Citizen of Year is good choice
Mary Henkel Judson

Some people are gluttons for punishment, and Chuck Borders is chief among them.

He's the kind of guy who must love reading what would put the rest of us to sleep. He was probably the kind of kid who had his research paper done (and typed - making the rest of us look like slackers) a week ahead of time.

He's the go-to guy when there's a really important - and really tedious - job to be done. Chuck will do it - and be happy about it.

His interests know no bounds. He's all about kids. He's all about family. He's all about his community and making it better for everyone - whatever it takes.

It is no wonder he has been chosen as the 2007 Citizen of the Year.

Chuck has weathered adversity and disappointment, and certainly enjoyed success during his service to Port Aransas, because he keeps coming back.

Whether or not I've agreed with Chuck on every issue (and certainly we have not always seen eye-to-eye!), I always have admired his commitment to Port Aransas, its kids and, therefore, its future. In the face of defeat and disappointment, when asked to serve, or if he sees a need, Chuck is ready to step up to the plate. He has done so time and again.

One of his greatest passions is Boy Scouts. Here he is continuing to serve when his grandchildren are past the Scouting age. He still cares. Actually, I think he's a kid wearing an adult costume so he can stay in the game.

But then, that "kid" turns around and takes on the tedium of such tasks as planning and zoning, the charter review commission, annexation - the list goes on. It's not stuff for the faint of heart or those with short attention spans. This not the stuff of soap operas. We're talking heavy-duty community service, here. You don't do that to gain celebrity status. There is no glory in these tasks. Yet he takes them on, again and again and again.

We are by no means "old-timers", but since we bought the South Jetty in 1981 and moved here in 1983, Chuck Borders consistently has played an active role in the growth and development of this community, from all levels: Various aspects of the city, civic, school and youth groups.

Chuck Borders is an excellent choice for Citizen of the Year.

Please join us on Nov. 9 to toast him for all that he has so unselfishly given of himself to make Port Aransas a better place to live.

It's a great reason to give a "Party in Port A".

Cheers to you, Chuck! Mary Henkel Judson is co-publisher and editor of the South Jetty.