Question No. 2: What is your vision for Fillmore if elected/reelected? What do you perceive as the five most important priorities for the city?

SANDRA PELLA:
My vision for Fillmore is to see our City thrive; not merely survive. I envision a restoration to the vibrant, quaint and small town appeal that is characteristic of Fillmore. The recession has adversely affected Fillmore like so many other cities throughout the United States. Our business and residential growth as a City is stagnant, and our household and business budgets are stretched to the limit. As we continue to confront challenges within Fillmore with respect to the economy, and in rebuilding the community’s confidence in our ability to turn things around, we need to address priorities that can affect a positive change:
We need to stimulate business by re-zoning the downtown in order to allow for diversity in types of businesses, and at the same time complete the business park.
We need more avenues for enhancing communication among the business community, Fillmore residents and the City.
We need to raise City income, control costs and balance the City budget; while maintaining responsibility for City resources.
We need to ensure the safety and welfare of the public through maintaining sufficient law enforcement, fire protection and emergency services.
We need to work together toward accomplishing common goals; avoiding divisive political and/or self-interests.
The City Council is only an instrument through which these priorities can be realized. City Council members serve only to meet community needs as determined by the public. You, as Fillmore residents and businesses, are the driving force behind our City’s return to success and prosperity. We can accomplish these goals with effective leadership and a cooperative community spirit.

GAYLE WASHBURN:
My vision is CONTINUED »

Gerardo Vaca, Class of 1988, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Frank Tirado Class of 1971, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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The Fillmore High School (FHS) Sports Hall of Fame held its Ceremony weekend on September 14th and 15th. The Hall of Famers past and present were introduced before the Flashes Football game on Friday the 14th. What made it special for all attending was that the Flashes of Fillmore beat the Santa Paula Cardinals in the 102nd meeting between the two teams.

Past Hall of Famers greeted the new Class. The Oldest Flashes Hall of Famer at the game was George Garnica Class of 1950, the youngest April Kozar Class of 1997. They all enjoyed the game and had a chance to talk over old times.

Saturday night was the big night for the Class of 2012. The public was invited to view the Gym and the Hall of Fame at Fillmore High School. They had a chance to see the Hall of Fame wall along with the League Championship Banners and C.I.F. Championship Banners.

In the Hall of Fame they also had a chance to see Championship Trophies and the Hall of Fame Plagues. The Letterwoman’s Jacket of April Ponce-Thompson and Kevin Gross's Phillies Jersey, and all the other items from the Hall of Famers and FHS were also on display.

This year the Hall of Fame Ceremony was held in the Veterans Memorial Building. Over 200 people were in attendance to see the Class of 2012 inducted. It was great to see Hall of Fame coaches Jim Fauver and Bruce Dempsey. Over 20 Hall of Famers were there to welcome the Class of 2012. After a moment of Silence for Hall of Famers Bob Huestis and William "Bill" Pearson, who passed away this last year, the ceremony was in full speed.
This was the first year The Hall of Fame had a new award, “Charles A. Mozley Special Recognition Award". It was named after the great Ventura County Hall of Fame Teacher Charles Mozley. This year the award went to Henry "Hank" Carrillo. Hank was "The Voice" of Fillmore, and he helped out in Fillmore sports at all levels. Hanks wife of 50 years Mary Lou and their two children Richard and Lori were there to accept the award. Mr. Mozley's wife and two of their four children Melissa and Matt where there to present the award.

Two Coaches were inducted into this year’s Class, Coach Jim Hunt and Coach Robert ''Bobby" Calderon. Coach Hunt was the Track and Field and the Cross Country Coach at Fillmore in the 1950's. Hall of Famer John Scloes said, "We knew we were fast in those days, but Coach Hunt taught us how to run track the right way." Coach Calderon was the Wrestling Coach at FHS from 1988 until 2011. He had five Team league Championships and many of his wrestlers won individual championships.

