Monday, December 8, 2025
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YULETIDE YARD
A house at the intersection of Broadway and Miller streets is once again decked out for the holidays. The home includes a box to receive letters to Santa. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Coalition Meeting Centers on 2026 Elections, Broadband Discussion
Thursday’s Northwest Shelby County Concerned Citizens Coalition meeting, held at the Moral Township Fire Department, featured wide-ranging discussion that included items related to the 2026 ballot and an exchange on broadband.
Blake Newkirk provided detailed information on open public offices and filing requirements, and Jack Reel and Jeff Sponsel encouraged potential candidates to consult the Indiana Secretary of State’s elections website for regulations and key dates.
Brooke Lockett, president of the Triton Central School Board, explained recent changes requiring school board candidates to declare a party or a “non-disclosed” status. She noted that a declared party may determine who fills a vacancy if a member resigns mid-term: “If I claim I’m a Republican on the ticket, then if I vacate my seat, that seat is now filled by the (party) caucus. It is not filled by the local school board. You lose that control,” she said. “If you say that you are not disclosing what party you’re with, then…if your seat is vacated, it is then filled in the normal interview process.”
The meeting also included the chairs of the county’s two political parties, Joe Land (Democrat) and Chris King (Republican), who outlined responsibilities for precinct committee positions and state convention delegates.
Land emphasized the importance of precinct committee members as connectors to their neighborhoods. King described precincts as “the part of government that is actually closest to the people,” adding that precinct officers elect the county committee and help recruit poll workers.
King noted that state convention delegates, 13 for each party in Shelby County, will vote on nominations for Secretary of State, State Comptroller, and Treasurer next summer.
The evening included discussion of broadband and infrastructure needs.
In response to a question about funding sewer expansions in the Moral Township area, County Council president Brett Haacker said such a project would be a “significant undertaking” requiring several steps, and noted the issue has not yet reached the council for action. Council member Leigh Langkabel added that county commissioners typically initiate infrastructure planning before the council evaluates funding options.
Commissioner Jason Abel spoke generally to the need for long-term infrastructure planning, especially in fast-growing areas: “One of my beliefs is that you do (responsible growth) two ways: good comprehensive planning and smart planning of utilities,” he said. He noted aging septic systems in existing subdivisions and growth pressures from Marion County.
The final public questions turned to expanding broadband access throughout the county. County Council member Kyle Barlow reiterated that nothing has ever been brought before the council for a vote, saying the council’s role would purely be whether to fund a final proposal once one existed. “Getting it here, availability - all that is out of my league,” Barlow said.
Commissioner Jason Abel provided a detailed history of the county’s broadband timeline. He explained that Shelby County received approximately $8 million in ARPA funds, and, at the direction of the former council, officials spent “a lot of time creating a competitive RFI and RFP process” designed to build 100 miles of new fiber in a ring around the county.
Abel said the project had reached “the finish line,” with engineering work and cost estimates prepared, and the plan positioned to provide “easy branch-off points” for expanded household access.
However, Abel noted that the proposal was never given a hearing or vote by the previous council. “There was way too much time, way too much constituent input, and way too much tax dollars spent…only to have the football yanked,” he said.
Council member Brett Haacker noted that no completed proposal was ever delivered to the council, and therefore no vote could legally occur. He said deadlines and publication requirements were missed, preventing the council from placing anything on an agenda. “Council can’t just make stuff up to vote on,” Haacker said.
He also noted that during the same period, private investment emerged, including Comcast’s construction of a new loop. As a result, when a draft proposal from NineStar was discussed, it appeared to duplicate infrastructure and asked the county for $3 million without clarity on which customers would actually benefit.
Barlow later added that the transition from the old council to newly seated members complicated momentum. “Everybody thought the new people were just going to do what the old (council members) did,” he said. He also stated that the county’s advisers have warned that the previously discussed $3 million might be needed for other obligations as the state adjusts revenue distributions.
Finally, when asked whether commissioners would consider holding at least one evening meeting a month, Commissioner David Lawson said the board is “open and accessible” and willing to schedule evening sessions for major topics. Commissioner Nathan Runnebohm noted that earlier discussions had considered this option and that the board would be “glad to do something” in the evening when a topic warrants broader participation.
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NOTEBOOK:
The Joseph Boggs Society for Historical Preservation announced that its 2026 fundraising calendars are still available for purchase. The 28th annual edition features black-and-white photographs and historical notes highlighting Boggstown and Sugar Creek Township, including images of the Harry Holton Farm sale bill (1970), the 1926 Boggstown High School class, Red Mill Bridge (circa 1929), Triton’s 1962 prom queen court, and several recent preservation projects such as the 2025 expansions at Boggstown and Sandhill cemeteries. Calendars measure 17 by 11 inches with space for appointments and cost $10 each, plus $3 for mailed copies. Orders may be placed by emailing BoggsSociety@gmail.com or by mailing the 2026 membership form available on the group’s Facebook page.
Chris King was appointed to The Addison Times board of directors yesterday. The board also reappointed the current slate of officers and elected Chloe Caldwell to the open vice president position. Officers reappointed were Donna Cook, president; Micka Kincaid, secretary; and Wendy Stephenson, treasurer. Other members of the board are Amy Berthouex, Tyler Brant, Areli Cadena-Moreno, Ryan Claxton, John C. DePrez Jr., Alyssa Flory, Charles O’Connor and Dr. Carolyn Statler.
Shelbyville Central Schools asked The Addison Times to express its appreciation to Beth Prince–State Farm, CoreVision, Cagney’s Pizza King, and the Shelbyville Central Education Foundation for generously providing activity bags for children during the Christmas parade.
