This just in from the Claremont Police Department about a possible homicide-
On Friday January 30, 2009 at about 11:15 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 700 block of West Arrow Highway to check on the welfare of the resident after the resident's employer reported that he did not show up for work. Responding officers found inside the residence a deceased male adult, possibly the resident, who appears to be in his 50's or 60's; identification is pending. The cause of death is not yet determined, but does not appear to be natural, accidental, or self inflicted. Further details regarding the possible cause of death will remain undisclosed until further investigation can be conducted.
Police aren't saying anything further right now, but we'll post more information as it arises.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Budget crunch
If you don't have a life, as former mayor Sandy Baldonado once famously noted about residents attending a Saturday city meeting, then be sure to come out to the Hughes Center tomorrow.
The city council will meet in the Padua Room for a special budget meeting.
Corey Calaycay said at a recent candidate's forum that auto sales in Claremont are down a whopping 50 percent. Since auto sales are the meat and grave of the city's sales tax income, the city will be considering further steps to tighten its belt.
Some city services might be on the chopping block. Taxes or fee hikes could be proposed.
If that doesn't entice you, there are usually some bagels, coffee and cookies (unless refreshments got trimmed from the budget). The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and runs until about noon.
The city council will meet in the Padua Room for a special budget meeting.
Corey Calaycay said at a recent candidate's forum that auto sales in Claremont are down a whopping 50 percent. Since auto sales are the meat and grave of the city's sales tax income, the city will be considering further steps to tighten its belt.
Some city services might be on the chopping block. Taxes or fee hikes could be proposed.
If that doesn't entice you, there are usually some bagels, coffee and cookies (unless refreshments got trimmed from the budget). The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and runs until about noon.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A slippery slope during tough economic times
The city council did away with deferred compensation benefits for city council members last night. Council members will still have access to health insurance coverage, unlike other part time city employees. They also get a $400 per month stipend and $30 per Redevelopment meeting they attend.
Only Ellen Taylor and Peter Yao spoke out about the issue. No big surprise there, as they are the only active council members taking health benefits.
“Not everybody has a situation where they are covered by insurance, or if they are, they may be paying for it on their own and they can’t get out of their coverage because they’re afraid once they get out of it, they won’t be able to get back into coverage,” Taylor said. “And they may be using that deferred money to pay for the coverage that they are paying for themselves.”
That’s true. We all know that private health insurance is extremely expensive, especially when you get older.
But council members may just sign up for health care through their spouse after leaving the council. Then they could take deferred compensation money (about $40,000 after 4 years) and buy a new car.
I think the latter scenario is what irks citizens the most when the deferred compensation topic pops up. Many people see the council position as a volunteer job and want to believe that city council members have only idealistic reasons for signing up.
Unfortunately, there are some ulterior motives at play. Things like resume boosters (Calaycay, Pedroza), health benefits (Yao, Taylor), influence, control, etc.
Yao downplayed the benefit of getting rid of the deferred compensation. “I think this is probably more a gesture than a cost saving,” he said.
I’m not sure where Yao is coming from here. If all 5 council members were to do the deferred compensation, it would amount to about $50,000 per year. That seems more than just a “gesture” to me.
For now, deferred compensation is off the table for council members. It could always be reinstated in the future when times get better, as Taylor urged the council.
“It is not a wasted benefit for people,” she said. “Just because you don’t need it, doesn’t mean that somebody else doesn’t need it.”
Only Ellen Taylor and Peter Yao spoke out about the issue. No big surprise there, as they are the only active council members taking health benefits.
“Not everybody has a situation where they are covered by insurance, or if they are, they may be paying for it on their own and they can’t get out of their coverage because they’re afraid once they get out of it, they won’t be able to get back into coverage,” Taylor said. “And they may be using that deferred money to pay for the coverage that they are paying for themselves.”
That’s true. We all know that private health insurance is extremely expensive, especially when you get older.
But council members may just sign up for health care through their spouse after leaving the council. Then they could take deferred compensation money (about $40,000 after 4 years) and buy a new car.
I think the latter scenario is what irks citizens the most when the deferred compensation topic pops up. Many people see the council position as a volunteer job and want to believe that city council members have only idealistic reasons for signing up.
Unfortunately, there are some ulterior motives at play. Things like resume boosters (Calaycay, Pedroza), health benefits (Yao, Taylor), influence, control, etc.
Yao downplayed the benefit of getting rid of the deferred compensation. “I think this is probably more a gesture than a cost saving,” he said.
