Pete Egedi

All criminal charges pending against former Fillmore Fire Chief, Pete Egedi, 41, were dismissed by the Ventura County District Attorney, Tuesday. In October, 2008, Egedi was terminated as Chief, and later that year charged with four felony counts of embezzlement.

In a brief telephone interview with Mark Pachowicz, attorney for Egedi, Pachowicz expressed disappointment with the tenor of some news reports regarding the dismissal. The District Attorney’s office determined Fillmore’s sloppy financial record-keeping made it impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Egedi had embezzled $27,950 from a city Fire Department stipend account. He characterized the City’s financial records for the account as “a mess”. In his motion to dismiss the case, Pachowicz said, “The City of Fillmore did not have any written rules and guidelines concerning the operation of this checking account.” He also emphasized that the case turned on the fact that the 20 checks in question, payable to Egedi and his wife, were reimbursements for equipment purchased for the Fire Department, not embezzled funds. He also said that Egedi’s use of the Department stipend funds was completely consistent with historical use by prior department heads, that is there were no guidelines or rules regarding the fund’s use.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Drescher reported that his office reviewed thousands of pages of evidence during discovery and interviewed many witnesses. It was determined that the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department’s stipend checking account was not monitored. In Drescher’s opinion, this made it impossible to overcome Egedi’s defense of reasonable reimbursement, and therefore the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt could not be met despite the fact that a prima facie case of embezzlement existed.

A civil action against the City of Fillmore was filed Tuesday, May 17, 2011. The discovery period for this action will begin June 6. At that time multiple causes of action are expected to be developed following depositions, to include alleged Brown Act violations and alleged violations of Egedi’s due process rights as he was not permitted to defend himself before the Fillmore City Council. Egedi’s lawsuit will seek compensation for wrongful termination, reinstatement to his position as fire chief, and to recover back pay.

Among those Pachowicz says he will depose are former Finance Director Barbara Smith and City Attorney Ted Schneider.

Schneider would not respond to the Gazette’s questions beyond his remarks to the Ventura Star. The Star reports him as saying, “I can’t really comment on the DA’s decision”... “The city was never consulted with respect to the DA’s decision to prosecute or his decision to dismiss the charges. That was completely their decision. But the DA’s decision does not mean that he’s (Egedi) vindicated from the actions for which he’s been accused.” Schneider is also reported (by the Star) to have stated that the city “is against reinstating Egedi to his old job as fire chief and is fighting his wrongful termination lawsuit in court.”

The Egedi case was based upon an investigation by Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Cary Peterson, head of the Financial Crimes Unit who concluded Egedi misappropriated more than $27,000 from the stipend account.

Now that criminal charges have been dismissed and civil litigation has begun, the burden of proof is substantially reduced to a preponderance of evidence, rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.

Leticia Vasquez and Lola Rogers read a statement prepared by the President of the Fillmore chapter of CSEA (California School Employee Association).
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The regularly scheduled Fillmore Unified School Board of Education meeting took place on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. The Board had to relocate to the Sespe Auditorium to accommodate those present for the first item of business, recognizing the students and coaches who participated in the Migrant Speech, Spelling and Debate Tournament.
FUSD Special Populations Coordinator Jennifer Weir presented certificates to coaches and students for their accomplishment.

FUSD has been participating in the tournament since 2006. The program has expanded and this year every school in the District participated.

On April 2, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel in Ventura 34, fourth and fifth graders participated in the Speech and Spelling Tournament resulting in four spelling team winners and seven speech winners. On April 30, 2011 twenty students in grades six through twelve competed in the Speech and Debate Tournament held at Santa Paula High School with FUSD taking 11 wins in Speech and one Debate Team win. Those who came in first went on to the Statewide Migrant Speech and Debate Tournament held on May 14, 2011 at Ventura High School. Four students from FUSD competed, and three were awarded trophies in recognition of their speeches.

