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Delphi Chamber honors community members with awards





Delphi Chamber award winners The Delphi Chamber of Commerce honored several members of the community Monday night at its annual banquet. Award recipients were (l-r): Bill Shideler, Making a Difference Award; Carolyn Pearson, Samuel L. Milroy Award; Bob Arney, Volunteer of the Year Award; and John McKean, Wallmann’s Quality Foods, Milestone Business of the Year Award. Comet photo

Delphi Chamber award winners The Delphi Chamber of Commerce honored several members of the community Monday night at its annual banquet. Award recipients were (l-r): Bill Shideler, Making a Difference Award; Carolyn Pearson, Samuel L. Milroy Award; Bob Arney, Volunteer of the Year Award; and John McKean, Wallmann’s Quality Foods, Milestone Business of the Year Award. Comet photo

The Delphi Chamber of Commerce recognized businesses and individuals that make Delphi a great place to live and work at Monday night’s annual banquet, held at the Wabash & Erie Canal Center.

Honored with the organization’s most prestigious award was Carolyn Pearson, a tireless civic volunteer for the city she has resided in her entire life. The Samuel L. Milroy Award is awarded to a member of the Delphi community who has integrity, business sense and has or will leave the community a better place.

In making the presentation, LeAnne Aldrich noted that in 2008 her friend, Pearson, was the Chamber’s “Making a Difference” Award winner. “Making a difference is what Carolyn does,” Aldrich said.

Pearson currently serves as president of the Delphi City Council. She has been a council member for 30 years. She has also served as a trustee for the Delphi Community School Corporation as well as served on special committees during construction of the Middle School. She has spent many hours helping people obtain their GEDs and delivering Meals on Wheels.

Delphi Chamber board The Board of Directors for the Delphi Chamber of Commerce were announced at Monday night’s annual banquet. They are (l-r): Drew Sandora, Tracy Martin (secretary-treasurer), Lisa Delaney, Randy Myers, Ann Hughes, Matt McKean (president), Jim Helms (vice president), and Rick Curts. Comet photo

Delphi Chamber board The Board of Directors for the Delphi Chamber of Commerce were announced at Monday night’s annual banquet. They are (l-r): Drew Sandora, Tracy Martin (secretary-treasurer), Lisa Delaney, Randy Myers, Ann Hughes, Matt McKean (president), Jim Helms (vice president), and Rick Curts. Comet photo

She chairs the Red Cross Bloodmobiles in Delphi, is a member of Psi Iota Xi philanthropic organization, and the Carroll County Community Foundation. She also serves as moderator for Hickory Grove Church.

Pearson has been active in business as well, through farming, retail and property management.

Pearson, who was surprised by the honor, said she “appreciated the award and it is a great honor.”

Four other awards were presented:

Community Appearance

The Office Tavern is the recipient of the Community Appearance Award for all the improvements to the building and property. Owners are Gary and Michelle Dutton.

Volunteer of the Year

Director of the Carroll County Food Pantry Delphi site, Bob Arney, is the Volunteer of the Year award recipient. He has served as food pantry site director for 17 years. Active in Delphi Lions Club, he was the Christmas Parade marshal in 2004.

Making a Difference

Fourteen-year educator with the Delphi Community School Corporation, Bill Shideler, is the Making a Difference Award winner. He was praised for “wearing multiple hats” and for his commitment to kids and to the community.

Milestone Historic Business of the Year

Wallmann’s Quality Foods is the Milestone Historic Business of the Year award winner. The grocery located at the corner of Franklin and Union streets has been a fixture in Delphi for over 100 years and has been known as Wallmann’s for over 50 of those years.

Current owners John and Jamie McKean have been in the grocery business all of their married lives. John began working for Willi Wallmann at his grocery in Kokomo in 1984. The McKeans purchased the Delphi location in 1993. Their sons, Matt and Mark, also work in the family business.

State of the City

Mayor Shane Evans gave a short state of the city address, outlining each department’s priorities for 2017:

Police Department – Attempt to diminish the use of drugs, be vigilant for traffic and other infractions, enforce local ordinances and ensure properties are maintained in a fashion to retain the neighborhood’s value.

Fire Department – Construct a new station downtown.

Community Development – Continue to evaluate vacancy levels downtown and attempt to attract new business to vacant storefronts and explore the possibility of a co-working space in Delphi.

Street Department – Use the Community Crossings Grant to finish East Main Street between Union Street and Samuel Milroy Road, ensuring the storm sewer in that area is sufficient for future connection from Samuel Milroy Road; do an overlay on Riley Road and Armory Road; use budgeted funds for microseal and crack sealing on streets; finish the pump station and storm line work behind Save-a-Lot; contracted for the engineering of a complete rebuild of Samuel Milroy Road to alleviate drainage and grade issues and to provide pedestrian accessibility. INDOT will also contract out asphalt work from just south of the bridge on US 421 by the new Methodist Church to the stoplight, then west to the railroad tracks (work includes curb, gutter, sidewalk, and approaches in some areas).

Parks – Will assemble an advisory board to create a recreation program and longterm plans.

Water & Sewer Department – Will continue to look at infrastructure expansion to ensure sufficient capacity, the operations of Indiana Packers Corp., and the needs of the south TIF district. Last year a test/production well was drilled north of the city and a positive report on that exploration was received.

Mayor Evans said the City needs to bring in residents, not only because more people will share in the cost of utilities and services, but it will mean more customers frequenting local businesses.

Other business

Officers for 2017 are: Matt McKean, president; Jim Helms, vice president; Tracy Martin, secretary/treasurer; and board members Penny Robinson, Randy Myers and Rick Curts. Newly elected directors are Lisa Delaney, Drew Sandora and Ann Hughes.

The catered meal was served by Oakdale Dam Inn with assistance from the Delphi FFA Chapter. Music was provided by Delphi Community High School Music Department.


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