Dear Fillmore Resident and Taxpayer,

The City of Fillmore is facing a $1.9 million General Fund deficit for the 2011-2012 budget. We continue to have a substantial decline in property tax and other revenues. You know that Fillmore is not alone and many other Cities in the California are struggling to make their budgets.

There are several reasons for the deficits including; reduction in property tax revenues due to falling real estate assessment values and the current economic environment. Also, continuing litigation of Sales Tax agreements is affecting sales tax revenues. In addition, projections made for property tax revenues were based on the price of new housing to remain at bubble levels of $700,000 to 800,000.

Last year, the City also faced a $1.0 million shortfall which we were able to close by cutting expenses in many departments, including closing down the pool for a few months, instituting furlough days for all employees and closing City Hall on every other Friday. We also used part of our reserve funds to balance the budget.

We have asked the employees to work at cutting expenses to help balance the budget. While having the employee’s expertise in reviewing costs is very helpful, it is also important for the citizens to be able to participate in the decision making process. And, while cutting expenses is our goal, that is only half the equation. We may need to look at increasing revenues.

So the City has prepared a survey asking the citizens for feedback to prioritize the core services that the community wants to keep and, which are optional at this time. The survey also asks your opinion on increasing revenues.

The survey is available at the City website: www.fillmoreca.com. The survey can be taken online or printed out and mailed or dropped off at City Hall. Copies are also available at City Hall and the Fillmore Library. In addition, budget workshops and public hearings will be held June prior to final adoption.

The City Council believes that your input is important. Residents are encouraged to provide specific recommendations or ideas. Financial sustainability is key to our future.

You can view past City budgets at: http://www.fillmoreca.com/mb-doc-dl.htm

Or contact the Finance Department at 524-1500.

The City of Fillmore advises all local non-profit organizations that applications will be available Wednesday, April 13 for 2011 firework booth permits.

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 in the City Clerk's office at Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue. The fee is $400.00; all organizations must provide proof of non-profit status and complete a “no fee” business license application.

The City’s Municipal Code (Section 15.38.030) requires applicants to be a non-profit association or corporation organized primarily for veteran, patriotic, welfare, city betterment, religious or charitable purposes, having on file with the City of Fillmore proof of non-profit status from either the IRS, California Secretary of State or the State Attorney General, having its principal and permanent meeting place in the City, and having been organized and established in the City for a minimum of three years continuously preceding the filing of the permit application.

A maximum of 25 permits will be issued, and priority will be given to organizations that were grandfathered and issued permits in 2010 and continue to be eligible. If necessary, a lottery will be held in early June to randomly determine which organizations will receive permits in addition to the qualified organizations.

Fireworks sales may occur within the City limits from Tuesday, June 28 at twelve o’clock noon through Tuesday, July 5 at twelve o’clock noon.

Questions regarding applications or eligibility should be directed to Angela Mumme at Fillmore City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 524-1500, extension 214.

Looking for a career that matches your interests? Need help writing your resume and cover letters? Brush up on your interviewing skills? Need to master computer software? Not sure how to evaluate your skill level?
Taking a test as part of the process? Ventura County Library's Career & Jobs databases can help!

Your Ventura County Library card is all you need to access the volumes of information, tutorials, computer courses and career assistance in these databases. And, it is all FREE! If you don't have a library card, get one free at any of our Ventura County Library locations. Visit vencolibrary.org to find a library near you. Select eLibrary to get started.

Our eLibrary Careers & Jobs suite includes:
* Gale Career Transitions
* LearningExpress Job & Career Accelerator
* LearningExpress Library of practice tests and skills courses

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Sacramento, CA. – Communities and homeowners throughout California have experienced serious damage to trees due to harsh winter weather and very heavy snow fall. After a storm, it is common for people claiming to be "tree specialists" to show up at residents’ front doors offering their services to remove or repair damaged trees. Contractors seem to come out of the woodwork after a storm and are often inexperienced and not qualified to properly care for trees and their damage following a storm. They are often people who are unlicensed to do the work.

