APRIL 30, 2019 Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

2019 Summer Projects Update
Information was presented to the Governing Board by Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill, Director of MOT, Phil Clark, and Maintenance Manager, Denise Berrington.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

To encourage an increase in bicycle safety in our community, the Fillmore Citizen Patrol will be holding a bicycle safety rodeo from 9 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, May 4th. The event will be near the BMX track at Two Rivers Park and will feature a safety course, bike tune-ups, free helmets and fitting assistance, bicycle registration and raffle prizes. The event will also feature displays from the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, SWAT team, K9 Unit, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and Fillmore Fire Department.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Millions of Americans ride bicycles, but less than half wear bicycle helmets. For example, a national survey conducted in 2001-2003 found that only 48% of children ages 5-14 years wore bicycle helmets when riding. Further, older children were less likely to wear helmets than younger children. In 2010 in the U.S., 800 bicyclists were killed and an estimated 515,000 sustained bicycle-related injuries that required emergency department care. Roughly half of these cyclists were children and adolescents under the age of 20. Annually, 26,000 of these bicycle-related injuries to children and adolescents are traumatic brain injuries treated in emergency departments.” http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/ti... es.html

The Fillmore Police Department encourages all riders, regardless of age, to take advantage of modern safety equipment, and for parents to ensure their children are wearing helmets while riding bicycles and skateboards.

The safety of our children is a top priority in the city of Fillmore, and we encourage parents to attend this event with their children.

Prepared by: Sergeant Dave Sparks #2409
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Bob Crum

Aah, the pain hurts so good. As I write this on Monday following the Railfest, I'm still recovering. Like some dogs are predisposed to chase cars nipping at the tires, I was compelled to chase the steam engine but not to [!@#$] at the hooves of the iron horse. Just that the steam engine is a photo op phenomenon.

A slowpoke the steam engine is not. Spewing steam and smoke, she rambles speedily. One must be equally speedy because there's very little time to drive from one shooting location to the next. Adding to the foreboding franticness, some motorists drive like they have nowhere to go and all day to get there. GET OUT OF MY WAY! (Yelled silently, of course.)

Fortunately, most of my shooting spots along the route were devoid of, ahem, “phonetographers.” However, there were several of “them” at the last location, one standing down the track 100 yards or so, in view of course. This necessitated taking a different position than planned. After the train passed, I waited for him whereby I cheerfully admonished him about proper protocol, i.e., GET OUT OF THE WAY of the shot for the rest of us. For the coup de gras, I pointed to the sign: “Private Property, No Trespassing.” Phonetographers!

True, photography is all about “light.” Great light makes a good photo better. But photographers don't control daylight, yet. The event happens regardless of the kind of light nature presents. It was cloudy all Railfest weekend presenting diffused soft light! A photography friend loves cloudy skies declaring soft light moody. Sure, if I'm photoing mermaids on the beach under cloudy skies, the soft light exudes a tantalizing, exotic mood. Conversely, I prefer sunlight creating contrast on the steam engine's metallic body expressing muscle. Regardless, as long as the light isn't dark, it's good!
As mentioned often, composition is a significant component of a compelling photo. I have predetermined locations specifically for obtaining compelling photos. But this year, Fillmore & Western Railway (FWRY) discombobulated my photoing plan. My locations are selected based on the steam engine pulling the train west, as in years past. This year, however, FWRY put the engine on the east end of the train pushing it west and pulling it back to Fillmore, ruining my planned shots. (sigh) There wasn't time to re-scout new locations based on the train configuration, so I still shot from my predetermined places. The problem? Smoke trails don't lie. Forward leaning smoke indicates a train in reverse — wrong perspective. To get the perspectives I wanted required shooting from a different location as the train approaches. Fix it in Photoshop? I could, but that would violate my photojournalism code of ethics so not an option.

The photo of the week is #14 on the 88-year-old turntable. The turntable, purchased from Capreo, Canada for $16,000, is operated by the Santa Clara Valley Railroad Historical Society. Notice the steam rising straight up? Truly an 'authentic' photo! More Railfest photos forthcoming.

Art and Photography Exhibition showing now through Sunday, May 5 in city hall. Hours: 5/3 noon to 7 pm, 5/4 noon to 5 pm, 5/5 noon to 4 pm. Yes, I have three photos on display. The Artist Reception on Friday, May 3, from 5 pm to 7 pm is an excellent opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their art. Come by and buy! All art is for sale. Remember to vote and submit your People's Choice ballot for a $100 drawing! See you there!

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Pictured right is Jose “Froggy” Estrada during his training at his home gym, West Coast Jiu-Jitsus in Oxnard. Photo courtesy Joe Woods.
Enlarge Photo

It is fight time again sports fans! That’s right The Frog Man is about to fight again! Friday night, April 26th, on the campus of U.S.C. in Los Angeles, Ca. First fight starts at 7 p.m. I got a chance to go to West Coast Jiu-Jitsus in Oxnard where Jose “Froggy” Estrada trains, with the great coach Brian Espinoza in charge and teammate Michael Reyes, both getting ready to fight the same night. I had a sit down interview with Froggy, this is how it went:

Question: Are you ready?
Froggy: Yes Sir! Been ready since my last fight. The fire inside is burning.

