Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

PHELPS COUNTY—Ted Day of Rolla was awarded Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Eugene E. Northern award for his dedication to his community. Jamie Myers and Laura Antolack, also of Rolla, were honored for their volunteer services during MRPC’s 2015 Annual Dinner on Oct. 30 at the Havener Center in Rolla. The organization also honored nine additional volunteers and serviceorganizations for their contributions to communities during the event.

Each year, MRPC honors residents of the eight-county Meramec Region who volunteer their time, talents and support to their communities and charitable causes.

The MRPC External Relations committee selects award winners after being nominated by an MRPC board member. MRPC surprised Day with the highest award honor. Rolla City Administrator John Butz and Community Development Director John Petersen nominated Myers while Donald G. Brackhahn, MRPC At-Large senior representative, nominated Antolak.

Day is active or has been active on numerous boards including The Community Partnership, Phelps County Regional Medical center, Phelps Regional Health Care Foundation, Community Child Care Development Corporation (president), Rolla Regional Economic Commission, Rolla Community Development Corporation, First United Methodist Church, Hy-Point Tenant Association, Boys and Girls Town/Great Circle, Presbyterian Manor and the Rolla Technical Institute advisory group.

In addition to his volunteer efforts, Day is also a philanthropist. He served as co-campaign chairman for the Delbert Day Cancer Institute (DDCI) capital campaign, through Phelps Regional health Care Foundation, which raised $7 million towards the construction of DDCI. Day and his wife, Kim, were the first contributors. The cancer institute was named in honor of Day’s father.

Myers is a national certified counselor and gives his time to his community through Prevention Consultants of Missouri, a statewide not-for-profit agency, develops and directs multiple programs and services for youth, adults and families, developed the Success Through Attending Class project, is a founder and member of Rolla Youth Football, a member of the Rolla Board of Education since 2008 and is active in the Rolla Chamber of Commerce, the Phelps County Child Advocacy Network and Rolla Public Schools Parents as Teachers board to name a few.

Rolla resident Thomas (Ted) E. Day was honored with the Eugene E. Northern Award, MRPC’s highest honor. It is given to a volunteer who demonstrates life long community service. Northern, a former Rolla mayor, was a Missouri Circuit judge that was dedicated to his community and went beyond the call of duty.

Antolak has been an example of outstanding leadership in Phelps County through her service as a small business representative of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission. She was a founding member and chairman of the Meramec Regional Community Foundation, recently completed another term as a member of the St. Patrick’s School advisory board and has been instrumental in establishing the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center in Rolla. She is truly a leader.

Others honored included:

· Gary Brown of Salem, nominated by Darrell Skiles, presiding commissioner of DentCounty;
· Rosemary Gruver of Steelville, nominated by Leo Sanders, presiding commissioner of Crawford County;
· Jamie Jones of Vienna, nominated by Ray Schwartze, presiding commissioner of Maries County;
· Jan Sassmann of Belle-Bland, nominated by Belle Mayor Stewart Darrah and mayor representative Steve Vogt;
· Robert (Bob) J. Vinyard of Caledonia, nominated by Caledonia Chairman John M. Robinson;
· Planters of Pulaski County Garden Club, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Luge Hardman; and
· Potosi/Washington County Chamber of Commerce, nominated by Potosi Mayor T.R. Dudley.
Youth volunteers honored were:
· Harley Bialczyk of Belle, nominated by Belle Mayor Stewart Darrah;
· Seth John of Vienna nominated by Ray Schwartze, presiding commissioner of MariesCounty; and
· Sierra Zeiss of Steelville, nominated by Leo Sanders, presiding commissioner of Crawford County.

MRPC staff service awards were also presented during the evening. MRPC Housing Program Manager Linda Hollandsworth and Planning and Development Manager Kelly Sink-Blair were recognized with plaques for 15 years of service; Fiscal Officer Linda Loughridge received a 20 years of service plaque, and Housing Coordinator Tammy Rigsby received a 25 years of service plaque.

Lyle Thomas was also honored as MRPC 2015 Employee of the Year, a selection made by MRPC staff. Thomas is a senior community development specialist and works with transportation planning, comprehensive economic development strategy, homeland security, planning mobility management and the housing renovation programs.

Thomas was nominated by his co-workers because of his enthusiasm and willingness to help others and to go above and beyond the call of duty. He willingly accepted changes in duties and volunteers to help when needed and has built a knowledgeable, versatile, professional and friendly rapport with customers
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Meramec Regional Development Corp., the loan board that works in partnership with MRPC, presented its Lender of theYear award to First State Community Bank. Ernie Kost, president of First State Community Bank in Rolla, accepted the award on behalf of the bank.

Nearly 130 people attended MRPC’s annual dinner. Among those attending was Leon Camillo, who was a founding member of the MRPC board in 1969. Camillo represented the city of Potosi on the first MRPC board. Several area cities, businesses and board members donated items for the silent auction, which was held during the reception. MRPC Chairman T.R. Dudley, mayor of Potosi, served as master of ceremonies and was assisted by MRPC Vice Chairman Ray Schwartze and MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge. Welcoming addresses were provided by Rolla Mayor Lou Magdits IV, Phelps County Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp and Walt Branson, vice chancellor for finance and administration at Missouri S&T.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 24, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Chairman T.R. Dudley (right) surprised Ted Day (left) of Rolla with the Eugene E. Northern award, the highest volunteer award, at the MRPC Annual Dinner and award ceremony Oct. 30 at the Rolla Havener Center.

Nominated by MRPC At-Large Representative Donald G. Brackhahn (left) for volunteer contributions to her community, Laura Antolak (right) of Rolla was presented an award by Meramec Regional Planning Commission Chairman (MRPC) T.R. Dudley (center) at the MRPC Annual Dinner and award ceremony Oct. 30 at the Rolla Havener Center.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Chairman T.R. Dudley(right) presented an award to Jamie Myers (left) for his outstanding volunteer contributions to his community during the MRPC Annual Dinner and award ceremony Oct. 30 at the Rolla Havener Center.