BonnerSprings.com

The suspense is over, and it didn't last long for much of the audience, after the first phrase of Mayor Clausie Smith's description the yet-to-be named Marion Vaughn Community Service Award Thursday night.

Smith's mention of the award winner moving to Bonner Springs in 1963 to serve as head high school football coach was the apparent giveaway to many in the audience

"Say it with me," Smith said at the end of his introductory speech that summed up the award winner's list of accomplishments and contributions to the community, which has included the position as the state representative for the 39th Kansas House District from 1992-2006.

The crowd of about 135 obliged, and in unison said, "Ray Cox!" as the man of the hour put his face in his hands.

"I am humbled and honored to join this group," Cox said, accepting the award from Smith. "Thank you very much."

After thanking his wife, Judy, for her support and the residents who helped in his door-to-door campaigning, Cox said in the House chamber "people knew when I'd go down to the well, I'd make my point and sit down. That's what I'm gonna do now," he said, and did just that.

He received a standing ovation.

Among the other highlights of Cox's biography that Smith listed were:

¢ Serving as vice principal at Bonner Springs High School

¢ President of the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Bonner Springs Economic Development Council and Bonner Springs Industrial Development Inc., and twice president of the Bonner Springs Lions club

¢ Serving as a member the USD 204 Board of Education for four years

¢ Establishment of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome family counseling program in Kansas.

Preceding the award to Cox were speeches by Smith, and by David Warm, executive director of the Mid-America Regional Council.

Smith recounted the city's accomplishments in the last year, including the approval of plans for a new retail development at the northeast corner of Kansas Avenue and Kansas Highway 7, and for a new 21-lot single-family subdivision near the Grandview area to be called Johnson Ridge, the final plat for the Cedar Ridge II 25-lot single-family development.

Smith also listed the implementation of a curbside recycling program in the city, plans for improvements to the water and wastewater utilities, expansion of the fire station to include an EMS facility and the second phase of the walking trail along 134th Street.

Warm discussed the goals and purpose of MARC, which includes in the area it serves 120 cities in eight counties on both sides of the Kansas-Missouri border.

Smith also presented a proclamation honoring Louisa Fletcher, a longtime civil rights and community leader. Fletcher was recently honored by the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville School Board, which renamed the district's Head Start Building for her.

Superintendent Robert Van Maren said the school's industrial arts class would design and fabricate the sign using a computer-controlled lathe.

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