Upcoming Local Elections, Geist Waterfront Park & More
Writer / Larry Lannan
We now know all the candidates filing for Fishers city offices in this year’s election. The May primary features only one contested race – City Clerk.
Jennifer Kehl, the only City Clerk Fishers has ever had, will face fellow Republican Rachel Segars in the primary balloting. Segars is the wife of Fishers City Councilor Pete Peterson.
The November election will have several contests, but not at the top of the ballot. No one filed in either party for Mayor of Fishers other than incumbent Scott Fadness.
Democrat Janet Pritchett, former Hamilton Southeastern School Board member, will face the winner of the Republican primary election in the November contest.
City Judge Dan Henke is unopposed for another term in office.
Pete Peterson is unopposed in the Southeast City Council District.
Republican John Weingardt seeks another term on the council, facing Democrat Lane Skeeters in November, Weingardt’s opponent four years ago.
Incumbent Northwest District Councilor Selina Stoller, a Republican, has a Democratic challenger, Bill McLellan.
Democrat Crystal Neumann is seeking her first full term on the council in the Northcentral Council District, having been appointed to fill-out the term of Samantha DeLong. Republican John DeLucia, a former member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board, will be Neumann’s opponent.
David Giffel was elected by a Republican caucus to fill-out the remainder of David George’s term in the Southwest District and has a Democratic opponent, Bill Stuart, in the fall. Stuart is a member of the Fishers Plan Commission.
Republican Brad DeReamer, after initially announcing he would not seek another term, changed his mind and will run in the Northeast District. His Democratic opponent in November will be Samantha Chapman.
Three city councilors are elected by the entire city as at-large members. Republican incumbents Cecilia Coble and Todd Zimmerman will once again be on the November ballot. Democrat Jocelyn Vare is also seeking another term. Republican Tiffanie Ditlevson and Democrat Howard Stevenson are also running for at-large council seats. Ditlevson holds several appointed positions, including the Hamilton East Library Board. Stevenson is a former member of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and currently chairs the Fishers Plan Commission.
In other news …
Mayor Scott Fadness and his youngest son suffered only minor injuries in what the mayor described as a “head-on collision,” Thursday, January 19, just before 8am at Southeastern Parkway and Atlantic. The mayor’s long-time (and often repaired) city vehicle did not survive the crash.
“We were shaken up for sure, but I am beyond grateful that no one sustained any serious injuries and the only major damage that occurred was to the vehicles,” Mayor Fadness said in a written statement. “I’m also thankful for the witnesses and first responders who helped us at the scene.”
Once Geist Waterfront Park opens in March, residents should have technology as its friend. Fishers Information Technology Director Tracy Gaynor says residents will have free access to the park and will be provided with cards that should work no matter where the card is located in your vehicle.
As a new year begins, new leaders are elected to local government bodies. John Weingardt is serving as Fishers City Council President, Dawn Lang has been elected President of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and Christine Altman will be the President of the Hamilton County Commissioners.
Finally, allow me to thank the many local people expressing their sympathies when I lost my mother January 26 at the age of 92. Each message was very much appreciated.
For my latest news updates and podcast links, go to www.LarryInFishers.com. You can sign-up for e-mail updates near the top of the blog, on the right side of the page.
