Fillmore Public Works Director Bert Rapp

After nearly 20 years of engineering Fillmore’s public works, Bert Rapp has decided to resign and transfer his talents to the Ventura River County Water District, where he was offered a higher salary as their General Manager.

Starting as City Engineer in 1991, Rapp’s first major challenge was to plan and oversee the city’s water supply. The system was woefully inadequate due to a complete lack of redundancy. Reservoir No. 2 was also taken down, and new generators for each well were placed on line. Had the old system failed the city would have been without water. Reservoir No. 1 (built in 1917), was falling apart and was replaced with a new, post-tensioned concrete reservoir. Many homes under the old reservoir were endangered in the event of a structural failure. This work was accomplished with the help of grants from FEMA.

The list of Rapp’s achievements, particularly following the devastation of the1994 Northridge quake, are numerous. He had to slate dozens of homes for demolition. Rapp planned the reconstruction of the Towne Theatre, our new City Hall, and participated in the design of four parks (Delores Day, Two Rivers, Meadowlark, and Shiells Parks).

One of his greatest achievements was the construction of our heavily-used Class One bike paths. The innovative location of the Pole Creek debris basin adjacent to El Dorado Mobil Home Park has averted a deadly threat from Pole Creek overflow and “hydraulic jump”. Rapp also designed the extensive river levee system which made Fillmore dramatically safer from flooding.

His crowning achievement, however, was the completion (against unrelenting criticism from political candidates) of Fillmore’s new, state-of-the-art water recycling plant. His plant, constructed and operated by American Water, was chosen Ventura County APWA’s Project of the Year for 2010, and has won at least 8 awards for efficiency, function, innovation, and its DBO (Design, Build, and Operate) contract. The Design Build approach (also heavily criticized by political candidates) was adopted by the County of Ventura, the City of Santa Paula, and used in Piru, as a new and efficient method of structuring major works.

Numerous traffic control elements were Rapp’s ideas as well, such as the “speed table” in front of the Theatre, and the traffic circles on River Street, which eliminated speeding trucks almost immediately.

But the water treatment plant was most controversial, with critics alleging it was a “Cadillac” plant, urging a different design, different method of financing, and different location. All criticisms have proven to be bogus. In order to discharge to the river Fillmore would have had to install reverse osmosis at twice the capital and operating cost. All the criticism directed toward Rapp and the implementation of his innovative, holistic approach to engineering problems has been proven wrong, and politically motivated. Fillmore’s water treatment plant has become the envy of many other cities.

The residents of north Fillmore, and the shopkeepers on south Central Avenue, who no longer experience flooding during rainstorms like we are experiencing today, can thank our Director of Public Works, Bert Rapp, for his imagination and determination. Through years of often savage criticism he lost neither his focus nor his temper.
The City of Fillmore owes a debt of gratitude to this man who essentially rebuilt the City after the devastating Northridge earthquake, and who has met many difficult challenges with perspicuity and patience.

Fillmore Unified School District

On December 7, 2010 State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell released drop out and graduation rates from the 2008-2009 school year. These are the most recent numbers available. Normally this data is available in the spring of each year but according to the news release school districts were given an extension on their reporting deadline due to “operational challenges” of the new CALPADS system.

According to the news release posted on the website of the California Department of Education (CDE) statewide graduation rates for 2008-2009 went up 1.6% to 70.1%. And the “adjusted four-year derived drop out rate” went up as well, from 18.9% to 21.7%. In examining subgroups the statewide graduation rate for Hispanic students is 59% with a drop out rate of 26.9% for that same subgroup. O’Connell commented, “I am glad to see the graduation rate inch up, but remain deeply concerned that the drop out rate is also increasing slightly.”

O’Connell also used the news release to make recommendations to the incoming Governor to “restore $6.8 million in federal funding set aside for CALPADS that was vetoed in October by Governor Schwarzenegger.” O’Connell explains that for three years the State has utilized “a data system that allows us to track students more accurately and have honest conversations about how to improve graduation rates and reduce drop outs among all subgroups of students.” He commented that this is the first year in which the State collected data through the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS). And while the State has been calculating data on graduation and drop out rates for three years using “student level enrollment and exit data [systems]” this new “longitudinal” system will allow the State “to calculate the most accurate graduation and drop out rates possible.” Through this system beginning in June 2005 each student was assigned a “non personally identifiable code” called a Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) that will follow the student through to twelfth grade. The goal of using SSID along with the CALPADS is to “increase accountability for districts to find students who stop coming to school.” SSID allows districts to correctly identify students who drop out, as it will tell a district if a student thought to have dropped out enrolls in another school, or if a student thought to have transferred fails to enroll in another school. O’Connell explains that “unless funding is restored, the millions of dollars already invested in CALPADS will have been wasted, and our state will be at ground zero in collecting student-level data, placing us last among the states in measuring student progress over time.” Districts are assigned the duty of collecting and reporting this information to the CDE. O’Connell also urges that our State provide “$32 million- just $5 per student- to support the workload associated with collecting, maintaining and submitting student-level data.”

