Gino Mediati, manager of the Pacific Ace Hardware on Main Street, has consistently been of service to the town over the years and this year, his commitment to the Winters community has been recognized when he is recognized with the Theodore Winters Award. The Theodore Winters Award goes to locals who made a significant impact on the community in a short time. Mediati, along with the recipients of awards for Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year are recognized by the Chamber of Commerce at the Toast of Winters. According to President of the Chamber of Commerce Chris Calvert, Mediati demonstrated his dedication to Winters when he pulled together his staff to keep his store open during the first Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) in November; and when he helped supply the lights for the downtown this holiday season. “When the power goes out for more than about 24 hours, you realize there are a couple of things you really need,” Calvert said. “Basically, places were shuttered, but the door was open at Pacific Ace Hardware” “Gino did not have Pacific Ace Hardware open in the dark to make money. He was there to make sure that if the citizens of Winters and the surrounding area needed something, they could come by Pacific Ace Hardware […] and get what they needed.” Calvert said Mediati, who was honored as Business of the Year in 2016, had a longstanding record of community service, including working on the Downtown Parking Committee. “In the case of Gino, there is a lot to be said,” Calvert said. Mediati was surprised by the announcement that he’d won the award. “I’m honored and surprised. I wasn’t sure what acts I had done. I thought they called the wrong guy,” Mediati said. He said although it was difficult to run the store with limited staff and no power, he and his employees made do. “When you have no computers these days, it’s pretty tough,” Mediati said. “ We went around with flashlights and notepads.” Mediati said it was a group decision, and he and the staff were happy to help the community.]]>
