July 4, 2012
T HE PAPER Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Wabash native leads Samaritan helicopter Manchester University fireworks to be held July 4
by J.D. Sparks Wabash County native Brad Wilson realizes he’s lucky enough to both love his job and be helping people in the process. Wilson was recently named the head pilot of the Samaritan helicopter, a flying ambulance that transports patients for Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne. “When you get to enjoy what you are doing so much and you also get to do something that helps other people, that’s a rare thing,” Wilson said to The Paper. “It’s not really a job you get a lot of praise for, but when you have a family member of someone you’ve flown and someone you’ve helped and they recognize you and thank you, you really feel good about yourself. “It feels good to help people.” Wilson has been flying helicopters and airplanes for 23 years since his days in the Army. He began flying helicopters in Chicago for the NBC news affiliate and also the Loyala University Hospital before moving to Fort Wayne in 2002. Wilson said one of the reasons he took the job in Fort Wayne was to be closer to his family. Despite being born in Wabash, he grew up in Fort Wayne. In fact, his first emergency flight for Parkview Regional was to Wabash County Hospital, where he was born. “I was born in Wabash and I grew up in Fort Wayne and my parents are still on the west side of Wabash,” Wilson said. “When I had an opportunity to fly with Samaritan, I took it. That way, my family could be
It’s time to strike up the band and light up the sky with Manchester College’s annual 4th of July Celebration in North Manchester. The free community party begins at 8:30 p.m. on July 4 at the athletic grounds of Manchester University, with fireworks at 10 p.m. Manchester’s Independence Day gift to the community last year wowed more than 1,500 visitors with music, a patriotic speech or two, $1 food, kites for kids and fireworks, of course. The Manchester Civic Band sparks the evening, led by Reggie Smith in favorite patriotic tunes and toe-tappers. A welcome at 9 p.m. is followed by patriotic readings by community members. Crowd favorite Bart Corricelli, an Iwo Jima veteran and former commander of the Eel River American Legion Post, will prime the patriotism.
BRAD WILSON, BORN IN WABASH, stands next to the Samaritan helicopter, a flying ambulance used by Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne. Wilson was recently named the lead pilot for the Samaritan. (photo provided) together more instead of having to drive from Chicago.” He said he took the job when the former lead pilot wanted to spend more time with his family. “The last lead pilot was close to retiring,” he said. “He wanted more time to drive to his father in Peru and he wanted someone else to take over what he has been in charge of all these years.” Wilson currently works nights. His workday begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts until 6:30 a.m. “On any given day, I could be doing nothing but sitting down and doing paperwork to having absolutely no time and doing flights all night,” Wilson said. “It’s pretty busy in the summertime with people being outside and doing more things. Things get busy with people boating and stuff like that. And, there’s always stuff to do back in the office when I’m not on
a flight, too. “I take care of the payroll, keep track of documents, and you have to fill out some other paperwork after every flight.” With the temperatures hovering above triple digits, Wilson has been needed in the helicopter more than usual. “On top of it already being more busy in summer, you get a few more calls because of heart attacks and strokes,” he said. “These are people who might be pushing it to begin with, though.” Wilson said the Samaritan is equipped with all of the up-to-date technology. “It has autopilot, radar, XM weather—if we pick someone up and the ER staff decides we need to go to Indianapolis, we can check how the weather is right then and decide if we can go,” he said. “We also have night
vision goggles and the Samaritan has the screens for those types of things. It does everything.” Parkview Hospital doesn’t own the Samaritan helicopter, noted Wilson. Wilson works for and the Samaritan is owned by Air Methods Corporation (AMC). “I’m also kind of the middle man between the hospital and AMC and I smooth things over between the two,” he said. “AMC takes care of the pilots and the maintenance for the helicopters so the hospital doesn’t have to worry about it. “Parkview leases the aircraft. AMC makes it easier on them.” Wilson’s parents, Dan and Melinda Wilson, currently reside in rural Wabash. His grandmother, Jean Wilson, and his uncle, Jon Wilson, also live in Wabash County.
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Manchester underwrites the $5,000 cost of the fireworks, which town firefighters launch on the east edge of campus. Guests will want to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the band’s performance, near the Physical Education and Recreation Center (PERC). Afterward, the soccer field bleachers provide a premium view of the fireworks. Beware, they fill quickly. North Manchester Rotary will serve up $1 hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, water and soda throughout the evening to benefit local community projects and reading programs. For safety of the guests and campus, sparklers and other personal fireworks are not permitted. The rain date is Thursday, July 5, at the same time and place. For directions to the Manchester campus, visit www.manchester.edu.
Public fireworks display postponed until Sept. 1 by Danielle Swan The June 25 meeting of Wabash City Council began with three ordinances being passed on second reading. The first was to vacate a portion of Daniels Street between Orchard and Branch streets. The second ordinance amended the City Code to bring it up to date with the current practice of asking contractors to make repairs to streets damaged during the course of their work. The third ordinance amended City Code to address the issue of handicapped parking spaces within the city. Council Member Joan Haag asked if any Downtown merchants had expressed concern regarding the parking ordinance. Council members and Mayor Vanlandingham reported that no one had expressed concern. At the request of constituents, Council Member Haag asked if there has ever been Council discussion regarding a requirement that trains refrain from sounding horns in areas that have gates. City Attorney Doug Lehman reported that federal statute requires that every crossing be outfitted with gates before a city may require trains to silence their horns. Several crossings in Wabash are not outfitted with the necessary gates. Lehman also mentioned that occasionally the gates malfunction or people disregard them so the horns still serve a purpose even at
crossings that do have gates installed. Council Member Bonnie Corn inquired about the status of the $600,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant. Mayor Vanlandingham responded that no action has been taken, but that community leaders in Wabash and North Manchester are identifying areas that they hope to have examined. Mayor Vanlandingham had until June 27 to determine if the annual public fireworks display would be held despite the dry conditions and burn ban in place. He ended up making the decision to cancel the fireworks. The display has been rescheduled for Sept. 1. Some council members expressed concern regarding regulation of private fireworks displays. Lehman informed the group that cities and counties have no authority to ban fireworks, even under a burn ban. “What I can say is anybody who fires off fireworks in this kind of condition is going to be liable if it starts a fire and you’re talking about the possibility of a pretty expensive fire,” Lehman said. As of July 2, Wabash County was still under a burn ban. Mayor Vanlandingham closed the meeting by reading a letter of congratulations to Northfield’s baseball team for earning the State Championship.
In Memoriam Benjamin Beachler, 39 Agatha Hippensteel, 95 Lorene Miley, 98
Shirley Mills, 69 Connie Noel, 67 Roger Ranck, 87
Vol. 35, No. 16 Lucille Reed, 93 Stephanie Straitiff, 86 Mary Wertenberger, 89
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