2016 Youth Sports Group - Fillmore So Cal Bears.
Enlarge Photo

2016 Outstanding Community Service Award - Dr. Hakansson.
Enlarge Photo

2016 Non Profit of the Year - Fillmore Explorers.
Enlarge Photo

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and the community will be honoring people businesses and organizations that help make Fillmore such an ideal place to live.

Congratulations to some of the honorees:

2016 Outstanding Community Service Award-Dr. Hakansson

2016 Youth Sports Group-Fillmore So Cal Bears

2016 Non Profit of the Year-Fillmore Explorers

More honorees will be forthcoming.

New this year will be 2016 Lifetime Achievement Citizen of the Year-Female and 2016 Lifetime Achievement Citizen of the Year-Male. Also, Citizen of the Year-Female and Citizen of the Year-Male. Nominations are being accepted until December 9, 2016. On a piece of paper write why your nominee should be honored and mail to Fillmore Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 815 Fillmore, CA 93016. Attn: CAD.

Join us in celebrating our honorees on Friday, January 27, 2017. Social Hour: 5:30pm-6:30pm, Dinner/Ceremony 6:30pm. Location: Veteran's Memorial Building (511 Second St.) Attire: 50's theme (highly encouraged), Tickets $35 per adult, $20 under 17-years-old. Tickets will be on sale at the following locations: Diamond Realty (460 Santa Clara St.), Bank of the Sierra (527 Sespe Ave.) and Fillmore Police/Sheriff's Station (524 Sespe Ave.) Questions please call the chamber office at 805.524.0351.

Proposition 64, which has permitted the recreational use of marijuana throughout California, presents many new
practical problems for Ventura County cities. Fillmore was the only city to reject Proposition 64, voting it down by 52 percent. The passage of Proposition 64 permits anyone age 21and older to possess, transport, buy and use up to an ounce of marijuana for recreation.

Those using marijuana may also grow as many as six plants. A tax of 15 percent is imposed on retail sales. On January 1, 2018, the state will begin licensing businesses for the sale of non-medical marijuana. The Fillmore City Council passed an emergency ordinance in October requiring growers to purchase a permit and abide by other regulations, which include a plan to control odors.

The passage of Prop. 64 raises many serious concerns about health and safety. Residents of other states which have
legalized recreational marijuana strongly urge other states to avoid their decision. Many cities in Colorado warn of driving violations, crime, violence, and detrimental influence of those under 21-years of age. Virtually all California law enforcement groups opposed Prop. 64.

[Editors Opinion: The Gazette believes the approval of Proposition 64 will prove to have a horrendous negative effect upon our school children and upon the health and safety of our citizenry, young and old. These effects will prove to be uncontrollable.]

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Fillmore Senior Center, Inc., after 32 years, is closing its doors as of January 1, 2017. You have supported us
through the many years and ups and downs we want you to know how much that support has been valued. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you all to keep Fillmore seniors active, mentally and physically.

We are thankful for our wonderful teachers, who gave their time and experience to bring such great programs to the
seniors of Fillmore and the surrounding areas. Thank you to the past and current board members who worked tirelessly to keep FSCI whole and functioning. To the volunteers who gave of themselves to make our gathering space a home. And to our employee, Beverly, who welcomed all through the door.

From the entire FSCI board, we are proud to have been a part of your lives and grateful to you for allowing us to be a part of yours.

Patti Walker

Concise Council Meeting Gives Way to Heartfelt Holiday spirit

City council reconvened late Tuesday, November 16th for a very brief affair, amongst the shortest mayor Diane McCall said to have recalled. Following roll call and approval of the agenda, Richard Torres was called upon for public comments. Mr. Torres explained to the council how he had been raised in Fillmore, but has just recently returned after being away from Fillmore for over 20 years. He went on to clarify that he came on behalf of his sister and brother, whom are longtime residents of Fillmore that have expressed to him concerns for the current proceedings surrounding Fillmore’s water and sewage protocols.

The only order of new business on the agenda was the review draft 2015 urban water management plan update. Such is not to be understated in any sense. The representative speaking on behalf of the water purveyor explained how if there are more than 3000 connections to the city’s water system, there must be a current adopted urban water management plan update in agreement with the state of California. Non-compliance does not mean outright fines or penalties, as elaborated, but rather a loss of eligibility on Fillmore’s behalf for state funding on water projects. The plan will be made available for viewing on the city website and hard copies are to be found in the city clerk’s office. Residents are encouraged to review the document and provide feedback before it is finalized. Being in the best interest of the city to update said plan, a motion was easily passed to set a public hearing date regarding the matter on December 13th. Water availability is, has been, and will continue to press and act as an imperative to Fillmore’s communal development. Acceding to the state of California and our local United Water Conservation District’s disposition regarding water management will allow for them as well as us to continue to fare well and keep billing rates low.

Mayor Pro Tem Carrie Broggie then followed up with a reminder about the next parks and recreation commission meeting, which will primarily focus on the ongoing discussion surrounding a possible dog park. The meeting will take place Monday, November 21st at 6:15p.m. at city hall.

