Hello Neighbors, This week's City Council meeting was eventful and forward looking to say the least. From continuing discussions on micromobility ordinances, nonprofit oversight in Carmel, and the 2027 city budget, to a special announcement from Councilmember Jeff Worrell, there was a lot to discuss. Before we get into that, I want to remind you that early voting for this year's general election kicks off TODAY (10/21) and runs for 10 days until Halloween. This year has bee

It’s that time of year again! I hope to see you all at Carmel Diwali this Saturday, October 10, from 4:30 to 9:30 at Carter Green. This year, you can park at Carmel High School Stadium and use the free shuttles to the event to avoid traffic. Enjoy an evening filled with vibrant cultural performances, authentic cuisine, interactive activities, and opportunities to learn about the customs and significance of Diwali. Don’t miss the spectacular cold spark fireworks finale celebra

Hello neighbors, For those of you who observed Yom Kippur, I hope you had a meaningful fast and that this time brought you peace and introspection. And for my Jain and Hindu friends, my wish is that you had a reflective Das Lakshana and a joyful Ganesh Chaturthi. Also, I want to extend an invitation to support J.D. Ford’s campaign for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District on September 25. Learn more by checking out the flyer attached below! Also, we celebrated Carmel's 50th

For those who may not be aware the process for presenting the budget and the opportunities for public in person input have been changed this year. The Mayor has asked for video presentations to be created by each department head to be posted on line and any questions regarding these proposed budgets to be submitted by both councilors and the public via email in advance so responses can be coordinated. This will replace the traditional in person department workshop meetings T

Hello neighbors, As you know, many in our community have been affected by horrible flooding over the past week. I am heartened to see so many of you step up by donating your time, money, and things to help your neighbors. If you are inspired to volunteer, please call the Hamilton County EOC at (317) 645-3261. If you wish to donate money, you can do so with the Community Fund. SERVE Noblesville was taking supply donations at the Noblesville Fairgrounds, but so many of you h

Hello neighbors, This summer is wrapping up quickly! I wish those of you who are teachers or have school-age children a very successful back-to-school season. Also, I had the opportunity to participate in the Jim Irsay Acts of Kindness Day by helping a neighbor in need clean her yard. Some of our Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders stopped in to lift the neighbor's spirits. Plus, it was a joy to sign thank-you cards for our veterans at the Carmel VFW. You can watch the entire C

GREAT NIGHT FOR ICE CREAM TOMORROW!

Hello neighbors, It was great to see so many of you at CarmelFest to celebrate this country’s 250th anniversary! I wanted to extend my sincerest thanks to the Carmel Clay Parks Department for the opening of the new playground and hundreds of volunteers who endured blistering heat, to Mayor Finkam for opening City Hall so that attendees could cool down, and to the Rotary Club for putting on the event. Friendly reminder that you can watch the entire City Council meeting here

Hello Neighbors, I am looking forward to celebrating Pride with all of you! Don't forget that Carmel Pride has been a student-run event since its inception 6 years ago, so be proud of our amazing young people. Show that Carmel is a welcoming place by attending, volunteering, or by making a donation! Friendly reminder that you can watch the entire City Council meeting here. CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES Recognition of College Wood Elementary Math Pentathlon Team I was so hon

Hello neighbors, I was so excited to see so many young faces at our council meeting this evening. Of course our Deputy Mayor, members of our community, Carmel High School students. Their presence reminds us of the duty we have to the next generation of Carmel residents. We must always ensure that the decisions we make are not driven by the short term and will be inclusive of all members of our community. As we celebrate Pride Month in June and continue to celebrate our ri

Hello neighbors, Being a councilor that truly cares about the needs of the residents and neighbors on our west side and being able to advocate and create solutions to real problems is what makes this experience the most rewarding and amazing for me. Thank you for your continued support! Friendly reminder that you can watch the entire city council meeting here. CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES Persons Who Wish to Address the Council Residents of West Road attended this week's

Hello neighbors, You may have noticed that I wasn’t present at the last City Council meeting, that’s because I was on a family vacation planned almost a year ago. While the time with my family was lovely, I missed many of you who came to the meeting to make your voices heard on the ICE office, which I’ll get into shortly. Though I couldn’t attend, I want to ensure that all of you can get the updates you need from our City Council meetings through this newsletter. I hope you

Hello neighbors, Below you’ll find some important updates of Carmel’s development, including the Restoracy of Carmel Illinois Steet Townhomes and the 31 Subarea Plan. Remember, your feedback in vital to making Carmel a city that works for its residents; don’t be afraid to make your voice heard. Friendly reminder that you can watch the entire meeting here . CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES Persons Who Wish to Address the Council Jo Meisenheimer spoke in favor of U.S. 31 Subar

Hello neighbors, I want to take a moment and thank you all for trusting me to represent you and your voices on Carmel City Council. The decisions we make on this council should be on issues that directly concern you, and I’m honored to work each day to ensure that these issues are solved in your best interest, not anyone else’s. As spring approaches and landscaping season begins, I want to remind you about Ordinance D2724-24, sponsored by yours truly and passed in August 20

Hello neighbors, ICE is coming to Carmel , and it’s important to be proactive by preparing. Learn practical ways to protect your and your family in my recent blog post and a video made in conjunction with Hamilton County Democrats. While Carmel cannot prevent ICE from renting office space, we can express our displeasure to the private entities that enabled this to occur and we must use every available tool to ensure that they comply with our city’s code. Our community h

As a pediatrician who has cared for children and families for more than 30 years, and as a Carmel City Councilor, I want to speak directly and calmly to our diverse community. We are aware that ICE is locating legal and administrative offices in Carmel and that federal immigration enforcement activity, in coordination with the Hamilton County Sheriff may take place in Carmel. While we do not expect major changes to daily life in Carmel, we know that this presence can create u

Hello neighbors, Before we begin our city council meeting recap, I want to share troubling news coming out of our statehouse. SB 76 was passed on second reading in the judiciary committee even after the majority of testimonies were against it. This bill forces local police to cooperate with ICE and provides no funding for the fallout or protections for community members wrongly detained. A similar bill has already been found to be unconstitutional in AZ so this is going to

Hello neighbors, Happy New Year! I want to thank you all for your continued collaboration, enthusiasm, and friendship. May 2026 be an incredible chapter in the story of your life! I’d like to briefly highlight some of the things I’ve been up to this year (so far). Faith in the Face of Fear I recently had an opportunity to speak at the Indiana Faith Voices for Justice’s Faith in the Face of Fear Rally at the statehouse. The event brought together diverse faith communities

Hello neighbors, We’re done with City Council meetings for 2025, and I have closed my second year as a city councilor. This has been a difficult year for many, but it has also been such a joy and privilege to work with so many of you over the past twelve months. I have been fortunate to meet incredible community members who care deeply for this city and its residents, all of whom have taught me what it means to be a leader. I’m excited to continue caring for Carmel in 2026

Hello neighbors, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family and friends, delicious food, and, hopefully, relaxation. This time of year makes me so grateful to be part of a true community, where neighbors actually take the time to get to know each other and lend a helping hand when needed. My family enjoying Thanksgiving dinner! I want to extend an invitation to all of you to attend and give feedback at our Land Use Committee meetings which take place every othe