College and Its Eviction of Tenants

Re: Sam Hall Kaplan’s “Requiem for a Claremont Neighborhood” (April 22).

Since I am a partner of the management company that acts as the agent for Claremont McKenna College, I take personal offense. I know the majority of these people, and I am in this neighborhood every day.

First of all, use of the word Requiem was a very poor choice in light of an unprovoked murder of the grandson of one of the tenants and a recent drive-by shooting and death of a 14-year-old girl who was sleeping in a non-college-owned property in Arbor Verde.

Secondly, perhaps if Kaplan had been in the neighborhood, he would have seen lovely spring flowers, neat manicured lawns, beautiful old trees and freshly painted houses of mixed colors. It was obvious Kaplan did not take the time to talk with other residents of the area.

Most residents are faculty and staff who live in updated homes at below-market rents, and there is not neglect. This is because they were purchased by CMC at fair-market value. CMC does whatever is necessary to make these people safe and happy. This neighborhood is no different than any other insofar as ethic mix. It consists of Caucasian, Latinos, blacks and Asians.

Since the city bends to peer pressure, Claremont McKenna has been forced into being a “landlord” instead of being allowed to be “educators.” Buying property adjacent to their educational facility is “progress” and happens in all cities, not just Claremont.

I am sure if you had talked with anyone else (besides two of the eight tenants who are being asked to leave due to a change in policy initiated three years ago), you would have found people who feel they are “winners” not losers.

SHIRLEY PRASSER

Alta Loma