I wish to express my profound apologies to the Fillmore Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the wrongly identified photo of Eagle Scout Sean Chandler receiving an award plaque for constructing his Walk of Honor at Bardsdale Cemetery. The caption reads “Chandler receives Lions Club honor". This was an award issued by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Again, my apologies to our VFW for this inexplicable mistake.

Maybe it’s time for me to retire – it is, after all, the Gazette’s twenty second anniversary.

Also...

The Gazette has learned, by an irate citizen, that an Aztec-like picture was recently placed on the rear alley (east) wall of the old bank building (Main Street near Central Ave.). We later learned that this was allegedly approved by the owner of the building. We don't know if the city was aware of it. It is, therefore, not a gang related picture. The police department has verified that it was painted with permission, and has no gang connection. It is difficult to understand what relevance such a public display has in the middle of Fillmore’s tourist center. This picture can be seen from two blocks away. A reasonable person, especially a tourist, would question the meaning of this work at this location. No matter how well done, a talented work in the wrong place (next to the Fillmore Tourism Bureau), giving a mistaken impression of criminal activity, unrelated to our downtown tourist efforts, is in my opinion, a mistake. It should be removed.

THIS JUST IN: We have learned that this was a paid commercial. It was painted on Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 47 with permission as stated. No one bothered to tell the citizens of Fillmore. It is ironic that it was painted directly across from a newly sprayed bicycle storage container on Main Street, which is a criminal offense.