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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Congratulations to Nico Frias and Sammy Martinez for completing the 2012 L.A. Marathon. They were two of 18817 finishers, they placed 434th overall with an excellent time of 3:17 (3 hours 17 minutes). Nico is a sophomore at Fillmore High School and this was his third L.A. Marathon. He participates in Cross Country and Track during the school year. Sammy is a junior at Fillmore High School and this is also his third L.A. Marathon. Sammy is on the Cross Country, Track and Swim teams. He is also Speaker of the House for FHS Associated Student Body. Both boys have many extracurricular activities, and have found time to still participate in the training involved to prepare for the L.A. Marathon with Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA). With all these activities they still manage to be good students in the classroom as well. They were trained by Joel Frias, Nico's father, this was his 12th year coaching for SRLA and has mentored many student runners throughout those 12 years; over 200. He prepares them from August to March and they attend sanctioned practice runs, each one increasing in distance over the months. They also hold regular practices as an individual team. Congratulations to both boys, hard work and determination always leads to a strong finish! |
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By Joe Woods — Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Fillmore, it is that time of year again to come out and support the local arts. Fillmore High School Drama is again teaming up with The Sespe Players in a production of a drama called "Guides". The play will be at the Fillmore District Auditorium on Sespe Ave in Fillmore. The time and dates are Frida,y March 23rd, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24th, at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday March 25th, at 2:00 p.m. Then again next week on Friday, March 30th, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday March 31st at 7:30 p.m., and the last show will be Sunday, April 1st, at 2:00 p.m. Students and senior citizens $5.00... adults $8.00...and $15.00 you can come to as many shows as you like for the one ticket price. All cast members have tickets to sell or call Janet Foy at 524-2757. The Saturday show on March 24th, at 2:00 p.m. will be a fundraiser for Grad Night Live. All ticket sales for that show will go to Grad Night Live, so that the Seniors of Fillmore High School can again have a safe and fun way to celebrate graduation. This is a good way to help out a good cause, and have some fun doing it. The cast of... CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
 At Tuesday night’s school board meeting Joey Orozco (left) received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from a representative of Congressman Elton Gallegly for his achievements at R.M. Pyles Boys Camp. Enlarge Photo The March 20, 2012 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with a threat of reprisal from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and ended with an announcement of changes to Piru’s 6th grade class. Also discussed was Transitional Kindergarten, Classroom Climate Task Force, a presentation by UCSB Early Academic Outreach Program and awards for Student and Teacher of the Year. Tron Burdick, Labor Relations Representative with the CSEA addressed the Board regarding a contract disagreement. FUSD would not agree with certain retirement benefits asked for during contract negotiations and as a result CSEA is ready to fight for them, with Burdick adding, “The cost to negotiate will far exceed the cost of the benefits we wanted.” Burdick brought up another item CSEA was upset about; the use of volunteers to help in school offices. He told the Board that using volunteers was allegedly against their contract and that CSEA will be fighting to stop it. Burdick also alleges the District is not as financially strapped as they claim. Upon ending his scathing address Burdick was applauded by most of the faculty in attendance; many of whom may be in a fighting mood due to the 25 layoff notices sent out last week. Dr. Alan Nishino, FUSD Superintendent, answered the allegations made by Burdick regarding the budget stating, “We must budget for three years, which includes this year, next year and the following year” and added, “We must have a rainy day fund…we have to budget without being sure we’ll even get the money.” He went on to say FUSD budgets conservatively whereas some other school districts budget using the best case scenario. An item approved that may please parents with four and five year old children just starting school was Transitional Kindergarten (TK) which the Board voted to continue offering. Last Tuesday there was a 3-1 vote in Sacramento by the education finance subcommittee rejecting Governor Brown’s proposed State Budget calling for the elimination of the program in an effort to save $224 million. TK is a state law that was passed in 2010 and is part of a larger bill known as Kindergarten Readiness Act which advances the date children start kindergarten. By 2014 children must be five years of age by September 1 for kindergarten eligibility. The 2012-2013 school year requires kindergarten students to be five years of age by November 1, 2012. For the 2013-2014 school year, students must be five by October 1, 2013. In California and nationwide,... CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
