Fillmore Unified School District

On Wednesday, June 28, 2017, the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) and Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) reached a Tentative Agreement for the contract negotiations and 2017-2018 unit member work calendar. We express thanks and appreciation to the FUTA bargaining team members for their efforts to reach a Tentative Agreement. A copy of the signed Comprehensive Proposal, Article 1, and Agreement Between FUSD and FUTA regarding the 2017-2018 unit member work calendar have been posted on the District website. FUTA leadership will be working to present the parties’ Tentative Agreement to the bargaining unit for ratification.
Upon successful ratification by FUTA, the FUSD Board of Trustees will be presented with the agreement for consideration of approval.

Individuals Present for June 28, 2017 Negotiation Session
FUTA Bargaining Team:
Kassie Chambers, Rio Vista Elementary Teacher
Kristen Dewey, San Cayetano Elementary Teacher
Tammy Ferguson, San Cayetano Elementary Teacher
Mary Jordan, CTA Regional UniServ Staff
Kelly Hess, Fillmore Middle School Teacher
Brian Ricards, Fillmore High School Teacher
Donna Wojciechowski, Heritage Valley Independent Study Teacher
FUSD Bargaining Team:
Stefan Cvijanovich
Andrea McNeill
Todd Schieferle
Adrian Palazuelos

Tentative Agreement Includes:
• FUSD will sunshine openers for negotiations in October 2017 to be available to negotiate in November 2017;
• Article 1: Agreement. The collective bargaining agreement is closed as of 6/28/17 and the Successor agreement term is 2016-2019;
• Collaboration Pilot for 2017-2018 school year;
• Unit member work calendar with fall break for 2017-2018;
• 2% one-time off-schedule payment for 2016-2017 salaries paid;
• Stipend for FMS Drama;
• Stipend increase for FMS Yearbook;
• .055% pay differential for all Special Education teachers and Speech and Language Pathologists;
• Combine cheerleading coach stipends and change to a yearlong stipend starting 2018-2019;
• Status Quo on the following articles:
• Article 8: Extra Pay
• Article 10: Transfers
• Article 17: Leaves
• Article 34: Seniority
• TOSA MOU

By now, I presume that everybody knows that there was a “Car Show” in town on the 4th.

Subsequently, I photoed it in the hot brutal sun. In hind sight, I should have stayed home and celebrated the 4th with a 5th of Jack Daniels, of course. But I digress...

The sun was extraordinarily bright indeed. Uncomfortably warm temperature. Worse, bright sun makes the paint of a beautifully restored classic car look as faded as an over-boiled lobster. Blah!

What to do? Well, I simply retrieved my trusty circular polarizer (CP) filter. Every photographer should have one in their landscape kit. If I lost mine, I'd have to take up knitting. A polarizer filter is an invaluable tool for certain conditions. Like the car show.

It serves two useful functions. First, it cuts glare and reflections, allowing the vibrant colors to render with greater saturation as opposed to looking 'washed out'. In other situations, for example, those puffy cumulus clouds stand out delightfully against a deep blue sky produced with a CP filter.

It's called a circular polarizer because after mounting on the lens, it can be rotated. Hence, the amount of polarizing by the CP filter is adjustable. This makes it possible to apply just the right amount of effect. Sometimes, at certain times of the day, I notice the polarizer can make the blue sky too dark. Simply rotate the filter to lessen the effect. Very handy.

Important! The circular polarizer is most effective when shooting at a 90° angle from the direction of the sun. If you're shooting in the direction of the sun or 180° from the sun, i.e., in line with the sun, the CP filter will have no effect. When you get back home, you'll have paint the sky with blue sky computer paint (I'm beginning to bottle it so it'll be for sale soon).

One other minor issue. Because the sky is darkened the most when shooting at a 90° angle from the sun, deviating somewhat will most likely end up with an uneven sky. The sky will be darkened the most at the 90° angle from the direction of the sun and less dark at a lesser angle of the sun. Generally, that doesn't bother me, but it might you. Tip: The blue sky unevenness can be adjusted in post processing.

