The Ventura County Garden Club announces its fifth meeting of its 101st Season on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located at 117 N. 7th St., Santa Paula.  The meeting and luncheon will be provided by the Ventura members.  We will feature our artistic talents with guided instruction on Valentine's Day inspired rock painting. Bring items to share on the plant table.  Board meeting at 10:30 am.  Organizer:  Jacqualin Starr. We welcome new members. For more information, email VenturaCountyGardenClub@yahoo.com, OR Facebook.com/VenturaCountyGardenClubVCGC.

Doctor Nelson owner of Nelson Veterinary Clinic
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If you’re a Fillmore Native then you probably have heard of if not know Doctor Nelson who owned Nelson Veterinary Clinic and actually built the facility that is currently our Fillmore Animal Hospital. He also volunteered his time at the school farm and for 4H. He was a longtime member of the Fillmore Lions Club as well. For years after he sold the clinic he still treated all the large animals within Ventura County. With that being said, Good Ol’ Doc Nelson is turning 100 on Sunday, January 26, 2025 and his family would love for you guys to write down some memories or stories or photos you have of him. Please email them to nailqueen718@icloud.comand some will appear in the Fillmore Gazette. We look forward to reading and sharing them all with him—thank you in advance. We hope to have them published in the Thursday, January 23, 2025 issue.

Courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=174

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA –– Fillmore, CA – January 2, 2025 – The City of Fillmore and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are committed to enhancing pedestrian safety with the implementation of Assembly Bill 413, also known as the “California Daylighting Law.” This new law, effective January 1, 2025, prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any crosswalk and within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension. These restrictions apply only to the approach side of the crosswalk, aiming to improve pedestrian visibility.

The City of Fillmore recognizes the importance of pedestrian safety as a priority for its residents. Assembly Bill 413 addresses the alarming statistics from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which revealed a 25% higher pedestrian fatality rate in California compared to the national average. In 2021 alone, pedestrian fatalities increased to 1,108. By introducing these measures, Fillmore joins 43 other states in adopting daylighting laws that have proven effective, as seen in Hoboken, New Jersey, which reported zero pedestrian traffic fatalities in seven years.

What Residents Should Know About the Daylighting Law:

- Vehicles must maintain a 20-foot clearance from marked or unmarked crosswalks.

- A 15-foot clearance is required for crosswalks with curb extensions.

- Violations will now result in citations rather than warnings.

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

- Always use crosswalks when available.

- Walk on sidewalks and avoid streets or bike lanes.

- Look both ways before crossing, especially at night.

- Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight for nighttime visibility.

- Make eye contact with drivers to ensure you are seen.

- The City of Fillmore encourages all residents to familiarize themselves with these changes to foster a safer community for pedestrians.

For additional information, please contact, Sergeant, Jarrod Foote at (805) 524-2233 or jarrod.foote@ventura.org.
Please visit www.fillmore ca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Community Contact:

Name: Jarrod Foote

Title: Sergeant

Phone: 805-524-2233

Email: jarrod.foote@ventura.org

Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, January 16, 2025, 4:00 p.m. City of Fillmore City Hall Council Chambers 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015

To participate in the Board of Directors meeting via Zoom, please access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85480305580?pwd=ZnFBWGhtVU05dXd3REFkM255c0h6UT... Meeting ID: 854 8030 5580 Password: FPBGSA
To hear just the audio portion of the meeting, phone into: Toll-free number: 877 853 5247 Meeting ID: 854 8030 5580

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

1A Pledge of Allegiance

1B Directors Roll Call 1C Public Comments
Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Agency) will accept public comment concerning agenda items at the time the item is considered and on any non-agenda item within the jurisdiction of the Board during the agendized Public Comment period. No action will be taken by the Board on any non-agenda item. In accordance with Government Code § 54954.3(b)

(1), public comment will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker per issue.

1D Approval of Agenda Motion

2. SEATING OF NEW DIRECTOR AND SELECTION OF OFFICERS

2A Seating of New Member Director Appointed by The City of Fillmore Appointing a Council Member or Representative to the Board of Directors of The Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Information Item

The Board will welcome John Garnica as the new Member Director appointed by the City of Fillmore, as its representative on the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board.

2B Election of Officers Motion

The Board will accept nominations and elect officers for 2025.

3. UPDATES

3A Director Ann-ouncements/Board Communications:

Oral Reports from the Board.

