Carmel mayor announces he will not seek eighth term in office
By DENISE MOE
For The Reporter
“Thank you, Carmel, for one of the greatest honors of my life – the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Those were the sentiments of long-time Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard.
Brainard announced that he will not seek re-election at a press conference held at 2 p.m. Tuesday outside Carmel City Hall.
The seven-term Republican mayor took office in 1996. A municipal election for mayor and all nine seats on the Carmel City Council will be held in 2023. The mayor humbly and gratefully thanked all the citizens of Carmel, all city employees and all other elected officials for helping to make Carmel the premier destination city that it is today.
During Brainard’s time as mayor, the city’s population has quadrupled. Carmel is considered one of the fastest growing cities in the United States (and the fastest growing in Indiana). Mayor Brainard is known for his efforts to revitalize central Carmel through the creation of the Arts & Design District, City Center and Midtown areas, the Center for the Performing Arts, the development of the Monon Greenway and Central Park and the installation of more than 140 roundabouts, the most per capita of any city in the world.
Mayor Brainard’s vision has helped create a vibrant, thriving, walkable city where companies want to locate, where employees want to live and where families want to raise their children. The mayor is frequently asked to speak around the world about city planning, climate change, redevelopment, and innovative infrastructure.
Mayor Brainard says he is most proud of turning the old rundown Monon Rail into the new Monon Trail – Carmel’s “beachfront” property – for providing trails and sidewalk connecting the entire city and making it livable, walkable and bikeable, and for creating a true destination “downtown” area in Carmel. He reminds us that to thrive, cities should never quit evolving.
Mayor Brainard has implemented numerous environmental initiatives for the City of Carmel, and they are a large part of his legacy that will live on for many generations to come.
The city’s 144 roundabouts reduce vehicle emissions, in addition to saving lives and reducing accidents with injuries by almost 80 percent. The city was awarded first place in the Climate Protection Awards from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and many awards for being bicycle friendly and a “Tree City.”
The mayor also implemented hybrid or flex-fuel vehicles for city operations and instructed the City’s Utilities Department to develop the technology to use recaptured methane gas to power its wastewater treatment facility as well as repurpose its biosolid waste into high-quality fertilizer.
Park land, greenspace, and trails have increased from 40 acres to more than 800 acres during the mayor’s tenure. Currently, Mayor Brainard is serving as a Trustee and Co-chair of the Energy Independence and Climate Protection Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
In 2015, he was instrumental in spearheading the passing of Carmel’s anti-discrimination ordinance, which is one of the most comprehensive in the state.
The city and the mayor himself has received many accolades and awards, locally, nationally, and internationally, for excellence during his tenure. The City of Carmel has been recognized for excellence in many aspects of its planning, development, implementation, and service. Carmel’s workforce is well-trained and dedicated to providing the highest level of service to residents, businesses, and visitors to the community. Because of its low crime rates, low cost of living, excellent schools, availability of high-paying jobs and appreciation of community amenities such as arts, culture, parks and recreational opportunities, Carmel continues to appear on national, data driven ‘Best’ lists where cities’ rankings are assigned based on job market, net migration, and quality of life markers.
Carmel is among Money magazine’s Best Places to Live in America at spot No. 3 in 2014 and No. 1 in 2012. In 2015, Carmel was recognized as Community of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Brainard set the standard
By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
The Jim Brainard years will come to an end in January 2024. Some may be glad to hear that news, but many will be saddened to see the end of an era in Carmel.
As mayor, Brainard could be controversial, but not a whole lot gets done in political leadership without debate, disagreement and some controversy. And a lot sure-as-the-world got done with Jim in the driver’s seat.
It would be the understatement of the century to say Carmel is not the same today as it was in 1995 when Jim walked through my neighborhood seeking votes in his first run for mayor. Many longtime residents wish the city looked like it did 27 years ago or even 47 years ago. I know sometimes I miss those days.
But, it was destined to change and grow.
As most of Hamilton County has learned, if your community lies on the edge of a growing metropolitan area, change is inevitable. How that change is managed and encouraged or discouraged is of greatest importance.
Jim was successful in getting elected and took office in 1996. Like it or not things haven’t been the same since. The only roundabout I had ever remembered seeing was on Monument Circle. Most in Carmel had no idea of what an Arts and Design District or a Center for the Performing Arts looked like. And, Keystone without stoplights? How could that happen?
Jim has vision. Not everyone likes all that Jim’s vision for the city includes. But, he has succeeded in making his vision reality, and judging by election results, a majority continue to buy into that vision.
Even critics say Carmel’s quality of life, appearance and reputation are among the best anywhere.
Now we may wonder what Carmel’s future without Jim Brainard may hold. A lot may depend on next spring’s election. Who will take the reins to lead the city? One thing is certain: There is no going back, and the future can be bright thanks to the standard a dynamic mayor has set.
County GOP Chair expresses his gratitude
Dear Friends,
Today, we extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor James Brainard, who has dedicated his time and service to Carmel for over 27 years. As one of Indiana’s longest-serving mayors, his innovation and leadership helped transform Carmel into a world-class, international location, that has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
The Monon Trail, Central Park, The Arts & Design District, and The Center for the Performing Arts including the Palladium, the Tarkington, and the Studio Theater are just a handful of the first-class changes Mayor Brainard brought to Carmel during his tenure.
While we will miss his leadership, we wish him a wonderful and well-deserved retirement. May Carmel continue to stand out as a leader in Indiana and across the United States as we build upon the foundation and legacy of Mayor Brainard.
Thank you, Mayor Brainard!
Mario Massillamany, Chair
Hamilton County Republican Party
Thanks to Mayor Brainard for his leadership. He certainly sets the bar for the type of transformational that is effective. I am very fortunate to call Carmel home and will do so for many more years. I am exited to see who will come forward to lead!