Fishers residents debate town vs city

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - Fishers is under going an identity crisis.

In November residents will decide if it should remain a town, or become a city.

Voters face three choices:
1. Should we merge with the Township?
2. Should we become a city?
3. Should we keep things the way they are?

There are pros and cons to each choice, which is why a special debate was held Wednesday afternoon.

The debate took place during a Fishers Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Members packed the room. The November ballot includes two questions for residents to consider.

Question 1 looks confusing, "Shall the Town of Fishers and Fall Creek Township reorganize as a single political subdivision?"

What that really means is this:

"Should Fishers merge with the Township?"

During the debate, Fishers banker Wayne Crane argued a merge was the best option for the Town of Fishers.

He says the move would eliminate township positions and therefore save Township residents money.

“We may be the largest town in the country. At some point in time we have to gravitate to some city form of governance and management” said Crane.

A merge would enable voters the opportunity to elect nine council members. Those council members would then appoint a mayor.

Voting YES on question one means you support the merger.

Question 2 on the ballot says, "Shall the Town of Fishers change into a city?"

During the debate Greg Purvis of “City Yes” argued voters would get a more representative government by voting “Yes” on question two. That’s because voters would not only elect council members, but citizens, not council members would elect the mayor.

“You get a more representative government. You get to elect your own leader. Not have one appointed for you” said Purvis.

Residents interested in the town becoming a city must vote "NO" on question 1 and "Yes" on question 2.

That leaves the third option:
Leaving things the way they are.

For that to happen, voters would need to vote "NO" on question one and "NO" on question two.