On Saturday, November 9th and Monday, November 11th, the City Fillmore will honor its Veterans with its annual Veterans Day parade and celebration. Saturday will be the Concert in the Park from 4pm to 7pm at 250 Central Avenue. With live music put on by the Veterans Day Celebration Committee. On Monday, November 11th, there will be a Veterans Day parade at 10am from 2nd Street to Santa Clara, with a BBQ to follow and a ceremony at Fillmore Middle School at 1pm with music and speakers, as well as a salute to the military branches.

This year’s Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal is Reynaldo Luis “Willie” Rivera. Reynaldo was born in Santa Paula and was raised in Fillmore. His uncle, Frank Borrego, a World War II Veteran who fought in the European theatre, saw Reynaldo right after birth and immediately gave him the nickname Willie. That nickname was in honor of Frank’s best friend Willie who was killed in action. He attended Fillmore elementary schools, junior high and high school. After graduating from Fillmore High School, Willie worked at the Van Nuys General Motors Plant building Chevrolets and Pontiacs.

Willie was drafted in June of 1965 and sent to Ft. Polk, Louisiana for basic training. He completed basic training and won the Physical Combat Proficiency Test. He was then sent to Ft. Gordon, Georgia for Military Police (MP), where he was recognized as the best pistol shooter in his company. After completing training, Willie was assigned to the 534 MP Company in Panama where he served under the two best officers in the US Army, Lt. Wills, Commanding Officer, and Lt. Rogers, Executive Officer. As a Spanish speaker Willie was able to assimilate with the local population and culture and has fond memories of Panama, a beautiful country.

He was selected to do the news in Spanish on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network. Willie was even offered the chance to go to West Point but turned it down as it would mean additional years of service.

Willie landed in Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhut airport and was assigned to Charlie Company of the 716 MP Battalion in Saigon. His tours in Louisiana and Panama enabled him to easily endure the extreme heat and humidity in Vietnam. Willie’s duties as an MP included patrolling the city on foot and by jeep, escorting convoys, guarding installations, assisting the Air Police at Tan Son Nhut and more. Willie also guarded Bob Hope, Jayne Mansfield, Nancy Sinatra and other celebrities there with the USO. The 716th MP Battalion earned the nickname Saigon Warriors for successfully defending the city during TET on January 31, 1968. Twenty-Seven MPs were lost that day and 44 wounded.

After being discharged in 1967, Willie graduated from San Jose State with the assistance of the GI Bill which enabled him to have successful careers in civil service. He has been married to Patricia (De Los Santos) for 55 years and is blessed to have three children and five grandchildren.

Looking back on his service, Willie can truly say it was an adventure and sometimes good except for Army food. Whenever Willie had a chance, he would eat at Air Force and Navy mess halls as their food was 5 stars compared to the Army slop. “To all my brothers who served, I salute you for what we endured and suffered and continue to do so because of our service”.

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Tim Gurrola’s presentation to Fillmore City Council:

My name is Tim Gurrola, a lifelong resident of Fillmore and a board Member of Tender Life Maternity Home. I’m here on behalf of Jim Duran, Executive Director of Tender Life, who regrets he cannot be present tonight because he is currently serving the City of Ventura as one of their elected officials.

As many of you know, the blessing of pregnancy is often accompanied by joy and celebration. But for women caught in cycles of poverty, addiction, or abuse, pregnancy can feel like a burden, leading to fear, abandonment, and despair. That’s where Tender Life Maternity Home steps in.

Since 1985, Tender Life has served as a beacon of hope for at- risk pregnant women, empowering them to overcome their challenges and embrace the journey of motherhood. Our mission is to equip these women with the tools they need to become confident and capable parents, who can also thrive as members of society.

We aim to break generational cycles and create brighter futures for both mothers and their children. The impact of this work extends far beyond the walls of our home, touching future generations and our broader communities.
Tender Life operates from a beautiful home in downtown Ventura, where we house up to eight mothers and their babies. Our faith- based approach offers women love and support in a structured, safe space. Our 24-hour on-site house manager and case management team work closely with each woman to ensure she has everything she needs to succeed.

