City News

The City Council approved a resolution allowing the placement of tax liens on properties for non-payment of fines and administrative costs related to abandoned properties. This is part of the City's strategy in dealing with abandoned properties and foreclosure properties. The City will be filing approximately $80,000 in liens with the L.A. County Tax Assessor this coming week. These fines are a result of banks/lenders not registering and/or maintaining foreclosed homes within the City of Claremont

As the media reports on the City of Bell's salaries for Council and administrative staff, residents across the country are discussing the compensation of their own City officials. In accordance with the City of Claremont's open communication philosophy, the City of Claremont makes this information readily available to the public.

Each member of the City Council receives $400 per month compensation and an additional $30 per Redevelopment Agency meeting. The City Council does not receive retirement benefits and during the 2010-12 budget process, medical benefits were eliminated from Council's budget. City commissioners are appointed by the City Council and receive no compensation.

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The Claremont Senior Program is pleased to announce the continuation of its FREE Claremont Avenues for Lifelong Learning (CALL) Program. This program is designed to permit those 60 years of age and older to audit courses at the Claremont Colleges during their Fall 2010 semester. A schedule of classes and application are available at the Joslyn Center, 660 Mountain Ave., Claremont, CA 91711. Registration begins July 13 and closes August 12. Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to Claremont residents.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact the Claremont Senior Program at (909) 399-5488.

Claremont, CA - On July 7, 2010, at about 6:35 PM, Claremont Police Officers responded to a vacant home in the 4000 blk. of N. Garey Ave., regarding a subject possibly trespassing inside the home. Officers arrived and found Robin Chaplin, age 43, from Chino Hills, and Robert Long, age 45, from Pomona, inside the garage of the home. Further investigation revealed that force was used to enter the home, and a light fixture and mirror were missing from inside. These items were located in Chaplin's car, which was parked in the alley behind the residence. The homeowner identified the items and they were returned.

Chaplin and Long were taken to the Claremont Police Department where they were booked for burglary and held for bail ($50.000). Long was also booked for a warrant and his bail is $80,110.

Enjoy Concerts in the Park on Mondays from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Come early to stake out a spot on the lawn and purchase dinner from the Kiwanis Club concession stand.

August 2: Kulayd (Doo-Wop/Motown)
August 9: Suave (Latin/R&B)
August 16: Calypso Pirates (Reggae)
August 23: Neon Nation (80's)
August 30: Night Blooming Jazz Men (Dixieland Jazz)
September 6: The Answer (Classic Rock)

For more information contact the Human Services Department at (909) 399-5490.

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On June 9th, the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee approved an award of federal low-income housing tax credits for the College Avenue affordable housing project that will generate over $11 million in project funding. The City also received $1,975,000 in Industry funds for the project. Now that all funding is in place, the project design and construction plans can be completed. Construction will start by late October or beginning of November and will last 12-14 months. The housing will be ready for occupance in late 2011 or early 2012.

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"ReAL" stands for Resources for Ageless Living, and "ReAL Connections" is the tentative name for an exciting new program that Community Senior Services is exploring for development. The basic idea is that adults in our community can--and want--to stay here and enjoy vibrant lives by connecting with neighbors and accessing trusted resources and vetted services with one phone call.

Community Senior Services is a non-profit organization that has been serving the greater Inland and San Gabriel Valleys for 35 years. Our mission is to "connect people, information, resources and communities," which we do currently through a range of existing programs such as our HelpLine, Senior Companion program, transportation assistance, and RSVP volunteer and caregiver support programs, among others. CSS is acting as a catalyst for ReAL Connections and would be the umbrella under which various neighborhoods and communities could organize locally-driven groups.

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Foothill Transit will be implementing a fare increase on June 27th and system-wide service reductions on July 18th in response to a fiscal year 2011 budget deficit that originally threatened over $9 million in service cuts.

The fare increase will raise the local base fare from $1 to $1.25 and would raise all other fares and passes by approximately 10 percent. The original proposal for service reductions included the elimination of 13 lines and significant reductions on others. The revised reductions will now amount to approximately $3 million in cuts, with only two lines being eliminated with some route and schedule frequency alterations.

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Metrolink has a hotline to call and report malfunctioning crossings and accidents at railroad crossings. Call toll free 1-888-446-9721 to report incidents.

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Swimming lessons are returning this summer at the El Roble Intermediate School pool. Claremont Human Services will be offering Red Cross curriculum classes (levels 1-6), parent and child swimming lessons, guard start, preschool aquatics, and adult swim. Five two-week sessions will be offered Monday through Friday starting on Monday, June 21 and ending Friday, August 27. Fees start at $45 per session. Registration uis being accepted at the Alexander Hughes Community Center. For more information, please call the Human Services Department at (909) 399-5490.

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The City of Claremont offers several "Cool Zones" for residents to come and get out of the heat. The following locations are designated as "Cool Zones" and are open the hours listed below. In extreme heat conditions (2 or more consecutive days of temperatures over 100 degrees), the Human Services Department may extend the operational hours to include weekend hours beyond the normal operating hours. Please call the Alexander Hughes Community Center at (909) 399-5490 for further details.

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Day/Date/Time: Sunday, June 6, 5:30 pm
Location: 600 Block Harvard Ave.
Victim: 9 year-old male
Suspect # 1: Male Asian, 40-50 years old, 5-8 to 5-9, black & gray "fuzzy" hair with a bald spot, scar on left cheek; wearing a blue button shirt, white jeans, circular glasses, and an ear ring.
Suspect # 2 (possible): Male Asian, 30-40 years old, wearing a Hawaiian-type floral print shirt and shorts
Suspect Vehicle (possible): Red Jeep Grand Cherokee, approximately 2001-2004, dragon sticker in back window

As the victim was riding his scooter with a friend on the west side of Harvard Ave., the suspect approached the victim and gave him a "bear hug". The victim pushed away from the suspect and ran. Suspect #2 was seen driving a vehicle in the immediate area, but Suspect #1 was not seen getting into the vehicle and it is not known if Suspect #2 and the vehicle are related to this incident.

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Day/Date/Time: Monday, June 7, 7:45 am
Location: Oak Park Dr / Cedar Crest Ave.
Victim: 9 year-old male
Suspect: Male Black, 59-60 years old, 5-10, 160 lbs, short black hair, thin build; wearing a brown golf-type hat, brown shirt, and white pants

As the victim was walking his dog, the suspect approached and asked if he could have his dog. The victim told him, "No," and the suspect grabbed the top of the victim's shoulder, then walked away east on Oak Park Dr and north on Sycamore Ave.

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These incidents do not appear to be related. Anyone with information about either of this incidents is asked to contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411. Residents are encouraged to call the Police Department if they observe anyone acting suspiciously in their neighborhood.

The Police Department has received complaints from residents about fliers left at their home offering to paint their address on the curb for a "donation". This activity is prohibited by City Ordinance without a permit, and there are currently no permits issued for any person or group to perform this service for a fee or "donation". Enforcement of this ordinance requires that a witness identify the person(s) distributing the fliers or soliciting a "donation". Please call the Police Department immediately if you see anyone distributing any material soliciting this type of service or if anyone attempts to collect a "donation".

Claremont PD: (909) 399-5411