Page 1 - Brandon Sun - Readers Choice 2018

Find out who Brandon

voted ‘best of’ in 2018

BY TYLER CLARKE

Collecting more than twice as many organization.
votes as last year, this year’s Brandon Chrest took a lighthearted approach
Sun Readers’ Choice Awards compiles to learning he was a finalist.
20,899 opinions from readers “I didn’t know I had that many
Publisher Jim Mihaly said that this relatives in town that would have been
year’s jump in numbers is a reflection calling in on my behalf,” he said with
of the community’s growing a chuckle.
familiarity with the awards. Chrest was also named a finalist in
Since last year’s inaugural Readers’ the categories of “Best Dressed Man,”
Choice Awards took place, several of “Most Invisible Politician” and “Most
last year’s award recipients have used Trustworthy Politician.”
their awards as a marketing tool. With three of these four categories
Westside Plumbing and Heating positive, he said that while he
have had a decal of the award recognizes the awards aren’t “terribly
logo installed on several work scientific,” it’s still an honour that so
vehicles. many people would think of him.
Although the company is, “There are a lot of wonderful people
again, a finalist in this year’s in our community, so I would feel a
“Best Plumbing Company” lot of it rubs on each other,” he said.
category, he said that while This same humbled stance is echoed
grateful, he’s “not going to by members of the business
blow out the peacock feathers community who have been named as
too much.” finalists this year, with Contractor’s
Sharing who/what they Corner owner Geoff Gregoire
consider the area’s best people, pointing to fellow “Best
places and things, this year’s Contractor/Carpenter” finalist Sneath
20,899 votes provides a Projects as this year’s most likely
window into what winner.
Brandonites treasure. People seem to be excited about the
In addition to ranking local company’s ongoing efforts to renew
businesses, there’s also a fun spaces in downtown Brandon,
component, which Mihaly including the development of rental
said “brought some light to it.” accommodations and retail spaces.
These include “Most On that front, co-owner Robyn
Wonderful Brandonite,” Sneath is also a finalist in the “Most
whose three finalists include Wonderful Brandonite” and “Best
Mayor Rick Chrest, Business Person” categories, while
entrepreneur Robyn Sneath fellow-co-owner and spouse Jayson
and Brandon Humane Society Sneath is a finalist in the “Best Dressed
manager Tracy Munn. Man” category.
“Oh my God,” Munn said Regardless of whomever wins,
on learning she was a finalist. Gregoire said that it’s nice to see
In disbelief, she pointed to people recognize his nine-year-old
others who work at the business, particularly in an industry
Brandon Humane Society as that’s largely reputation-driven.
more deserving of the award; He said that their showrooms,
namely Jillian Blyth, a staff which display their workmanship,
member who died earlier this serves as a tool in proving themselves
month. to clients, and that sharing
“I think that’s a lovely thing, photographs of their work on social
I really do,” Munn said of media has also been a boon.
those who voted for her. Reputations are bolstered a bit more
“That’s very, very kind. It’s so with a Readers’ Choice Awards
nice for people.” feather in their cap, Mihaly said,
While it took her by surprise pointing to this year’s increased
that she was singled out, interest in the awards as a positive sign
Munn said that it’s a reflection in moving forward.
of not only her efforts, but also “We’re excited for this year’s results
that of many others who run and really pleased with the people who
the largely volunteer-driven voted and took the time to
participate,” he said.
Voting for next year’s Third Annual
Readers’ Choice Awards will begin in
early February.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB

Rideau Park was voted as the Best Park in Brandon this year. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

BEST MANICURE — PG 8 BEST DRESSED — PG 3 BEST GARDEN CENTRE — PG 16