Celebrating Exceptional Community Members across the Eastern Jackson County Region

Each year, Truman Heartland Community Foundation tasks area mayors with nominating an extraordinary citizen from their city to receive the coveted Citizen of the Year Award. These citizens have proven themselves to be instrumental in the development of strong communities and offering unwavering support to their neighbors.

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2025 Citizens of the Year

Below are the Citizen's of the Year, nominated by participating Mayors across Eastern Jackson County.  They will be recognized during the 2025 Toast to our Towns Gala, September 20, 2025, Hosted by Truman Heartland Community Foundation. 

 

Blue Springs – Brad Batz

Nominated by Mayor Chris Lievsey

 

 

 

 

 

Grain Valley - Jerry Vaughan 

Nominated by Mayor Mike Todd

 

 

 

 

Independence - Gerry Winship

Nominated by Mayor Rory Rowland

 

Lee's Summit - Michael VanBuskirk

Nominated by Mayor Bill Baird

 

 

 

Oak Grove - Michelle Alexander

Nominated by Mayor Dana Webb

 

 

 

 

Raytown - Dave Thurman

Nominated by Mayor Mike McDonough

 

 

 

 

 

Sugar Creek - Krystal Thompson

Nominated by Mayor Mike Larson

 

 

 

 

 

Citizens of the Year History: Honoring Local Changemakers Since 1996

The Citizens of the Year awards celebrate everyday philanthropists who are making a real difference in their communities. Nominated by their mayors, these honorees exemplify the spirit of service, leadership, and local impact. Their stories inspire others to give back, strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods and building a more connected, compassionate region.

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Blue Springs 

BLUE SPRINGS CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996Jim Moran2012Eleanor Frasier
1997Olen Wilkinson2013Steve Steiner and Dale Walkup
1998Imelda Farmer2014Ted and Betty Meyer
1999Carol Journagan2015Linda (Blackwell) Landahl Edison
2000Pam Albarelli and Lyle Shaver2016David Smith
2001Derrick Warren2017N. T. Reed (Nick) Burrus
2002Diane Mack2018The Cosentino Family
2003Cindy Coburn2019The Meyers Family
2004Larry Sparks2020James L. May
2005Louie Lamendola2021Cindy Miller and Dale Carter
2006Lois Krueger2022Keith Hannaman
2007Rick Nelson & Jeanie Lauer2023Russel Clark
2008Dr. Mark & Mrs. Cheryl Mozer2024Bobby Hines
2009Tom Evans2025Brad Batz
2010Art Phillips  
2011F. Mark Hissong and Steve Mokosak  

Grain Valley 

GRAIN VALLEY CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996Robert Gillette2014Allen Lefko
2001Steve Gildehaus2015Michael Scully
2002Kim Roam2016Darryl Jones
2003Matt Farlin2017James (Jim) T. Cook
2004Jan Reding2018Jim Kissick
2005David Hackett2019Dr. Brad Welle
2006Chuck Johnston2020Christina “Kiki” Claphan (posthumous)
2007Dr. Chris Small2021David Ward
2008Mary Strack2022Bob Headley
2009Sharon Stewart2023Marty Napier
2010Dale and Sheila Arnold2024Eddie Saffell
2011David “Scott” Hedger2025Jerry Vaughan
2012Jeff Coleman  
2013Nancy Totton  

Grandview

GRANDVIEW CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1999Don Armacost Jr.
2023Ben Teevan

Independence

INDEPENDENCE CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996Roberta Coker2012Bill Rogers
1997Paul Weston2013Jack Gant
1998Steven E. Mauer2014Bill and Jill Esry
1999Lu Vaughan2015Ron and Molly Clemons
2000Carl Mesle2016Donna Pittman
2001Robert F. Glaser2017Brad Speaks
2002Galen Boyer, Jr.2018Dave and Connie Mayta
2003Ken Johnston2019Randy (posthumous) & Kathleen Vest
2004Larry Blick2020Stan and Michele Crumbaugh
2005Dr. Bridget McCandless2021Karen Downey
2006Glenn and Ada Betts2022Karen DeLuccie (posthumously)
2007Cynthia & Kenneth McClain2023Bob Spradling
2008School Transition Team2024Alversia Pettigrew
2009Nina & Ira Anders2025Gerry Winship
2010Robert J. “Bob” Reeds  
2011Jerry Mackey  

