LarryInFishers.com)

Decision time for the future of the Nickel Plate Railroad is at hand, but few involved seem anxious to make that decision. It is not the best kept secret that city and county administrations want to convert the railroad to a hiking trail from downtown Noblesville south to at least the Marion County line. But, it is controversial with Nickel Plate supporters objecting to most any plan that would remove significant portions of the railway.

But, for those supporters, the time is approaching when they must decide whether it is better to take half a loaf or continue their fight and possibly watch the rails rust. The cities of Noblesville and Fishers along with the county own the tracks and seem willing to keep the railroad intact to the north from Forest Park to Tipton.

The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority which administers the rail line for the owners, have accepted proposals from five groups which advised they are able and willing to operate all or part of the railroad. The port authority has passed along these proposals to city and county officials for a decision, but no date has been set for the three governmental entities to vote.

The controversy grew this week when it was revealed that Noblesville Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke tried to rig a public meeting on the railroad’s future by filling seats with folks who favor a trail. His emails favoring the city’s position were made public, thus embarrassing the city administration and possibly slowing a decision. Cooke was reassigned to duties other than promoting the trail plan. Usually, it would be a matter of money that would keep anything from happening. In this case, however, there is money available. It would come indirectly from the Hamilton County Visitor and Convention Bureau which has submitted a plan to provide train service to the north and a trail to the south, a plan that is likely to be accepted.

Generally known as the Tourism Bureau, this county governmental agency collects large amounts of money each year from an innkeeper’s tax on all hotel and motel rooms which visitors pay along with room rent. Last year the bureau had revenues of $3,573,000, according to its financial statement. The income may near $4 million this year.

In their proposal, Tourism would make any needed safety repairs, supply engines and train cars, crews to operate a train and oversee removal of the rails south of Forest Park, but not be responsible for the cost of converting the rail bed to a trail from Noblesville south to 96th Street. No estimate has been given on the overall cost of the plans.

Tourism officials consider the passenger train experience to be a tourist attraction, and would repay themselves or any loan they might make from train ticket sales. Presumably the popular Polar Bear Express, dinner train and other excursion rides would be scheduled, but the Fairtrain would, of course, not be possible.

So, the hot potato is in the hands of Mayors John Ditslear and Scott Fadness of Fishers along with county commissioners. And, it’s time to act.

 

Businesses in Fishers

Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) does a great job covering the business side of Indy’s northern suburbs in her North of 96th beat.  Lindsey often lists the comings and goings of business in the northern suburbs, including Fishers.

Here are some of her Fishers-related items in her latest Roundup column published on the IBJ Web site (you can see her entire listing at this link).

–You may have already seen the signs, but the former Walgreen’s location near 126th Street and State Road 37 (12550 Reynolds Drive will soon become a Dollar Tree.

–Look for Planet Fitness to add a location in Fishers, 11728 Fishers Crossing Drive, near Allisonville Road.

–Gratitude Boutique and Gifts is now open at 8912 E. 96th St. in the former Salon Krelic spot.

–Toppers Pizza plans to open at 11640 Brooks School Road, near 116th Street. This would be the second Hamilton County location. The chain, started in Whitewater, Wisconsin in 1993, with more than 100 stores now open in the Midwest.

 

Fishers Road Construction – Work Week Beginning July 31st

Road construction projects continue in and around the Fishers area as summer work continues in full force.  Below is the city’s listing of projects for the work week starting Monday, July 31st.  Most of the items on this list have been in progress most of the summer, but LarryInFishers provides this list as a heads-up for area motorists.

The list below is provided by the City of Fishers:

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113TH STREET

Lane restrictions will occur on 113th Street from Olio Road to Florida Road throughout the summer in order for the contractor to resurface and make improvements to the roadway.

126TH STREET

Starting on or after July 31st, one lane of eastbound 126th Street just east of Brooks School Road will be closed while a storm sewer is repaired. The closure is expected to last a few days. Please drive with caution.

Expect periodic lane restrictions between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on 126th Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road while the contractor installs passing blisters near Reserve at Lantern. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic during the restrictions.

106TH AND CUMBERLAND ROAD

Periodic lane restrictions will take place at 106th Street and Cumberland Road while storm sewers are being inspected. Please drive with caution.

ALLISONVILLE ROAD

Starting Thursday, August 3 (weather permitting), the outside northbound lane on Allisonville Road just north of 116th Street will be closed for approximately 3 days while a new gas service is being installed for Kroger.

96TH STREET

Construction has begun on the new roundabout at 96th Street and Lantern Road. 96th Street traffic between Kincaid Drive and Fitness Lane/Pinecreek Drive will be reduced to one lane in each direction throughout the summer.

