Opinion

John Darnielle is a noted musician and author best known for his work with the band The Mountain Goats. Mr. Darnielle, who graduated from Claremont High School in 1985, was deeply influenced by his creative writing teacher Rosemary Adam. Upon learning of Ms. Adam’s death, he sent the following tribute to the COURIER.   Last […]

by John Pixley   “Finally. We’re in Claremont.” No doubt about it. We were now in Claremont. Never mind the city limit sign. We were coming from Pomona. My friend was driving and again commenting on how rough the roads were. Indeed, it was a bumpy ride. Then, all of sudden, it wasn’t. The street […]

Displacing Renwick a bad move Dear Editor: Pomona College now proposes moving Renwick House on College Avenue to make room for an art museum. Because this change in their proposed master plan occurred after the original draft EIR was submitted, that portion of the plan has been rewritten. Unfortunately, the new draft does not include […]

by John Pixley   Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wanted to get up close and personal. “I wish we could be closer to the audience,” the US Supreme Court Justice told Amanda Hollis-Brusky, assistant professor of politics at Pomona College, as they began their conversation in Bridges Auditorium a couple weeks ago. “It feels so […]

by Lissa Petersen, President, Claremont Wildlands Conservancy Board   Speaking for the Board of Claremont Wildlands Conservancy (CWC), I’d like to commend the city council, staff and consultants for their impressive work in crafting a draft of the master plan for the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park that will guide its management over the next 20 […]

Don’t give up on police station Dear Editor: I truly hope and pray that our wonderful Claremont police officers are not daunted by the failure of Measure PS this past Tuesday. After all, Thomas Edison had 1,000 ideas for the light bulb rejected before he finally saw the light (pun intended!). Those who voted against […]

by Jan Wheatcroft On the island of Samos, Greece, I lived in a small hovel of a house built into the old Orthodox Church and entered from a very thin alleyway. I walked along this cobblestone passage to throw my garbage into the sea, the only way to dispose of refuse at the time.    I […]

After much collective soul-searching, the COURIER has decided to recommend a no vote on Measure PS, a $50 million bond measure to fund a new police station that will appear on the November 3 ballot. We want it known, however, that we fully support construction of a new facility. Residents have become aware of the […]

by Mellissa Martinez It is quite clear that our four-year-old Felix has his mind set on dressing as a bad guy for Halloween this year. So far, the costumes being considered are Darth Vader, a vampire and the ‘bad’ Batman. Just the mention of a villain or corrupted good guy causes his eyes to sparkle […]

The price of security Dear Editor: I plan to vote no on Measure PS (“Palace of Security”?) and urge my fellow Claremont residents to do the same. Obviously, we need a police station that meets current code and policy requirements, and the police officers and staff deserve comfortable and efficient working conditions. The proposed project, […]

The time is now Dear Editor: The time is now. The need is great. On November 3, voters in Claremont will be asked to pass Measure PS that will build the future of public safety here in Claremont. The current police facility is too old and too small. It is time we the citizens of […]

by Mel Boynton, president, Pomona Valley UNA All around the world this week of October 24, people are celebrating the 70th birthday of the United Nations. Rising in the ashes of World War II and after the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guided by Eleanor Roosevelt, the UN has helped keep […]

A more modest proposal Dear Editor: I will not vote for Measure PS. I am in favor of an upgraded police station; however, the one currently proposed is too large and expensive by about one third, and there are various sites that are more appropriate. Moreover, the parcel tax system contains many complications that make […]

by Alexis Reyes Plastic is everywhere. With a quick look around me, I see pens, mugs, furniture, utensils, my keyboard and even chewing gum. Yes, chewing gum. Plastic was invented in the late 19th century, but due to war demands and increased technology, plastic production soared from 20 million pounds produced in 1927 to 650 […]

Oh, Horror of Horrors! Oh, Terror of Terrors! It is that time, that perfectly ghastly time, again! Yes, it is that time of year when your night of nights, when you rise up in all your ghoulish glory, approaches. All Hallow’s Eve, that one night each year when you reign and when your mad power […]

On September 11, I had the privilege of standing at a podium in the Fullerton Auditorium of the Art Institute of Chicago on the 122nd anniversary of the very day and in the very place where Swami Vivekananda made his famous greeting at the first Parliament of the World’s Religions. Many historians claim this event […]