 Fillmore City Band, circa 1920. Bobby is in the front row, 4th from right, with the mustache, holding his cornet. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 22nd, 2022
 Bobby Styles, circa 1940.  Bobby Styles holding his cornet. This may have been taken in England considering how young he looks and the uniform is not the one we have in photos of the Fillmore City Band. Enlarge Photo Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum On April 22nd, 1949, the Fillmore Herald carried on its front page a story titled, “Bobby Styles, School Custodian, to Retire May 1st, after 31st Years of Service.” It wasn’t a slow news week; other front-page stories included plans for the upcoming May Festival and the loss in baseball by the Flashes to the Lancaster Antelope. But this was an important story to the community because Bobby Styles was not just any custodian. Bobby was born in 1878 in Pewsey, Wiltshire, England. His father, Joseph, was listed in the 1891 English census as a bricklayer. Bobby’s mother, Frances, was a laundress. Bobby, who would have been about 13, was listed as a ploughboy. As a ploughboy, he would be leading the horses which pulled the plow. By the 1901 census, Bobby was in London working as a shop assistant. In 1906 he married Amy Ethel Mills. Bobby didn’t just work though. He was part of the English Brass Band movement which had begun earlier in the 19th century. His instrument was the cornet. The English Brass band was often sponsored by the major employer in the area – frequently a mine or factory. It was not primarily a marching band, but would play concerts for the local residents. 1912 brought a major change in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Styles. On May 2nd, 1912, they left Liverpool on the White Star Lines (of Titanic fame which had sunk the prior month) on the “Cedric” bound for New York. Their final destination was listed as “Fillmore, Cal.” It isn’t clear why they decided to leave England, but they did have a reason to settle in Fillmore. Ethel Styles’ half-brother through her father, Charles Barth Mills, was living in Fillmore as was his half-brother, (through hismother) R. A. Fremlin, who had immigrated in 1892 and settled in Fillmore. On May 12th, 1912, they arrived in Fillmore. Bobby would later remark, “Fillmore, at that time was not much to look at! Oh, it was a growing town, all right, but all the stores along the main street were the usual board front affair, and it sure didn’t compare to London.” Bobby and Ethel quickly became settled in their new home. They first lived on Palm Street but later moved to 437 Foothill Drive. They joined the Presbyterian Church. Bobby became a citizen in January, 1918. Bobby was an early member of the Fillmore City Band under the direction of A. L. Lamberg. The band played concerts for the residents of Fillmore. His Boosey and Hawkes cornet can be seen on display at the Fillmore Historical Museum. Bobby was hired in 1916 by the High School as a custodian. He worked under six principals, J. W. Gastrich, J. B. Ely, William Hull, P. H. Benson, J. M. Hawley, and Donovan Main. At the time of his retirement in 1949, Principal Main said, “Over the years nothing has been too little or too big for Bobby to take care of. The doors of his service were always swinging wide.” Bobby did much more than just work as a custodian, for many years he handled all of the stage scenery for school plays until stagecraft classes were begun and students took over these duties. He also gave lessons on the trumpet, French horn, baritone horn and other wind instruments and helped with the original organization of the Fillmore High School Band. In 1940, local artist, Lawrence Hinckley, presented Bobby with an oil portrait of Bobby. (If anyone knows if this still exists, let the Museum know). Also, in 1940, the Fillmore High School Copa de Oro was dedicated to Bobby, saying, “He has been a constant asset since 1916 when he first came, twenty-four years ago. His cheerful and friendly attitude has made him a friend of both teachers and students.” Bobby did not retire because he wanted to, but was forced by California regulation to retire upon reaching the age of 70. So, upon his retirement after so many years of service, how was he recognized? Naturally he received a plaque recognizing his years of service, but many thought he should receive something more. Bobby had never been back to England to see his family. One of eleven children, only he and his younger sister, Edith, who had worked as a parlor maid in England, came to the United States. Edith and her husband, Thomas Banks, whom she married in 1919, immigrated in 1922 and settled in Seattle. The High School Alumni Association announced in May, 1949, that they had established a “Bobby Styles home-going” fund. They had barely a month to raise the $1000 needed. Cards and letters were sent to members of the Alumni Association. A benefit baseball game between the Fillmore Pipers and the Santa Paula All-Stars was held, which Fillmore won in nine innings 2 to 1. On June 18th, 1949, the Annual Alumni Barbecue was held. It was at this meeting the plaque was presented to Bobby by Albert Haase, the clerk of the school board. It was also announced that the Alumni Association had made all the arrangements needed for the trip back to England, but the fund was still short. By the end of the evening this shortfall was more than made up. On August 20th, 1949, Bobby left on United Airlines flight 608 leaving “Inglewood” airport at 8 am. Locals accompanied him to the airport and others waiting to board the plane wondered who this VIP was because of all the flashbulbs going off. He would stay overnight at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York and then take a Pan American Airways Clipper on to London. Due to ill health, Bobby’s wife, Ethel, could not accompany him. After a month-long visit, Bobby returned to Fillmore. In July, 1953, after an illness of several months, Bobby passed away. Ethel survived him by three years. |
