Steve Charles—I was doing some research on a story for an upcoming issue of Wabash Magazine when I came across the website of Indianapolis attorney Mark Rutherford ’82—actually, the site he keeps as chairman of the Indiana Libertarian Party. Mark, it’s been noted elsewhere, is the longest serving chair of a political party in the state of Indiana.
But what caught my eye was his entry about fellow Wabash alum Frank Hagaman ’72 (pictured at far right) and his work as president of the Partners in Housing Development Corporation. The Corporation’s mission is the "create or cause to be created" affordable housing for people with special needs.
We published an article about Partners in Housing in the Summer 1998 issue of the magazine, but Frank has just been named the 2006 Wabash Man of the Year by the Indianapolis Association of Wabash Men. So now we have a second chance to note and celebrate this important work.
Here’s some of what Mark Rutherford has to say about it:
"I’ve been intrigued by Partners in Housing because one of their recent projects, Linwood Manor, was done with private equity and without government grants and their restrictions. Dan and I met with Partners founder and chief executive officer Frank Hagaman and their Development Director Lee Ann Harper. One of the purposes of the meeting was to learn more about Partners and their success with Linwood Manor. Another purpose was to learn how the Libertarian Party of Indiana can help spread the word about Partners and the Linwood Manor project.
"We learned how Partners received many benefits by doing this completely privately (fewer government restrictions, requirements, and less reporting to government officials were highlighted, among many advantages). This helped drive down the costs from the typical project, which allowed them to do more and serve more disadvantaged people."
You can read more at Mark’s website, at the Partners in Housing page, or in the Summer 1998 issue of Wabash Magazine Online.
Photo: Bob Rhodehamel ’72 and Frank Hagaman as pictured on the cover of the Summer 1998 Wabash Magazine.
