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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
Over the 4th of July weekend, just down the street from the two new Habitat homes under construction in Piru, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County served an additional family through A Brush with Kindness (ABWK), a component of the new Preserve a Home program. The exterior of this home received some TLC thanks to volunteers from the Christian Church and Intuit of Thousand Oaks. To start things off, Marty Milligan and volunteers from the Christian Church braved 100°+ weather as they removed weeds, dug a trench for a French drain, installed it, placed jute along the back slope of the backyard and spread fresh mulch throughout most of the surface area. To finish the day, the home was power-washed and prepped for paint. The next day, the hot weather returned as did the volunteers from the Christian Church. While the final part of the landscape work was being finished, the exterior of the home was painted thanks to Mr. Lance Kistler along with additional assistance from the volunteers. At lunch time, Demetrio Silva and Noe Saravia, Habitat for Humanity Homeowners, provided a “carne asada” lunch for the ABWK volunteers as well as for the volunteers working on the new homes. Bringing things to a close, Mr. Don Majors, a regular Wednesday Crew volunteer, restored a fallen side gate and installed an irrigation drip line in the backyard. Volunteers from Intuit of Thousand Oaks brought the home preservation project to full completion by placing the finishing touches and performing final clean up. A great deal of work was completed by the Christian Church and Intuit, and at the end of the day, volunteers were left with a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for the service performed for the homeowner. “A Brush with Kindness is part of our larger neighborhood revitalization initiative and Preserve a Home program. This initiative gives us a great opportunity to help more families as well as have an impact on the entire neighborhood,” said Stacy Swanson, Executive Director. “Helping people repair and maintain their homes fits in seamlessly with our core mission of making decent, affordable housing available to families in need.” Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County A Brush with Kindness is a Habitat for Humanity program that preserves our communities and enables low-income homeowners to maintain safe, livable shelter by focusing on simple, yet necessary exterior housing improvements. Volunteer teams work to improve the condition of homes by painting, landscaping, and completing minor exterior repairs at minimal costs, in partnership with homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes. Those who are physically able are asked to work alongside the volunteers throughout the completion of the preservation work. The work is done by volunteers who use donated materials whenever possible. The homeowner must meet the qualifications that apply to all families participating in the Habitat for Humanity homeowner program: demonstrated need, willingness to partner, and ability to repay a no-interest loan. The program is for homeowners earning between 20% and 50% of Ventura County’s median household income. Homeowners are identified based on the greatest possible impact to the appearance of a neighborhood. Do you have a home or know of one that needs some work? Applications for A Brush With Kindness are available on our website located at www.habitatventura.org. Would you like to volunteer on A Brush with Kindness home? We welcome all volunteers as young as 14 years of age on our sites. Each individual can have a large impact. You can sign up and become a volunteer through our website at www.habitatventura.org. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Two Planning Commission members resign
There were about 20 people in attendance at the July 12, 2011 Fillmore City Council and very few items on the agenda. One item that was presented was the proposed Verizon tower to be erected on A Street and the Council’s performance on the issue in regards to a possible violation of the Brown Act. The meeting itself was short with a large part being closed session. But what was presented during the open session was sad news for the residents of Fillmore. Two of Fillmore’s Planning Commission members, Douglas Tucker and Vance Johnson, presented letters of resignation to the Council. Johnson read a letter from Tucker who was not present to the Council first and then his own letter of resignation. Vance Johnson’s letter reads:
“I am tendering my resignation as a Planning Commissioner effective this date and hour. I never foresaw the time where this City Council would become so divisive in its actions, and lack of clear direction even from sentence to sentence when several of them speak. This has become a matter of personal and professional embarrassment to myself and others and its time to make my exit.
