Readers’ comments: October 18, 2024

Love for Claremont
Dear editor:
My husband and I have two young daughters and have lived in Claremont for a few years now. We have loved this city since having our first date at Buca di Beppo in Claremont 15 years ago. As fate would have it, our first date also fell on the night of CHS’s homecoming game, so the sky was filled with fireworks as we walked up to the restaurant. It’s become an annual tradition to celebrate our first date with Buca and fireworks every year on CHS’s homecoming night, so we’ll be celebrating this November 1st. We’ve been married 10 years and had our wedding at Padua Hills. Our five-year-old daughter attends kindergarten at OLA and our youngest just turned one. I’m not sure if the Courier ever highlights families, however, we just wanted to share our story and love for Claremont!
Katrina Gomez
Claremont

For the love of dogs
Dear editor:
Wonderful viewpoint by Emily McLean. Right on! Yes, Claremont does have a dog problem and park problem too, in that we don’t provide enough access for our pets to socialize. I live next to a pocket park where all my neighbors with dogs will sometimes have an impromptu puppy romp. We all dislike the designated dog parks because they are unsafe on many levels. The city is on a state-mandated housing build-out, but with more people come more dogs, and we don’t seem to want to build more parks. A city worth living in provides balance for a decent quality of life and that includes our dogs!
Nikki Coulas
Claremont

Everyone matters
Dear editor:
My job as a professor in a liberal arts college is to support my students, and to support my colleagues as members of this community. As faculty we must support our students who want Israel to cease its continued attacks on Palestinian civilians, but also we must support our students who needed to mourn and commemorate the victims of Hamas’ attacks a year ago. A student does not cease to be my student because I disagree with them, and I hope I do not cease to be their teacher. A colleague does not cease to be my colleague because I disagree with them. In fact, that is what makes us a community: we can find each other and understand that despite our differences, we are members of one community and we are linked by our common humanity. True learning happens when trust and empathy are the foundation of our relationships.
Anonymous protesters hidden behind the invisibility of masks shatter our common humanity, and eradicate the empathy and trust we have built throughout many years. The protests on Monday had a chilling effect to those of us who work on Carnegie.
On Monday, some professors marched with our students. Others decided to stay home. Most of us ignored the protest and tried to go on with business as usual. But all of us as a faculty, we all failed. We failed our students who wanted to mourn the victims of October 7. We failed our colleagues who wanted to complete their work for the day, and instead felt threatened and intimidated by the protests. We failed our students who wanted to come to class or needed to come to office hours. We failed our colleagues in facilities and ITS who must deal with the aftermath of the wonton destruction of Carnegie. We failed our students and peers in the protest by not defending this community and not reminding them that in a place at Pomona, everyone matters. Most sadly, we failed each other as colleagues by ignoring the bonds that sustain us as a community. In a Liberal Arts College, events like Monday’s have no place, and are antithetical to our most sacred values.
Fernando A. Lozano
Pomona College economics professor

RPI degree
Dear editor:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, is the oldest college of science and engineering in the English-speaking world. On November 5th this year, it will be 200 years old.
RPI was founded by Stephen Van Rensselaer, a Dutch land owner and politician, “for the purpose of instructing persons who may choose to apply themselves in the application of science to the common purposes of life.”
Dr. David B. Steinman, the builder of more than 400 cross-water bridges around the world, was a friend of my father, Milton. One day in 1957, while I was a junior at White Plains High School, David and Milton were having lunch together in New York. David asked Milton what career I wanted to pursue. Milton replied, electrical engineering. “RPI!” David said, excitedly. “He has to go to RPI.” That summer, the family visited RPI. I felt good vibes, applied, was accepted, attended, and graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
After earning my master’s degree, also in electrical engineering, at NYU in 1963, I came west to work for General Dynamics in Pomona. Upon my arrival, someone in Human Resources showed me a document bearing, among other things, a list of eight colleges. One of them was RPI. And because I was a graduate of RPI, my starting salary was bumped up by 15 percent. The company had recognized the institute as a preeminent college for a technological education.
Jay B. Winderman
Claremont

