Mr. Weisman, who mc’d the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Public Safety Awards luncheon this afternoon at the Vets Auditorium, was dependably sharp this time.
He measures his carefully parceled out wit with the exquisite precision of a nuclear scientist.
The Razor’s Edge
Working breathtakingly close to the margin on witticisms, he is careful not to spill a drop of restrained humor on the floor for fear of setting off an explosion.
Having honed his oratorical game to a razored peak that would draw blood from a turnip, Mr. Weisman cannot, however, relax.
A new challenger just strode through the door.
Whether he was armed or not, Police Chief Pedersen — the droll twin of Mr. Weisman — waded into the overflow blue-ribbon crowd in the Rotunda Room and stole the program.
Father of the Year
In the act of presenting awards to 6 members of the Police Dept., Mr. Pedersen launched a few rockets.
The uncontested winner emerged from his brief opening monologue.
Following Fire Chief Jeff Eastman to the podium, Mr. Pedersen, without warning, lit his first and best firecracker.
“We are here today to recognize 6 members of the department,” he said.
“Only one of them, I can assure you, is not the father of Anna Nicole’s baby.”
Lest anyone in the honored group begin to feel creeping insecurity, it is to be noted that only 5 of the honorees were men.
Maintains Its Altitude
For the spillover audience that included the loved ones who are attached to members of the top-rated Fire Dept. and Police Dept., the lively 40-minute program did not slide downhill from there.
The adroit Mr. Pedersen blended and dispensed the deeply serious sprinkled among a residue of perky particles of sparkling patter. He achieved both purposes of an orator, entertaining and informing.
Police Dept. honorees were:
Krishna Patel, Civilian Employee of the Year.
Chris Horii, Distinguished Service Medal winner.
Mark Reppucci, Distinguished Service Medal winner.
Kyle Houck, Sustained Superiority Award winner.
With insurance maven Janet Chabola at his side, handing out plaques and certificates, Mr. Pedersen sketched helpful portraits of each recipient.
Without the police chief’s oral biographies, who in the wider world would have known:
What Makes Brett Run?
That Mr. Nelson has run two dozen marathons?
That Mr. Horii is a world-class competitor in pistol shooting and with other firearms?
That Mr. Reppucci favors sleeveless tee-shirts? That he collects hot wheels?
That Mr. Houck formerly played Arena League football.
Roll It, Pat It, Mark It with ‘G’
That Kansas State is the only college on the continent offering a degree in bakery science? Earlier in his career, this was crucial for Mr. Garacochea, a K-State graduate, when he went into the family business. His parents operated the Pioneer Bakery in Venice.
That the much-respected Mr. Houck,a Green Bay Packers fan, earned more bouquets when he bashfully declined to step to the microphone? Admiringly, Mr. Pedersen said, “He is a class act.”
Singled Out
For modesty, the prize went to Mr. Reppucci and his acceptance speech. “Everybody in the department works hard,” he said. “I got lucky and got chosen.”
Accenting the importance of family to members of the Police Dept., Mr. Pedersen brought the spouses, parents and girlfriends to the podium area — for recognition and for the photographers.
Still in Mourning
For the Fire Dept. awards, Chief Eastman promptly established a tone of solemnity. Last September, the very popular veteran Chuck Baird became the first active member of the department to lose his life.
“We are still reeling,” Mr. Eastman said.
The members of the B Shift, summoned to the scene of Mr. Baird’s fatal accident, were saluted.
With the assistance of businessman/activist Mehaul O’Leary, Mr. Eastman cited the following ndividual winners:
Marty Kutylo, Firefighter of the Year.
Scott Sullivan, Firefighter of the Year.
Rhonda Sykes, Distinguished Service Award winner.
Jim McPhillips, Career Achievement Award winner.
Mr. McPhillips, who has served an unprecedented 32 years as a paramedic, said he is retiring in a month.