In this letter, when I speak of “the Council” I recognize there are two members of this body that actually very much understand the concept of good governing, and of good team work and my comments are not so much directed to or at them, but because the Council is a body that makes decisions with a majority of at least three, unfortunately the three that I’d rather to direct my comments to, must include Mr. Conaway and Ms. Walker to the context of ‘the Council.’ I believe the biggest reason that I feel it’s time for me to go is because of just that concept…’teamwork’…as nebulous as that appears to be for our Council. The Council majority recently elected, rode into office on a platform of chaos and they made good on that concept. This Council has succeeded in ripping apart one of the very finest teams I’ve ever known or worked with and they did it out of shear ignorance. When you join a team, no matter at the bottom or the top, you kick back and observe for a while before you start offering your ‘expert opinion,’ and you use the resources available to you….in the case of our City Council, that would be not only your own Council peers, but your own staff which has decades, maybe centuries, of ‘institutional knowledge.’ But no, you started chasing them off before you even drove up. Then you hire a City Manager whose apparent goal…successful as it turns out…was to further decimate the staff. Then, in opposition to your own campaign platform, have brought in people from out of the area to replace our local talent!!! No vision, no teamwork at play here. Because you probably don’t know this I have served on this commission two times, for five years from 1985 to 1990, and this time for six years from 2005 to date. In addition, I served on staff for nine years, being the only person in this city to have presented and heard from BOTH sides of the dais. I believe I’m an excellent position to tell you that this Commission has been the very best assembling of minds and talent that I’ve ever seen. And that includes our newest member Tim Holmgren. However, I began to see the writing on the wall when in one breath, our Planning Commission selection committee, earlier this year, told you, Mayor Washburn, that they were recommending a new candidate for commissioner ‘it was time for a change’…no other reason given. It was the opinion of that committee that the Council simply needed a change for the sake of change for OUR commission, however, in the next breath, a recommendation that all incumbents for the other commissions remain in place ‘they were doing a good job.’ What a hypocritical decision those were, but YOU made them Mayor! The next shot across the Commission’s bow came at during the process to decide the condoization of the El Dorado Mobile Home Park. It was made QUITE clear to the Commission and presumably the Council as well, that the state law requires that park owners be allowed to convert their parks to condominiums, and in an EXTREMELY painful decision, the Commission courageously, made the decision to allow that to go forth. I can tell you that I have paid a personal price for that decision, but it was the CORRECT and ONLY decision to be made. Yet when the decision came up to the Council, Councilmember Brooks and Sipes capriciously decided the state law was bunk, and THEY were going to vote against it, for no particular reason other than it was a feel-good vote, and also, perhaps, the El Dorado voting bloc is the biggest and most influential in the City. And in doing so, those two council members flirted with attracting an even bigger lawsuit from the owners of the mobile home park that we could certainly never prevail in, at a time when our budget is in the most disarray than it’s ever been in. How irresponsible is that? I realize the Planning Commission is NOT a rubber stamp for the Council, and that there will be times that our decisions will not be upheld by the Council, but when those times occur, in the past, there has been good and logical reasons why they have not upheld our views. They explained themselves, and although members of the Commission may not have been happy about it, we remained a team. The Planning Commission and the Council remained on the same path and remained supportive of each other. But that is obviously no longer so. This latest caper with the cell tower is a clear example that our City Council is unable to make logical and well-thought decisions regarding Planning Commission business. Discussion of appealing a Commission decision, or taking it off our calendar, at a council meeting is not only improper or unprofessional, but flirts with violating the Ralph M. Brown Act. Mayor, that was offensive, and a slap in the face. What grounds does the Council have to appealing our decision, especially before the decision was made? The project meets ALL local zoning, and any concerns regarding electromagnetic fields, is by FEDERAL law, outside our local bailiwick, and this is probably the forth or fifth cell tower the Commission has seen where there was no public interest in the slightest! And further on when the Council made decisions regarding this appeal and decided to wave the appeal fee, without it being on the Council agenda, you’ve again violated the Brown Act, in my opinion, not to mention engendering a probable lawsuit from Verizon Wireless. And this during a time when we’ve cut services, laid off employees attracting a lawsuit that will cost us a