First place Speech and Debate winners who went on to the State competition were Rocio Zavala, 6th Grader from Piru Elementary, Coach-Claudia Cornejo; Viridiana Quintana, Fillmore Middle School, Coach-Kayce Betzel; Banely Arevalo and Daniela Valdovinos from Fillmore High School, Coach-Jennifer Fitzpatrick. The fourth and fifth grade students who placed first, second or third and received a trophy in Speech and Spelling are: From Piru Elementary School- Luis Piceno, Eduardo Amezcua, Norberto Armenta, Francisco Jimenez, Coaches-Randy Garcia, Delia Silva, Kristina Renelli: From San Cayetano Elementary School- Stephanie Magana, Coach-Tammy Ferguson: From Sespe Elementary School, Eric Gonzalez, Coach-Beverly Garnica: From Mountain Vista Elementary School- Adrian Alcala, Mirey Avila, Lina Mendez, Alejandro Rojas, Alejandro Rodriguez, Daniel Mendoza, Gina Munoz, Daylene Valdez, Briana Vargas, Juan Villegas, Coaches- Raina Arellano, Mary-Allyn Garcia, Tricia Gradias (all participants and some winning speeches will be posted at www.fillmoregazette.com/school-matters). Board President Virginia De La Piedra presented Fillmore High School Senior Arturo Luna with the award for Migrant Student of the Year. De La Piedra read, “[this award is presented to a student] who exhibits exceptional leadership, maintains a grade point average of 3.5 or better and plans to continue their education and involvement in their school and community.” De La Piedra went on to read Luna’s impressive accomplishments and activities, “He plays on the varsity football team, works in the cafeteria and is the Sergeant of Arms in MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan or Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan) club.” He is also a mentor to younger students in the District and helps at the after-school migrant homework center and “…is a natural mediator among his peers.” She reported that he plans to attend college and is the son of Pedro and Lourdes Luna and has four siblings. Luna accepted the award to loud applause and he stated, “If it was not for my family and community I would not be here, so thank you.”

Next parent Ernesto Quintana was presented with the award for Migrant Parent of the Year for his dedication and support of the program. He was unable to attend, but his wife accepted on his behalf.

The crowd had thinned by the time the Board heard from County Superintendent Stanley Mantooth and Associated Superintendent of Educational Services Sandi Shackelford. Mantooth explained “it is not a normal function of our duties” but that they do generally make themselves available to assist in recruiting and retaining new superintendents. He reported they currently are working to fill or have filled six superintendent or interim superintendent positions in the County, that is six including FUSD. Shackelford presented the Board with three possible options that their office recommends for moving forward with the recruitment process to replace retiring Superintendent Jeff Sweeney, who was not present.

Option one is to CONTINUED »

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the events that will be taking place this year at the Fillmore May Festival slated for May 19th – 22nd. The Festival will be located in the downtown area on Central Avenue, just off Highway 126, Ventura Street in Fillmore. Thursday is family day and everybody has free entry to the Festival. The carnival will begin at 3:30 pm and will end at 10:00 pm. On Friday the event starts at 3:30 pm and goes all day until 11:00pm. Entry fees are as follows: 4 years of age and under is free, 5 years of age to 11 is $3.00 and 12 years and up is $4.00. The carnival will continue and the food & game booths will be open. House Arrest will perform from 7:00-11:00pm at the Bud Light stage located at City Hall, and a showcase will be provided by Central Music at the Trade School Stage at 5:00pm. Saturday begins with the Heritage Valley 5k run at 8:00am, the Parade at 10:00am on Central Avenue, and the Event gates open at 11:00am and closes at 11:00pm. The carnival rides continue along with the food, game, information, arts & crafts vendors. The diaper derby will start after the parade at the city hall area, along with the parade awards. The live entertainment continues at the Bud Light Stage with the Skinny Little Twits starting at 1:00 and playing until 3:00, Sound Effect from 4:00 – 7:00, then HindSite closes Saturday playing from 8:00pm – 11:00. At the Trade School Stage starting at 3:00 Relay for Life will hold a “Relay Idol” competition for those that enjoy singing. The winner will perform “Live” at the Fillmore Relay for Life this year. To sign up to sing call 805-524-0149. Then at 7:00 pm the Last Dog & Pony Show will perform. For Sunday the Events will continue and the entertainment lineup is as follows: at the Bud Light Stage from 12:00-1:00 a DJ, then from 2:00-3:00 Community Groups will perform, then at 3:00-5:00 live music by Juano & Friends, then closing from 6:00-9:00 is the Suzie Hansen Band. On the Trade School Stage from 1:00-2:00 is local talent, at 2:00 is Community Hour, then at 5:00 a live performance by All Roads to Canada. Pre Sale Carnival tickets are available to purchase at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce office located at 557 Ventura Road, Highway 126, Fillmore, CA 93015. Tune your radio into 95.1, 100.7 and 104.7 FM to win your family four packs and VIP passes! For more information call 805-524-0351 or visit our website at www.fillmorechamber.com. See you there! (Courtesy of Cindy Jackson)