The players came next for the Class of 2012. First up was William "Bill" Case Class of 1939. Bill was an outstanding Football Player for the Flashes. Bill's daughters Anne and Susan were there to accept for their father. Don "Spider" Hughes Class of 1952 was there. The great football, basketball, and baseball player was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Frank Tirado Class of 1971 came from Texas to be inducted into this year’s Class. The star football, basketball, and baseball player for the Flashes was there with his family. Heidi Hope-Popp Class of 1980 was inducted this year. Heidi was a hardnosed, team first, Basketball standout for the Flashes. Heidi was also on the Track and Field team and the Tennis Team at Fillmore.

Michael Hopper Class of 1980 came in from Utah for the event. Mike said all he wanted to do in sports was play for Coaches Bruce Dempesy, Jim Fauver, and Tom Ecklund, all of them Hall of Famers. On this night Mike was also a Hall of Famer. Mike Largen Class of 1981 was inducted, the greatest male golfer that Fillmore has seen. Mike also played basketball for Fillmore, but golf was his best sport. A three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP). for FHS and two-time League M.V.P., Mike played and was a Club Pro for many years.

Next up was Mathew Dollar, Class of 1988, MVP in football and wrestling, Matt had even a bigger night on Friday when the head football coach for the Flashes beat the Cardinals to bring "The Helmet" back home to Fillmore. His Grandfather, William "Bill" Case and he shared the night together as Hall of Famers. Gerardo Vaca Class of 1988 was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The cross country, soccer, and track and field star was on team or was a League Champion nine times for the Fillmore Flashes. Gerardo was one of the greatest runners at FHS. April Ponce-Thompson Class of 1990 was an outstanding basketball, volleyball, and softball player for the Flashes. An MVP and All-Leaguer in all of her sports, April said she owes everything to her late mother Barbara Ponce for being such a strong single mother to her and her brothers and sisters.

Last of the Players for the Class of 2012 Hall of Fame was Art Sosa Class of 1991. Art was the Quarterback and Defensive Back for the Flashes Football team. An outstanding basketball and baseball player for the Flashes, Art was All-League and Captain for all three teams. Art later was a great football coach for FHS.

The Teams that went into The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 were the 1915 Boy's Baseball Team, the 1975 Girl's Softball Team, the 1977 Girls Volleyball Team, and the 2006 Boy's Soccer Team.

The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee would like to thank Team Gear-up and Crown Trophy, and the Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Club. Without the work the young men and women do for The Hall of Fame, it would not be here; and to all who have donated money and time for this great event to happen. The Fillmore High School Hall of Fame Golf Tournament will be on February 22, 2013. So make plans to join in all the fun and support the Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Deputy Sheriff Jerry Peterson

If you have lived in Fillmore, attended Fillmore High School, played Little League Baseball, or Girl's Softball, or had the opportunity to ask for assistance from a police officer anytime during the past 27 years, then there is a chance you may know him either personally, or have at least heard of him. I am talking about Ventura County Deputy Sheriff Jerry Peterson who will be retiring from a long and rewarding 31 year career in law enforcement on October 10, 2012. Jerry's friends and colleagues will host a Retirement Party on October 10th at the Ventura County Sheriff's Association Office, 981 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. The meal, Santa Maria BBQ, will be prepared by Fillmore's own Fire Chief Rigo Landeros. Cost of the event is $25 and includes everything as well as a “going away” gift for Jerry. Further information can be obtained from Jane David at the police department or from the flier on page 11.

Jerry Peterson, 55 years, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Bob and Dorothy Peterson. Jerry's family moved to Ventura County where he attended and graduated from Simi Valley High School. After high school Jerry attended California State University, Fresno where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of Criminology. It was at CSU, Fresno that he met wife Barbara through a mutual friend and like they say, “The rest is history!”
Jerry and Barbara have lived in Fillmore since 1985 and will continue to live in the City of Fillmore after his retirement. They have two adult children, both graduates of Fillmore High School; daughter Kelsey, 27 years old who resides with her husband Luke in Loma Linda, California and son Brian, 25 years old resides in Ventura with his fiancé Austin and their 2-month-old daughter Olive. Olive is Jerry and Barbara's first grandchild and Grandfather Jerry’s pride and joy! Jerry told me he feels blessed that his children live close. He said that this gives him the opportunity to see his new granddaughter at least once a week which allows him to see her grow and do all the things that a baby does as they pass through childhood.

