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At the Fruit Street Bridge, Remembering Sept. 11

Isabella Huerta, a University of La Verne photojournalism student, was born after the 9/11 attacks. While on assignment at the Fruit Street bridge on Friday, she said listening to the people on the bridge helped her understand how differently people carry that day. This is her report.

On Friday, Sept. 11, a group of about a dozen people gathered at the Fruit Street bridge in La Verne. They held American flags and waved at passing cars on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people in the United States. 

The gathering included members of the La Verne Coalition of Concerned Citizens, who said they want to use their voices to speak out about issues affecting the community. 

La Verne resident Rick Bowen, a candidate for the District 3 City Council seat and member of the La Verne Coalition of Concerned Citizens, said he hoped their presence on the bridge would encourage people to remember the attacks and give them a small way to show their support. As I spoke with participants on the bridge, drivers honked and waved as they passed.

“It’s a heavy day. We got to see it happen with our own eyes. I can hear about history, read about it, but this I witnessed for myself,” said La Verne resident Cynthia Tiner. 

Several people told me they remembered the fear they felt after the attacks. 

“Although I was just 14 at the time, I remember being terrified,” said La Verne resident Lauren Kandalaft. “I was thinking, ‘Is this going to happen where I live now?’” 

Bowen said people are still shocked. “You can see it when you talk to them, that's why we got to say never forget, because it could happen tomorrow.”

I wasn’t alive on Sept. 11, 2001. Photographing the gathering gave me a chance to listen to people who were and to think about how their memories shape my understanding of that day. 

My mother, Emma Meza, remembers driving to work that day. “Even though I knew where to go, I felt lost,” she told me. “I didn’t know what would be of my future, or if I even had one.” 

At the bridge on Friday, Claremont resident Emma Mendoza told me: “Americans, they love America, but I think sometimes maybe they take it for granted. I don't take it for granted."

“I am so grateful to God that brought me into this beautiful country,” Mendoza said. She was born in Mexico and moved to the United States when she was 6. “I’m very patriotic, and I raised my kids to be very patriotic, and my grandkids too,” she said. 

Tiner reflected on what people might carry forward from that day. “I think it taught us as a nation to try to be consciously aware what other people are going through,” she said.

Listening to the people on the bridge helped me understand how differently people carry that day—through fear, gratitude, grief, and hope. 

“I like to think that we're still hopeful. We have to live in a hopeful world. We have to. We have to try and make this a better place,” Tiner said.

La Verne Fire, Police Departments Mark 25 Years Since Sept. 11 Attacks

The La Verne Fire and Police departments held a Sept. 11 tribute ceremony Friday outside the Public Safety Building, marking 25 years since the terrorist attacks.

Deputy Fire Chief Sam Dominick led the ceremony, and Police Department Chaplain Chris Rix offered a prayer. Fire and police personnel served together in the honor guard. A U.S. flag reserved for the annual observance flew at half-staff, according to an email from Fire Capt. Travis Moore.

Mayor Tim Hepburn, City Council members Steve Johnson and Wendy Lau, City Manager Ken Domer, members of both fire and police departments as well as community members attended the event, Moore said.

After the ceremony, Fire Chief Brandon Coatney and Police Chief Sam Gonzalez placed flowers at the Sept. 11 memorial at C Street and Third Street. The observance also included a Last Alarm Bell Ceremony and a moment of silence in remembrance of the first responders who answered calls during the attacks.

City Council Recap Report

Council weighs a weekly Farmers Market, a smaller Chamber subsidy, and final approval of a zoning change for affordable housing.

1. Council Replaces Mandatory Five-Year Rebidding With Documented Contract Review

The La Verne City Council voted 5-0 to approve an update to Administrative Regulation 204, the City's purchasing policy, replacing the automatic five-year contract rebidding requirement with a documented Five-Year Contract Review and raising the purchase order threshold from $5,000 to $7,500. The Finance Commission reviewed and recommended the update on Aug. 19. Finance Director Christy Lopez presented the changes, which also modernize the policy to reflect the City's new electronic ERP purchasing and payment workflow.

Lopez cited a landscape maintenance contract at the Sports Park that increased 40% when rebid due to the five-year limit, and noted an ERP RFP would have taken a year to a year and a half and cost over $100,000.

Public comment was extensive: Richard Bowen opposed the change, citing long-standing non-bid contracts with RKA (over $1 million per year) and the City attorney; Thomas Allison urged written determinations for skipped rebidding; and Jennifer Sauer asked about cybersecurity protections for digital records. Council member Wendy Lau defended the change, citing due diligence and the difficulty of switching professional services midstream.

Why It Matters: This changes how the City decides whether to re-bid contracts for services residents rely on, such as landscaping and professional services. Supporters say it avoids unnecessary costs; critics warn it could reduce competitive bidding and transparency on large public contracts.

What's Next: Lopez said the five-year review will require written documentation, and larger contracts will still return to the City Council for approval.

2. Council Approves 2% Cost-of-Living Raise for 31 Middle Management Employees

The City Council voted 5-0 to adopt resolutions establishing benefits and a salary chart reflecting a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for middle management, professional, and confidential employees, effective September 2026. JR Rennells presented the item, stating the fiscal impact is $55,463 for the remainder of the fiscal year.

The appropriation includes $39,725 within the General Fund with a corresponding Measure LV appropriation, and $15,738 to non-general funds including water, sewer, equipment, and special revenue funds. Rennells clarified that 31 middle management employees are affected and that confidential employees include HR and supervisory staff. Mayor Hepburn noted the increase applies only to the middle management group.

Why It Matters: This is a direct public expenditure of $55,463 and reflects the City's compensation approach across its workforce. A public speaker, separately urged the council to consider comparable treatment for the City's general unit field employees, whose last pay increase was in 2024.

What's Next: The City remains in negotiations with the La Verne General Unit (Teamsters) and the La Verne Fire Middle Management Association; additional salary schedule revisions may follow once those negotiations conclude.

The City Council voted 5-0 to approve a 12-month partnership agreement with the La Verne Chamber of Commerce, retroactive from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with the financial subsidy reduced from $40,000 to $35,000, plus up to $2,000 in new-business membership incentives. Community Development Director Eric Scherer presented the item and noted work on establishing a new farmers market, with the City Hall parking lot identified as a potential Saturday-morning location.

Chamber Board Chair Adrian Avila reported membership growth from 211 to 241 members and 10 ribbon cuttings. He also touted the 25th anniversary of Taste of La Verne. The agreement also waives processing and business licensing fees for Chamber events.

Why It Matters: Residents may see a weekly farmers market return to La Verne, expanding local food access and gathering space.

What's Next: The farmers market location and schedule are still being finalized; the promoter is also exploring University property in Old Town.

➡️ Read more in the Sept. 8 City Council Recap report

La Verne Council Clears Path for Possible Farmers Market Return

A farmers market could soon return to La Verne, but organizers are still shopping for the right location and schedule.