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La Verne : Bid for Clinic Withdrawn

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An application to open a women’s clinic has been withdrawn after hundreds of residents complained that the facility would be used to perform abortions and did not belong in the community.

The decision by La Verne resident Carmen Moreno not to open the clinic was announced last Thursday by City Manager Martin Lomelli to a cheering crowd at a special City Council meeting.

Hours before the meeting, Moreno’s attorney, Tom Moser, faxed a letter to the city withdrawing his client’s application for a city business license. The letter did not state a reason for the withdrawal and Moser was unavailable for comment.

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Moreno applied for the license last month to open La Clinica Femenina, advertised as a full-service gynecological clinic, in downtown La Verne. Moreno operates two Los Angeles clinics under the same name.

Residents opposed to the clinic’s opening formed a group called La Verne Citizens for the Family, which picketed in front of Moreno’s north La Verne house earlier this month. Planning commissioner Judy Hyle, one of the group’s founders, expressed satisfaction with the result of its efforts.

“We’re thrilled,” Hyle said. “I’m only guessing, but I believe that because she lives in the community, she probably had a change of heart, seeing the community’s opposition.” Moreno did not return phone calls.

Hyle said most who fought the clinic’s opening are against abortion, but some opponents are “pro-choice” residents concerned about the quality of care at the facility. Neither of Moreno’s other two clinics is licensed by the state. Moreno was served with an order to “cease and desist” operation of the clinics by the county Department of Health Services on April 13.

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