The City of Marion is pleased to recognize Tom Daubs as the 2022 recipient of the Paul Draper “Spirit of Marion” Award.
The award recognizes a City of Marion employee who best represents dedication to public service, combined with an exceptional work ethic, humility, a sense of humor and a sincere desire to see the City team and its individual members succeed. The award was presented today by Mayor Nick AbouAssaly and City Manager Ryan Waller during an employee luncheon held in conjunction with Public Service Recognition Week.
“This week provides us with the opportunity to honor and recognize our dedicated City team and the role they play in providing our residents with an unequalled quality of life,” said Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “It is especially exciting to honor an individual who shares a love for Marion and community spirit reminiscent of our departed friend and colleague Paul Draper.”
Tom Daubs has served as a Marion police officer for the past 26 years. For the last 10 years, he has been the school resource officer for Linn-Mar Community Schools. He also serves as the Marion Police Department’s public information officer.
Daubs is often heard saying he has the best job in the world.
“Tom Daubs is a local celebrity in Marion,” said City Manager Ryan Waller. “He is a dedicated public servant, a relationship builder and one of Marion’s biggest cheerleaders. Tom lives out our Reach Higher! philosophy daily and we are so blessed to have him on our team.”
Daubs can be found volunteering his time at after-school events simply because wants to help. He can be found on his bike, leading the pack of 5k or half marathon runners. And he can be found shaping young lives through his animated classroom visits and engaging DARE curriculum.
“The positive impact that Tom has had on students is best exemplified when he walks down a hallway or is out in public,” said Police Chief Mike Kitsmiller. “Wherever he goes, kids and adults alike, greet Officer Tom or approach him for a hug or handshake. He deserves a great amount of credit for creating such a positive relationship between Marion’s youth and the Police Department.”
The “Spirit of Marion” shines through in Tom Daubs.
The award is named for former City Council member Paul Draper. Draper was a great supporter of Marion’s progress and a tireless advocate for the community for decades. He served on the Civil Service Commission for 25 years and had a hand in the hiring of generations of police officers and firefighters, in addition to countless other City employees. He served on the Marion City Council from 2012 to 2020 and was on the Marion Chamber of Commerce and Marion Economic Development Corporation boards of directors at different points throughout his career. Draper passed away in Feb. 2020, and his legacy lives on, in part through this award.
Original source can be found here.
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