MRPC News
October 13, 2005
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
VOLUNTEERS FROM FIVE COUNTIES TO BE HONORED AT MRPC'S ANNUAL DINNER NOV.
10
ROLLA-Fifteen volunteers-including two youths- from around the Meramec Region
will be honored for their community service efforts Nov. 10 during Meramec Regional
Planning Commission's 2005 Annual Dinner, to be held at the Havener Center in
Rolla.
Those volunteers to be recognized for community contributions and volunteer
efforts include:
o Dana Campbell of Sullivan , nominated by Sullivan Mayor Jim Schatz;
o Patricia Young of Doolittle, nominated by Doolittle Mayor Paul Smith;
o Anton Libbert of Meta, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Jim
Kleffner;
o Harvey Richards Jr. of Steelville, nominated by Kathy McCann, who represents
the city of Steelville on the MRPC board;
o Linda Claycomb of Linn, nominated by Osage County Commissioner Russell Scheulen:
o Charles Bade of Owensville, nominated by Owensville Mayor Louise Baker;
o Norma Bretz of Cuba, nominated by Franky Todd, MRPC at-large commissioner
for aging;
o Charlotte Wiggins of Rolla, nominated by Rep. Bob May, ex-officio MRPC board
member;
o George and Liz Gruendel of Salem, nominated by Salem Mayor Gary Brown;
o Mary Happel of Salem, nominated by Earl Brown, MRPC at-large commissioner
for the
disabled;
o Bill Marshall of St. James, nominated by John Peterson, who represents the
city of Rolla on the MRPC board;
o Tyler Richter of Steelville, a youth nominated by Kathy McCann, who represents
the city of Steelville on the MRPC board; and
o Alicia White of Rolla, a youth nominated by Laura Cyr MRPC at-large commissioner
for small business.
The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteerism
and community service, will also be named at the dinner.
Former board member James Gwyn of Potosi will be honored for his service to
MRPC. Gwyn, who retired from the board in May 2005, was an at-large board member
representing the unemployed.
MRPC will be celebrating 36 years of service with this Annual Dinner, which
is hosted by the city of Rolla and the Phelps County Commission. Sponsors for
the event-in addition to the city of Rolla and the Phelps County Commission-
include the Rolla Regional Economic Commission, the Rolla Community Development
Corporation, Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center and the Fort Leonard
Wood Region Regional Commerce and Growth Association.
The special speaker for the evening will Pete Rahn, head of the Missouri Department
of Transportation.
The public is invited to attend the annual dinner in Rolla. The evening will
begin with a reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., featuring exhibits, finger food
and a cash bar. Dinner will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The program and awards presentation will follow the dinner and is scheduled
to begin at 7:30 p.m. Cost of the event is $18.50 per person. Reservations can
be made by calling MRPC at (573) 265-2993.
MRPC is a voluntary council of local governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade,
Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective
cities. Officers are Chairman Gary Brown of Salem, Vice Chairman Bob Reed of
Washington County, Secretary Mary Heywood of Bourbon and Treasurer Laura Cyr
of Phelps County. A professional staff, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical
assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, transportation
planning, housing assistance, environmental planning, ordinance codification,
business loans, strategic planning and other services to member communities
upon request.