The Fillmore Unified School (FUSD) Board met on Tuesday to a standing room only capacity. In attendance were members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) to receive an award along with a representative of the local 4H Clubs and the head of the migrant program who gave a presentation on student improvement during the summer.

Last week the FFA members attended the Buyers Banquet and on Tuesday the FUSD Board presented them with an award for their outstanding achievement at the 2012 Ventura County Fair. In attendance was Salvador Lopez, Ricardo Aparicio, Hailee Smith, Chris Berrington, Brooke Aguirre, advisor Joe Ricards and receiving the award on behalf of the members was Alexus Galassi.

In all, 35 FFA Fillmore students participated this year receiving 31 awards and recognitions, winning first place in every category entered, with the exception of sheep. FFA Member Brooke Aguirre read the names of the other award winners and their categories; Novice Swine: 1st Jaylene Ortiz, 2nd Alexis Rodriquez; Advance Swine: 1st Marc Zavala, 2nd Felicity Zavala, 3rd Ryan Calderon, 4th Yasmine Luna, 5th Andrew Perez, 6th Kaileigh Carpenter, 7th Tina Wheeler, 8th Sierra Blankenship. Replacement Heifers; 1st Sam Wokal, 2nd Macie Wokal.

Steer Showmanship; 1st CONTINUED »

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Explorers receive a donation of $1,008 from Ari Larson with Cookie Lee Jewelry and Teresa Robledo with Diamond Realty at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Enlarge Photo

Recognition of Fillmore Senior Center volunteer Vivian Johnson. Mayor Gayle Washburn presents Senior Center volunteer Vivian Johnson with a Proclamation at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The Proclamation recognized Johnson’s service since 2008 as Board Secretary and Field Trip Chair; 2nd Term Representative for Fillmore on the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging; serves on the Senior Nutrition Task Force; and serves as Hostess at the Center’s welcome desk.
Enlarge Photo

After having been dark for over a month, the Fillmore City Council Meeting of August 28, 2012 began with every seat in the chamber filled. Most in attendance came to receive a Proclamation and others to give presentations or their opinions. Agenda items included the water treatment plant, abandoned shopping carts and public records requests response procedures.

There are still questions as to what exactly happened and why the former City Attorney Ted Schneider left his position. The Council stated that Schneider’s firm told them they could not disclose conversations due to client-attorney confidentiality and that the decision for Schneider to leave was made by the firm members. Soon after this was disclosed Council Member Steve Conaway stepped down from the Dias and addressed the Council as a citizen and stated the comments made regarding the matter did not address conversation the that Mayor Gayle Washburn had with Schneider’s law firm just prior to his leaving.

Conaway stated, “We’ll never know with exactness what she (Gayle Washburn) said (to the senior partner at the city attorneys law firm). The City Manager nor any one council member has the power to remove the City Attorney. That is a true statement. Here is what is not talked about. We do know that Gayle Washburn called the law firm. She certainly didn’t call to chat about the weather; it’s not unreasonable to assume that she expressed her displeasure or “issues” about our City Attorney (or) one of his partners. She certainly didn’t speak to Mr. Schneider about her concerns at that time. That said I suggest you reread my statement, made as a private citizen. Let’s review--Gayle Washburn calls the law firm, who wants the city’s business, and she says something which results in the firm removing Ted Schneider from our meetings immediately while the bidding process is ongoing. Gayle Washburn sits on the council who will be deciding which law firm gets Fillmore’s business. The citizens of Fillmore can put two and two together.”

City Manager Yvonne Quiring, who could not attend the meeting due to family matters, asked Attorney Julie Scott to act as Special Council and give information on California Public Records Act and Freedom of Information Act to the Council. Scott stated the public should have access to information but there are between 40-50 exceptions to the rules. These exceptions include things such as the right to privacy, trade secrets, names of children involved in a crime and others. These exceptions are called “Catch Alls or Balancing” and public agencies often have the discretion as to whether disclosure does more harm than good. These decisions are done on a case by case basis. Scott cited a 2006 Supreme Court Case where the court decision was, the interest in withholding names until the case was completed was alright if releasing information beforehand might harm the city’s flexibility and negotiations.

