Steve Stewart with Fillmore's Planning Department and Tom Peterson, American Water Contact Operations, explained to council they expect a savings in maintenance of up to one million dollars due to an unexpected longer life of the micro-organisms used to treat the sewage at the plant.

The February 26, 2013 Fillmore City Council Meeting was one of the shortest in recent years, lasting only 45 minutes. But, that did not mean things weren't getting done and being addressed. One agenda item most residents will be pleased with was the possibility of a slower increase in Fillmore sewer rates. Also, during Public Comments One Step a la Vez gave a short presentation of the various programs and activities they provide Fillmore's youth.

The residents of Fillmore have seen their monthly sewer and water rates steadily climb in the five years since the Fillmore Water Treatment Plant was built. The Plant, which is contract to be run by American Water, has been a political football here in Fillmore with two opposing camps; those that were involved in the building of the plant and those that opposed it. But it was the State of California that threatened to levy huge fines if Fillmore did nothing. Other towns in California have water and sewer rates equal to Fillmore, some even higher, such as San Luis Obispo, but Fillmore is a much smaller town with a greater percentage of residents on fixed incomes.

Steve Stewart with Fillmore's Planning Department and Tom Peterson, American Water Contact Operations, explained they expect a savings in maintenance of up to one million dollars due to an unexpected longer life of the micro-organisms used to treat the sewage at the plant. The micro-organisms, which is called the membrane, was budgeted to be replaced this year, but it is still functioning and lasting longer than anticipated. Steward informed the Council that the filtering membrane system may continue to be useful for another year or maybe many more years. This will delay the $800,000-$1,000,000 replacement deposit required and will hold back an increase in sewer rates by five dollars each month. Stewart also informed the Council that Dave Burkhart, who was previously with the Ventura Regional Sanitation District, has worked hard in exploring ideas to generate revenue and ways to keep costs down.

Stewart asked the CONTINUED »

Live Performances by "Dazz Band, the Midnight Star, and the Zapp Band"

Save the date: Saturday May 18th Shiells Park Old Telegraph and C street. Gates open at 3:00pm with DJ and acts start at 7:00pm

Tickets are on sale now at the Fillmore Chamber office 211 Central Ave. Office open M-F 10-5pm

Call 524-0351 or Visit our website Fillmoremayfestival.com click the concert tab for more information.

Don't delay, the first 200 tickets are only $25 each. After the 200 tickets sold, the price will be $30 each ticket. Don't forget to ask about the VIP addition.

Our last year concert was a sell-out, don't miss the show of the year!

Chad Hanson

Chad Hanson of Fillmore has accepted a full ride football scholarship to attend Idaho State University. Hansen signed his letter of intent of February 6, which was national sighning day for fottball.

Chad Is the son of Tim and Sheri Hansen, he is a 6”3, 190 pound senior at Moorpark High School. Hansen played both receiver and cornerback for the Musketeers.

As a senior he led Ventura County with 14 touchdowns receiving and a 23 yard per catch average. At the end of the season he was named Moorparks team MVP as well as 1st team all Maramonte League and 1st team all county.

Several schools were recruiting Hanson, but he chose Idaho State for its Health Science program as well as the Football prgrams pass oriented offence. He was one of fourteen signees to ISU football.

Hanson played 5 years for the Fillmore Raiders Youth Football Program. He would like to thank all of his Raider coaches for preparing him for high school football as well as helping to develop his love for the game.

A proclamation was presented by Fillmore’s Mayor Rick Neal to Fillmore Deputy Ismael Rubalcava for his outstanding service to the community and residents.
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Very few attended the February 12, 2013 Fillmore City Council Meeting, but those that did had quite a bit to discuss with the Council. This included the Superfund Cleanup Site, transportation and comments on campaign tactics of the 2012 Election of Council Members. There were also some agenda items attended to such as discussion of the Wastewater Facilities Ad Hoc Committee, consideration on sample Codes of Ethics and Conduct, changing the term of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem to one year and awarding two contracts.

An item on the agenda of great concern to most residents was where the negotiations are with American Water and what is being done by the Water Treatment Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Tucker and Sipes. Council Member A. Eduardo Gonzalez recused himself from the discussion and Tucker informed the other Council Members that he had tried for weeks to meet with Sipes, but Sipes would not cooperate. Tucker then asked that Sipes be removed from the Committee and Minjares replace him. Sipes responded that he wanted the public to be involved, but was informed by Mayor Rick Neal and the City Attorney Tiffany J. Israel that the public cannot be involved in contract negotiations, which is what the City is trying to do. Minjares responded that when there's a stumbling block and two members cannot work together then something needs to be done and said he would be willing to help. A motion to remove Sipes was approved.

A proclamation was presented to Fillmore Deputy Ismael Rubalcava for his outstanding service to the community and residents. On January 9, 2013 Rubalcava called in a fire at Lizette's Jewelry on Central Avenue, and due to his quick response the fire was contained and successfully stopped from spreading to other businesses and buildings.

Adopting a Code CONTINUED »

Fillmore Lions Club 2013 speech contest winner Nick Johnson holds his first place certificate.
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The Fillmore Lions Club held its 76th annual student speaker contest Monday, February 4.

Six students from Fillmore High School entered this year’s competition. Each student was to speak for at least five minutes, but not more than 10 minutes on the topic, “How do we create and keep jobs in America?”

The winner this year was Nick Johnson. He received a check for $75 and will go on to the Lions Zone 8 competition at the Camarillo Boys and Girls Club, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Other students taking part in the contest were J. Donovan Mitchell, Michael Mayhew, Diego Jacinto, Jacob Brooks and Wesley Brecheen. They each received $25. The judges were Sue Cuttriss, Dr. Cynthia King and Rev. Dr. Harvey Guthrie.

The students were assisted in preparing for the competition by Fillmore High English teacher Jennifer Fitzpatrick.