Your Hometown Week in Review . AUG. 2, 2021 ARCADIA | ATLANTA | CICERO | SHERIDAN | CARMEL | FISHERS | NOBLESVILLE | WESTFIELD Westfield clerk claims office raided Computers confiscated by IT after July 26 council meeting The REPORTER members the soft- Westfield Clerk Treasur- ware, known as Be- er Cindy Gossard spoke to yondTrust, placed on Attorney representing the city council at its July her computers by the 26 meeting, updating them city’s IT department Westfield claims theft on alleged spyware found was originally dis- on her office’s computers covered in June, and last month. Less than three that she was “deeply allegations ‘trumped-up’ hours later, city IT personnel concerned” as to who Editor’s note: After West- As you no doubt know, confiscated several laptop had access to city fi- field Clerk Treasurer Cindy Chris Larsen stopped an ac- computers from the Clerk’s nancial and employee Gossard filed a report with tive cyber security breach at Office, then sent an email to records. Gossard also the Hamilton County Sher- the Clerk’s office last night. Gossard about the confisca- told council members iff about laptop computers He observed laptops running tion. Gossard has since filed Sheriff’s Department. the user could poten- taken from her office late on a then-unknown software. He a report with sheriff’s department According to the Sheriff’s De- tially change data in a way that it the night of July 26, the fol- also observed that city lap- about the missing computers. partment, “On July 27th, 2021, would appear as if her office made lowing letter was sent from tops were dismantled, with Gossard says shortly after the the Hamilton County Sheriff’s the changes. Blake J. Burgan, an attor- the hard drives removed. With presentation her office was “raid- Office opened an investigation In June, Westfield Mayor Andy ney representing the City of all of the sensitive informa- ed” and computers belonging to with the City of Westfield. The Cook said, “The BeyondTrust Westfield, to Gossard and tion on the city’s systems, the city and a private forensic IT investigation is still ongoing, and software (or predecessor) is a pro- her attorney, William Web- including financial infor- company, hired by Gossard, were no information is being released at gram that the Clerk is well aware ster, the following day. mation, confidential vendor confiscated by city officials. The this time.” of and has used dozens of times. incident prompted Gossard to file During the Monday night See Attorney’s Letter . Page A12 a report with the Hamilton County council update, Gossard told See Westfield . Page A12 Heights summer literacy program Susan Ferguson steps down as continues thanks to Duke Energy grant director of Prevail The REPORTER The REPORTER Hamilton Heights Ele- mentary School’s (HHES) Susan Ferguson, executive director of Jumpstart program kicked off Prevail, which serves victims of crime and July 19 thanks to a generous abuse, has announced her departure from grant of $10,000 from Duke the organization. Energy. “It has been a The summer literacy pro- pleasure to serve as gram, started in 2017, is de- Prevail’s Executive signed for Heights elementary Director for the past students who can benefit from eight years,” Ferguson an early start with reading and said. “This experience social-emotional learning. has provided endless This year’s Jumpstart Pro- opportunities for pro- gram will focus on first-grade fessional and personal students going into second development. I have Ferguson grade. A maximum of 30 stu- enjoyed working for dents can participate in this the agency and appreciate the support pro- interactive summer Jumpstart vided to me during my tenure.” Program that will be conduct- Ferguson is leaving Prevail to enjoy ed for three hours daily for 10 Photo provided personal time and explore opportunities. days prior to the start of the Present for the check presentation by Mark LaBarr, Duke Energy Community Prevail Board Chair Liz Tate said, “We school on Aug. 5. Relations Manager were (from left) HHES Principal Julie Griffey, HHES Counselor want to thank Susan for her service and many “This program has made Nikki Wert, LaBarr, and HHES Instructional Coach Kathleen Davidson. contributions to Prevail. This is a highly de- a measurable difference in Hamilton Heights Elementa- program for the start of a new port and commitment to manding job and her commitment to Prevail helping students to be more ry School Principal. “We are school year.” our summer literacy and for eight years is extraordinary. Additionally, prepared for the start of the very thankful for Duke En- “We are extremely grate- we are coming out of a trying time for all new year,” said Julie Griffey, ergy’s support of this special ful for Duke Energy’s sup- See