Scott also touched CONTINUED »

Sylvia Meza, Administrative Assistant for Solid Terrain Modeling proudly raises the American Flag.
Enlarge Photo

I have been pretty enthused lately looking for locations where a person, or business fly's the American Flag in support of our troops currently serving as well as in support of this great Country we Americans live! In my travels around town I have witnessed all types of Flag displays at residences and businesses and not all are displayed so that they attract attention, but displayed because it is a statement that needs to be made; We support our troops and the United States of America!

Although off the beaten path, the Flag in this article is flown proudly daily by the business, but the statement is no less important just because it is not seen by throngs of people passing by! I remember being inside of this building many times over the years and I must admit I have sipped more coffee there from a stained coffee cup than I probably should have, but the price of the coffee (free), company (mostly crusty old men) and gossip (well the gossip was sometimes very juicy) was always good! It was where, as we would like to say, we would discuss and then solve all the problems of Fillmore! When we were done with Fillmore we would move on to Santa Paula and so on! Thanks to friends, the result of a surprise birthday party, I even celebrated my Fiftieth Birthday inside this building!

The owner, at that time, of this building was the late Fred Krone, owner and operator of Norkro Clock Parts located at 340 Fillmore Street. It is sandwiched between a residential home and an apartment complex and across the street from Butch Foy's Fillmore Building Supply. At that time Norkro Clock Parts was one of two clock parts suppliers in the United States for not only clock repair shops, but for the hobbyist as well. Fred was one knowledgeable person about clocks! He also was a considerable character; former real estate broker, Hollywood Stuntman (known then as Crunch Krone) and periodic Fillmore City Council meeting speaker. I learned with those credentials you never knew who would be in the back room sipping coffee with him when you got there! They did include at least two City Council Members after one of his visits to a City Council Meeting, former and current stunt men and more than a few law enforcement officers.

But, this building CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

Wednesday August 22nd was the first day of classes for Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) and all classes were full. The gardeners and custodians have been working hard to get the District in shape for the students’ and staffs’ return. This new school year brings a new Assistant Superintendent, new Associated Student Board (ASB) Speaker of the House, and new web-based instructional tool being implemented for the District.

Introduced at the August 21, 2012 FUSD School Board Meeting was new Assistant Superintendent Earl Davis. Davis has worked in education for 24 years starting in 1988 at Arcadia Unified, then Chaffey Community College, and Pleasant Valley School District in Camarillo. Davis, who has three grown sons and lives in Channel Islands, said he is looking forward to working at FUSD during these challenging yet exciting times.

Also introduced was Fillmore High School (FHS) senior Mary Ortiz, the new 2012 ASB Speaker of the House. Ortiz, who is 17, comes with an impressive resume of accomplishments; President of FHS Athletics Hall of Fame Club; President of Piru 4-H; Ambassador Girl Scout for 13 year; Junior Fair Board Secretary for Ventura County Fair; Varsity: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball; and honor roll student since elementary school. Presently Ortiz is working on the August 31st Homecoming, which is coming early this year.

Last school year CONTINUED »

Breanna Berrington with Mr. Armani, FFA Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer.
Enlarge Photo

Chase Bowens with Katniss, Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine.
Enlarge Photo

Alexis Rodriguez with Sweet Cheeks, FFA Champion Market Swine.
Enlarge Photo

A friendly goat poses.
Enlarge Photo

A happy pig smiles for the camera.
Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Alexis Rodriquez, 16, won FFA Champion, market swine.

Alexis raised a pig named Sweet Cheeks. "Sweet Cheeks?" "Well," said Alexis, smiling, "I didn't know what to name her at first... my mom helped me. Wait. Mom came up with Sweet Cheeks? "Yep," said Alexis. Because the pig has?....
... "My pig has a really big butt (you now see why I paused) so my mom came up with Sweet Cheeks. Aha... I should have known!

How was Sweet Cheeks to raise? Alexis said: "She's sassy and likes to mess around... and likes to bite my feet. She kind of has my attitude and I really like that about her."

Alexis did exceptionally well considering this is her first year in the FFA and raising a pig. Did she realize the odds of winning the first year in the program? Alexis said: "No," adding, "I really didn't think I'd get... ummm... anything for her. I didn't think I was gonna... like... umm... ... I don't know. I didn't think I was going to win anything.

