Blue Springs, Mo. – Mayor Carson Ross is proud to announce that the 2013 Truman Heartland Community Foundation Outstanding Citizen Award recipients are Blue Springs residents, former mayor Steve Steiner and Dale Walkup.
The Outstanding Citizen Award honors area citizens in our communities who, thanks to their service and charitable support, have made significant contributions to the places where we live and work. Mayor Carson Ross describes Steiner and Walkup as “extraordinary residents that enable positive growth and community partnerships in Blue Springs.”
Steiner and Walkup were honored at the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s ‘Toast To Our Towns’ Gala on September 7, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Steve Steiner
After being elected as the mayor of Blue Springs, Missouri in 2004, Steve Steiner teamed up with his friend Dale Walkup to revive the Blue Springs Community Prayer Breakfast. The annual event, held around Veterans Day, has served to bring inspirational speakers to the community to honor local heroes, including veterans from World War II, the Korean, Vietnam and Desert Storm conflicts.
Steve is also the creative force behind the Chicago Street Christmas Lighting display in Blue Springs. Over the past 30 years, the neighborhood drive-thru display has been viewed by almost a million visitors and has helped raise over $300,000 for local charities.
Dale Walkup
Dale Walkup's civic life has centered on leadership, education and service with a focus on children, families and veterans. He has been an active volunteer serving on many boards and commissions. Dale was elected to the Blue Springs Board of Education for six terms, the Jackson County Board of Equalization for four terms, and the Blue Springs TIF Commission for one term. He has been a confidence builder in the community, as evidenced by six successful bond issues during tenure on the Board of Education, with his strong interpersonal skills that enable valuable consensus building.
Dale has been a member of the Blue Springs Christian Business Men's Committee since 1989 and has served on the Blue Springs Community Prayer Breakfast committee for twenty-five years in which he has been instrumental in bringing outstanding speakers to the Blue Springs community. Dale has also served as co-chair and treasurer of the Vietnam Memorial Fund for "The Wall That Heals" which was displayed at Pink Hill Park in 2010 and drew over 50,000 people to the City.
“I am honored to recognize both former mayor Steve Steiner and Dale Walkup for their contributions to our community,” said Mayor Ross. “It is with gratitude that I extend this honor to them for their many years of service to help make our City one of progress and promise.”
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