From the Publisher's Desk
Pacific Pearl salutes Mazatlan’s citizens of the year
 
In the 16 years we’ve been publishing Mazatlán’s Pacific Pearl, the staff, Maricha and myself have had the privilege of meeting exceptional people who could have their photographs next to the words “giving” and “generous” in the dictionary.
 
Some of you were here helping those in need when the first issue of the Pearl was published in 1992; others arrived over the years and quickly learned how they could assist and immediately reached out.
 
We are convinced that those who come to Mazatlán and help – whether they are year-round residents, “winter snowbirds”, or one weekers – must be the most compassionate people to have ever set foot on foreign soil.
 
To watch all of you kind people – many who initially could hardly speak or understand the Spanish language –helping others in need with such enthusiasm day-after-day, year-after-year, has been a rewarding and humbling experience for us to witness.
 
And so, this issue is dedicated, in part, to each and all of you who have made positive differences in the lives of Mazatlecos.
 
In wanting to pay tribute to those whose volunteerism has made a profound difference in Mazatlán, we decided it was time to call specific attention each year to a person, couple or entity whose outstanding actions have resulted in changing lives or situations beyond what many could even begin to imagine.
 
And so, beginning with this April issue and every April issue from now on, the Pacific Pearl will pay personal tribute and say a public “thank you” and “hats off” to the honoree for helping others.
 
Because this is the first year of that honor, we established a certain criteria for the winner: longevity in helping, impact of helping and the reason they help – that personal part of a person’s soul that causes them to help better the lives of others simply because it is the right thing to do.
 
We received many nominations making this a difficult choice. The board of the Pacific Pearl thanks each of you who make a positive difference in the lives of others. You are all unsung heroes whom we’re proud and fortunate to call a part of the Mazatlán community.
 
And now to honor this year’s winner, please turn to page 8 and join the Pacific Pearl in paying tribute to Mazatlán’s Pacific Pearl Citizens of the Year 2008.
Michael J. Veselik
Publisher