::An Award Winning City::

		President of National League of Cities Mayor Ellis was elected President of National League of Cities in November 2011. Read more...

		Center for Non Violence Chief Tammy Schaffer was recognized in October of 2011, by the Center for Non-Violence during their annual luncheon. Plaque states "For her committment to ending domestic violence in our community".


		Frank O'Bannon Sunshine Award Former Indiana First Lady Judy O'Bannon, left, presented Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis with the Frank O'Bannon Sunshine Award in recognition of his efforts to promote open government. The award is an annual selection made by the Hoosier State Press Association and was presented to Ellis in Indianapolis as part of the HSPA annual meeting.

		Outstanding Special Project The Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department was presented with the 2010 Outstanding Special Project award at the annual Indiana Parks & Recreation Association (IPRA) conference in Indianapolis on Friday, January 21st. The award was for their "Dog Days of Summer" program. The award was under the promotional tools category for their innovative approach to not only promoting Pickett's Run Park, but local businesses as well. The Parks Department greatly appreciates the assistance of Patti Langel from Pampered Pets who assisted them in organizing the event. They'd also like to thank all the other pet-related businesses and individuals who participated and attended the event and look forward to a bigger, better program this August!

		INvision Award Fire Chief Bob Plummer awarded this honor in September of 2010. Long before the term “interoperable communications” became the buzzword for effective public safety, Bob Plummer was working towards the goal. He stepped up to the plate early on, serving as a member of several statewide interoperable communication groups, including the IPSC Policy Subcommittee, the Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Executive Committee and the SCIP Implementation Committee. His consistent support of improved interoperable communications in his community and the state is well known, and as a result he is sought out by many of us for his opinion and guidance.

		Outstanding Service Award The 2009 Outstanding Service award was presented to Mayor Ted Ellis by the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association. Bluffton Park Superintendent, Pam Vanderkolk, presented the award at the annual State Conference held in West Lafayette. The award recognizes the many ways he has assisted the parks department over the years.

		Outstanding Special Projects Park Superintendent Pam Vanderkolk and her assistant Brandy Fiechter were awarded the Outstanding Special Projects award for the Destination Recreation Weekly newspaper column that runs in the Bluffton News-Banner. This article is used to keep the residents informed of the many activities sponsored by the Parks Dept. The award was given out at the 2009 State Conference in West Lafayette.

		D.A.R.E Agency Head award for the State of Indiana Chief Tammy Schaffer was selected for this award after being nominated by Officer Holland. Chief Schaffer is a strong supporter of the D.A.R.E. program, locally and statewide. She also continues to teach as a D.A.R.E. office just completing her 20th year. (August 2009)

		Treasurer of United Cities and Local Governments United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is an international association representing local and regional governments and their national associations. During its annual meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, Mayor Ted Ellis was elected to serve in the position of Treasurer for the UCLG.

		President of the Indiana Association Chiefs Police Chief Tammy Schaffer is the first woman to serve as president of a state chiefs of police association. Tammy has been a member of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police for many years. She will work closely with the organization's director to help benefit the association. The mission of the Indiana Chiefs of Police is to promote professionalism, training and networking for the law enforcement executive and to enhance public awareness of law enforcement and public safety issues.

		"Outstanding Program" Fireman Bradley Evans, Park Superintendent Pam Vanderkolk and Fire Chief Bob Plummer are shown with their award for "Outstanding Program" from the Indiana Parks & Recreation Association at the annual conference in Indianapolis. The award was presented for this cooperative program entitled "Fire & Ice (cream) Social. This was held in October. Fireman Evans gave a fun, yet informative presentation of the proper use of fire extinguishers and other fire safety tips. All participants were given the opportunity to practice putting out a pan fire. Ice cream sundaes were then enjoyed following the demonstration.

		Parks Department wins National Park and Recreation Awards Pam Vanderkolk and Brandy Fiechter of the Bluffton Parks & Recreation Dept. are pictured here sharing with Mayor Ted Ellis and Rev. Cindy Osgood of the First United Methodist Church the awards that they were presented at during the “POW” (Programming Our World) conference. This annual conference is a National Parks & Recreation Assoc. sponsored event that is hosted by the Michigan Parks & Recreation Assoc. This is the 6th year that Bluffton Parks Dept. has been fortunate enough to be honored. This year’s award winning programs were: “Senior Exploration” in the Senior Programming Division and “Pumpkin Launch” in the Adult Programming Category.

		America's D.A.R.E. Office of the Year Officer Bruce Holland received the D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year award after attending the National Conference in Nashville. Bruce has been training new D.A.R.E. Officers for the past 14 years. He is a past president of the Indiana D.A.R.E officers association and a member of the D.A.R.E. Indiana advisory Board. In 1993, he was recognized as the Indiana D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year. Today, Bruce serves as the resource officer for Bluffton Harrison Schools. The D.A.R.E. program here, under Holland's leadership, has worked with literally hundreds of children and youths steering them toward drug-free substance free commitments.

