Max Pina

At the last City Council meeting, Duke Bradbury, Vice President of Thin Blue Line of Ventura County, proposed that the street immediately west of Central Avenue, adjacent to our Sheriff's Substation, be named for late former Sheriff Deputy Max Pina.

The Gazette published a short history in last week's edition and promised to extend it for this week.

Max's 53-years of public service could fill a book, but here are some primary reasons for supporting the naming of the street after Max Pina:

He was Citizen of the Year for 1992. He was in service as a Fillmore police officer and then as Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy in Fillmore for over 20-years. Personal and professionally concern for Fillmore's youth. Spearheaded the raising of over $105,000 for the Fillmore Boys & Girls Club. Major coordinator of the Christmas Food Basket Program. Served as liaison officer between the gangs and local police. Received the second annual Baha'i Human Rights Award in 1990.

Max was 1996 Employee of the Month. Selected Fillmore's first "Community Service Officer". Founding member of Fillmore Boys & Girls Club. Max was also instrumental in obtaining a grant of $18,000 for small neighborhood park next to the Storefront office, serving B&G Club.

Recognition of Valuable Service to City of Fillmore 1999. Recognition of police officer since 1971. Leadership in Boys & Girls Club. Reduced crime and gang violence by work in North Fillmore Storefront.

Won Medal of Valor for actions during 1978 floods, saving citizens trapped by flood waters with human chain of other officers.

Max was awarded Officer of the Year in 1980 and 1983, also Optimist Club Distinguished and Dedicated Service Award, 1994. Dedicated Service Award to North Fillmore Storefront, "Providing positive presence after school programs, adult education, counseling and legal services, prevention programs and other activities. Provided safe place for persons wishing to contact police”.

In 2003 the Storefront welcomed its one hundred thousandth visitor.

It looks like our City Council will have plenty of information to basis its decision on.

Thank you, Max Pina, for your life's work in the service of the City of Fillmore.

Initially, information and applications for Fillmore Rotary’s House Painting Project were handed-out to people who needed this work done but couldn’t personally or financially do it themselves. The applications were reviewed, and the project began. Several Rotarians sanded, scraped, and did all the prep work. Professionals took care of the termite problem and replaced new wood where needed and did the final painting. Rotarian Sean McCulley headed up this project and showed before and after photos to the Club. The owner of the property, Bene Ambrosio and her daughter, Oliva, were present to thank the club for the service project.

Aerial photo on snow.
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Snow on the ground in front of Fillmore High.
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Chambersburg Road covered in snow after the storm.
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Christian Science Church covered in snow.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

As far as we know, Fillmore has never had a white Christmas, but a few weeks after Christmas in 1949 it seemed the entire area had been transported to the northern climes. Unseasonably cold weather hit the area from January 8th to January 12th, much of Southern California received measurable snowfall. It even snowed on Catalina Island!

On January 8th, temperatures in Fillmore dropped to 28 degrees and remained low for almost a week. Citrus growers throughout the area lost much sleep keeping the smudge pots going in an attempt to save the navel orange crop which was just being harvested.

School closed as did a few businesses. One business that did not close was the telephone exchange located on the ground floor of the Masonic Building. At that time, all calls had to go through an operator, there was no such thing as direct dial. On January 12, the number of calls almost doubled from a normal day of about 6,300 to more than 11,000. The previous high had been 8,000 calls. Gretchen Stanley, the chief operator, called in her staff so all 13 switchboards were covered. Apparently the high volume was due to the snowstorm, the low temperature, and the closing of the high school.

According to Phil Young, “My brother Fred and I had, it seemed, endless play time in the white stuff. I also recall going with my dad, Merlin Young, in his pick-up to look at the snow around the area. On that little drive he stopped to talk with Brick Fansler. As ranchers do, they analyzed the situation and the possible impact on the orange crop. I was thinking: can we just go home for some more snow fun. Even though it was in January it truly was a white Christmas.”

On Guiberson Road, Bill Shiells pulled son Bill and the neighbor kids around in the snow on the family toboggan.
Fillmore looked as if it had been painted white. The snow lasted a very short time, only about 2 days before it began to melt away. But, the local children had time to build a snowman, make snow angels, and stage snowball fights. There have been a few snow events in Fillmore over the years since but 1949 was special and is fondly remembered by today’s grandparents who were just school age when it happened.

If you have snow photos you would like to share, post them to the museum’s Facebook page or send to the Museum at fillmore.museum@gmail.com.

Duke Bradbury, Vice President of Thin Blue Line of Ventura County, presented to the City plans to name a street in remembrance of Fillmore’s former Fillmore PD Sgt. Max Pina.
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Council selected Diane McCall to be Fillmore's new Mayor, and Lynn Edmonds to be new Mayor Pro-Tem.