Editor’s Note: Thank you so much to each donor who has generously contributed to our $100,000 campaign. The following are among our recent donors: Maxwell Muska, Mark Hauk, Patty Fagel, Vickie Tillison, Theresa Kamleiter, Dr. William Haehl, Jerritt Ross, Rick Stout and Robert Foltz. (Many of these are on behalf of families.) Reaching our fundraising goal for 2026 will allow us to expand high-quality coverage county-wide. Donors of $100 or more receive a commemorative January print edition and donors of $500 or more will be recognized in that edition. Contributions can be made online through our donation form or by mailing a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, Ste. 13, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you so much for your loyal support of this endeavor. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: The Anderson Redevelopment Commission approved $38 million toward a major renovation of long-closed Athletic Park, part of a scaled-back $45 million plan featuring a water park, event spaces and a year-round community lawn. Mayor Thomas Broderick, Jr. says the project will rely on TIF funds, bonding, and grants, though some commission members criticized the lack of market research and firm projections. The redevelopment remains in early stages with no construction timeline set. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: New research shows people dramatically overestimate how upset others will be about receiving a late gift. Studies found gift givers often choose lower-value presents just to ensure on-time delivery, even though recipients care far more about the gift itself than the timing. Researchers say most people are simply happy to receive a gift at all, while failing to give one entirely is viewed much more negatively than giving it late. (Wall Street Journal)
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This Week in Shelby County Archive
by GEORGE L. STUBBS
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This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Indianapolis Colts defensive back Jason David visited Shelbyville Middle School to honor students with strong grades and perfect attendance, presenting certificates and Colts tickets. More than 400 tickets were purchased for 17 participating middle schools through a partnership with C.P. Morgan’s A-Team program, and students met David and Colts mascot “Blue.”
1995: Indiana’s first riverboat casino, the “City of Evansville,” held its inaugural gambling cruise as Aztar Corp. welcomed guests for an invitation-only outing, The Shelbyville News reported. Players reported modest wins, and the boat never left the dock due to high winds, but the debut still drew excitement from those on board.
1985: Kmart’s move to close its parking lot after hours left Shelbyville cruisers searching for new gathering spots, with teens like 19-year-old Brad Stover, who had a white ‘66 Mustang, saying the decision wouldn’t just prevent young people from cruising, but would mark the end of an era. Cruising was nothing new. Shelbyville attorney Lee McNeely recalled earlier eras of driving loops around town. He said the “path” started at the old Rec (on South Harrison Street), went around the circle, out Broadway for a stop at The Barrel, then to the Chicken and Steak Inn. “We were just cruising, not causing anyone any trouble,” McNeely said. “You’d get everyone in the car to pitch in 25 cents for gas. By the time I was a senior in 1958, we upped it to 50 cents. The idea was to look for girls, but I don’t think anyone found any that way.”
1975: Golden Bear fans packed the gym for Pat Rady’s home coaching debut, as Shelbyville pulled ahead of Columbus North by 20 points. The crowd of more than 3,500 included City Councilman-elect Jack Banker, who joined in the cheers while serving as an “unofficial scorekeeper” with a pencil in his mouth. Shelbyville cruised to a 63–47 win.
1965: Deputy Sheriff Don Hasecuster and St. Paul Town Marshal Meredith Mann were credited with saving the life of Ira T. Eiler of Rushville after he suffered an apparent heart seizure while driving and crashed into another vehicle. Hasecuster and Mann revived Eiler with artificial respiration until an ambulance arrived, restoring his breathing before he was rushed to Major Hospital.
1955: Lt. Robert Nolley was elected president of Shelby Lodge 84 of the Fraternal Order of Police, succeeding Deputy Sheriff Dwain Dagley. The lodge also named Roy Anderson vice president, Elmer Boyer secretary, Charles Milner treasurer, John Fields chaplain, and Gene Junken, Dallas Phillips and Walter Kolls as trustees.
1945: Waldron’s Mohawks remained the county’s only undefeated team after edging Milroy, 47–45, with Jack Eiler sinking two free throws in the final minute to secure the win. It was Milroy’s first loss.
1935: Shelbyville’s new men’s store, the Esquire Shop, opened on South Harrison Street under the ownership of Robert Ewing and Hubert Thomasson. The shop debuted with fully stocked windows featuring the latest fashions in suits, ties, hats, scarves, shirts, and other men’s furnishings.
1925: A new building on East Jackson Street, constructed over the past 60 days for the Shelby Motor and Tractor Company, was completed and turned over by contractor A.B. Ballard. The 48-by-96-foot structure was slated to be used for storage purposes.
1915: Several members of the Indianapolis Salvation Army visited Shelbyville for days soliciting food, clothing, and supplies, giving locals the impression the donations would help Shelbyville’s poor. After a large quantity of goods was collected, residents learned the workers and wagon were from Indianapolis and intended to take the items back to the city, leaving some donors wishing they could reclaim their contributions. The newspaper report noted Shelbyville already had enough need within its own community and urged that local charitable efforts remain focused on assisting Shelbyville families.
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OBITUARIES
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Thank you for the article about the NW Shelby County Coalition meeting. With regard to Mr. Haacker's statement (quoting from the article) "that during the same period, private investment emerged, including Comcast’s construction of a new loop," I am perplexed. I was present at the Council meeting on September 16, 2025 at which a Comcast representative spoke. One would think that if Comcast was planning such a loop (in particular as it would help address the broadband deficiencies in the NW part of the county), that loop would have been discussed. It was not...I even reviewed the recording of the meeting to confirm. Wonder what I am missing?