Mike Bush addresses the FUSD School board meeting, Tuesday night.

[Video of the meeting coming soon...]

At the March 6, 2012 Fillmore Unified School Board (FUSD) Meeting Financial Director Dr. Michael Bush gave a presentation on the district’s financial outlook for the next three years due to state budget cuts and asked the Board for approval of a loan to pay expenditures. Also there was a presentation on improving the transfer process of student at Heritage Valley Independent Studies and Sierra High School, and comments on proposed cuts to the music program.

To close the $9.2 billion shortfall, Governor Jerry Brown is proposing $4.2 billion in cuts primarily to education and health and human services, increasing revenues and making other funding shifts. Those proposed cuts and the loss of revenue to the district over the past years have put FUSD in a position where there are few choices. Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino told those in attendance, “We cannot keep deficit spending…they (Sacramento politicians) expect us to make predictions…we’re being forced to make decisions that may not come true…the politicians are killing us.”

Bush gave a brief talk on what California’s Legislators have been up to; he found something both democrat and republican politicians could agree upon, Proposition 98 may be illegal. Proposition 98, the Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act, which is part of our State Constitution, requires a minimum percentage of the state budget be spent on K-12 schools and community colleges. This funding constitutes over 70 percent of total K-12 funding and about two-thirds of total community college funding. The legislature could potentially suspend the Proposition 98 guarantee to achieve savings, which would take a two-thirds legislative vote.

Another change to education and part of Brown’s budget proposal is a new ‘weighted student’ funding model that would be phased in over five years. It starts with each student generating a base grant amount, expected to be $4,900 per student, then additional funding is given to districts with high concentrations (60% or more) of disadvantaged students such as large numbers of English-learning students and those from families with low incomes. FUSD certainly falls into the additional funding category, but whether or not these changes happen will depend on what the voters decide in November.

Brown’s plan for increasing revenue to pay for the changes he’s proposed calls for an increase in personal income tax on the state’s wealthiest taxpayers and boosting sales taxes by one-half percent for five years. This, if approved, is said to generate up to $31 billion over the next five years; half of which, supposedly, would be set aside for public education. Californians already pay some of the highest taxes in the country and tax increase ballot measures have failed in the past, so there is no guarantee any of Brown’s plans will come about.

Bush gave a spreadsheet presentation on where the District is headed over the next three years. He explained the District is down about $100,000 but expenditures are up $195,000 and that given the best scenario the District may barely come out of the hole it has dug itself into through years of deficit spending. Nishino reminded everyone that 12 to 13 of about 600 school districts throughout the state are bankrupt. It was then asked what happens when a district is bankrupt. Bush explained that the state takes over and all contracts and collective bargaining become null and void with a state trustee approving all future decisions.

An item up for Board approval was a loan of $9.5m for fiscal year 2012-2013 needed to pay expenditures. It was explained that the State is giving the District only $.79 on every $1.00 owed with Sacramento expecting school districts to borrow the difference because schools can get a better interest rate than the State. The Board had little choice but to approve.

Cynthia Frutos and John Wilber on the new independent study transfer committee gave a presentation on the new procedures for students at Heritage Valley Independent Studies and Sierra High School. It was explained that for some students transferring from one school to another is not always a smooth process and that not all students in the process are troubled. Some may have had an injury such as a broken leg and others are excellent students but simply bored. The committee has worked on new guidelines for transfer and explained the decision to transfer a student is a collaborative effort.

Kathy Pace, whose four children have received music/band instruction at a FUSD school, addressed the Board with her concerns over the elimination of the Elementary Band Program. She reminded the Board of the benefits that music education has on students and that most who participate in the music program are Gate, Honor and AP students. “I understand that you need to cut spending to have money for the schools, but I have noticed that the cuts have come to the certificated and no-certificated, but I have not seen any come from the district office itself …if you’re going to have to do cuts then you need to do them all around, district office included,” Pace told the administration. She went on to say the Board Member Virginia de la Piedra had mentioned the middle school band program would be next and it was her (Pace) belief that the next cuts should be to athletics since it is such a big expense on the District.