Unfortunately, many such individuals have little or no training, and sometimes have little interest in removing anything but money from the pocketbooks of unsuspecting residents.

CAL FIRE and the Arbor Day Foundation are urging homeowners not be a victim. "Make sure you are dealing with a reputable individual or tree care firm when you contemplate repairs or removal of any trees on your property," warns John Rosenow, president of The Arbor Day Foundation. "Legitimate arborists rarely go door to door to solicit business."

Here are eight guidelines to help you find qualified tree-care specialists:

1. Make sure they are part of an established business in the community or nearby area, with a listing in the phone book, usually under Tree Service.

2. Have them provide you with evidence that they are actually working for the company, rather than moonlighting.

3. Ask for a California Contractor’s License or a Timber Operator’s License. Including current certificates of insurance showing that they are fully insured for property damage, personal liability, and worker compensation.

4. Ideally, they should be members of a professional association of arborists such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).

5. Arborists who have received certification from their professional associations, such as ISA Certified Arborists, will have received training and access to current technical information on tree care, repair, and removal.

6. If possible, get more than one estimate to ensure that the price offered is competitive with that offered by others for the same services.

7. In the case of tree removals, have a clear understanding about who removes the limbs and debris from the property, and whether or not the price includes stump removal and clean up.

8. Check to see if the estimate has considered the possible value your tree will have as logs, firewood or chips, either to yourself or if sold to others.

"Above all, don't be pressured into making immediate decisions by a "tree specialist", do your homework and make sure they are qualified," warns Thom Porter, staff chief of Resource Management for CAL FIRE’s Southern Region. "It is important to take the time to select a qualified tree professional to safeguard your trees and to save you from the long-term consequences of using the wrong contractor to clean up after a storm."

Many cities require arborists to be licensed and will maintain lists of firms and individuals so registered. Residents can check with their local Forester who cares for public trees in their communities. Sometimes this is a function of the county or city's parks department or public works department. For more information on CAL FIRE's Resource Management Program or to reach a State Forester please visit www.fire.ca.gov.

EVENT DATE: Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 6 - 8 PM
LOCATION: 855 Partridge Drive, Ventura

Learn how you can become a partner in caring at a Foster Parenting Informational Meeting, Tuesday, May 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Human Services Agency, 855 Partridge Drive, Ventura) Over 600 children are currently in foster homes in Ventura County, and every day, another child is removed from their home because they have been neglected, abused or abandoned. Discover how the healing, support and guidance of a loving foster home can offer a local child a better tomorrow. You could be the answer to a child in crisis in your community. For more information call the Human Services Agency of Ventura County at 805-654-3456 or go to http://www.vchsa.org/foster.

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has been invited to compete in the qualifying round of the highly competitive ASPCA $100K Challenge, a national competition between 50 shelters to adopt out more animals during August, September and October in 2011 than in 2010. The winning shelter will receive a $100,000 grant from the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

To secure a spot among the 50 participating shelters in the final competition, Ventura County Animal Services needs your help. From April 4 to April 14, shelter supporters can cast a vote once a day for Ventura County Animal Services. Voting will take place on line at the ASPCA website – www.votetosavelives.org . Animal Services has also set up a link to this site on both their website: www.vcas.us and Facebook page www.facebook.com/VCAnimalServices. Starting Monday April 4, simply go to one of these sites and hit the red ASPCA $100k Vote Button. The 50 shelters with the most votes at the end of the two weeks will be finalists in the ASPCA $100K Challenge.

During the three-month span of the Challenge, the shelter that raises its adoption numbers the most will receive a $100,000 ASPCA grant. The challenge also will award $20,000 to the top-performing regional shelters and $25,000 to the shelter that best engages its community.

“This Challenge is a competition that inspires shelters everywhere to raise their adoption numbers in creative ways. We’re ready, willing and able to meet that challenge,” said Animal Services Director Monica Nolan. “Winning it would make a huge impact in the lives of our shelter pets.”

