NCRPC
The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) is pleased to announce that Darla Bebber, Miltonvale, Kansas, and Don Landoll, Marysville, Kansas, are recipients of the 2024 NCRPC Lifetime Public Service Awards. They will receive the awards at the NCRPC biennial banquet on Thursday, October 24 in Salina, Kansas.
The Lifetime Public Service Award was established in 2022 to recognize exceptional contributions by individuals or organizations to the well-being of North Central Kansas over an extended period. Darla Bebber was the Miltonvale City Clerk for 42 years. During that time, she demonstrated a tremendous commitment to public service through her position with the city, and also as a volunteer. Don Landoll, the founder, owner, and President of Landoll Company, LLC, has been dedicated to community and public service locally and regionally for many years.
“City Clerks have a key position in a community as a source of information, a hub of connections and also to keep things running smoothly,” says Deb Ohlde, NCRPC Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives, who worked with Bebber on various community projects. “Darla embraced that role and went above and beyond the basics to do it well.”
“Don is always willing to give his time, talent, leadership, and resources to promote the quality of life in rural areas,” says Jeff Crist, President of the Marysville Community Foundation. “Additionally, he is responsible for the creation of hundreds of local jobs and career opportunities in North Central Kansas and surrounding areas.”
The event on October 24 will include a speaker, meal and networking and will be held at Martinelli’s, located at 158 S. Santa Fe in Salina, Kansas. It will begin with registration and a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The cost is $20 per person, and advance reservations are required by October 17. Reservations can be made online at www.ncrpc.org/2024banquet or by calling the NCRPC office at 785-738-2218.
The keynote speaker, Aaron Putze, will share insights on driving progress, connections, and growth in rural communities. Putze is an author and speaker who also serves as the Chief Officer of Brand Management and Engagement at the Iowa Soybean Association.
“The nominations the NCRPC Board received for the Lifetime Public Service Award were top-notch,” says John Shea, NCRPC Executive Director. “Ms. Bebber and Mr. Landoll are very deserving of this recognition, and we look forward to honoring them at our banquet. We are excited about the event and hope that it is an opportunity to engage and be inspired.”
