Paul M. Anderson
MONTROSE -- Montrose Travel brewed up no small amount of controversy
this year with its expansion plans, but that didn't stop the Montrose
Chamber of Commerce from naming it the Business of the Year.
"There were some people who thought the timing of the award may cause
some stir, but we felt that they were the best candidate," said Ken
Grayson, who chaired the chamber's Awards and Nomination committee.
Montrose Travel made local headlines recently when it announced plans
to expand into next-door Faye's department store. The Glendale City
Council later considered and rejected a moratorium on expanding
non-retail businesses in Montrose.
Despite the reservations some chamber members had, the group's general
consensus was Montrose Travel did a lot of good for the Montrose chamber,
Grayson said.
"They have donated travel packages for our various raffles and things
like that," Grayson said. "Last year, they gave us a travel package for
our annual installation dinner and all the profits went to the chamber."
Errol Simonitsch of Partyline Rentals will get the chamber's
Businessman of the Year award at the chamber's annual Installation and
Community Awards Dinner Jan. 13.
Vic Legerton will get the Volunteer of the Year award for his efforts
to help install the chamber's computer system and for his work helping to
organize the chamber's annual Oktoberfest, Grayson said.
The group also selected new officers. They are: President Chris
Waldheim, First Vice President Kate Bernier, Second Vice President
STephanie Mines, Secretary Joan Carruthers, Treasurer David Small,
Immediate Past President Rick Dinger and Chief Executive Officer Frank
Roberts. The awards dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the
Oakmont Country Club, 3100 Country Club Drive. Tickets are $40 and
deadline for reservations is Jan. 3.
For more information or to buy tickets call 249-7171.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Montrose Chamber of Commerce Installation and Community Awards
Dinner.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 13
WHERE: Oakmont Country Club.
249-7171.
OTHER AWARD WINNERS
Following are those receiving awards at the Montrose Chamber of
Commerce's annual Installation and Community Awards dinner:
* Organization of the Year: Key Clubs of Clark Magnet, Crescenta
Valley and La Canada High Schools.
* Peace Officer of the Year: Glendale police Sgt. Rick Young.
* Educator of the Year: Joel Shapiro of Mountain Avenue Elementary
School.
* President's Award: Joan Carruthers, chamber secretary.
* Community Enhancement Award: Glendale-Montrose Christmas Parade.
* Beautification Award: Tony Fanara of Palermo Ristorante Italiano.
* Oktoberfest Volunteer Award: Rob Ravenstine.
* Frank Roberts Award: Ken Grayson of Grayson's Tune Town.
* Community Endearment Recognition: Valorie Di Donna.