 Quick work by Fillmore firefighters responding to a house blaze on the 100 block of Cook Drive at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday saved the day. The fire, caused by an overloaded electrical outlet in a second story bedroom, was quickly extinguished with little smoke and water damage. The fire was reported by a neighbor as no one was home at the time. Ventura County Fire assisted. Engines 91, 191, and County 126 responded. Enlarge Photo |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
Fillmore Rotary Sun Risers are pleased to announce that the necessary funds for the much awaited access gate to the High School track have been raised thanks to many members of our community. Grateful thanks go to the following individuals. Service Clubs and corporate members of our community who made this possible: Joan Anne Archer, Cindy Blatt, Tim Hagel, Mary Joanne Arnold, Marge LeBard, Shirley Spitler Don and Ruth Gunderson, Steve Conaway, John Scoles, Eduardo Gonzales, Fillmore Soroptimist Club, Fillmore Lions Club, Fillmore Rotary Sun Risers, Cops Running for Charity, Fillmore Riverview, LLC, and Ladera Fruit Co.. The combined contributions of this group match the latest invoice price of the gate, $7810. These funds will be presented to the City Council in the very near future. Story Courtesy Don Gunderson, Treasurer, Fillmore Rotary Sun Risers |
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By Bob Crum — Monday, March 19th, 2012
Story & Photos by Bob Crum
It might as well have been 1888. In those days, guns were the law in wild Fillmore. People out of work due to the lack of gold in Sespe Creek or cattle to rustle... held up the Fillmore & Western railroad and robbed passengers. That is... until Judge “Hang 'EM High Hagel and Judge “Bloodbath” McGrath moseyed into town. As the snarly bandits attempted to flee with their bounty... they were met by lawmen... guns drawn and firing a barrage of lead bullets at the fleeing robbers. Colt against Smith & Wesson. Shiny badges against sweat-stained Stetsons. Justice was swift. When the thick cloud of gun smoke cleared... not a thief or his accomplice was left standing. As the posse's deputies collected the stolen loot... the town's undertaker collected the bodies. Coffin and burial costs cheerfully paid by passing a collection hat among the hoodlum's victims. Back aboard the train now rambling down the tracks through the bucolic Santa Clara Valley (yes, even at night it's bucolic) passengers relaxed and enjoyed a scrumptious round of chow... BBQ chicken, roast beef, baked beans, garden salad and a grand array of fabulous desserts. For the long of thirst... beverages galore. You should have been there! Tranquility soon turned to chaos, bedlam... even pandemonium! Besides the departed train robbers... there were scoundrels and scofflaws of all varieties on board the Santa Paula Express. Scofflaws indeed. People were being arrested hither and yon on charges of urinating in public, bigamy, public buffoonery (gasp!), grave robbing, bribery, wife stealing, horse stealing and cattle rustling. It was wild. But of course... to get out of jail... one could always... ahem... bribe a judge. Or even quicker... bribe a lawman. Everyone wearing a badge was on the take. Seems that such shenanigans was commonplace on this Fillmore & Western train rambling down the rustless rails. When dastardly folks weren't being tossed in jail... the judges were besieged with “shotgun” weddings. Lots of fellers were hornswaggled, handcuffed and hitched which they concluded was a lot better than a load of buckshot in the buttocks. For only $20 a lady could apply for a marriage license and have a ball-and-chain attached to a hapless dude. While Judge “Bloodbath” McGrath was busy performing matrimonial services... the other judge... “Hang “Em High” Hagel was busy performing “quickie” divorces... which some dudes declared was akin to a “get out of jail” card. For the paltry sum of $30 you could be officially declared “single and available”. But for only as long as you could outrun Bloodbath McGrath's shotgun-toting matrimonial enforcers who were fleet of foot and worked for whiskey. If you can't trust a law-biding judge... then who? Beware the black robe with thirsty pockets. Both judge McGrath and Hagel ended up behind bars on charges of “bribery”. Gasp! Furthermore, I was accused and arrested for... ahem... cattle rustling. Rumor has it that for a bottle of bootleg hooch a sleazy Bardsdale rancher falsely accused me! Nevertheless, I become a cell mate with the unscrupulous judge “Bloodbath” McGrath... along with bandit Carlos Juarez and another bad-arse fella. Under such dire circumstances one quickly embraces conspiracy theories. I was framed... I tell ya. This mayhem parlayed into an evening of incredible fun punctuated with huge amounts of laughter. But all for a good reason. Proceeds from ticket sales, bribes, bail, fines, marriage licenses, divorces and extortions were for the benefit of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley. The event was hosted by the Fillmore & Western Railway Company and sponsors included Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Ventura County Sheriff's Posse and Fillmore Piru Citrus Association. Space prohibits thanking all the individuals who dedicated their time, work and talent to make the Great Train Robbery such an fabulously successful and jovial event. A job incredibly well done by all involved... all for a great cause. And for those who read this... and didn't ride the train... well... see on board next year. Just think... we might even end up cell mates. Hmmm. |
