Opinion

For those who follow the world of newspaper and digital publishing, last week had some big news. First, the grand “hyper-local” experiment by AOL in creating over 800 Patch local news websites (including Claremont-La Verne) finally failed after four years. AOL had been shopping the business and finally sold it to the private equity firm […]

Facts and clarifications Dear Editor: Reading the letters from Messrs. Benfield and Stevenson [COURIER, January 10, 2014] reminds me yet again of the tragic divide within this country. A divide between those of us who cherish freedom, liberty and private property rights (and comprehend what those mean), want to take responsibility for ourselves and make […]

By John Pixley It’s a common new year mistake. Everyone does it. In the first few days of a new year, who hasn’t accidentally put down the previous year when writing the date on a check or a letter? Who didn’t write 2013 instead of 2014 at least once this time around? I found it […]

By Tony Ramos, Claremont city manager As we begin a new year, the city of Claremont continues to evaluate the potential acquisition of the Claremont water system. Unlike the majority of residents in California, our residents are currently required to obtain their water from a for-profit company, Golden State Water. As a result, Claremont residents […]

Claremont nativity Dear Editor: Each year, I look forward to seeing the Christmas display at the Claremont United Methodist Church. It’s thought provoking and yes, depending upon your point of view, often controversial. This year was no exception. Actually, I’m surprised by the comments the display solicited this year. “Ridiculous…shameful…stupid— what possible connection—obscene manger scene…” […]

By Debbie Carini There are so many milestones in the lives of children: first word, first steps, first day of school—and then, before you know it, they are piloting the family car onto the freeway (and, if you draw the short straw, you are the parent clutching the arm rests on the passenger seat, yelling […]

by Denise L. Kruger, senior vice president, Golden State Water Company Golden State Water Company recently hosted a customer meeting in Claremont to share information about water service and the cost of the city’s plan to take the water system by eminent domain. We detailed our quality of service, the characteristics that make Claremont a […]

by Mellissa Martinez At the end of the year, people tend to be pensive. We analyze past choices in an attempt to clear the way for an easier year ahead. Words, it seems, are not exempt from our scrutiny. Time magazine just came out with a list of the worst words from 2013 and requested […]

As a newspaper, website publisher and business owner, I’ve been known to count numbers from time to time. So it’s a natural transition for my last column of the year to talk about important numbers of 2013. Needless to say, it was another unique year that seemed to pass far too quickly. 21: Number of […]

Continuing the Brock legacy Dear Editor: Thank you for your thoughtful story on Brock’s Christmas Tree Farm.  The cover photo of Janessa Singley by COURIER photographer Steven Felschundneff perfectly captures the essence of why my father Rene was inspired to create this family Christmas tree farm out of barren soil. We have spent 50 years […]

by Rev. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett, Claremont United Methodist Church We are approaching the longest night of the year with the coming winter solstice on December 21. When light is in short supply we humans find ways to supply it, for darkness holds fears that loom larger when there is no hope for light. Light is a […]

Remembering Arlene Crowe Dear Editor: It is with great sadness that we noted the passing of Arlene Crowe. When we moved to Eleventh Street in Claremont 13 years ago, there were few young children in the neighborhood anymore.  Little by little, Eleventh Street began to change as families had children or families with children moved […]

by John Pixley Gustavo Arellano said that he has 5200 friends on Facebook. He said that Facebook only allows people to have 5000 friends but that, “like a typical Mexican, I snuck in another 200.” He encouraged the rest of us to be fans of his on Facebook or follow him on Twitter or Instagram. […]

by Mark von Wodtke, FASLA An urban forest is a major community asset that lasts hundreds of years.  If well managed, it can provide the community with many valuable benefits that far exceed its cost. Like a natural forest, our urban forest needs to continuously regenerate to be sustainable.  To realize the full potential of […]

Oust Golden State Dear Editor: We moved to the City of Trees and PHDs three years ago, after having lived in three other cities that had water delivered to residents via public municipal water agencies. I see our Claremont water situation as a huge problem with a simple solution. Oust Golden State as the water […]

by Mellissa Martinez It is that time of year when those who generally pay little attention to words find themselves reacting to them. After all, everyone has an opinion when it comes to the Word of the Year. In this annual language pageant of sorts, the emerging winner can provoke discussion, debate and much buzz. […]