Claremont expected to hire new city manager tonight

Claremont City Council will vote on promoting Assistant City Manager Tony Ramos tonight in a special open session meeting to be held in the City Council Chamber at 6:30 p.m.

Mr. Ramos is being considered to take over city manager after the resignation of Jeff Parker earlier this month. If approved, Mr. Ramos will make $198,000, according to the proposed contract recommended at Monday night's special meeting of the city council. Mr. Ramos will receive an additional $1000 a month in deferred compensation plus an additional $1194 monthly to be used for medical benefits. Fifty percent of the medical benefits that remain unused will be placed in Mr. Ramos’ deferred compensation plan. Mr. Ramos’ total for salary and benefits on the proposed contract is $224,328 annually, up from his current salary of $176,806 as assistant city manager.

He will contribute his 8 percent Public Employment Retirement System (PERS) contribution and will receive cost of living adjustments similar to other employee groups. Mr. Ramos will also receive a vehicle with maintenance and insurance covered by the city.

The contract claims a proposed $26,630 in savings compared to the current city manager contract. Mr. Parker now earns an estimated $211,554 a year, according to employee salaries provided by City Clerk Lynne Fryman dated August 18, 2011.

In October of 2005, Mr. Parker was selected as city manager from about 60 applicants. The city began the search with an outside recruiting company the previous June. According to his original 3-year contract, Mr. Parker made a yearly salary of $175,000 with $13,000 a year toward his deferred compensation plan.

Those wishing to participate in public comment during tonight's meeting should arrive promptly at 6:30 p.m. To view the agenda visit www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

Claremont set to promote Tony Ramos to City Manager

Claremont City Council approved a city manager’s contract with current Assistant City Manager Tony Ramos Monday night in a special closed meeting.

The announcement comes 13 days after City Manager Jeff Parker announced his resignation with the city of Claremont. Mr. Parker will leave to become city manager of Tustin. His last day with Claremont is December 26.

The council announced its plan to negotiate a contract with Mr. Ramos at a special meeting held November 21. The decision was made to hire from within the city instead of opting for an outside hiring process. An ad hoc committee made up of Mayor Sam Pedroza and Mayor Pro Tem Larry Schroeder negotiated with Mr. Ramos over the Thanksgiving holiday, bringing their proposed contract for review at last night’s meeting.

The proposed contract will be made available by 6 p.m. today, Mr. Pedroza announced last night after 3 hours of deliberating behind closed doors. The council will review the contract and give final approval in an open session tomorrow, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. To view the agenda and contract, visit www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

Review of city manager contract begins tonight

Claremont City Council will meet in closed session tonight to negotiate a city manager’s contract with current Assistant City Manager Tony Ramos.

The special meeting was scheduled after City Manager Jeff Parker announced his resignation Tuesday, November 16. Mr. Parker will leave his post in Claremont to become Tustin’s new city manager. His last day is December 26.

An ad hoc committee, consisting of both Mayor Sam Pedroza and Mayor Pro Tem Larry Schroeder, has been responsible for contract negotiations with Mr. Ramos. The city council will revisit the decisions made by the ad hoc committee tonight, November 28 at 6 p.m. Public comment is invited before the council goes into closed session. The contract will be reviewed in open session on Wednesday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m.

PD ask for help to identify armed ATM thief

Police are seeking help to find a man suspected of ATM robberies in Claremont, Diamond Bar, and Rancho Cucamonga last month.

The Claremont robbery took place at the Chase Bank in the 400 block of North Indian Hill Boulevard. On Wednesday, October 19, around 1:30 a.m., a 22-year-old victim was using the ATM when a Hispanic male pulled out a handgun and demanded $500. The victim only had $100 in his account, withdrew the money, and gave it to the robber, who fled eastbound. Instead of calling 911, the victim went over to a friend’s house, Google searched Claremont Police, and went down to the station to report the incident.