Literacy . Page A2 nonprofits, and we are so fortunate that Su- san’s work has positioned us for a healthy future. We wish her continued success.” A search will begin immediately for a new executive director. A plan is in place Sheridan Rotarians discuss restoring, to ensure stability for both clients and em- ployees during the transition. It was recently announced that Prevail moving old Monon depot back to town had secured a partnership with Hamilton The REPORTER County to begin the design of a first-of-its- Sheridan Rotary had an in- kind, 20,000 square-foot family shelter for teresting program recently con- victims of violence. cerning restoration of the old This year, Prevail celebrates 35 years Sheridan Monon train depot with a Celebration of HOPE presented by and moving it back into town. Hare. The gala is set for Saturday, Aug. The depot was purchased by 21 at the Renaissance North Hotel and is Jim Kinkead back in the 1970s currently SOLD OUT. At the gala, Prevail after the Monon line was aban- co-founders Beth Gehlhausen and Hamil- doned, and then dismantled and ton County Council member Steve Nation reassembled on his property will be honored. along State Road 47 a couple About Prevail, Inc. of miles west of Sheridan. The Prevail, Inc. is committed to offering Kinkead family would like to crisis intervention and restorative support donate it back to the Sheridan services for adult, adolescent and child sur- community and the Sheridan vivors of crime and abuse, free of charge, in Historical Society is cooperating a confidential, supportive, non-judgmental with the Town of Sheridan to try environment that is meant to empower, ed- to relocate and restore the Depot ucate, and strengthen those we serve. Since back inside the town limits. 1986, Prevail has assisted more than 50,000 Historical Society vice pres- Art provided victims of violent crimes in putting the piec- ident and Rotary member Steve This print made by Clovis Rudd shows the Sheridan Monon Depot in its heyday. es of their lives back together. In 2020, Pre- Martin gave a presentation out- can imagine, there were lots of torical Society is seeking com- renovations to be undertaken. vail provided programs and services to al- lining the status of the depot comments and questions from munity input regarding locations The Historical Society will most 4,000 survivors. Visit PrevailInc.org building and preliminary plans club members, and that was for the depot, eventual use of the to learn more. You can reach Prevail’s to bring it back to town. As you good because at present the His- building and the extent of any See Depot . Page A13 24-Hour Crisis Line at (317) 776-3472. Book controversy invades school board meeting HSE board calls recess, suspends all public comments during last week’s meeting The REPORTER der of the night. During the meeting, Pritchett said tee be someone focused on finding At last Wednesday’s meeting of The HSE school board had chosen this person will be not be an appoint- books that “meet the needs and val- the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) to take public comments with each ment voted on by the entire board, but ues of the community.” Board of School Trustees, a discus- agenda item as it came up, rather than will be “someone appointed by the Shannon Fields, in her time at the sion about the upcoming appoint- have a separate time exclusively for board president.” microphone, wanted to address specific ment to the Hamilton East Public comments from those in attendance. Only four citizens were given the books found on library shelves and was Library Board of Trustees sparked The controversial issue was the opportunity to speak Wednesday eve- told by Pritchett, “That’s not about the enough controversy that the board upcoming appointment by HSE Board ning. appointee, we are talking the specific took a recess and suspended all fur- President Janet Pritchett on Aug. 11 to Tiffany Eggers spoke briefly to ther public comments for the remain- the Library Board. the board, asking the that appoin- See Controversy . Page A13 Pritchett A2 News Week of Aug. 2, 2021 Plans set for Checking it off the bucket list accepting Noblesville family to run in New York City Marathon By STU CLAMPITT was that my husband would COVID relief ReadTheReporter.com run with him. It just took off from there. He started doing Jamie and Amy Shinneman 5ks, then half marathons, then applications met at Noblesville High School marathons, and now we are in 1989. Amy was born with an running together.” By FRED SWIFT undiagnosed neuromuscular The 50th running of the ReadTheReporter.com disease that causes very weak New York City Marathon is muscles and affects her ability set for Nov. 7, 2021 with only Eligible businesses, non-profit commu- to walk.