Submitted
Rocky Shanehsaz, a longtime Noblesville resident, philanthropist, and owner of the Mill Top Banquet & Conference Center in downtown Noblesville, announced Friday he will seek election to the Noblesville Common Council District 5 seat.
Shanehsaz
The 62-year-old Republican candidate has lived in District 5 for 33 years and knows firsthand the issues, concerns, and opportunities that matter to residents who live and work in these neighborhoods. Shanehsaz says he leans conservatively and believes strongly in responsible growth, historic preservation, and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
“I am a small businessman who wants to continue providing for his community by ensuring better services, education, housing, employment, among other areas – thus improving the standard of living for all residents of Noblesville,” Shanehsaz said. “I’m interested in making sure our tax dollars have the most impact in our community.”
District 5 is generally bordered by Stony Creek Boulevard to the north, 146th Street to the south, Allisonville Road to the west, and Greenfield Avenue to the east. Additionally, because of recent redistricting, District 5 now includes: neighborhoods in the Southwest Quadrant of Old Town, the Wellingtons, homes and businesses along Pleasant Street, areas near Stony Creek Elementary School, the Prairie Lakes Subdivision and Deer Path, among others.
The Mill Top, located at Eighth and Mulberry streets in the Southwest Quadrant, earns top rankings on wedding venue sites year after year, attracting visitors from all over the country. As the Mill Top ambassador, Shanehsaz uses every opportunity to promote the wonderful qualities and amenities the City of Noblesville has to offer. He also shares the event space with various local charitable organizations, such as:
- Savor Noblesville – major sponsor and event space host for this annual fundraiser for North Elementary School, Noblesville’s oldest elementary school. Shanehsaz has sponsored this event for three years in a row.
- Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chaplaincy Prayer Breakfast – provides event space for this annual fundraiser to support prison ministry activities.
- Noblesville Parks & Recreation Father-Daughter Princess Ball – provides an elegant space for this widely popular annual dance that gives dads and daughters a special night out together.
- Hamilton County Humane Society – major sponsor and event space host for previous fundraising events.
The Mill Top, formerly known as the Model Mill building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rocky bought the building in 2001, renovated it, and transformed it into a thriving business. This local businessman is also known for his successful renovation of Matteo’s Restaurant in downtown Noblesville, as well as buying and successfully relocating three historically significant homes to pave the way for construction of a new Noblesville City Hall at 10th and Conner streets.
In partnership with Miller Care Group, Chapel Church, and other local churches, Shanehsaz is also working to expand Hope and Recovery Centers Inc. – a comprehensive, ministry-based drug rehabilitation service – to provide ministerial services and support medical needs for individuals living with alcohol and drug addiction.
Shanehsaz says he focuses his philanthropy on areas where it’s needed most, and he wants to share his experience, knowledge, and business acumen to help guide the city’s historic preservation efforts and future development.
“I have been able to accomplish many things due to my perseverance, knowledge, and hard work – and because I care,” Shanehsaz said. “I am looking forward to serving my community.”
Shanehsaz became a U.S. citizen in 1985, after leaving his Iranian home as a teenager more than 45 years ago. He completed high school in Bowling Green, Ky., earned a computer science engineering degree from Western Kentucky University, then attended medical school in the Dominican Republic. Shanehsaz, a grandfather of two, is married to Terri Shanehsaz and has two children, Abe, an attorney with Faegre Drinker Law Firm in Indianapolis, and Ava, a Purdue University freshman studying biomedical engineering.