lot of money to defend, and we will certainly lose it, because we have denied the applicant their legal due, again, according to federal law. Jamey Brooks wearing the sword low and tied down, I suppose thought that would be okay and did not think that spending that kind of money outrageously would be a problem. It’s time for this ol’ boy to cut this foolishness lose. Mayor your job is to direct traffic, and you’re doin’ a poor job of it. I cannot be part of this team anymore, and I can’t support the team, if I don’t believe in the team, and if I believe it’s my job to oppose the team, it’s time to get off the team. Councilmember Jamey Brooks responded to Johnson’s written resignation by saying that he did not feel the comments made by Johnson during the Planning Commission meeting were appropriate. The comments Brooks was referring to included a comment by Johnson that found the City Council members decisions “ludicrous and I’m being gentle.” Brooks also thanked the Commissioners for their service but added a thanks for their resignation also, calling it a political ploy. Councilmember Patti Walker addressed the Council with two items. The first was an opinion piece written by Martin Farrell in the Gazette that stated Walker was selling her home and moving out of state, which Walker said was partially true; she is selling her home, but is not moving out of state. She stated Farrell should have called and asked her personally if she were moving out of state. Second she asked for the Councils’ help and understanding because she had just recently been informed that a family member is in a medical situation and she is not sure how much of her time she will have in the future to devote to her council position. Citizen Bob Stroh took opportunity during public comments to call Farrell a liar. The Council then informed everyone that they had dropped the appeal of the Verizon cell tower and were no longer questioning the Planning Commission’s decision to go forward with it. Theodore Schneider, Fillmore’s City Attorney, addressed everyone with his comments on whether the Brown Act had been violated along with discussion of a letter sent from Verizon. He went on to say that with regards to the Brown Act, the Council only directed staff to put the item on the agenda and that no decisions had been made. With regards to the letter from Verizon, he stated that what was in the letter that Verizon cited as precedence did not pertain to Fillmore; and that the City received the recordings from Verizon on July 5, 2011 in which the City has 10 days to respond, to which he turned to the Verizon representatives and legal council and said, “We’ve responded, right?” And the Verizon representatives replied “yes”. Schneider stated there was no reasonable delay is addressing Verizon. As to the Planning Commission decision, City Council has withdrawn its appeal. Local business owner Alex Mollkoy addressed the Council with his concerns about their decisions and actions stating, “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the lack of professional knowledge and understanding you have of your duties and responsibilities as a city council. It appears at times you must feel that you can supersede protocol and/or written ordinances for whatever reason you deem fit. I feel this is a flagrant violation of our trust given to you as elected officials; whose duty it is to follow the laws, as you try to represent the best interest of all the citizens of Fillmore. Can you please tell me the City of Fillmore has not in violation of the Brown Act on June 28th, 2011 when you began a twenty minute discussion on how to appeal a Planning Commission’s ruling and decided to appeal this ruling when the item was not on the agenda?.......You have often commented that the council meetings are excessive in length. I feel that this is of your own making, as many times comments are unnecessarily repeated by each of you. It is apparent to many that you are unprepared and ill-versed on the issues before you and it also seems that you are frequently lost with what comes next on the agenda. I feel that if you did your homework the meetings would be shorter in length, thus saving valuable time and money for Fillmore. I believe that the public deserves better representation by and from the City Council.” There was also a vote on the issue of presenting on the November ballot a measure to increase the sales tax in Fillmore at a cost of $20,000. The vote was 4 yes, 1 no with Councilmember Brooks the lone No vote. Walker reminded everyone that the Ventura County Fair will be August 3-14 and free shuttle service is provided daily during the Fair between 10:30am and 11:00pm from the six off-site parking locations. Admission is $12 for adults 13 & older, children 6-12 $9.00, seniors 62 & older $9.00 and children 5 & under and Super Seniors (100 years & older) admitted Free. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
 District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced Thursday, July 7th, that a jury has convicted Victor Meraz (DOB 9-3-90), of Fillmore, of the first degree murder of 23-year-old Alberto Avalos during a drive-by shooting. The jury also found true the special circumstances and special allegations regarding the use of a gun and that the murder was committed to further the activities of “The Boyz” criminal street gang. The murder occurred on May 27, 2007. Victor Meraz, a passenger in a vehicle occupied by fellow gang members, drove through Fillmore looking for rival gang members. Meraz called out his gang’s name before shooting Mr. Avalos, who was walking with friends. Sentencing for Meraz is scheduled for August 4, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. in Division 23. Meraz faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Courtesy of Ventura County District Attorneys office. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