Fillmore Pumpers Association Stakeholder Director Update Piru Pumpers Association Stakeholder Director Update Environmental
Stakeholder Director Update

City of Fillmore Member Director Update

United Water Conservation District Member Director Update County of Ventura Member Director Update

3B Executive Director Update

Information Item

The Executive Director will provide an informational update on Agency activities since the previous Board of Directors
meeting of December 12, 2024.

3C Legal Counsel Update Information Item

Legal Counsel will provide an informational update on Agency’s legal issues and concerns since the previous Board of
Directors meeting of December 12, 2024.

3D GSP Consultant Update Information Item

Representatives from Daniel B Stephens & Associates will provide an informational update on the Agency’s groundwater
sustainability planning activities since the previous Board of Directors meeting of December 12, 2024.

4. CONSENT

CALENDAR

All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine by the Board and will be enacted by one motion. There
will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member pulls an item from the Calendar. Pulled items will be
discussed and acted on separately by the Board. Members of the public who want to comment on a Consent Calendar item should
do so under Public Comments. (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)

4A Approval of Minutes

The Board will consider approving the Minutes from the Board of Directors meeting of December 12, 2024.

4B Approval of Warrants

The Board will consider approving payment of outstanding vendor invoices:

DBS&A $20,998.00

Stillwater $13,554.50

Aleshire and Wynder $ 1,397.80

4C Monthly Financial Report

The Board will receive the monthly financial report for the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

5. MOTION ITEMS

5A Groundwater Modeling Scenarios Development

Motion

The Board will receive a presentation from DBS&A on the draft scenarios to be included in the Agency’s modeling in support
of the development of its Five-Year Progress Report to the California Department of Water Resources and provide comments and
direction.

5B Reserve Policy Development

Motion

The Board will receive a presentation from staff on the development of a financial reserve policy and provide comments and
direction.

5C Support for United Water Conservation District Groundwater Flow Model

Motion

The Board will consider approving a letter supporting the United Water Conservation District regional groundwater flow
model.

6. FUTURE TOPICS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION

7. ADJOURNMENT

The Board will adjourn to the next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2024, or call of the Chair.

Materials, which are non-exempt public records and are provided to the Board of Directors to be used in consideration of the
above agenda items, including any documents provided subsequent to the publishing of this agenda, are available for
inspection at UWCD’s offices at 1701 N. Lombard Street in Oxnard during normal business hours.

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from
participation in, or denied the benefits of, the District’s services, programs or activities because of any disability. If
you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, or if you require agenda materials in an alternative format,
please contact the UWCD Office at (805) 525-4431 or the City of Fillmore at (805) 524- 1500. Notification of at least 48
hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make appropriate arrangements.

Approved: Board Chair Kelly Long

Posted: (date) January 13, 2025 At: https://www.FPBGSA.org

(time) 3:00 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra

Posted: (date) January 13, 2025

At: https://www.facebook.com/FPBGSA

(time) 3:05 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra

Posted: (date) January 13, 2025

At: UWCD, 1701 N. Lombard Street, Oxnard (time) 3:10 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra

Posted: (date) January 13, 2025 (time) 3:15 pm (attest) Eva Ibarra

At: Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collection schedule on Friday Jan. 24 in Fillmore during the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19-25, 2025.

Remember that Santa Clara Valley Disposal residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as the company collects all waste weekly – including food waste, which is recyclable. All food waste should be placed in closed paper or plastic bags and the bags should be tossed in the organics waste cart. Even if you only have food waste bags and no yard waste, you can still put the food waste bags in your organics waste cart and take it to the curb every week for pickup.

Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of La Conchita, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley (Ventura River Valley), Oxnard Plain, Piru, Point Mugu, Rancho Matilija, Rincon, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Somis, Upper Ojai, Yerba Buena and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; and Fillmore as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.

For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com.

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collection schedule on Friday Jan. 24 in Fillmore during the week of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19-25, 2025.

Remember that Santa Clara Valley Disposal residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as the company collects all waste weekly – including food waste, which is recyclable. All food waste should be placed in closed paper or plastic bags and the bags should be tossed in the organics waste cart. Even if you only have food waste bags and no yard waste, you can still put the food waste bags in your organics waste cart and take it to the curb every week for pickup.

Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of La Conchita, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley (Ventura River Valley), Oxnard Plain, Piru, Point Mugu, Rancho Matilija, Rincon, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Somis, Upper Ojai, Yerba Buena and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; and Fillmore as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.

For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com.

Photo credit Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)
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CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) invites the public to share ideas about how to improve bus, paratransit, dial-a-ride, on-demand and rail service in Ventura County.