Barbara is a School CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

Fillmore’s Clean up Days – Saturday, September 29th. From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Well No. 4 on Goodenough
Road, between A dn B Street. Fillmore’s HHW Disposal Day – Saturday, October 6th. From 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. At the Public Works Department yard at the corner of A Street and Sespe Ave.

FILLMORE RESIDENTS DISSATISFIELD WITH CITY COUNCIL
September 11, 2012 – Today Magellan Strategies, a national public opinion research firm, released results of a survey of 240 likely general election voters in the City of Fillmore, California. The survey tested a variety of community-based questions, including what voters consider to be priorities the Fillmore City Council should be addressing. The survey was commissioned by Communities Building Together, Inc.

ABOUT MAGELLAN STRATEGIES
Magellan Strategies offers a wide array of political data products and services to political candidates and organizations. Services include live, automated and online survey research, modeling, microtargeting and predictive analytics, enhanced voter registration databases, voter data analysis, demographic analysis, mapping, and redistricting data and technology consulting. Visit www.MagellanStrategies.com for more information about the firm. Mayor Gayle Washburn was one of those surveyed (see VC Star “Fillmore split over campaign poll run by former councilman’s group”, 09/20/12).

QUESTIONS:
T1. Are you registered to vote as a Republican, a Democrat or an independent voter?
Democrat ...................................................................................... 49%
Republican.................................................................................... 33%
Independent ................................................................................ 18%
T2. How likely are you to vote in the upcoming election this November for Fillmore
City Council?
Extremely likely ......................................................................... 52%
Very likely ..................................................................................... 34%
Somewhat likely......................................................................... 14%
T3. Generally speaking, do you CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

Each election year The Fillmore Gazette sends out a number of questions for the candidates to publicly answer, giving the community a chance to make an informed decision on election day. This year we will provide them with seven questions, one a week. The answers will appear in the Gazette, placed in alphabetical order the first week and rotating each week after.

Question #1 - "What personal, business or government experiences qualify you to be a good council candidate? How would your election to a seat make this a better city council?"

MANUEL MINJARES:
From a personal stand point, I feel my neutral demeanor, communication skills and love for this town will be great assets to the City Council. Additionally, raising a young family in Fillmore also gives me a significant incentive to put my best effort forward to ensure that I do my part to make this a safe, economically sound, and thriving town with recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.
From a professional standpoint, I feel my combination of education and professional work experience have helped me develop a unique skill set that I feel qualify me as a strong City Council candidate. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies and Planning from California State University Northridge and have worked in the Planning and Policy Division of the City of Los Angeles’ Housing Department, City of El Monte and City of Fillmore Planning Departments. These positions taught me how to work effectively with the public, present well written reports at public hearings, and understand how all departments within City Hall work together to efficiently serve the community. In addition to my work at City Hall I’ve been coaching, officiating, mentoring youth sports officials, and assisting with the management of the gym for the Fillmore Youth Basketball league since 2005.
I currently supervise 28 employees and oversee the day to day operations at 24 affordable rental communities with over 1,500 units in Ventura County as a Property Supervisor for CEDC.
It is my belief that my election to a seat on the City Council will bring a sense of balance, common sense and professionalism. I understand that the challenges facing our community at this point and time are daunting however I truly believe my natural talents and acquired skills will have an immediate and positive impact on the council that will help steer our town back on track.

RICK NEAL:
I was raised in CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

[Editorial Note: Last month, Fillmore City Clerk Clay Westling refused to accept candidate statements from Douglas Tucker and Manuel Minjares which would appear on the November ballot. Westling demanded changes to unobjectionable wording. Below are the before/after statements. The question is – was politically motivated bias shown against the candidates by the present City Clerk?]

