Merit increases in the cards for key city officials

Two Claremont officials received salary increases last month totaling more than $1,800 per month, according to city officials.

Assistant City Manager Tony Ramos and Chief of Police Paul Cooper each received a 5 percent raise effective July 1 as part of an annual merit increase, a performance-based raise in conjunction with an employee’s contract. Mr. Ramos will make an additional $926 per month, while Mr. Cooper is making $972.

According to a list of employee salaries effective August 18, Mr. Ramos will now be making a monthly salary of about $14,733, with a yearly total of $176,806. Mr. Cooper’s new total is $15,485 per month, $185,825 yearly.

Both city employees’ pay increases come in response to taking on additional workloads that exceed their normal duties, stated City Manager Jeff Parker.

“Both went above and beyond their job responsibilities,” Mr. Parker said. “There is still opportunity for growth, and if [employees] are performing at the level they are being asked, then it is only fair that they receive that increase. That goes for all employees all the way through assistant city manager.”

The full story can be viewed in this Saturday's edition of the COURIER. In the mean time, what do you think of pay raises and merit increases for Claremont officials?

Norms in Claremont is open for business!

The towering neon orange sign is lit, and Norms Claremont is serving up the pancakes.

The diner officially opened for business this morning, bringing locals a brand new dining alternative.

Norms is located south of the 10 freeway at Indian Hill Boulevard and Auto Center Drive. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, contact the store at 909-293-7871, or view the menu at www.normsrestaurants.com.

Update: grocery workers vote in favor of strike

Grocery store workers voted over the weekend on whether or not to go ahead with a strike. More than 90 percent of workers voted in favor, according to union officials.

The strike vote came in response to months of negotiations with nearly 62,000 Southern California grocery store employees. After existing contracts expired last March, the 2 groups have struggled to come to a compromise. A major area of dispute involves proposed spikes in employees’ health care plans.

Vote results will be reported to a federal mediator in an attempt to reach a contract on settlements before the strike is called. Representatives of workers and management will resume negotiations beginning Aug. 29, giving both sides time to prepare for bargaining, according to officials.

Grocery employees and supporters rally on eve of strike vote

About 25 people marched in front of the Vons grocery store on the corner of Mills Avenue and Baseline Road Thursday evening, rallying support for employees in lieu of a potential grocery strike in the coming weeks.

Coordinated by MoveOn.org and Claremont’s local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), union supporters gathered peacefully outside the grocery store, calling for a compromise on unsettled contracts involving Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons employees.

“Rallying is often associated with negativity, and hate, but we are here to bring positive energy and support for people that are just trying to achieve their American dream,” said Nick Parra, a coordinator with MoveOn.org.

Thursday’s rally came in response to months of negotiations between the union and nearly 62,000 Southern California grocery store employees. After existing contracts expired last March, the 2 groups have struggled to come to a compromise. A major area of dispute involves proposed spikes in employees’ health care plans.

“These corporations already make big buck. They need to help their employees make money too. They can’t live and support a family on those wages,” said Julia King, a former union employee and member of MoveOn.org. “There are too many corporations sucking the life out if our democracy.”

Supporters lined the sidewalk outside of Vons, and marched silently across the grocery store aisles, bearing signs scribbled with “Stop the war on workers” and “union workers rock.” Carlos Soto, came out from Glendora to hold up a sign and stand behind his fellow grocery store workers.

“I know the hardships [of being on strike],” Mr. Soto said, a former grocery store employee himself for more than 27 years. “These people work hard to support their families. It’s important to try and save these jobs.”

Grocery store workers are expected to vote over the weekend on whether or not to go ahead with a strike. The last time the 2 groups were unable to reach an agreement, in 2003-2004, a 141-day strike ensued at grocery chains throughout Southern California. Regardless of the outcome, supporters plan to stand behind their local grocery store clerks.

“It’s a very stressful time for our grocery store workers,” said Connie Leyva, president of UFCW Local 1478. “Our community is coming together to stand behind them.”

photo courtesy of Steven Felschundneff, photo editor/staff photographer

DUI Checkpoints Tonight

Claremont Police department will conduct sobriety checkpoints tonight at undisclosed locations within the city. Checkpoints are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will conclude at 2 a.m. Drivers will be stopped to make sure they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Officers will also be checking for valid drivers licenses and proper seatbelt safety.