I stopped in to see what was going on with a scoping meeting hosted by the U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at city hall, Tuesday evening. Unfortunately no one else showed up. The meeting was held to receive input from local citizens regarding our National Hopper Mountain Wildlife Refuge.
Project Leader Marc Weitzel and Michael Woodbridge, Public Affairs officer for Fish and Game were very informative and provided me with printed information about the important wildlife system around Fillmore. I hope another meeting will be scheduled in the near future, which will receive more publicity.

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I also attended Tuesday’s regular school board meeting. It was a little off-putting to hear board member Prado sarcastically respond to recent criticisms about physical conditions at Piru School. He had surveyed the school grounds the previous Friday and found things to be in good shape, at least as good as conditions in any of the district’s other schools. Prado stated that, in his opinion, each of the district’s schools needs about $1,500,000 for maintenance and challenged Adrianne Thiesing, the parent making the complaint, to go out into the community and seek sufficient bond money to fix the problems.

Mr. Prado, it’s unreasonable and unprofessional to launch such a personal response. Perhaps an apology is due.

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An apology is also due from me. To Trinka Reynolds: If my criticism of your son Brian Sipes, for monopolizing city council time, was taken personally, I apologize. Your generosity in donating money to the Senior Center should not be confused with my opposition to Brian and his political activist friends. Your generosity should be commended by all.

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On a more upbeat note, I hope everyone is supporting the Grad Nite Live Fundraiser. We can be assured that this graduation night program has saved many lives. Be sure to pick up the Attractions Spa coupon. The goal is to sell 300 certificates. Call 805-317-9002.

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My thanks to Sebastian Ramirez for the use of his photo of the recent accident in Santa Paula where Fillmore’s Sheriff’s deputy, Beau Rodriguez and Gang Officer William Meixner, were seriously injured together with 22-year-old Mayra Tellez. Sebastian has always been very generous with his outstanding work.

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I would also like to request prayers for the swift recovery of our policemen and Ms. Tellez, all of whom have received extremely serious injuries.