7.C The second reading to adopt Ordinance 21-933/Zoning Ordinance Amendment

21-02 to adopt the MWELO by reference, was approved.

7.D City Staff recommended that City Council approve an amendment to the current contract Professional Service Agreement with InfoSend, Inc. (InfoSend) of Anaheim, California, for an amount not to exceed a total of $120,000 for an additional 36-month (three year) period to continue providing data processing, printing, and mailing services to the City. Approved.

7.E. SWS Inc. Contract Amendment

Solid Waste Contract.
It is recommended that the City Council award a contract extension to Solid Waste Solutions Inc. in an amount not to exceed $133,500.00 to assist the City with implementation of the new solid waste laws and mandates set forth by the State. Contract approved.

7.F City Attorney Contract Amendment
Tiffany Israel of Aleshire and Wynder serves as the city’s City Attorney and has done an excellent job representing the city and handling our legal matters. She is a key contributor to the management team and a valued member. The last increase was approved in November 2020, after not receiving an increase since July 1, 2017. A majority of the rate increases will be paid by third parties such that this proposed amendment will have minimal impact on the General Fund Budget.

The City’s legal expenses can vary greatly from year -to-year depending on unanticipated legal matters such as claims and lawsuits. If the entire FY 2021-22 City Attorney budget of $295,000 will be expended this year, the proposed contract amendment would increase City Attorney costs by approximately $10,000.

City Attorney contract amendment was unanimously Approved.

8.H Staff requested that the City Council accept a Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA. Approve an appropriation of $13,870 from the City’s general fund reserves to Fund 213; and 2. Approve the acceptance of FEMA FY 2020 AFG grant and authorize the City Manager or his designee to undertake any actions necessary to accept the grant.

Your Fillmore Fire Department is in dire need of Cardiac Heart Monitors and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Because of this need, Fillmore Fire Department has taken the lead on the FY 2020 AFG Regional Grant for monitors and AEDs. Of all grant items being awarded to the regional fire services, the monitors are the most expensive. The Fire Department is required to provide a heart monitor whenever we have paramedic staffing in place, which occurs almost daily.

Acceptance of FEMA FY 2020 AFG grant is approved.

Fillmore Condors Destina Guzman who placed 12th overall, and 11th individually and Lucy Zuniga who placed 23rd overall finish and 19th individually, for the 10-year-olds.
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Courtesy Fillmore Condors Cross Country President Erika Arana

The Fillmore Condors Cross Country team concluded their 2021 season by participating in the AAU National Cross-Country Championships on Saturday, December 4th, 2021. Although USATF was our first option, with Covid restrictions still stricter in Kentucky, we decided as a conference to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina instead. Roughly 2,000 athletes followed, to compete at the 114+ acres, known as the 5k Championship Cross-Country course at McAlpine Creek Park. This serene multi-use park has the deepest history of any course in North Carolina, and arguably of any course in the Southeast. It is legendary for its flat, fast surface that produces remarkable times, although it does have one steep decent-sized hill. Weather conditions felt just like California.

This year we were able to have a full season, with athletes racing every Saturday to create an elite National team, based off rankings within the Valley Youth Conference. Our eighteen local Fillmore Condors joined other area runners to form Valley United Striders. Condor representatives were Leah Barragan, Mila Castro, Destina Guzman, Robert Marin Jr., and siblings, Abel, and Itzel Arana; Giovanni, and Sophia Cortez; Diego, and Santiago Felix; Kaylie, Kenzie, Kirsten, and Kristen Theobald; Athena, and Coraline Villela; Lucy and Zoey Zuniga.

Beginning the day with the oldest division was the girls 13 and 14-year-olds, with 184 runners. Leah Barragan 137th overall and 88th, individually for the 13-year-olds; Leah had a time of18:17.65. The boys 13 & 14-year-old division had an impressive field of 219 runners. Diego Felix placing 143rd overall and 68th individually, for the 14-year-olds; PR 15:55.21. These two ran their last youth 3,000-meter (2.48 mile) race.

Following were the girls 11 and 12-year-old division, which consisted of 217 runners. Kaylie Theobald placed 111th overall and 68th individually, for the 12-year-olds; 12:53.01. The boys 11 and 12-year-old division race, was the largest race of the day, stacked with 227 runners. Santiago Felix finished strong with a time of 11:42.78, placing 73rd overall and 41st in the 12-year-olds, individually. Right behind him, was teammate Abel Arana who crossed the finish line with a time of 11:50.42, placing 80th overall and 35th individually, for the 11-year-olds. Abel and his Strider teammates ran away with a 3rd place podium title, all running a 3,000-meter (1.86 mile) race.