In support of Proposition 2
Dear editor:
On this year’s ballot, I urge you to vote YES on Proposition 2 which authorizes $10 billion in state general obligation bonds for the repair, upgrade and construction of facilities for K-12 public schools AND community colleges. Of the $1.5 billion allocated for community colleges, Citrus College is slated to receive approximately $35 million.
At Citrus College, a career technical education (CTE) building is shovel ready. It has gone through the state approval system and thanks to the Measure Y funds approved by our community in 2020, Citrus College has the matching funds that Proposition 2 requires for this project. This statewide bond, if approved, will help our capital funds go further as inflation and rising construction costs limit the number of planned projects that we can complete with Measure Y funds.
Many of us in Claremont have been served by a Citrus College-trained medical or dental technician or a first responder. The CTE building will house nursing and dental programs, which have waiting lists of students hoping to train for these roles that are so needed in our communities. This new building will help increase the capacity of these programs and many other career technical programs that will train our local workforce.
A statewide education bond has not been approved since 2016 so there is a backlog of projects awaiting funding. Please vote YES on Proposition 2 to help fund deserving educational projects across California. If this passes, Citrus College is in line to receive $35 million to support the new CTE building on the Citrus College campus. Thank you for your support of education in our state and specifically, your local community college, Citrus College.
Laura Bollinger
Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees Area 2 representative

In support of Cheryl Fiello
Dear editor:
In my 36 years as an educator in Claremont, I have seen the qualities that make an effective school board member — a passion for the growth and development of students, a knowledge of the public school system, and a collaborative decision-making style. Cheryl Fiello possesses these qualities, and that is why I am enthusiastically supporting her for CUSD School Board.
Her desire to serve the youth of our community comes from being a parent, teacher, and administrator. In these varied roles, Cheryl has come to understand Claremont’s educational system firsthand. As a science teacher, she created a joyful classroom environment that developed curious, lifelong learners and problem solvers. For eight years at the district office, Cheryl was instrumental in creating technology initiatives and programs for teachers’ professional development. Her work in this area is now a core part of the educational program that empowers CUSD learners to become intentional and innovative in their use of technology.
In the early stages of this program, Cheryl knew to be collaborative and patient when working with us teachers. She listened to our worries and concerns while training us to integrate technology into our lessons. As a result, students at every level now regularly use technology as a tool to research information and creatively demonstrate learning. Her passion for quality education continues, as evidenced by her membership on the School Site Council at Chaparral, where her children are students.
I can’t think of anyone more qualified and ready to serve on the CUSD Board of Education. I encourage you to vote for Cheryl Fiello on November 5th.
Frank D’Emilio
Claremont

Fiello for District 5
Dear editor:
I am writing to endorse Cheryl Fiello for District 5 in the upcoming school board election. Having served as a teacher and administrator in our district, and currently serving as chair of Chaparral’s School Site Council, as well as a board member of the Claremont Educational Foundation (CEF), Cheryl has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities our schools and our students face today.
During her tenure at CUSD, she played a critical role in overseeing technology initiatives and successfully implemented programs that not only enhanced students’ learning experiences but ensured that all educators were equipped with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
As a former board member and employee of CEF myself, I had the opportunity to work closely with her on various programs and initiatives and witnessed firsthand the impact of her effective leadership. Her dedication to our students and community, along with her expertise in education and technology, makes her uniquely qualified to serve as a trustee on our school board.
I have no doubt that Cheryl is the right choice for our school board. With your vote, we can ensure that our schools continue to thrive under her guidance.
Liz Weigand
Claremont

