Claremont has grown to a population of 35,000 and is in excellent financial shape. Some changes may need to be made in dealing with aging facilities. A regional approach is mandatory when we tackle areas of mutual concern with other communities. Overall, we must remain cognizant of our environment and resources. A strong council with vision is needed at this crucial time.
- PUBLIC LIBRARY: Claremont needs a full service library that not only remains open nearly 60 hours per week (approximately twice as many hours as our library operates today) but also offers pertinent services and amenities. I pledge to continue to work with the Friends of Claremont Library (I am on the board) in efforts to collaborate with city and county governments to consider all governance options to make this goal a reality. In this way, we can assure that Claremont's public library offers proper service to all our citizens.
- POLICE STATION: Our current police station was built in the 70s when the population of Claremont was much smaller. The station has served the city well, but it is too small and outdated to continue to be effective. The jail cells are not up to code, and the infrastructure of the building is obsolete. We must pursue the idea of building a new state of the art police station as befits a community with the high standards of Claremont.
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: We must judiciously explore all avenues of economic development while making any expansion decision fiscally responsible.
Planned development of the west side of Indian Hill is important. The area has long been under-utilized but it must now be developed wisely + simply searching for the tax dollar is not the way to keep Claremont distinctive. Our vibrant Village shopping area will be improved and become more of a destination to people who live in Claremont and other nearby communities when it is enlarged with amenities that are complementary to the existing Village.
We must also consider renovation of aging strip centers along major streets in Claremont. We also need to look creatively at the hotels along the freeway and on Foothill Boulevard with the idea of better utilization of real property. Local neighborhood residents could contribute ideas for acceptable modified uses.
I hope to revitalize aging commercial areas outside of the Village core with innovative approaches to blending retail and mixed uses. We should build upon the success of our vibrant pedestrian friendly commercial core with new, complementary amenities in the Village Expansion.
- ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: Not all issues can be taken care of at the municipal level. For example, to ensure clean air for our residents, we must work on a regional basis with existing agencies, such as the AQMD, the Air Resources Board and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee. In addition, the city receives AB 2766 funds that can and should be used for clean air projects.
To assure the groundwater is kept safe and secure, to remove contaminants in the groundwater supply and to make sure the supply remains clean, Claremont should work closely with Six Basins Watermaster, Three Valleys Municipal Water District and the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Board.
Claremont residents favor recycling and our community was able to meet the state standards for diverting trash from the landfill easily. I would like to work to expand our green-waste recycling program, perhaps by having a drop off center at the new community services yard.
Since the disbandment of the Environmental Quality Commission in the mid 90s, no governmental body exists purely to perform Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs). I would propose an ad hoc committee of knowledgeable commission representatives and community members that could be brought together when needed to perform EIRs so that particular expertise would be utilized to assure a fair and effective report.
|
