Opinion

Showing neighborliness Dear Editor: As a senior citizen and frequent user of the Claremont Wilderness Trail system, it pains me to see so few of my fellow hikers using masks. This morning only about one-third of the people I encountered on the trail were wearing a mask. The rest did not even have a bandanna […]

by John Neiuber The fourth part of our tour of Claremont begins at Foothill and Claremont Boulevards, on the famous Route 66. Begin on the north side of Foothill and proceed west to “get your kicks.” FOOTHILL BOULEVARD: ROUTE 66 Foothill Boulevard was opened through Claremont as a state highway in January 1930, and became […]

[Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to the city and the city council, with a copy forwarded for publication. —KD] High density housing Dear Editor: We don’t understand how you as Claremont residents would even consider such a high density housing development proposed by Trumark Homes to be built in the middle of a […]

by Peter Weinberger | pweinberger@claremont-courier.com I was away last week visiting my daughter in Lake Tahoe. Upon my return to the office Tuesday, all of us at the COURIER wanted to make changes in how we interact with the public. So we have closed the office due to coronavirus concerns. That means no more walk-in […]

by Jan Wheatcroft I am keeping a very low and safe profile in light of the pandemic. I have gotten quite used to my own company as have so many others who wish to remain safe and healthy.  Having such long periods where I am alone, I find that I have so much more time […]

Cleaning the trails Dear Editor: As I left my house this morning, I found a glove in my pocket left over from the days when I would pick up trash every second Saturday of the month for the Friends of the Wilderness Park. (Sadly, the pandemic put a stop to their efforts). So I decided […]

by Chris Naticchia With the murder of George Floyd, the ensuing mass protests, and fast-approaching elections, a discussion of systemic racism has gained traction like never before. This discussion is long overdue. What we’re finally acknowledging—collectively, as a culture, and among whites in particular—is that Blacks and other people of color frequently encounter discrimination in […]

by Peter Weinberger | pweinberger@claremont-courier.com Earlier this month, Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, a bipartisan bill that helps preserve community journalistic coverage throughout the United States. Local news publications already faced financial difficulties before the onset of COVID-19. Now, in the wake of the severe economic […]

Make the sacrifice Dear Editor: To all the people I know and don’t know in Claremont and beyond: To the salon owner who is clandestinely seeing clients though your shades are down and a sign says you are closed, and to those clients quickly entering and exiting, thanks to your actions this virus is unending […]

by John Neiuber In the last installment we ended the tour in front of Carnegie Hall (Library). From Carnegie Hall proceed south on College Avenue to the corner of College and Fourth Street.  POMONA COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S HOUSE, 1915, 335 N. COLLEGE AVE. The classic American Foursquare home has the distinction of being the oldest presidential […]

A public apology Dear Editor: This is an Open Letter of Apology to all the people of color who spoke at the Police Commission meeting on July 7. I am apologizing for my unawareness and insensitivity to your experiences, especially as I was describing my very positive experience working with our Claremont Police Department. I […]

by Mark von Wodtke, FASLA Many of us are making our homes as sustainable as possible. But are these homes sustainable? How can we regenerate? A significant change for a home is to use solar electricity—particularly with battery backup. This provides energy production and storage—right where we need it. We can make better use of […]

Commons not a good fit Dear Editor: I am writing to share my strong support for the recommendation that Jennifer Jaffe made in her July 3 letter that The Commons not be used for residential development but only for appropriate commercial development. All of the reasons she outlined are accurate and compelling. Ultimately, this project […]

By John Pixley Sometimes, it’s the little things that count. Sometimes, the little things are what bring joy and pleasure. That’s especially true during this pandemic and the recent uprising over police brutality and racial inequality, as overdue and as hope-inspiring as it is. (Did they have to happen at the same time, especially as […]

Open letter to city leaders [Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to the city manager and council, with a copy forwarded for publication. —KD] Dear Editor: We are not the only residents who have appreciated our city staff’s reading of comment emails and letters at public meetings. Unfortunately, our city manager’s recent weekly update […]

by Peter Weinberger | pweinberger@claremont-courier.com There’s been an enormous amount of discussion throughout the country about whether states should enforce strict measures for wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. Mask wearing enforcement can be so intense that some health officials quit their jobs after receiving threats from the public. Americans clearly feel they […]