Former assemblyman and Afghanistan War veteran Jeff Gorell will serve as Grand Marshal when the annual Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street for the 27th time in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 14.

The theme of this year’s parade, which begins in front of Mission San Buenaventura at 10 a.m., is “Honoring Our Troops.”

Gorell represented the 37th District in the California Assembly from 2010 to 2012, and after the decennial redistricting, the 44th District from 2012-2014. Just before the Nov. 2, 2010 general election, Gorellannounced that he was being deployed to Afghanistan on March 18, 2011 as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.It marked Gorell’s second year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan; his first started three weeks after 9/11 in 2001.

Upon winning, Gorell spent less than three months in office before becoming the first sitting California lawmaker since World War II to be called into active military duty overseas. During his deployment, 14 bills were sponsored in his name. Gorelllater served as vice-chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee and now serves as Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

The whole county will be turning out in green on Main Street on March 14. Last year’s parade drew over 90 entries, including floats sponsored by civic groups, nonprofits and local businesses and restaurants; marching bands; car clubs; horses; clowns and the Biggest Green Pig in the World. There also will be high school pep bands, youth groups and fun-loving adult groups entered in the parade.

The Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which ends at Laurel Street, is presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430. The event’s committee is accepting entries for the parade. For entry forms or more information about the parade, visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com, or call 643-4275.

County Supervisor Kathy Long, 3rd District would like to announce to all residents of Ventura County that the next Santa Paula Tattoo Removal Clinic will be held on Saturday January 17th, 2015 from 8:30 am – 12 noon, no appointments necessary. Orientation for first time participants will be at 9 am located at 1334 E. Main St. the Santa Paula Medical Clinic. Due to overwhelming response, spaces will be limited.

County Supervisor Kathy Long spearheaded this clinic in collaboration with the following agencies: Ventura County Public Health, Ventura County Probation Agency, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Paula Family Care Clinic, Interface Children Family Services, and CalWORKS.

The clinic not only welcomes participants but volunteers to run the clinic. If you have any questions, or would like to find out how you can help, please call the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic at (805) 933-1242.

The adventure and insights of the film and book by Cheryl Strayed -- “WILD: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” – are well known by participants of the Los Padres Sierra Club’s Wilderness Basics Course (WBC).

That’s because WBC has been transforming and enhancing peoples’ lives for six years now, using the vast swath of wild land in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties that include woods, forests, chaparral, mountains, valleys, grasslands, semi-desert areas, rivers, creeks and nearly 500 fish and wildlife species … all chock full of adventure under a big sky.

The Los Padres Chapter’s course runs Feb. 4 through March 25 and offers thorough training for adults and teens (13-17 with parent)of various levels of fitness, in the classroom and outdoors. Class is held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and participants apply the knowledge during day hikes, car camp and overnight backpacks in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

“We offer this class so that people can enjoy the outdoors with more knowledge and take on a spirit of adventure. That’s our reward, along with meeting new friends and having a blast,” said WBC leader Teresa Norris.

WBC’s dedicated staffis ready to share their skills and stories, demonstrating hiking techniques, equipment, navigation, first aid and safety, among many other skills including cooking delicious meals.

Participants will meet like-minded people anxious to leave the urban scene behind for a while and, to quote the Sierra Club’s motto: “To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth.”

“The WBCstrengthened my knowledge of the outdoors and reinforced my commitment to safety and preparation,” said Lars Yahr who became a staff member after he took the course.

The goal is to increase enjoyment by being prepared and confident that a trip outdoors will be positive and rewarding, even if you lose your way, the weather turns bad or a medical problem crops up.Of course, avoiding those surprises is the highest priority and WBC prepares the students for such events.

For more details, call 524-7170, email lospadresWBC@gmail.com, or go on the Facebook page or website:
www.facebook.com/lospadresWBC
www.lospadres.sierraclub.org/WBC

As the county’s only non-for-profit Home Health and Hospice provider, we support the total well-being of our community. As part of our services, we host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following:

Livingston’s Hospice Volunteer Training

Is part of your New Year’s resolution giving back? Consider joining Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association’s outstanding volunteer team. This 8-week volunteer training program is only offered once a year and will be heldTuesdays,January 27-March 17 10am-1pm at the Livingston’s Ventura offices at 1996 Eastman Avenue, suite 101. There is no fee for this course.

