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Health & Fitness

Patch Blog: Are Thieves Market 'Changes' Confirmed?

CV Weekly reports "The Thieves Market, a part of the Montrose Harvest Market, is going through transition… The Montrose Shopping Park Assn. oversees the market and is considering… changes."

In a recent editorial Robin Goldsworthy, editor and publisher of the Crescenta Valley Weekly wrote without empathy regarding the plight of the remaining vendors at Thieves Market (a division of the Montrose Harvest Market). Thieves Market attracts hundreds of customers every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Honolulu Avenue at Verdugo Road.

In a phone conversation with Alyce Russell, President of the MSPA, I was told shopping park board meetings "are closed, all MSPA meetings are closed." During the November meeting Board Member Danny Pranata repeatedly stated "All our meetings are closed." Since Robin Goldsworthy was in attendance during "closed meetings" of the Montrose Shopping Park Association (MSPA) the group that operates the Montrose Harvest Market and Thieves Market, then I think she may know the truth about MSPA decisions concerning Thieves Market. What makes Crescenta Valley Weekly break their silence on the Thieves Market and report on "changes"?

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On November 20, Robin told me “The Patch invited you to become their blogger immediately after you ‘commented’ about me. They [the Patch] saw an opportunity for you to blog against me. That’s the reason they asked you to blog!”

Note: I never wrote a blog about Robin Goldsworthy. I was unaware she has issues with Montrose Patch and bloggers.

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On November 6, . In it I praised Montrose Patch for coverage of my presentation to the MSPA Board on November 3, addressing Thieves Market concerns. (I am a vendor at Thieves Market and spoke to the board in favor or retaining this market and its remaining vendors.)

In public ‘comments’ I wrote “Robin Goldsworthy is on the MSPA Board and cannot report with total freedom of press.”

I was unaware at that time she had resigned her position on a committee of the Board following the November 3 meeting; Robin confirmed her resignation date to me during a phone call I made to her on November 20. She refused to elaborate on the reason for her resignation.

Although the Montrose Patch gave coverage to that Board meeting and Brittany Levine of the Glendale News-Press, a division of the Los Angeles Times wrote of the presentation, the Crescenta Valley Weekly wrote nothing at all. Robin was a member of the MSPA Public Events Committee at the time.

On Sunday, Nov. 27, Thieves Market Manager Jeff Decker informed vendors he was "told to eliminate 10 Thieves Market spaces and 'rotate' vendors." This means 25 instead of 35 vendors and those who remain are required to 'rotate' can take their business to another market one or more Sundays a month while new vendors are allowed to take the old vendors' spaces. It is the first step to elimination. It has been said this allows vendors on the 'waiting list' to get a chance, however, that waiting list is a recent compilation and it makes no sense to encourage new vendors while eliminating one third of the spaces.

Jeff attemped to send several long-time vendors home who objected strenuously and were allowed to remain. Assurances from the MSPA there would be "no changes" to Thieves Market were untrue. All of this controversy adversely affects every business: Thieves Market vendors and brick and mortar alike.

Discussion has been overheard of a new market forming for the Thieves Markets vendors in an area outside of the MSPA rule. The next MSPA Board Meeting is this Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8 a.m. at at the corner of Oceanview Boulevard and Florencita Drive. This meeting is covered by the Brown Act.

I have complied to 'rotation' by agreeing to be absent from Thieves Market next Sunday; my business Gold Leaf, will be selling my very best antiques, vintage and collectibles at Pasadena City College's Antique Show and Swap Meet, 1570 E. Colorado Bl. Pasadena 91106 on Sunday, Dec. 4 in space 732. Come share the holiday spirit in this fantastic setting!

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