VCTC will host in-person and virtual community meetings in January and a public hearing in February as part of its annual unmet transit needs process. Each meeting is an opportunity for people to let local transit operators and government leaders know what can be done to improve transit in the county.

The meetings are intended to identify transit needs that are not currently being met and are reasonable to meet in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks and adjacent areas of unincorporated Ventura County.
The community meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Community meetings

• 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Fillmore Library Innovation Lab, 502 Second St., Fillmore;
• Noon Thursday, Jan. 16, virtual meeting at bit.ly/3BhhbbW;
• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo

Public hearing

• 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo.

People who are not able to attend the meetings can share their input through an online survey at https://www.goventura.org/unmet-transit-needs/. The survey is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Comments can also be emailed to transit planner Dolores Lopez at dlopez@goventura.org or shared by calling 805-642-1591, ext. 117.
For more information about the Unmet Transit Needs process, visit goventura.org/unmet-transit- needs.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission
The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

Helen Hunt Jackson. Photo credit Rancho Camulos.
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On Saturday January 11, 2025, at 1:00 PM, experience Helen Hunt Jackson’s January 23, 1882 visit to Rancho Camulos which inspired her to include this vestige of the California lifestyle as one of the settings for her novel Ramona. Reenactors will engage and delight you as they portray this event which forever changed the peaceful life at Rancho Camulos. Docent led tours will follow the reenactment until 4:00PM.

The suggested donation for the re-enactment is $10 and reservations can be made (suggested but not required) at 805-521-1501. Rancho Camulos is the only National Historic Landmark in Ventura County. It is on Highway 126, 10 miles West of the I-5. More information about the museum can be found at ranchocamulos.org.

Photo credit Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)
Enlarge Photo

CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) invites the public to share ideas about how to improve bus, paratransit, dial-a-ride, on-demand and rail service in Ventura County.

VCTC will host in-person and virtual community meetings in January and a public hearing in February as part of its annual unmet transit needs process. Each meeting is an opportunity for people to let local transit operators and government leaders know what can be done to improve transit in the county.

The meetings are intended to identify transit needs that are not currently being met and are reasonable to meet in Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks and adjacent areas of unincorporated Ventura County.
The community meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times:

Community meetings

• 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Fillmore Library Innovation Lab, 502 Second St., Fillmore;
• Noon Thursday, Jan. 16, virtual meeting at bit.ly/3BhhbbW;
• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo

Public hearing

• 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at the Camarillo Public Library, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo.

People who are not able to attend the meetings can share their input through an online survey at https://www.goventura.org/unmet-transit-needs/. The survey is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin. Comments can also be emailed to transit planner Dolores Lopez at dlopez@goventura.org or shared by calling 805-642-1591, ext. 117.
For more information about the Unmet Transit Needs process, visit goventura.org/unmet-transit- needs.

About the Ventura County Transportation Commission

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.
###

Prosecutors from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office DUI Unit. Photo credit Ventura County DA’s Office.
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VENTURA, Calif. – Tonight, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will once again light its Hall of Justice building in red to demonstrate solidarity with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and their mission to eliminate impaired driving. By joining landmarks and buildings across California in the Illuminate California campaign, the District Attorney’s Office aims to send a message of unity, remembrance, and a commitment to safer roads.

“We are proud to stand with MADD and communities across the state in shining a light on the dangers of impaired driving,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “This display serves as a reminder to make responsible choices so no more lives are needlessly lost.”

The red lighting sym-bolizes the dedication to preventing drunk and drugged driving and honors the victims and survivors of these preventable tragedies. The campaign, initiated by MADD in 2022, is designed to raise awareness during one of the most dangerous times of the year for impaired driving incidents – the holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, impaired driving poses an increased risk to public safety, and the Illuminate California initiative serves as both a remembrance of lives lost and a call to action.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office DUI Unit filed 2,699 DUI cases last year, including 119 cases involving drugs and 17 cases involving a combination of alcohol and drugs. These alarming numbers highlight the need for continued education, enforcement, and prevention efforts.

MADD invites residents to illuminate their homes or businesses in red tonight as a shared commitment to ending impaired driving. More information on MADD’s efforts and how you can get involved, please visit MADD’s website.

Contact: Joey Buttitta

Title: Communications Manager/PIO

Phone: (805) 767-3400

Email: Joey.Buttitta@ventura.org

Approved: SW

Date: December 11, 2024

Release No.: 24-150

VENTURA, Calif. – The City of Thousand Oaks has been identified by the District Attorney’s Office as the city best suited for the location of the East County Family Justice Center (FJC). District Attorney Erik Nasarenko made the announcement today during the Board of Supervisors meeting.

