It has been a while since I’ve provided an update to the VRA. I want to thank Mike and the board for bringing back the newsletter and allowing me the opportunity to continue to update each of you on the comings and goings of the Town.

I was humbled by my fellow Councilors again electing me as President of the Council for 2019. It is a requirement that the leadership election take place every year and I was thrilled that Bryan Traylor, from District 2, will continue to serve as Vice President of the Council alongside me.

Most recently, the Town Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of hate crimes legislation. Today, Indiana is one of only 5 states without laws allowing additional sentencing consideration for bias crimes. A bias crime is an illegal activity that specifically targets an individual or group of individuals because of their race, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation and disability, as well as others.

This was brought to us by the Town’s Non-Discrimination Committee, which is made up of Councilors Suarez (President), Shuler, myself, as well as Bob Goodman (owner of Goodman Jewelers) and Johnny Vargo (co-owner of Rush on Main). This group, along with Mayor Haak and Heather Willey (Town Council legal representation) met back in December to discuss/debate and write the resolution, and I was very pleased with the outcome.

In addition, Mayor Haak created an executive order in support of legislation around bias crimes. He also mandated that all Zionsville police officers receive mandatory training on the recognition of when bias crimes have happened. Chief Knox and Captain Musgrave of ZPD are already making plans for this to happen.

State Representative Schaibley, who represents Zionsville, was in attendance to show appreciation for our supportive resolution, and she has proposed her own bill around this important topic. She also listed members of law enforcement in her bill as a potential group of targeted individuals, which as a member of our Board of Police Commissioners is something I support. There will be many different bills submitted and debated in the Statehouse this session, and with Governor Holcomb coming out in support, something will eventually pass. I would encourage you to pay attention to this legislation and follow the eventual outcome yourself.

Zionsville has led the way for a long time in terms of ensuring that anybody who lives or works in our community feel safe and protected. This started with the creation of the aforementioned Non-Discrimination committee, but also included resolutions on RFRA and now bias crimes. I think it is important that communities like ours continue to voice our opinion on these matters and will continue to do so in coming months.

Speaking of committees, one of the jobs of the Town Council President is to coordinate the appointments to various boards and committees each year. We have openings each year as individuals move out of Town or do not seek renewal of the appointment. I’ve always tried to make sure there is adequate representation from the village on this groups and want to thank those residents and business owners from the village who serve including Kent Esra, Sara Martini, Bret Brewer, Tom Casalini, and more. If you ever have an interest in serving, please let me know at jgarrett@zionsville-in.gov.