FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Seifried will present a key to the city at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at Park Central Square, to a Springfieldian who has gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to spread good will in the community. Derek Smith, AKA Springfield Batman, has donated hundreds of hours to appear at local hospitals and at special events dressed as the caped crusader. “Our local heroes are the police officers, firefighters and hospital staff who provide life-saving service to those in need,” Smith said. “If my presence draws attention to their great work as the real superheroes, then I have set out what I’ve intended to do.” Representatives from the Springfield Police Officers Association and IAFF are expected to attend the ceremony at Park Central Square, which will include the debut of Springfield Batman’s “bat signal." “I think what Derek is doing is phenomenal and decided he needed a ‘thank you’ from the City. He is doing this work on his own free time, at his own expense, for no other reason but to cheer up sick children or bring awareness to the importance of our local public safety teams,” Seifried said. # # # For more information, contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement at 417-380-3352 or Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Seifried at 417-827-0501.