Lee's Summit Citizen of the Year Michael Paul Swisher
07-25-09
Lee's Summit Citizen of the Year, Michael Paul Swisher
By Kathy Smith / Society Editor
Photo: Kara Taylor from the City of Lee’s Summit, Michael Paul Swisher and Bill Skaggs during the awards ceremony at the Civic Leadership awards banquet which was held on July 16. Swisher is the Citizen of the Year for 2009.
Big news this week folks! Michael Paul Swisher was named Citizen of the Year for the City of Lee’s Summit. The West Gate Region of the Missouri Municipal League held its annual Civic Leadership awards banquet at the Adams Mark Hotel in Blue Springs. Lee’s Summit is one of several cities who are members of this fine group. The group represents five metropolitan counties including Jackson, Clay, Platte, Ray and Cass Counties. The winners made all kinds of wonderful contributions to their cities. They come from all walks of life.
Bill Skaggs Mayor Pro- Tem of Kansas City began the evening by taking a crack at Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser. The various communities should be very proud of the good deeds their citizens have done for them. Eighteen humble recipients made their way to the podium to receive their awards.
Lee’s Summit should be grateful to Swisher who co-chaired the Safer Greener Campaign. This campaign had the biggest turn out of any bond issue yet. It just shows you that folks are serious about their environment. Swisher and his beautiful wife Mary Ann have attended hundreds of meetings, all to help others in the Cedar Creek Water Shed who suffer from the same water problems that have plagued the couple for years. The water problems they have experienced had made it impossible for the Swishers’ to do anything in their basement. The main problem is that their house was built too close to Cedar Creek. The Swishers’ became proactive and wanted to effect change, and with strong hearts and persistence they have made a difference for our city. Mayor Karen Messerli made a great choice to represent the City of Lee’s Summit.
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