Investigate water

Dear Editor:

The city council comments at Tuesday night’s meeting, defending its actions over the past several years in an attempt to take over the water system from Golden State Water Company, appeared to me both arrogant and shameful.

The proposal from the audience for a blue ribbon committee to investigate what was known and when seems fully justified given the high cost of this debacle, because those dollars could have been better spent on other more pressing needs (e.g., new police station, public park and street maintenance). Such an investigation would either support or undermine the comments made by each of the five city council members.

The city council stressed that they were merely following the expressed will of the Claremont voters. However, in my opinion, they fueled (if not created) that desire with misinformation such as the promise of lower water rates (at least, initially) and the low-ball offers to purchase the water system from Golden State at well below fair market value.

The city council claimed that they proceeded diligently at each step of the way, yet they relied solely on the city of La Verne to operate the water system subsequent to a takeover. What if La Verne demanded too high a price to operate our water system or just decided to walk away entirely?

The city council claimed that they were as open with the public as the litigation process would allow. Yet, I can’t recall any serious debate of the potential risks involved, despite numerous issues raised in the COURIER’s opinion pages.

Even subsequent to the district court’s decision, which ruled overwhelmingly against the city, there was only talk about how an appeal would correct this travesty. In fact, even a reversal by the court of appeals was no guarantee of an eventual takeover.

We voters are known to have short-term memories, but the recommended blue ribbon committee will uncover and highlight information that can enlighten us when the present city council members are up for re-election.

We need to get past the political rhetoric to which we have been subjected and discover whether or not our money was in fact prudently spent as claimed.

Dan Dell’Osa

Claremont

Dog licensing

Dear Editor:

I get dog licensing is the law and it’s a good idea. How nice would it be if Inland Valley Humane Society arranged a day to build community relationship with Claremonters.

Why not use the uniformed people to establish a day where people could show up, vaccinate their dog if needed, and then walk over to a separate table and pay the fee for licensing? It seems to me an easy way for many concerned to bring their pooch up to date legally. I can see dogs dressed up for the occasion or not, and a lot of smiling faces.

Irene Atwood

Claremont

Indian Hill

Dear Editor:

As a person who has lived in Claremont for over 40 years, it dismays me why Indian Hill Boulevard has not been renamed because “Indian” has been replaced by “Native American” in social media and should be replaced on a boulevard. Perhaps it should be renamed “Indigenous People’s Boulevard” or something else that is not offensive.

The diversity issue has been raised in the news recently at all the Claremont Colleges, and even though this re-naming is just a small issue in the scheme of things going on in the country, maybe it should be addressed by the city council.

Jackie Mahoney

Claremont

Animal instincts

Dear Editor:

Chris Rubel felt that the character of his sometimes growling dog, Charlie, was besmirched, because his miniature schnauzer, “even though having descended from German heritage, never snarls.”

Does anyone else see the irony of besmirchment in this off-handed phrase that perpetuates a pernicious and pejorative cultural stereotype maligning an entire ethnic group?

Mr. Rubel inadvertently helps make my point that we need to listen mindfully to ourselves and to one another. If we fail to understand and respect, for example, the protective, territorial nature of dogs as well as the opportunistic, taunting behavior of squirrels, we will continue to live with vexation and conflict.

Fortunately, humans are able to rise above their animal instincts and can envision and create collaborative solutions for the world’s problems.

Although sustainable peacemaking requires more than simply giving and/or receiving a treat and a bliss-inducing tummy rub, I agree with little Charlie that these could be great starting points.

Elizabeth Tulac

Claremont

Village Venture

Dear Editor:

I am very grateful that you called attention to the Village Venture. As members of the Claremont community and, by extension, the Inland Empire, it is becoming increasingly important for us to support public efforts such as these.

Homegrown, local businesses are the root basis for a sizable amount of economic prosperity in the Claremont area. Spaces like these have often been taken for granted in recent years as we have seen a surge in urban sprawl and corporate sponsorship. This trend is not just unique to Claremont but in other areas of California as well. However, the amount of diversity and cultural readiness that Claremont is a part of makes it a perfect candidate for a multifaceted, local occasion like this.

I am anticipating the 36th annual Village Venture to be a massive success. With more than 400 vendors, the beer and wine garden, and the traditional Halloween parade, I think that this event will be a great win for the attendees and the community in general.

I cannot wait to personally attend this event and check out the extensive, assorted local businesses that will be there. 

Jacob Schoenherr

Claremont

The ultimate reality show

Dear Editor:

Each day our national nightmare continues. President Trump treats the presidency as if it were part of the ultimate reality show.

After hearing from Senator Corker and the Morning Joe show, it became quite apparent that we may be heading toward World War III.

Now wouldn’t that be, in Trump-speak, the ultimate reality show? The show would have the hugest audience, and the ratings would be through the roof. Never will we ever see such ratings!

Well, being president is far too serious and the responsibilities too great to be a  reality show. His fascination for nuclear weapons could wind up having serious and dire consequences for the whole world.

Mr. Trump appears to live in an alternate reality where there are no consequences if a nuclear war occurs. He may believe that somehow he would survive or perhaps his loathing of others is so extreme that he just does not care what would happen if we had a nuclear war.

Mr. Trump’s reality show reminds me of the Stanley Kubrick movie, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. As the title infers, it is strange to love a bomb. After all bombs do not love you back.

Peter Sellers could not restrain himself from wanting to give the Nazi salute. Well, strangely we have seen Mr. Trump’s followers also give the Nazi salute.

If in fact, President Trump really believes that this is a reality show and not the real world, then he needs to be removed from office as soon as possible before it is too late.

If the Republican Party can grow a backbone, we could use the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office.

Gar Byrum

Claremont