We are sad to report that COURIER staff photographer Gabriel Fenoy is no longer with the paper. Mr. Fenoy started here as an intern in 2005, and has been on staff for the past 3 years. His photographs gave us all a real sense of the people and places in our community. He will be missed, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
In the interim, Davis Barber and on occasion myself, will provide the excellent photography coverage you have come to expect. Mr. Barber has worked at the COURIER before, currently owns a photography and video business, and has taught photojournalism courses at several colleges in the area. You have already seen his images for the CHS homecoming coverage.
We will keep you posted on further developments. You can also email me at pweinberger@claremont-courier.com.
Peter Weinberger, publisher
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
City Council meeting tonight
The Claremont city council will be meeting again tonight.
Among the meatier items on the agenda are a proposal for closure and installation of pedestrian signal at the intersection of Arrow Highway and Oakdale Drive and a public hearing on a Claremont Tourism Business Improvement District. The Tourism BID would be assessed for room rentals at local lodging businesses and pooled together for marketing projects involving Claremont's hotels and resorts.
In their closed session meeting, the council will do their annual review of City Manager Jeff Parker and City Attorney Sonia Carvalho. Parker's evaluation always seems to generate some controversy. Last year, the council was criticized for being too generous with Parker's pay raise and bonus despite the city facing millions in a budget shortfall. It will be interesting to see what the council does this time around with his salary adjustment, given that staff layoffs and program cuts earlier this year.
Among the meatier items on the agenda are a proposal for closure and installation of pedestrian signal at the intersection of Arrow Highway and Oakdale Drive and a public hearing on a Claremont Tourism Business Improvement District. The Tourism BID would be assessed for room rentals at local lodging businesses and pooled together for marketing projects involving Claremont's hotels and resorts.
In their closed session meeting, the council will do their annual review of City Manager Jeff Parker and City Attorney Sonia Carvalho. Parker's evaluation always seems to generate some controversy. Last year, the council was criticized for being too generous with Parker's pay raise and bonus despite the city facing millions in a budget shortfall. It will be interesting to see what the council does this time around with his salary adjustment, given that staff layoffs and program cuts earlier this year.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Democratic Club monthly meeting
The Democratic Club of Claremont will have its monthly luncheon this Friday, October 9th beginning at noon. The location is El Ranchero Restaurant, 984 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont.
This month's guest speaker will be Professor Mitch Avila, currently the Chair of the Philosophy Department at Cal-State University, Fullerton. Professor Avila is a Claremont resident who specializes in theories of global justice and human rights. His topic will be entitled "Two Kinds of Property" and will focus on regulated markets, distributive tax policies, and personal property. Cost is $10.00.
This month's guest speaker will be Professor Mitch Avila, currently the Chair of the Philosophy Department at Cal-State University, Fullerton. Professor Avila is a Claremont resident who specializes in theories of global justice and human rights. His topic will be entitled "Two Kinds of Property" and will focus on regulated markets, distributive tax policies, and personal property. Cost is $10.00.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Claremont Museum of Art on the verge of collapse
The big news in Claremont recently involves the future of the Claremont Museum of Art. It will be a very sad day for the community if the museum is forced to close down. With great education programs, community workshops and rotating exhibitions, the museum has been a real asset to Claremont.
The Claremont Museum of Art has only been open for 2.5 years. That's part of the reason they've had difficulty in getting funding lately. Museum officials said that art grants are often given to more established institutions that have been around for at least 3 to 5 years.
The Museum may only be open for a few more weeks. Staff has been laid off and the Museum store is closed. I'll be following up with another story soon to answer some questions that haven't been addressed.
The Claremont Museum of Art has only been open for 2.5 years. That's part of the reason they've had difficulty in getting funding lately. Museum officials said that art grants are often given to more established institutions that have been around for at least 3 to 5 years.
The Museum may only be open for a few more weeks. Staff has been laid off and the Museum store is closed. I'll be following up with another story soon to answer some questions that haven't been addressed.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Police Commission to review health care debate altercation
The Police Commission will hold a special session on Thursday night to examine the police response to the health care reform debate on August 27.
The staff report states that an internal investigation is underway partly because "the actual responses by police personnel to the calls for service generated by the disruptions were not dealt with in an effective and professional manner."
The report states that disciplinary action could be taken against the officer who responded to the scene. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.
In related news, charges were not filed by the District Attorney's Office against Rudy Mann, who was cited by police at the event for battery. The DA is still considering whether to file charges against Charles Cox for disrupting a public meeting.
The staff report states that an internal investigation is underway partly because "the actual responses by police personnel to the calls for service generated by the disruptions were not dealt with in an effective and professional manner."
The report states that disciplinary action could be taken against the officer who responded to the scene. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.
In related news, charges were not filed by the District Attorney's Office against Rudy Mann, who was cited by police at the event for battery. The DA is still considering whether to file charges against Charles Cox for disrupting a public meeting.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Steve Lopez this Sunday
Just a reminder that Steve Lopez will be in Claremont for a discussion on his book, The Soloist. The book was chosen by the Friends of the Claremont Library and similar groups in cities like Philadelphia and Cincinnati for the "On the Same Page" program.
The LA Times columnist will be speaking at Little Bridges on Sunday from 2 to 4 .m. After the discussion, Lopez will be available to sign copies of his book and meet members of the audience.
Overheard at the PD
I spend about half an hour in the police station lobby every week to go through their log book for the Police Blotter. Sometimes while sitting there, I overhear some pretty interesting stories.
Yesterday, an elderly woman came in to complain about a parking ticket she'd just received. The woman, who claimed to be a 60-year Claremont resident, got a ticket for parking in a handicapped space in the Village.
"I will never shop in Claremont again!" she said in frustration.
The woman said her daughter was handicapped and knows how important it is for people with disabilities to have access to those spaces. She did admit that the tire of her car was touching the white line, apparently the line between her space and the handicapped spot.
The officer who helped her offered a form to contest the citation. Once filled out and turned in, a watch commander will review the tickets and see if any action should be taken. The officer also offered her a complaint form, where citizens can complain or comment about any interaction with the PD.
The city recently approved price increases to parking violations at last week's city council meeting. Overnight parking tickets will go up from $20 to $35, 2 or 3 hour parking violations will go up from $20 to $35 and handicapped zone violation will $250 to $325.
The increases will take affect on November 25. I'm sure it's little consolation to the woman, who said she's never gotten a parking ticket in Claremont, that she will not have to pay the higher price.
Yesterday, an elderly woman came in to complain about a parking ticket she'd just received. The woman, who claimed to be a 60-year Claremont resident, got a ticket for parking in a handicapped space in the Village.
"I will never shop in Claremont again!" she said in frustration.
The woman said her daughter was handicapped and knows how important it is for people with disabilities to have access to those spaces. She did admit that the tire of her car was touching the white line, apparently the line between her space and the handicapped spot.
The officer who helped her offered a form to contest the citation. Once filled out and turned in, a watch commander will review the tickets and see if any action should be taken. The officer also offered her a complaint form, where citizens can complain or comment about any interaction with the PD.
The city recently approved price increases to parking violations at last week's city council meeting. Overnight parking tickets will go up from $20 to $35, 2 or 3 hour parking violations will go up from $20 to $35 and handicapped zone violation will $250 to $325.
The increases will take affect on November 25. I'm sure it's little consolation to the woman, who said she's never gotten a parking ticket in Claremont, that she will not have to pay the higher price.
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