 On Tuesday, December 13th, Fillmore City Council held the swearing in of its newly elected council members, Albert Mendez, Carrie Broggie and Christopher Gurrola, pictured above. Also selected as Mayor was council member Mark Austin, and for Mayor Pro Tem, Christina Villasenor. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 15th, 2022
Mayor & Mayor Pro Tem Named
Fillmore City Council & Successor Agency Meeting, Tuesday, December 13, 2022 TUESDAY NIGHT’S CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS CARRIE BROGGIE, ALBERT MENDEZ AND CHRISTOPER GURROLA. SITTING MEMBER MARK AUSTIN WAS SELECTED MAYOR, AND MEMBER CHRISTINA VILLASENOR WAS SELECTED MAYOR PRO TEM. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL! AGENDA- ALL ITEMS APPROVED, 5-0 |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 15th, 2022
 Larry Wallace Carpenter By Carina Monica Montoya Most longtime Fillmore residents either personally know or know about Larry Wallace Carpenter. Carpenter was a Fillmore police officer in the mid-1960s when Fillmore had its own police department, and later became Ventura County’s Sheriff. Born and raised in Fillmore, Carpenter attended Buckhorn School, formerly Piru School, Sespe School, and graduated from Fillmore High School. Carpenter’s father came out west to Fillmore from Oklahoma in the 1930s as part of the Dust Bowl exodus, the largest migration in American history, where he met and married Thelma Lawson and had three sons. His father found work picking oranges until he enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II. After his return from the war, he became a horse trainer and trained Palomino show horses. Carpenter’s mother worked in Fillmore’s local MOD packinghouse. One hot summer day while Carpenter was working on a ranch pruning trees, he saw an air-conditioned police car drive by. It was at that moment he wanted to become a police officer. He began taking police science classes at Ventura College and became a reserve police officer with the Fillmore Police Department in 1965, and in 1967 he was hired as a full-time officer and became a sergeant in 1968. Sheriff Bill Hill hired Carpenter as a Deputy. He continued his education and earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at the University of Laverne. In 1971, Carpenter was assigned for two years at Lockwood Valley, a one-deputy post in the north half of Ventura County. His wife now of 57 years, Jeannie, was the dispatcher at the Lockwood Valley post, and together they lived and worked at the remote rural location. In 1973, Carpenter was assigned to Personnel and Training in Ventura, which involved conducting background investigations and internal affairs. He became a sergeant in 1975 and worked narcotics until he made lieutenant in the late 1970s and was assigned to special investigations, where he soon became Commander to the Sheriff’s detective unit. Under Sheriff John Gillespie, Carpenter was appointed as undersheriff for 9 years. After Gillespie’s retirement in 1991, Carpenter was appointed as Ventura County Sheriff to fulfill Gillespie’s remaining 2-year term. In 1994 he ran for Sheriff and was elected, serving 6 years as Ventura County Sheriff. Carpenter retired in 1998 to spend time with his 3 grown children and grandchildren, and engage more in hobbies both he and Jeannie love - traveling, fishing, target shooting, big game hunting, and becoming more involved in the town he loves, Fillmore. He’s always been an avid reader, so he is always game for conversation on just about any subject. Although he doesn’t get out as often as he used to, those that know him and visit with him enjoy reminiscing of the “good old days” of big fish barbecues, get-togethers, events, and everything “Fillmore.” |
|
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Thursday, December 15th, 2022
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department A 48-year-old Santa Paula woman was arrested for embezzlement from her employer where she worked as a cashier during the month of November of 2022. The Chevron Gas Station discovered various amounts of cash had been unaccounted for over the month of November totaling a loss of approximately $12,000. This crime was reported to the Fillmore Police Department. Fillmore station investigators identified the suspect as Lupe Mims, a cashier from the gas station. Mims committed the crime by falsifing money drops. Instead of depositing the cash into the safe, Mims pocketed the money for herself. On December 12, 2022, Mims was located and arrested for the crime. Mims was subsequently booked into custody at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for embezzlement. She remains in custody with her bail set at $ 20,000. Her next court date is set for December 14, 2022. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Anyone with information pertaining to this crime or any other crimes are urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station @ (805) 524-2233 or the below listed detective. The reporting party may remain anonymous. Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested for Embezzlement Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). |
 The Fillmore Civic Pride Volunteers have named Sheila & Bob Mumme’s home at 1171 Shady Lane as the Christmas “Yard of the Month”! Bob does all the classy, well-balanced displays and Sheila picks and arranges the signs and porch displays. So be sure to cruise by and check out the display. Photo credit Linda Nunes. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 15th, 2022
