7 times Carmel out Carmeled itself in 2017

It's easy to humblebrag if you live in Carmel. In 2017, the Hamilton County city took top honors in numerous "best place to live" lists. It's consistently praised for its top-notch schools, safe and friendly neighborhoods, public spaces, commitment to the arts and, of course, roundabouts. So, in light of all this, here are some examples of when Carmel was so Carmel in 2017:

Citizens say 'enough is enough' over $5M carousel

In Carmel, Mayor Jim Brainard usually gets what he wants. Until he wanted the city to spend $5 million to buy and install an antique carousel. Brainard pictured high schoolers lining up to have prom photos taken in front of the hand-carved animals. But residents thought the project was "extravagant and unnecessary." "Carmel has a reputation for being a little excessive in the first place," one resident told the City Council, which axed the project. Read the full story.

Brainard causes a traffic accident, and the other guy gets a ticket

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard crashed his city-provided 2017 Ford Fusion hybrid into another motorist in April. Brainard, who crossed the center line of the road, wasn't ticketed, but the driver of the vehicle he hit was cited for driving without a license and for being uninsured. An attorney who specializes in traffic law says police typically only issue tickets against drivers if they witness a violation. The mayor's car — a 2017 Ford Fusion Titanium the city was leasing for $649.45 a month — was totaled. Read the full story.

Carmel Clay Schools continued to dominate at, well, pretty much everything

In 2017 Carmel Clay Schools continued its tradition of collecting accolades. And while it’s easy to get desensitized after hearing these successes over and over, a few stood out. Carmel High School, for example, had more National Merit semifinalists than some states typically do. That’s right, with 52 students chosen the school of 5,000 had more semifinalists than six states did in 2016. The high school was also ranked the fourth best public high school in Indiana by niche.com and eighth best by U.S. News and World Report. And that's not to mention the state athletic championships the school won for boys cross-country, boys swimming, girls swimming, boys tennis, boys track and field, girls tennis.

Carmel forms partnership to own and operate a luxury hotel

After being put on the back burner during the recession, Carmel reignited its plans to bring a four-star boutique hotel to the City Center. The city has decided to create a public-private partnership to finance the $40 million full-service, luxury hotel, which the partnership would also operate. The city is trying to lure an Autograph Collection hotel, a ritzy brand by Marriott that would include a full-service restaurant and nightclub.

City shuts down 'party barn' after 30 years of fundraisers

For 30 years, an 11,200-square foot venue known as the "party barn" has been a cornerstone of Carmel social life. Owned first by Nancy Irsay and now by oil tycoon Forest Lucas, the site has been home to countless fundraisers. But that didn't mean the neighbors were happy about it. They claim the party barn and the loud parties it hosted were out of place in an area filled with mansions on large lots, fields, tree-lined roads and the prestigious Crooked Stick Golf Club. So this year, they got their way. The Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals voted against variances that would have allowed the Lucas family to continue hosting events there. Read the full story here.

Indy sues Carmel over 96th Street roundabouts

Carmel and its larger neighbor to the south spent a good portion of the year feuding over Carmel's plans to build four of its signature roundabouts along 96th Street, which is controlled jointly by the two cities. Mayor Jim Brainard pledged to construct them with or without Indianapolis' consent, and Indianapolis sued Carmel after it proceeded with work without its OK. Eventually, a judge ordered the two sides into mediation, and Indianapolis and Carmel lawyers struck a deal in which Indianapolis would allow construction of roundabouts at Hazel Dell Parkway, Gray Road and Delegates Row.

Carmel tradition: Staking out 4th of July seats days in advance

Apparently, folks in Carmel have no fear of theft. Once again, groups of Carmelites staked out prime spots days before CarmelFest and placed chairs, tents, tables, tarps and blankets to mark their territory. The gear was left. Overnight. On public grass. "That is just a testament to Carmel," said Eilene Wright. "This is a safe place, we respect everybody ... and nothing gets stolen, to my knowledge."

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