In House District 86 which includes most of Broad Ripple, incumbent State Representative Ed Delaney faces challenger Scott DeVries. Northern Broad Ripple (House District 87) will be represented by a new State Representative since our state rep, Christina Hale, is running for Lieutenant Governor. Carey Hamilton is seeking the post as is Connie Eckert. Also on the ballot are two Washington Township Schools tax increases. According to Ballotpedia, the Washington Township school board has two referendums-$185 million for construction projects and $6.5 million for extra general-fund expenses-on the ballot.

Around 3,000 people turned out Saturday September 18, 2016, to celebrate the re-opening of the Ruins at Holliday Park. New Indy Parks Director Linda Broadfoot welcomed Mayor Joe Hogsett at the Rock the Ruins event. Hogsett noted the Friends of Holliday Park raised $3.2 million from 1,100 donations to fund the project. Dr. Rod Mail, President of Friends of Holliday Parks also spoke. Thanks to Linda Hurst and Sesi Kunz who helped make the renovation project happen.

On September 13, 2016, IndyGo displayed its prototype bus at Keystone at the Crossing/Fashion Mall. The new route will run from 65th and College south to the University of Indianapolis and is funded by a Federal grant. Hence, the Bus Rapid Transit Red Line Project is not dependent on the passage of an income tax hike. Relatedly, on November 8, 2016, voters will have the chance to approve a new transit tax to fund better transit (more frequent service and new rapid transit lines).

The transit debate is heating up. A coalition called Transit Drives Indy is supporting the measure and includes a broad coalition of groups. Others aren't so sure. Opponents want the Red Line on Keystone Avenue (not College) and say the grant would be better spent on purchasing more buses, hiring more drivers, etc.

In response, Lauren Day of IndyGo says that the Federal grant received for the project is tied to the Red Line and that the new transit tax revenues will fund the improvements sited for other routes. She defended the College Avenue route for the Red Line since, unlike Keystone Avenue, it is historically a very walkable destination where safe stops can be set up. Keystone Avenue is too busy, she said. For more information, go to www.indyconnect.org or transitdrivesindy.com. For the opposition, see StopTheRedLine.org and CollegeAvenueIndy.org.

My only comment is that the millennials (whom some claim want transit upgrades to make Indy competitive with other cities) don't actually take public transit. My 25 year old niece instead gets a UBER on her iPhone and shuns transit (she lives in Wisconsin, though). She recently took UBER Share in Chicago for $5 from Soldier Field to her hotel despite the CTA being close by.

Indy loves to debate transit, do studies and plans, and then do nothing. This time it's different. We have a great new Transit Center. We can do better. I plan to vote "yes" on November 8 on the transit tax referendum. Let's not let perfect be the enemy of the good. I hope you vote yes too.

There's a lot going on this fall at Broad Ripple Park. First of all, welcome new Assistant Park Manager Taylor O'Neal. Upcoming events include:

October 18, 2016: Haunted Gingerbread Houses

October 28, 2016: Moonlight Egg Hunt

To register or for more information, call 317-327-7161 or email taylor.oneal@indy.gov.

DNR and IndyParks have closed a section of Marott Park as they repair and restore the area on the north side along Williams Creek. The original trails washed out due to erosion long ago. It's a welcome development.

October 13, 2016: Ripple Effect Run Walk, 6:30 pm.

October 15, 2016: 10-digit dialing begins with new 463 area code