Water Sewer Billing Records History received from the City of Fillmore on October 5, 2012, for Fillmore Convalescent Center, Orange Blossom Villa (pages 1-3), and an attached residence (pages 4-5).
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[Update 10/16/12 - Added Public Records Request Images]

Questions were raised again about the Gazette’s alleged bias at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Several speakers, including the city clerk’s wife, complained that the Gazette had falsely accused Clay Westling of being politically prejudiced. Mrs. Westling stated that the Gazette had wrongfully criticized the clerk of failing to comply with Freedom of Information Act emails and Public Records Requests. She maintained that all requests for information were answered completely and in a timely manner.

While each request made of all other council members for water/sewer billings were in fact provided in a timely manner, Councilman Eduardo Gonzalez’ information was not. The first Freedom of Information Act request was made on May 25, 2012. Other requests for Gonzalez’ billings were made in June, July, and two in October. On July 12 the Gazette received an email from Mr. Westling stating: “The City of Fillmore has provided you with all of the records on this topic [Gonzalez] that exist.” “...In the meantime I am treating this topic as closed. Respectfully, Clay Westling, Fillmore City Clerk”

Copies of this message were sent to Yvonne Quiring and Glenda Jay, under “RE: Utility Bill-Council Member Gonzalez.”

On July 11, 2012, the Gazette answered that the information was “significantly incorrect and incomplete, according to recent personal communications between Mr. Gonzalez and myself” [Martin Farrell]. A Public Records Request was sent on October 2, 2012, with this note: “In the event this request is again ignored this issue will be referred to the Ventura County District Attorney for resolution.”

On October 5, the Gazette received some billing information on Gonzalez, though still incomplete, with copies sent to “Rigo Landeros; Glenda Jay; Laura Seo”.

The Utility Billing Account History Report we received indicates Gonzalez has an outstanding balance of more than $95,000 as of September 27, 2012 on his Fillmore Convalescent property.

The Gazette also received billing information from Westling for Gonzalez’ other property, Orange Blossom Villa, for $688 which appears to apply to a single unit of the 66 units involved. A second Public Records Request for Orange Blossom was emailed to City Clerk Westling on October 5 requesting water/sewer history for all units. No response has been received to date.

Mr. Gonzalez’ delinquency amounts to nearly 20 percent of the entire outstanding water/sewer billings. At last night’s council meeting council members Conaway, Sipes, and Washburn voted to send closed, delinquent accounts to collection. Councilmen Jamey Brooks and Gonzalez voted not to send the accounts to collection (under $250,000 in closed accounts were on the city books, with $131,000 of that now closed and in collections).

With over $500,000 in open delinquent water/sewer accounts outstanding, the question remains why wasn’t Councilman Gonzalez vetted before being nominated by Jamey Brooks, seconded by Gayle Washburn, and appointed to the council? Gonzalez was appointed the week of January 11th, 2012; his delinquent bill as of January 26th was $46,189.98 for the Convalescent Center alone. At the January meeting Councilmembers Steve Conaway and Brian Sipes said they wanted more discussion with Conaway motioning for Alex Mollkoy to be nominated, but no one would second Conaway’s motion. Then in a 3 to 1 vote with very little discussion, Washburn, Brooks and Conaway voted to give the seat to Gonzalez; only Councilmember Brian Sipes voted against it.

Another question remains - has the Fillmore City Clerk been involved in a cover-up of Councilman Gonzalez’ delinquent water/sewer billings, which exceed $95,000 for his Fillmore Convalescent Center property? Or, is it merely a question of incompetence? Westling and Gonzalez have been long-time allies in Fillmore politics, dating back to Measure H and I, (November 2008) and the “Sewercide” group (opposing the water treatment plant).

A more complete timeline and record of communications between the city clerk and the Gazette will be posted to fillmoregazette.com next week.

Retiring Officer Jerry Peterson and his wife

The tension at the October 9, 2012 Fillmore City Council Meeting was extremely high as parties from both sides of the ticket, incumbents and new candidates accused the other side of tampering with their political signs. All the political drama kept Fillmore’s Police Chief Monica McGrath busy watching and directing some in attendance to their proper place and at times having to check on the foyer to tone down the loud angry talk that could be heard inside the Council Chamber. There was an hour of public comments mostly from one group that sat together on the north side of the chamber. This group would give a loud applause when someone from their group gave a condemning announcement. This seems to have become a common practice since non-incumbents have announced they were running for office.

Through all the political drama, there were agenda items that were attended to. They included a proclamation to retiring Sheriff Jerry Peterson, an award to Fillmore from United Way, discussion of the 2011-2012 year end budget adjustments, uncollectible utility accounts, budget adjustments regarding the Transportation Development Act and a Community Development Block Grant.

Taking the spotlight CONTINUED »

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:
There were many CONTINUED »

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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:
As stated at CONTINUED »

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.