Mayor Diane McCall proceeded to bring to our attention the Christmas tree lighting which is to take place December 3rd at 6:00pm in front of city hall. Councilman Manuel Minjares then thanked the staff of the Fillmore youth basketball league, whom are in search of coaches for 3rd and 4th grade boys’ team. Both male and female coaches are very much encouraged to apply. The annual sheriff’s toy drive is also underway, with drop off points at every sheriff’s station in Ventura County. Their toy drive has collaborated with the Fillmore toy giveaway, which the Fillmore fire department sponsors. Donations in the form of unwrapped toys or donations are much obliged. Your local fire station will also gladly accept donations as stated. With that, the meeting was adjourned and so in the spirit of thanksgiving and togetherness.

SACRAMENTO - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today warned holiday travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites when traveling to areas with known transmission of Zika virus, including Latin America.

Many areas of Mexico are now experiencing transmission of the Zika virus, particularly popular tourist destinations, including Cancun, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, and Mazatlan. The states of Baja California Sur, where Cabo San Lucas is located, and Sonora, which borders Arizona, have recently reported local Zika virus transmission. While the state of Baja California bordering California has not reported local Zika virus transmission, the mosquitoes that transmit the virus are present along the border. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers any travel to Mexico to be a potential risk for Zika virus infection.

“Pregnant women and couples contemplating pregnancy need to be particularly cautious because of the severe defects that can be caused to a fetus by the Zika virus,” said Dr. Smith. “Both state and federal public health officials urge pregnant women not to travel to areas with known Zika transmission.”

Zika virus can be spread through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex. All individuals, particularly women of childbearing age, should take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites while traveling and when they return home. Sexually active adults who travel to areas with Zika transmission should use condoms or other barriers to avoid getting or passing Zika during sex. Couples planning pregnancy when either partner has been exposed to Zika virus should speak with a health care provider about a safe time to try to get pregnant. Men should wait six months to conceive after Zika exposure. Women who have been exposed should wait a minimum of eight weeks before becoming pregnant.

“The mosquitoes that can carry and infect people with Zika live in many areas of California,” said Dr. Smith. “If one of these mosquitoes bites an infected person, it can spread the virus by biting another person. That is why we ask people traveling to Mexico, or any other place where Zika exists, to take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks after a trip, even if you don’t feel sick.”

While there has been no local transmission of Zika virus in California to date, CDPH has confirmed 362 cases of travel-associated infections in the state.

To prevent mosquito bites, apply repellents containing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label). Individuals should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when outdoors. Be sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Most people who are infected with Zika do not experience any symptoms. However, symptoms of infection can include fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika other than rest, fluids and fever relief.

More information about Zika can be found in the November 2016 CDPH Health and Travel Advisory, and on the CDPH and CDC websites. In addition, the Mexico Ministry of Health website contains more Zika-related information.
www.cdph.ca.gov

The Proposition 64, permitting recreational use of marijuana in California, has passed and the City of Fillmore's Measure I approving the taxing of the sale of marijuana at a rate of up to 15 percent has also passed. Measure H, that would tax commercial cultivation operations at up to $30 a square foot for the first 3,000 square feet and up to $15 a square foot beyond that.

State law requires voters to approve the maximum level of any new city taxes. The Council can set the rate lower at a later time if it chooses.

The new legislation would allow people 21 or older to possess, transport and use up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes and would allow them to grow as many as six plants.

This new revenue would be used to cover costs for expenses related to public safety, code compliance, drug education and mental health programs, according to city authorities.

Growing marijuana in the city will be regulated by an emergency ordinance passed by the City Council in October. The ordinance bans the cultivation of more than six plants in any one household. Outdoor growth operations are banned and indoor operations must be inspected by city officials and requires a permit. Growing without a permit will be a misdemeanor.

The SOAR proposal to extend the SOAR measure A to 2050 appears to be winning.

Measure G, placed by the City Council to extend the deadline to 2030 seems to be winning.

The three open City Council seats will be filled by the only three candidates running for office. Councilman Manuel Minjares, seeking re-election, had a majority of votes at 38 percent (1,957). Mark Austin, City Planning Commissioner, came in second, with 1,640 votes, and Tim Holmgren, also City Planning Commissioner, finished with 1,405 votes. There were 93 write-in votes.

Olivia Carrera-Lopez, running unopposed, has won City Clerk's position, and Shannon Godfrey running unopposed, has won 97 percent of the vote. Three percent of the vote went to a write-in candidate.

Thanks to the dogged efforts of Raymond S Brown Sr., Fillmore will soon have a traffic light on Highway 126 and Mountain View.

On Monday of this week the construction of the new light will begin with a survey team plotting the location. The Gazette will follow this story until construction is completed because it is an urgently needed safety feature. Many children cross fast-moving streams of traffic to and from school each day near Mountain View.

Mr. Brown is the true hero of this story. In a determined, single-handed effort, begun March of 2012, Brown has preached and prodded city and state organizations to take action. He worked closely with Caltrans and spoke-out at several city council meetings prompting action on the project, for four years and eight months.

The city owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Brown for his support for this life-saving project.