Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Rhonda Rodgers, Wade Guffey, Reese Snodgrass and Victoria Busch were honored with outstanding community service awards during the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, held Oct. 23 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Each year, MRPC honors residents, local agency representatives and local elected officials in the Meramec Region who contribute to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support and going above and beyond the call of duty. This year’s event was hosted by Dent County, the City of Salem and the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. 

Rodgers, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman, was honored for her decades of service as Maries County Clerk. She is a cornerstone of service in Maries County. She has served 31 years as the Maries County clerk and she served as deputy county clerk for four years prior to that. Rodgers serves with integrity and professionalism and pours her energy into ensuring every election runs smoothly, securely and fairly. She works tirelessly to organize and train poll workers, reach voters and promote civic engagement. She works long days and longer nights, committed to transparency and election integrity. She is also key to the success of the Belle Fair, serving as secretary/treasurer since 2017 and board member since 1998. She has been active in her children’s school and sports, helping with fundraisers, often donating or purchasing items to support local causes. She has also been involved with the YaYa’s, Belle/Bland Booster Club and local PTO. Rodgers shows commitment, a steady presence and giving spirit that has shaped Maries County for the better. 

Guffey, nominated by MRPC Board Member Steve Vogt, is a valuable member of the Belle Fair Board serving for the past 10 years. He does whatever is necessary to get ready for the fair – setting up the carnival, working on the track for the demo derby, working the concession stand or fixing water and electrical issues. Guffey has also volunteered with the Belle Community Betterment Association for the past 10 years. He is involved in fundraisers such as trivia night, beer garden at the fair and park extravaganza swap meet. His recent project has been managing the replacement of the Belle Park front gate – including fundraising, working with contractors and volunteers and doing much of the physical labor himself. He is also a member of the Belle Community Betterment Association, serves on the planning and zoning board and is involved in planning future projects like the Flag Park along the Rock Island Trail State Park. 

Two Maries County youth were also honored for their volunteerism. 

Snodgrass, nominated by Maries County Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman, is the daughter of Willy and Amie Snodgrass. She is active at Maries County R-I and in the Vienna Community. Snodgrass volunteers at the food pantry and blood drives and is involved with her church, helping with socials and summer bible school. She has helped with trash cleanup in the park and at school Snodgrass is a member of the National Honor Society, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Pep Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is the chapter secretary of the Vienna FFA and has served as sentinel for the last two years. Snodgrass plays varsity basketball and served as the team manager. 

Busch, nominated by MRPC Board Member Steve Vogt, was very involved with her school, Maries R-II, and Belle Community and her church. She is the daughter of Drew and Tasha Busch. She volunteers at vacation bible school and as a teacher at her church. She also helps with the Maries County R-II Community Foundation fundraisers. Busch has been the assistant volleyball coach for the 3^rd and 4^th grade volleyball teams. She was the captain of her varsity basketball and volleyball teams. She volunteers at the Belle Fair and local auctions. She delivers cookies to a local nursing home and has also received the community service award from the High Gate 4-H Club. Busch is active in Belle’s FFA program, served as vice president and sentinel, earning a state degree. She is a member of the NJAA and MO Cattlemen’s Association. She plans to be a physical therapy assistant and volunteers with local health agencies. 

“It was so good to come together in-person and honor our volunteers,” said MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge. “We are only able to honor a few volunteers each year, yet we extend our gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers in our region who truly make our region such an amazing place to live, work and visit. We are successful because of our volunteers. We hope that by recognizing a few volunteers, we can inspire others to volunteer their time and invest in their communities.” 

The night included a reception that began at 5:30 sponsored by the Archer-Elgin Engineering, Surveying and Architecture and The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local Union Missouri 1839. Pepsi- Cola of Rolla donated soda and Jim Holland donated Curling Vine Winery for the event. Reception music was performed by Mitch Shields, executive director of the Lake Ozarks Council of Local Governments. A silent auction, held during the reception, raised $1,488 and a 50/50 raffle sponsored by Sherry Stites, Shelter Insurance and Stites Insurance Agency LLC, which raised $1,146 split between the winner and MRPC, to offset the costs of the dinner. Approximately 181 people attended this year’s event. The dinner was catered by Vintage Apron of Salem. 

“This year, we also recognized some long-time county and city officials who have gone above and beyond their job duties to serve residents,” Prigge added. “We thank them for their service.”

Other leaders who were recognized for contributions to their communities are:

• Dent County Clerk Angie Curley of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson, 
• Rolla City Administrator John Butz of Rolla, nominated by MRPC Board Members Kent Bagnall and Dawn Bell, 
• Charles “Chuck” Ray of Bourbon, nominated by MRPC Board Member Mary Heywood, 
• St. James Chamber Director Kelly Money of St. James, nominated by MRPC Board Member Tasia Gordon, and
• Dana Richter of Steelville, nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Steve Black.

This year’s other youth award recipient was: 

• Brooklyn Zamora of St. Robert, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson. 

The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, was presented to Joann Goethe of Waynesville for 2025. 

Goethe, nominated by Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson, has called Waynesville home since 1995. Since that time, her home has been a haven for veterans, newcomers and neighbors who need help or a kind word. Goethe often mentors new families offering rides to medical appointments, supplying school essentials or dropping off hot meals at Thanksgiving. She is heavily involved in “Fostering Together,” fostering over 80 children in a span of 30 years. She saw families struggling to clothe their new arrivals, so in 2020, she established the Foster Closet, where foster parents could find clothes, supplies and a friendly face. With her help, countless foster children have arrived into a foster home with new clothes in a new backpack. Every Christmas, Goethe launches a gift drive, raising money, gathering volunteers and delivering wrapped gifts to foster kids. 

Goethe also volunteers her time as a key organizer of several major local events, including the Freedom Festival, Oktober Festival and Christmas on the Square and raises money for local nonprofits. 

“Because of her dedication and example, countless young volunteers have stepped forward to help with the Foster Closet, local festivals and holiday drives,” said Wilson in his nomination form. “She shows that one person’s kindness can ripple through an entire community. Her life is marked by a simple truth – by offering your resource, your time and your heart – you can light a path for others to follow.”

The Lender of the Year award was also presented during MRPC’s Annual Dinner. Working in partnership with the Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC), MRPC recognizes lending institutions who partner with MRPC/MRDC on local business projects. For 2025, the Lender of the Year award was presented to Town and Country Bank.   

Staff members were recognized at the 2025 awards banquet for years of service included: 

• Eva Voss, Senior Community Development Specialist, 5 years of service; 
• Fredd Burton, Maintenance Technician, 5 years of service; 
• Jill Hollowell, Environmental Program Specialist, 10 years of service; 
• Kelly Sink, Project Development Manager, 25 years of service; 
• Linda Loughridge, Fiscal Officer, 30 years of service; and
• Tammy Rigsby, Senior Housing Coordinator, 35 years of service. 

Each year, MRPC employees are asked to select one staff member who performs above the call of duty, exhibits exemplary work performance, voluntarily promotes the organization and exhibits a positive work ethic and attitude. MRPC’s 2025 employee of the year was Samantha Sherman, Senior Community Development Specialist. 

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. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin serves as chair of the board. A professional staff of 24 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/.

-30-