[CORRECTION: A correction has been made to this article after its initial publication. The article was corrected on April 23, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. The original article incorrectly stated "Robles coached the girls’ recreational basketball team and founded a youth girl basketball team in town." We apologize for this error.]

There were just a few items on the April 22, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting agenda, but one will impact many of the towns’ residents; that being the change in local public transportation. Besides the Council and staff there were about 10 in attendance for the hour long meeting. Other agenda items were approval of the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission appointments along with Weed Abatement and forming an Ad Hoc Committee for the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society (SCRVRHS).

The proposed Heritage Valley Transit Cooperative Agreement presented by City Manager David W. Rowlands was approved unanimously by the Council. The proposal replaces services provided by FATCO and VISTA and is a result of discussions involving the County of Ventura, Santa Paula and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) creating a Cooperative Agreement for transit service in the Heritage Valley. The change will provide an integrated fixed route and dial-a-ride services in both Santa Paula and Fillmore with an intercity service along Highway 126.

The new Transit Committee CONTINUED »

Successful local businessman and community leader, Mario de la Piedra announced his candidacy for State Assembly District 44 this week at a meeting of the Ventura County Republican Party. Mario promises to end the "business as usual" attitude in Sacramento and focus on job creation, protecting our farmers, cutting government spending, and restoring local control.

"I know about job creation, because I sign both sides of the check," said Mario. "California is still pushing job creators out of the state with failed policies. My priority, if elected is to cultivate a renewed sense of entrepreneurship in California. Helping businesses start and grow in California is the only way we are going to bring our state back."

"Make no mistake, those in Sacramento are failing our job creators and the people who depend on those jobs," continued Mario. "They are failing taxpayers, failing farmers, failing small businesses, failing veterans, failing the jobless, and failing future generations."

With agricultural roots going back many generations, Mario's grandfather, Aurelio Larios Guzman, was a farm labor contractor and owner of SAG Farm Labor, a Fillmore-based company with 100employeesthat specializes in contracting farm laborers and refueling and repairing farm equipment. He was tragically killed in a job-related equipment accident in 2001. Mario's parents are Mario & Virginia de la Piedra. Mario's mother, Virginia, is a current member of the Fillmore Unified Board of Education.

"Mario and his family's agricultural history goes back for generations in Ventura County," said Steve Barnard, President, Mission Produce. "He has been an active member of Young Farmer's and Ranchers and knows first-hand the challenges our farming and rancher communities face including water and regulatory concerns. He will make a great Assemblyman."

Mario received his insurance license at the age of nineteen and is a co-founder and owner of Western Yosemite Insurance Services, a full service insurance agency specializing in agribusiness with clients from Morro Bayto Pauma Valley. He is involved in many community organizations, including the Rotary Club of Ventura and the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers. He directed the AG Day Golf Tournament to raise money for local scholarships. A graduate of San Diego State University, Mario resides in Camarillo.

Board Member Prado
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The Migrant Education Speech/Spelling & Debate Winners of 2014 were presented by Diana Vides and Coach Marisela Gomez. The winners of Combined Prepared and Extemporaneous English Speech were; Jimena Cortez 1st Place 5th Grade, Anahi Pascual 1st Place 6th Grade, Giselle Perez 2nd Place 6th Grade, Aimee Ramos 3rd Place 6th Grade, Diana Perez 3rd Place 7th Grade, Yulissa Fregoso 1st Place 10th Grade, Jessica Cortez 1st Place 12th Grade. Montserrat Infante won 1st Place 9th Grade for Combined Prepared and Extemporaneous Spanish Speech. Four first place winners from Fillmore will be going to the Speech & Debate State Tournament in Santa Maria representing Ventura County on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May.
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[editor's note: Board Member Prado's most recent Letter to the Editor entitled "Mary Ford, you have no integrity" may be found in the April 17th "Letters" section of of this website.]

A new superintendent was announced at the April 15, 2014 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting which was held in the auditorium. With close to 100 in attendance, it was a gamut of high and low emotions as seven Public Comment speakers scolded the Board; the Board later responded to statements and accusations.

The meeting began with recognition of the Migrant Speech & Debate Students and their coaches. Also on the agenda was the Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Test Preparation and a profile of the potential non-graduating senior. Items that were not on the agenda, but part of disclosure were the resignation of six FUSD employees: Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino 6-30-2014, Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson 6-30-2014, Fillmore High School (FHS) Principal Russom Mesfun 6-30-2014, Director of Special Projects Gary Mayeda 6-30-2014, Athletic Director Matthew Suttle 6-12-2014 and IA Special Ed. Michelle Alvarez 4-14-2014.

Video of the April 15 meeting

The Board introduced Dr. Adrian E. Palazuelos as the new Superintendent for the 2014-2015 school year, who then gave a short speech in both English and Spanish. Palazuelos, who grew up in Oxnard, has worked in Ventura, Fresno and Sacramento counties, having worked most recently as the Associate Superintendent of School Leadership and Support in the Notomas Unified School District located in Sacramento. His employment is a three year contract at $165,000 per year with a $7,500 paid moving expense. The contract also includes the following stipends: an annual $1,500 technology, monthly $500 automobile and $150 phone.

