South County leaders, business organizations and community members celebrated Gold and Silver Star winners at a Star-News red carpet-style event on Wednesday at Seven Mile Casino.
Nearly 200 guests attended the Best of South County party and were treated to appetizers and entertainment by Rowdies and Rum, a band whose members are Chula Vista firefighters.
Winners were decided by The Star-News readers who filled out ballots online or by mail from September through November 2017. Readers this year voted in various categories throughout South County from National City to Chula Vista, from Eastlake to Bonita.
“The Star-News readers were polled over 13 weeks in 2017 to find the Best of South County,” said Linda Rosas Townson, publisher of The Star-News. “The categories ranged from best mailman to best teen hang out, best bartender to best place to walk your dog. Reaching over 73,000 readers each week, I believe South County has spoken. Our reader’s poll is the go-to guide for anyone in the community to find the best of who, what and where.”
Top vote getters in each category received the gold star honor while second place winners got the silver star award.
Some Gold Star winners include Performance Bicycle in Eastlake; Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center earned Best Hospital; and Westfield Plaza Bonita in National City is known as the best teen hangout.
Ed Franco won the Gold Star for best insurance agent in South County for the third consecutive year. He said the honor was “humbling and appreciative.”
“It’s a nice way to be acknowledged in our community,” he said. “If we are able to somehow connect with our customers and somehow get recognized for that, I think it validates what we try to do on a daily basis.”
New this year was an Editor’s Choice Award for Community Impact. For the award, The Star-News editor picked a business, organization or community member who has made a notable impact in the community. The winner of the award was Bill Schlegel.
