April 2009

2009 Missouri LP Karl Wetzel and Champion of Freedom Awards

By Glenn Nielsen

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The Missouri Libertarian Party presented its annual awards during the 2009 Missouri Libertarian Party State Convention in Jefferson City April 18th. Mike Bozarth, an elected libertarian on the St. Josepth City Council and Buchanan County Libertarian Party Chair, was presented with our highest honor, the Karl Wetzel Award. Paula Benski, Robb Cunningham, Robert Stephens and Dave Browning were presented with Champion of Freedom Awards.

To each award recipient, libertarian activist, candidate and volunteer.

Thank you, for all you do, for freedom and liberty!

Glenn Nielsen
State Chair
Missouri Libertarian Party

Mike Bozarth - Karl Wetzel

Missouri LP State Chair Glenn Nielsen (right) presenting
Mike Bozarth (left) with the Karl Wetzel Award.

The Karl Wetzel Award is the most notable award given out by the Missouri Libertarian Party.

Karl Wetzel was a Libertarian Party activist, candidate and state treasurer who suffered a massive heart attack in 2000, leaving no heirs. His $50k life insurance proceeds were split between the National Libertarian Party and State Libertarian Party, while his $17k 401(k) with no beneficiary listed went to the state.

This award recognizes Mike's lifetime achievement for the Missouri Libertarian Party as Buchanan County LP Chair, as a member of both the Executive and State Committee's, as a candidate for office and as a libertarian elected to local office.

Mike was elected to the Clarksdale, MO City Council in 1988 and served until 1990. Mike was elected to the St. Joseph City Council in 2006 and continues to serve in office. In 2002 Mike ran for Buchanan County Collector and received 22% of the vote.

For many years Mike has written regular columns for the Libertarian St. Joseph Telegraph newspaper for which he is now the publisher.

Paula Benski - Champion of Freedom

Missouri LP State Chair Glenn Nielsen (right) presenting
Paula Benski (left) with a Champion of Freedom Award.

This award recognizes Paula's hard work for the Missouri Libertarian Party as a member of the Executive Committee, State Committee, St. Louis County LP Treasurer, candidate treasurer and helping put on events such as the St. Louis Area Caucus.

The Missouri Libertarian Party especially appreciates Paula's work as Missouri LP Treasurer for the last year. She stepped in when the party really needed her to resolve campaign finance issues with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Since your election as Missouri LP Treasurer in 2008 you have done an excellent job improving our accounting and providing monthly, quarterly and annual reports.

Paula's monthly pledge helps fund the day to day operations of the Missouri Libertarian Party.

Robb Cunningham - Champion of Freedom

Missouri LP State Chair Glenn Nielsen (left) presenting
Robb Cunningham (right) with a Champion of Freedom Award.

This award recognizes Robb's hard work for the Missouri Libertarian Party as a candidate for State Senate, a candidate for the First Congressional District twice and as a candidate for St. Louis Mayor in 2009. In 2008 Robb led the effort to raise money and place an election advertisment in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Robert Stephens- Champion of Freedom

This award recognizes Bob's hard work for the Missouri Libertarian Party as an author of numerous articles for the Show Me Freedom Newsletter, as a member of the Show Me Freedom editorial board and his monthly pledge in 2008. In 2009 Bob was a non-partisan candidate for the Springfield City Council, won election and now serves. Congratulations on your election to local office.

Dave Browning - Champion of Freedom

This award recognizes Dave's hard work for the Missouri Libertarian Party as a member of the Executive Committee, State Committee, Jackson County LP Chair, as the 2004 Libertarian Candidate for Attorney General and as the 2008 Libertarian Candidate for the Sixth Congressional District where he received 3.7% of the vote in a three way race.