Fillmore Unified School District

On Thursday, May 5, 2011 Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Sweeney sent an email to all staff members announcing his retirement. He explained that he had presented the School Board with a letter on Tuesday, May 3. His letter simply stated “I wanted to thank you for the last five years of serving the Fillmore Unified School District. It has been a distinct pleasure working with you, the staff, the students, and the community. I wanted to let you know that I plan on retiring effective June 30, 2011. I will carry with me lifelong memories of working with all of you.”

School Board Member Lucy Rangel commented, “I was surprised with Jeff's retirement. I had heard from colleagues that either last year or the year before he had mentioned that he planned to retire in a few years. I had thought that he might wait another year or two.” When asked about what process the Board will use to find a new superintendent, she indicated that the Board will be notifying the press and added, “It is my opinion, however, that the process include community members since it is their school district.” By press deadline Sweeney did not respond to requests for an interview.

Sweeney’s retirement comes amid calls for accountability at Piru Elementary School regarding an apparent failure by the Principal to utilize all funds available to the school for tutoring and interventions with students who are below grade level.

In an online (www.greatschools.org) statement made on April 13, 2011 a person claiming to be “a parent of a kindergartener at Piru School” stated “I am very concerned about the administration here…the principal did not even read the school budget so our kids lost out on around 70 thousand dollars…Things like this should never happen our kids deserve a proper education and that includes educated and qualified administration.”
Sweeney explained, “At a recent School Site Council (SSC) meeting the Council was reviewing its budget and determined there was approximately $70,000 in categorical fund that was still available for this year [and allocated for various uses including tutorial interventions].” These funds were “use it or lose it” and according to staff members the school has been rushing to spend the money this year. Sweeney reported, “Teachers at the school were conferred and made recommendations to purchase instructional materials that will augment the instructional program for years to come.” Items purchased include “computers, supplemental workbooks and instructional materials.”

The District has confirmed that a parent of a student at Piru has filed a uniform complaint regarding the matter and the District is investigating. When asked for a response the Principal stated, “My outstanding error as a new principal… was taking my eye off the school plan. If I had done things correctly in this arena…I would have caught that … School Site Council designated $36,000 in funds to after school interventions.” She went on to explain that after discovering this error and taking it to staff it was determined that a “between the bells” intervention program was in fact preferred. Teh Principal pointed out that this means “our overall program now has a huge, unexpected boost in the arm next year.”

As their technology meets are now met, and categorical monies can be focused where it’s needed on intervention. Parents and staff have commented that is all well and good but wonder about the effect this mistake had on students this year.

A FUSD School Board Member responded to a request for comment by stating, “Superintendent Sweeney is resolving the issue to minimize the impact to students and ensuring that the principal, fully understands the SSC budget process and her obligations regarding Categorical Funds (meaning funds which must be spent in a particular way), as well as ensuring that she communicates effectively to the parents and staff about the School Site Council budget process.”

When asked how oversights like this will be avoided in the future Sweeney commented, “The District will provide additional training next year for Piru’s School Site Council. This will include processes to ensure the Council is provided budgets at all meetings to ensure greater transparency. In addition, the Council will be encouraged to adopt bylaws that will help guide the group in all matters.”

Piru Elementary School is in Program Improvement, meaning for several years it has failed to meet State benchmarks in the number of students which test at grade level on State assessment tests in Math and Language Arts. School Plans are part of the State mandated processes for “PI” schools and School Site Councils are responsible for creating the annual plan, overseeing its implementation and ensuring that expenditures meet the goals of the plan. School Site Councils are made up of parents, staff members and may have community members as well. The principal has a spot on the Council with staff members being elected by the staff and parent and community members being elected by parents.

