Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In the month of June, 2013, the City of Fillmore has experienced three incidents where a male subject has inappropriately made contact with children in public areas. It is not known at this time if each incident is related as each had different descriptions of the suspect. On two of the incidents, a male was driving a vehicle and offered rides to the lone children. The third incident two youths were approached by a male pedestrian and offered to be taken to look at beautiful birds.

The incidents are currently under investigation. The Fillmore Police Department wishes to remind parents to diligently supervise their children and educate them regarding the danger an unknown person can pose. Anyone with any information related to these or similar incidents are encouraged to report it to the Fillmore Police Department.

Nature of Incident: Child Annoying Incidents
Report Number: 13-12457,13-13594,13-14001
Location: The City of Fillmore
Date & Time: June 6, 2013, to June 25, 2013
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Four Juveniles Fillmore 6-14
Prepared by: Detective John Fox
Media Release Date: June 26, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Detective John Fox (805) 524-2233
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

STRSA AGREEMENT
Fillmore was the big winner this week and that could not be stated more accurately. Many have waited years for this decision. The findings by the Court of Appeal of California states Fillmore will receive the 15% tax share that was originally agreed upon in the 2003 Sales Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement (STRSA) with MTS and Inspired Development and will continue to receive it until 2023 when the agreement expires, if the businesses are still located in Fillmore. This is expected to earn the town an additional $1 million per year or more in tax rebates.
Fillmore entered into the STRSA to encourage retailers to establish sales offices in town and agreed to share with them the sales tax rebate received from the State. It was unanimously voted in at that time by the City Council which included Mayor Evaristo Barajas, Mayor Pro-tem Ernie Villegas, Cecilia Cuevas, Ken Smedley and Patti Walker.

California applies sales tax where the sale occurs, rather than where a product is delivered or stored. The State then rebates 1% of all sales taxes collected within municipalities and gives those cities a free hand in how those revenues are used. That allows cities to rebate a portion to retailers and other companies as a way to lure them to open facilities in their towns.

The City of Industry, the City of Livermore, the City of Lathrop and the County of San Joaquin sued the City of Fillmore, Inspired Development, MTS Consulting and Owens & Minor alleging the establishment of sham sales / purchasing offices in Fillmore with the intention of diverting sales tax revenues from their cities and county where the products were warehoused.

While the courts CONTINUED »

Laura Todis, Ventura County Office of Education’s Teacher of the Year. Photo by Bob Sube.
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On May 24, 2013 Sierra High School Teacher Laura Todis was the recipient of Ventura County Office of Education’s Teacher of the Year Award. She was surprised by the visit from VCOE Superintendent Stan Mantooth and Coordinator John Tarkany. Mr. Stan Mantooth presented Ms. Todis with a bouquet of flowers, a beautiful plaque and $1,000 and recognized her recent achievements. Mr. Mantooth said, “Ms. Todis has accomplished the Educational Trifecta with today’s County Teacher of the Year Award. She recently was the recipient of Amgen’s Science Teacher of Excellence Award, as well as being selected as Fillmore Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year 2013. What an amazing feat!” Students and staff from Sierra High School cheered on Ms. Todis as she received this award.

Ms. Todis graciously accepted the award on behalf of her students and told them that this award was for them. “This award is for you, too. We work hard and put 100% into everything we do. It is nice to be recognized for things we do every day. I hope I have inspired you to love Science.” said Todis.

Dr. Alan Nishino, Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent also congratulated Ms. Todis and said, “She truly represents good teaching in Fillmore. We have great students and teachers in Fillmore and it is wonderful to see her receive this recognition today.” Sierra High School Principal, Cynthia Frutos said, “Ms. Todis is an outstanding teacher that engages students to every lesson and students become immersed in the content. For continuation students who have become disengaged with school, she re-ignites the desire to learn. She sets high standards and expectations for all students, and as a result, all rise to the occasion. Students strive to their full potential because they know she does not allow failure---it is simply not an option in her classes. She truly believes in them and they know it.”

ASB President Thania Sahagun cheered loudly and said about Ms. Todis, “She really believes in us and she makes learning Science fun. She is also a good ASB Advisor.” Erik Palma, Sierra Senior added, “I never liked school before but since I came to Sierra, I love it. I especially love the Science fieldtrips to Santa Cruz Island and the Condor Sanctuary.”

What a great time we all had at the 100th Alumni dinner on Saturday, June 15th. The afternoon started out with a nice social hour on the Patio, and inside the Memorial Building where everyone was able to visit with old friends, and reminisce of the good old days at Fillmore High. The inside of the building was decked out with Pictures from our High School days that folks have not seen in years. Every single class starting back to 1911 had their pictures hung up along the walls, and Alumni members were picking out parents, grandparents, and Great Grandparents that were Alumni. As the dinner hour approached Alumni members were guided by Alumni Volunteers to the dining area out on the Memorial Buidling lawn, and seated. DJ’s California Catering provided a delicious dinner, and once again, it seemed like the Peach and Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream was the big hit. After a short program, where the Chancellor from U.C. Merced spoke, (A Fillmore H.S. Grad ’66) it was time for the Alma Mater and then many folks stayed to visit for the rest of the evening. Some just relaxed under the Bistro lighting out on the Patio area, and other’s danced the night away to the fun music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The Alumni Association wishes to thank the following. DJ’s California Catering, Amigo Party Rental, Otto and Son’s, Don Vela outside DJ, Eddie Leighton Inside DJ, Tina Hurtado ’94 Floral Design, Quality Ag, and the numerous Volunteers who helped contribute to the success of the 100th. See you all next year!

Over the past tow months there have been numerous reports of identity theft in Fillmore. The suspects are using personal information of the victims to establish credit and open bank accounts. The investigation is ongoing.
Several residents discovered that they were a victim of identity theft by going through their mail and finding letters form credit card companies regarding their application of credit, getting calls from financial institutions and/or receiving packages of merchandise to their residence that they didn’t order.

The Fillmore Police Department would like to remind its residents to protect their personal identity information. If you have had the misfortune to have already been a victim of identity theft, and you have not reported it, please contact the Police Department to make a report, and contact each of the credit reporting companies as follows, Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.

For more information, please contact the Fillmore Police Department at 524-2233.