Egedi sues
On April 1, 2010, former Fillmore Fire Chief Pete Egedi (40) filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the City of Fillmore, Fillmore City Council, City of Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, and ten unnamed individuals claimed to be negligently and legally responsible for the alleged events and injuries cited in the civil complaint. The lawsuit lists violations of Firefighter’s Procedural Bill of Rights Act, violation of Due Process denying Egedi an Administrative Appeal, violation of the Brown Act, and violation of Fillmore’s Municipal Code, and includes a demand for a jury trial.

The Ventura Star reports that Egedi was terminated over allegations of misappropriating thousands of dollars, transferring money to his wife, as well as funding a city employee’s abortions and purchasing a wide-screen TV he had installed at his home. If convicted, Egedi could spend up to roughly five years in prison, says Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Drescher.

According to the complaint, the city allowed searches of Egedi’s storage space without his presence, consent, or a valid search warrant, and without first notifying him of the investigation. The complaint also alleges that his continued employment as Fire Chief was deprived him without due process of law; his request for an administrative appeal of his termination has not been addressed.

Further allegations include CONTINUED »

Los Angeles – The owner of B.A. Income Tax, located in Santa Paula, made his initial appearance in United States District Court yesterday afternoon to answer charges that he aided and assisted in the preparation of false tax returns, willfully failed to file tax returns, and committed wire fraud with respect to mortgage loans.

Benjamin Aparicio, of Fillmore, was charged in a 17-count indictment obtained by prosecutors earlier this month. The indictment alleges that Aparicio aided and assisted in the preparation of thirteen fraudulent returns for the 2003 tax year.

Aparicio is alleged to have claimed losses on five individual income tax returns stemming from a limited liability company that his clients were not entitled to deduct. The indictment also alleges that Aparicio aided and assisted in the preparation of three individual income tax returns upon which he claimed Schedule A deductions that his clients were not entitled.

Aparicio is also alleged to have aided and assisted in the preparation of false partnership income tax returns on five occasions. These partnership income tax returns claimed income and deductions that Aparicio knew the businesses were not entitled to claim.

Additionally, the indictment alleges CONTINUED »

On Saturday May 1st the Society of Women Engineers toured Fillmore’s new Waste Water Treatment Plant. The tour was requested by Elena Woodard, who lives on Grand Avenue, and watched the construction from ground breaking to completion while walking the bike path.

Approximately 10 members of the SWE, which includes electrical, civil, chemical and industrial engineering disciplines, toured Fillmore’s award winning plant. Members commented on the innovative approaches used at the plant and the amazing new technology incorporated into it. The automation during off hours was of interest to many members. Also gaining the nod of approval was the energy efficiency aspects of the design and reuse of the water within the community. Showing their awareness of community issues the Society asked questions concerning the chloride problem and the effectiveness of the city water softener buyback program.

On Saturday, May 22, from 2 – 4 pm, visit Fillmore’s new water recycling plant during its first open house. Learn how sewage is treated and the water recycled, 1580 River St.

In a surprising decision by the California Board of Education, the petition to transition Piru Elementary School to a charter school has been denied. The Board determined the charter plan had an insufficient probability of being successful.

Curiously, in stating their decision, the Board admonished those who testified against the petition, for lying. It also concluded that more residents of Piru opposed the charter because more opponents drove to Sacramento to express their opposition. In every other respect the charter petition was valid and complete. Observers are left to believe that if more proponents of the charter had driven to Sacramento the result would have been different.

In the view of the Fillmore Gazette, this decision of the State Board of Education displays remarkable weakness and lack of character on the part of certain Board members. The community of Piru has just had a golden opportunity stolen from them.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies Bill Meixner and Beau Rodriguez have both made remarkable recoveries since the April 17th traffic accident on Highway 126 that left them in critical condition. Bill has been transferred to St. John’s Hospital’s rehab facility and Beau is now recovering at home. “Beau and Bill have made a remarkable recovery from life threatening injuries because of their courage and positive attitudes. They are both taking about how soon they can return to work. Their progress was aided by the great medical staff at VCMC and the tremendous support they received from family, friends, and the Sheriff's Department family,” commented Sheriff Bob Brooks.