Training is conducted by our professional staff including RN’s specializing in hospice and palliative care, medical social workers, spiritual care and bereavement counselors. Volunteers are considered an integral part of the Livingston’s hospice team and receive on going supervision and training.

To receive more information about the training or to registercontactVolunteer Coordinator Maddy Hazard, MPH at (805) 642-0239 x775 or emailmhazard@lmvna.org.

Happy New Year!

Attention all gardeners! It is never too early to begin thinking about your entry for the Fillmore Flower Show. This year’s theme is “Bursting with Beauty.” The show will be held in the Fillmore Senior Center April 11 and 12, 2015.

For over 70 years, the Fillmore Flower Show has delighted both participants and viewers alike. The Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee is pleased to sponsor the show again this spring. Many of you have been planning your entry since the show last year. For others, consider participating for the first time. Encourage your children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors to display their beautiful blooms.

All residents of the Fillmore Unified School District are eligible to enter. Entry divisions are: Single Stem Cut Roses, Single Stem Cut Iris, Other Single Stem Cut Flowers, Arrangements in a Single Container, Bouquet, Miniature Arrangement and Bouquets (not to exceed 4 inches by 4 inches), Potted Plants, Dish Gardens and Youth Arrangements. For our youth wishing to express the theme in writing, there is also Youth Composition competition.

Now is the time to mulch and weed, dig and spread, nourish and plant. Mother Nature will reward you with a beautiful rainbow bursting with color. Then, all you have to do is share the beauty with the rest of your community at the Fillmore Flower Show.

FARM WATCH: SPECIAL ALERT

A message from Detective Ray Dominguez:
Farm Watch readers, please review the attached informational flyer for additional information reference the attempted murder investigation being actively investigated by the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau. I am calling on each of you for your assistance in locating this subject/suspect vehicle. Because of the large number of farms, ranches, and rural areas to be searched we are asking that you assist the Sheriff’s Office Investigators by speaking with your employees, neighbors, and checking your properties including outbuildings, barns, sheds, etc. for this suspect/vehicle. If you locate the vehicle or suspect please do not confront him or approach the vehicle as he is extremely dangerous and you could potentially disturb or destroy viable evidence in the area. Please contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately and request a deputy respond to your location.

The following advice is always wise if you suspect illegal activity on your property:
• Call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 911.
• Be a good witness
• Note suspect descriptions such as age, height, weight, facial hair, clothing, and shoe type.
• If a vehicle is involved, obtain a license plate number and note vehicle color, body damage, bumper stickers, camper shell, after market tires and wheels, etc.
• Provide the dispatcher with information about the time and last known direction of travel.

Agricultural Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez ray.dominguez@ventura.org
805-797-6424 Cell#

Be alert and stay safe!

Ray

Geoff Dean - Sheriff
Steve DeCesari and Gary Pentis - Assistant Sheriffs

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash and recyclables collection schedule in Fillmore on Jan. 23, during the week of Martin Luther King Jr.

For more information, call 647-1414.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is offering free spay or neutering to pit bull and pit bull mixes for a limited time starting Jan. 1.

Funding is limited and the program will only last for a short time, so the HSVC is encouraging Ventura County owners of pit bull and pit bull mixes to act soon. The Ojai-based nonprofit also is seeking donations to help fund the free spay and neutering program.

Reservations are required. Call 656-5043 or visit www.hsvc.org.

Donations may made by visiting the HSVC website. They also can be brought to the Humane Society shelter at 402 Bryant Street in Ojai or sent to P.O. Box 297, Ojai, Calif. 93024.

HSVC began its first free spay and neuter program for Chihuahua and Chihuahua mixes in August of 2012. To date HSVC has spayed and neutered 1,039 Chihuahuas throughout Ventura County, saving the lives of countless animals.

“The single most important thing that we can do to save cats and dogs from all the suffering that overpopulation causes is to spay and neuter them,” said HSVC Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1932. It does not receive federal, state or local tax dollars to operate and relies solely on private donations.

