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CAPTION: Livingston County Circuit Clerk, Brenda Wright (second from left) received the 2009 Jerry Litton Leadership Award and Democrat supporter Karl Rice (third from left) received the 2009 Charley Litton Outstanding Democrat Award during the Livingston County Men's and Women's Democrat Clubs joint meeting Thursday evening at the Farm Credit Services building. Livingston County Clerk Kelly Christopher (left) and Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney (right) presented the recipients with the awards.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

Livingston County Democrats honored two of their own for leadership and community service during their annual banquet Thursday night. The Jerry Litton Leadership Award was presented to Livingston County Circuit Clerk Brenda Wright and the Charley Litton Outstanding Democrat Award was presented to Karl Rice. These awards are named for former U.S. District Congressman Jerry Litton and his father, Charley, in recognition of the younger Litton’s achievements and his father’s role in supporting not only his son’s political ambitions, but, after the congressman’s death in 1976, those of other Democrat candidates on the local, regional, state and national levels.

Livingston County Clerk Kelly Christopher announced Wright as the Jerry Litton Leadership Award recipient. Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney presented the Charley Litton Outstanding Democrat Award to Rice. In making the presentation, Christopher said that the award is presented annually to an individual who reflects the qualities of Jerry Litton’s contribution to community service. Wright has been involved in local politics since 1995. She was born in Kansas City, Kan., and has lived in Livingston County for all but two years of her life. She graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1974 and began working at Churchill Truck Lines in 1975 where she worked for 19 years, managing the interline department and as executive secretary to Fred and Cliff Churchill. Wright became Chillicothe city clerk in a special election in 1995 and served in that capacity for 3.5 years. She was then elected as Livingston County circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder of deeds in November 1998 and is now serving in her third term. Wright is a member of the Women’s Democrat Club and is a past member of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. She is currently president of the Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity and treasurer of the Missouri Circuit Clerk’s Association. She is married to Lanny Wright and has three daughters: Sarah, of Kansas City; Emily, of St. Louis; and Megan, of Springfield. She also has two grandchildren.

Haney provided biographical information about Rice as he presented the Charley Litton Outstanding Democrat Award. Rice grew up on the Mississippi River from LaGrange, Mo. He followed the example of his father, a conservation agent, in his dedication to his career in law enforcement and in his intense belief in the principles of the Democratic party. After serving in the U.S. Army, Rice joined the Missouri State Highway Patrol. And, it was while working a minor car wreck that he met his wife, Susan, of 34 years. Rice has a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Western before it was a university, and then he joined the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Seven years and two children later, Rice returned to Missouri, moving to St. Joseph. In 1987, Rice went to work as an officer for the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. In 1994, he was promoted to district administrator and moved to Chillicothe. By the time he retired in 2005, his district was one of the most highly rated in the state. Even though he made an unsuccessful run for the 7th District state representative seat after his retirement, Rice continued to be active in the Democratic party. For the past couple of years, he has worked part-time as a driver for Helena Chemical. He is involved in the Missouri Trappers Association. He is an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener.

Thursday's banquet, which was at the Farm Credit Services building and included a catered mean by Hy-Vee, had around 50 people in attendance. Also during the evening, new officers for the men's and women's clubs were installed with Presiding Commissioner Eva Danner administering the oaths of office. Officers installed in the Men's Democrat Club were Harry Wyse, president; John Nelson, first vice president; Karl Rice, second vice president; Wayne Ware, treasurer; and Gordon Smith, secretary. Officers installed in the Women's Club were Carolyn Stephens, president; Roze Frampton, first vice president; Becky Wisner, second vice president; Livingston County Public Administrator, Sherry Parks, treasurer; and Chillicothe City Treasurer, Sherry Parks, secretary.