Saturday, December 30, 2023
GOOD AS GOLD
After 12 years at MHP, Bruce Bannister is trading his gold shirt for a minister’s robe. Rev. Banister has been full-time minister of the Second Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in western Shelby County since February. The 1975 Shelbyville High School graduate was at his assigned station on his last day, Friday, Dec. 29. Always smiling, Banister continued greeting incoming patients with patience, as he always felt that was his calling. | by JACK BOYCE
Mayor Presents ‘Kid Quill’ Key to City of Shelbyville
ABOVE: Shelbyville native Mitchell Quilleon Brown, better known as rapper Kid Quill, receives a Key to the City of Shelbyville on Thursday from Mayor Tom DeBaun. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
In the waning hours of his administration, Mayor Tom DeBaun paused from boxing books Thursday to present a Key to the City of Shelbyville to hometown hero Mitchell Quilleon Brown, better known as rapper Kid Quill.
“It’s important to support artists, and it’s important to support local artists and authentic expression,” DeBaun said. “I also think it’s important that your home base recognizes your talent and accepts it.”
Kid Quill, 29, sold out all of his “Good People Tour” shows this year, including stops in several U.S. cities and London. He performs in Australia next, and a 2024 tour is in the works.
Despite the dizzying schedule, the 2012 Shelbyville High School graduate maintains strong local ties. He has performed at The Strand multiple times and in 2019 collaborated with the SHS marching band.
“I feel like I still have so much to prove, but I really want at some point to show kids that it’s actually possible - and I know it’s cliché - to do anything you want to do,” Kid Quill said.
The mayor and the honoree's parents, Doug and Cathy Brown, spent time catching up before the presentation. DeBaun and Doug Brown served together in Mayor Frank Zerr’s administration, as plan director and city attorney, respectively.
Although Brown once managed his son’s career, he and his wife recently attempted to attend a Chicago show incognito.
“I really tried not to blow up my parents’ spot, but I have the song called ‘Doug and Cathy,’ and as I was introducing that song, everyone was pointing at my parents,” Kid Quill said.
DeBaun, referencing Kid Quill’s “Hometown Hero” work, lauded the rapper for staying in touch. “Not only are you performing literally on the world stage, but you've not forgotten where you come from,” the mayor said.
It was only the second Key to the City award of DeBaun’s 12-year mayoral career. The first was to the late Gilbert Gottfried.
“This was an easy decision,” DeBaun told Kid Quill as the Brown family headed toward the quiet City Hall landing. “We hope your face is on the wall next to Sandy Allen and Bill Garrett and all those people someday, because they pursued their passions and took the leap. So many of us are afraid to take that leap.”
And with that, the mayor returned to his bookshelf, and to packing mementos from his public service career.
NOTEBOOK
Long-standing Shelbyville Public Utility Board and Board of Public Works members Mayor Tom DeBaun, David Finkel and Bob Williams held their final official meetings yesterday. They are the longest-tenured board members in city history, serving alongside each other 12 years, or approximately 600 meetings. Counting his 18 years as city planning director prior to serving as mayor, DeBaun estimated he had been a part of about 1,500 board of works meetings. He thanked his two appointees for their work, and Robert G. Bowen Jr., a regular attendee, approached the podium to thank the board for their service. It was Finkel’s final city meeting after 32 consecutive years serving in various appointed positions. Williams is a former mayor, chief of police and city councilman. “I’ve never worked with two people who cared more about the city of Shelbyville than you two,” he said. “It’s been a great ride.” The Addison Times will provide additional upcoming coverage on their service. Next week’s board of works meeting will feature Mayor-elect Scott Furgeson and his appointees, Val Phares and Tom Reaves.
The Shelbyville Police Department responded to shots fired around 3 a.m. yesterday morning, according to a statement. The officers arrived in the 100 block of East Polk Street, WRTV reported, and located a 16-year-old male who appeared to have multiple gunshot wounds. “The juvenile was taken to an Indianapolis area hospital with life-threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition,” the police statement said. Police are searching for suspects, but do not believe the public is in any immediate danger. Anyone with information on the incident should contact Det. Mark Newman, 317-392-5118.
This Day in Shelby County History
2013: Morristown boys defeated Southwestern with the help of several key plays by Ty Streeval. No. 2-ranked Southwestern girls (Class A) defeated Morristown, led by seniors Taylor Eversole and Annie Thomas.
2003: Forrest Landis, who appeared in the latest Steve Martin movie, “Cheaper by the Dozen,” stopped by Shelbyville’s Cinema 3 Theatres to watch the movie with relatives, including Erica Oeffinger, of Shelbyville. Landis played nine-year-old Mark Baker, one of the members of Martin’s large family in the film. Jean DeWitt, of Cinema Three, 215 S. Harrison St., told The Shelbyville News she was surprised by the visit. “I was just thrilled,” she said. “He’s just a sweet boy.”
1993: Former Shelbyville Police Capt. Bill Benefiel died. He was survived by his wife, Jean Headlee. Benefiel had started his career as a motorcycle patrol officer with Shelbyville in 1957. Deputy Chief Bob Nolley said Benefiel was one of the finest captains the department ever had and that local officers would wear black ribbons on their badges in his honor. After retiring, Benefiel had worked at Alley Lumber in Waldron and Builders Lumber in Shelbyville.
1983: Bernard Sleeth retired as executive director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber president Nick Runnebohm said the organization hoped to hire a new director within a month. Screening committee members were Elmer DeWitt, Frank Learned, Bob Krantz and Runnebohm. The Chamber’s annual dinner was also approaching. Jack Boyce would be master of ceremonies. Tickets could be purchased from board members, including Larry Sandman, Don Becom, Dee Bonner, Margaret Hamilton, Bob Leming, Bob Meltzer, Betsy Stephen, Bob Thopy, Kathy Thornburg, Mike Warble and Mike Wheeler.
1973: A snowstorm resulted in almost 10 inches of snow. A newspaper photo showed Bill Brashear, with the city street department, operating a snow grader on W. Broadway.
1963: L.R. “Dick” Bryant, 73, a co-founder and former co-owner of the Bryant-Roth Furniture Store, died. Bryant had been associated with the S.B. Morris Co. from 1914 to 1939 when he and Ralph Roth formed their furniture company. Bryant retired in 1957.
1953: Bill Garrett, former Indiana University and Shelbyville High School basketball star, played in a double-header for the Harlem Globetrotters at the Indianapolis Coliseum against the Philadelphia Sphas. Two NBA teams, the Fort Wayne Zolliners and Philadelphia Warriors, opened the event.
1943: First Lt. William Sheedy, 24, was killed in action in Italy. Sheedy had graduated from Manilla High School and was a nephew of Drs. Fred and DePrez Inlow. His wife, Katherine (Baker), was still in nursing school at Indiana University.
1933: Two hundred and forty-seven out of 400 applicants in Shelby County were approved to receive pensions under a newly enacted 1933 law. Requirements included a minimum age of 70, have no other sources of income and be “in good standing” as citizens. The highest single payment would be $12 per month (about $285 in today’s money).
1923: Margaret Hoop was appointed director of the department of women and children of the state by Gov. Warren McCray. Hoop had been serving as clerk of the Shelbyville school board. Her father, James Tomlin, had once been superintendent of Shelbyville schools.
OBITUARIES
None today