By Jennifer Tangeman
Dave Wegner has been recognized as a beacon of hope for local inmates and a steward for the community.
The Cass-Pulaski Community Corrections director has been named as the 2010 recipient of the Pharos-Tribune’s Beacon Award.
“I don’t know really what to say,” Wegner said upon learning of his award. “It’s humbling, I guess. I’m really appreciative.”
Those who nominated Wegner for the award described his work with the corrections program as beneficial both to the offenders and to the community at large. They highlighted his work on Little Turtle Waterway and in beautifying downtown.
Wegner said he considered the community service projects not a personal accomplishment but an effort of the entire department.
“I don’t see anything I’m doing myself,” he said. “I think this is a reflection of everybody in our department and our relationship with the city and county.”
Becki Harris, executive director of Logan’s Landing, nominated Wegner for his work coordinating the program that helps maintain downtown and the upkeep of flowers and hanging baskets, as well as the construction of an additional greenhouse at the Family Opportunity Center site to grow those flowers.
“Inmates are seen in a more favorable light by our community’s citizens as they are visibly working to improve the downtown,” Harris wrote. “Paying their debt to society while creating beauty to be enjoyed by all.”
Wegner said the corrections department’s community service program had been able to expand with the opening of a new work release center in October.
“It allowed us to have more availability to do the community service program,” Wegner said. “We view our job as basically, one, to help the offenders get back to the community and, two, support the community. Our work with community service downtown and with the greenhouse is always with the intention to give the community something back, and now that we have our facility, we have more means and availability to do that.”
Mercedes Brugh credited Wegner with leading community service projects at Little Turtle Waterway.
“But just as important as the work that his crew has accomplished for the trails is the chance for the inmates’ rehabilitation,” Brugh wrote. “I have witnessed first-hand the respectful relationship Dave has with his supervisors and the prisoners, and the genuine care and nurturing that Dave extends to the inmates.
“Dave wants to rehabilitate any inmate who will work towards that goal. We are luck to have Dave in Logansport.”
Wegner has a more modest view of his accomplishments.
“I don’t view it as anything I myself have done,” he said. “It is a lot of people that have the same thoughts and ideas and desires to improve the community as a whole. I’m really kind of shocked, but I appreciate it.”
Brugh, herself a Beacon Award winner in 2007, highlighted Wegner’s work to help the community at large with his vision. Wegner was also nominated by Jan Fawley, administrator of the Logansport Parks and Recreation Department and last year’s Beacon Award winner.
The award, established as part of the Pharos-Tribune’s 160th birthday celebration, is intended to recognize a local visionary who works to improve the community.
Past recipients in addition to Brugh and Fawley are Brian Shockney, president and CEO of Logansport Memorial Hospital; Mike Meagher, executive director of Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services; and Joyce Gebhardt, executive director of the United Way of Cass County.
Wegner will receive the award Jan. 13 at the state of the city and county luncheon sponsored by the Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce.
• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.
