By Larry Lannan
It all started with a referendum campaign in 2012 and, next week, Fishers will be electing a city council.
The referendum vote two years ago resulted in Fishers becoming a traditional Indiana city with a strong mayor’s office. State law required Fishers to hold its first city election in 2014, with those elected office-holders serving only one year. In 2015, Fishers will hold another city election for the normal four-year terms.
We know the name of Fishers’ first mayor, current Town Manager Scott Fadness. He won the Republican mayoral primary election in May and faces no opposition in the general election.
Of the nine city council seats up for grabs, three at-large (running in the entire city) and six running only within their own districts, there are four races with Democrat candidates.
There is one Democrat candidate for at-large city council and three contested district races.
Even though we know the names of the first mayor, city clerk (Jennifer Kehl) and five council members who are all unopposed in the election, there will be four contested city council seats, including the at-large election where the entire city votes.
That means everyone in the new city of Fishers has at least one contested city council race. There is a reason for you to vote.
I have heard plenty of predictions from people familiar with Indiana elections that this will be a low turnout year. There is no 2014 U.S. Senate race in Indiana. The statewide offices up for election this year (secretary of state, treasurer and auditor) are generally low-profile offices.
Here in Fishers, there is no excuse for people to stay away from the polls. You need to vote.
Voters overwhelmingly passed the 2012 referendum transforming Fishers from a town to a city. That was a presidential election year when voter turnout is traditionally higher.
Those of you voting in favor of a city for Fishers (and there were lots of you based on the 2012 referendum results) should step up and take the next step. Vote for those you want serving on Fishers’ first city council.
I have had the honor of speaking with all the candidates in contested city council races. They are all dedicated, sincere people, offering their time and effort to serve you on the city council. They are campaigning in the community, doing their part. Will you do your part and vote?