For more information on the ASPCA $100k Challenge, go the Ventura County Animal Services website: www.vcas.us

The Internal Revenue Service reminds Ventura County taxpayers that the filing deadline for 2010 tax returns is April 18, not April 15. Emancipation Day is observed April 15 in Washington, DC. By law, the tax filing deadline for the nation is moved to the next business day, Monday, April 18.

For those who haven’t filed yet, here are some tax tips from IRS Spokeswoman Anabel Marquez:

1. Don’t miss the filing deadline, especially if you owe taxes. File your tax return or an extension form by April 18 to avoid the late filing penalty. Failure-to-File penalties can really be a bother! For example, if you owe $1,000 and file your taxes late, the penalty could be as much as $250.

2. Remember an extension postpones filing, not paying. The filing extension (Form 4868) is generally accepted with or without payment as long as it’s correctly completed and filed by April 18. You don’t have to give the IRS a reason or excuse in order to be granted an extension, which gives you until Oct. 17, 2011, to file your taxes. An extension, however does not excuse you from paying taxes due by April 18. File for the extension online at no cost through IRS Free File at www.IRS.gov.

3. Pay what you can when you file. By paying as much as you can now, the amount of interest and late payment penalty owed will be less. You can request an IRS payment plan for the remainder owed. Visit IRS.gov to apply for an Online Payment Agreement.

4. Avoid common errors. Now that most returns are prepared on computers and e-filed to the IRS, the most common errors are data input mistakes. If you make sure your Social Security Number and other information are entered correctly, chances are the tax software will give you an error-free tax return and your refund will not be delayed.

5. File past-due returns to avoid losing refunds. There is a three-year window to claim a tax refund. If you have not filed your 2007 tax return yet, you must file it by April 18, 2011, to claim any refund due for tax year 2007. There is no penalty for filing a return late if you’re owed a refund, but you must also catch up on filing for 2008 and 2009 or the IRS will hold your 2007 refund.

6. Don't miss tax credits for workers. Taxpayers who worked any part of 2010 and whose household income was less than $48,362 may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The credit can be as much as $5,666 and can be refunded to you even if you paid little or nothing in to the IRS. Four out of five eligible workers claim and get EITC, but the IRS would like to make that five out of five.

7. File free online. IRS Free File at IRS.gov allows filers whose household income was $58,000 or less last year to use brand-name tax software at no cost. If your income is above $58,000, use the Fillable Forms section of Free File – anyone of any income level can use it free. E-filing is fast, easy and secure. It provides a fast refund, a virtually error-free return and confirmation of receipt by the IRS. About three out of four tax returns are e-filed now.

8. Get your return prepared and e-filed free. Take advantage of free tax preparation and e-filing at help sites staffed by IRS-trained volunteers. Filers whose household income was $49,000 or less or who are age 60 or older are eligible for this free service. Call the IRS Site Locater number, 1-800-906-9887, to find the closest site.

9. Check your refund status online. Visit IRS.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. Or get the IRS' new free phone application for iPhones and Droids. "IRS2Go" allows you to check on your refund and get tax tips, plus more enhancements planned.

10. Avoid tax scams. Even though the IRS encourages e-filing, e-payments and provides e-refunds, the IRS never sends e-mails about your taxes. E-mails that ask for your private information are usually phishing scams. Guard your personal information carefully. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Please forward the bogus e-mail claiming to be from the IRS to phishing@irs.gov

VENTURA, CA. - On Saturday, April 16, the Ventura Family YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents in Ventura County to come to the Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. It’s all part of the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ – the nation’s largest health day for families. The free event will take place at the Ventura Family YMCA from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. where families can enjoy a free lunch, meet local vendors and explore a real fire truck.

As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through healthy living, the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to teach healthy habits to kids and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity. At a time when one in three children in the United States are overweight or obese (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), developing healthier habits that include increased physical activity is more important than ever.

“At the Ventura Family YMCA, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids’ daily routine,” says Jacob Munyon, Child Care Director at the Ventura Family YMCA.“Doing so doesn’t have to require extra money or resources. It’s as simple as making a play date with your kids, with two key requirements – be active and have fun!”

