Alex Ortiz has been in the real Estate business over 9 years after being associated with Large Franchises decided to be independent and join American Dream Realty in 2014. Servicing the Ventura County area since 2004, I want to make my hometown your hometown. My clientele personally believe in my Integrity, Reliability, Professionalism and the expertise that I provide. I am a fulltime Bilingual agent and pride myself in helping all my families find the home of their dreams that fits their needs. I believe in maintaining that small town feeling with my attention to detail. I believe in investing in my community and am a proud sponsor of Fillmore Athletic Boosters, Fillmore Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clara Valley Neighborhood for Learning and a proud resident of Fillmore.

A Proclamation went to Joemil Reguindin, District Liaison, California State Board of Equalization, for their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) which offers free income tax preparation in Ventura County for those with incomes less than $53,000. Pictured right, Mayor Douglas Tucker.

Tuesday's Fillmore City Council meeting contained three new business items and three proclamations on its agenda. The restructuring of the Fillmore Senior Center was the first agenda item, with a new web site developer and appointments to commissions the second and third items.

During Public Comments Donna Volker, past President of the Fillmore Senior Center (FSC) Board, Charlie Alvarez, a present Board Member, and Bob Stroh addressed the Council. All spoke of their displeasure over the loss of the Multipurpose/Senior Center Building lease. There were a number of accusations directed at specific Council Members and statements that letters from FSC Board Members to the City Manager David Rowlands had been ignored. Volker asked if any of the Council had visited the Senior Center during regular hours, then answered herself stating "No" adding they had only came during their Open House. She then accused Council Member Diane McCall of turning her back on her when Volker tried to speak with her. She also stated that Rowlands purposefully refusing to speak with her. Members of the Council expressed surprise at the accusations. Immediately after speaking the three walked out of the Council Chamber.

The Senior Center was the first agenda item. It addressed creating an Active Adult Commission (AAC) for the Center. This is the first step in establishing an oversight to the Center. The AAC's responsibility will be to advise the Council on the establishment and provision of services to seniors in the community. They will make recommendations on the best way to operate the FSC including programs, activities and policies with a goal of promoting and assisting seniors to maintain maximum health, well-being and independence.

A big concern of the Councils’ was adding layers of red tape to getting things done. Council Member Manuel Minjares told the other members he wanted quick decisions and questioned who should make the final decisions regarding the FSC. McCall agreed with Minjares adding she wanted the people to have a voice.

Mayor Douglas Tucker CONTINUED »

Pictured are the Cops Running for Charity team from a past run. Left sitting/standing are Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Tim Hagel, and Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Randy Pentis, Retired, each served as Fillmore’s Chief of Police. Stock photo.
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After years of running all over the world and burning through countless pairs of shoes, Cops Running For Charity has reached a major milestone. They will be running a marathon in Antarctica. This will mark the realization of a long-standing goal to compete in marathons on all seven continents.

Logistically, running in Antarctica requires much more planning than their previous trips abroad. Just getting there will be an adventure in itself. The group will travel from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires, and then on to Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego. From there, the men will board a Russian icebreaker that will take them across the Southern Ocean via the Drake Passage on a four-day journey to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Despite it being summertime in the southern hemisphere, the race will take place in sub-freezing temperatures on ice-covered roads linking scientific research stations along the peninsula. Race organizers will have their hands full ensuring runners are adequately equipped for the difficult conditions during the race.

For years, CRFC has been making its mark in major running events throughout the world, including a multi-day run in the Sahara Desert, a marathon on China’s Great Wall, as well as events in Iceland, Siberia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Easter Island, Patagonia, Ireland, and numerous major marathons in the United States.

All of their events fulfill multiple goals for the group. They raise thousands of dollars for local medical charities, they promote physical fitness, and they enjoy the camaraderie of sharing their travels and adventures throughout the world.

The Antarctica team will consist of Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Tim Hagel, Ojai Chief of Police Captain Dave Kenney, Sergeant Frank Underlin Ret., Captain Paul Higgason Ret., and Thousand Oaks Chief of Police Commander Randy Pentis Ret.

The team has raised more than $300,000 for organizations such as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, ALS, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Ventura County, Camarillo Hospice, and Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The idea of starting CRFC started on the back of a cocktail napkin more than ten years ago. The team’s motivation can be summed up by a quote from Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

For more information about the team and how you can help support their charities, visit www.copsrunningforcharity.com or contact Commander Tim Hagel at (805)947-8189 or retired Commander Randy Pentis at (818)661-8540.

