By Ken Wiseman, President Piru Neighborhood Council

There was something for everyone at this past Saturday’s Piru Christmas Parade and Festival. With over 20 entries in the parade, including the Fillmore Marching Band, Fire Dept., United Water Park services, Everde Growers float and many more. Top prizes went to Piru elementary school float that featured Principal Maria Baro as the Grinch, with lots of other enthusiastic students and faculty participating, including District Superintendent Christine Schieferle and other School board participants. 2nd place went to San Salvador youth who looked so amazing all dressed as angles, complete with halos, and 3rd place was a Christmas float entered by Alyssa Topete. Family and friends cheered when this 44th year’s Grand Marshalls, long time residents and much loved, Elma and Raymond Ponce, drove past the crowds. This year’s judges included Piru Neighborhood Council’s Treasurer, Judy Daley-Lovett, Betty-Lou Wiseman, and Boys and Girls Club’s Andrea Madrigal.

The festival then kicked off with the Mariachi Los Rayos band de Fillmore/Piru High School, followed by Urban Soul and our very own Piru River Band. Ruth’s Photography, offered free pictures of families as they posed with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus at a sleigh with a real live reindeer brought to our event by Phil’s Animals. Meghan Sheetz, with Ventura County Library passed out gifts and books, with lots of other activity at the Library van.

Several vendors sold local crafts and treasures, while Busters BBQ N Grill, Tacos ZACAPU, Kona Ice, and local restaurants catered to the crowd. Carnales Motorcycle Club, for their 15th year in a row, brought a truck load of toys and every child had there pick. Ventura Fire Safety was present to promote fire safety, while Rancho Camulos personnel were present to share Piru and area history.

Lots of thanks to all who attended, and special thanks to the several volunteers that made this happen. The amazing volunteer team this year was led by PNC’s Irene and Roy Ruiz and Manny and Juanita Mendoza also special thanks to our lead sponsor American Water, and a call out to the film industry and other businesses and individuals that have generously supported our Piru Neighborhood Council (PNC), that hosts these events.

The PNC is actively recruiting volunteers to help with these events. If you are interested, contact us at piruneighborhoodcouncilinc@yahoo.com

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

During the month of December 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU) detectives began an investigation into Jacob Escobedo related to illegal firearms and narcotics. During the investigation, detectives learned Escobedo is a convicted felon and on parole with a criminal history that prohibits him for owning and or possessing any firearms and ammunition.

On December 14th, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives coordinated with Fillmore Patrol to contact Escobedo in the city of Fillmore. Fillmore Patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop of Escobedo and executed a parole search of his person and vehicle. During the search, deputies located two loaded “Ghost Gun” firearms as well as a small amount of marijuana. Unregistered firearms such as the ones seized are commonly referred to as “Ghost Guns” because they are illegally manufactured firearms that lack serial numbers or markings.

Escobedo was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for a parole hold. Sheriff’s Gang Unit detectives are continuing to investigate multiple firearm violations Escobedo was found to be in violation of and anticipate further felony criminal charges. Escobedo remains in custody with no bail.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities by actively investigating illegal firearm activities. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of unlawful firearm activities in Ventura County, including illegal “ghost guns”. If you have any information about illegal weapons in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Detective Matt Smith at 805-797-2891.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Felon Arrested in Connection with Multiple Firearm Violations
Report Number: 22-165639
Location: 700 block of Ventura Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 12/14/2022 @ 10:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Sheriff’s Fillmore Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Escobedo, Jacob, Santa Paula, 36
Prepared by: Senior Deputy Matt Smith
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

A common sight here in Fillmore is a medium-size gray colored dog playing ball in the grassy area at the small park in the Bridges development. Her name is Scruffy and she’s a 5-year-old terrier-mix rescue. Scruffy can run alongside of the fastest greyhound, play ball and catch a frisbee as good as a champion Border Collie, work as proficient as any Golden or Labrador Retriever, perform guard dog duties as well as any German Shepherd, smart enough to rub elbows with highly trained protection dogs, and can provide affection and comfort to humans as good as a trained therapy dog. The main reason Scruffy is such a special dog is because she’s loved and is treated as a member of the family. To Scruffy, she belongs to a forever pack.

