Question No. 4: With the two letters of No Confidence submitted by city staff regarding ex-city manager Yvonne Quiring, how do you see morale being restored at city hall and in the council that ignored the letters?

SANDRA PELLA:
Question 4 states, “the council ignored the letters;” a statement not based upon fact. The council did respond to the 2 letters of No Confidence drafted by Roger Campbell, an individual who was not employed on city staff, and had no authority to interfere with employee relations. The council addressed allegations from city staff in 2 city council meetings, and spent city funds to conduct 2 investigations. It was found that Yvonne Quiring had acted in a professional and appropriate manner in her dealings with staff.
This incident became a morale issue at city hall because standard policy was not followed; a procedure that is the norm in most organizations. Grievance issues follow a process of levels. The first step is to bring the grievance to the supervisor, and if there is no resolution to the matter, then the grievance is taken to a higher level. In the case of the city staff’s grievances against Ms. Quiring, this standard procedure was not followed. There might have been a resolution on the first level had this process been utilized.
Morale in any organization is restored when employees understand the organization’s vision, goals and policies, and their role in meeting the organization’s objectives. It is management’s responsibility to state the vision, direct the goals and to provide tools necessary for employees to succeed. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines one aspect of morale as, “the sense of common purpose with respect to a group.” Morale is maintained when employees understand policy with regard to grievances and follow the policy guidelines. Communication is always a major key to resolving issues. Problems in the workplace can usually be worked out with cooperation and communication.

MANUEL MINJARES:
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Christian Conaway pulls off a double by winning both Classic Luge and Street Luge at the IGSA NorAm Race held on Oct 6 & 7 at Bonelli Park in San Dimas. As a result of his series points standings, totalling 2 Gold medal, 2 Silver medal and 1 Bronze medal, he earned the 2012 IGSA North American Series Street luge Championship.

In the final race of the 2012 IGSA North American Championship Series Conaway dominated the competition on Saturday by setting the fastest qualifying times in both Street Luge and Classic Luge. Conaway bested the time of the second fastest rival by more than two seconds. In a sport that is measured in thousandths of a second a 2 second lead is rare. Conaway uncorked a 1:04.272 on his second qualifying run leaving everyone else racing for second fastest qualifying position. Christian was visibly pleased with his results on Saturday but based on his demeanor he knew he had work to do on Race Day. “Qualifying is qualifying, but it isn’t racing” he said.

IGSA President Marcus Rietema wrote, “Christian Conaway continued the dominance he'd shown in qualifying (on Saturday) to win the street luge race and the NorAm points championship. Conaway, who was competing in his final race before heading out on a two-year mission for his church, left all of his rivals racing for second. He built huge leads off the starting line with a monster push and then rode perfect lines through O-Tang corner all day long leaving no chance for his fellow racers to catch him.” Conaway also went on to race and win in the Classic Luge event against a large field of racers.

The North American Series consists of eight races held in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Capping off the 2012 season with the North American Series Championship was a fitting way to go out on top as he takes a two year leave from racing to provide service to others in Bogota Columbia.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Phillip C. Diaz and United States Army Specialist Michael P. O’Neal.

Yesterday, Saturday, September 29th, while talking with my son, United States Navy Petty Officer Second Class Phillip C. Diaz 26 years, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, we had one of those great moments that will always be remembered by our family! It started out by my son interrupting our conversation with, “Holy #@$%$#@!” My heart skipped a beat and I was shaken after he said that because I had about three very bad scenarios running through my mind as I asked him if he was OK! Phillip responded, “Its Michael!” The ‘Michael’ Phillip was referring to is Phillip's nephew and my oldest grandson, United States Army Specialist Michael P. O'Neal 20 years, who is also serving in Afghanistan at a Forward Operation Base much farther south of Bagram Air Force Base where Phillip is stationed.

After talking with both Phillip and Michael I had them promise to take a photo of this moment for me and put it on Facebook! They did just that and by the time I signed on to Facebook later that day there were numerous posting from people in Fillmore and Ohio where Michael is from acknowledging the photograph. Thank you again for bringing our currently serving military members closer to home with the technology we are all fortunate to have available, like reading the Fillmore Gazette online, that can bring them closer from so far away! Our men and women currently serving are truly American Heroes and I know we are all thankful for the sacrifices they make daily for us and will make in the future.

Question No. 3: What actions taken by the current council in the last two years do you agree with most and why? What actions do you disagree with most and why?