 City Attorney Ted Schnieder announces the dismissal of the El Dorado Mobile Home Park lawsuit. Enlarge Photo By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
 Ray Medrano with the Citizens Patrol spoke to the Council on the need for citizens to be involved and proactive in protecting the City. Enlarge Photo The March 13, 2012 Fillmore City Council meeting was the shortest in recent years. With only two items on the agenda the meeting was over in exactly one hour. One item was whether the City should submit an appeal to Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) in order to reduce Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for the period of 2014 through 2012. The other item was the adoption of an ordinance to repeal a Fillmore Municipal Code due to the City taking over the Redevelopment Agency, which was voted on and adopted. At the February 28th council meeting Kevin McSweeney, Community Development Director, introduce the SCAG drafted RHNA allocating 694 residential units to Fillmore and requested the Council review the details of the report to determine if the City should ask for an appeal, which is called a Revision Request, to reduce those numbers. The General Plan CONTINUED » |
 Last Friday, March 9, close to 230 people came together at the Piru Petroleum Club’s “Celebration of Life” BBQ honoring Malcolm Jackson. Malcolm passed away in January at 94 active years of age, after a fall at home. Malcolm was one of the original founders of the Piru Petroleum Club many years ago. One of his last joys in life was attending their bi-weekly Friday BBQ’s. A raffle was held to raise scholarship money in Malcolm’s honor and to help pay for a new water well at the club. Mementos from Malcolm’s life were raffled off as well as a guided fishing trip to Bridgeport in the Sierras, one of Malcolm’s favorite spots. The winner of that trip, sponsored by “Stay Bent Guide Service” (Mundo Robles) was Manuel and Trish Pillado. Over $7,500 was raised in Malcolm’s honor. Above a tree was planted in Malcolm Jackson’s honor. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is excited about the upcoming Community Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Social hour will be from 5pm-6pm with dinner and the program starting at 6pm. Dinner will be provided by the Fillmore Fire Dept. Attire: Western. |
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By Jean McLeod — Wednesday, March 7th, 2012
 A group of Middle School Students addressed the School Board about positive changes happening at their campus. Enlarge Photo The March 1st Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting was long and ended after 11pm as many of the approximately 80 in attendance gave their opinions on the upcoming changes to the school district. There was a wide breadth of comments ranging from thanking the Board for the gate to the school track field, wanting tests taken during school hours, low teacher moral and requiring too much extra work from teachers to the meeting’s main issues of layoffs and curriculum changes. Fillmore schools will be hit hard by the cuts Governor Jerry Brown is proposing leaving no other choice but to cut expenditures. Assistant Superintendent Business Services Dr. Michael Bush explained that a total of $5.5 million over the past four years has already been cut, but more cuts may have to be made. Bush remarked that at best a 6-10% cut will happen if the tax initiatives in the November elections do not pass, losing the district another $600,000. Teachers lose pay when days are eliminated, he added and went on to say “The teachers took five furlough days last year and 10 this year.” Boardmember John Garnica responded, “This is an absolutely awful situation.” Superintendent Dr. Alan Nashino told those in attendance “We’ve been kicking the can down the road for years….if we’d addressed this problem three years ago it would have been better.” FUSD may be laying off over 10% of its 200 certified teachers with about 14 of the 22 possible layoffs in grades k-6. Preliminary notices will be sent out by March 15th and final notice by May 15th. Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson said the number of teachers to be let go “…is not set in stone, but the money is what dictates it.” Some of the layoffs are expected to come from the music department and others from health. Teacher Debra Galarza said she was very excited about the changes but added, “I know music is on the chopping block…I think that is a huge mistake.” She suggested there are other ways of saving money such as investing in solar panels as a school in Oxnard has installed. Christy Neal, owner of Central Music, told the Board, “Schools with music programs have higher standards.” Prado responded, “I know how much the music is good for the school and students…I want to do some investigating about the music and counselors.” Another of the expected changes is the high school graduation requirements which will focus on providing classes for both college and work force bound students. Requirements such as Health Education will be met by integrating health in other classes like physical education, history and biology. The administration explained that the State requirements allow an invited guest speaker to discuss the HIV/AIDs requirement if a qualified teacher is not available. An example of integrating health into other subjects might be; while discussing the Black Plague during a history class, teachers would go into greater detail as to the reasons the plague occurred and the advances made in prevention. Other changes to the curriculum include the English department working on a speech class, ninth grade biology class will have a lab and earth science will be eliminated since it is not a college bound course. There will also be a graduated increase in community service to 60 hours as a graduation requirement. Starting in 2013 the community service hours required will be 15 with an additional 15 hours added each year until 2016 when the full 60 hours must be met. It was announced that higher mathematics will be introduced at the middle school level allowing those students with the ability to grasp the knowledge a head start to go onto higher levels in high school. Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson spoke with conviction as he addressed the situation stating, “We’re coming at this with high expectations for our students.” He went on to say that middle school students can be successful at algebra and geometry and their studies and grading will be the same as those offered to students at Fillmore High School. Classes taken at the middle school will count as one year of math if completed successfully. Mathematical reasoning is a natural phenomenon with a wide range of normal variation with many children having math skill abilities at a very early age and able to comprehend higher levels than was being offered in the past. Compared with their peers in Europe and Asia, U.S. students are two to 2½ years behind in math. California students are 1½ years behind, with many students not reaching the level they are capable of. The new changes do not reduced the amount of math required, but instead the classes are offered in middle school which allows those students who want to continue on to higher math the option of doing so in high school and all students the ability meet their math requirements sooner leaving room for electives. To be competitive in a global society graduating students will need to keep up with India, Singapore and Europe in mathematics. Johnson ended the presentation with “Let our children compete.” Board Member Virginia de la Piedra said she was pleased with the changes in math and believes the changes will have a positive impact. She added, “Health is important, but there has to be changes. I wish we didn’t have to make the cuts.” Prado said he felt the changes should have been done sooner, adding “Asian countries have been teaching Algebra in the 7th grade for 15 years.” He continued with, “Moorpark graduates are ready to enter the work force. Health is integrated into the other subjects like history. There are many other disciplines that can teach health. Now we have a plan…the students will learn health.” Boardmember David Wilde responded, “Changes are tough…there was a feeling of apathy, sometimes there’s a time for change. I’m never one to be afraid of change.” Garnica added, “We care enough about our kids to spend the time.” FUSD has been in academic decline for a number of years now. This decline is described by the State of California as needing Program Improvement (PI) which is part of the State’s integrated accountability system that reports both the state Academic Performance Index (API), and the federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) of schools in the state. The State gives each school a number that ranges from 200 to 1000 which is calculated from the results for each school’s students on statewide tests (California Standards Tests CSTs) to arrive at the API. The adequate yearly progress (AYP) report is a federal reporting requirement. AYP indicates if schools and district are performing at or above the proficient level on the CST’s. Each year the targets increase until 2013-2014 when all schools must have 100% of their student’s proficient. In the 2011-2012 school year all FUSD schools fell into PI with every school failing to meet the State’s requirements. Fillmore Middle School has been in PI since 2003; Piru, San Cayetano and Sespe since 2006; Mountain Vista since 2008; Fillmore High School, the most recent to become PI, starting in 2010. Fillmore Middle School had made intermittent adequate yearly progress in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010, and Mountain View in 2010-2011. Schools that have been in PI can met the criteria for what is called ‘safe harbor” which is an alternate method of meeting the Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) if a school shows progress in moving students from scoring at the below proficient level to the proficient level and a waver to the testing standards may be given to students with special needs and learning disabilities. A problem that the administration said needed to be addressed is the percentage of students graduating from FUSD with the required courses to enter a UC/CSU is far lower than the county or state regardless of ethnicity and no ethnic group has met the State criteria in English-Language Arts or Math except when given a waver. FUSD is at 20.2% while the county is at 34.8% and state at 36.3%. Nashino told those in attendance “From kindergarten to third grade children learn to read and from forth grade on they read to learn.” Understanding both math and English are needed to be successful in the work force and why the two are important subjects to master. The California English Language Arts (ELA) Standards Test is administered to students in grades two through eleven and students in grades two through six are administered the appropriate grade-level California Mathematics Standards Test. Students in grade seven can take either the grade seven math test or the Algebra I test. The State’s percentage considered proficient AMOs in ELA is 67% and Mathematics is 67.3% which FUSD is not meeting. |
