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By Anonymous — Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014
11/03/14 - 11/10/14
 City of Fillmore 11/03/14 |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014
The American Red Cross encourages eligible blood donors to give one last gift this holiday season and discover the true meaning of giving by donating blood. Busy holiday schedules and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can often mean fewer donors giving blood. But for patients with cancer or other illnesses or injuries requiring blood transfusions, the need for blood is constant and doesn’t get a holiday break. The gift of a blood donation only takes about an hour and can give patients a chance to celebrate more holidays to come. To encourage donations and show appreciation, all those who attempt to donate blood Dec. 24 through Jan. 4, 2015, will receive a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Eligible donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with type O negative, A negative or B negative. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Upcoming blood donation opportunities Simi Valley Thousand Oaks Ventura How to donate blood About the American Red Cross |
 The contract between the City and Fillmore Senior Center Incorporated, who is currently providing programs, was not renewed. According to the contract the city will take over operations in July 2015. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
The City of Fillmore with the full support of the City Council will expand offerings and programs for all of Fillmore Senior Citizens. Currently, the city oversees the following programs: Senior Nutrition Program, Brown Bag Program — commodities for low income citizens, Food giveaways, English classes, and Tokens for the Vista Bus for seniors going to and from the senior center for lunch. Additional social programs such as nutrition planning, arts and craft classes, senior swim programs, and field trips to name a few. The move will allow the city to offer senior programs and services to a variety of individuals. The city previously administered and operated the Senior Center between 1994 and 2012. The current contract between the City and Fillmore Senior Center Incorporated, who is currently providing programs, was not renewed. According to the contract the city will take over operations in July 2015. The Fillmore Senior Center is a multipurpose center dedicated to independence, dignity, and quality of life for our senior citizens and the community at large. The Fillmore Senior Center will look to enhance independence, dignity and quality of life through community resource management and coordination, advocacy and a full spectrum of direct quality services. City staff over the next several months will be reaching out to the senior community for ideas on additional programs and services to provide. |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
 Fillmore Fire Department responded Thursday, Nov. 20th, at approximately 7:45pm, to a reported structure fire in the 1000 block of Howard St. Upon arrival, fire personal determined there was a large pile of camping gear and debris on fire in the backyard. Water was being applied by a bystander and fire personnel were able to extinguish the fire. No damage to the structure was reported. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
 Fame is defined as the condition of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements. Such are the members of the Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame. Last week, before the start of the Varsity Football game against Carpinteria, players and teams from years past were recognized as the 2014 Hall of Fame inductees. The following teams and players were officially inducted into the Fillmore Sports Hall of Fame the next night. 2014 Inductees: Teams, 1958- Boys Football, 1960- Boys Track and Field, 2002- Boys Soccer: Players, 1969- John Romero-pictured, 1975- Rick Grimes, 1992- Danny Ocegueda, Charles A. Mozley Award, Gilbert Sosa. The night started with a tour of the new and improved Sports Hall of Fame located in the Science Building. This was followed by the induction ceremony in the gym. A crowd of one hundred was in attendance as a short biography was read for each inductee. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
 The annual Lions Club Enchilada dinner was held last week. This yearly event raises money for Fillmore High School programs. It was well attended with equal numbers of take out and dining in meals being sold. The meals featured enchiladas, rice, beans, salad and dessert served by Lions Club members, Leos and Boy Scouts. There were forty two volunteers working hard that night to help raise money for the students of Fillmore High School. Enlarge Photo |
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By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, November 25th, 2014
On November 20, 2014, at approximately 12:48 PM, a male suspect entered the Bank of the West Branch located at 180 N. Moorpark Road in the city of Thousand Oaks. The suspect demanded money and claimed to be in possession of a gun, although no weapons were seen. The bank teller complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries. The suspect was last seen running south through the parking lot toward Hillcrest Drive. The suspect was described as a black male, in his late 20’s to early 30’s, approximately 5’10” tall with a medium build and weighing approximately 180 pounds. The suspect was wearing a beanie style hat, white shirt with the number “19” on the front, dark pants and red shoes. Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to contact Detective Todd Welty at (805) 494-8224. Nature of Incident: Thousand Oaks Bank Robbery 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). |
 Mayor Manuel Minjares is pictured with Councilman Steve Conaway, who was presented with a Proclamation for his service on Council and to many city organizations. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, November 19th, 2014
Fillmore Has Funding for Needed Upgrades