SANDRA PELLA:
Actions taken by the current city council in the past two years that I agree with most include:
1. I strongly support the current council’s decision to pursue negotiations with American Water in order to reduce operating and maintenance cost of the water treatment plant. Costs imposed by the operation of the water treatment plant, coupled with the impact of the recession, have adversely impacted Fillmore businesses, schools and households.
2. I agree with the current city council’s commitment to be openly transparent in all decision making policy.
3. I agree with the current council’s efforts to provide a streamlined budget that is user friendly, and for conducting budget workshops that encouraged more participation from the public.
4. I strongly commend the current city council for managing to balance the budget despite criticism for taking necessary actions in order to keep the City of Fillmore solvent.
5. I agree with the current city council’s endeavor to target every possible revenue source, and with supporting the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce as well as other local agencies, to promote filming and tourism. Just since July, filming in Fillmore has generated income in excess of last year’s entire revenues.
The action taken by the current city council in the past two years that I most disagree with most involves a recent decision not to censure Council Member Steve Conaway for violating the Brown Act. As an elected official of the City, every council member is held to a high standard of ethics. The other council members voted to admonish Council Member Conaway for his conduct, thereby being prudent in not expending City monies to pursue further action.

DOUGLAS TUCKER:
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The members of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department will be wearing pink shirts for the month of October to join the effort to promote Breast Cancer Awareness.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same.

Statistics show that every 2 minutes there is a new diagnosis of breast cancer. Every 14 minutes a life is lost to the disease. Over 40,000 people will die this year; about 400 of them will be men. 85% of all those diagnosed have no family history. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer; the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55.

The Firefighters of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department would like to remind every woman to have annual breast exams; to provide encouragement to those women who currently battle the disease; and remember those who have lost the battle with this disease.

Fillmore Unified School District

The Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with a public hearing on the sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials for the K-8 grade provision of standards-aligned and structured English immersion program for the 2012-2013 school year. Also on the agenda was a presentation of a reading event being held later this month for 3rd graders along with an update on Math and English test scores.

Jennifer Weir, Special Populations Coordinator will be partnering with nonprofit Right Road Kids President Paula Phillips, to host a Family Reading Celebration event for FUSD 3rd graders and their families. The event is made possible through a generous grant provided by Reading is Fundamental and Macy’s Department Stores. The grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with Fillmore receiving $5,000, the highest amount. The goal of the grant is to motivate students about the importance of reading, empower families, encourage community support and promote partnerships with educators and parents. The motivational program’s focus is the importance of reading at home, parents/siblings reading to kids and parent classroom involvement. Students attending will receive Right Road Reading Packs, script for the Free Book Store, along with the entertaining programs and edible treats for everyone. The event will take place at Fillmore Middle School on October 23rd between 5:00-7:00 p.m. Fliers will be sent home with all FUSD 3rd graders and parents are encouraged to pre-register by Friday October 5th to assure their child and family members will receive the free materials. Parents or an adult family member must accompany their children. For more information contact Jennifer Weir at 805 524-8036 or jweir@fillmore.k12.ca.us

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About six weeks ago I wrote an article about a young United States Marine and 2010 Fillmore High School Graduate, Corporal Jose A. Patino, who is now serving in Afghanistan. Corporal Patino contacted me regarding helping him obtain a Military Banner with his name to be displayed in his “Home Town” of Fillmore. Since the fund to help obtain the Banners was nearly depleted and Corporal Patino was in need of a full grant to purchase the Banner a call went out for assistance! I am happy to report that you, the Fillmore and Piru Communities, responded in a big way and to date $2,250 has been contributed!

If that amount of contribution isn't enough, each of those contributing have indicated that the monies they contributed, after purchasing Corporal Patino's Banner, should remain in the account to help purchase other Banners for currently serving members requesting a Banner! Those who contributed are: Steven and Sandra Butts, Adon and Delores Chavez (given in memory of their son Adrian), Jean and Harold Council, Victor and Patricia Westerberg, Debra Niederkorn, Dennis Beeghley and Fillmore Piru Citrus (Brian Edmonds, President).

Thank you to all of them for their contribution towards Corporal Patino's Banner and their generosity to allow the monies to remain in the account to help in the purchase of other Banners for Fillmore's and Piru's brave men and women currently serving. Your support of our own American Heroes is greatly appreciated! Soon Corporal Patino's and three others will have their Banners proudly displayed!