There was plenty of hot Claremont topics debated Thursday night at a Candidate’s Forum hosted by Active Claremont. Candidates Bridget Healy, Larry Schroeder and Corey Calaycay are vying for 2 open positions in the March 3 municipal election.

When asked what the biggest issue the city must address in the near future, the candidates had divergent opinions. Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Calaycay felt economic development needs to be addressed above anything else. 

“Our auto sales are down about 50 percent and they make up about 60 percent of our general fund revenues and so that is significant,” Mr. Calaycay said. 

Ms. Healy answered that building a new police station was the most pressing issue for Claremont. 

“Claremont city councils have a long history of making tough decisions and long term decisions for the community, and I think the police department will provide the services that we all need and appreciate.” 

Ms. Healy separated herself from the other candidates on another couple of questions.

When asked about the City Manager’s recent salary increase of 3 percent plus a 4 percent bonus, Ms. Healy said she was in favor the 4 percent bonus. Mr. Calaycay and Mr. Schroeder were not inclined to give any increases.

Ms. Healy was not in favor on contracting out city trash services, while the other 2 candidates said they were open to discussing the possibility.

“I am fundamentally opposed to contracting out sanitation,” Ms. Healy said.

On the issue of taking over Golden State Water Company, Ms. Healy and Mr. Calaycay warned about the costs and difficulty involved. Mr. Schroeder was more open to the idea, suggesting the city re-examine a study on the project’s feasibility.

“It may be too late to do it, but we won’t know until we go ahead and run the numbers once more,” Mr. Schroeder said.

All candidates stated that they would not take any health insurance or deferred compensation benefits if elected.

When the candidates were asked what they thought of the trolley, none of the candidates spoke very highly of it.

Mr. Schroeder said a better option would be to trade the Prop. 8 funds used to run the trolley with another city. While only receiving 75 cents in return for every dollar traded, the city could use the traded money to boost up the general fund and fund more pressing projects.

Mr. Calaycay stated that he did not vote for the trolley, but wondered if alternate routes could be considered in the future.

Ms. Healy said, “It’s cute, but I have yet to see more than one or 2 people in it at a time. Unless we can increase the number of people who are using it, I don’t think cute is enough to keep it going.”

The final question of the night was on a more personal note, regarding what books the candidates read over the last 3 months.

Ms. Healy said she read The Book of Job. Mr. Schroeder read The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman. Mr. Calaycay admitted the only material he’s read over the last 3 months is his council packet agendas.

“Shame on me as the past President of the Friends of the Claremont Library,” he said.

The next Candidate’s Forum will be hosted by the League of Woman Voters on Monday, January 26. It will take place at the Alexander Hughes Community Center from 7 to 9 p.m.