“The key imperative here is to bring services to our east county to assist victims who are experiencing trauma and debilitating crimes,” District Attorney Nasarenko told the Board. “One of the core principles that we are establishing through the regionalization of the Family Justice Center is removing transportation barriers and maximizing access.”
Thousand Oaks was selected after a rigorous process to determine which city in the eastern part of Ventura County would be best suited for an FJC. Based on crime data, geographical factors, community input, and cost sharing commitments from municipal leaders, Thousand Oaks was selected. The District Attorney’s recommendation also considered a report compiled by Alliance for Hope, an international organization that has successfully sited Family Justice Centers throughout the world. The ultimate location of the East County FJC will be subject to future action by the Board of Supervisors.

“Family Justice Centers are game changers; they are lifesavers,” District 2 Supervisor Jeff Gorell said. “I am committed to working, to ensuring it is a regional asset for everyone in east county.”

“I am very excited that we are going to have these services in east county,” District 4 Supervisor Janice Parvin said. “I look forward to the future of our east county Family Justice Center.”

Several factors will go into identifying the ultimate location in Thousand Oaks. The building must be available for purchase not leased, it must be between 8,000 and 12,000 square feet, be near transportation and medical centers, and have open space for youth recreational activities. The search for a site is underway.

The Family Justice Center is a community support system that uses a holistic approach to uplift and empower victims and their families. The Ventura County Family Justice Center offers a comprehensive selection of services to Ventura County residents seeking a safe environment to recover, heal, and break the cycle of violence. The East County FJC in Thousand Oaks will join Ventura and Oxnard to become the third crime victims support services center in the county.

More information about the work being done by the Ventura County Family Justice Center can be found at www.vcfjc.org.

Contact: Joey Buttitta

Title: Communications Manager/PIO

Phone: (805) 767-3400

Email: Joey.Buttitta@ventura.org

Approved: SW

Date: December 18, 2024

Release No.: 24-153

FOR SALE – 2020 Class C Sunseeker Motorhome Ford450 x 10. Newly factory engine 0 miles, 3 yr. Warranty engine MH in excellent condition. 1 yr. on new A/C unit. $45,000. Call 406-782-7879. (12/19)

Civic Pride Volunteers selected Amber Clendening’s home at 734 A Street as this year’s Christmas “Yard of the Month” award winner. She received a gift card from Otto & Sons Nursery. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
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By Linda Nunes

Civic Pride Volunteers have chosen Amber Clendening’s holiday decorated yard at 734 A Street to receive the Christmas “Yard of the Month” award.

Amber has lived in Fillmore for most of her life, and on A Street for the last 6-plus years. She said last year was the first time she decorated for Christmas in a long time. She happened to be shopping in Oxnard and saw the meteor roof lights which her grandson really liked and wanted. And, of course, she had to purchase some other decorations to go with them.
This year she added more decorations and will continue adding each year. She does the decorating and her mother helps by holding the ladder, an important task!

Amber was very pleased to receive the Otto & Sons Nursery gift card! She helps a friend with her rose garden and has gone to the nursery to pick roses.

There were so many nicely decorated homes. Here are some “honorable mentions” for your tour: 1026 Arrasmith, 423 Robin, 140 Cherrywood, 758 Galvin, 251 Edgewood & 188 Edgewood, 174 Coronado, 30 Coronado, 44 Cordova, & the Traditions neighborhood off Goodenough Road.

Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for their generous support of this project which has stimulated neighborhoods to improve their yards and to get involved in the fun of holiday decorating.

By Jan Lee

Why are we talking about the Fillmore Flower Show in winter? The show isn’t until April 26 and 27, 2025!

However, one of the most popular categories is roses. Roses need to be pruned in January to have beautiful blooms in the spring. Otto and Sons Nursery in Fillmore offers Rose Care Classes: January 4, 10am -12; Jan 11, 10-12; January 18, 10-12; and January 25, 1-3pm. Sign up early, the classes fill up.

The theme this year is “Fillmore Spirit in Bloom”. It will be held at the Active Adult Center on Santa Clara Street in Fillmore. As usual, there will be live music, a plant sale and refreshment cafe.

As you mark important dates on your new 2025 calendar, be sure to write in the Fillmore Flower Show in April. Nourish those plants, arrange those dish gardens and plant some seeds. We’ll see you in April at the Fillmore Flower Show!