Only a few nominations for Citizen of the Year had been received as this edition of the South Jetty went to press, cause for concern since the deadline is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 17.

Typically, 15 to 17 people send in nominations.

With no time to deliver nominations by mail, they should be dropped off in sealed envelopes before 5 p.m. tomorrow at the South Jetty office, 141 W. Cotter.

The 2008 Citizen of the Year will be honored at the annual banquet on Thursday, Nov. 13, when a light-hearted look at doing business in Port Aransas will be presented.

The award recognizes individuals for past and current service in several aspects of the community. These citizens have records 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 the selection as Citizen of the Year.

Nominations are reviewed to determine that all nominees are eligible based on the criteria for the award.

"It is critical that complete background information about the nominee be provided so the selection committee can determine which nominee best meets the criteria," said Ann Bracher Vaughan, executive director of the tourist bureau, which sponsors the award.

A nomination form that accompanies this story should be completed and delivered to the South Jetty office.

Previous recipients of the Citizen of the Year Award are, starting in 1991, Dale Bietendorf, the late Lillian Graham, Mark Creighton, Una Farley, the late J.C. and Wanda Barr, Georgia Neblett, Mike Hall, the late Barbara Sheppard, John Thompson, the city's first responders in 2001, George Horner, Pam Greene, Betty Crawford, Charlie and Linda Zahn, Richard Safford and Chuck Borders.