2010 Citizen of the Year Named

The Chesterfield City Council has named Joan Schmelig as the 2010 Citizen of the Year. A Citizens Selection Committee comprised of citizen committee and community volunteers presented their recommendation to the City Council following their review of several nominations. Acting-Mayor Barry Flachsbart presented Mrs. Schmelig with the award at the March 21 City Council Meeting, with many of her family and friends present.

Citizens of the Year are recognized for their benefit to the City of Chesterfield through volunteerism, working on community projects, and overall civic contributions to the community. Joanie has served on the Beautification Committee for the City of Chesterfield since 1993 and also serves on the board of Chesterfield Arts. She is a board member of the Faust Park Foundation and is a past officer of the Chesterfield Athletic Association and Chesterfield Community Association. Mrs. Schmelig also served on the committee to secure and purchase property for the ball fields in the Chesterfield Valley and was instrumental in the disaster recovery efforts following the 1993 flood. She has had a 29-year career as the president of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the state. She is responsible for many long-standing community traditions that Chesterfield residents look forward to such as the summer concerts in Faust Park, the Business Expo, and the Gumbo Flats Pumpkin Run.

Kathy Higgins, the City's 2008 Citizen of the Year, was one of many who nominated Mrs. Schmelig and stated, "She has such a love for our City, and sings our praises at all times. I have never met anyone that is more ethical, hard working for her City, and proud to be a resident and to work in Chesterfield. She so very much deserves this wonderful honor."

Craig Conway, Executive Vice President of Lindell Bank and former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce stated in his nomination, "She has helped enrich all of our lives and enriched our city by her example of living and breathing everything good about Chesterfield. She helped organize relief efforts when the valley flooded in 1993. Chesterfield and Joan are synonymous."

Acting-Mayor Barry Flachsbart stated he was honored to be able to present Mrs. Schmelig with the City's award. She will also be recognized at the City's bi-annual volunteer appreciation dinner on March 23.

Mrs. Schmelig and her husband Dick have been residents of Chesterfield for over 40 years. Family member include a son, Greg Schmelig, and daughter Cindy Blake and her husband Michael and five grandchildren: Madison Schmelig, Corbin Schmelig, Sheridan Schmelig, Hunter Blake and Isabella Blake.

Other nominees for Citizen of the Year were Craig Bidner, Mary Brown Biddle, Jane Durrell, Michael & Neathery Fuller, Stacey Morse, & Dale Schwartz.

Joanie & Acting-Mayor Flachsbart