State Honors The Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department along with the VFW Post 2809, Angel of Hope Park and Bluffton Police Department were recently honored by the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association at the State Conference held in Indianapolis. The groups were nominated by Pam for their hard work and dedication to Bluffton and the Parks Department.
		The VFW Post was honored with the “Essential Service:” award. This award is for those groups and individuals who unselfishly support their local parks. Accepting on their behalf were Bill Hansen, Elmo Riddle, Butch Werling, Lawrence Dubach and Jerry Lockwood.
		Angel of Hope Park committee was awarded “The Facility Award” for the beautiful gift they have so kindly dedicated to the community. Accepting on behalf of the committee were Jane Searles, Pam and Kurt Gentis. Click here to find out more on the Angel of Hope Park.
		“Best Program Award” went to the Bluffton Police Department for the event Boot Camp. Click here to find out more about Boot Camp.

		Brandy Fiechter & Pam Vanderkolk (front L - R) are pictured here sharing with (top row L- R, Sgt. Jim Mettler, Assistant Police Chief Nathan Huss, Officer Mike Miller, Chief Tammy Schaffer and Mayor Ted Ellis) the awards that they were presented at the National Recreation & Parks Association sponsored programmers conference. The award winners were in the Camp Division for the "Bluffton Boot Camp" and in the Youth Division for "Fear Factor".

		Building an inclusive community. Our community believes that every person has value. We are committed to making certain that every person feels included whenever possible. In its simplest terms, “inclusiveness” is a commitment by our community to include everyone as we make decisions, conduct business, hold events and educate our children. Bluffton was featured in a recent USA Today article about its Inclusiveness Agenda: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-03-inclusive-inside_x.htm

		Best Practice by FEMA Planning is Key to Mitigation - Success Achieved by Community The Wabash has overflowed its banks many times since the Great Flood of 1913. The floods in 2003 and 2005 forced residents to evacuate and encouraged them to consider steps they could take to protect themselves and their property in the future. www.fema.gov/mitigationss/brief.do?mitssId=981
		Pam Vanderkolk and Brandy Fiechter of the Bluffton Parks & Recreation Dept. are sharing with Mayor Ted Ellis the awards that they were presented at the National Recreation & Parks Association sponsored programmers conference, “POW”. This is the fourth consecutive year that they have been honored for their innovative programs. The award winners were in the Youth division for the “DinoMite Dinosaur Dig” and in the Pre-school division, they won for the “Winter Wonderland” Christmas program.

		Mayor Ellis receives IACT Russell G. Lloyd Distinguished Service Award The Russell G. Lloyd Award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to local government. Nominees for this award must display accomplishments beyond their community, including contribution to IACT and public service, leadership and personal initiative. Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson at the Annual IACT Banquet presented the award.

		Parks Superintendent Pam Vanderkolk and her assistant Brandy Fiechter were awarded the following awards at the annual POW (Programming Our World) conference, a division of the National Recreation & Parks Association. Bluffton Parks & Recreation Dept. won for the Best Arts Program for their “Ooey Gooey Art Day” held at Washington Park in August and for the Best Inclusion Program for their “Art in the Park” cooperative week of art with Joseph Blaizer of CreArt and many Bi-County clients.

		Bluffton's Finest are now America's Finest. The Bluffton Police Department has been honored with selection as the Best Dressed City Police Department in the United States with departmental size under 200 members.

		The Bluffton Parks Department won awards for the Best Special Event/Family Program; for the Mother/Son Stampede and the Best Arts Program; for the Christmas Display and their Paper Christmas Tree Decoration Contest at a conference hosted by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. This conference is a division of the National Parks and Recreation Association.

		Innovative Use of Communication Award The award was presented for the cooperative public relations plan of Mayor Ted Ellis and County Assessor Connie Prible which informed the property owners of the new assessment standards. This plan was developed to not only provide the history of the court ordered reassessment but also to inform property owners of how these changes would affect their property bills.

		Annual Indiana Association of Cities Towns Conference Mayor Ellis and Mayor Jim Trobaugh of Kokomo. Mayor Ellis takes the gavel to serve as President of the Association for 1 year.

		The Local Government Cooperation Award Given by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns to one city in Indiana for its cooperative efforts with other units of government. The City's SOS (Student Out of School Suspension) Program gives students an opportunity to complete lessons and perform community service under the supervision of the Bluffton Police Department as an alternative to suspension.

		Indiana's Outstanding Officer of the Year Against Domestic Violence Awarded to the Police Chief Tammy Schaffer for her leadership in chairing the Wells County Domestic Violence Task Force.

		National Parks Best Overall Program Awarded for the Junior Forensic Day program of the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department. National Parks Best Inclusion Program Given for the Special Needs program led by Angie Sissons for the Adams-Wells Special Services Cooperative through the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department. National Parks Best Art Program Awarded to the popular Mystery Dinner program of the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department. National Parks Best Youth-Teen Program Awarded to the Junior Forensic Day program of the Bluffton Parks and Recreation Department.