By Linda Nunes Civic Pride Volunteers have chosen Sheila & Bob Mumme’s home at 1171 Shady Lane, for the Christmas “Yard of the Month” and they received a $50 gift card to Otto & Sons Nursery. They were planning to purchase a plant or plants for an empty place in the front, so look forward to getting some advice at the nursery. The Mummes have lived in their home for 28 years & this was their first home. Bob does all the outside decorations and Sheila picks & arranges the signs & porch decorations. For their first Christmas, they made wooden painted figures of Mr. & Mrs. Claus with the North Pole mailbox seen in the photo & cheerful barrel footstools for their chairs. Be sure to go out to the Tradition’s neighborhood to see their classy & well- balanced display, as well as other decorated homes in the courts. If you are taking a tour around town, honorable mentions would be 343 Foothill, 2nd & Central Ave., 371 & 997 B St. Special previous winners to view are located at 910 Taylor Lane, 408 Robin Court, & 408 Edgewood. Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate the generosity of Otto & Sons Nursery, providing the gift awards since at least 2003. All are welcome to join in our group which will meet again, January 18, 2023 at 1:30pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. Come help us enrich this already great little town! |
 (l-r) Rotarian Katharine McDowell, Branch Manager of the Fillmore Library, and Rotary President Dave Andersen. Photo courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 15th, 2022
Katharine McDowell, Branch Manager of the Fillmore Library, gave an update on the new expansion. Our library is part of the Ventura County Library system which consists of 12 active libraries and a mobile library. The Fillmore Library is now double in size with study rooms, a community room which can seat 50 people, an innovation lab and homework stations with laptops, besides the usual shelves of books for children and adults. The Friends of the Library donated 10 laptops and fund all of Katharine’s programs for the children and more. Library hours are Monday & Tuesday, 2:00pm to 7pm, Wednesday, 10am to 5pm, and Friday & Saturday, noon to 5pm. It is a wonderful new building with something for everyone! |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 15th, 2022
 Please join the Fillmore Unified School District in congratulating Barbara Vazquez on being appointed to the position of Director, Child Nutrition Services. Barbara Has worked at Fillmore Unified School District for 18 years. She worked as an Account |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
 On Saturday, December 3rd, Fillmore Lions Club held their Annual Christmas Parade. At 10am crowds gathered on Central Avenue to watch the 2022 parade. Although there was a chance of rain predicted in the forecast, the parade was able to go on! Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News. Enlarge Photo  Above are students and staff members from Mountain Vista Elementary, along with all the other FUSD schools, marching in the parade. Enlarge Photo |
|
By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
 On Tuesday, December 5th, at 9:00pm, Fillmore Sheriffs were dispatched to a hit & run that occurred in the area of Central Avenue/First Street, Fillmore (with some reports of Woodgrove Road, three blocks north). Officers spotted the vehicle at Ventura St./Trestle Way, and attempted to make a traffic stop when the vehicle failed to pull over and traveled eastbound on Highway 126 to Santa Clarita Valley, with CHP joining in the pursuit. The vehicle reached speeds up to 100-mph and continued southbound on I-5 making its way to Los Angeles and Orange County. During the pursuit the vehicle was reported to be stolen out of Oxnard. At 10pm, the stolen vehicle exited the I-5 near Disneyland and broke through barriers into the Angel Stadium parking lot before continuing back to the northbound I-5 near Boyle Heights. At 10:30pm, Ventura County units and CHP took five subjects into custody without incident. Three juveniles were taken to the Fillmore Police Station by 12:30am Wednesday for processing. Information contributed by Angel Esquivel-AE News. Photo credit SKYMAP7-abcnews. Enlarge Photo |
 On Saturday, December 17th from 9am to 12pm, the Fillmore Fire Foundation will be hosting their 2022 Community Holiday Giveaway at 711 Landeros Lane in Fillmore. See article for more details. Above, a previous Holiday Giveaway with firefighters and volunteers handing out toys. Enlarge Photo By Gazette Staff Writers — Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
Courtesy Fillmore Fire Department This year’s annual Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway will be held Saturday, December 17th from 9 AM – 12 PM at the City of Fillmore Fire Station, 711 Landeros Lane. This is the annual event where holiday commodities are given to the children who reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries. COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed and the event will be “in-person”. Anyone who is sick is asked to not attend and arrangements may be made for home delivery. Commodities given will be age-appropriate toys, new jackets/coats, reading books and socks. As is customary, a holiday bag of groceries will also be available for each family while supply last. Santa will be available for a picture with each child. As a reminder, this event is only for children who reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries, you must provide proof of residency within the School District such as a utility bill, report card or driver’s license. This year’s sponsors of the event include our local Fillmore Police and Fire Departments, Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, One Step A La Vez, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, Rotary International of Fillmore, Fillmore Lions Club, Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Fillmore Citizen’s Patrol, Fillmore Women’s Service Club, Fillmore Friends of the Library, Super A, Salvation Army, the Fillmore Fire Foundation and numerous other generous personal and business donors. Our sponsor list will be updated week to week. If you would like to help donate to the Fillmore Community Holiday Giveaway, you may give new toys, socks, reading books or canned food; drop boxes are located at the Fillmore Police Station and at the Fillmore City Fire Station. Monetary donations are preferred this year to reduce person to person contact; checks may be made out to “The Fillmore Fire Foundation” with a notation of “Holiday Giveaway”. Donations may be mailed to Fillmore Fire Foundation, PO Box 331, Fillmore, CA 93016 or for drop off, please contact Keith Gurrola (805) 815-0328. |