U.S. Army Specialist Eleazar Lopez.
Enlarge Photo

Eleazar Lopez, 20 years old, is a 2007 Fillmore High School Graduate and Fillmore native. When I last wrote about Eleazar Lopez in June 2008 he said with enthusiasm, “I graduated with the greatest class ever!” Eleazar also attended Piru Elementary School and Fillmore Middle School. Eleazar was on the FHS Cross Country and Track and Field teams all 4 years at FHS. He also played the trumpet in the band from the 4th grade to his freshman year at FHS.

Eleazar soon after graduation from FHS enlisted in the United States Army on March 31, 2007 and completed his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Eleazar also told me that he would like to become an Airborne Ranger and have an assignment in Hawaii, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, or Fort Stewart, Georgia. Well he did make it to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has been promoted to Army Specialist, and is now with the 82nd Airborne. Since June of this year, the 82nd Airborne Division has officially assumed command of of Regional Command-East, from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during a ceremony at Bagram Airfield on June 3, 2009. As the result of his assignment with the 82nd Airborne Division, Specialist Eleazar Lopez is now stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division as a light wheeled vehicle mechanic, but hopes to go to Airborne Training when he returns from Afghanistan.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Mission is: Within 18 hours of notification, the 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests. Not an easy mission, but one with men and women serving in that Division the quality of Fillmore's own Eleazar Lopez, I am confident will be accomplished.
Kandahar Province is one of the largest CONTINUED »

The Ventura County Watershed Protection District has stated that a section of the Sespe Creek Levee is deficient, and approximately 1,500 Fillmore homeowners will be required to purchase flood insurance by January 2010.

A public hearing will be held October 22 at the Fillmore Veterans Memorial Building on the required insurance and its cost.

Originally, 3,000 homes were included in a preliminary flood-zone map released by FEMA in May 2008.

According to Fillmore Public Works Director Bert Rapp the lower half of the flood zone, from Old Telegraph Rd. to Hwy 126 will not be certified until the levee is retrofitted. Rapp said the 1,500 homeowners can save considerable money by buying flood insurance before FEMA finalizes its Fillmore flood map, by January 20, 2010.

VCWPD staff has explained that flood insurance would be available until the end of 2009 at a reduced rate of $350 per year. Fillmore residents within the designated floodplain might be required by mortgage-holders to pay $1700 per year if they wait to buy insurance and the levee is not certified. Even if the levee is certified, as expected, the price for flood insurance will rise to $850 per year after 2009.

See flood map attached below.

Pictured above Matt Minkx discussed the Granicus System at council Tuesday night.
Enlarge Photo

City council members, guests and a community audience heard Mayor Patti Walker declare September 21, 2009, as the International Day of Peace in the city of Fillmore.

At the opening of the regular board session, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, Mayor Walker read the proclamation, then presented it to Ms. Sarah Hansen And Ms. Orelia Herrera, Soroptomist Club President.

Ms. Herrera announced that the celebration is scheduled for September 20, with a rummage sale Saturday on the Sespe School lawn. Donations from the community for the event are still welcomed.

Technology
Matt Minkx, a representative of Granicus Systems explained that the company services cities with records management software including Simi, Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. He used a media presentation for the city of Pismo Beach to highlight a few electronic storage capabilities, which provide video streaming services.

Minkx stated that streaming services provide video taped meeting information any where in the world. He went on to say that agenda jackets, staff reports, minutes, votes, or any public issue could be easily searched out by community members. ”We house and store all of your video CONTINUED »

In a two-line email to the Gazette, dated September 9, Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Sweeney has stated: “Evalene Townend has requested a reassignment from personnel responsibilities due to personal reasons. After careful consideration, I have granted her request for reassignment to a Director of Student Support Services and Special Projects.”

In order to take this action, a new title and a new position had to be created. This, at a time when teaching staff is being cut.

The Gazette has been thrust into a very bizarre scenario regarding Ms. Townend, ongoing for several months. Credible allegations of serious misconduct have been made against her, regarding false and inflammatory phone communications concerning a teachers union official, which has sparked legal activity.

The Gazette has learned that many teachers and other District employees, who are aware of the allegations, are outraged that stronger action has not been taken in this case. More information will be forthcoming in the near future. In the meantime, both the Superintendent and the Fillmore School Board have shown a marked reluctance to take meaningful action in this case. Though the Gazette has been interviewed by Mr. Sweeney and a private investigation firm employed by the School District law firm regarding this case, and has interviewed several highly credible witnesses, apparently regulations make it difficult for either the Board or our Superintendent to comment publically. In the event more information is not forthcoming from the District or the Board, the Gazette will release what information it has obtained.

