June 27th, 2019
The More Things Change …
If you are of a certain age, you may associate the Nat King Cole classic ( Roll Out those Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer ) with the smell of Coppertone and never-ending days of bike riding and nights filled with fireflies and flashlight tag. That was before Netflix, Fortnight and email/text put everyone on 24/7 notice. Summers don’t seem to be nearly as slow-paced as in decades past, but somethings remain consistent: Kids still ride bikes and go to the pool, there’s still construction and lawmakers start gearing up for upcoming legislation. The beat goes on for 3 for Thursday.

Legislative Study, Part Deux . Assignments have been made for members of the Indiana House of Representatives to review pending issues during the interim study committees. Of our local reps, Rep. Todd Huston finds himself on the Legislative Council as well as its technology oversight subcommittee and the interim study committee on tax and fiscal policy. Rep. Tony Cook will turn his attention to the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission, as well as the Interim Study Committee on Education. Rep. Donna Schaibley received an appointment to the Indiana Recycling Market Development Board and Rep.Chuck Goodrich is on the Interim Study Committee on Employment and Labor. Rep. Jerry Torr will chair the Interim Study Committee of Courts and the Judiciary a well as the Probate Code Study Commission and the State Fair Advisory Committee. Visit   iga.in.gov to view committee schedules and agendas or to stream interim study committee meetings.

Is that a Creamsicle® in the Road? Nevermind … it’s an orange cone. Lots of orange cones … because it’s summer. But the good news is several road projects are wrapping up and those orange cones will disappear. Road work at along Allisonville Road (between 126 th and 131 st streets) is near completion after several months of dust and dirt. And the ramp to 146 th from southbound Keystone will be open on Friday. For more updates on road projects, you can always visit OneZone’s website “Community” page … scrolling down provides links to not only Carmel and Fishers traffic updates, but Hamilton County as well.

When You Can’t Get a First Down … You punt. That’s what happened at the Carmel City Council’s Finance, Utilities and Rules last evening. The topic was back to a comprehensive smoking ban in Carmel … a discussion that began in April when the council began reviewing the city’s smoking ordinance to consider adding a ban of vaping in places where smoking is already prohibited. That momentum prompted anti-smoking advocates to rally for expanding a total non-smoking ban at all Carmel establishments, arguing it is detrimental to both workers and the public. A crowd of folks gathered last evening to debate the issue … to no resolution. So, the topic has been moved to the next meeting, July 15. It makes us think of grandma’s adage: “No good deed goes unpunished.” Stay tuned.

Plus One. As next Thursday will be a holiday, “3 for Thursday” will take a break for the week. (Because someone has to sit in that lawn chair that’s been holding a spot for five days …) Have a great holiday celebrating our nation’s independence!