Rigo Landeros, Fillmore Fire Chief

Courtesy City of Fillmore Fire Department

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Fillmore residents are preparing to celebrate with BBQs and family get-togethers. Unfortunately, these celebrations can quickly turn disastrous, especially when children and teenagers are injured while discharging fireworks. Common sense and wise judgment are paramount to a safe holiday celebration.

The City of Fillmore Fire Department wants to ensure that Fillmore citizens enjoy a safe Fourth of July holiday. Residents are reminded that California State Fire Marshal approved “safe and sane” fireworks sold in Fillmore are legal in Fillmore only June 28 12:00pm – July 5 12:00pm.

The use of any type of non-approved firework is illegal and will result in criminal charges and fines in excess of $1,000. If you witness any illegal activity in the Fillmore area, please report it! Please call 805-524-2233 with any information you can provide. Callers may remain anonymous.

Below are several safety tips to insure you and your family enjoy a safe Independence Day celebration.

Fire Safety
If you witness a crime or fire in progress involving illegal fireworks, call your local authorities by dialing 9-1-1.

Only Safe and Sane fireworks bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal are legal in California. All other fireworks, including altered Safe and Sane fireworks and those that explode or leave the ground are illegal.
Kids should not play with fireworks. Fireworks are intended for use by adults in open spaces with plenty of active supervision for every child present.

Always have a bucket of water on hand to dispose of fireworks and a hose connected to water ready in case of fire.

Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. Teach your children what to do if their clothing catches on fire — “stop, drop and roll” — and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Officer Brandon Mumme
Enlarge Photo

Brandon Mumme, a California Highway Patrol officer based in Moorpark has been selected by the Kiwanis Clubs of Ventura County as Officer of the Year.

Mumme, 38, exemplifies “courage, honesty, professionalism, principles, respect, integrity, dedication and esprit de corps” according to Kiwanis officials. He is an “exemplary office and deserves the honor” according to Lt. April Baxter, head of the Moorpark CHP station.

Mumme joined the CHP in 2002 and was stationed at the Ventura office before transferring to Moorpark in 2005.
Mumme said he enjoys helping people out, as just one aspect of his job. “It’s exciting because you never know what’s going to happen on any given day.”

Officer Mumme was involved in an incident in Fillmore on July 27, 2010 in which he verbally disarmed a possible suicidal subject. As Mumme arrived on scene, the subject attempted to ram his CHP unit head-on. He was able to avoid a head on collision, but the subject’s vehicle collided with the right rear side of the unit. The incident ended with the subject being taken into custody; Mumme received minor injuries. His family said, “We praise the Lord for protecting Brandon in the face of danger.”

Mumme is a 1991 graduate of Fillmore High School, and lives in the area with wife Angela and their three children. Angela also said they are grateful for the recognition and the family is very proud of his achievement.

Fillmore City Manager Yvonne Quiring addressed council with budget recommendations, Tuesday night. Cuts, reductions and reorganization dominated the presentation.

The June 7, 2011 Fillmore City Council meeting started late after a 5:30 closed session concerning former fire Chief Peter Egedi.

The Special Fillmore City Council/Budget Workshop Meeting started at 7:20pm and left many of those in attendance speechless as the anticipated 2012 Budget Overview was laid out. With over 13 full-time and part-time positions on the chopping block, and other income-generating proposals including another water/sewer increase, the costs saving suggestions were the hard reality of the City’s fiscal situation.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring presented a grim presentation of the City’s 2012 finances starting with a mid-year deficit amount of $2.1 million and ending the fiscal year in about the same shape. The bottom line; revenue generated by the City does not cover the expenditures and drastic measures must be taken. Quiring reported this may require reducing service levels, City employee salaries, benefit concessions, fee increases, and using monies from the General Fund Reserve. The City’s fiscal challenges are expected to extend to fiscal year 2013 unless the City obtains some new sources of revenue.

Fillmore’s General Fund Revenues is generated mostly from taxes which amount to about 50% of the fund; then Transfers In at about 30% and the remaining comes from licenses, permits, fines and other revenue. The largest portion of the City’s General Fund Expenditures goes to Public Safety which requires about 66%; next is the General Government at about 20% with the remaining going to Public Works, Community Development and Transfer Out Loans.

The City of Fillmore has hired CONTINUED »

Dorothy Wilson Leland

Dorothy Leland, a graduate of Fillmore High School, has been named UC Merced’s Chancellor. The former Dorothy Wilson, 63, will begin her new position on July 1, 2011.

Leland has a long and stellar career history.

During college at Purdue University, where she received her doctorate, she served in the Peace Corps, working in India with a nutrition program and medical clinic. She was visiting faculty member at CSU Northridge, CSU Chico and UC Santa Cruz. She then returned to Purdue, where she taught and served as the first full-time director of the Women’s Resource Center.

She is now president of Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA.

Leland was called one of the “100 Most Influential Georgians”.

A national search was conducted to fill the position. Her annual salary will be $310,000, and a university house and a relocation allowance of $77,500 will be paid her over four years.
Leland said she is thrilled to be returning to her native California and an area which reminds her so much of the 60-acre Fillmore ranch she grew up on.

Deputy Leonardo Vazquez

On May 27, 2011, Kiwanis Clubs of Ventura honored several Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies by presenting them with the service club’s “Officer of the Year” awards. These deputies are being recognized for their outstanding performance and service to the communities they serve while on patrol. The Kiwanis Clubs of Ventura County will be hosting a dinner banquet at the Four Points Sheraton in Ventura.

Deputy Leonardo Vazquez, Fillmore, was selected to receive the award. The recipients are to be commended for their exemplary accomplishments above and beyond their normal duties. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office joins in congratulating this year’s “Officer of the Year” recipients.

The Bardsdale Cemetery held its Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th at 11AM. Special recognition was given to Sean Chandler who completed his Eagle Scout project – a Walk of Honor at the Cemetery with a brick walkway honoring those who served our country.

A large crowd turned out to honor the nation’s service personnel and their sacrifice.

Four private single-engine planes flew over early in the ceremony as a salute to those remembered on the national holiday.

Featured speaker this year was Don Gunderson who attended the University of Wisconsin on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon his graduation in 1957, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. He later attended the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey where he earned his degree in electrical engineering. During his naval service he had two commands as well as three deployment tours to Viet Nam. Captain Gunderson retired in 1985, after completing four and a half years on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. During his years of service, Don was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with combat “V” and the Air Medal as well as numerous campaign and unit awards. Don returned to Ventura County in 1985. From November 1990 to November 2002 he served 12 years on the Fillmore City Council, 4 as Mayor, as well as many county boards.

The Rev. Bob Hammond gave the Memorial Service, special music was provided by Jeanie Allred. Also assisting in the ceremony was VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bob Thompson. The Boy Scouts put out the flags on Friday, May 27th and they were picked up by the Sespe 4H on Tuesday, May 31st.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District are Scott Lee, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary, Rita Rudkin, Gabriel Asenas and Dick Diaz.