Question: What’s the temperature?
Froggy: 200 degrees! I am ready to go all out in this fight. Training hard, eating good, ready to redeem myself after the last fight that I got robbed in Mexico. I’m back with a chip on my shoulder.

Question: What can you tell me about the guy you are fighting?
Froggy: Undefeated. His first fight at 145 pounds, record of 3-0. His name is Adrian Guzman. He is a striker, he is working on his wrestling. I need to show him my experience and skills I have.

Question: What are you going to do about this guy when you get him in the cage Friday night?
Froggy: I am going to out skill him, out class him, and do what Froggy does best. With my experience, and this not being my first rodeo, I will take him out.

Question: Do you ever have any fear before a fight?
Froggy: NO FEAR!

Question: What gets you going on fight night? What gets you excited?
Froggy: Being able to fight and perform in front of the crowd. To be able to back up what is being said on T.V., social media, the press, and knowing I am fighting on worldwide T.V. That is what brings me enjoyment, to give the viewer what they want on fight night.

Question: Do you respect Adrian Guzman?
Froggy: Right now, yes. But not when the cage door locks. It will be him against me then. And it will be me with my hand raised in victory when the fight ends.

Question: What about after the fight? Do you respect him then?
Froggy: Yes. Always respect. Respect for his team, his family and of course him.

Question: What do you want to say to your fans before the fight?
Froggy: Thank you, thank you for your support. I hope you all tune in to the fight on T.V. or on social media. Thank you to my hometown Fillmore! Thank you for the support over the years. Be ready to see the Frog do his thing!

Question: Who do you want to thank?
Froggy: My manger, my coaches, my teammates at West Coast Jiu-Jitsu. My family, my sponsors, and of course my fans. And I have a message to the kids out there; keep working hard, and never give up on your dreams!

Folks I have been covering Froggy Estrada since his first fight. This is a great man and a great role model for all of us out there. I have known him since he was in Middle School here in Fillmore, and I am so proud to be able to call Jose “Froggy” Estrada my friend. Thank you Froggy! Now DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE! The fight will be on Univision T.V. on Friday night, April 26th. Look up your local listing for the time.

Henry Mata, 67, Fillmore.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Henry Mata (DOB 6/13/51), of Fillmore, was convicted of molesting four children under the age of 14. Specifically, Mata was convicted of one count of oral copulation on a minor under age 10, one count of digital penetration on a child under age 10, seven counts of lewd acts upon a child under age 14, five counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under age 14, and one count of annoying or molesting a child. Additionally, the jury found true a special allegation that Mata committed lewd acts involving substantial sexual conduct upon multiple victims.

In April 2016, the first of four victims came forward to Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives stating Mata committed numerous lewd acts upon her in his Fillmore home when she was eight years old. After investigating, detectives arrested Mata and the District Attorney’s Office filed formal charges. Shortly thereafter, three additional victims came forward with information that Mata molested them numerous times between 2004 and 2014 while they were between the ages of 6 and 12. Two additional uncharged victims testified at trial that Mata committed lewd acts upon them while living in Santa Paula in the 1980s when they were between the ages of seven and ten years old. All victims were related to Mata.

Sentencing for Mata is scheduled May 15, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 23 of the Ventura Superior Court, County of Ventura. Mata faces a maximum possible sentence of over 300 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office is the public prosecutor for the county’s 850,000 residents. The office employs approximately 280 employees including attorneys, investigators, victim advocates, and other professional support staff who strive to seek justice, ensure public safety, and protect the rights of crime victims.

City of Fillmore

Fire Chief Keith Gurrola spoke to the Council concerning fire prevention measures and trash removal. He cautioned about the heavier than normal weed growth expected following this year’s exceptional rainfall. Chipper Day was announced for May 4 when the City will pick up hazardous materials, including palm fronds. Strong efforts should be made to clean-up fire-hazard growths before July 4.

City Council approved the adoption of Ordinance 19-908 to add Fillmore Municipal Code Chapter 11.13 to regulate Small Cell Wireless Facilities (SWF) in the public right-of-way, and determine the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act.

TOWNE THEATRE
Staff has recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency Board authorize staff solicit offers from private parties to purchase the Towne Theatre. Council chose to wait until all Council members were present before making a decision on this matter.

8-C.
Staff’s recommendation that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 19-3698 declaring its intention to levy the annual assessment, approve the preliminary Annual Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2019/20, and set a Public Hearing for May 14, 2019 to receive public comments on the proposal to increase the assessments, was approved.

HOSPICE
8-G. Staff’s request that the City Council approve a new real property agreement for the use of the Store Front located at 642 Lemon Way by Santa Clara Valley Hospice was approved.