Nature of Incident: Cops Running For Charity To Run On Seventh Continent
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Date & Time: Mar. 9, 2015 @ 9:00 am
Unit(s) Responsible: Cops Running For Charity
Prepared by: Sgt. Eric Buschow
News Release Date: Feb. 12, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Eric Buschow (805)947-8129
eric.buschow@ventura.org
Approved by: Cmdr. Tim Hagel

City of Fillmore

01/21/15
Search Warrant
200 Blk. 4th St.
700 Blk. 4th St.
400 Blk. River St.
Battery
700 Blk. Ventura St.
Robbery
500 Blk. Main St.
Narcotics Violation
500 Blk. Via Rodea
Prowler
800 Blk. Hume Dr.
01/22/15
Theft Vehicle
300 Blk. Dove Ct.
1000 Blk. Oliver St.
Search Warrant
1000 Blk. Howard St.
200 Blk. Waterford Ln.
200 Blk. 4th St.
500 Blk. Saratoga St.
Brandishing
E St. / Ventura St.
Disturbance Noise
900 Blk. Foothill Dr.
Theft CONTINUED »

There has been a longstanding rift between the City and the Senior Center over a facility rental contract. And despite months of discussions, with both sides stating their case, the problems between the Fillmore Senior Center Inc. (FSCI) and the City of Fillmore has only grown wider. The latest problem is a threatened lawsuit led by FSCI President Patti Walker, if the Center’s rental contract with the City is not renewed.

And with almost $130,000 already paid out in settled claims by two now former employees for “harassment suffered by Board members at the center” the City has taken action to correct the inappropriate environment.

Rental Contract:
The rental contract involves the Multipurpose Building/Senior Center which belongs to the City as a result of the dismantling of all former Redevelopment Agencies assets as required by the State. To oversee the asset disposal process the County of Ventura created an Oversight Board. Members of that Board are Walker, Dr. Mike Bush, Shannon Godfrey, David Keebler, Janice Turner, Vice Chair Jeff Burgh and Chair Rick Neal.
Back on November 18, 2014, during a City Council Meeting's closed session, the FSCI rental agreement was discussed. Those discussions resulted in a letter dated November 20, 2014 informing FSCI "....(T)he City's financial situation has improved such that the City is now able to provide new services to residents. Some of these new services include the expansion of park and recreation classes including classes for seniors. For this reason, and because some of the City-sponsored activities and classes being held at other venues have outgrown their current location, the city desires to retake full time possession of its multipurpose building......the City hereby gives FSCI notice of termination of the two agreements effective July 1, 2015."

Walker Letter:
On November 26, 2014 CONTINUED »

A traffic signal pole was knocked down by a Ford F210 Pickup truck as the result of an collision with a Chrysler PT Cruiser.
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On Friday, February 13, 2015, at approximately 5:38pm, Fillmore Deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at the intersection of Ventura Street (SR126) and “C” Street. The accident included two vehicles, a Ford F250 pickup and a Chrysler PT Cruiser. The driver of the Ford Pickup, Robert Gamble, was traveling westbound on Ventura Street and the Driver of the PT Cruiser, Harrison Terry, was traveling eastbound preparing to make a left turn (North) onto “C” Street. As the two vehicles entered the intersection they collided head on. The Ford Truck continued Westbound colliding with the traffic control light pole on the corner, taking the pole down. Due to the significant injuries, Traffic Investigator Sr. Deputy John Popp was called to the scene. Terry and his two passengers were transported to VCMC for injuries ranging from minor to major injuries. Gamble was uninjured. Parties Involved: Gamble, Robert Santa Maria Unk. Party Involved: Terry, Harrison Santa Paula 75. Victim: Unknown
Name. Santa Paula 81. Victim: Unknown Name. Santa Paula 58. Prepared by: Dave Sparks / Sergeant

Assistant FUSD Superintendent Martha Hernandez presented the Board a Local Education Agency (LEA) Plan Revision. Each LEA is required to develop a plan on how Title I (U.S. Dept. of Education) monies are to be spent.
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Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos announced during the February 17, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) meeting that the American Dream Foundation (ADF) has awarded the District $7,500. ADF is a non-profit out of Ogden, Utah whose mission statement reads, “To assist in the personal and economic improvement and development of disadvantaged individuals.” Norma Sandford-Perez was instrumental in obtaining the gift and will be overseeing its distribution.

Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez presented the Board a Local Education Agency (LEA) Plan Revision. Each LEA is required to develop a plan on how Title I (U.S. Dept. of Education) monies are to be spent. Under Title I "(S)chools must focus Title I services on children who are failing, or most at risk of failing, to meet State academic standards. Schools enrolling at least 40% of children from low-income families are eligible to use the funds for school wide programs designed to upgrade their entire educational programs to improve achievement for all students, particularly the lowest-achieving students."