CALPADS Explained: According to CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Fernando Cervantes, 48 of Fillmore, was found guilty last Friday of sexually abusing four female relatives under the age of 14. He faces 60 years to life, sentencing January 11, 2011. Cervantes was found guilty of two felony counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and two felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child under 14. The sexual abuse started in 1996 when the victims were 5 or 6 years old, and continued until 2004. The victims kept quiet about the molestations after being threatened by Cervantes; they testified at trial.
His sons, Oscar and Francisco Cervantes were also arrested and charged with molesting female relatives. Their trials are pending.

Gayle Washburn

I want to thank my fellow council members for their support in selecting me as Mayor. I’d also like to share a few thoughts with our residents.

Last year was an economic challenge. We all worked hard to meet that challenge but we have more problems ahead of us. Last week the governor said that the state has a $25 billion deficit. The County says that we will see another 4.3% decline in assessed property values in the next year. We are likely to be facing an additional $2 million or more deficit in our next budget cycle. If you follow financial markets you know that this economic situation isn’t going to get better any time soon. That means we’re going to have to make an extra effort to live within our means. Many of us are already working on that. And, we’re all going to have to share the pain. As a City we’ve been spending more of our General Fund than it brings in for several years.

While this economic picture is bleak, we have a lot to be grateful for. We live in this beautiful city. We have a lot of good people here. We have a lot of givers and volunteers willing to work hard to better the community including this City Council and all of our commissions, local service clubs, churches, Chamber businesses and other groups. We also have a dedicated and committed workforce to serve the community. We have excellent police and fire service. So we’re going to be okay but we need to work at it together. I’m going to be asking the council to support me in forming a Budget task force with citizen representation to help solve these challenges.

I also have high expectations for myself and the rest of the Council. I expect us all to be ethical and respectful of the public, of staff and of each other. Our job here is bigger than personal differences and petty grievances. We are here to serve the public and conduct business and that’s where we need to focus our efforts.

I would also like to recognize Mayor Walker for her two years of service as Mayor. She’s been a fair and honest Mayor and a person of integrity and decency and we’re lucky to have her on the Council. I hope I can do as well.

Gayle Washburn

With the recent heavy downpours and flooding CAL FIRE’s firefighters and crews have responded to a large number of storm-related emergencies and rescues. In fact between Saturday, December 18 and Tuesday December 20, CAL FIRE dispatched and responded to nearly 4,000 emergencies and calls for service statewide including:

Over 450 Traffic collisions
Over 100 Flooding incidents
Over 20 Water Rescues

In the past few days, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego have been some of the hardest hit counties by the heavy downpours. This morning alone, CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department responded to over a dozen additional water rescues and over 50 new flooding incidents. In San Bernardino, CAL FIRE / City of Highland Fire Department have been busy with major flooding and mudslides in southeast Highland.

As heavy rainfall continues in many parts of the state, CAL FIRE engine companies, fire crews, and personnel continue to be on high alert for additional flooding calls and rescues. CAL FIRE’s inmate fire crews often play a large role in flooding incidents since they are also trained in sandbagging and debris removal. Each crew consists of 15-17 inmates that are supervised by a CAL FIRE Captain. CAL FIRE has 196 inmate fire crews across the state.

Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when driving on flooded roadways and obey road closure barricades. These are in place for driver safety and the safety of emergency responders. Prior to traveling, motorists are encouraged to check on current weather and road conditions.

For more information on flooding and winter weather safety visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and Tulare counties due to extreme weather and storm conditions.

The full text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on December 18, 2010, a series of severe rainstorms began to sweep across California, bringing high winds and significant amounts of precipitation; and

WHEREAS these severe storms are causing harm to people and property, flooding homes and infrastructure, damaging public and private facilities, closing roads and highways, and requiring emergency response and debris clean-up; and

WHEREAS flood conditions caused by these storms are causing the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS the weather forecast is for extraordinary and continuing rainfall, which will pose a continued threat of flooding in urban areas and small streams and rock slides and debris flow in the recent wildfire areas, damage to flood control systems, slope failure, erosion, and in coastal regions the potential for harbor damage and tidal surge; and

WHEREAS on December 18, 2010, Orange County proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS on December 19, 2010, Kern County proclaimed a local emergency and reiterated this proclamation on December 21, 2010; and

WHEREAS on December 20, 2010, Tulare County proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS on December 21, 2010, the counties of Riverside and San Luis Obispo proclaimed local emergencies; and

WHEREAS San Bernardino County is expected to declare a local emergency; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of these storms, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the storm conditions in the counties of Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and Tulare.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare counties.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the State Emergency Plan, and that Cal EMA provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 21st day of December 2010.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of California

ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The County of Ventura continues to get battered by recent storm activity. As these storms move through our area, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind all residents of the dangers that accompany this type of weather.