A Public Hearing will be held before the Fillmore City Council on January 13, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Central Park Plaza, 250 Central Ave, Fillmore, California to consider the following:

Request: Convert El Dorado Mobile Home Park consisting of 302 spaces into a 302 lot subdivision with one common lot pursuant to Government Code Section 66427.5. All existing residents will be allowed to continue renting their mobile home space for as long as they wish. The proposal will provide each existing resident household an option to either purchase their space or continue renting their space.

Project Title: Vesting Tentative Tract Map 5844

Project Location: 250 E. Telegraph Road

General Plan Designation: Residential Medium

Zoning: Residential Medium

Applicant: El Dorado Estates c/o The Star Companies, 1400 E. Fourth St. Santa Ana, CA 92701

Environmental Review: Staff has determined the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301 (Existing Facilities), because the project involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use. In addition, the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The City Council will review this exemption determination at the public hearing.

Any person with an interest in this item may attend this public hearing and speak before the City Council. Further information on this matter can be obtained by calling Fillmore City Hall at (805) 524-1500 ext. 116 or by visiting City Hall during normal business hours.

Please note that the City Council may choose to continue this and/or other items on the agenda. Please contact the City prior to the scheduled public hearing date to verify if this item will be heard. This notice is to be published one time only in the Fillmore Gazette on Thursday, January 1, 2015, and mailed to all property owners within 300 feet of the project site.

Kevin McSweeney,
Community Development Director

On behalf of the Ventura County Civic Alliance (VCCA), Searle Creative Group is handling the design and layout of the VCCA’s 2015 State of the Region Report. This useful and beautiful 125-page book comments on the quality of life and the trends that impact Ventura County and its residents. It is distributed to educational entities, business development groups, nonprofit organizations, and more. If you are unfamiliar with the publication, you can learn more as well as receive a copy of the 2013 State of the Region Report by visiting: http://www.vccf.org/programs/civicalliance/SotR.shtml.

Searle would like very much to include images of the Ventura County cities covered within the report. To this end, they are inviting each City to share with us a few iconic images that reflect the essence of their City.
These images need to be print resolution at 300 dpi, and it is assumed that the provider would have the rights to any images sent and would be agreeing that Searle could use those images for publication in the State of the Region Report. We are happy to credit any photographer as needed!

Anyone interested in submitting photos for the project can contact Julie Latshaw, Administrative Assistant, City of Fillmore (805) 524-3701, ext 269.

In an order issued today by Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer, as of January 1, 2015, all health care workers (HCWs) in Ventura County hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, ambulances and other licensed health care facilities are required to receive an annual influenza immunization or wear a protective mask while in contact with patients.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza infection affects 5-15% of the U.S. population every year, leading to an estimated 3.1 million days of hospitalization and 31.4 million outpatient visits. Influenza accounts for an estimated 36,000 excess deaths in the U.S. each year, 90% of which are in persons ages 65 years and older.
“Getting vaccinated is one of the most important steps healthcare personnel can take to protect their patients and themselves from the flu,” said Levin. “Our goals are to increase the rate of influenza vaccinations of HCWs, reduce employee absenteeism during flu season and reduce the risk of HCWs transmitting influenza to their patients.”

This is the first time Ventura County has issued a mandatory flu vaccine mandate. The order will remain in effect throughout flu season which generally is defined as December 15 – March 31 of the following year.

Those HCWs who refuse to receive the influenza vaccination for religious or other reasons will be required to wear a face mask in patient care areas during the influenza season. Mandatory vaccination or masking policies have been shown to increase HCW vaccination rates to above 95%.

The new rule is part of a growing trend among health-care facilities nationwide. Similar orders have been issued in 23 other California counties.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While circulating flu viruses vary from one year to the next, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the four main flu viruses that researchers predict will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to start a lifesaving habit by becoming a regular blood donor this year, starting with National Blood Donor Month in January.

