Claremont voters send clear message: Measure W passes in a landslide
[UPDATED: Wednesday, November 5, 1:30 p.m.]
There’s a whole lot of celebrating going on in Claremont as voters overwhelmingly passed Measure W at the polls Tuesday night, moving the city one step closer to acquiring its water system.
With 6,116 votes in favor and 2,452 opposed, the passing of the measure will allow the city to borrow up to $135 million in revenue bonds to finance the acquisition of the local water system currently owned and operated by Golden State Water Company.
“It’s a great first step but were not there yet,” says Sue Schenk. “Now the city council has a mandate to move forward with the Resolution of Necessity and I hope they do it as fast as possible. I’ll be very happy when we don’t have to deal with Golden State Water anymore.”
Ms. Schenk’s sentiments were reflected in the more than 200 residents and supporters of Yes on W, who mingled at the DoubleTree Hotel while waiting for live election results. Measure W ultimately passed with 71 percent in favor, a significantly higher percentage than needed to move forward with the potential acquisition.
“Golden State Water Company is disappointed in the election outcome, but remains unwavering in its belief that an attempt to take the Claremont system by eminent domain is not in the best interest of the community,” Denise Kruger, Golden State Water Company senior vice president, said in an emailed statement to the COURIER. “We appreciate the support of the many Claremont residents who led the opposition to Measure W. They worked tirelessly to respectfully expose the flaws in the city of Claremont’s feasibility study and the ultimate high cost of a take-over.”
According to a city press release, city council has set a date of Tuesday, November 25 for a public hearing to consider a Resolution of Necessity and whether a take-over is in the public’s best interest. During that hearing, the community and Golden State Water will have an opportunity to address the council and learn more about the potential acquisition.
Passage of a Resolution of Necessity requires a 4/5 vote of the city council and is required before the court process can proceed. Ultimately, if the city elects to advance the process, a judge or a jury would make the decision on the legality of the acquisition, the benefit to the community and any associated purchase price.
Before pursing eminent domain, however, Mayor Joe Lyons said that the city will invite Golden State Water to the table one last time to try to negotiate in good faith on a fair purchase price for the water system. But Golden State Water’s participation in that meeting doesn’t seem likely.
“As we’ve stated before, the system is not for sale,” Ms. Kruger said. “Passage of Measure W does not change the reality that the eminent domain process being pursued by the city will result in higher water costs for Claremont. In contrast, our most recent rate filing, if approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will result in lower customer bills as we’ve worked hard to reduce costs while not compromising on service or system replacement and maintenance.”
The city will continue to represent Claremont residents during the CPUC hearings while exploring options for operating and managing the water system and potential rate structures, a process the city says will be discussed and decided upon in open public meetings.
“We recognize this is a complex process and there will be many important decisions along the way,” Mayor Lyons said. “The city is committed to working hand-in-hand with the community as we go forward in this process.”
—Angela Bailey
Results provided by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder
In Los Angeles County:
Ballots Cast/Turnout 1,147,248
Absentee Total 325,421
Registration 4,544,455
% Ballots Cast/Turnout 25.25
GOVERNOR
EDMUND G BROWN Pref: DEM 732,606 66.28
NEEL KASHKARI Pref: REP 372,745 33.72
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
GAVIN NEWSOM Pref: DEM 695,633 64.63
RON NEHRING Pref: REP 380,679 35.37
SECRETARY OF STATE
ALEX PADILLA Pref: DEM 660,554 61.96
PETE PETERSON Pref: REP 405,495 38.04
CONTROLLER
BETTY T YEE Pref: DEM 638,025 60.34
ASHLEY SWEARENGIN Pref: REP 419,304 39.66
TREASURER
JOHN CHIANG Pref: DEM 710,130 66.28
GREG CONLON Pref: REP 361,226 33.72
ATTORNEY GENERAL
KAMALA D HARRIS Pref: DEM 718,018 66.29
RONALD GOLD Pref: REP 365,051 33.71
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
DAVE JONES Pref: DEM 700,364 66.01
TED GAINES Pref: REP 360,575 33.99
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 27TH DISTRICT
JUDY CHU Pref: DEM 54,605 60.68
JACK ORSWELL Pref: REP 35,386 39.32
MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY 41ST DISTRICT
CHRIS HOLDEN Pref: DEM 40,718 63.15
NATHANIEL TSAI Pref: REP 23,759 36.85
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
TOM TORLAKSON 481,464 50.82
MARSHALL TUCK 465,965 49.18
STATE MEASURE 1—WATER BOND
YES 746,265 69.88
NO 321,596 30.12
STATE MEASURE 2—STATE BUDGET
YES 725,018 69.25
NO 321,917 30.75
STATE MEASURE 45—HEALTHCARE INSURANCE
YES 462,742 43.55
NO 599,752 56.45
STATE MEASURE 46—DRUG TESTING OF DOCTORS
YES 391,898 36.59
NO 679,092 63.41
STATE MEASURE 47—CRIMINAL SENTENCES
YES 672,724 63.36
NO 388,973 36.64
STATE MEASURE 48—INDIAN GAMING COMPACTS
YES 418,007 40.07
NO 625,223 59.93
COUNTY MEASURE P—PARCEL SPECIAL TAX LEVY
YES 645,889 62.04
NO 395,123 37.96
SHERIFF
JIM MCDONNELL 703,662 74.83
PAUL TANAKA 236,665 25.17
CLAREMONT CITY SPEC MUNI MEASURE W
YES 6,116 71.38
NO 2,452 28.62
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