Fisk-Abraham
GREENFIELD – Four generations of her family have served in elected office in Hancock County.
Now, she says, it’s time for her ideas and leadership.
Jessica Fisk-Abraham is running in the Republican primary for Greenfield City Council District 2 in the east-central part of the city. She faces fellow political newcomer Amy Kirkpatrick.
Fisk-Abraham was born and raised in Greenfield and has lived in the city her entire life apart from attending Purdue University, where she majored in psychology and minored in writing. She is pursuing a master’s degree in social work, and wants to work in therapy.
Her great-great-grandfather Ira Fisk and great-grandfather Joe Fisk served as Hancock County sheriffs, her grandfather Dennis Fisk Sr. was a sheriff reserve and served on the Hancock County Council, and her father Kent Fisk was a sheriff reserve, 10-year member of the Greenfield-Central School Board and currently serves on the Hancock County Council. As the fifth generation and first female to run for elected office in her family, she said it’s an honor to follow in their footsteps.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve witnessed my dad active in making a difference in our community through the school board, county council and the years he was a sheriff’s reserve,” Fisk-Abraham told the Daily Reporter in an email. “When I look back on my childhood during campaign season, I am grateful I was able to be a part of it. Going door to door across the county gave me a chance to get to know our community and their needs first hand. I am sure many may remember the young girl/young teenager in her campaign shirt in support of her dad. I hope my children are as proud of their mother for stepping up as I am of my father.”
She said she is motivated to run for office because of her love for her community.
“Being a mama of six beautiful children gives me even more of a reason to be active in the community,” she said. “My goal for this city council position is to also work more closely with our school system. How will we react to the growth of our community and the overcrowding of our school programs and the amenities for our children?”
Fisk-Abraham said she feels the community’s growth is diluting local amenities.
“One of the main things I want to do is preserve the quality of life for the community,” she said in an interview. “I feel like it’s great that we’re growing – and it’s here to stay and it’s never going to go anywhere – but what’s happening to our amenities? How are we going to react to this growth?”
She said she wants to help ensure the city accommodates its growth by having enough green space and essential businesses, noting local grocery stores and pharmacies often have long lines.
“We’re a good community,” she said. “People want to live in our community. They feel safe in our community. Positive things are happening. We’ve got more restaurants. I just would love to see more green space, more activity areas.”
Fisk-Abraham urges registered voters to cast their ballots in the upcoming election, adding their voice matters, especially locally.
“We are in a crucial growth period and the future of our community is in the hands of the voters,” she said.
Fisk-Abraham has volunteered with The Landing Place, a place for youth facing mental health issues, substance abuse and other challenges; and Talitha Koum Women’s Recovery House.
“My passion is helping others and making a positive impact in the lives around me,” she said. “I feel I can make the most positive impact on our community by stepping up and being a voice for my generation, who is being greatly impacted by the growth.”
In January, Fisk-Abraham was in her vehicle that her boyfriend, William Rather, was driving on U.S. 20 in Steuben County when pulled over by an Indiana State Police trooper for a renewal sticker on the license plate that expired in 2021. The trooper documented in his report that he smelled a strong odor of perfume coming from inside the vehicle and that he later smelled the odor of marijuana, adding that his training and experience has taught him that perfume is commonly used as a masking agent.
Fisk-Abraham told the Daily Reporter that she disagrees with the trooper’s reporting of the odors, adding she has an air freshener in her vehicle and that she did not smell an odor of marijuana in the vehicle.
According to the police report, a search was conducted of the vehicle that revealed about 285 grams of marijuana, all of which Rather said was his.
Earlier this month, Rather was charged in a Steuben County court with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia, both criminal misdemeanors. Fisk-Abraham was not charged.
Fisk-Abraham told the Daily Reporter she did not know the marijuana was in her vehicle and that she does not use drugs. She added Rather was not intoxicated, was not arrested and that they were allowed to go home after the search. Rather has been meeting with a sponsor and has been sober since the traffic stop, Fisk-Abraham said.
“I don’t support the actions of my boyfriend in regard to the charges,” Fisk-Abraham said in an email. “But I do support his recovery and I am proud of the steps he has made and is continuing to make towards his own health and recovery. Through this struggle our family has become even closer. We are overcomers just like others in our community.”