The Chili Cook-off was sanctioned by the International Chili Society ICS Red Chili Competition 1st place Gene Beller - Bakersfield 2nd place Howard Choate 3rd place Armando Sanchez - Westminster 4th place Mike Austin - San Bernandino ICS Salsa Competition 1st Place Mike Austin - San Bernardino 2nd Place Mike Ford - La Mirada 3rd place TIE Paul Laroche - Thousand Oaks and Irene Menchaca - Arroyo Grande People's Choice 1st Place Troy Leach - Ventura 2nd Place Barbara Vazquez - Fillmore The car Winners were as follows: T-Buckets - Tom & Bev Sheehan - Thousand Oaks Street Rods 1900-1932- John Sheeler - Castiac Street Rods 1933-1936- Richard Higgins - Lancaster Street Rods 1937-1941- Peter Moreno - Mission Hills Street Rods 1942-1948- James & Sally Porter - Granada Hills Street Rods 1949-1963- Robert Anderson - Ventura Mustangs - Mark Austin - Santa Clarita 1955-1957 Chevy's - Michael Brinkman - Santa Clarita Rat Rod - Steve Clark - Fillmore Ranchero - Steve & Connie - Lancaster Corvette - Patty Kemple - Canyon Country Thunderbird - Bob Kaplin - Lancaster Sports Cars - Darleen & Bill Lyons - Saugus Camaros - Kenny Bortas - Ventura El Camino - Adolfo Flores - Ventura Truck/Pickup - Kevin Warring - Fillmore Stock Original 1900-1940 - Ron & Sandy Hansen - Fillmore Stock Original 1941-1951 Errus Trujllo - Palmdale Stock Original 1952-1974 - Jim & Pat Kitowski - Acton Street Rod Open - Carlos Reyna - Oxnard Street Rod Closed - Mike & Liz Wiener - Reseda Mild Modification - David Moya - Oxnard Muscle Cars - Steve Rowe - Fillmore Most Likely to be Stopped - Mitch Allread - Canyon Country Under Construction - Wayne Smith - Lancaster Drag Cars - Vic Young - Camarillo Under 21 - Roy Nava - Santa Paula Best Flames - Joe Frias - Thousand Oaks Explorer's Choice - Ted Poliskey - Simi Valley We want to thank everyone for their help, especially our sponsors and we look forward to future events. The Santa Clara Valley Explorers appreciate all of the communities support. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Wednesday morning at 4:30 am Highway 126/Ventura St. was closed down between Highway 23/A Street and Central Ave for almost three hours as Fillmore City Police, City Fire Crews and Cal Trans had to clean up the diesel fuel that covered the highway and remove two rigs involved in an accident. One of the rigs, owned by Carpinteria Motor Transit, was hit while parked on the south side of the highway between A and Olive Streets. The driver had stopped to purchase some donuts from Moonlight Donuts in the Baldwin Shopping Center and was just about to clean his rear view mirror on his passenger side, when another big rig traveling east bound hit the parked rigs in the rear, blowing out one of the parked rig’s back tires. The east bound rig then continued moving side swiping the parked rig and finally jackknifed to a stop, landing up on the parkway in front of Papa Loys Liquor Store before spilling its diesel. |
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By Bob Crum — Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
 (Above) Folks on the Fillmore & Western open air cars enjoy the Fillmore fireworks show from front row seats. Story and photos by Bob Crum. If memory of history serves correctly... it was way, way, way back on July 2, 1776, that the members of the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia undertook the bold (and dangerous) vote for independence from Great Britain. But... it wasn't until the 4th of July that they formally adopted the paramount document that we know as of the Declaration of Independence. The event was cause for great celebration throughout the land and the people of the United States of America have been celebrating ever since. When it comes to hosting a great July 4th party, Fillmore... the last best small town in Southern California... knows a thing or two about serving up a magnificent banquet of good times. The recipe: a batch of fireworks booths... add a heaping supply of gorgeous restored classic cars, vendors serving yummy goodies... unlimited shaved-ice cones... music to massage the ear drums and a majestic steam engine that never fails to enthrall the multitudes within hearing distance of her magical steam whistle. Serving a feast of this magnitude... who wouldn't want to come? So they did. By the gazillions. You were there... right? Throngs of people ogled the many beautifully restored antique classic cars. Some folks were seen drooling excessively while others simply fell madly in love with the classic car of their dreams... and wishing. Many others were exercising their mouth muscles by munching on a tasty morsel of choice. Many also stopped by the hat booth and bought a sombrero to shield them from the blazing hot sun? The day was indeed a scorcher. When tired feet needed a reprieve, rest for the weary was on one of three scheduled trains pulled by Fillmore & Western Railways' mighty Baldwin #14 steam locomotive as she whisked delighted passengers on a thrill-of-a-lifetime