As the local mountains and hillsides reach their saturation points, the chances for flash floods, mudslides, and large amounts of storm run-off in the local drainage channels increases dramatically. Last winter’s storm activity and the related calls for service can serve as a reminder:

• During last winter’s storms, hikers in the Ventura County back country ventured into the wilderness knowing of the approaching storm systems. These individuals were subsequently overcome by a flash flood and mudslide, and had to be evacuated by a Sheriff’s helicopter and rescue crew.

• Also, two young children entered a drainage channel in the Thousand Oaks area. Both children subsequently ended up in the fast moving and potentially deadly water. Luckily, one child was able to pull both herself and her brother out of danger.

• And finally, a man in the Thousand Oaks area entered Wildwood Park during the heavy rains. While trying to cross a swollen creek he was washed down stream and perished.

The Ventura County back country is a beautiful place. However, during heavy storms the creeks rise quickly and without warning. Mud and rockslides occur frequently during these heavy rain events. Please refrain from entering the backcountry until after the storms have long passed, and always notify a friend or loved one of your plans and location when entering the wilderness.

Please do not attempt to cross moving water - either on foot or in vehicles. Normally shallow water crossings become very hazardous during heavy rains as the water flows increase suddenly and without warning.

The increased water flows in the local drainage channels can be very attractive and luring to kids and young adults. A simple slip and fall into this fast moving water often proves to be fatal, even to the best of swimmers. Please ensure that your children are admonished on the dangers of the fast moving water and told not enter any of these areas.

Increased surf activity at the local beaches is another hazard that draws people to the shoreline to view the large waves and heavy surf. Please do not enter the water or venture out onto the jetties or rocks along the local beaches.

Please report any dangerous activity on or around waterways and beaches over the upcoming days. Prevention and early detection is key to avoiding tragedies.

Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: 12/21/2010 at 1400 hrs
Unit Responsible: Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit
Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Shane Matthews
Follow-up Contact: Sheriff’s Aviation - S.A.R. Unit (805) 388-4212
Date of Release: 12/21/2010
Approved by: Captain Dave Kenney

FILLMORE, CA. - On 12/19/2010 at approximately 1:30AM the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 923 Third Street in the City of Fillmore.

Upon arriving on scene, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire from the rear of an 800 square foot residential structure. Upon closer examination, it was determined that the fire had self ventilated through the kitchen windows and rooftop. Fire personnel were able to launch an aggressive attack on the fire however damage throughout the home was significant. An abundance of stacked clothing material and other household items were leading factors to the significant spread and growth of the fire. The fire was knocked down 1:50AM approximately 20 minutes of aggressive firefighting.

The structure was occupied at the time of the incident however all persons were able to escape the blaze without injury. Seven occupants including three children and four adults were left homeless following the fire. The American Red Cross promptly responded to the incident a provided temporary shelter to those displaced.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation however it appears to be accidental and due in part to a malfunctioning appliance.

Donations (with enclosed note) for the family can be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1048 West Ventura St., Fillmore, CA 93015. Checks may also be brought to the church with a note “For Displaced Family” enclosed in an envelope with a check.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

An unidentified man passed a note demanding cash during the robbery of a Thousand Oaks bank Monday morning.

The suspect, dubbed the “Bad Elf Bandit” by the FBI, left the Bank of the West after receiving money from a teller. No one was injured during the robbery, and the suspect did not display a weapon.

The suspect was described as a black male in his 20’s. He was clean-shaven and was approximately 5’6” to 5’8” and weighed approximately 165 pounds. The man wore a baseball cap and dark sunglasses with gold frames. He was wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

The suspect was last seen walking northbound on Moorpark Road from the bank.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Detective Allen Devers at (805)494-8222 or Special Agent Patrick Conley of the FBI at (310)629-9553. Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information that 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).

Location: Bank of the West, 180 N. Moorpark Rd. Thousand Oaks
Date & Time/ RB#: Dec. 20, 2010 @ 10:53 a.m. / 10-30646
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Major Crimes Bureau
Officer Preparing Release: Detective Eric Buschow
Follow-up Contact: Detective Eric Buschow (805)494-8226 / (805)947-8129
Date of Release: Dec. 20, 2010
Approved By: Capt. Bruce Watlington