Blue Springs, Mo. – Bill Essmann was honored with a 2017 Missouri Municipal League West Gate Region Civic Leadership Award July 20, 2017.
“I sincerely appreciate Bill’s passion and dedication to the betterment of the Blue Springs community,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “It was my pleasure to honor him with this distinguished award.”
Bill Essmann was honored for his dedication to the Blue Springs community including serving on several boards and commissions including the Blue Springs Economic Development Council; Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors; St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors; Blue Springs Business Association Board of Directors; Truman Heartland Community Foundation Blue Springs Advisory Board; Friends of Scouting, Heart of America Council, BSA, Blue Springs Chairman; Blue Elk District, Heart of America Council, BSA, District Chariman; and he served as the Blue Springs F.I.T. Chair.
In February 2017, Mayor Ross appointed Bill as the Citizens for Quality Parks and Healthy Lifestyles Committee Chairperson for the 5-Year Dedicated Parks Maintenance Sales Tax initiative. Essmann’s determination was key in the committee’s successfully passage of the April 2017 election campaign for a one-half cent sales tax for Parks Maintenance in Blue Springs. Bill was able to recruit volunteers and lead a grass-roots campaign including speakers’ bureaus, letters, articles and signage. Through the committee’s efforts, the 5-Year Dedicated Parks Maintenance Sales Tax passed with nearly a 70 percent approval rating. Special thanks to Donna Best and Maureen Johnson for their especially hard work and hours of dedication to the campaign and to their city.
In February 2011, Essmann lead the resident committee in the successful passage of the Public Safety Sales Tax. This sales tax has allowed the City to address public safety equipment, infrastructure and personnel.
The West Gate Division of the Missouri Municipal League hosts a Civic Leadership Award Banquet annually at the organization’s July meeting. This banquet gives West Gate communities an opportunity to recognize the exceptional contributions of business and civic leaders in developing stronger cities. Mayors of participating municipalities selected an outstanding civic leader in his or her community.
The West Gate Region of the Missouri Municipal League consists of member municipalities in the five metropolitan counties of Jackson, Clay, Platte, Ray and Cass.
The Missouri Municipal League provides a united voice for municipalities across Missouri. Founded in 1934, MML now serves more than 650 municipalities with training, resources and legislative advocacy for local government success. Learn more at www.mocities.com.
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