trip through the beautiful Fillmore countryside. OK... it wasn't quite bullet-train speed but traversing Fillmore's bucolic terrain at unhurried steam locomotive speeds manifests melancholy. Remember how sweet were the good old days of leisurely travel? Steam engine aficionados not riding the train were chasing me chasing the train to catch a photo... or twenty. More is not even enough. Admittedly... no sooner than I hear the steam engine's whistle I'm afflicted with POCD... Photographic Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. An incurable malady. However... grabbing the camera and shooting a few photographs provides some measure of temporary relief. Very temporary! As the sun disappeared below the western horizon... a wonderful day of fun and good cheer was topped off with a fabulous display of fireworks. As a visual tribute... and a brief reminder of our independence as a country... the Fillmore's fireworks show did not disappoint. It was a fabulous banquet of good times! Now, however, torturous will be the 362 days waiting for the next July 4th festivities. Oh... if only we had a time machine! Congratulations to all the people who executed the many tasks that made the day of celebration great, as well as memorable, for all who partook of the fabulous festivities. A job well done! Enlarge Photo |
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By Dick Diaz — Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
Fillmore resident Marcos A. Ruvalcaba, 34 years, was promoted to Captain in the United States Marine Corps on April 1, 2011. He recently returned from a seven month deployment in Afghanistan and is now stationed at Camp Pendleton, California near Oceanside where he is with the 1MEF at Camp Del Mar with G7 Training and Experiment Group Intelligence Section alongside Special Operation Training Group; assisting the 11th MEU on their pre-deployment training program. This was his third deployment to the Middle East and he is scheduled to redeploy in early 2012 for his fourth deployment. Captain Ruvalcaba attended Fillmore schools until the 9th grade when he transferred to St. Bonaventure High School. At St. Bonaventure he participated in soccer and baseball before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in February 1998. While in the United States Marine Corps he attended Chapman University from 2002-2005 where he studied Criminal Justice. Captain Ruvalcaba continued his college education as an enlisted Marine and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree which allowed him to attend Officer Candidates School. After completing Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 30, 2007 just nine years after enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Captain Ruvalcaba is the son of Aurelia and Jose Refugio Ruvalcaba of Fillmore. He is married to Carmen of Palmdale and they a 10-month old daughter, Elisa Brianna born August 22, 2011. Elisa is the first grandchild for Aurelia and Jose and they are very excited for this new addition to their family. His siblings are Pablo 32 years of Fillmore, Victor 30 years of Santa Monica, CA, Jose 28 years of Fillmore and Mariza 25 years of Northern San Francisco. His maternal Grandparents are Manuel 89 years and the late Inez Aparicio of Fillmore and paternal Grandparents the late Longinos and the late Pachita Ruvalcaba of Fillmore. When I did an earlier article on Captain Ruvalcaba, approximately one year ago, he was a Ground Intelligence Officer with the Military Transition Team 0720 (MiTT) from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California embedded with an Iraqi Army Brigade in Al Anbar province Baghdadi, Iraq. He had been deployed for one year and had five months remaining on his deployment. That was his second deployment to Iraq. When 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on March 30, 2009 an Iraqi Army Officer (Lieutenant Colonel equivalent) pinned his silver bars on his collar. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba believes this was the first time an Iraqi Officer participated in the promotion of an American Officer! As a result of his distinguished service to his Country, Captain Ruvalcaba has earned the following awards and medals; (1) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, (3) United States Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, (1) Combat Action Ribbon (1) Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2) Iraq Campaign Medal, (1) National Defense Medal, (3) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with the Combat “V”, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1) Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, (8) Letters of Appreciation, (1) Certificate of Commendation (individual award), (3) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, (1) NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan (3) Meritorious Mast and (4) Certificates of Appreciation. In November 2010 then 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a Combat “V” for his heroic actions while on his third deployment. The document recommending the medal outlines his actions leading up to this medal being awarded states: “Heroic achievement in the superior performance of duties while serving as a platoon commander, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division Forward from April 3, 2010 to November 10, 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. First