The Migrant Education Speech/Spelling & Debate Winners of 2014 were presented by Diana Vides and Coach Marisela Gomez. The winners of Combined Prepared and Extemporaneous English Speech were; Jimena Cortez 1st Place 5th Grade, Anahi Pascual 1st Place 6th Grade, Giselle Perez 2nd Place 6th Grade, Aimee Ramos 3rd Place 6th Grade, Diana Perez 3rd Place 7th Grade, Yulissa Fregoso 1st Place 10th Grade, Jessica Cortez 1st Place 12th Grade. Montserrat Infante won 1st Place 9th Grade for Combined Prepared and Extemporaneous Spanish Speech. Four first place winners from Fillmore will be going to the Speech & Debate State Tournament in Santa Maria representing Ventura County on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May.

During Public Comments Sherri Wright was CONTINUED »

The 2014, Fillmore Flower Show, “100 Years of Flowers”, for our centennial year, sponsored by Vision2020/Civic Pride Committee was deemed once again a success as we celebrated the sixth year of the returning show. Many willing volunteers, young and older, worked together to set up the tables and displays and little shop within the youth room for plant “sales” by donation.

By 6:30am, the senior center was already buzzing with people filling bottles with water for the entries which began arriving by 7:30am.

We had 256 entries this year and for the first time a group came from the Boys/Girls Club to make a team arrangement.

When the public arrived to view the show at 1pm, the room was filled with a sweet fragrance of the many roses and the tables were ablaze with ribbon awards and music was played by pianist, Joy Asenas. A small table beneath a historical display of newspaper articles gathered by Conway Spitler, held his photo and obituary as we dedicated this show to his memory. Our Flower Show Album created by Sarah Hansen enabled guests to look back over these 6 years of flower shows.

2014 Flower Show winners by division were: Best of Show, Blanca Martinez, with her potted black Swarzkopf succulent; Division I, (Rose: cut, single stem)Joy Asenas; Division II,(Iris: cut, single stem) Regina Stehley; Division III, (Other single stem, cut) Carmen Zermeno; Division IV, (Bouquets) Susan Hopkins; Division V, (Arrangements) Linda Nunes; Division VI, (Miniature Bouquets & Arrangements) Loni Larson; Division VII (Potted Plants) Blanca Martinez; Division VIII, (Dish Gardens) Carmen Zermeno; Division IX, (Youth Arrangements) Boys/Girls Club Team( David Reyes Recendez, Janet Contreras, Jessica Beserra, Alekzander Gonzalez, Celeste ?, Isaac Reyes Recendez, Fatima Moreno, Alonda Diaz, Leslie Zamora, Lindsey K. Diaz, Thomas Ramirez, Aldan Sanchez) ; Division X-Youth Composition- Ima Joy Zerudo.

This year we had the greatest number of prizes donated by merchants and individuals which enables us to bring in funds for our future shows and projects. We would like to recognize them and encourage support for their businesses. To be recognized and given “thanks” are: Ari Larson with Cookie Lee Jewelry, Avenue Pet, Carolyn Lasky, Chivas Skin Care, Diamond Realty & Investments, Judy Dressler, Elkin’s Golf Course, Green Thumb Nursery, King & King Ranch, Little Shop of Hoarders, Mary & Ian Nunez Eggs, Nanette Keller Clothing, Otto & Sons Nursery, Patterson’s Hardware, The Treasure Station, Trader Joe’s, Vallarta Restaurant and Vic’s Tires.

It is hoped that all who expressed an interest in entering next year and getting their children or youth groups involved, will begin to plan and prepare their yards now with a little extra care to be ready for 2015 and co-chairmen, Joanne King and Linda Nunes have asked that anyone with an interest in helping plan and put on the show, to contact them. They would love to divide up the work into committees.

Come to our Civic Pride meetings and add your voice and effort to improve quality of life and esthetic appeal in our community. Civic Pride Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 PM in City Hall.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is seeking to block an emergency petition filed April 1 by Fillmore & Western Railway which would temporarily stop the commission’s effort to evict the railroad.
The railroad has petitioned the Surface Transportation Board, a federal regulatory agency, to prevent the eviction, citing allegations the VCTC is “...seizing the operation of a railroad in a profoundly unauthorized and unlawful manner.”

The commission filed an eviction complaint against the railroad in March when its prior cease and desist filing to halt further traffic, was ignored by the railroad on the 32-mile branch track owned by the commission.

In a countersuit, the railroad charged the VCTC unlawfully terminated the 20-year lease executed in 2001. The railroad seeks to consolidate the two cases which the commission opposes. The commission terminated the lease for the stated purpose of stopping a significant loss of money. The agency’s executive director, Darren Kettle claims while the commission has earned approximately $3.5 million from the agreement during the past 11 years, it has lost about $7.2 during that time due largely to track maintenance. Countering this allegation is the railroad’s claim that the loss is due to the commission’s mismanagement.

Fillmore & Western Railway claims it brings from 50,000 to 70,000 tourists to Fillmore yearly. The commission insists that the railroad’s petition is “wrong as a matter of fact and law”, while the railroad claims the commission is “seizing the operation of a railroad in a profoundly unauthorized and unlawful manner.”

Commission attorney W. Eric Pilsk, from Washington, has reportedly indicated a ruling on Fillmore & Western’s petition could take weeks or months.

Some facts in this story were obtained from the Ventura Star.

City of Fillmore

04/01/14
Accident Injury
700 Blk. B St.
Vandalism
Shiells Park
Abandoned Vehicle
900 Blk. Meadowlark
Theft
600 Blk. Ventura St.
04/02/14
Surveillance
200 Blk. Sheffield Lane
Search Warrant
400 Blk. Arundell Cir.
Shots Fired
300 Blk. Mountain View
Vandalism
A St./Ventura St.
Threats CONTINUED »