Seneca Resources, an oil company who conducts operations in the Sespe mountains north of the city of Fillmore, is generously donating $7,000 to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Search and Rescue Team (SAR). Seneca, whose employees live and work in the area, have recognized the benefits the SAR volunteers bring to the community and have graciously donated the funds to support these efforts.

It’s this type of private company and government partnerships that ensure when an emergency occurs, proper equipment and people will be able to respond with the training and expertise to handle the incident.

The Fillmore Search and Rescue Team is comprised of 30 volunteers, who respond to lost or overdue hikers and hunters in the back country at a moments notice, often times during inclement weather and at night when these types of calls have a tendency to happen.

The team is also trained in Urban Search and Rescue so that in the event of a catastrophic event such as flooding, fires or earthquakes, they can respond and supplement the Fire Department’s personnel and Sheriff Deputies.

Each year the Fillmore SAR team donates thousands of hours of their time in training and actual searches for missing persons in the backcountry, and during mutual aid requests to other counties throughout the state.

Seneca’s donation will greatly assist in the purchasing of an off-road capable vehicle that will enable the SAR members to search more effectively and transport critical rescue gear and personnel to remote rescue sites.

The Fillmore Search and Rescue Team and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are extremely grateful to the Seneca Corporation and its employees for this donation.

Attractions Spa has been named the Business of the Year! They will be celebrating their second year in business on April 1, 2012! The husband and wife team, Sean & April Hastings are the owners. Their main focus for their clients is complete relaxation when they come in to the establishment. Their motto/slogan is "Leave your stress with us." They are very active in the community as VPs of Grad Nite Live and members of the Fillmore Lions Club. They have also donated many hours of time to local 5K walks and health related events here in Fillmore and have given many donations in the way of gift certificates to any nonprofit, local kid/teen sporting events and fundraising activities.

They offer the following services: Swedish Massage, Deep Swedish, Deep Therapeutic, Hot Stone Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Foot Reflexology Massage, Custom Facials, Facial Waxing and brand new, just added, Custom Body Sugar Scrubs. They are also getting ready to launch Facial Peels this April 2012.

Attractions Spa is currently a Team of 3; Sean Hastings, Owner, Certified Massage Therapist, April Hastings, Owner, Licensed Esthetician, Certified Massage Therapist and Brenda Bush, Certified Massage Therapist.

Sean and April Hastings invite you to their 2nd Annual Open House Customer Appreciation Night on April 12th 5-7pm and the Grad Nite Live annual Yard Sale on April 21st at the school district office. More information coming soon on the Grad Nite Live Horseshoe Tournament at the May Festival!

Attractions Spa will be recognized at the Fillmore Community Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 22, 2012 by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. From 5pm-6pm will be social hour with dinner and program starting at 6pm. The dinner will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building. Attire: Western Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce 805.524.0351, the Fillmore Police Dept. and the Fillmore Fire Dept.

Attraction Spa is located at 287 Central Ave. in Fillmore. Phone: 805.524.SPA2 (7722). AttractionsSpa.com AttractionsSpa2010@yahoo.com.

On February 28, 2012, Fillmore resident Briana Vazquez received the official word that she had been chosen by her peers as the 2011 Explorer of the Year. Briana is deserving of this award, and has made quite an impression at the Fillmore Police Station.
Briana is the daughter of Leo and Barbara Vazquez. Danny Vazquez is her younger brother. She was born at Travis Air Force Base, CA, and moved to Fillmore when her father became a Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy. Briana graduated from Fillmore High School in 2011 and is currently attending Ventura Community College. She is planning to transfer to UC Santa Barbara and be an Art/History major.
In 2010, Briana became a member of the Santa Clara Valley Explorer Post 2958. She attended a four week academy, where Briana and her peers attended law enforcement classes and performed physical education exercises similar to those in training at our the Ventura County Regional Training Center. Briana was seen as a leader in the post and rose in rank and is currently a Sergeant with the explorer post.
Braina’s Accomplishments:
• As of December 2011, she had performed 438 hours of community service.
• Assisted the Fillmore and Ojai Deputies with DUI checkpoints.
• She was an actor in the “Every 15 minutes” DUI presentation at Fillmore High School.
• She and her peers participated in the “Relay for Life” in 2010 and 2011.
• Briana volunteers for traffic control for the May Festival and Christmas Parades.
• She volunteered for the North Fillmore Storefront Toy Giveaway for the past five years.
These are just a few of the details that Briana and her peers in Explorer Post 2958 perform with no hesitation and with enthusiasm.
Currently, Briana works at the Fillmore Police Station as a Student Aid. She works at the station aiding the front desk operation with subpoena distribution, vehicle mileage reports, filing, shredding, answering telephones, and customer service.
Due to her hard work, dedication, and leadership skills she is a deserving recipient of the 2011 Explorer of the Year.