136TH AND PRAIRIE BAPTIST ROAD

The Hamilton County Highway Department has closed the intersection of 136th Street and Prairie Baptist Road to allow the contractor to reconstruct the intersection. The closure is scheduled to last approximately 60 days. Please follow signs for detour routes. Questions regarding this project may be directed to the Hamilton County Highway Department at 317-773-7770.

116TH STREET

Periodic lane restrictions will occur starting the week of July 24th on 116th Street west of Allisonville Road as the contractor repairs concrete curbs and ramps in preparation for resurfacing the roadway. Restrictions will be in place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please drive with caution.

There will also be lane restrictions on 116th Street between I-69 and Cumberland Road throughout the summer in order for the contractor to make improvements to 116th Street.

BROOKS SCHOOL ROAD

The Brooks School Road bridge over Interstate 69 is closed as Milestone Contractors rebuild the bridge deck. During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Promise Road via 126th and 136th streets. The bridge will remain closed until August.

I-69 AND CAMPUS PARKWAY

The Campus Parkway interchange was recently shifted into a double-crossover traffic pattern. The interchange will remain under construction through July, when it is expected to be fully open to traffic in its permanent configuration.

Multiple traffic lane shifts will be required to complete construction of the new interchange design. Each phase of remaining construction will bring the interchange closer to its final traffic configuration and capacity. For more information about the new traffic pattern, please visit http://www.in.gov/indot/3441.htm
Milestone Contractors has begun mobilizing cranes and other equipment and setting a temporary concrete barrier wall along I-69 at Campus Parkway Exit 210. Work will require alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound I69 between 9 p.m. and 6 p.m. Lane closures may reoccur each night through the end of the week depending on weather and progress. Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT at eastcentralin@indot.in.gov or 1-855-463-6848.
STATE ROAD 37

Contractors have begun work a $1.5 million drainage structure construction project on State Road 37 between 146th Street and Greenfield Avenue in Noblesville.

The first phase of construction will shift two lanes in each direction toward the right shoulders to provide room for construction in the median. The second phase will shift traffic toward the median to allow construction to be completed along the outside shoulders. All work on the project is expected to be complete this summer.

Starting May 1, geotechnical drilling will begin along the State Road 37 corridor as part of the final design phase of State Road 37 Improvement Project. Lane and shoulder restrictions will be active through July 31.

The geotechnical drilling will cause lane restrictions on SR 37 from 131st Street to 146th Street through July 31. Lane closures are expected to continue for the 131st Street intersection through July 23, and lane closures will commence at the 146th Street intersection on or after July 10. Southbound restrictions begin after 9 a.m. daily and northbound restrictions will be completed daily before 4 p.m. to allow for maximum traffic flow during peak rush hours.

State Road 37 turn lanes will not be affected during lane closures and crews will maintain a minimum of one throughlane at all times.

The SR37 improvement project is a $124 million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton County, Noblesville and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed to drivefishers@fishers.in.us.
OUTSIDE OF FISHERS

The City of Carmel has closed 116th Street and Hazel Dell Parkway for the construction of a roundabout. This closure is expected to last for 75 days. Questions and updates about this project should be directed to the City of Carmel at 317-571-2400.

While this list encompasses numerous project updates, it does not list all DPW projects throughout the city. The most recent projects are detailed, however please keep in mind that all construction activities are weather permitting. We appreciate motorists’ patience and caution while driving through construction sites.

Hamilton County Reporter Publishes E-Mails Dealing With Nickel Plate Debate

(NOTE: The Hamilton County Reporter newspaper has obtained e-mails from a person described as “a concerned citizen.”  This “concerned citizen” received copies of these e-mails through Indiana’s public access laws.  The release of these e-mails has resulted in Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear releasing a statement saying Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke will  “turn his attention to other city projects and let the discussion about the Nickel Plate Trail continue under the leadership of other city officials.”  I want to clearly point out that LarryInFishers.com has taken no position on the future of the Nickel Plate Rail Line, as to whether the line should be a trail or continue as a rail rail from Noblesville south to 96th Street, which takes-in a part of Fishers.  I post this story through a partnership LarryInFishers.com has with the Hamilton County Reporter)

by

Hamilton County Reporter

A concerned citizen recently filed a request for information for “copies of public records (electronic or print) that relate to the City of Noblesville and its interactions regarding the Indiana Transportation Museum as well as the Nickel Plate Trail proposal” under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act. This information was then given to The Reporter. Some emails point to both Noblesville Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke attempting to fill a public forum with front-row supporters of his own view and a pattern of disrespect toward citizens who do not agree with his perspectives on city projects.

