Knightdale Honors its own

The town of Knightdale honored its own at a Town Council meeting recently.

“I’m so proud of this community,” said Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen.

It was Killen’s job to hand out the awards that started with the family of Wayne Shultz, a community supporter who died recently. Killen said his work with the Planter’s Walk Homeowners Association, the Knightdale Public Safety Center, the Eastern Wake Fire Department and the Knightdale Historical Society was noteworthy.

Schultz created the web site for the Historical Society and entered many submissions. Killen talked about his level head and his desire to help his neighbors.

“He wasn’t a ranter or raver,” said Killen. “When he came to you to discuss a problem, he had his facts and his figures to back it up.”

Killen also recognized Chris Chapman and Rachelle Friedman who he said brought positive national attention to the town of Knightdale with their moving story.

The young couple’s wedding was delayed after Friedman suffered a head injury at a party to celebrate their engagement last year. A playful push in the pool left Friedman paralyzed from the waist down.

Enter the NBC Today Show, homemaker show George to the Rescue, the town of Knightdale, the Planter’s Walk Home Owner’s Association, Wake County Building Inspection office, the Knightdale Public Safety Department and the Remodelers Council of the Wake County Homebuilders Association.

The television morning show featured the home makeover of the couple’s home to a handicapped accessible house. It included a remodeled master suite, a deck with a handicapped accessible ramp, a new kitchen and an elevator.

Killen gave the Remodelers Council an award for going to their vendors who donated materials and for doing the actual work of the remodeling along with the crew of George to the Rescue. Everybody had a part, Killen said.

The couple took turns thanking members of the community. Rachelle Friedman said she wanted to throw a party and invite the community to come and see the work of so many hands.

Killen topped off the awards ceremony by recognizing Tim Guffey and Ron Fullerton for rescuing a Knightdale woman from a house fire.

Margaret Blalock was cooking chicken Friday, Jan. 28 at her home 503 South Hampton Street when the pan caught fire.

Mrs. Blalock who uses a walker became unbalanced and fell. She couldn’t get up and crawled into the living room and called 911.

Fullerton and Guffey pulled Mrs. Blalock to safety while Goley Boggs, Chris Rozier and Candler Thornton were coming in the back door to rescue her.

Fire chief Tim Guffey said the work of the EMS medics was stellar.

“They began treating her there for smoke inhalation and transported her to Wake Med,” said Guffey.

All those kudos were a memorable way to open a routine meeting.