I’m not sure where Yao is coming from here. If all 5 council members were to do the deferred compensation, it would amount to about $50,000 per year. That seems more than just a “gesture” to me.
For now, deferred compensation is off the table for council members. It could always be reinstated in the future when times get better, as Taylor urged the council.
“It is not a wasted benefit for people,” she said. “Just because you don’t need it, doesn’t mean that somebody else doesn’t need it.”
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Home Invasion
Claremont police have arrested 3 men involved in a burglary attack on a local realtor at his home on West 10th Street.
On Tuesday morning, Vince Gottuso, a well-known and well-like man around town, returned home and interrupted 2 burglars. The men attacked him, causing serious injuries to his face and head.
Around 11:45 a.m., Gottuso's wife returned home to find it ransacked. She did not initially find her husband.
She went outside to call police. When police arrived, they found Gottuso laying on a couch in the home. He had lost alot of blood and was clearly in bad shape.
He was airlifed to USC Medical Center where he is being treated for head trauma.
Reports from his family members indicate that Gottuso is doing much better, but there is a long road to recovery ahead. He is currently in the ICU but is expected to return home within a week.
Kudos to the Claremont police detectives who've focused all their energy on the case over the past 2 days. They've conducted surveillance, interviewed witnesses, processed forensic evidence and quickly made these arrests. We are all be better off and feel safer knowing that these dangerous individuals are off the streets.
Along with burglary and assault with a deadly weapon charges, the 2 attackers could be sentenced on charges of attempted homicide, which would put them away for a very long time.
The COURIER staff wishes Vince a very quick recovery and all the best to his family.
On Tuesday morning, Vince Gottuso, a well-known and well-like man around town, returned home and interrupted 2 burglars. The men attacked him, causing serious injuries to his face and head.
Around 11:45 a.m., Gottuso's wife returned home to find it ransacked. She did not initially find her husband.
She went outside to call police. When police arrived, they found Gottuso laying on a couch in the home. He had lost alot of blood and was clearly in bad shape.
He was airlifed to USC Medical Center where he is being treated for head trauma.
Reports from his family members indicate that Gottuso is doing much better, but there is a long road to recovery ahead. He is currently in the ICU but is expected to return home within a week.
Kudos to the Claremont police detectives who've focused all their energy on the case over the past 2 days. They've conducted surveillance, interviewed witnesses, processed forensic evidence and quickly made these arrests. We are all be better off and feel safer knowing that these dangerous individuals are off the streets.
Along with burglary and assault with a deadly weapon charges, the 2 attackers could be sentenced on charges of attempted homicide, which would put them away for a very long time.
The COURIER staff wishes Vince a very quick recovery and all the best to his family.
Oscar nomination
Congratulations to Elliot Graham, Claremont High School class of 1994, who was just nominated for an Academy Award for his editing work on the film MILK!
Graham grew up in Claremont and now lives in Seattle.
He has also been nominated for an Eddie Award by the American Cinema Editors.
Graham will be in Claremont this weekend for a friend's engagement party. We'll be sure to catch up with him for a full story to appear in the Wednesday, January 28 edition of the COURIER.
Graham grew up in Claremont and now lives in Seattle.
He has also been nominated for an Eddie Award by the American Cinema Editors.
Graham will be in Claremont this weekend for a friend's engagement party. We'll be sure to catch up with him for a full story to appear in the Wednesday, January 28 edition of the COURIER.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Buying into Claremont
To all Village business owners, if you are at all concerned about your bottom line, be sure to check one of 2 upcoming meetings. The Village Marketing Group and Chamber of Commerce are rallying supporters to implement a new tax, or Business Improvement District, that will affect all businesses in downtown.
The meetings will take place at the city council chambers on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Thursday morning at 8 a.m.
The BID should receive some support from businesses that have benefited from events like Friday Night Live, with live music that has attracted some much needed foot traffic to the area. Restaurants like Casablanca come to mind.
The BID could generate regular funding for positive events like Friday Night Live and the Art Walk with proven track records of drawing in crowds.
Unfortunately, many in town are still somewhat wary of the city's efforts to promote Claremont after a couple of less than fruitful ideas.
Two winters ago, the city and Chamber organized an 11tth hour holiday marketing campaign that received lukewarm reviews. The campaign was so rushed that organizers had little time to produce any concrete results.
And then there's the branding study.
Capturing all that is Claremont in one simple marketing slogan goes against the essence of what makes the city so special. No matter what an outside consultant firm comes up with to "define" Claremont (at a price of $100,000), it's hard to believe it will capture all that we have to offer without damaging our image by oversimplifying or commercializing the city.
