A Tribute to a Friend...July 1998
| Diane Stout, Editor | July 1998 |
Please use this quick index to navigate this issue of the Business Chronicle.
Wabash County REMC Completes Remodeling Project
Wabash Valley Expands Office Facility
Board Member Spotlight - Board Member Larry Hoover,
Quality Electric, Inc.
Legislative Report
Electric Light CityFest Scholarship Pageant
A Tribute to a Friend
Over a period of ones' working career, one has the opportunity to interact with many professionals - people of unusual quality and character. Even though I Have only been in Wabash 2 1/2 years, I was very fortunate to have worked with the now former Chamber President, Bruce Storm. Over that period of time, we developed a friendship that was positive and rooted in a mutual trust of each other. Many times, in positions like ours, that does not haappen. However, with Bruce I could always count on a person who was trustworthy and honest and very straight foward. His contributions to the Chamber and to the greater Wabash community will always be remembered. I feel strongly that he will prove to be a friend for many years to come. I wish him and his family God's richest blessings in the months and the years to come. I trust that you will likewise join me in those sentiments.
Bill Bradley, Jr. Executive Director, Wabash County Economic Development Corporation
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Wabash County REMC Completes Remodeling Project
Wabash County REMC has completed a remodeling project begun in 1997. "We moved to our Manchester Avenue location in 1954," says REMC General Manager Doug Rowles. "While there have been additions and remodeling in other areas of our headquarters, nothing has been done with the front offices since then."The remodeling job was very comprehensive, and included complete interior remodeling, remodeling of the drive-up and drive-up work station, rewiring, stud wall installation, new ductwork, carpet, tile and furniture. The result is a completely modern office upgraded, and handicapped accessible. "It certainly is a lovely facility," says Rowles. "We cordially invite the public to stop in and see what we have done."
Kellem of Wabash handled the general contracting. Quality Electric completed the electrical and ductwork.
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Wabash Valley Expands Office Facility
Wabash Valley Landfill and Refuse Company has been operating in the Wabash Community for many years. The landfill is currently utilizing a 15 acre synthetic lined cell. This liner protects the environment from any type of contamination caused by the disposal of garbage. Protecting our community and environment is our main concern when disposing of the material brought to us. The landfill accepts all municipal solid waste as well as Special Waste. Wabash Valley does not accept any "Out of State" trash. The hauling company services all of Wabash County and the surrounding areas.Wabash Valley expanded it's office facility by approximately 1000 square feet to accommodate the growing needs of their customers. Wabash Valley currently has 70 full-time employees to service the needs of our communities.
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Chamber Member News
A LOCAL MAN has received notice that his story will be published nationally in November of this year. Wabash native Chris Martin penned a humorous story about hunting deer and submitted it to North American Whitetail in January. "Of course, I am honored by North American Whitetail' s use of the story, " said Mr. Martin.
Martin, owner of TechCopy Marketing Services, says the submission is especially poignant. "My father Richard, who passed away last fall, helped me edit the story for North American Whitetail. Pop always dreamed of having one of his stories in a national magazine . "
Martin writes advertorial and editorial copy for business and industry, and has written several publications, including Business People, The Electric Consumer, and Furniture Design & Manufacturing.
WABASH COUNTY HOSPITAL Foundation will hold their first Golf Scramble on Thursday, August 13 at the Honeywell Golf Course. Registration begins at 11:30 with Tee-time at 1 p.m. Entry fees (include golf, cart, lunch with snacks and giveaways) are $65 for individuals and $260 for teams. Hole sponsorships are $125 (sign on a tee station). Prize donations will be awarded after the play with recognition. Call in your registration or sponsorship at 219-569-2254.
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Board Member Spotlight
Board Member -Larry Hoover,
Quality Electric, Inc
Larry Hoover, a lifelong resident of Wabash County, is a graduate of Urbana High School and Purdue University. He married Jane McCloud, also of Wabash, and they have three children. Larry has been the owner of Quality Electric, Inc. for 27 years. Quality Electric performs electrical, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing service and installation. Quality Electric also specializes in design and build projects for turn key projects to our commercial, industrial and institutional customers and general contractors .
Larry is a member of the Wabash Area, Indiana State and US Chamber of Commerce, Wabash Market Place, Wabash Economic Development Corporation, Hanna Masonic Lodge and United Fund volunteer. Larry is also the chairman a. the Wabash Rotary Club ' s Electric Light CityFest (formerly Canal Days) fund raiser.
Go Back to the TopMARK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR
July 10-18 - Wabash County 4-H Fair
July 29 - The Second Annual Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce - Yearly Golf Outing at the Honeywell Golf Course
July 30-August 2 - Electric Light CityFest, contact Sherman Gray at 219-782-2298 after 5 p.m.
