Monday Mailbag

We got this in from an occasional reader who likes to frequent the Claremont Wilderness Park:

Buzz,

I walk the Wilderness Park pretty regularly and have noticed a couple plaques at the the park entrance. I took photos of these and am forwarding them to you. Feel free to post them if you want.

What's the deal with Claremont and plaques? There are at least three in the Wilderness Park, if you count the Nick Presecan memorial. I have seen these things all over town and don't think any other city I've lived in has put up plaques as much as Claremont.

Here are the reader's photos, the first from the 1997 Wilderness Park dedication and the second from the 2004 park expansion (click to enlarge):





We've wondered the same thing as the reader. Why so many plaques? Let's parse the two above and try to figure out the meaning behind them.

In most towns, you might see a plaque explaining the creation of the park and perhaps the source of funds if a large grant or donation were involved. Here in Claremont, though, it's all about the self-promotion. It's the same reason we had two centennials, one in 1987 and one in 2007.

Notice the name in the center of both plaques: GLENN SOUTHARD. No information about the park itself. The personalities are the important things. Even in the second plaque from 2004, though the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the state Wildlife Conservation Board and the Claremont Wildlands Conservancy are all mentioned, they are ranked below former mayor Sandy Baldonado, then-Assistant to the City Manager Jim Lewis (AKA, Mini-Me) and Southard.

Like any narcissist, Southard really considered himself the star at the center of the known universe, and the various sundry councilmembers and city staff surround him on the plaques like planets circling that same star, held in place by the gravitational force of his will and at his sufferance.

Knowing Southard and the great enmity he bore towards Jackie McHenry, it must have killed him and Sandy Baldonado and former councilmember Paul Held to have to put her name on the 2004 plaque. Still, there they all are, if not for all eternity then for a good long while.

Have you seen these plaques around town? City Hall, the Village Expansion, parks and other buildings bear similar monuments to Southard's and the 400's sense of self-importance. Check them out and shoot us a picture, won't you?