Question of judgement
Dear editor:
Cheryl Fiello’s endorsement of Steven Llanusa, resigned President of the Claremont School Board, has raised serious concerns following an inappropriate party hosted by Llanusa, which has now led to a lawsuit involving him and the Claremont School District. In Cheryl’s endorsement, Fiello confidently stated, “I know him really well and would stake my reputation on him. Steven Llanusa absolutely makes the right decision for our students, even when those decisions are difficult or unpopular. I trust him to lead my children’s school district.”
Fiello’s judgment has to be questioned and leaves many to wonder why she is running for school board. Her endorsement helped Llanusa gain votes from the community, resulting in what has become a deeply troubling situation. At the party in question, minors were reportedly pressured to drink alcohol and sexually harassed by party guests, including an individual dressed as “Bad Santa,” who according to a court document, stated “suck on this” while referring to a candy cane located at his midsection. These events not only led to police involvement but have also caused the school district to allocate funds for legal defense, adding to the financial burden on the community and school district. The question of who the “Bad Santa” was remains unanswered and the community wants to know!
A vote for Cheryl Fiello is a vote that risks putting students in harm’s way, given her unwavering endorsement of Steven Llanusa, whose actions led to a scandal involving minors, alcohol, and sexual misconduct — jeopardizing the safety and well-being of the children she’s supposed to protect.
Anthony Lopez
Claremont

Cheryl Fiello’s lack of openness
Dear editor:
If you’ve been frustrated with a lack of engagement from Cheryl Fiello’s opponent, think twice before considering Cheryl herself for Claremont Unified School District Trustee Area 5. Visit her website, and you’ll see that asking her a question is nearly impossible. When you click the “question” button, you’re not directed to a form for inquiries, but rather a form to “get involved” — with options like volunteering, endorsing, or hosting a meet-and-greet. Even worse, Cheryl demands personal details like your phone number, address, and name, which is deeply troubling in today’s tense political climate.
Does this sound like someone who values open communication with the people she wants to represent? Instead of making it easy for voters to ask questions or express concerns, Cheryl Fiello hides behind barriers that demand your personal information. In a time when trust in politics is already shaky, this approach only raises more red flags. If she can’t be transparent and accessible during her campaign, how can we trust her to be accountable once in office? Cheryl Fiello has shown she’s more focused on her own interests than on genuinely connecting with voters.
Joe Gonzales
Claremont
Editor’s note: Mr. Gonzales has now raised concerns about both candidates, Cheryl Fiello and Mark Reynoso, in the Claremont Unified School District Trustee Area 5 contest. Both candidates have been very active campaigning. If volunteering for any political campaign, one should expect to give basic personal information to get involved.

Forester for District 1
Dear editor:
I met Rachel Forester a couple of years after I had moved to Claremont. From a distance, I had admired her dedicated and enthusiastic activism for our city and, while attending a city council meeting, took the opportunity to introduce myself. We became fast friends through our shared love of Claremont and desire to make the world a better and more equitable place, often working closely together on political campaigns and as community volunteers.
During our joint time as volunteer board members for Claremont Educational Foundation, I got to see up close how much she cares about this community. During my pandemic-era tenure as president of CEF, when everyone’s lives were continuously being disrupted on a day-to-day basis, Rachel became someone I knew I could count on to follow through with whatever commitment she made. Her understanding of the Claremont community and its needs were integral in helping us pivot our fundraising efforts and she helped provide fundamental insight and innovative ideas for how the various programs, like SLICE, could evolve and thrive in a post-pandemic world.
I’m so proud to call Rachel a friend. One of the best decisions I’ve made in recent years was introducing myself to her at that council meeting. Her willingness to take on extremely difficult and daunting tasks, her creativity and adaptability in approaching problems, and her tenacity when it comes to exploring all pathways are all testaments to who she is. I know she would bring that same passion and inclusive problem solving to Claremont’s city council and that’s why selecting her to be the next representative for District 1 will be one of the best decisions voters can make.
Deborah Kekone
Claremont

Ready for the job
Dear editor:
For twenty years I have observed Rachel Forester analyze and assess Claremont’s government and seen her fight for progress and fairness. She is now running for Claremont City Council in District 1, against a long-term incumbent. Rachel has an analytical mind and a determination to serve the best interests of the community. She deserves your vote.
As a member of the Community and Human Services Commission, she asked tough questions and tackled difficult issues, while maintaining respect for city staff and the public. I remember her challenging a very long, detailed signage for the new dog park. “I mean, why can’t I take other food inside the dog park, when I have my children’s snack with us?” The resulting sign was much shorter and friendlier, but still covered the legal requirements.
She has asked questions from a renter’s perspective, for example, “How does an apartment renter get rid of a mattress?” Homeowners can request a free pickup of such items three times a year. Not renters. Why is there no pathway for a renter? Cost, of course. But that is the point: without a renter’s perspective among the elected councilmembers, there is a void of representation for that portion of the population.
She has served as a speaker on panels on a multitude of issues: bicycle safety, streets, schools, health, medical access, and sustainability. She researches her presentations and delivers her message succinctly. Rachel Forester is ready for the job of serving on Claremont City Council.
Barbara Rugeley
Claremont