January is a challenging time for blood donations. Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations, and cold and flu season may cause some donors to be unable to make or keep blood donation appointments. National Blood Donor Month, celebrated in January since 1970, raises awareness of the need for blood during the winter and throughout the year, while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative and B negative. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types A and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

American Red Cross Woodland Hills Blood Donation Center
6338 Variel Ave.
Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Additional blood donation opportunities

Camarillo
1/20/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Ventura County Star, 550 Camarillo Center Dr
1/21/2015: 11 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Betty Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
1/22/2015: 11 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Betty Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
1/28/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive
1/29/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive
1/30/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., YMCA, 3111 Village at the Park Dr

Oak Park
1/26/2015: 2 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., Stevenson Fitness, 706 Lindero Canyon Rd

Simi Valley
1/17/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave
1/18/2015: 8 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., St Peter Claver, 2380 Stow Street
1/21/2015: 9:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive
1/23/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave
1/30/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
1/21/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
1/26/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd

Ventura
1/20/2015: 11 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Ventura Cnty Deputy Sheriffs Assn, 981 South Victoria Ave
1/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street

Westlake Village
1/22/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Farmers Insurance, 31051 Agoura Rd
1/29/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Move Incorporated, 30700 Russel Ranch Rd

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are
17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Fillmore Senior Center
I am going to take this opportunity to clarify what appears to be misinformation regarding the Fillmore Senior Center and several letters to the editorthat have appeared in the Fillmore-Gazette.

• The City willcontinue to offer senior programs currently being provided and will be scheduling additional programs to meet the needs of our senior and non-senior residents. Staff will be meeting with various senior groups to see what programs they would like to see offered. In addition, staff has been and will continue to visit other Senior Centers in Ventura County to identify best practices and will bringing them to the Fillmore Senior Center.

• The City elected not to renew its lease with the Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (“FSCI”). The lease renewal was clearly described on the November 18, City Council agenda and the public had the chance to and did speak on the item. The City Council then met in closed session to discuss the price and terms for a new lease and use agreement with the FSCI. In that discussion, it was decided that the City could expand the use of the facility if the City declined to renew the lease and use agreement with the FSCI. Everything was incompliance with the Brown Act.

• The City is appreciative of everything that the FSCI has done and continues to do for the City’s senior residents. The City wishes to work with the FSCI during this transition period and in the future.
The Fillmore Senior Center is a multipurpose center dedicated to independence, dignity, and quality of life for our senior citizens and the community at large.

Downtown Parking – Central Avenue Business District
As a reminder to everyone there is a two hour parking limit along Central Avenue in the Downtown Business District. At the request of city council and several merchants, the Sheriff’s Department is focusing on parking compliance, and tickets are being issued. Everyone is asked to respect the two hour parking rule or risk receiving a parking ticket.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a safe New Year, and a special thank you to everyone who makes Fillmore the “Last Best Small Town”.

The Fillmore Historical Museum will host a volunteer recruitment and orientation meeting at the museum on January 10, 2015, at 1:OO p.m. in the Southern Pacific Depot , 350 Main Street. Tours will be available at no charge to show potential volunteers the museum and discuss its history and the history of Fillmore, Piru, Sespe and Bardsdale.

The historical society is looking for volunteers to be available on a regular schedule during the week and on Saturdays and Sundays to keep the museum open during regular visiting hours. Volunteers are also needed to assist in many areas such as: writing and researching for a new book about the local area, documenting on video the oral histories of local individuals, inventorying artifacts and putting the data into the computer, re-enactment of local history for tours and school presentations, developing and presenting programs for local organizations and publicity. Also needed are volunteers to develop the gift shop and help keep the site spruced up and plants taken care of.

For more information please phone the museum at 805-524-0948 or email us at fillmore.museum@sbcglobal.net.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Denisse Romero was arrested after being found hiding in a closet in her family residence, located in the 1900 Block of Ginger Street, Oxnard, after an investigation that spanned several states and lead into Mexico, where the victim had previously been rescued.

Denisse Romero was employed as a staff member at the Camarillo Children’s Learning Center, a group home, in August, 2014. The juvenile victim was a resident of the home. Romero began a romantic relationship with the victim, which led to the victim running away from the home, and Romero quitting the same day. Evidence established the pair left the State of California and ended up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where local law enforcement authorities, acting at the direction of VCSO investigators, nearly captured the pair. Romero and the victim were located in Texas, where the victim was recovered by the San Antonio Police Department. Evidence suggested Romero fled to Mexico after eluding authorities.

The juvenile victim was returned to another group home in late August, where she ran away the following day. Evidence suggested the juvenile eventually arrived in Mexico, where she and Denisse Romero were reunited. Romero drove the juvenile around Mexico, where they eventually moved in to an apartment together in Ensenada.