FUSD qualifies for the low-income and lowest-achieving requirements for Title I. The District has been in Program Improvement for three years. The goal of Title I funds is to upgrade the instructional programs, which have to be identified in the plan. Hernandez presented the Board with the plan, along with 40 others who are part of the District Leadership Team.

Next, Palazuelos gave an update on the repair/replacement of the fire alarm system at Fillmore Middle School (FMS). The fire alarm system has not been in working order at FMS for at least a month, but there has been and will remain a fire watch until fixed. Sammy Nigrete is watching the school during the day, the custodians have evening watch and a staff member has the nights. The company doing the work, Simplex, arrived on campus February 16th with all the components and the infrastructure repair will be complete by next week.

Water contacting the low voltage wiring was cited as the cause of failure. Palazuelos told the Board, "We're still determining the root cause." Insurance covers all costs including the fire watch hours, minus the deductible.

The District has hired a new Technology Technician, bringing the number to four. Three will maintain the District Office and one will support the Fillmore High School campus.

Board Member Sean Morris addressed the proposal on the new housing in Piru. Construction had not yet begun. Morris mentioned that Ventura County has possibly given builders a pass on paying Development Impact Fees (DIFs) to encourage low income housing construction, which may cause funds shortage for education. DIFs are what cities use to build schools for children who will reside in the new homes. The Board agreed to investigate if the County plans to wave the fees, preparing a plan to have them reconsider.

Finally, students from Fillmore High School will receive workshop training on how to teach elementary students basics about biology and educate them about the River Restoration Project this Saturday, February 21st. Also, the Drama Club will be selling t-shirts to raise money for their upcoming play "Halls of Horror", opening March 13th.

On Thursday, January 29th, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) honored its partners for strides in energy savings at the 2nd Annual VCREA Leadership Reception. The event brought together partners and stakeholders to meet, acknowledge the program’s 2014 community impact, and assess goals for the upcoming year. Three new awards were introduced and presented at the event.

Douglas Tucker, the Mayor of Fillmore, accepted The Emerging Energy Leader Award on behalf of the City of Fillmore. The Emerging Energy Leader Award recognizes leadership of significant energy savings in a VCREA partner’s own facilities, programs and community outreach. Since 2006, the City of Fillmore has achieved more than 10 percent energy savings through the implementation of energy efficiency programs. In 2014 alone, the City also completed an Energy Action Plan to help identify objectives and strategies to help the city realize its long-term energy efficiency goals and achieved “Gold Tier” denomination in Southern California Edison’s Energy Leader Partnership Program, moving from “Valued Partner” and skipping over “Silver Tier” status.

“It is encouraging to see the efforts of all our partners making such a noticeable impact on energy usage throughout the County,” said Sue Hughes, Deputy Executive Officer, VCREA. “Together we are carrying out the mission of being energy stewards for our communities. We look forward to continued collaboration and success in the years to come.”

Ventura County was honored with the Energy Saving Impact Award for having the largest total number of Kilowatt hour savings from projects completed in 2014, with over 1.5 million kWH, and the City of Thousand Oaks was honored with Green Community Leadership Award for the city’s extraordinary community outreach and efforts engaging with the residential and business community.

VCREA is a Joint Powers Agency composed of different public agencies working to develop and implement energy initiatives that support sensible growth, a healthy environment, and the economy. Last year, 13 organizations were involved with the agency, including Members: the cities of Fillmore, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura; the County of Ventura; Ventura County Community College District; Ventura Regional Sanitation District and Ventura Unified School District; plus other participating cities: the cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, and Port Hueneme. Utility partners are Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison. VCREA strives to increase energy efficiency awareness and advance the use of clean, efficient and renewable local resources.

Since 2006, VCREA has attained over $3 million dollars in incentives and 22.5 million Kilowatt hours in savings for its partners.

About VCREA
VCREA is a Joint Powers Agency composed of public agencies working in collaboration to address good energy stewardship through integrated demand side management practices in the Ventura County region. More information about VCREA can be found at www.vcenergy.org.

City of Fillmore

01/14/15
Search Warrant
800 Blk Burlington St.
400 Blk 4th St.
Keep the Peace
1000 Blk Village Sq.
200 Blk Foothill Dr.
Theft Other
700 Blk Ventura St.
Burglary Vehicle
900 Blk A St.
Disturbance Subject
1100 Blk Sespe Ave.
01/15/15
Battery
500 Blk Main St.
Suspicious Vehicle
E St. / Ventura St.
Keep the Peace
900 Blk Arrasmith Ln.
01/16/15
Search Warrant
200 Blk Santa Clara St.
300 Los Serenos Dr.
Keep the Peace
200 Blk Edgewood Way
Narcotics Violation
4th St / A St.
01/17/15 CONTINUED »