By Nicole MOORE

At the July 12 meeting of the Montrose Shopping Park Association, Andre Ordubegian, president of the MSPA board, asked that Corey Grijalva of Joselito’s restaurant be welcomed back as a board member. Grijalva will replace Kristina Evans, co-owner of Rest Farmhouse Inspired, for the remainder of her term, about a year and a half. Ordubegian was confident in his suggestion of Grijalva as a board member.

“Corey has been a dedicated servant of Montrose through the years,” Ordubegian reminded the board.

Ken Grayson, of Grayson’s Tune Town, agreed and a motion was made and passed to have Grijalva finish Evans’ term on the MSPA board.

The issue of limited parking, specifically disabled parking, in the Montrose Shopping Village was brought to the attention of Jackie Barlow, Economic Development coordinator for the City of Glendale. In order to yield more spaces, a multistory parking structure would have to be built. However, due to financial constraints, the construction of a parking lot in the near future would not be feasible. MSPA board members also mentioned Lot 3 is not ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Therefore, handicap spaces cannot be provided within that lot until various changes have been made.

Glendale Police Chief Carl Povilaitis was next to speak. Though Chief Povilaitis was appointed chief of police in May, he said he has been an active member in the community and the police department for 27 years.

“I’ve always loved Montrose, said Povilaitis. “We want to make sure we are providing for the community.”

Officer Minas Tsolakyan reported that major criminal activity in the Montrose area dwindled during the month of June; however, a car’s side mirrors were stolen while it was parked in the lot behind Walk This Way. Because the car was a newer Mercedes model, the side mirrors retail for $900; the crime is being considered grand theft.

Marianne Jennings, president of the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, announced that on the third Tuesday evening of every month, the club will have a dining out fundraiser at Montrose’s Joselito’s. A percentage of the proceeds from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. will go toward the club’s philanthropic work.

Local resident Irene Kelly then addressed the board regarding her fourth annual Walk for Water event. The event, which will be held on Sept. 15, raises awareness of the global water crisis and the need to provide access to clean water to the Samburu people in Northern Kenya. Kelly, along with a group of volunteers, will travel to Uganda for three weeks to help those in need find access to clean water.

The MSPA also noted that organizations that wish to sell baked goods for fundraising events in the Montrose Shopping Park must have the appropriate health permits.

The next Montrose Shopping Park Association meeting will be on Aug. 2. The meeting will be held at Glendale Community College’s Personal Development Center, 2340 Honolulu Ave., beginning at 8 a.m.

  Nicole MOORE