The State Water Resources Control Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) has released the first findings from the largest survey ever conducted in California of contaminants in sport fish from lakes and reservoirs. The results are from the first year of the two year, statewide survey.

The results indicate that problems exist in some areas of the state. Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the two greatest concerns. Mercury contamination is largely a legacy of California mining, and can also reach lakes through the air. It is a persistent problem throughout much of the state. Twenty-six percent of the lakes surveyed had at least one fish species with an average mercury level that exceeds the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) threshold for considering a consumption limit. OEHHA cannot develop new recommendations based solely on data from this study.

The results for area lakes are as follows (350AVE1=ANCOVA-based average for 350 mm fish at location 1 regarding Largemouth Bass): LAKE PIRU .46; CASTAIC LAGOON .18, CASTAIC LAKE .39; LAKE CASITAS .38; LAKE HUGHES .20; MALIBU LAKE .12; PYRAMID LAKE .37; WESTLAKE LAKE .09; PYRAMID LAKE .37.

PCBs were second to methylmercury as a potential health concern to consumers of fish caught from California lakes. Approximately thirty-six percent of the lakes had a fish species that exceeded OEHHA’s Fish Contaminant Goal. However, only 1 percent of the lakes sampled had a species with an average concentration level that exceeds OEHHA’s threshold for considering a recommendation of no consumption. PCBs are persistent chemicals that are now banned in electrical, industrial and other applications. Other pollutants were also found, but generally at low levels. CONTINUED »

With Mayor Patti Walker absent, Mayor Pro-tem Gayle Washburn presided over the May 26th City Council Meeting. The Council honored the new Fire Chief and the outgoing Fire Chief of the Fillmore Fire Department, discussed how to make ends meet in Lighting and Landscaping Districts that are not paying their own way, approved change orders for the Water Treatment Plant, set a public hearing for June 9th to discuss garbage collection fee increases, heard public comments, and heard an update from the public and staff on landscaping at Riverwalk Park.

The Council formally appointed Rigo Landeros as the new Fire Chief. Transitional City Manager Larry Pennell presented the appointment. Pennell explained how the firefighters had been evaluated to determine who would be Chief. He not only said that Landeros was the most qualified candidate, but also complimented him on his training, level of experience, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills. He noted that Landeros had been Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief since 1992, and was 2005 Firefighter of the Year. City Clerk Clay Westling swore Landeros into office. Landeros thanked Pennell, Bill Herrera, the Council, the Fillmore firefighters, his wife Laura, and his family. He said that he would work to preserve the high standards currently in place at the fire department.

The Council recognized Outgoing Fire Chief Bill Herrera for his exemplary service. Pennell congratulated Herrera on a job well-done. Mayor Pro-tem Gayle Washburn on behalf of the Council presented him with a proclamation citing his goodwill, energy, fairness, friendliness, and enthusiasm. The Fillmore Fire Department gave Herrera a commemorative white-leather fire helmet and a large plaque containing a life-size highly-polished axe. They presented red roses to his wife Kathy. Herrera thanked his family, the firefighters, and the duty captains. He said that he was sad to be resigning, but knowing that the department would be in capable hands made it easier. He said, “Rigo’s going to do an awesome job.” CONTINUED »

Police Chief Tim Hagel
Enlarge Photo

Difficult economic times seem to bring out the best, and the worst, in people. News stories appear daily about the “random acts of kindness” people are moved to perform for others who are struggling. Some stand in line for hours at job fairs, willing to take any job so they can support their family. Others, however, decide that crime is the way to go. Regular reports appear in the newspaper about gang activity in Fillmore; rural areas have experienced their share of crime as well. Farmers have seen an increase in theft of equipment and fruit, as well as graffiti “tagging” and trash dumped on their properties. Packinghouses and oil companies out in the country have been hit too. To address these problems, Captain Tim Hagel, Fillmore’s police chief for the last fourteen months, has initiated a Farm Watch program.