Found abandoned, alone, and wandering the streets in the San Fernando Valley when she was about 10 weeks old, an animal control officer found her and brought her to the shelter. She was a lucky dog, and I was fortunate to find her. She was my Christmas present in December 2017. It is a curious phenomenon that people often dump their animals around the holidays, and it is also around the holidays when people want puppies to give as gifts. It is easier to understand that sometimes it is necessary for a dog to be re-homed or taken to a non-kill shelter to be adopted for reasons beyond an owner’s control, such as loss of the owner, loss of a job, or relocation to a place where the owner cannot have a dog. Unfortunately, some people choose to dispose of a dog by taking it somewhere and turning it loose, or dumping puppies in a trash can. Dogs are dependent on their owner for food, shelter, and protection. Leaving it to wander at the risk of being killed by a car or wildlife, or abandoning it to die from starvation and dehydration from a trash can they are unable to escape, is human behavior that I will never understand.

Bringing a dog into your home is a responsibility. All domesticated dogs are dependent on their owner for food, shelter, safety, exercise, and attention. I’m sure that all dog-lovers agree that if you don’t treat your dog as a family member, you shouldn’t have a dog. The saying, “a dog is man’s best friend” was first used in 1789 when King Frederick of Prussia said, “the only absolute and best friend that a man has in this selfish world, the only one that will not betray or deny him, is his dog.” This is one reason that dogs have been man’s best friend for at least the past 15,000 years. Dogs are descendants from wolves, which man befriended, tamed, and cared for in exchange for them to work as guard dogs. It is said that “this reciprocal relationship remains in your dog’s genes and their loyalty is a by-product of it.”

There are approximately 3,500 animal shelters in the U.S. that are filled with unwanted animals. By rescuing a dog from a shelter, you will be doing your part in saving it from an uncertain fate. In return, the dog will be grateful for getting a second chance, and you will get unconditional love, loyalty, and much more. Many people looking to adopt a dog prefer a puppy, but adopting young and older dogs often has positive benefits, such as they are no longer teething; they are house trained; and they have been socialized with people and other animals.

If you are thinking about giving a dog as a gift to someone for Christmas, consider adopting a rescue because there are so many dogs in need of a permanent home. To me, Scruffy is a “gift that keeps on giving.” Little does she know that I am the lucky one.

Happy Holidays to you and your furry pets!

Lin Thomas (1941-2022)

The FHS Alumni Association is receiving donations for a new Industrial Arts Scholarship in the name of Lin Thomas, FHS ’59. Lin passed away on May 27, 2022. He taught various industrial art classes at Fillmore High until his retirement in 2002. In each of the final three years of teaching he led an auto restoration project that entailed him and his students restoring a Ford Model A Pickup which they subsequently drove in the History Channel’s Great Race. If you would like to make a donation to this scholarship in Mr. Thomas’s name, you can mail your check to FHS Alumni., 559 Sespe Ave., Fillmore, CA. 93015. You can also make a donation via the Alumni’s Website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com, click on “Donate” and follow the prompts. Thank You.

Bobby Styles, circa 1940.

Bobby Styles holding his cornet. This may have been taken in England considering how young he looks and the uniform is not the one we have in photos of the Fillmore City Band.
Enlarge Photo

Bobby Styles' Boosey and Hawkes cornet on display at the Fillmore Historical Museum.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

On April 22nd, 1949, the Fillmore Herald carried on its front page a story titled, “Bobby Styles, School Custodian, to Retire May 1st, after 31st Years of Service.” It wasn’t a slow news week; other front-page stories included plans for the upcoming May Festival and the loss in baseball by the Flashes to the Lancaster Antelope. But this was an important story to the community because Bobby Styles was not just any custodian.

Bobby was born in 1878 in Pewsey, Wiltshire, England. His father, Joseph, was listed in the 1891 English census as a bricklayer. Bobby’s mother, Frances, was a laundress. Bobby, who would have been about 13, was listed as a ploughboy. As a ploughboy, he would be leading the horses which pulled the plow. By the 1901 census, Bobby was in London working as a shop assistant. In 1906 he married Amy Ethel Mills.

Bobby didn’t just work though. He was part of the English Brass Band movement which had begun earlier in the 19th century. His instrument was the cornet. The English Brass band was often sponsored by the major employer in the area – frequently a mine or factory. It was not primarily a marching band, but would play concerts for the local residents.

1912 brought a major change in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Styles. On May 2nd, 1912, they left Liverpool on the White Star Lines (of Titanic fame which had sunk the prior month) on the “Cedric” bound for New York. Their final destination was listed as “Fillmore, Cal.” It isn’t clear why they decided to leave England, but they did have a reason to settle in Fillmore. Ethel Styles’ half-brother through her father, Charles Barth Mills, was living in Fillmore as was his half-brother, (through hismother) R. A. Fremlin, who had immigrated in 1892 and settled in Fillmore.

On May 12th, 1912, they arrived in Fillmore. Bobby would later remark, “Fillmore, at that time was not much to look at! Oh, it was a growing town, all right, but all the stores along the main street were the usual board front affair, and it sure didn’t compare to London.”

