Newcomers seated on Montrose Shopping Park board

Two newcomers will be taking seats on the Montrose Shopping Park Assn. Board of Directors.

Copy Network owner Andre Ordubegian and Joselito’s Mexican Restaurant owner Corey Grijalva will be replacing President Alyce Russell, who owns Andersen’s Pets, and Treasurer Maureen Palacios, who owns Once Upon a Time, according to votes tallied on Thursday.

The election highlights renewed interest in the board by business owners, many of whom have not participated in leadership activities in the past.

Controversy shook the association this past spring as Glendale Police announced an embezzlement investigation into former Councilman John Drayman.

Drayman played a role in the Montrose Harvest Market, the Sunday event run by the association. The ongoing investigation led some business owners to question board leaders at recent meetings.

“We’re trying to revamp it,” Ordubegian said, referring to the Montrose Shopping Park, a quaint shopping street on Honolulu Avenue that he contended could use more customers.

Grijalva said he’s excited to let his voice be heard.

There are more than 200 shops within the area of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn., a business-improvement group. Glendale assesses fees on members to drum up promotional funds.

About 100 members cast votes for the Thursday election.

Dale Dawson, executive director of the shopping park association, said election participation this year was high.

“People participated. That’s good,” Dawson said.

Russell and Palacios have served on the board for several years and opted not to run this year. Both said they’d prefer to spend more time with their families.

The new members take over in January. Among the issues they’ll face is the future of the Thieves’ Market, an arts and crafts section of the Harvest Market.

Some board members have said they favor reducing the number of Thieves’ Market booths in favor of adding more food vendors, said market manager Mark Sheridan.