Lake Lotawana

LAKE LOTAWANA CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996Paula Martin
1997Brenda Ferrell
1998Rodney Sommers
1999Barbara Robison
2000Howard Chamberlin
2001Dave Wagner
2023Carl Chinnery

Lake Tapawingo

LAKE TAPAWINGO CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
2017George W. (Renny) Buckaloo
2018Rocky Queen
2019Tomi Bellinghausen
2020Brad Cloverdyke
2021Tom Goddard
2022Jayme Dean
2024Robert “Bob” Seago

Lake Winnebego

LAKE WINNEBEGO CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
2006Robert Bennett
2007Bob Mais
2008David Claycomb
2009Jim McCambridge
2010Shirley Bond
2011Dr. Jim Elias
2012Aldo Mariotti
2013Michael Collar
2014Steve Silverstein
2015Steve Besermin
2016Richard Williams

Lee's Summit

LEES SUMMIT CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996Rev. Tom G. Haley2012Susan Coffman
1997Mary Stacy2013Christine Bushyhead
1998John C. Graham, Sr.2014The Tominia Family
1999Kay Ford2015Art and Hope Davis
2000Bud Hertzog2016Nick and Jennifer Swearngin
2001Betty McNought2017Laurence Pressly
2002Mel Aytes2018Rod Handley
2003Paula Belser2019Dr. Jay Rapley
2004Phyllis Hamilton & Russ Berlin2020Wyatt and Crystal Durgan
2005Gene Gamber2021Bob and Cany White
2006Kathy Smith2022Dr. Elaine Metcalf
2007Larry Stewart, posthumously2023Carl Chinnery
2008Geneva High2024Dave Eames
2009Mary Ann & Michael Paul Swisher2025Michael VanBuskirk
2010Jon Ellis and Vicky Cundiff  
2011Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi  

Oak Grove

OAK GROVE CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
2000Brad and Fred Byam
2007Hollis Dyer
2008Norby Corn
2009Roy Meier
2010Floyd and Frances Evans
2011Danny and Dottie Hughes
2021Maeghan Timothy
2022The Fidler Family
2023Randy and Becky Messer
2024Ruth Ann Hafner
2025Michelle Alexander

Raytown

RAYTOWN CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996Penny Hoffman2012Bob and Jodie Smith
1997Shirley & David Wurth2013Terry Landers
1998Judith L. Ness2014Michael McDonough
1999Allen J. Brown2015David Bower
2000Robert R. Sego2016Chris and Stacey Payne
2001Alyse Stoll2017Steve Mock
2002Edna Scahill2018DeeAnn Stock
2003Dr. Marlon Steinert2019Vicki Turnbow
2004Rosalie Vanzant2020Carol Frevert and Mary Oyler
2005Gary Knabe2021Allan Thompson
2006Al Maddox2022Dr. Allan Markley
2007John Ness2023Martha Cockerell
2008Mike Apprill2024Pat Ertz
2009Kenneth Blom2025Dave Thurman
2010Kenneth Fleishmann and Kenneth Whisler  
2011Barbara and Ben Carmack  

Sugar Creek

SUGAR CREEK CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
1996John C. "Jack" O’Renick2012Dennis Onka
1997Nancy Kimak2013Stan Salva
1998John McEvoy2014Herbert Soule
1999John Maglich2015Valerie Soule
2000Charles Dumsky2016Robert “Bob” Buckley
2001Lanard Toys2017Joseph D. Kenney
2002Mark O’Renick2018Don and Mary Puhr
2003Alex Petrovic2019Don Border
2004L. Earle Conner2020Bill Haman
2005Ron Rybarczyk2021Stan Sagehorn
2006Joe and Kathleen Woods2022Jeffery J R Shawhan
2007Robert Pinter & Barry Berislavich2023Pat Casey
2008Robert & Jake Welch2024John C. “Chuck” Mikulich
2009Veronica Powell2025Krystal Thompson
2010Jim Rittel and John Ryan  
2011Robert and Debbie Ray  
2024 Mayors during the Citizen's Reception Celebration

Learn About Past Citizens of the Year

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