One other thing I also learned when I photoed Mermaids up at Big Sur. A CP will on average reduce the light to your lens by one stop. So in low light conditions, remember to apply exposure compensation to adjust accordingly. I got slapped with a mermaid tail because I underexposed her.

Lastly, all circular polarizer filters are not equal. Don't buy a cheapy. Cheap CP filters will distort your colors not to mention the overall image quality. Buy a quality CP filter and it will last 75 years. To verify this, I'm having my CP filters placed in my burial pine box so I can check the claim. Stay tuned to this space.

My CP filter of choice is the B+W (Schneider) Kasemann HTC filters. They are the best. Most importantly, they make my mermaids look gorgeous.

Speaking of gorgeous, check the vibrant reds, the rich blues, the luscious greens and the deep black in the photos of the cars I shot with a B+W Kasemann CP filter. Very cool under a hot sun. BTW, did you notice how high I jumped to get the Photo of the Week shot?

Happy photoing,

Email me your question, comments and/or suggestions to: bob@fillmoregazette.com

The Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA), was signed into law by the Governor in 2015. Effective January 1, 2016, this law established a regulatory and licensing program for commercial activities relating to medical marijuana throughout the State, including cultivation, transportation, manufacturing, testing and dispensing.

The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA or Prop 64) is a marijuana legalization initiative that received the required number of votes to become state law at the November 8, 2016 election. AUMA authorized the personal cultivation of marijuana and recreational use of marijuana by adults with called for the establishment of recreational marijuana licenses to be issued by the State commencing January 1, 2018. In response to the MCRSA and AUMA laws, the City Council adopted regulations prohibiting all commercial activities relating to both medical and non-medical marijuana.

Complete Details:

Miguel Ramirez Villasenor, 45

On June 22, 2017 at 6:05 AM, Investigators with the Port Hueneme Police Department arrested Miguel Ramirez Villasenor, a 45 year-old Fillmore resident, for suspicion of committing penetration with a foreign object on a person under 16 years old and lewd acts on a child 14 or 15 years old.

On June 18, 2017, the Port Hueneme Police Department received a report that Villasenor had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a 15 year-old female at a residence in the 100 block of East Bay Boulevard in Port Hueneme.

Villasenor was arrested in the 700 block of Third Street in Fillmore after a three day investigation.

Villasenor was booked at the Port Hueneme Police Department on the following charge(s): California Penal Code Section 289(i) – Penetration with a Foreign Object on a Person Under 16 Years Old. California Penal Code Section
288(c)(1) – Lewd Acts on a Child 14 or 15 Years Old, Suspect 10 or More Years Older than the Victim.

Villasenor posted bail in the amount of $50,000 and was released pending a court appearance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Rocque Lopez Sr. at 805-986-6578 or rrlopez@cityofporthueneme.org

Information Courtesy Port Hueneme Police Department Incident Press Release.

California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol is recommending to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office that Jonathan Castro, 26 of Tulare, be charged with manslaughter in the death of Maria Del Carmen Paniagua, 41, of Piru.
On December 19, 2016, at approximately 3:20 P.M., a multi-vehicle traffic collision occurred resulting in a fatality in the unincorporated area of Ventura County. The collision was on SR (State Route) 126, at Center Street, Piru.

Castro was the driver and only occupant of a GMC Savana cargo van traveling eastbound on SR-126 approaching Center Street at an unknown speed. Maria Del Carmen Paniagua, 41 year old, from Piru was stopped in a Ford using the left turn lane on eastbound SR-126 to turn onto northbound Center Street. For reasons still under investigation, the GMC cargo van driven by Mr. Castro drifted into the turn lane and collided with the rear of the Ford. As a result of the collision, the Ford was pushed into the westbound lanes of SR-l26 where it collided with the 2003 Chevrolet being driven by Mr. Jose Samuel Martinez. The Ford driven by Mr. Ramon Palomo and the Chevrolet driven by Mr. Oscar Magana became involved almost simultaneously as the initial collision unfolded.