Beau was released from the Ventura County Medical Center on April 28th. After the accident, he sustained a collapsed lung, a head injury, several broken ribs and other broken bones. He is assigned to the Fillmore Station’s Special Enforcement Unit and was working in that assignment at the time of the accident. Beau is known for his solid work ethic, high productivity, and positive attitude. He has received numerous commendations during his eight year career.

Bill’s injuries from the accident included a compound fracture to his right femur and a broken hip, knee, and arm. Bill, an 11-year veteran of the Department, is a member of the Department’s SWAT Team. He is also a top performer who has been commended numerous times.

Before the accident, Bill had CONTINUED »

Leslie Leavens-Crowe of Santa Paula spoke to City Council Tuesday regarding the Asian Citrus Psyllis threat to agriculture.

Fillmore City Council, April 27, 2010 Tuesday:

Note: Mayor Patti Walker and Councilmember Jamey Brooks were absent from the council meeting due to family matters.

The State of the Utility in California
Nancy Williams, Regional Manager of Public Affairs for Southern California Edison gave a presentation highlighting Southern California Edison’s plans to help meet the region’s growing energy demands.

SCE is putting forth $21 billion over the next five years for infrastructure, with $45 million allocated for projects in this region during 2010-2012. Infrastructure enhancements include the installation of Remote Control Switches that decrease the duration of unplanned outages, increased capacity of the Fillmore Substation, deteriorated pole replacement, and annual system-wide line clearing.

Williams noted that customers can save energy and money through SCE’s Special Programs and Services, which offers programs for new couples and retirees on fixed income. SCE also offers help for the higher rates during the four-month summer season, such as incentives on the purchase of qualifying energy-efficient equipment and fixtures, a level payment plan, and payment assistance. For further information, visit www.sce.com or contact Williams at the Ventura office.

Citrus Killer Coming CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FUSD trustees voted in a special Board meeting Thursday, April 22 to send layoff notices to 25 Classified employees.

The layoff resolution cited a lack of work or lack of funds as the reason for the action which takes effect at the end of the current school year. Most of the Reduction in Force notices are at Piru Elementary School, is waiting to hear if the application to convert the school to a Charter School is accepted by the State. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney said a hearing on that issue is tentatively set for May 5 in Sacramento.

“Cutting services at the site level is as close to the students as it comes.” said Luanne Brock, a District employee. But she said she was speaking as a citizen. Sweeney said, “We worked with the California State Employees' Association (CSEA) on this issue and it was brought out that some categorically funded positions might be eliminated. We don't know yet how all the adjustments will be made.” He added that the Fillmore Unified Teachers' Association and the CSEA bargained in good faith. “There are positions being eliminated because the funding is drying up,” he added.

Virginia De La Piedra, acting as Board President said, “The State is giving us less categorical money.” “The nature of State and Federal funds are always at risk for categorical jobs such as librarians and technology personnel,” said Sweeney. “School Site Councils at each school help plan how the money is spent at each school.”
Todd Schieferle, District Human Resources Director, stated, “We have not stopped talking with the CSEA. Schieferle also told the board that he was going to Piru School the next day to personally talk with each employee on the layoff list.

Sheila Duckett, an employee at CONTINUED »

First Lieutenant Marcos A. Ruvalcaba
Enlarge Photo

Fillmore resident Marcos A. Ruvalcaba, 33 years, is a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and he is leaving for Afghanistan in the immediate future for a minimum seven month deployment. This will be his third deployment to the Middle East. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba is currently assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment is known as the “Thundering Third!”

1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba attended Fillmore schools until the 9th grade when he transferred to St. Bonaventure High School. At St. Bonaventure he participated in soccer and baseball before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in February 1998. While in the United States Marine Corps he attended Chapman University from 2002-2005 where he studied Criminal Justice. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba continued his college education as an enlisted Marine and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree which allowed him to attend Officer Candidates School. After completing Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 30, 2007 just nine years after enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.

1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba is the son of CONTINUED »