While the sun glistened over Glorietta Bay in the background for extra ambiance, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce celebrated local first responders and community members at Feast & Fareway on Oct. 4.
The annual Celebrate Coronado event for the last 42 years serves as a token of appreciation for Coronado’s police officers, firefighters, lifeguards and city employees.
Each year, attendees enjoy a nice meal while award winners are honored.
“Celebrating their dedication and bravery allows us to express gratitude, but more importantly, their stories inspire others to contribute positively in their lives and in our community.”
-Rena Clancy, executive director for the Coronado Chamber of Commerce.
“Celebrating their dedication and bravery allows us to express gratitude, but more importantly, their stories inspire others to contribute positively in their lives and in our community and go above and beyond to make a difference,” Rena Clancy, executive director for the Coronado Chamber of Commerce, said of local first responders.
Dispatchers, lifeguard, firefighter honored
Claudia Solis and Lesly Fajardo were presented with the 2022 Police Dispatchers of the Year award for their outstanding response on June 11.
Police Captain Dustin Kulling said that Solis and Fajardo were operating the dispatch center on the day that Coronado experienced its first murder in 12 years.
“Their ability to manage the phone calls from the community while dispatching crucial location updates by radio proved to be vital in the apprehension of both suspects and the subsequent criminal charges.”
-Police Captain Dustin Kulling.
“Their ability to manage the phone calls from the community while dispatching crucial location updates by radio proved to be vital in the apprehension of both suspects and the subsequent criminal charges,” Kulling said.
Solis said that the award was significant to both of them, “reinstating that what we are doing is good for the safety of everyone.”
Drew Zailik, the fastest lifeguard in the United States Lifesaving Association’s National Championships, won the 2022 Lifeguard of the Year.
“I think the Coronado lifeguards are some of the best lifeguards I’ve ever worked with in my entire career,” Zailik said. “I’m really thankful the city put this event on to recognize the first responders, and I’m really thankful to be a part of the lifeguard team I’m a part of.”
Coronado Fire Chief Jayson Summers presented Jacob Mazzenga with the 2022 Firefighter of the Year award.
He noted Mazzenga’s outstanding work with the department’s health and safety and mental health programs and the paramedic medications and supplies budget.
Summers called Mazzenga “the hardest working individual he’s ever met.”
Martin Morales, one of the city’s tree trimmers, was honored with the 2022 City Manager’s Employee of the year award.
Lewis Hardy Award
Lastly, the annual Lewis R. Hardy Jr. Memorial Award was bestowed to “an individual who has made significant business and civic contributions, showing devotion to the overall quality of life in our community,” Clancy said.
The recipient was Michael Woiwode, former Navy captain, former city council member and former chamber board president.
“I want you to know that the real joy for me being mayor of Coronado for eight years, is that Mike Woiwode was there for all eight of them.”
-Casey Tanaka, former Coronado mayor.
“I want you to know that the real joy for me being mayor of Coronado for eight years, is that Mike Woiwode was there for all eight of them,” former Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka said. “He was a very calm voice, he brought the engineer’s perspective, where he could convince me better than any other council member to change my mind once in a while.”
The evening closed out with more mingling, as guests shook hands with the honored first responders and community members.
“Recognizing our community’s first responders is essential because they are the backbone of Coronado’s safety and well-being,” Clancy said.