We support Corey Calaycay
Dear editor:
We are former City of Claremont employees who continue to call Claremont home. During our time working in municipal government, we were responsible for developing and executing programs and projects that maintained and enhanced the quality of life and community character that Claremont residents expect and deserve. Corey has always worked well with staff and appreciates their creative solutions and efforts in program and project development.
We are deeply troubled that the state and other outside interests continue to erode local control. We know, first hand, that our Claremont process has not stymied community development and programming. Rather, our local leaders, with community input, have worked hard to improve the community with successful projects such as the Village Expansion, Courier Place, the Youth and Family Master Plan, the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Master Plan, Design Guidelines and Historic Preservation Ordinance, to name just a few.
We support Corey Calaycay because he has the institutional knowledge to appreciate, champion and defend the long-held values that make our town an inclusive, welcoming and desirable community in which to live and raise families. We understand that change is inevitable and are confident that Corey has the experience, desire and fortitude to ensure that changes are well thought out and complement the contributions and vision of many previous generations of city leaders.
Bridget Healy, Retired Assistant City Manager and Shelly Vander Veen, Retired Chief of Police

Why I’m voting for Corey Calaycay
Dear editor:
I am a resident in District One and my opinions of Corey Calyacay are not meant in any way to reflect negatively on his opponent. Anyone who is willing to run for local office is engaging a process that involves a lot of volunteer time and personal sacrifice, whether it be taking time away from one’s business or family, etc. I don’t think it’s easy, and that’s why so many of us avoid it. So I am grateful to both candidates for the effort put forward to represent Claremont, in district one and beyond.
Like many of your readers, I have researched positions from both candidates and heard both of them speak. Here’s why I am voting for Corey: His 19 years in public service haven’t extinguished his passion and concern for our city. He is accessible, will engage openly and sincerely on where he stands on issues, he’s thoughtful in his approach to the needs of his constituents, as he sees it! That’s important to me. I may not agree with him on everything, but I know he comes from an informed and educated perspective that is complemented by his experience and fueled by his concern for others. Corey is quite aware of current political and societal trends that impact us, and he will not shy away from his position on how state/county/city government function together. I am not saying his opponent wouldn’t do all of the above. I am just saying Corey already delivers on these core essentials to city governing and leadership.
For me, the decision comes down to who I think will effectively navigate the complex nature of our city’s challenges in the future. Respectfully to me that’s Corey. I don’t base that opinion on party affiliation, or what I hear about him or his opponent through subjective bias. I just think Corey is too effective not to continue to be our city council representative.
If I thought Corey’s 19 years of service had made him jaded or disinterested in Claremont’s future, or he lacked passion to continue in his position, I would tell him that. That’s not the case. But if it was, I know he would be open to the conversation.
Claremont Resident
Bob Connolly

Calaycay for housing
Dear editor:
Since housing is one of the issues in our city council campaigns, why not look at what worked for us in Claremont in the past. I had the pleasure of serving with Corey Calaycay on the Claremont City Council to make Courier Place happen. A very successful, multi-generation, affordable housing project that the community welcomed and is now part of our neighborhood. It was a lot of hard work, there were a lot of community meetings, and we made it work with the developer to make sure they built something that we, the city, wanted and would love, not the developer. That is what Corey brings to the council, the understanding and knowledge of the hard work needed to make successful projects happen. Developers, and their enablers, hide behind new state laws to shut out the community, and if anyone dares to call them out, they are immediately labeled NIMBYs. Corey is now being called anti-housing, and even a NIMBY because he calls out the profuse number of efforts aimed at weakening local control. Corey is not anti-housing but he is not willing to let developers, and their enablers, have their way with Claremont. Yes, growth is inevitable but we can still have a Claremont plan for growth, and we know that developers and their backers at the state level, do not want that. If you hear Corey, he says he opposes the “one size fits all” approach. If you think Claremont is a special place, then I think you support the efforts that made it special. This is why I support Corey in his re-election. He will give developers a run for their money.
Sam Pedroza
Claremont