As part of Healthy Kids Day, the Y encourages families to make play dates everyday as a simple way to become healthier, more active and connected. The Ventura Family YMCA recommends five simple activities families can do to play together:

1. Schedule a Game Night: Play games with the kids that incorporate physical activity, such as Charades.
2. Dance, Dance: Turn on your favorite party music and dance! Make this activity more fun with a dance contest.
3. Go Riding: Find a new bike path or park for a fun afternoon outdoors; grab your helmets and go rollerblading or bike riding.
4. Channel Your Inner Youth: Remember playing hopscotch, jump rope, Simon Says or freeze tag as a kid? Teach your favorite childhood game to your kid(s) and play them together.
5. Play Outside: Visit your neighborhood park or camp out in your backyard for some outdoor fun. Get everyone moving with fun sports like soccer, basketball or baseball.

Healthy Kids Day will be celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, with more than 700,000 families expected to attend this year.

Healthy Kids Day is supported by Child Health & Disability, Farmers Insurance, Goofytoofy, Oxnard Children’s Dental Group, Healthy Families, Santa Paula Medical West Clinic/Youth Wellness Clinic, Ventura Fire Department, and Vitality Chiropractic. Oxnard Children’s Dental will be doing an activity on oral hygiene at 10 a.m. as well.

Families can even be part of a live audience for the YMCA After The Bell Program’s filming of the Catie and Katie Show. Filming will start at 10 a.m. and will be running in 15 minute segments so people can participate in different parts of the show.

Nationally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Dodge brand, PepsiCo and Sam’s Club.

For more information, contact Jacob Munyon at 805 642 2131 or visit ciymca.org/ventura.

About the Ventura Family Y
The Ventura Family YMCA serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs throughout Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Saticoy. Through the Open Doors program the YMCA ensures that no one is ever turned away due to their inability to pay and facility memberships without contracts or join fees makes the Ventura Family YMCA accessible to everyone. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. log on to ciymca.org/ventura.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Moorpark Police Department is participating in Project ChildSafe.

Project ChildSafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices (safety kits).

Since 2003, Project ChildSafe has distributed more than 35 million safety kits to gun owners in all 50 states and five U.S. territories and continues to help its law enforcement partners promote firearms safety by providing educational materials and support services.

To get a Project ChildSafe safety kit, or to help promote the safe and responsible use and storage of firearms through Project ChildSafe, please come to the Moorpark Police Department, 610 Spring Rd. Moorpark and request your free gun locking device safety kit.

Location: Moorpark Police Department
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Crime Prevention
Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Bob Berger
Follow-up Contact: Senior Deputy Bob Berger (805) 532-2707
Date of Release: Friday, April 1, 2011
Approved By: Captain O’Hanlon

(l-r) Alexus Galassi, Brooke Aguirre, Brandon Pina and Ashley Jackson at the South Coast Regional Spring Meeting.
Enlarge Photo

On March 18th Fillmore FFA members attended the South Coast Regional Spring Meeting which was held at King City High School. At the meeting members competed in public speaking contests, regional officer elections and received awards for their hard work throughout the year. Each FFA chapter keeps a record of their events and activities by having a chapter scrapbook. Chapters put everything from meetings to showmanship practice information in their scrapbook. The scrapbooks are judged on not only appearance but on how well they inform the reader. Along with other scrapbooks from the region, Fillmore FFA’s scrapbook was judged at the meeting and looked wonderful! Alexus Galassi ran for the Regional Reporter position as well as competed in the Job Interview contest. Brooke Aguirre ran for the Regional Vice President for Ventura Section position and also competed in the Prepared Public Speaking contest. Ashley Jackson and Brandon Pina represented the Fillmore Chapter as voting delegates for the officer elections. Although the chapter scrapbook wasn‘t awarded and neither Alexus nor Brooke placed in their competitions or won an officer position, the students had an amazing time seeing friends and meeting new ones!

Oh how this past year has flown by so quickly! It’s already time for chapter officer elections. This past week the three graduating officers read over applications and interviewed individuals who would like to run for this year’s officer team. At our next meeting, these students will be slated into officer positions and will present speeches. Then, members will vote and the new officer team will be revealed at our End of Year Banquet in May.