Capt. Hagel, a member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department for 22 years, understands very well the problems farmers face, as he farms with his brother 40 acres of avocados at the top of Grimes Canyon Road. Capt. Hagel oversees 27 officers who cover a territory of 455 square miles, including the farmlands from Wells Road to Magic Mountain, and from the summits of Balcom Canyon and Grimes Canyon Road to Gorman, including upper Ojai. He started Farm Watch when he arrived in Fillmore; he sees it as more than just a task force assigned to investigate rural crimes—“I was looking for the next level of connecting us,” he said. Recognizing that farmers are for the most part very private and independent sorts, but who readily help their neighbors in time of need, he decided the best way to connect rural folks was by an email newsletter and a telephone and email reporting system. The response to this program has been astonishing; he expected maybe twenty farms would participate. “I never thought that we would get up to 350” members to sign up, he said, adding that this list includes other law enforcement and county agencies and political representatives who are interested in what is happening out in the country. This program is unique, not just in Ventura County, but in the whole state. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

An investigation by the Fillmore Police Gang Unit of two incidents of gang violence in the City of Fillmore led to the service of five search warrants at homes in the cities of Fillmore and Moorpark. The searches led to the arrest of four suspects involved in the two incidents, and two subjects were arrested on unrelated drug charges. The District Attorney’s Office, Santa Paula Police and Sheriff’s Gang Unit assisted in the warrant service.

The investigation of this incident began on February 28, 2009, when at about 9:00 P.M., at least four Fillmore gang members were attending a family party at a hall located in the 500 Block of Second Street, in Fillmore. The gang members exchanged words with a guest (victim) at the party and subsequently battered the victim. On Thursday, May 21, Francisco Torres 18, Fillmore, and two juveniles were arrested for felony counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, vandalism, battery and street terrorism. Torres was booked at the Main Jail, with bail set at $100,000. The two juveniles were lodged in juvenile hall pending further proceedings. Suspect DeAnza Espinoza 19, Fillmore, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and booked at the Main Jail. His bail was set at $10,000. The search warrants were served in the 600 Block of Via Rodeo, 300 Block of McNab Ct, 300 Block of D St. and 700 Block of Del Valle in Fillmore. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

2019 hrs: FILLMORE: S091460820 - Fight in Progress / 300 Block A Street, FI. RP advised that two subjects were fighting in front of the location. Josue Martinez 25 years and Rene Hernandez 38 years began fighting today. Martinez suffered a head laceration from being hit with a large rock by Hernandez. Hernandez was also struck with a large branch by Martinez. Martinez and Hernandez were both arrested for Felony 245 PC Battery and transported to jail 09-12995 2330 hrs: FILLMORE: S091460943 - Observation Arrest / King Street and Howard Street, FI. Deputy Rodriguez (6A21) observed a vehicle that matched the description of a hit and run suspect vehicle from earlier in the day. The driver, Oscar Arevalo 33 years old was arrested and booked in jail for Felony 12020 PC - Possession of a Billy. Club and Misdemeanor Hit and Run 09-012989. Courtesy of Fillmore P.D.

Fillmore Unified School District

To the Editor of the Fillmore Gazette:
By: John Garnica, Fillmore Unified School District Board President
I was disappointed to read the “article” submitted by the Fillmore Unified Teacher’s Association. First, the article was presented on the Gazette’s front page as factual, instead of opinion. Secondly, neither the administration nor the board was given the opportunity to counter any of the claims made in the article. Last, there was no by-line under the headline of the article - it is only at the end of article that we discover the authors the article are the teacher’s union leadership. That said, let me point out factual errors, and let the reader decide whether that “article” was actually news, or just opinion.
First, the board’s stated goal has always been to keep the cuts as far away from children as possible. The union leadership claims we only cut teachers and classified staff who are closest to children, instead of administration. In fact, the administration was the first to feel the pain, as we decided in January not to fill one administration position (technology director) and later cut another full-time quasi-administrative position at the district level. Out of senior administrative staff, this represents 2 positions out of 8, or a 25% reduction. Later, the board authorized to reduce administrative pay through a decrease in their work days. I personally spoke to Ms. Marvel and reminded her of these facts after one particular board study session, but apparently Ms. Marvel has forgotten our conversation. To set the record straight, the district administration took the first cuts, and continued to take cuts as we moved through the budget building process. CONTINUED »