Bobby and Ethel quickly became settled in their new home. They first lived on Palm Street but later moved to 437 Foothill Drive. They joined the Presbyterian Church. Bobby became a citizen in January, 1918.

Bobby was an early member of the Fillmore City Band under the direction of A. L. Lamberg. The band played concerts for the residents of Fillmore. His Boosey and Hawkes cornet can be seen on display at the Fillmore Historical Museum.

Bobby was hired in 1916 by the High School as a custodian. He worked under six principals, J. W. Gastrich, J. B. Ely, William Hull, P. H. Benson, J. M. Hawley, and Donovan Main. At the time of his retirement in 1949, Principal Main said, “Over the years nothing has been too little or too big for Bobby to take care of. The doors of his service were always swinging wide.”

Bobby did much more than just work as a custodian, for many years he handled all of the stage scenery for school plays until stagecraft classes were begun and students took over these duties. He also gave lessons on the trumpet, French horn, baritone horn and other wind instruments and helped with the original organization of the Fillmore High School Band.

In 1940, local artist, Lawrence Hinckley, presented Bobby with an oil portrait of Bobby. (If anyone knows if this still exists, let the Museum know).

Also, in 1940, the Fillmore High School Copa de Oro was dedicated to Bobby, saying, “He has been a constant asset since 1916 when he first came, twenty-four years ago. His cheerful and friendly attitude has made him a friend of both teachers and students.”

Bobby did not retire because he wanted to, but was forced by California regulation to retire upon reaching the age of 70. So, upon his retirement after so many years of service, how was he recognized? Naturally he received a plaque recognizing his years of service, but many thought he should receive something more.

Bobby had never been back to England to see his family. One of eleven children, only he and his younger sister, Edith, who had worked as a parlor maid in England, came to the United States. Edith and her husband, Thomas Banks, whom she married in 1919, immigrated in 1922 and settled in Seattle.

The High School Alumni Association announced in May, 1949, that they had established a “Bobby Styles home-going” fund. They had barely a month to raise the $1000 needed. Cards and letters were sent to members of the Alumni Association. A benefit baseball game between the Fillmore Pipers and the Santa Paula All-Stars was held, which Fillmore won in nine innings 2 to 1.

On June 18th, 1949, the Annual Alumni Barbecue was held. It was at this meeting the plaque was presented to Bobby by Albert Haase, the clerk of the school board. It was also announced that the Alumni Association had made all the arrangements needed for the trip back to England, but the fund was still short. By the end of the evening this shortfall was more than made up.

On August 20th, 1949, Bobby left on United Airlines flight 608 leaving “Inglewood” airport at 8 am. Locals accompanied him to the airport and others waiting to board the plane wondered who this VIP was because of all the flashbulbs going off. He would stay overnight at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York and then take a Pan American Airways Clipper on to London. Due to ill health, Bobby’s wife, Ethel, could not accompany him. After a month-long visit, Bobby returned to Fillmore.

In July, 1953, after an illness of several months, Bobby passed away. Ethel survived him by three years.

Fillmore City Council & Successor Agency Meeting, Tuesday, December 13, 2022

TUESDAY NIGHT’S CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS CARRIE BROGGIE, ALBERT MENDEZ AND CHRISTOPER GURROLA. SITTING MEMBER MARK AUSTIN WAS SELECTED MAYOR, AND MEMBER CHRISTINA VILLASENOR WAS SELECTED MAYOR PRO TEM. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