It’s definitely spring time out at the School Farm! Brittany Gurrolla’s heifer Millie gave birth to her calf! After waiting approximately nine months, Millie had a black bull calf on the afternoon of March 24th. Just like any other animal, heifers can have difficult labors, but lucky for Millie the calf was born in several hours. Congratulations to Brittany and Millie!

On March 27th, Fillmore FFA members went to Rio Grande High School to receive their State FFA Degrees. Those who received the degree are Sierra Blankenship, Marc Zavala, Craig Harvey, Candace Stines, Hilary Vigil and Brandon Pina. The State FFA Degree is the third highest ranking in the FFA Organization. Members must complete the requirements which include being in FFA for two years, have received the Chapter degree and have had an approved Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. Along with members receiving their degrees, two Fillmore FFA members were given proficiency awards for their hard work. Riley Wright received her award for Vegetable Production and Alexus Galassi received her award for Agricultural Sales. In addition, Mr. Mike Bush was awarded the Gold Star Administrator award. Congratulations and good job to those who attended the Proficiency and State Degree Awards Ceremony!

Brooke Aguirre is Fillmore FFA's Chapter Reporter

Spring time is here! The Fillmore Community Farmers Market is Back! Grand re-Opening, Wednesday April 20th and every Wed. there after market hours every Wed. 3:30 to 7:00pm, for more info contact Scott or Laura Beylik @ 524-5533 or tomatoman1969@yahoo.com, facebook Fillmore Farmers Market

Sunday, May 15th Fillmore Memorial Building 1:00PM. Registration Cost: $40.00 per entry.
This pageant is open to Girls ages 0 – 12 yrs and Boys ages 0 – 7yrs. Contestants will be judged on beauty and personality. Applications may be obtained at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce or by calling #805-340-6222 or #805-630-3987.

We have the Storage Yard so we can keep them together. We have a small storage container that has been loaned to us until THE CITY gets the 2 storage containers they were directed to replace by the City Council in Feb. 9th of this year...We are collecting Yard Sale items for our Yard Sale April 23rd. Call me 407-5759 or 524-4909 for collection, thank you. Mrs. Chaney.

Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee announces a “Creative Design” workshop that will be led by Charlene Smith on April 6th at 4 pm. The workshop will be held at 233 4th Street. This workshop will be for 4H, Scouts, other youth groups & open to the public at large.

Bring some flowers, clippers & an interesting container & most importantly, your willingness to enjoy creating!
This workshop will help prepare people for the Fillmore Flower Show coming April 16,17 at the Senior Center on Santa Clara Street.

A new 80's musical written by FHS's own Josh Overton! This fun musical features some most excellent singing and dancing to tunes you'll remember from this gnarly decade. The hair styles and costumes are easily worth the price of admission!

The show opens this Friday, April 1st at 7pm. Other performances include: Saturday, April 2nd at 7pm, Sunday, April 3rd at 2pm, Friday, April 8th at 7pm, Saturday, April 9th at 7pm, Sunday, April 10th at 2pm.

Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $7 for adults, and $15 for our new Anytime Ticket - good for unlimited admissions. Come see this Totally Rad show as many times as you want! Contact Josh Overton at 276-6070 or Janet Foy at 524-2757 for more info.

The City of Fillmore in conjunction with the County of Ventura & Clean Harbors will be hosting a household hazardous waste collection day Saturday April 2, 2011 between the hours of 8:30AM – 1:15PM at the Fillmore Public Works Yard located at 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.

This collection event is open to residents of Fillmore, Piru & Santa Paula as well as the unincorporated areas of western Ventura County. The household hazardous waste facility accepts paints, stains, thinners and solvents, kitchen & bath cleaning products, lawn & garden products, photographic chemicals, oil, antifreeze, automotive and household batteries, fluorescent light tubes, mercury thermostats, mercury containing products, electronic waste & more. This event is FREE to the public and the perfect opportunity to get rid of those items you otherwise cannot throw into the trash.

For questions or to schedule a drop-off appointment, please call (805) 658-4323.