Re-elect Corey Calaycay 

Dear Editor:

I am writing in support of Corey Calaycay for city council. Over the years, the city has been faced with some very important decisions, and Mr. Calaycay has always shown his dedication by being completely aware of all sides of the issues and has consciously considered every vote. He has always made time for any resident in Claremont who wishes to speak to him, and strives for transparency of the council and certainly of himself.

I also admire that Mr. Calaycay makes every attempt to remain neutral and non- partisan when voting, or commenting on the issues at hand. There is no guessing about Corey; he is, as he presents himself, open, honest and committed.

Mr. Calaycay’s record is the best testament to his integrity, his understanding of the needs of the city and the community, and his unwavering loyalty to the city of Claremont and all of its residents.

I urge everyone to re-elect Corey Calaycay. He has a proven track record with measurable results.

Deborah Scott-Toux

Claremont

 

Courser for Claremont

Dear Editor:

I disagree with the person who exclaimed in a letter to the COURIER printed on February 24, about her assumption that Zachary Courser, a candidate for city council endorsed by the COURIER, should not serve on the council because of what she perceived to be potential conflicts of interest, due to his employment as a professor of government at one of the Claremont Colleges.

If we follow her path of reasoning, we would have to then also bar anyone who is or has been a school teacher in Claremont, as well as anyone who is or has been a police officer or employed in any capacity by the city. We would also have to bar anyone who is or has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce or the League of Women Voters or of the local Democratic Club or Republican Club.

To be consistent, we would then have to also bar these individuals from serving on any of the various city commissions.

I plan to vote for Zachary Courser, and encourage other voters to do the same

Don?Fisher

Claremont

 

A visit to Claremont

Dear Editor:

I recently had the opportunity to spend two weeks visiting friends in Claremont and I would like to say that it was a pleasant visit for this Australian to make.

Everywhere I went I found the citizens of Claremont friendly and helpful.

The quiet tranquility of Claremont was only disturbed by those very, very loud train horns. This is something that I will not miss about Claremont. [insert smiley face]

During my time in Claremont I felt that I could walk around without any fear no matter the time of day or night. This is not something that I am used to especially because of where I live in Australia.

I found a couple of places that I would always go back to eat at and I have given good reviews.

I thank the people of Claremont for being friendly and welcoming, and would recommend to any of my friends that they visit Claremont. With warm regards,

Gary Wright JP

Surry Hills NSW Australia

 

Misleading statements

Dear Editor:

Anthony Grynchal, a candidate for city council, would have the voters believe that a solution to our water woes is really quite simple and requires only that he be elected on March 7.

In his campaign literature he alludes to “Special Water Districts” and “Division 12 of the State Water Code.”

Apparently, Mr. Grynchal is aware of certain mysterious provisions of state law that not a single other person in the community has uncovered, that would allow us to renegotiate the terms by which water is delivered to our homes. I wish I could be more specific, but Mr. Grynchal is rather vague himself.

He is either misinformed or he is deliberately misleading the public.

Unless we win the current lawsuit on appeal, the city of Claremont has no legal right to negotiate a better deal from Golden State Water.

As outlined in a previous letter to the editor (Richard Haskell, COURIER, February 17) all water rights in the San Gabriel basin were previously adjudicated nearly 20 years ago. That action was a final settlement of all regional claims to subterranean water – including any Claremont may have had.

At the time (1998), Claremont was awarded less than 3 percent of the annual production of the aquifer. Other agreements apply in other parts of the state, but this decision controls the allocation of our local water—permanently. It is not subject to challenge.

For more information Google “water issues in Claremont—League of Women Voters”(2005) for an extended discussion.

Mark Merritt

Claremont

 

Endorsements

Dear Editor:

I was most disappointed to see the Claremont COURIER endorse a candidate with clear conflicts of interest with regard to town/gown issues. Mr. Courser will have to recuse himself from some of the most important decisions facing Claremont in the coming years. He is clearly someone who is padding his resume and is far too conservative for our town.

While Larry Schroeder clearly deserves another term on the council, Corey Calaycay has stumbled. By ducking issues, Mr. Calaycay has demonstrated it is time for him to step down.

At this point in history, we need a wind, not a weathervane. Murray Monroe is the right person to replace Mr. Calaycay.

Dana Ward

Claremont

 

Calacay for council

Dear Editor:

Corey Calaycay campaigned originally with the intent of listening to the concerns of ordinary citizens and putting them on at least an equal footing with those of developers and special interests. 

He has worked to keep this promise so I will be voting for him again. I hope many others will value his dedication to Claremont as I do.

Sue Schenk

Claremont

 

Who is Zach Courser?

Dear Editor:

Whom are we to believe, the Zach Courser who has one message for the Democrats and a completely different message when speaking to Republicans.   Courser’s inconsistent messaging has given me great concern.

Adding to my concern is the conversation I had last week with four college students who came to my door and asked me to vote for “their professor.” 

When I asked them to tell me about him, they shared Mr. Courser’s cited statistics on Los Angeles County homeless. 

