Issues relating to Claremont’s ballot Measure W will be discussed at an informational water bond seminar sponsored by the Claremont Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, September 17 beginning at 11 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Business owners and residents are encouraged to attend the presentation that will include a panel discussion between Mayor Joe Lyons of the city of Claremont, Rodney Smith for Golden State Water, and Freeman Allen for citizen-groups Claremont Friends of Locally-Owned Water (Claremont FLOW) and Mark Sterba for Claremont Affordable Water Advocates (CAWA).

Measure W, which will require a “Yes” or “No” vote, will read as follows:

“Shall the City of Claremont be authorized to issue water revenue bonds up to $135 million to pay for acquisition of the Claremont Water System and incidental expenses payable only from the water system’s revenues?”

The impartial analysis, arguments in favor and against the ballot measure, as well as the rebuttals, can be found under the “Water” sidebar located on the city’s website here

As the COURIER previously reported, the city revised the ballot language to read $135 million in bonds rather than $55 million as previously stated, as part of an agreement with Golden State Water. In exchange, Golden State agreed to abandon the citizen initiative petition drive that would require the city to seek voter approval for all bonds issued in connection with the acquisition of the water system

The panel will be held on Wednesday, September 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, located at 555 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont.