Mayor touted as community builder by Aransas Mason Lodge No. 1018

Brown honored COURTESY PHOTO Mayor Claude Brown, right, received the Community Builder Award from Ronald Dye of the Mason Aransas Lodge No. 1018, Friday, June 8. The award is given to men and women who show devotion to their community and its people without the expectation of honor.

Port Aransas Mayor Claude Brown was awarded the Community Builder Award by the Aransas Mason Lodge No. 1018 on Friday, June 8.

The award is given to men and women who show devotion to their community and its people without the expectation of honor.

While attending high school and Del Mar College, Brown served as a volunteer fireman in the Port Aransas Volunteer Fire Department and worked for Glenn's Marine Auto Parts and Service.

At that time the city was on a tight budget and he, along with other firemen, used their mechanical skills to build up their own fire truck and pumpers until the city could afford the expense.

Those years provided a base for a lifetime of service to the community.

His endeavors acquainted him with the political problems of the island community of Port Aransas.

In an effort to alleviate some of the hardships faced by residents of the city, he turned to politics, and was elected mayor of Port Aransas in 2006.

Since taking office, he has established an open door policy and inaugurated several policies to help solve the unique problems faced by the city of Port Aransas.

One noteworthy project involved a bond issue to improve drainage throughout the city, which is subject to flooding during heavy rains, making streets impassable.

Throughout his adult life, Brown has worked quietly as a fireman, police officer, constable and builder to improve the city, never seeking acclaim or publicity, said Bill Otten, who nominated Brown.

With a genuine desire to improve conditions in Port Aransas, he has risen from a humble beginning to become its mayor, Otten said.

Brown, a native of Port Aransas, is the son of the late Claude H. Brown, a deputy constable, and his wife, Lucille.

He graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 1977, as an honor student.

Following graduation, he completed a two-year course in diesel mechanics at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi.

After two years as a city police offi- cer, Brown was appointed as a deputy constable for Nueces County Precinct 4, which includes Port Aransas.

He then took over a boat and yacht salvaging operation after the owners died, and moved into the construction business.

Brown developed a business installing pilings and developed his own water jet system as a quick and efficient method for installing the pilings. Many houses and buildings in Port Aransas are supported by the pilings he installed.

Brown also operates a commercial diving service and in this capacity has assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in recovering bodies of those lost at sea.

Past recipients of this award from Port Aransas are Judy Cole, Mike Hall, Sharon Schafer, Carl Castell and Mark Creighton.