When I queried as to why his examples were not focused on Claremont’s homeless, a male student was quick to “school” me on why Claremont does not have a huge homeless problem. The reason he stated was because the Claremont Police Department picks them up and drives them to San Bernardino County, or Pomona and drops them off to get them out of Claremont.

So, I must wonder, where did this “enlightened” student get this erroneous information? Is this the response Mr. Courser has instructed his campaign people convey? And is this his opinion of our excellent police department?

Lastly, The Student Life newspaper published by the Colleges, reported on the Forum held Thursday, February 24. According to the paper, “Courser believes the city should provide additional resources for immigrants who might feel threatened by new federal policies.”

Mr. Courser is quoted, “We (the city) can afford to be a bit brave here, in that we can help support, for instance, legally, to inform immigrants that they have their due process rights.”

What does he mean by this? What does he mean by “provide additional resources”? What resources? Does the city truly want to be liable for legal advice for illegal immigrants? Does the city want to set aside funds for this service? Ambiguity, thy name is Zach Courser.

It is my belief that Mr. Courser is a crafty man who hopes no one sees his truth; he is a chameleon, who will say whatever he feels necessary to get the vote. If he is unable to be transparent as a candidate, what will he be like as a councilmember? 

Carolyn Gonzales

Claremont

 

Mr. Claremont

Dear Editor:

I would like to share an experience with a candidate for Claremont City Council, Anthony Grynchal. Here are a couple of reasons why our family will not be voting for “Mr. Claremont.”

I have spoken with him face-to-face three times. He is a realtor and had a listing around the corner from our home. My main concern stems from a conversation with him on our front porch. I told Mr. Grynchal that we are not selling our house. His straight-faced response was, “Wrong answer.” I was shocked. It seems we should all list our homes with him whether it is good for us or not. I told my husband about the conversation and he was shocked as well.

In addition, his car has been spotted in the Village parked backward in the directional angled spots to show off his expensive car with its custom advertisements. In our opinions this is egotistical.

We don’t appreciate anyone calling themselves “Mr. Claremont” either. Someone using that kind of a distinction and or self-proclaimed title should have more civic and community experience, and longevity.

His personality is not what we need on the council. Our family cannot bring ourselves to trust him on our city council.

Kim George and family

Claremont

 

Vote for Calaycay

Dear Editor:

Even though I do not always agree with Corey Calaycay’s decisions, he will receive my sole vote for city council because I really do believe he listens to his constituents, even those of us in south-east Claremont.

Three streets, including my own, had originally had a highway designation and were subject to speed surveys every five years. Whenever the 85th percentile of the drivers was driving over the speed limit, it was mandated that the speed limit be raised. Mr. Calaycay worked together with city staff to have our streets redesignated as local streets in a residential district with a maximum speed of 25 mph. 

In addition, Mr. Calaycay has worked with city staff to have solar speed readers installed on our streets and, most recently, to extend their usage during daytime, every day of the week. Of course, there are still scofflaws but, thanks to Mr. Calaycay, I do believe our streets are a little safer. Moreover, since the new designations for our streets do not require speed surveys, our city is now saving money because the city is responsible for the cost of the surveys.

In short, I am voting for Mr. Calaycay because he listens, our streets are safer,  he has saved taxpayers’ money and last, but not least, he is independent of the Colleges and does not, therefore, have to recuse himself whenever College business is on the agenda.

Valerie Gustaveson

Claremont

 

Re-elect the incumbents

Dear Editor:

I attended a council candidates question and answer on February 13 at the Doubletree Hotel in Claremont. The candidates forum was presented by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce and was very well attended.

I have gone back-and-forth on one of the candidates. However, after carefully listening to all of the candidates I wholeheartedly endorse Larry Schroeder and Corey Calaycay.

There is no doubt in my mind that these two will best serve the interests of the city of Claremont.

To all of my fellow Democrats I urge you to support both of these gentlemen. I believe this is a case where our national politics should not be brought to a local election.

Dan Randal

Claremont

 

Larry and Corey

Dear Editor:

The city council campaign has included calls for change and hands-on leadership. But change for its own sake is not a virtue, and the virtues of hands-on leadership in our community’s many civic pursuits have only been demonstrated by two candidates, Larry Schroeder and Corey Calaycay. 

Only our two incumbents have offered many years of honorable, consistent, heartfelt participation and service to Claremont’s civic well-being.

Both Larry Schroeder and Corey Calaycay have a record of support for numerous human and community issues and services, including measures for affordable housing, homeless services, sustainability and the Wilderness Park Master Plan.

Both incumbents have supported community efforts to reclaim local municipal control of Claremont’s water system, our most precious commodity.

Both Larry and Corey support current police policies, in which our local law enforcement does not do the work of federal immigration authorities. Both have, by experience gained during years on the council, developed connections with local, county, regional and state government agencies related to issues that affect Claremont. And, they have developed the skill and wisdom that only comes with experience.

Larry Schroeder and Corey Calaycay have been generously hands-on, not only as council members, but in their participation in community service groups, and both are very much part of the vibrancy of our community. 

We will be wise to accept their offer to serve us for another term and re-elect both Larry Schroeder and Corey Calaycay.

Jennifer Jaffe

Claremont