In just the past five years, 49 babies have been born at Tender Life, each entering the world with the hope for a better tomorrow. The transformation these women experience is life-changing, and we are deeply proud of the progress they make.
Now, I am thrilled to share the great news: Tender Life is expanding into Fillmore with a graduate home! This new home will host two mothers and their babies who have successfully completed our program and are now in our graduate phase.
These women are gainfully employed, own their own cars, maintain savings accounts, and are working to become debt-free. Importantly, they are on their way to being completely independent, without the need for government assistance. These graduates will be valuable contributors to the Fillmore community.

We would love to invite you to join us for a Meet & Greet at our new Fillmore graduate home (237 Fillmore St.) on Friday, November 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Tender Life, meet our residents, staff and Board of Directors, and tour the property. Refreshments and light appetizers will be served, and we hope you can join us to see firsthand the difference this new resource will make for the City of Fillmore.

Thank you for your time, your support, and for welcoming Tender Life into the Fillmore community.

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Fillmore’s Matthew Ramirez competed in the Jiu-Jitsu World League Championships and was named champion. Above is Matthew after his final match. Photo credit Coach Michael Torres.
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Pictured above is Matthew Ramirez, representing the Fillmore Jiu-Jitsu Club with his medal after winning the Jiu-Jitsu World League Championships in the purple belt division. Photo credit Coach Michael Torres.
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Courtesy Coach Michael Torres

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion was alive with excitement as the Jiu-Jitsu World League Championships drew competitors from around Southern California. Among the standout performers was Matthew Ramirez, representing the Fillmore Jiu-Jitsu Club, who emerged victorious in the purple belt division.

Ramirez, under the coaching of Professor Michael Torres, a Gracie Humaita black belt, showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament.

“Matthew’s dedication and hard work paid off,” Torres stated proudly, “securing his place as the champion in a tough field of competitors.” For Ramirez, a UCLA graduate, the accomplishment of winning at his alma mater was doubly gratifying.
The event not only highlighted individual talents but also underscored the growing prominence of local clubs like Fillmore Jiu-Jitsu in the competitive landscape. The team trains out of Perce’s Kenpo Karate Studio on Highway 126 and offers classes for kids and adults throughout the week. Call or text Professor Michael Torres at 805-443-8501 for more information.

Fillmore City Manager, Dave Rowlands
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Fillmore City Manager Dave Rowlands, 56, will be resigning as of November 29, it was announced at city council, Tuesday evening.

Rowlands has been in the position for 11 years; he is leaving for the same position in Santa Maria after more than 11 years with the city of Fillmore.

Fillmore City Council discussed forming an ad hoc committee for next steps in hiring a replacement. Councilmembers also discussed appointing Asst. City Manager Erika Herrera-Terriquez as the interim city manager.

Herrera-Terriquez has worked with Rowlands for five years, and Rowlands recommended her to be the interim city manager, and for the permanent position as Fillmore City Manager.

A 20-year-old Fillmore resident was arrested for spray painting graffiti and causing thousands of dollars of vandalism damage throughout the Santa Clara Valley specifically Fillmore.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left
unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious crimes affecting our communities. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars each year. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.

During the months of December 2023 through February 2024, diligent community members reported a sudden increase in graffiti vandalism occurring in the Santa Clara Valley specifically the city of Fillmore. Deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded to the various crime scenes and located graffiti vandalism which ranged in color and size. Some of the vandalisms were felonious based on their size and damage caused to the property. Through their investigation, patrol deputies identified a “moniker” utilized by the suspect in their graffiti vandalism. A “moniker” is a specific nickname used by an individual in graffiti vandalism as a way to be identified without using a real name, in an attempt to avoid identification by law enforcement.

In February of 2024, the Fillmore Police Station used a social media post seeking public assistance with identifying the subject responsible for the numerous graffiti vandalisms.

After several months and a lengthy investigation, detectives from the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation and West County Special Enforcement Bureau were able to identify a suspect, (S) Manuel Apolinar a 20-year-old resident of Fillmore.

