By Nicole MOORE

On Thursday, Jan. 4, the Montrose Shopping Park Association held its first meeting of 2018. Andre Ordubegian, president of the MSPA, began the meeting with well wishes for the New Year.

“I wish everyone a happy new year and a healthy year … [The Montrose Shopping Park Association] made progress last year and hopefully we are going to continue in 2018 the same way,” said Ordubegian.

Jackie Barlow, Economic Development coordinator for the City of Glendale, then reminded the MSPA members of their upcoming 2018 budget presentation to the City of Glendale on Jan. 23.

George Pondella, former president of the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce, addressed the board members and audience about reestablishing trust between the chamber and association. Pondella served as the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce president in 2016. Pondella said he believes his familiarity with the MSPA will improve their overall relationship with one another.

“We need to build trust and have a relationship with everyone,” said Pondella.

Pondella also said the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce and the Montrose Shopping Park Association had similar objectives including finding ways to further advertise Montrose Shopping Park’s brick and mortar stores. He promoted the idea of having local merchants utilize social media platforms, specifically Instagram, to showcase and publicize their stores to gain more business.

Sgt. Patrick Magtoto of the Glendale Police Dept. then commented on the rather uneventful, regarding criminal activity, December. Sgt. Magtoto said in the past month the GPD dealt with one DUI, a number of parking complaints, and a few traffic stops. Additionally, Sgt. Magtoto said he would have a new member of his team working in a somewhat liaison position between the GPD and MSPA at upcoming meetings.

Marking the New Year, the MSPA anonymously voted members to executive board positions. Ken Grayson, of Grayson’s Tune Town, was voted as the MSPA treasurer and Kristina Evans, co-owner of Rest Farmhouse Inspired, was voted as the MSPA secretary. Jeannie Bone, owner of Casa Cordoba, and Andre Ordubegian were tied for the MSPA presidency. After some discussion, Bone decided she would like to continue her role as MSPA vice president. Ordubegian remained board president.

“I think we work together. I would be comfortable how things are and how they have been,” said Bone.

The next Montrose Shopping Park Association meeting will be held on Feb. 1 at Glendale Community College’s Personal Development Center, 2340 Honolulu Ave. The meeting, open to the public, begins at
8 a.m.

  Nicole MOORE