The Reporter contacted Deputy Mayor Cooke, Mayor John Ditslear and the Noblesville Common Council to ask for their views on some specific emails which were provided as part of the public records request.

The following are specific email excerpts, The Reporter’s questions and Cooke’s replies.

Continue reading Hamilton County Reporter Publishes E-Mails Dealing With Nickel Plate Debate

School Board Takes Steps Moving Forward On Building Projects

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board took legal steps to move forward with building projects at the Wednesday evening meeting.

The board adopted a resolution giving approval to preliminary plans for the new elementary school building on Cyntheanne Road.  This will pave the way for a public hearing at the next regular board session on the plans to finance the new, as-yet-unnamed school.

The board approved bids for the Central Office and Cumberland Road Elementary school construction projects.  Facilities Manager Harry Delks told board members the Cumberland Road Elementary work has been “a really challenging project,” but things “will be ready as they should be by the time school opens up.”

HSE Schools Ramp Up Buses for the Start of School

Jim White

The long-time Transportation Director for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools just briefed the school board for the last time on preparations for the start of school.  Jim White plans to retire in December of this year.  (You can listen to the Podcast interview I recorded late last year with Jim White at this link.)

White’s department will start the school year with 303 buses, 362 employees & 299 of them drive school buses.  The miles driven by all buses combined during the 2016-2017 school year totaled just under three million miles.  The fuel costs to run those buses for the last school year came to $871,726.

There will be 19 new buses on the road as school goes into session in August.

The total transportation budget for 2016-2017 school year was $13.6 million.

You can view all the data Director White shared with the board at this link.

HSE High School Stigma Free Club Honored By The School Board

Ranvir Sandhu, speaking before the school board

When HSE High School student Ranvir Sandhu’s mother attempted suicide, he was motivated to start a school club aimed at educating others about mental health.  He got the help of Principal Matt Kegley, School District Mental Health Coordinator Brooke Lawson, Spanish Teacher Leslie Caliz, and some others to start the club.  The Stigma Free Club now sports 70 members, with the goal of spreading education about fighting the stigma often attached to those suffering from mental illness.  The group is holding a special event August 11th.  You can learn more about that event at this link.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board honored Ranvir and his fellow club members at the July 26th meeting.

Next Phase of Fishers Mental Health Initiative

Group picture from Monday’s Fishers Mental Health Initiative Report to the Community

Phase One of the Fishers Mental Health Initiative is now complete, and Phase Two is well underway.  Phase One centered on improving education and training, and enhancing already-available resources and access to service.

The city’s Phase Two will focus on changing the culture and stigma around mental health, with the kickoff coming in August.

August 2nd will feature an interfaith, community prayer gathering hosted by Grace Community Church. The prayer service begins at 7 p.m. and takes place at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater.

“During phase one, our team achieved wins on the tactical side,” Mayor Scott Fadness said in a city news release. “Now that we’ve addressed gaps in our community paramedicine program, crisis intervention and the role of first responders during a crisis; we’ve got to turn our attention to changing the culture and policy around mental health. How do we get this conversation to the dinner table inside each resident’s household?”

Here is a full listing of upcoming Phase Two Mental Health Week events:

Wednesday, August 2nd
Interfaith Prayer Gathering for Stigma Free Fishers
Nickel Plate District Amp | 7 p.m.

Tuesday, August 8th
Tuesday Night Concert featuring Intermission guest Mike Riekhof
Nickel Plate District Amp | 7 p.m.

Wednesday, August 9th
Peyton Riekhof Foundation for Youth Hope Dineout for Mental Health:
City BBQ – 9367 Ambleside Drive, Fishers
Handel’s (3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) – 8760 E. 116th Street, Fishers

Thursday, August 10th
Peyton Riekhof Foundation for Youth Hope Dineout for Mental Health:
Stone Creek – 13904 Town Center Blvd., Noblesville

Friday, August 11th
Stigma Free HSE’s Hope for Happiness Celebration feat. Dave and Rae
Central Green, City Hall | 6-9 p.m.

AMP After Dark: WJJK presents Dogs of Society: A Musical Tribute to the Music of Elton John
Nickel Plate District Amp | 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 12th
Fishers Unplugged Weekend in the Parks

Community Movie Night featuring Inside Out
Nickel Plate District Amp | Dusk

Community Health Network will have tables at HSE Schools Back to School Nights to
learn more about your school’s new Mental Health Therapist