In October 2024, detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation obtained an arrest warrant for Apolinar.

On October 15th, 2024, Fillmore Patrol resources along with detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation executed the arrest of Apolinar at his residence located in the 800 block of Second Street in Fillmore. Apolinar was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Pre-Trail Detention Facility where he was booked for his warrant which included one count of Penal Code § 594(b)(1) – [Felony Vandalism] and four counts of Penal Code § 594(b)(2)(a) – [Misdemeanor Vandalism]. Apolinar is currently in custody with a $20,000.00 bail amount and is set to be arraigned October 16th, 2024.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and
vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling our dispatch center at (805) 654-9511. Following a police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crimes is urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the listed detectives below. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Graffiti Removal
The City of Fillmore removes all graffiti in public areas by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. Residents are encouraged to call the city graffiti hotline at (805) 524-1500, prompt number 4, then 3. Additionally, private property owners are encouraged to help combat vandalism by removing any graffiti visible on their properties.

Bature of Incident: Tagger Arrested in Fillmore
Report Number: 24-6286
Location: 800 block of Second Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 15th, 2024, at 7:00 A.M.

Suspect
(S) Manuel Apolinar Fillmore 20

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Candidate Statements Below:

Candidate

John Garnica

District 2

I am running for City Council because I have a deep love for Fillmore and want to give back to the community that gave me my start in life. I have a long record of service in Fillmore, and I have the leadership skills and community ties necessary to be an effective advocate for the needs of District 2 and all of Fillmore. I would bring a pragmatic leadership style, grounded in my experiences as an active community member.

I have heard constituent concerns regarding our roads, the difficulty getting permits, and the condition of our parks. These need to be our central focus to improve our town. It is critical that City Council help local businesses thrive, invest in smart growth while keeping our small town feel, and ensure our public spaces and streets are maintained properly. I will be a responsive leader for all Fillmore residents.

I am a business owner of a CNC machine shop in Chatsworth, making parts for medical device and general industry. I was formerly the Director of Engineering and later Director of Operations for Aquafine Corporation in Valencia.
I served on the school board from 1999 to 2015. As a board member, I gained a reputation for being accessible to my constituents, frequently visited school sites and was a fixture at school-community events. I would bring that same energy to the City Council.

I have been a Rotarian since 2019. I continue to give back to our community by participating in Rotary’s service events.
I love that Fillmore is the kind of place where everyone knows your name. Our community’s natural beauty, convenient location, and small-town atmosphere are attracting more folks who want to put down roots in Fillmore. As Fillmore grows, I will ensure that we keep our small town feel while welcoming and respecting everyone who calls it home.

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Candidate

Ruben Govea

District 5

I want to thank my district 5 neighbors for their support in helping me become eligible to run as a write-in candidate. It is your trust, and concerns that fuel my candidacy.

For those of whom I have not had the opportunity to meet, my name is Ruben Govea, a write-in candidate, neighbor, and concerned citizen who wants to make a difference.

My family has been in Fillmore since the 1960s, my wife, kids, and I have been here since 1994, and we have enjoyed living in the city for its small town feel and sense of community. Professionally, I am a Director of Continuous Improvement Engineering, where I have developed strong skills in strategic planning, leadership, collaboration, leading company mergers, problem solving, building high performance teams, and meeting strategic objectives. For our community, this translates to a City Council member that is well equipped with the ability to work with others, leverage resources, and deliver results!
As a city council member, I will bring a focus to Community Safety, Homelessness, Traffic and Road Conditions, Parks & Recreational areas, the May Festival, Chamber of Commerce, Business Growth, and seek solutions to lower our water and sewer costs. With over 25 years of experience leveraging continuous improvement methodologies, I believe my experience could be leveraged to improve how we operate and manage our city.

For more information about me, scan the QR code and check out my Instagram page!
As a reminder, my name is not on the ballot, you will need to write my name Ruben Govea on the blank line under the two other candidates running for District 5.

I am ready to be the conduit between you and the city council, let’s get it done together!
Ruben Govea

Write-in Candidate City of Fillmore City Council District 5.