Lieutenant Ruvalcaba successfully planned and executed hundreds of Dismounted Combat Patrols and 25 Cordon and Knocks Missions while his tactical patience, mature understanding of Counterinsurgency Principals, and use of Tactical Site Exploitation led directly to detention of ten insurgents during Operation Roadhouse II, the clearing of Safar Bazaar, he boldly conducted an explosive combined arms breach of a minefield and maneuvered his platoon to seize a key southern blocking position, isolating the Bazaar to the south along the forward line of enemy troops. His subsequent actions during 18 direct fire engagements displayed composure and decisive action while in contact that resulted in 15 enemy casualties. First Lieutenant Ruvalcaba's initiative, perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.” Captain Ruvalcaba stated that, “The best satisfaction besides getting the mission accomplished and bringing the fight to the Taliban was bringing my platoon back home to their families in one piece. That was a collective effort between my Platoon Sergeant, Squad Leaders, Fire Team Leaders and our training together.” All of us here in the communities of Fillmore and Piru are proud of United States Marine Corps Captain Marcos A. Ruvalcaba for his service. As a former Marine myself I can say Captain Ruvalcaba is a textbook Marine and an officer I would have been proud to serve under. The communities of Fillmore and Piru wish him a long and distinguished career, safe travel and safe return home from his fourth tour to the Middle East in early 2012. We thank Captain Ruvalcaba and his family for the sacrifices they have already made and will make in the future. Captain Marcos A. Ruvalcaba is one of our own and is truly an American Hero! Semper Fi Captain! |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
 Sierra Huerta, 12, of Fillmore, CA is set to compete next week at the Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run National Finals during the MLB All-Star festivities in Phoenix, AZ. Huerta, who will be representing the Los Angeles Dodgers, is one of 24 National Finalists who will take part in an array of MLB All-Star festivities, including shagging fly balls in the outfield during Monday night’s State Farm Home Run Derby. Over 650,000 boys and girls, ages 7-14, competed this spring in the official skills program of Major League Baseball for an opportunity to advance to the National Finals in Phoenix, AZ. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
 A single vehicle, non-injury accident occurred Saturday on Highway 126 near the El Dorado Mobile Home Park. While allegedly arguing with his female passenger, the male driver, heading west from Piru, lost control of his car at approximately 11:45 p.m., crashed into a telephone pole, down a slope and into the northeast corner of the AgRx office building. Enlarge Photo |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Council’s disagreement with Commission’s approval of 65’ cellular tower causes rift
The June 28, 2011 Fillmore City Council Meeting ended close to 1:00am as Council addressed the task of finalizing the deep budget cuts. From employee layoffs and furloughs to proposals of sales tax increase and special assessments the they took action. But Council saved the best—or worst—for last; the Council’s disagreement with the Planning Commission’s approval of a 65-foot in height cellular tower Verizon is planning to place on the Super Seal & Stripe business property. At the opening of the meeting Super Seal and Stripe owner Brenda Hampton-Ortiz asked the Council why they had waited until now to protest the Commission’s decision. The submission period is approaching and Hampton-Ortiz question why Council is just now showing concern about the tower. Ortiz was referring to last week’s Council and Planning Commission meetings, June 21 and 22, which launched a serious of disagreements between the two bodies. At the Council meeting Mayor Gayle Washburn protested the tower, stating she would appeal the Planning Commission’s decision to approve it, a decision that had not yet been made. She was supported by Council Members Jamey Brooks and Brian Sipes. The next night, at Planning Commission, Commissioner Vance Johnson had this to say, “Last night’s comments by the Mayor with regard to appealing a decision that hadn’t even been made yet is amazing…it was supported by two other council people [Brooks and Sipes]. The other two council people [Walker and Conaway] obviously well versed in the law, and well versed in the processes, they’re well informed and think along the lines of the correctness of actions. But to question the planning commission even before we made a decision is ludicrous and I’m being gentle.” He went on to say that although the two bodies may not always agree on every decision, “I’m beginning to see something happening here that I’m not comfortable with.” Commissioner Douglas Tucker said that there has to be a trust between the two bodies. “The Planning Commission is appointed, City Council is elected”, a comment that was repeated by the Mayor at last night’s Council meeting. “Working with my fellow Commissioners I know we take this job extremely seriously. To have a decision that I haven’t even made, that I haven’t even discussed appealed, again to use your word is ludicrous [quoting Johnson]; it’s inappropriate and it’s extremely unprofessional.” Commissioner Mark Austin was CONTINUED » |