169 runners toed the starting line in the girls 9 and 10-year-old race, with four of the Striders being Condors. This Strider team was favored to win, and that they did! 1st place National Champions podium appearance. Destina Guzman, was a completely different runner this season. She raced with confidence, placing 12th overall, and 11th individually for the 10-year-olds. Lucy Zuniga, behind her teammate, crossed with a time of 12:24.49 for a 23rd overall finish and 19th individually, for the 10-year-olds.Theobald sisters, Kirsten ran 12:36.36, 31st overall and 24th individually; Kristen struggled behind to hold onto her sister, running13:14.8, 63rd overall and 41st individually, both for the 10-year-olds. First time cross-country runner, Giovanni Cortez, raced against 167 runners. His time was 14:58.53, placing 145th overall and 63rd individually, for the 9-year-olds. This division ran the 3,000-meter race (1.86 mile) race.

Itzel Arana was our top Condor and Strider runner all season, and she did not disappoint at Nationals, in the girls 7 and 8-year-olds division. She peaked a season PR time of 8:28.48, placing 12th overall and 9th individually, for the 8-year-olds. Teammates, and sisters, Caroline, and Athena Villela, also first time cross-county runners were in the same race of 105 runners. Caroline crossed the finish line at9:35.58, placing 58th overall and 41st individually, for the 8-year-olds. Her sister Athena placed 99th overall, and 37th for the 7-year-olds, running 11:20.60. Both sisters also hit season PR’s. Itzel and Caroline earned a 2nd place podium finish in their 2,000-meter (1.24 mile) race.

The last combined race of the day concluded with the 6U’s, in a field of 67 boys and girls. The girl’s first National experience was one to remember, as our Condor girls took home a National Champion team title. Mila Castro speed her way to a time of 5:08.34 for a 13th place finish. Seven seconds behind in 18th place, was Sophia Cortez; 5:15.83. Teammates, Zoey Zuniga, and Kenzie Theobald paced off each other to finish milliseconds away from one another. Zoey 21st; 5:25.32, and Kenzie, 22nd,5:25.82. The only Condor boy to represent was, Robert Marin Jr. who finished 22nd for the boys; 4:57.58. All the 6u’s ran 1,000-meter (.62 mile) race.

Fillmore Condors Cross Country is a non-profit organization under Heritage Valley Blazers Inc. We are the only cross-country team in Fillmore; we represent our city with pride. The Condors are coached by Gerardo Flores, Jared Perez, Jessica Huerta, Angel Venegas, Sandy, and Felix “Punkie” Zuniga. “Every year is a new experience. We are always amazed to see what these athletes’ minds and bodies endured in the 4.5 months of training for Nationals. They never disappoint!” Condors President Erika Arana and board members would like to thank the following for sponsoring our athletes this memorable cross-country season: Fillmore Lions Club, Fillmore Rotary Club, Heritage Valley Blazers Inc., and the Fillmore Community for purchasing Jamba Juice cards from our athletes. For more XC or Track info, contact 805-624-1129. FOREVER CONDORS!

(above & below) photos Courtesy PNC.
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Courtesy Piru Neighborhood Council

The Piru 43rd Annual Christmas parade and festival drew most of the town out to celebrate this past Saturday. The VFW Color Guard led the procession of over 20 entry's included Parade floats, fire station 28, Ventura Sheriff Search and Rescue, and United Water Piru Lake vehicle and rescue boat, Fillmore High school band, local 4-H Club, Boys & Girls Club and multiple other entries. ROKK Plumbing float, The Grinch float, Ruiz Family float and the FHS Marching Band were the parade winners. Following the parade, music was provided by: Mariachi Los Rayos from Fillmore High, Piru River Band, Hard Water Band, and DJ Dan Ibarra. Food trucks and local eateries were on hand, as were multiple vendors featuring a myriad of crafts and other items. Phil's animals oversaw the arrival of Mrs. Santa Claus and a few of Santa’s favorite reindeer who hung around so the children could have their pictures taken with them. The event was hosted by the Piru Neighborhood Council and several community volunteers. The afternoon included a Camoulus local history tent, Ventura County Library van, a corn hole tournament, toy give away by the Carnales Motorcycle Club, and more. The afternoon was well attended and this year's ever honored Michele McKinley in appreciation for her passion for our community, along with her continuous efforts to promote the rich history of Piru. The event received several local Business and personal donations to fund the event, most notably over $2,500 that was donated by a few recent film productions.