 City receives Gold Level Conservation Award. Tuesday night’s City Council meeting began with a presentation awarded to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison’s Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement. Mayor Manuel Minjares is pictured center. There were three agenda items discussed at the November 18, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting; Adoption of a City Communication Plan, End of Fiscal Year 2013/14 General Fund carry over, and an agreement for a retail market and consumer analytic study. The meeting began with a presentation given to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison's Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement. Next, was a Certificate of Award to the Fillmore Women's Service Club and the Fillmore Ebell Club. The Ebell Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary, Ebell Club its 50th Anniversary. Accepting the Award were Jeanne Klittich, Susan Banks and Mimi Burns. Klittich joked that the Ebell Club's main goal is to raise money and give it to Fillmore; which includes the Police and Fire Department, Senior Center and park benches to name just a few. The last Proclamation was given to Council Member Steve Conaway. Conaway was first elected to the City Council in 2004 and served eight years, including two years from 2007 through 2008 as Mayor. He was appointed to the Council in May 2013 to complete an unexpired term after another Council Member stepped down. Conaway served on many committees including the Finance, Water Recycling Plant, and Primary Council Liaison to North Fillmore Neighborhood Committee. He also served as Senior Center Board Liaison, Parks Commission Liaison, Veterans Memorial District, Animal Control Commission, Ground Water Committee, the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board, Library Service Commission and President of the Fillmore Raiders for many years along with supporting many youth activities. Conaway spoke from the heart as he addressed those in attendance stating, "It's been an honor, I find it rewarding, but it would not have been possible without the support of my wife Camilla and family. These last two years have been rewarding. Thank you." The Council then addressed the first agenda item; the adoption of a City Communication Plan. The Plan was proposed earlier this year to improve communication and distribution of information between the City and its residents. The Plan was unanimously approved by all Council Members. The next agenda item came with some very good news; the General Fund has a net positive of $2,430,000 with revenue exceeding expenditures by that amount! After adjusting for a negative carryover of a $218,000 shortfall from the fiscal year 2012/13 is deducted, Fillmore is left with an estimated $2,210,000 in the General Fund. The goal of the City Council is to maintain 40% of the General Fund Expense Budget in a reserve account. With some of this added surplus and if the economy and those factors that generate revenue for Fillmore continue to keep the City in the black, the goal of 40% will be reached in a few years. The present revenue surplus is allowing for some items that were not included in the latest Budget. Those items include funding the Towne Theatre ($20,000), Recreation ($80,000) and the Community Pool ($200,000). Also included, and with a great deal of discussion by the Council, was capital investments and one-time-only-funding projects. Projects to be funded include; information technology equipment replacement ($95,000), new website ($45,000), retail/economic study ($43,000), vacation/compensation time buy back ($120,000) and rescue squad (4230,000). The City must upgrade its outdated phone system and network backup system to be compatible with the most resent technology systems, provide a firewall to protect residents information and add Wifi to City Hall. The City's website also needs updating. The vacation/compensation time buy-back is a significant liability for the City if paid back at the time an employee either resigns or retires due to their increase in pay at that time. Employees will be encouraged to sell back their time at their current pay saving the City a larger liability later on. The final item is an analytic study to develop a Retail Economic Plan for Fillmore. The company chosen is Retail Coach. They will analyze the area and evaluate retail markets in surrounding communities. The information will provide City planners which businesses will be most beneficial to Fillmore. Council Member Diane McCall responded to the funding by saying, "We have to update as a regular business would do...the website is embarrassing" and suggested, for the safety of the community, the house address numbers be painted on the curbs. Conaway remarked that the baseball field needs to be completed and that it would give Fillmore Little League a place to play besides Shields Park. Mayor Manuel Minjares stated he wanted a better discussion on exactly what the City was getting for the cost of the rescue squad vehicle. Council Member Rick Neal was also concerned and cautious on spending that large of an amount without greater consideration of the choice and if that great of an upgrade was needed. He also suggested a vehicle replacement fund. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council the many of the items the Fire Department has purchased have often been paid for through grant monies. The rescue squad is a truck used by Fillmore Fire Department. The present rescue squad is 15 years old and was purchased used in 2000 for one dollar. It has a small gas tank of 12 gallons and has had numerous problems. Regarding continuing projects, Planning Department Kevin McSweeney reported that the consultant is revising the plans for based upon Caltrans comments and the light signal on Highway 126 and Mountain View is still scheduled to be in by August 2015. The revisions include handicap curbs, drainage and a light signal synchronized with the nearest light signals. In other news, Conaway reported the pump track is about 80% completed and very close to operational. It was built using only donated equipment and labor. Police Chief David Wareham reminded everyone that the Fillmore Community Health Fair 2014 presented by Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation, Ventura County Health Care Agency, Food Share and Fillmore Police Department will be held this Saturday November 22nd from 9-11:30 a.m. at the North Fillmore Police Storefront, 642 Lemon Way. Admission is free and groceries will be given to the first 100 families who participate in the health fair activities. There will also be blood pressure testing, flu shots, mammography screening information for women over 40 and high school internships and student scholarships information. |