When Jack Dreessen came to town, he didn’t waste any time getting his feet wet, and not necessarily in the surf.

He’s most visible in his many roles on and off the stage at the Port Aransas Community Theater, but he wears many, less obvious hats.

Jack is the 2010 Port Aransas Citizen of the Year, and, after you read the story on Page 1A of this edition, you’ll understand why.

Whatever he’s involved in, his desire to bring others pleasure and give this community the gift of his many talents is obvious.

The sharing of his time and talent has made Port Aransas a better place to live and visit. He has contributed to the unique quality of life that the community offers without a desire for celebrity, thanks or benefit of any kind – other than the pleasure of giving.

When Jack came to town in 2002, he had a fireball at his side – his wife, Alicia, who was equally involved. Her death in 2007 was a blow, but Jack has carried on in the same spirit he and Alicia shared that brought beauty, pleasure and good humor to those around them.

Port Aransas is better because of Jack (and Alicia) Dreessen, and we salute him as our Citizen of the Year.

-- mhj