August 13-16 - North Manchester FunFest, contact Brian Wagner at 219-982-4919
August 15 - Arts & Music Festival, Vernon Manor Children's Home, contact Jerrie McCoy at 219-563-8438
August 22 - Herb Festival, contact Pat Lynn at 219-563-8438
September 1 - Chamber sponsored Kelly-Miller Circus at Paradise Spring
September 10-13 - Roann Covered Bridge Festival, contact Beckie Elliott at 765-833-9832
November 5 - Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Meeting at the Honeywell Center
Go Back to the TopLegislative Report
Your Chamber has been approached by a member to consider the rezoning issue involving CVS Pharmacy, Village Pantry and a large number of Wabash residents. The long established process we follow in situations like this is as follows:
When an issue, a suggestion or recommendation is brought to the office it is referred to the appropriate committee, in this case the Government Affairs Committee. In 1993 that committee redefined its role as " staying abreast of pending legislation and making recommendations to the Board of Chamber'. To accomplish this they have divided their responsibilities into four categories: local government, state government, federal government and social issues. Local government encompasses the City Council, County Council and the County Commissioners .
After referring the CVS/VP issue to the Government Affairs Chair, Shelly Neal, the appropriate steps were taken and information was distributed to the Government Affairs committee members. The committee will bring the issue to the full Board at the July Board of Directors meeting.
It is then up to the Board to discuss the issue and decided whether or not to accept the recommendation of the committee .
It isn't often that your Chamber is called upon to respond to an issue such as this. There, discuss it thoroughly, weigh all options and, in the end, do what is best for the Wabash community in the long term.
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Welcome New Members
(please add to your Buyer's Guide)
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Workshop Planned
The Small Business Development Center will hold a workshop July 15 that will address the issue of the Year 2000 computer dilemma. Workshop leader will be Matt McKillip, president of Momentum, Inc. The cost is $10 if registered by July 13; $15 after July 13. The workshop will be held in the Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room.
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Electric Light CityFest Scholarship Pageant
The Electric Light CityFest Scholarship Pageant will be held Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Honeywell Center ' s Ford Theater .
Pageant Co-Chairs Chris Benson and Mary Ridgeway have been busy preparing for this big night. Raising funds for the scholarships, talking to the young women in each of the county high schools (before school is out for summer break), lining up the judges, scheduling individual interviews (around the contestants work schedules) with the judges and securing a facility to hold the pageant are just a few of the details needed to make the pageant a success. The contestants will also be treated to a "fun night" and an after-rehearsal pizza party.
This year brings 25 local women, ages 17 - 21, to compete for scholarships ranging from $250 to $1000. Make plans now to attend ($2 admission charge).
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Lilly GIFT III - The New Math of Giving
This article was taken from The Community Foundation of Wabash County 1997 newsletter. It has be reprinted with permission by Carol Horn, Executive Director.
Hot on the heels of the success that was Lilly GIFT II, we are pleased to announce Lilly GIFT III. Now through September 30, 1999, when you give $1 to the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Lilly Endowment, Inc. will match it with $1, up to our goal of $1 million. As a result, our $1 million goal becomes an incredible $2 million goal.
GIFT, Phase III has a significant difference from other GIFT phases. An important difference to you and the charities you care about! For every contribution made to a new Of existing endowment, the Community Foundation will direct 25 percent of the matching funds from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to that endowment. The remaining 75 percent of Lilly ' s matching gift will be directed, as in previous phases of GIFT, to the Community Foundation' s unrestricted Good Deeds Endowments.
The earnings from the unrestricted endowments support a program of perpetual grant giving designed to continually respond to the ever-changing needs of our community. So a contribution of $1,000 is really a gift of $1250 to your specific charitable concern and another $750 to support Wabash County's not-for-profit sector. Our combined efforts to raise $1 million for Lilly's matching GIFT mean more money to your endowment and allows more grants to be given to area not-forprofits. In addition, there are other benefits of contributing to or creating a new endowment in The Community Foundation of Wabash County:
* Your endowment is invested in a larger pool of assets which can lead to greater growths greater income and lower investment fees.
* The Community Foundation is responsible for investment management, all accounting and financial reporting and the annual audit of the funds.
* Your endowment receives income at preset intervals from its portion of total endowment held by the Community Foundation, thus increasing the predictability of your income flow.
* Your endowlnent receives exposure in the Community Foundation' s annual report, newsletters and other mailings reaching more, and perhaps different, donors than you would otherwise .
* All gifts to your endowment in the Community Foundation are tax deductible at the highest levels allowed by tax.
* You have the flexibility to choose to reinvest all or part of the income in years when it may not be needed, so the endowment can grow further.
* All gifts to your endowment are restricted to your use only. While co-mingled for investment, your endowment will not be used for any purpose but for your organization .
With your continued support and generosity, we're sure to meet, and possibly beat, our Lilly GlFT III goal.
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