Police have been unable to locate the thief, but have been reviewing surveillance footage of the crime. Similar attacks with a man matching the same description took place within the same week at the Chase Bank in the 1000 block of Grand Avenue in Diamond Bar and Bank of America in the 7000 block of Day Creek Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga, according to reports.

The man is described as a 25-year-old Hispanic with black hair, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds. At the time of incident he was wearing white tennis shoes, black sweat pants, and a blue/white checkered hooded sweatshirt.

Any information should be reported to the Claremont Police Department Detective Bureau at 399-5420 or 399-5411.

Rod Gilfry in concert

The Claremont Community Foundation is hosting a benefit concert this Saturday, November 19, with Grammy-nominated singer and actor Rod Gilfry.

The musical evening, running 7:30-10:30 p.m., will feature a variety of numbers including musical theater favorites, opera, and other standards. All proceeds will support the foundation's 2012 Community Impact and Arts funds grants programs.

General tickets are $25. Reserved seats including a post-concert reception with Mr. Gilfry are $50. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/205363 and at the Claremont Community Foundation's office at 205 Yale Ave.

For more information call 398-1060 or email ccf2@claremontfoundation.org.

Golden State Water Company at city council tonight

Residents interested in learning more about water rates are invited to Claremont City Council tonight to engage in discussion with a representative of the Golden State Water Company.

Foothill District Manager Ben Lewis will discuss proposed water rate increases and answer residents’ questions and concerns.

The city council open session begins at 6:30 p.m. in the city chambers at 225 Second Street. For more information visit www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

Super King Market open for business

South Claremont residents have finally received their grocery store.

Super King Markets officially opened its doors for business Friday morning, providing Claremont with a brand new full-service food store just south of the 10 freeway.

The Claremont store, located within the Auto Center Drive Shopping Center, is the fourth Super King’s location to open up in Southern California and the first grocery store to serve the Claremont area south of Foothill Boulevard for almost 4 years.

Stocked with both national and international cuisine items, Super King officials feel their wide range of products will perfectly serve the needs of its eager Claremont and Pomona customers.

“A mixed demographic is perfect for us and being on the southern border of Claremont with the freeway in close proximity, Pomona on the other side, lends to a wide variety of people coming to our store,” said Daniel Barth, Super King’s General Manager. “We successfully serve and satisfy a demographic that really represents Southern California.”

Super King Shoppers can expect a full line of grocery products that include fresh produce, a meat department, deli, and bakery. Opening week deals include 4 Roma tomatoes for $0.99, white chicken drumsticks $0.49 per pound, and Mexican sweet bread 5 for $1.

Super King is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call 267-7252 or visit www.superkingmarkets.com.

Public forum with Golden State Water Company tonight

Golden State Water Company will host a public forum tonight to address concerns regarding water rate increases. The event, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will be held at the Claremont University Consortium Administrative Campus Center at 101 South Mills Avenue. Representatives will be available to answer questions regarding the rate increases in an open house setting.

“We understand their concerns and want to show that we are providing improvements,” said Ben Lewis, manager of Golden State’s Foothill District. “It is important to us to keep the process as transparent as possible.”

Police seek man in armed robbery

Claremont Police are searching for a man involved in an armed robbery at the Chevron Gas Station located at 699 E. Foothill Blvd.

At around 10:52 p.m. Saturday, a male Hispanic wearing a black beanie and black knit gloves entered the Chevron convenience store, pulled a semi-automatic handgun out of his gray sweatshirt and pointed the weapon at the clerk. After forcing the cashier to hand over an estimated $500 in cash, the man ordered the victim at gunpoint to lie on the ground as he retreated from the store. Surveillance shows the man fled westbound on foot. Police are currently reviewing surveillance footage, and an investigation is being conducted.

The man is described as being in his late 30s to early 40s, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, approximately 180 pounds, salt and pepper facial stubble with a connecting black moustache and goatee, according to Detective Robert Ewing. Anyone with information should contact the Claremont Police Department at 399-5411.