With all of the problems and apprehension we are experiencing during these recent and challenging times, a number of groups have evolved that want to stand up and have their voices heard. If we agree with their message we consider them mainstream; if we disagree we consider them to be dissenters. The founders of this great country faced the same ordeal back in the 1700’s. Our citizens were being subjected to many laws, taxes, regulations and hardships administered by a heavy handed and somewhat unbending monarchy located thousands of miles away.

The result was a significantly large number of people gathering together to make known their feelings. Not all sought the same outcome. Some wanted to remain loyal British subjects while others desired to be governed by their own people in their new land. While it was certain that the bearers of both the philosophies were sincere and dedicated to their personal desires and individual loyalties, they ultimately came together and created the greatest groundswell of dissent of modern times. The results were The Declaration of Independence and the establishment of our nation.

The first statement of the Declaration declares “…a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them…” The ability to dissent has been an absolute CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Conrad Fimbres

Date and Location of Robbery:
August 30, 2009, ARCO Station 3907 E. Telegraph Road, Piru
Date and Location of Arrest: September 1, 2009, 10:53 A.M, Moorpark, California
Report: 09-20643

On August 30, 2009, shortly before midnight, a male adult brandished a handgun and robbed the ARCO gas station located at 3907 E. Telegraph Road, Piru

The suspect ordered an employee to remove money from the cash register and place it into a bag. The employee did as the suspect ordered and then the suspect fled the area on foot.

Deputies responded to the scene and soon developed a lead on the suspect. Detectives contacted local law enforcement agencies and learned that the suspect was possibly driving a stolen U- Haul truck.

On September 1, 2009, at about 10:53 am, Sheriff’s Patrol Sergeant Gregg Willson was patrolling the City of Moorpark, when he observed a U-Haul truck driven by a man matching the description given by the Piru deputies.

Sergeant Willson detained the driver and passenger as possible suspects in the robbery. The truck was confirmed stolen, and the passenger, Hollie Briant, 32 years, was arrested for outstanding felony warrants. The driver, Conrad Fimbres, 42 years, was arrested for the felony armed robbery and felony possession of the stolen vehicle.

Briant and Fimbres are both residents of Piru and were booked at the Ventura County Main Jail.

Fillmore Unified School District schools have shown increases in STAR test results, according to numbers revealed before District Trustees Tuesday night, September 1, 2009.

According to the most recent report the District English Language Arts rose to 40.6 percent passing, compared to the 2008 score of 31.1 percent. Math scores for the District this year are 35.4 percent, an increase from 31.9 percent last year. Most sub-groups showed improvement in English and math as well.

Two schools had exceptional improvement from last year. Katy Hadley, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Curriculum and Assessment told the board that both Sespe and Piru went up in English and math. Sespe increased 10.1 percent in English and 12.8 percent in math. Piru grew 18 percent in English and 10.4 percent in math. “The staffs and principals have worked so hard to support student needs,” she said. “They should be commended.” She continued, “It is a privilege to work with the principals and the staffs.” District Superintendent Jeff Sweeney said he was pleased to hear the results.

Results for other district schools include San Cayetano School with a 3.3 percent jump in English and a 5.6 percent improvement in math. Mountain Vista was CONTINUED »

This coming Saturday, September 5th offers great family fun at the 9th Annual PiruFest, in historic downtown Piru at the Piru Depot and Gazebo Plaza Park. Activities for this Labor Day Weekend festival begin at 3:00 pm and continue until 10 pm. Registration for the horseshoe tournament will start at noon with play set for 2:00 pm. The Depot and park are located on Center Street in the downtown district.

The Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC) and Rancho Temescal are sponsors for this annual event and joined this year by MAD Youth, (Making A Difference). MAD Youth are organizing a variety of games for all ages, including the good old fashioned Dunking Booth featuring local community and regional leaders as “dunkees”. Local arts and crafts vendors continue to sign up to offer unique jewelry and other specialty items, as well as information on upcoming health and community events, such as Relay for Life and Ramona Days at Ranch Camulos. Food vendors have also signed on to feature their treats. Food vendors will offer treats from Piru restaurants and shops as well as specialty items such as tamales, bar-b-q pit sandwiches, soft drinks, corn on the cob, hot dogs and more. Handmade quilts, jewelry, and other gift items will be available from a variety of vendors.

Always a hit with the locals and friends, the popular Horseshoe Tournament returns under the skills of Rusty Ortega. Organizers set up the pits in this downtown park CONTINUED »