Marie Wren

Marie Wren has been selected as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a citizen. Marie cares for the community and has and continues to be very active. She has had an outdoor cooking class and has been president of the Senior Center. Marie is still a very active member of the Senior Center and was instrumental in keeping the group viable. She is Fillmore’s volunteer historian and has been saving treasured memories of life in Fillmore by recording the citizens’ recollections. On that same vein, Marie was a docent at Rancho Camulos Museum. She was involved in the restoration of the family buggy (at the Rancho Camulos Museum) built approximately in 1853. She has written many articles on the bygone days of Fillmore and wrote a book about one of the citizens in town. She is also past president of Soroptimist International of Fillmore from 1982-1983 and again from 1992-1994. During her second round of being president of SI of Fillmore she started the bike path clean-up project for the group. Marie Wren was also president of the PTA and helped start the very popular Halloween Carnival. Each August she finds the best deals on school supplies and donates them to our local school thus helping out families that do not have the resources to purchase them for their students. She is active in helping out with the Boy Scouts program. Last year’s Citizen of the Year Sarah Hansen shares many fond memories of helping at the Fillmore Lions Club dinner with Marie not surprising as Marie is a friend to all.

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This year’s Teacher of the Year is Raina Arellano. Mrs. Arellano teaches 4th grade at Mountain Vista Elementary School. She has worked for the Fillmore Unified School District for 6 years. Mrs. Arellano is known and respected by all students and staff at Mountain Vista School. She has high expectations for all of her students and is known for her outstanding teaching strategies and expertise in her grade level curriculum. Mrs. Arellano will be recognized at the Fillmore Community Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 22, 2012 by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. From 5pm-6pm will be social hour with dinner and program starting at 6pm. The dinner will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building. Attire: Western Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce 805.524.0351, the Fillmore Police Dept. and the Fillmore Fire Dept.

(l-r) Eric Vigal, Captain Monica McGrath, Police Officer of the Year Gabe Gonzales, Ari Larson, and Sgt. Smith.
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This year's recipient of the Police Officer of the Year is Deputy Gabe Gonzales. All though he has worked patrol just shy of three years Gabe has become one of the most productive and diligent deputies in the station. He has been a Deputy Sheriff for six years and began his career as a provisional deputy.

Gabe was born in Ventura and is married to his lovely wife Lori. Gabe is the ultimate professional, conscientious, and enthusiastic. He graduated from the Police and Sheriff's Training Academy in May 2006 and his first assignment was at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Gabe worked in the classification unit, gaining valuable knowledge about gang culture and narcotics abuse. He assisted many officers with special operations while working in jail. Gabe's evaluations include commendations where he went above and beyond the call of duty during his normal workday. He transferred to his current patrol assignment in March 2009, where he completed field training. Gabe was instrumental in revitalizing and encouraging other deputies at the station to get involved in the Sheriff's Explorer Post. He is currently a lead Advisor for the Post and he enjoys teaching and mentoring the explorers. Gabe has trained and been vital in curbing gang activity and narcotic use. Gabe will be recognized at the Fillmore Community Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 22, 2012 by the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce at the Veterans Memorial Building (511 Second Street Fillmore). Social Hour will be from 5pm-6pm with dinner and program starting at 6pm. Attire: Western. Tickets are $25. Call 805.524.0351.