Manuel Minjares
REFUSED STATEMENT: The City of Fillmore is and has been facing significant hurdles in all aspects of City governance. Parks and community facilities face closure, local residents have been laid off in favor of high priced out town consultants, businesses have left and commercial vacancies continue to linger. Our city attorney has been removed and replaced with more expensive legal counsel and our sewer treatment plant operator may soon be replaced which can lead to dire financial consequences in the future.
Getting the City back on solid financial ground, keeping our cherished parks and community facilities open and attracting new businesses will be the main goals of my tenure as a City Council member. I understand that this will not be an easy task. However I feel that my love for this community, previous experience as a city planner for Fillmore and present experience as a property supervisor have afforded me with the technical and communicative skills to be the City Council member our town needs. Together we can make a difference in our community. I respectfully ask for your vote.
ACCEPTED STATEMENT: The City of Fillmore is and has been facing significant hurdles in all aspects of city governance. The choices we make today will chart our path for years to come. I feel that my love for this community, previous experience as a city planner for Fillmore, present experience as a property supervisor, and manager of the Fillmore Youth Basketball League have afforded me with the technical and communicative skills to be the City Council member our town needs. Together we can make a difference in our community. I respectfully ask for your vote.
La Ciudad de Fillmore está y se ha enfrentado a obstáculos significativos en todos los aspectos del gobierno de la ciudad. Las decisiones que tomamos hoy en día trazarán nuestro camino en los próximos años. Siento que mi amor por esta comunidad, la experiencia previa como planificador de la ciudad de Fillmore, la experiencia presente como supervisor de propiedad y de gerente de la Liga Juvenil de Baloncesto de Fillmore me han proporcionado con las habilidades técnicas y comunicativas para ser el miembro del Concejo Municipal que nuestra ciudad necesita. Juntos podemos hacer una diferencia en nuestra comunidad. Respetuosamente les pido su voto.

Doug tucker
REFUSED STATEMENT: Vision, Compassion, CONTINUED »

On Wednesday, September 5th, Gregorio Aguilar, 22 of Fillmore, was sentenced to 42 years to life, along with a sentence of life without parole for the murder of Sean Odle, 30. In August 2012 he was found guilty of first degree murder committed during a robbery.

On December 26, 2008 Aguilar and an accomplice entered the Circle K in Ventura, where Odle was working. They demanded Odle open the cash register. Odle instead dialed 911 from a cell phone. Aguilar fired a shotgun at Odle, but the safety was on. He released the safety and fired again, striking Odle in the chest. In the presentence report Aguilar told a probation officer Odle would be alive if he had given him the money.

Aguilar has also been convicted of attempted robbery of Central Market in Santa Paula in December 2008, and a robbery at the Fillmore Shell station the same month.

When I arrived for my 4:00 PM appointment with newly appointed Fillmore High School Principal Russom Mesfun I spotted him immediately before I even parked my car. It was not only because I have seen his picture in more than a few news articles while researching him for this interview, but he is also a person that stands out because of his 6'3” athletic stature. He also stood out because he was wearing a suit and tie which, I later learned, he believes he needs to set an example for others, faculty, staff and students, in his position as principal of Fillmore High School (FHS). Because I was a few minutes early I decided to sit in my car and continue to watch Mr. Mesfun.

Mr. Mesfun was standing in front of the FHS's main entrance talking with recently retired FHS teacher Epi Torres. At the same time Principal Mesfun was talking with Epi, he was interacting with students by showing he was interested in after school student activities by watching what looked to me to be cheer leading practice on the front lawn of FHS. If that wasn't multitasking enough, he was making encouraging comments to a student playing a musical instrument just a few feet from where he stood.

I wasn't surprised to see him outside of his office and interacting with students because from my research I know this was his way of “developing a welcome atmosphere for students… being among them and encouraging them.” In another interview with Contra Costa Times reporter, Mimi Rohr, in the Bay Area, he said, “While I am playing with students, I am watching their posture, listening to their language and watching their relationships. I am not just a principal. I am the father of this village. I deal with the basics- food issues, problems at home and the breakup of friendships.” I have no doubt as I watch him there in front of the school that he was doing exactly that. As I approached Mr. Mesfun and Epi we exchanged greetings and he led me into the main building and into his office.

Since I already knew CONTINUED »