By Nicole MOORE

On Aug. 2, the Montrose Shopping Park Association held its monthly open forum meeting. Starting the meeting off were members of the Glendale Police Dept. who reported on recent crimes within the vicinity. Sgt. Patrick Magtoto said the majority of the month’s misdemeanors consisted of trivial arrests. However, one crime of significance did occur, which was the theft of a car battery. Sgt. Magtoto also warned merchants to be wary of fraudulent use of credit cards. He instructed shop owners to check whether the account number imprinted on the card matches up with what is seen on the terminal or sales receipt. Sgt. Magtoto said an option to combat credit card fraud in stores was to use payment processors with chip readers, as that is an added measure of security.

Yasmin Beers, city manager of Glendale, then spoke on behalf of the Glendale City Council to discuss an upcoming ballot measure regarding an increased sales tax that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. The measure would increase the current sales tax of 9.5% to 10.25% on a local level. According to Manager Beers, the .75% sales tax increase is forecasted to bring in $30 million worth of revenue for the betterment of Glendale.

MSPA member and owner of Grayson’s Tune Town, Ken Grayson, expressed his qualms on the subject.

“You are taking $30 million out of people’s pockets for Glendale businesses that are striving to exist. This will just create more taxes, unfortunately,” said Grayson. “The real problem is no one is looking at retirement benefits.”

“That’s your opinion and I truly appreciate everyone’s opinion but I wholeheartedly disagree. I am not here to debate. My role is to educate you,” responded Manager Beers. “We are in the business of providing services.”

Local resident Mike Mohill shared similar sentiments with Grayson. Mohill ascertained that the $30 million “will not be used for low cost housing or parks,” but rather “will be used for city employees’ retirement and pensions.”

At the meeting, Steve Pierce, Montrose film liaison, was named CV Weekly’s Finest Adult Volunteer. Over 10,000 votes were cast for The Finest.

Marianne Jennings, president of the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, took the mic to remind community members that they will be having a free open house on Aug. 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

The next Montrose Park Association meeting will be on Sept. 6, beginning at 8 a.m. The meeting will be held at Glendale Community College’s Professional Development Center, 2340 Honolulu Ave.

  Nicole MOORE