If the goal was not to win a championship... then what? Alexis smiled and explained: "Just to get out and experience things... and to raise her... she was really good to raise... I liked raising her." Being your first year raising a pig, did you have any idea what it'd be like raising Sweet Cheeks? "No," said Alexis, adding, "I actually thought it was going to be easy but it was kind of hard." The hardest part? "Waking up every morning," Alexis said, "to feed her, to walk her. She was stubborn at first, she didn't like to walk but she got used to going out and walking so she got easier along the way." And baths... did she enjoy the baths? "Yeah," said Alexis. She did? "Well... she enjoys it sometimes but most time she screams... or steps on my feet", said Alexis, adding, "but other times she's good...
... when she's calm... not all stressed out."

Next year? "I'm going to raise another pig," said Alexis. And this years auction proceeds? "I'm going to save it til next year to buy my next pig. The winning bid for Alexis' pig was $9.00 a pound. As for long range plans, Alexis plans to attend college and eventually become a probation officer.

Here, Alexis pays tribute: "I want to thank my mom for motivating me and being there sometimes for me and especially my aunt and uncle... Nicky and Sabino Perez... they have really been helping me out with the whole FFA thing. And Mr. Ricards... he's a really good guy."

Tori Gonzales, 10 of Piru 4-H won 4-H Grand Champion & Bred & Fed Champion swine.

This was a really big win for young Tori. Tori's pig's name is Gee G... a derivative of her sister's boyfriends name, Greg, and the pig being a gilt (female pig)... hence Gee G.

What does a 10 year old girl experience raising a 276 pound pig which is a pretty large animal. As Tori explains: "I liked having her and being with her. I had a lot of fun with it. Especially washing her. We'd mess around in the wash pen." Whoa! Did she really enjoy being washed, I asked? "Once in a while," Tori said. Not always? Tory nodded no. When she didn't want to be washed? She'd scream... real loud. And did you use for soap suds? "Just regular shampoo and conditioner," said Tori, with a grin, adding, "if it was really hot, we'd also use lotion and sunscreen. Aha. Then... having a hunch... I asked if the lotion Tori used was Avon's Skin So Soft. "Yes," giggled Tori.

There has to be trials and tribulations raising a pig... so...? "Trying to get her to walk the first time at the beginning. We'd be out there for about five minutes and she'd be ready to go home," explained Tori, adding, "she didn't like to go for walks." Ha... was Gee G a lazy pig? "Yes!, proclaimed Tori.

And the auction money? "Ummm... I'm not sure yet," Tori said. The winning bidder paid $25 a pound for Gee G. And next year? "Next year I really want to raise another pig." Tori said.

Now that you've raised a pig that won 4-H Grand Champion the very first time you participated... would you be disappointed next year if your pig didn't do so well? Without hesitation, Tori said: "Well no because I got to know how the feeling is so I'd be OK with getting a regular first place ribbon... or anything." But if you got nothing? "I'd still have fun," Tori said.

Did you learn about responsibility? "Yeah," Tori quickly said. "We had to be there every day with her... take care of her... feed her." How much did mom and dad help? "Mostly dad helped because mom doesn't like animals... like smelly things. So mom is dainty? "YES!," said Tori. So dad pitched in once in a while? "Well, mostly all the time," Tori said with a glance over to her dad. Being the first year... was it tough? Another robust "YES!" from Tori. C'est la vie raising pigs.

Chase Bowens, 15, with Sespe 4-H won Reserve Grand Champion market swine.

Chase raised a pig named Katniss. Some of you may be familiar with the name... I wasn't. So I nonchalantly asked how Chase arrived at the name. "Because I saw the movie and read the book The Hunger Games," said Chase and I named my pig after the 12th Tribute." I've since Googled 'The Hunger Games' which is a story narrated by a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen, a tribute from District 12 who volunteers for the 74th annual Hunger Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose. Now everything makes perfect sense.

Have you raised pigs that won in previous years, I asked? "Yes I have," beamed Chase, adding "in 2010 I won Grand Champion." How long have you been raising pigs? You need to picture Chase counting fingers and then said: "About 10 years." Wow, I said, you're an ole pig farmer from way back! "Yeah," said Chase with a giggle.

What was the best part of raising Katness? "Well," explained Chase, "the best part is more like about her personality. Me and Katness... she likes me but she kind of doesn't. When I need to wash her she gets grouchy but I just get used to it and that's the fun part of it." Hmm.