City of Fillmore

Tuesday’s Fillmore City Council meeting revealed how bad the shape of the City “may” be in as City Attorney Theodore Schneider gave a presentation, with as much detail as was legally possible, on the status of Fillmore’s sales tax litigation. Also discussed was the progress, or lack of progress, on the Two Rivers Park project, the Regional Housing Needs Assessment and public comments on various topics.

Schneider laid out the status of a lawsuit filed in 2009 by both the cities of Livermore and Industry against the City of Fillmore, Owens & Minor, MTS Consulting and Inspired Development. Those cities challenged the validity of what was called an Economic Development Agreement between MTS Consulting, Inspired Development and Fillmore. The agreement was that MTS and Inspired would attract large national retailers to locate a legitimate sales office in Fillmore; in exchange, Fillmore offered an incentive rebate of 85% of the sales tax received by Fillmore on account of new retailers, and retained 15%. The sharing of sales tax would continue for 20 years for each retailer. There were more retailers and other cities involved, but the only ones that filed a lawsuit were Livermore and Industry. The names of the retailers and taxpayers involved are confidential information under the State Board of Equalization (SBE).

In 2009 the California Legislature adopted SB27 making sales tax sharing agreements illegal, but grandfathered those prior to 2009, which leaves Fillmore’s still legal.

Fillmore, MTS, and Inspired won on motion at trial court, but Livermore and Industry appealed and the appellate court overturned the trial court ruling, and the case now returns to the trial court for further proceedings.
In 2008 SBE started an escrow and to date (estimate) the amount being held pending the appeal is $12,401,979. But, in the event that Fillmore loses all the (seven other retailers) pending cases, the amounts previously paid to Fillmore that could potentially be reallocated to other jurisdictions and must be repaid is $6,947,284.
The payments made (the 85%) to MTS was $4,368,284 and to Inspired was $2,218,924 with Fillmore receiving (15%) $1,000,000. Some of this money paid out by Fillmore may need to be repaid to Fillmore if the SBE reallocates sales tax away from Fillmore. Fillmore is currently repaying funds in one case and several more may be decided in the next several months. The potential future revenue to Fillmore from a single largest retailer is estimated to be $700,000 or more per year.

When Councilmembers asked why this agreement was allowed to happen the response by a member of Schneider’s law firm was, “The Council knew there was a possible down side, but the money involved was worth the risk.”
Also discussed, Community Development Director Kevin McSweeney presented the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2012 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) that will be used in the next Housing Element period 2014 to 2021. It is expected that the State will be requiring 275 more units for 2014-2021 than the City’s General Plan Build Out. The General Plan identifies that 5,816 residential units are planned for which will result in a population of 22,693 by the year 2020. There are currently 4,408 residential units in the City. But even though the City’s plan would construct what RHNA is asking, the units may not be constructed in the time frame allotted.

RHNA residential units are based on income levels and their proposed plan for Fillmore is 160 very low income units (23.1%) along with 112 low income (16.1%), 128 moderate income (18.4%) and 294 above moderate income (42.4%). McSweeney will report back to Council on March 13th if an appeal should be made to lower the numbers.
During the discussion Ventura’s amnesty on non-conforming units was brought up; these are granny flats that were not permitted. Ventura has counted those units to meet its housing requirements. The question of doing the same in Fillmore was presented and the issue will be on a future meeting’s agenda, possibly in May after it is clearer where the City stands on RHNA’s requirements.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring discussed the $320,621 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available to construct a tot lot at Two Rivers Park. In 2008, under Proposition 12 the City submitted a competitive grant application for Two Rivers Park and received a grant for $500,000 of which $100,000 remains. The City has constructed the skate park, rest rooms and concession area, installed grass and a softball diamond. State Park staff notified the City in late January of the upcoming deadlines of June 30, 2012 for work to be completed. An extension request by the City to revise the scope of the project must be made by March 31, 2012. The State staff indicated that because it was a competitive grant, getting an extension for completion may be a challenge but that to the extent possible they would work with the City.

Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) has partnered with the City on the project and prepared a budget and a proposed landscaping/layout plan and would serve as the project manager in trade for some surplus City vehicles which are the result of the 30% reduction in force this summer. Discussions with the County staff have resulted in the requirement that the City hire a consultant to handle monitoring part of the project.

During the public comments Mark Olson from Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention spoke to the Council on the Asian Citrus Psyllid an invasive pest that causes serious damage to citrus plants and a serious threat to the U.S. citrus industry. The Asian Citrus Psyllid is an aphid-like insect that feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees and other citrus-like plants – but the real danger lies in that it can be a carrier of a deadly, bacterial tree disease called Huanglongbing, also known as Citrus Greening Disease.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid has been intercepted coming into California in packages of fruit and plants, including citrus, ornamentals, herbs and bouquets of cut flowers, shipped from other states and countries. Floral bouquets containing psyllid-infested orange jasmine have been intercepted coming into California from Mexico.

Olson said the biggest problem where the bug is spreading is residential backyard citrus trees and that residents with them in their yards need to be on the lookout for the pest that is the size of a grain of rice.
Cindy Blatt with the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers announced the Rotary’s commitment of $2,000 toward the electronic gate at Fillmore High Schools running track. In addition Rotary would like local service clubs, businesses and individuals to contribute to the project. Rotary will provide another $2,000 in the form of a challenge; a dollar-for-dollar match for the other donations not to exceed the additional $2,000. If met the total would be $6,000. Those that want to contribute with a donation are encouraged to make a check payable to Fillmore Rotary Sun Risers PO Box 882, Fillmore, CA 93015 or contact Don Gunderson at 805 524-1308.

Daniel Gonzalez, youth advocate with One Step Center, announced their members are doing a controlled study of the Superfund Site and will be doing surveys and questioners in the area. One Step Center, which is now under the umbrella of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, also received $15,000 each year for the next two years to work with the youth in Fillmore.

Councilmember Brian Sipes announce the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau are trying to put together a master community calendar. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, 2012 between 11am and 12pm at La Fondita. All non-profits, community groups, school groups are invited to come prepared with the dates of their events to be included on the master calendar. This will be a no host lunch. For more information contact Community Calendar Chair Ari Larson at 805 794-7590.

It was also announced that it was decided to have the May Festival at City Park and not at Two Rivers Park.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On February 27, 2012, the Camarillo Police Department, Ventura County Fire Department, and American Medical Response (AMR) responded to the area of Las Posas Rd. and Carmen Dr. to an injury traffic accident. Initial reports were that two vehicles were involved in the traffic collision and one vehicle had rolled over.

Upon investigation, it was determined by deputies that Richena Curphey was driving a 2009 Honda FIT westbound on Las Posas Rd., approaching the intersection of Carmen Dr. Christy Dungey was driving a 2001 Ford F-250 eastbound on Las Posas Rd. approaching the intersection of Carmen Dr. Curphey made a left turn onto Carmen Dr., from Las Posas Rd. and collided with Dungey.

An adult female passenger in Curphey’s vehicle died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. The victim’s name is not being released at this time pending family notification. The relationship between Curphey and the decedent is not known at this time.

The traffic accident is under investigation at this time. Anyone who might have witnessed the accident is asked to contact the Camarillo Police Department/Traffic Bureau at 388-5100. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.

Nature of Incident: Fatal Traffic Collision
Report Number: 12-4625
Location: Las Posas Road at Carmen Drive
Date & Time: February 27, 2012, at approximately 6:35 PM
Unit Responsible: Camarillo Traffic Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Decedent-Adult Female, Unknown, 68
Party-Richena Curphey, Fillmore, 31
Party-Christy Dungey, Ventura, 51
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Renee Ferguson
Media Release Date: February 27, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Renee Ferguson 805 388-5132/Ventura County Coroner’s Office 805 641-4400
Approved by: Captain Higgason

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).