Corey stays in touch
Dear editor:
Once elected, Claremont City Council members are expected stay in touch with their district constituents and with the larger Claremont community. Doing so requires more than saying “call or email me” or inviting concerned residents to speak at council meetings.
Incumbent District 1 Councilmember Corey Calaycay has been exemplary in this regard. We can speak from direct experience. Corey has briefed our townhome residents on issues facing Claremont and invited questions or comments. He did the same when we invited him to speak to assembled friends and neighbors after he announced his candidacy. Having walked with Corey to canvass neighborhoods, we have seen him invest substantial effort to meet, greet, and listen to constituents.
For several years, Corey has periodically held “Chat with Corey” Zoom sessions for give-and-take on local issues with Claremont residents, without regard to District. Corey’s outreach to minority groups includes his hosting, attending meetings, and participating in cultural events of the local Filipino-American (known as Fil-Am) community, an organization founded in Claremont several years ago.
Corey is accessible. He listens, thoughtfully considers, and acts in the interests of the larger Claremont community. Doing so requires a lot of time and energy. Corey is willing to serve again. District 1 voters will do well by voting for him.
Allan Wicker and Ding Elnar-Wicker
District 1 Claremont Voters

Calaycay for City Council
Dear editor:
As an 18-year-old first-time voter, I’m proud to support Corey Calaycay’s reelection campaign for Claremont City Council. I’ve spent the past six weeks knocking on doors witnessing firsthand how he speaks with residents about their concerns, and the unique approach he brings to local politics. He ran for council at just nineteen years old, and has missed only one council meeting in nineteen years. Voters have repeatedly trusted him for the tangible progress he delivers.
Calaycay has championed community-centered initiatives like Courier Place, one of Los Angeles County’s pioneering multigenerational affordable housing projects. He has also supported the Tri-City Mental Health permanent supportive housing development for seniors on Baseline and allocated substantial funds — $1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and an additional $600,000 in city housing funds — to create a renter assistance program that supports both tenants and landlords. His track record shows a commitment to fostering sustainable, practical, and community-centered solutions to housing. Furthermore, his dedication in support of local law enforcement, improving infrastructure, and protecting Claremont’s independence from state overreach reflects a deep commitment to the voices of all Claremont residents.
Beyond his achievements, what truly sets Calaycay apart for me is his integrity. Every dollar he accepts comes directly from Claremont community members. He refuses endorsements from outside interest groups and political parties because he believes in nonpartisan local elections. For him, this means that Claremont’s issues — such as keeping street lights on at night or finding pragmatic solutions to every problem — aren’t about party lines, they’re about what’s good for our community. I’ve seen him treat every resident with care and genuine respect, showing why residents have placed his yard signs side by side with their candidate choices on both sides of the political spectrum.
I firmly believe that Corey Calaycay embodies the true values of Claremont. He offers the dependable leadership we need for our future, and it is a privilege to support him.
Lucas Grannis
Claremont

Setting the record straight
Dear editor:
I read Anne Turner’s letter to the editor in the October 11 Claremont Courier. While she
Doesn’t call Corey Calaycay out by name, she is fabricating a narrative that implies that he
has said that he will never vote for a cost-of-living increase for our city staff, and accuses
him of a closed-minded and ridged agenda.
Corey does have a documented voting record which shows that he has only missed one council meeting in over 19 years of service to our city. Further, this same record shows that
he supported all six city employee bargaining groups’ respective memoranda of
understanding that came before the Claremont City Council on June 25, 2024; September 14, 2021; and July 27, 2021. Each of these agreements included cost of living increases.
Thank you for the opportunity to set the record straight.
Helaine Goldwater
Claremont