Councilman Conaway gave a brief explanation of the independent auditor’s findings of the city budget’s history at Tuesday’s council meeting.

There was a great deal on the May 10th Fillmore City Council agenda with the meeting continuing on until close to midnight. This was a joint meeting with the Council and the City Film Commission. The Film Commission started the meeting with a review of past years items and activities, then addressed their trade show participation and ended with the budget/revenue for fiscal year 2010/2012.

On the Councils agenda was the cost of the Fourth of July Fireworks Show, approval of a letter of opposition regarding AB438 (Libraries withdrawal), addressing the number of homes to be built to balance out the General Plan and Specific Plan, first reading of Ordinance No. 11-3290 Heritage Valley Parks Development, Resolution No. 11-3290 Abatement of weeds and rubbish, a claim for reimbursement for the damage to a Fillmore resident’s car by a City’s tree, review of the request for a dog park, review results of the Citizens Survey, Resolution No. 11-3291 declaring a State of Fiscal Emergency, Reimbursement Agreement with Fillmore Riverview and much more.

The City’s budget was once again up for discussion and had most of the Council on edge as they continued to face the challenges of a projected 2011/2012 General Fund deficit of approximately $1.9 million. The Towne Theatre has already been closed, saving $4,700 and $23,000 annually in 2012, perhaps just the beginning of what needs to be trimmed down or eliminated.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring presented a progress report on proposed efforts to close the budget gap. A meeting has been set for May 20th to discuss Santa Paula’s interest in providing police services to Fillmore. City Staff has provided 30% across-the-board cuts and prioritized the services the City provides to the public, but it appears to be inevitable that positions will need to be eliminated which could involve employee layoffs. Employees who qualify have been asked whether they are interested in a voluntary retirement. Five to six employees have shown an interest, but once this is done, the positions are to stay open permanently.

The City employees have all taken a 5.5% cut through furloughs and the unclassified employees will be asked to take another 13% decrease in compensation and benefits in fiscal year 2012, bringing the total reduction to 18.5% over the next two years. Quiring informed the Council that other local cities are asking for only 3% cuts, but those cities are not facing the magnitude of a 26% cut to their General Fund that Fillmore is dealing with.
Quiring asked the Council to adopt Resolution 11-3291 declaring a state of fiscal emergency; and directing the City Manager to take appropriate and lawful measures to achieve a balanced budget. There was some question as to the wording of the Resolution by the Council. Council Member Patti Walker explained that what the City Manager is asking for is “the latitude to meet this problem.” With Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Brooks adding “We are in a state of fiscal emergency.”

A meeting was scheduled for CONTINUED »

Graduation and further layoffs were on everyone’s mind at the May 3, 2011 meeting of the Fillmore Unified School Board of Education. All action items were approved including the use of tickets for graduation ceremonies this year at Fillmore High School. A handful of seniors were in attendance listening to the discussion and when asked what they thought of the final plan one senior replied “I like it…that everyone will be able to attend.” Following last weeks meeting, Fillmore High School Principal John Wilber sent a form home with all 231graduating seniors asking how many tickets their family would need. As of the meeting he had received 200 forms back with requests ranging from 4 to 64 tickets. “[I keep thinking of the song] ‘We Are Family’…One third of the seniors requested 15 or more tickets…3000 [seats] could accommodate all requests” Wilber informed the Board. After a presentation from Assistant Superintendent Michael Bush the Board voted to direct staff to move ahead with a plan for 3044 attendees and numbered seats on the bleachers. According to Bush the standard width of a seat is determined by safety officials and “Chief Landeros measured my [backside] and said we could get by with 18 inches.” Using that measurement 2324 “choice seats” will be available in the stadium seats, “Butt to butt, we are going to be cozy” Bush commented. Portable bleachers will be brought in on either side of the stadium seats and some standing room only areas can be used along the fence. Bush’s report reminded the Board that occupancy cannot be exceeded for safety reasons, aisles must be clear; four-foot walkways around bleachers must be maintained and when capacity is reached the gates will be closed. He informed the Board regarding the restrictions regarding putting additional seating on the track and field. This option is not viable due to emergency evacuation requirements and the need to keep students separate from the public in the case of an emergency. There can be no additional seating on the field or track. Only those participating in the graduation ceremony will be on the field. The Board directed Wilber and staff to work with parents and students to come up with a fair plan for distributing tickets that deal with various issues such as handicap access, fairness in seating location and so on and instructed them to use “numbered tickets” with assigned seats, meaning no more saving seats or disagreements about who sits where. The plan is likely to include volunteer ushers to seat attendees. Wilber informed the Board that there is a meeting scheduled for the evening of Thursday, May 5 (today) with parents and seniors to begin this process. The Board rejected staff’s recommendation to broadcast the ceremony live on Channel 10 mainly due to the $3000 estimate to pay for it. Total costs are not determined yet for the plan; there will be ticket printing prices, cost for security and it will likely take one week to set up where usually set up is about three days. Board Member Tony Prado emphasized the need to inform families of the graduation procedures as early as possible for next year. Following the meeting Wilber stated, “As soon as the School Board meets in August and approves a graduation plan the information will be sent to senior families with the senior contract.” In other news related to graduation it was decided that Board Members Lucy Rangel and Prado will be handing out diplomas at Graduation this year. Rangel commented that this year’s class was the last class she taught when they were in 6th grade.