VCSO investigators developed leads that established the location of the pair. VCSO members contacted agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and requested assistance. FBI investigators worked with members of the Mexican Government. Mexican authorities located Romero and the juvenile at their apartment and took the juvenile into protective custody. Romero was not taken into custody because no formal extradition agreement was in place.
The juvenile was returned to her legal guardian in the United States on 12/3/2014.

A case against Denisse Romero was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, and a $250,000 warrant was issued for her arrest for felony violations of 278 PC (Child Stealing) and two additional felony charges related to sexual assault of a minor.

On 12/22/2014, VCSO investigators received information that Denisse Romero was back in the United States, living with family members in Oxnard. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, along with a patrol deputy, drove to the residence, where Denisse Romero failed to come out of the home. She was found hiding inside a closet in the home. She was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for her charges.

Nature of Incident: Capture of Child Stealing / Child Molest Suspect
Report Number: 14-19673
Location: Camarillo and Oxnard, California / Ensenada, Mexico
Date & Time: 12/22/2014 / 1700 Hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Denisse Lisbeth Romero Oxnard 27
(V)Juvenile Female 16
Prepared by: Sergeant Ryan Clark / Major Crimes Bureau
News Release Date: 12/23/2014
Media Follow-Up Contact:Sergeant Ryan Clark / Major Crimes Bureau
(805) 384-4721
Ryan.clark@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Chris Dunn / Major Crimes Bureau.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

OJAI, CA - The Humane Society of Ventura County (HSVC) is holding it’s first “Dog Jog” on March 14, 2015 at Lake Casitas. This soon-to-be annual event is a 5k fun run/walk for people with all proceeds benefitting the HSVC. (No dogs allowed; logistical issues prevent dogs from participating in the 5K). There will be live music by Main Street Band, food trucks, and HSVC will have both information and education booths on site.

Sign up at www.Active.com by Feb. 15 to get a free t-shirt. Enter “Dog Jog” into the search box. Prices are $15 for participants 13 and under, and $35 for those 14 and over. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Lake Casitas Special Events area just south of the main entrance. The self-timed 5K begins at 10 a.m. There is free parking.

The HSVC is a private, nonprofit 501c3 organization that receives no government funding or funds from organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States or ASPCA. “We rely on donations from the public and fundraising efforts such as the ‘Dog Jog’ to keep our doors open,” stated Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman. “We are all very excited about this event and how it will benefit the animals at HSVC.”

There are sponsorship opportunities available, please contact the HSVC at 805 646-6505 for more information.

Sacramento – A number of bills sponsored by the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) have been signed into law by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and will take effect January 1, 2015.

“The new year brings a number of new laws, including those I sponsored to help small business owners and veterans,” said Board of Equalization Member George Runner. “We want taxpayers to be aware of these new laws so they can receive all the benefits they’re entitled to.”

They include: Two BOE-sponsored bills will assist veterans. Vets whose 100 percent disability rating was delayed by the federal government, and are eligible for a state exemption from property taxes, will now be eligible for a refund for the previous eight years, up from four, under Senate Bill (SB) 1113 (Knight). Assembly Bill 919 (Williams) will refund sales tax, interest, and penalties paid from 2002 to 2010 for small sales by qualified itinerant veteran sellers.

AB 2031 (Dahle) will relieve those who sell small amounts of lumber products from having to collect the California Lumber Products Assessment.

California took a step to recover a portion of the $8.5 billion lost each year to the underground economy. BOE-sponsored AB 2681 (Dababneh) will allow the state to impose sales tax on the counterfeit goods sold by criminals convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods at the wholesale level. Under current law, suppliers of counterfeit goods are able to avoid paying sales taxes, claiming their items are being sold to retailers who would then generally have the responsibility of remitting the sales tax to the BOE.

Another Board-sponsored bill, AB 2009 (Weber), extends BOE’s self-audit program to qualified sales and use tax account holders to many of its special tax and fee payers.

Board-supported SB 1203 was signed into law and will prohibit local governments from entering into payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements with owners of low-income housing projects and refund any property taxes assessed as a result of any previous PILOT agreements.