AGENDA- ALL ITEMS APPROVED, 5-0
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. CONSENT CALENDAR - Recommendation for Item 5.A through 5.G is to Approve by voice vote.
5.A CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER - DECEMBER 13, 2022
CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER - DECEMBER 13, 2022.pdf
5.B MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 2022
MINUTES - OCTOBER 11, 2022.pdf
5.C MINUTES - OCTOBER 25, 2022
MINUTES - OCTOBER 25, 2022.pdf
5.D MINUTES - NOVEMBER 11, 2022
MINUTES - NOVEMBER 11, 2022.pdf
5.E APPROVAL OF REVISION TO THE FY 2022-23 TRANSPORTATION
DEVELOPMENT ACT CLAIM FOR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDS AND
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SR REVISED FY 22-23 CLAIM FOR TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT FUNDS.pdf.
5.F CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 22-3909 TO ADOPT UPDATED PUBLIC WORK SUPERVISOR JOB DESCRIPTION AND CONSIDERATION OF
RESOLUTION 22-XXX UPDATING THE RESOLUTION FIXING THE
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
EMPLOYMENT OF NON-REPRESENTED MANAGEMENT/ MIDMANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL, AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE
FILLMORE - STAFF REPORT AMENDING MGMT BENEFITS AND PW-ACS.pdf.
5.G CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED CALPERS PUBLICLY
AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE
FILLMORE - STAFF REPORT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULE.pdf.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
7. PRESENTATIONS
7.A RECOGNITION TO OUTGOING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
7.B NEW ELECTED OFFICIAL’S OATH OF OFFICE AND PRESENTATION OF
CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION: CARRIE BROGGIE, ALBERT MENDEZ AND CHRISTOPHER GURROLA.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8.A ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 22-3913 DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ELECTION
FILLMORE - STAFF REPORT DECLARING 2022 ELECTION RESULTS.pdf.
8.B SELECTION OF 2023 MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEMPORE
FILLMORE - STAFF REPORT SELECTION OF MAYOR AND MPT 2023
8.C POST CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION MEETING RECESS
8.D AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 22-01: NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS REHABILITATION AND ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO RIVERS PARK PROJECT
SR - AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR SPEC NO.22-01.pdf.
8.E CONSIDERATION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LARRY WALKER ASSOCIATES FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR RENEWAL OF THE WASTEWATER DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS PERMIT
SR - AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR WDR RENEWAL SUPPORT WITH ATTACHMENTS
(FINAL).pdf.
8.F APPOINTMENTS TO CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, LIAISONS, AND OUTSIDE AGENCIES
SR - COUNCIL COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS 2022.pdf.
8.G DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION OF PROPOSED 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
SCHEDULE
STAFF RPT CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR 2023.PDF
8.H
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR THE RED ENGINE BREWERY (DP 14-01 MOD#2 AND CUP 21-06); 803 VENTURA STREET (SR 126)
2022-12-13_STAFF REPORT - RED ENGINE BREWERY_LMA.pdf.
9. COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS
10. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND COMMENTS
11. CITY MANAGER - CITY MANAGER VERBAL REPORT
12. ADJOURNMENT - MAYOR DIANE MCCALL ADJOURNS TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, , 2022 CITY HALL, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CA 93015.

Larry Wallace Carpenter

By Carina Monica Montoya

Most longtime Fillmore residents either personally know or know about Larry Wallace Carpenter. Carpenter was a Fillmore police officer in the mid-1960s when Fillmore had its own police department, and later became Ventura County’s Sheriff. Born and raised in Fillmore, Carpenter attended Buckhorn School, formerly Piru School, Sespe School, and graduated from Fillmore High School.

Carpenter’s father came out west to Fillmore from Oklahoma in the 1930s as part of the Dust Bowl exodus, the largest migration in American history, where he met and married Thelma Lawson and had three sons. His father found work picking oranges until he enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II. After his return from the war, he became a horse trainer and trained Palomino show horses. Carpenter’s mother worked in Fillmore’s local MOD packinghouse.

One hot summer day while Carpenter was working on a ranch pruning trees, he saw an air-conditioned police car drive by. It was at that moment he wanted to become a police officer. He began taking police science classes at Ventura College and became a reserve police officer with the Fillmore Police Department in 1965, and in 1967 he was hired as a full-time officer and became a sergeant in 1968. Sheriff Bill Hill hired Carpenter as a Deputy. He continued his education and earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at the University of Laverne.

In 1971, Carpenter was assigned for two years at Lockwood Valley, a one-deputy post in the north half of Ventura County. His wife now of 57 years, Jeannie, was the dispatcher at the Lockwood Valley post, and together they lived and worked at the remote rural location.

In 1973, Carpenter was assigned to Personnel and Training in Ventura, which involved conducting background investigations and internal affairs. He became a sergeant in 1975 and worked narcotics until he made lieutenant in the late 1970s and was assigned to special investigations, where he soon became Commander to the Sheriff’s detective unit.

Under Sheriff John Gillespie, Carpenter was appointed as undersheriff for 9 years. After Gillespie’s retirement in 1991, Carpenter was appointed as Ventura County Sheriff to fulfill Gillespie’s remaining 2-year term. In 1994 he ran for Sheriff and was elected, serving 6 years as Ventura County Sheriff.

Carpenter retired in 1998 to spend time with his 3 grown children and grandchildren, and engage more in hobbies both he and Jeannie love - traveling, fishing, target shooting, big game hunting, and becoming more involved in the town he loves, Fillmore. He’s always been an avid reader, so he is always game for conversation on just about any subject. Although he doesn’t get out as often as he used to, those that know him and visit with him enjoy reminiscing of the “good old days” of big fish barbecues, get-togethers, events, and everything “Fillmore.”