Citizen of Year draws 13 nominations for '07

A flurry of nominations for Citizen of the Year received on the deadline Friday, Oct. 12, brought the total submitted to 13.

The recipient of the Citizen of the Year will be honored Friday, Nov. 9, during the "Party in Port A" that is replacing the annual Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau 's annual banquet.

The award recognizes individuals for past and current service in several aspects of the community. Nominees must have a long record of giving back to the community in volunteer time without expectation of personal or professional gain. The number of nominations a single individual receives has no bearing on his or her selection as Citizen of the Year.

Nominations arereviewed to determine that all nominees are eligible based on the criteria for the award. The Citizen of the Year will be chosen from the eligible nominees.

Instead of a banquet atmosphere, the chamber will host an "island casual" party amid decorations that will recall Port Aransas of yesteryear and contrast it with Port Aransas now, welcoming long-time residents to mingle with the city's newer inhabitants.

Tickets will sell for $25 a person, down from $50 last year, and tables of eight will sell for $250, down from $500 last year.

After a dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs and boiled shrimp, the Citizen of the Year will be honored for his or her long service to the community.

Then, the party begins. Music will be by Flashback, a dance band that plays music from the 1950s to today. Advance ticket sales will be announced soon.