Other legislation impacting BOE includes:
Penalties assessed on certain Fire Prevention Fee liabilities will lighten with AB 2048 (Dahle). The bill eliminates the 20 percent per month penalty and adds a provision for a one-time 10 percent penalty charge similar to those imposed in the other programs administered by BOE. It also allows CAL FIRE to consider an appeal submitted after the filing deadline, and provides for the refund of fees paid, under specified conditions, should a home become uninhabitable due to a natural disaster that occurs within the same year.

Taxpayers who report and pay use tax to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) on income tax forms will have those payments applied directly to their use tax liability. AB 2758 (Rev and Tax Committee) says that use tax payments to the FTB will go straight to the payer’s use tax liability instead of first having to be applied to underpaid income tax, corporate tax, penalties, and interest, as is current law.

AB 1839 (Gatto) replaces a film and television tax credit under the Personal Income Tax Law and Corporation Tax Law, increasing the funding from $100 million to $330 million per fiscal year, expanding eligibility to large-budget feature films and TV pilots, and eliminating the cap for studio and independent films. In lieu of claiming the authorized tax credit, it allows the credit to be used against qualified sales and use tax liabilities payable to the BOE.

The 15th Annual Troop Turkey Drive continues to be the largest fundraising event that Troop Real Estate, Inc. has every year. By raising approximately $70,000 to purchase food from Albertsons, over 3,100 families (a minimum of 25,000 people) received a full Thanksgiving dinner this year.

This event is supported by many generous donors, and relies on over 26 corporate sponsors, including Albertsons, All Valley Escrow, Better Health and Wellness, Consumer's Title Co., DCH Toyota of Simi Valley, Dr. Victor Muradian DDS, Farmers Insurance, First Honda, First Kia, First Nissan, Harrison Industries, Infiniti of Thousand Oaks, Kirby Auto Group of Ventura, Prospect Mortgage, Rusnak BMW, Simi Auto Spa, Simi Hills Men's Club, Simi Sunset Rotary, Simi Valley Buick/GMC, Simi Valley Hospital, Skinny Wimp Moving Co., TRC Medical, Union Bank of Simi Valley, Wells Fargo Mortgage, Troop Real Estate, Inc. and Utopia Entertainment, as well as hundreds of private donors and volunteers who were also involved. Troop Real Estate was able to meet both goals to feed over 25,000 people and encourage more community involvement than ever before.

All turkeys and trimmings were distributed Thursday, November 20 through Monday, November 24. Each qualified family received a 14-18 lb turkey and all the trimmings for a complete Thanksgiving feast. The turkeys were larger than expected this year, so the food went further, leaving families generous amounts of leftovers to carry on through the weekend.

The Troop Turkey Drive thanked 750 U.S. Naval families for their service at the Seabee Base in Port Hueneme with a turkey dinner, assisted scholarship families through the Boys and Girls Club and hundreds of other families selected by food agencies in Ventura County communities. The food was moved by Skinny Wimp Movers, and volunteers delivered Thanksgiving meals to non-ambulatory seniors, touching thousands of lives.

There were four main distribution areas: Troop Real Estate, Inc. of Simi Valley fed both Simi Valley and Moorpark areas, Troop Real Estate, Inc. of Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks both fed areas within the Conejo Valley, Troop Real Estate, Inc of Ventura fed the families of Ventura, Oxnard and Channel Islands, and Troop Real Estate, Inc. of Santa Paula and Ojai both fed families in that area of the valley.

"Thank you to our huge Troop family for your hard work, support and kindness," said CEO Brian Troop. "This idea that started with 10 families has grown to have a major positive impact on families in need in all of our communities."

This community outreach program was launched by Troop Real Estate's Simi Valley Realtor® Alex Gandel in 1999 to collect funds to purchase the fixings for a complete Thanksgiving meal and distribute the food to qualified families through food banks in their local areas. A continued practice company-wide year after year, the Troop Turkey-A-Thon enjoys continued success due to support and efforts from the Troop family of agents, affiliates, private volunteers, donors and corporate sponsorships.

Every year, Troop Real Estate professionals throughout Ventura County reach out to their friends, family and clients for donations. Troop hopes to inspire more community involvement each year to help change the face of poverty and starvation in our communities. Every donation makes a big difference!

For more information or to continue donating for next year, contact your Troop Real Estate professional, or call 805.426.0623, email turkeydrive@troop.com, or visit www.troopturkeyathon.com.