Glenn Martin named Citizen of the Year

STAFF PHOTO BY MURRAY JUDSONCitizen support It’s hard to be a good citizen without family support, and the 2011 Citizen of the Year, Glenn Martin, standing third from right, has plenty. Surprising him Thursday, Jan. 26, at the celebration announcing the recipient of the award are, from left, Martin’s brother, Rawley Martin of Corpus Christi; his son, Matt Martin of San Antonio; his daughter, Samantha Youngblood of Corpus Christi; his wife, Judy Martin; and his mother, LaVerna ‘Myrrh’ Martin of Corpus Christi. Looking on at right is Ann Bracher Vaughan, president and CEO of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau, which sponsors the award. The Citizen of the Year award meant a sleepless night for the recipient’s mother.

Almost 97-year-old LaVerna “Myrrh” Martin was not told that her son, Glenn Martin, was going to be presented the award until the drive from her Corpus Christi home to Port Aransas to attend the celebration where it was presented on Thursday, Jan. 26.

It’s a good thing.

Glenn Martin said that when he called her a few days later she told him she was so excited after the presentation she wasn’t able to sleep.

Martin became the 22nd citizen of Port Aransas to be presented the award since its inception in 1991. The award is sponsored by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau, and is presented each year at the chamber’s annual celebration during which new officers and directors also are introduced.

“It was a wonderful night,” Martin said. “It was a total surprise and very overwhelming.”

Martin was selected on the merits of his service to the city, the school district, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, chamber of commerce, and a variety of local, state and federal committees.

He served as a member of the Port Aransas ISD Board of Trustees, Port Aransas City Council, mayor of Port Aransas, a member of the chamber of commerce-tourist bureau board of directors (and was just elected chairman of that board), and a member of the chamber’s Economic Development Committee.

Martin is president of the Redfish Bay Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association and as a member has, for the past 27 years, put on the Take A Kid Fishing Tournament that encourages parents to take their kids fishing and introduce them to the lifetime joy of the sport while teaching them about conservation.

He is a member of the Federal Advisory Panel for Coastal Pelagic Species, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Shrimp Advisory Panel, the TPWD Seagrass Task Force, and the Spotted Sea Trout Work Group.

“For all the years that I’ve been in Port Aransas, Glenn has been involved in a variety of ways giving of his time and talent to the community without ever expecting any recognition,” said Ann Bracher Vaughan, president and CEO of the chamber.

“I think it was obvious the other night that he was truly surprised and never expected such recognition. He represents the epitome of what the ‘Citizen of the Year’ award is all about, and was way overdue,” she added.

The Citizen of the Year award recognizes individuals for past and current service in several aspects of the community, which should be above and beyond the requirements of the individual’s employment.

Criteria for the award requires that nominees have long records of giving back to the community without expectation of personal or professional gain, and their contributions must have broad impact on the community rather than be focused on one cause or organization. The award is not intended to recognize an individual for a single accomplishment. Candidates for political office are not eligible for nomination.

In making the nomination, Georgia Neblett wrote that Martin “is not motivated to serve for personal credit or for business reasons, but rather because he recognizes that a job needs to done for Port Aransas, and he has the desire, knowledge and skills to see it done well.”

Neblett said much of what Martin has done for Port Aransas has been accomplished anonymously through contacts he has developed over the years.

“He can pick up the phone and call or bring an issue that affects Port A to the attention of someone who can make a difference,” Neblett said.

Martin, Neblett wrote in her nomination, “can always be counted on to help a fundraiser, whether by donating to the cause or raising his hand at an auction.”

Martin is still called upon by legislators and their aides for advice about the impact legislation might have on this area, Neblett noted.

“Glenn has always been unselfish with the time he devotes to our betterment,” Neblett wrote.

In addition to being surprised he was selected Citizen of the Year, Martin was surprised by the presence of his family. In addition to his mother, Martin was joined by his wife, Judy Martin; his son Matt Martin of San Antonio, his daughter, Samantha Youngblood of Corpus Christi, and his brother, Rawley Martin of Corpus Christi.

Martin joins a list of Citizens of the Year that includes 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, George Horner, Pam Greene, Betty Crawford, Charlie and Linda Zahn, Richard Safford, Chuck Borders, Barbara Behrens and Arlene Hughes, John Fucik and Jack Dreessen.

“I’m humbled by the award. It means a lot to me,” Martin said.