As a result of the collision between the Ford driven by Ms. Paniagua and the Chevrolet, driven by Mr. Martinez, Ms. Paniagua was ejected from the Ford. Initial indications show that Ms. Paniagua was not wearing a seat belt. In the Ford being driven by Ms. Paniagua was her four years old daughter and her two year old grandson. Both children were seated in the rear seat of the Ford using child restraint systems. Both children in the Ford sustained severe injuries. In the Chevrolet driven by Mr. Martinez were two passengers, one seated in the right front passenger seat and an infant in the left rear seat. No known injuries to the infant are known this time.

This incident resulted in the full closure of all westbound and eastbound lanes of SR-126 for approximately five hours. The Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Ventura County Air Unit, and Caltrans all responded to assist with medical care, emergency air and ground transportation to local hospitals and traffic control.

With the Fourth of July holiday quickly approaching, CAL FIRE is reminding everyone to do their part to prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks. Two out of five fires on the 4th of July are caused by fireworks, more than any other cause of fires. The majority of these incidents are related to either the use of illegal fireworks or state-approved fireworks that are used incorrectly.

"Understanding the dangers associated with the use of illegal fireworks, or misuse of legal fireworks, is critical to keep everyone safe during the holiday,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Any person who starts a fire from fireworks – even accidentally – can be held liable for the costs of fighting the fire and any resulting property damage.”

There are also legal ramifications when it comes to certain types of fireworks. Possession of illegal fireworks such as sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other types that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner can lead to a possible fine of up to $50,000 as well as prison time or jail for up to one year. Even “Safe and Sane” Fireworks taken into a city or county where they are banned is illegal. The State Fire Marshal approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks are allowed for use in many communities; however, they are not approved state-wide. Before purchasing these types of fireworks, be sure to check your local ordinances and follow the instructions to avoid accidents and injuries.

“Please celebrate the holiday safely,” said State Fire Marshal Dennis Mathisen. “If you choose to use fireworks, make sure they are the Safe and Sane, and not the illegal variety. Remember, if it flies in the air or explodes, it is illegal.”

Here are a few tips to help you be safe this 4th of July:
• If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
• Buy only State Fire Marshal-approved (Safe and Sane) fireworks.
• Have a bucket of water and a hose handy in case of a fire.
• Always read directions and have an adult present.
• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Parents are liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.
• Use common sense and keep a safe distance.
• Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks.
• Sparklers can reach temperatures over 1,000°F, don’t give them to children.

CAL FIRE has already responded to more than 2,135 wildland fires this year (January-June 2017). Residents are urged to visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org for tips on how to prepare their homes and family for wildfire.

Here are 5 simple tips for keeping your pets safe:

1. Stay inside: Try to keep your pet indoors at all times during holiday celebrations. Ideally, someone stays home with your pet. If you must go out, be sure to keep your dog leashed.

2. Make them feel safe: Comfort your pets with pets as needed and stay nearby if possible. Make sure they can access their crate or "safe place." If necessary, ask your veterinarian or local pet retailer about natural calming products, anxiety wraps and other products.

3. Avoid the noise. Keep your windows closed and your TV on to help mask the noise outside.

4. Act normal! Your pet takes cues from you and your family. Go about your normal routine as much as possible.

5. Protect your pet before the fireworks begin. There are a number of lost-pet devices and services available today. Among the various pet-finder services available, the Pet Amber Alert ID Tag/Pet GPS combines Amber Alert technology with a QR Code and GPS to help MORE lost dogs, cats and even birds return home safely.

By following these tips, hopefully fewer families will face the heartbreak of losing a pet during the July 4th holiday.