Public Comment: Fillmore resident Noel Villa for 11 years and a parent spoke of the “daunting task” which school boards have of involving the community. He spoke of his own experience working as a school based social worker in Oxnard and applying philosophies based on the “understanding that parents and children see things differently and asking them to give us that perspective…there was a value that all kids can learn, no matter what.” He spoke of “working with the Spanish speaking community and bringing the parents together, addressing the themes of parental involvement, school attendance, school behavior and academics” and the importance of parents feeling welcomed in the community. “Teacher conferences were packed…parents were embraced, [made to feel] like familia.” He went on to state that Sespe School Principal Rosemarie Hibler “has brought [this philosophy] to Sespe School. That confianza, that trust.” He believes that Sespe School needs “this type of foundation in order for kids to learn, to engage parents, to raise academics, and improve student behavior.” Next the Board heard from Sespe student Valerie Villa who spoke eloquently regarding her support for her principal. “Changes can be good or bad like the one when Ms. Hibler came to Sespe school, that was one of the best changes…but letting her go is exactly the opposite.” Villa explained that Hibler brought a program to the school “that taught me how to know what a word means by its Greek or Latin roots.” She went on to state “But the thing I love most about Ms. Hibler is she always wears a beautiful smile every minute of every day, and again letting her go would not do any of us any good.” Hibler is among the many FUSD staff members to have received a layoff notice due to budget cuts in the District. Maria Hernandez joined with the Villa Family in speaking in support of their principal at Sespe School. Her son had previously attended Piru Elementary but this year she chose to move him to Sespe. “I don’t think I could have made a better decision.” She spoke of the group of parents she has met and the work they do for the school with Hiblers support. The school will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration today from 5 to 7pm with food, and games, including a “Ballet de Cueca” a performance of Mexican folk dancing. The public is encouraged to dress in Mexican attire for a costume contest as well. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday celebrated by communities all over the world to commemorate this day in 1862 when nearly 2,000 untrained Mexican peasants commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza bravely fought and won the Battle at Puebla against 6,000 French soldiers under the command of Napoleon III. Hernandez spoke of the support that Hibler provides in helping the children learn about their heritage and background she added, “She has offered my son the best of the resources available for him to succeed.” She commented that he has made tremendous progress with the tutoring and after school programs available at Sespe School. Lastly the Board heard from Karen Ashim, a counselor at Fillmore High and former assistant principal about her objection to the proposed plan of cutting an assistant principal position at the school, and creating a part-time Dean position. This proposal has been made and was accepted by the Board at the last meeting as a measure that will take place even if no further reductions are required when the State budget is released. Ashim told the history of the assistant principal positions at the high school and explained that the District had already tried the proposed configuration but it does not work. “[This plan] is unfair to the teachers, students and administrators. We tried it. It didn’t work. We need to learn from history and our own history [demonstrates] that this proposal did not work then and it will not work now.” She stated, “It may save a few dollars…its not very cost effective decision [in the long run].” She asked that the Board think about it carefully.

Superintendent Jeff Sweeney spoke about CONTINUED »