Plus, the fact that Claremont would be following in Upland's lead on branding (Find U, See something different, Discover Upland), probably has turned Claremonters off to the idea that much more.
To be fair, the city and Chamber are making efforts to attract out-of-town shoppers to Claremont, which is exactly what Village West needs to be successful.
Perhaps the BID can get the ball rolling to that end, and restore some more faith back into the City's and Chamber's business sense.
The meetings will take place at the city council chambers on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Thursday morning at 8 a.m.
The BID should receive some support from businesses that have benefited from events like Friday Night Live, with live music that has attracted some much needed foot traffic to the area. Restaurants like Casablanca come to mind.
The BID could generate regular funding for positive events like Friday Night Live and the Art Walk with proven track records of drawing in crowds.
Unfortunately, many in town are still somewhat wary of the city's efforts to promote Claremont after a couple of less than fruitful ideas.
Two winters ago, the city and Chamber organized an 11tth hour holiday marketing campaign that received lukewarm reviews. The campaign was so rushed that organizers had little time to produce any concrete results.
And then there's the branding study.
Capturing all that is Claremont in one simple marketing slogan goes against the essence of what makes the city so special. No matter what an outside consultant firm comes up with to "define" Claremont (at a price of $100,000), it's hard to believe it will capture all that we have to offer without damaging our image by oversimplifying or commercializing the city.
Plus, the fact that Claremont would be following in Upland's lead on branding (Find U, See something different, Discover Upland), probably has turned Claremonters off to the idea that much more.
To be fair, the city and Chamber are making efforts to attract out-of-town shoppers to Claremont, which is exactly what Village West needs to be successful.
Perhaps the BID can get the ball rolling to that end, and restore some more faith back into the City's and Chamber's business sense.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tough times don't deter council spending
City Manager Jeff Parker’s salary was the hot issue at the city council meeting last night. The city council awarded Parker a 3-percent cost of living adjustment ( $6,150) and a one-time 4-percent “pay for performance” bonus ($8,200). His salary is now $211,150, up from $205,000 last year.
Corey Calaycay did not support a bonus or the COLA increase.
Peter Yao only supported the cost of living increase but felt a bonus was not a responsible move right now.
“We put together a budget just a few months ago, 6 months ago, and we're not meeting the budget in terms of revenue coming in,” Yao said. “... I voted against [the bonus] simply because of the fact that I don't have money in the budget and I don't know where that money is coming from, and to spend money that I don't have isn't part of my job.”
Ellen Taylor, Linda Elderkin and Sam Pedroza weren’t so concerned about spending money that’s not available and voted in favor of the increase.
One might think, as a couple of speakers at the meeting touched on, that in the toughest economic times since the Great Depression, that the city council would put some added emphasis on fiscal prudence.
Nobody’s doubting Parker’s performance over the past year (save for a certain bulldozing incident), but when businesses are closing, auto sales are tanking, and city jobs and services might be threatened, the city should probably tuck away every dollar it has.
Parker did volunteer to hold off on the COLA increase for the first 90 days of 2009 while the city negotiates contracts with employee associations. The COLA increase is not being offered to city employees right now, and other benefits could also be taken away.
Tough times call for tough decisions. Let's hope our city council makes the right ones with our tax dollars.
Corey Calaycay did not support a bonus or the COLA increase.
Peter Yao only supported the cost of living increase but felt a bonus was not a responsible move right now.
“We put together a budget just a few months ago, 6 months ago, and we're not meeting the budget in terms of revenue coming in,” Yao said. “... I voted against [the bonus] simply because of the fact that I don't have money in the budget and I don't know where that money is coming from, and to spend money that I don't have isn't part of my job.”
Ellen Taylor, Linda Elderkin and Sam Pedroza weren’t so concerned about spending money that’s not available and voted in favor of the increase.
One might think, as a couple of speakers at the meeting touched on, that in the toughest economic times since the Great Depression, that the city council would put some added emphasis on fiscal prudence.
Nobody’s doubting Parker’s performance over the past year (save for a certain bulldozing incident), but when businesses are closing, auto sales are tanking, and city jobs and services might be threatened, the city should probably tuck away every dollar it has.
Parker did volunteer to hold off on the COLA increase for the first 90 days of 2009 while the city negotiates contracts with employee associations. The COLA increase is not being offered to city employees right now, and other benefits could also be taken away.
Tough times call for tough decisions. Let's hope our city council makes the right ones with our tax dollars.
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