And the most difficult part? "The most challenging part was when she was a baby she came home sick... we gave her antibiotics and she was still sick and we didn't think she would make it. But she made it," Chase said, smiling. Well... did Katniss have a bad cold or what? "Bronchitis," Chase said.

And the $10 a pound auction money? "First, put it toward another pig at the Denver National Stock Show," Chase explained. Wait... why buy a pig at the Denver National Stock Show I wondered? "Because," Chase explained, "you have a chance of winning $50,000." $50,000 for raising a pig? "Yes, Chase said. The details remain a mystery.

Along the way, there's always a support group involved. Accordingly, Chase said: "I would like to thank my mom and dad, James Backman of Small Town Genetics and God!" Now that's an impressive support group!

Breanna Berrington, 15, won FFA Reserve Grand Champion market steer.

And your steer's CONTINUED »

The sound woke me! My cell phone was ringing! This was not such an unusual thing to hear, but it was ringing in the mountains where I have, at best, experienced sketchy cell service for text messaging, but never have I been able to make a call, or receive a call! After clearing the cobwebs from my brain I decided I would try to answer the call: “Sir this is Corporal Jose A. Patino, United States Marine Corps.” I asked Corporal Patino where he was calling me from and he said, “I am calling from Afghanistan Sir! I read your article and I was wondering how I could get a Banner?” Afghanistan I thought! Then for fear of losing the Corporal's call I told him to email me his request so I would have his email address and I would take care of getting him a Banner. Soon I received that email: “Good Evening Sir, My name is Cpl. Patino Jose A. I am a Fillmore High School graduate of class 2010. I am currently in Helmand Province Afghanistan serving with 3D Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. I joined the United States Marine Corps as soon as I graduated high school. I was reading the Fillmore Gazette on line and read your article regarding homes displaying our United States Flag. I realized that you might be able to assist me through the process of getting my name on a banner. Sir I thank you for supporting us and know that we are doing our best out here to keep our country safe. Please feel free to email me back at any time. This is my government email but you can also reach me at (deleted) Thank you for your time Sir.” R/S Cpl Patino Jose A.”

After telling my CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

The “Rededication” of the newly renovated Toby R. Gritz Memorial was held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 in front of Fillmore High School and in the presence of about seventy-five family, classmates and friends of United States Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Toby R. Gritz a 1962 Fillmore High School Graduate. Included in this Memorial was the plaque of Fillmore resident, the late Scott Douglas Ipswitch, son of Ronnie and Elaine Ipswitch who passed away at the age of fifteen from advanced Hodgkin's Disease.

The Memorial is a powerful, but simple, low concrete bench placed well-behind the two Redwood trees whose roots had caused the damage to the original Memorials. The approximate 15' long concrete bench will be used by Fillmore High School Students to sit on, or to rest their backpacks and books while students are on breaks from their studies. The bronze plaques prominently placed at each end of the wall will give students and visitors only a snapshot of the lives of these two brave Americans, but to those who knew both Toby and Scott the Memorial will stimulate fond memories of each of their time here on earth!

Both Toby's and Scott's Memorials had been damaged by the very Redwood trees planted there to grow majestically and to long-honor their lives after their deaths; Toby died during fierce combat in Vietnam as an American Hero on March 25, 1970 and Scott on April 16, 1976 at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles of Stage Four Hodgkins's disease and leukemia.

Toby was 25, married and CONTINUED »

Fernando Ferrer, 25, of Fillmore, was involved in a car accident on Saturday, August 18th, on Vineyard Avenue just north of Central Avenue, Oxnard. Ferrer was traveling south on Vineyard when his 2008 Nissan Sentra crossed over the double yellow lines into northbound traffic, colliding head-on with a vehicle driven by Rocio Hernandez, 24, of Oxnard.

The three-car crash killed Antolina Hernandez, 45, of Oxnard, a passenger in the car. Irma Rodriguez, 31, of Oxnard, was driving behind Hernandez and was also involved in the crash. Antolina received fatal blunt-force injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death was ruled accidental.

Rocio was extricated from her vehicle by Ventura County firefighters and taken to Ventura County Medical Center with serious injuries.

Rodriguez and Ferrer received minor injuries and were taken to St. John’s Medical Center.

Vineyard was closed for several hours, opening at 11:15am. No arrests were made.