Renowned civic leader Carol Marinovich will be honored by the Southtown Foundation as its 2008 “American Citizen.” At a gala presentation to be held December 12 at the Muehlebach Hotel, Southtown will celebrate Marinovich’s remarkable tenure as mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, and her dynamic record as a community organizer and agent for economic development. And you’re invited to attend and join in the celebration!
[img_assist|nid=262|title=Carol Marinovich|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=150|height=194]Marinovich’s stint as mayor of Kansas City, Kansas is most often remembered for the birth of the megaproject on the west end of the metro, anchored by the Kansas Speedway and Village West--more mixed-use drawing power than Kansans could have imagined before the mid-90’s. That project created over 4,000 new jobs and some $7 million for what had been an economically beleaguered sector. But her most lasting legacy may be her role in transforming how government operates - Marinovich was a leading force in, and mayor during, the transition to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, which is generally considered the most critical element in the county’s later success.
In her decade in office, Mayor Marinovich’s energies were poured into a wide range of interests for her city, and for the metropolitan area as a whole. Marinovich has long been an advocate for urban core redevelopment, inter-city partnerships, support for grass roots community organizations, and education. She has also earned honors as Mayor of the Year from the Kansas Mayors Association and the Regional Leadership Award from the Mid-America Regional Council.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the American Citizen Awards event, whose previous honorees include notables such as Senator Christopher Bond, Shirley and Barnett Helzberg, Anita Gorman and former KCMO Mayor Richard Berkeley. The event supports the Southtown Foundation, which carries on the public service and charitable efforts of the Southtown Council. For information on attending the luncheon, or serving as a sponsor, contact the Southtown Council at 816-532-5553.