Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-32nd district) stopped in Claremont Sunday evening to visit with residents at a meet-and-greet at the DoubleTree Hotel. In November, Ms. Chu will vie for a seat in the newly-formed 27^th district, which includes Claremont.

In her remarks to over 50 people in attendance, Ms. Chu emphasized her commitment to the seeing the extension of the Gold Line to Claremont as well as the need for greater effort to improve open space.

“The San Gabriel mountains are not maintained,” Ms. Chu said. “These mountains represent 70 percent of the open space in Los Angeles County and host as many as 2 million visitors a year.”

Neglect of the mountain areas, according to Ms. Chu, include overgrown trails, little signage and too few trash receptacles. Ms. Chu suggests the area should become part of the National Parks system, continuing with a promise to carry forward a bill initiated by Hilda Solis that proposes to do just that.

“After the hearings and the final recommendations, I will carry the bill for the mountains to Sacramento,” she said.

Ms. Chu was elected in 2009 filling the seat vacated by Ms. Solis after her appointment as the Secretary of Labor.

Guests at the reception noshed on shrimp, fresh fruit and passed hors d’oeuvres like duck mousse and caviar, courtesy of the DoubleTree Hotel.

Former Claremont mayor Ellen Taylor, who serves as VP for action for the League of Women Voters, Claremont Area, noted the event would not have been possible without the generosity of the host.

“We should all thank Andrew Behnke for putting on such a lovely event,” she said.

Additional guests included Mayor Larry Schroeder, CUSD board member Steven Llanusa and Democratic Club President Zephyr Tate-Mann.

—Kathryn Dunn

editor@claremont-courier.com