To the Editor:
Shame on those that voted to cut our lovely Palms trees down. I have lived in this town all of my life and I can safely say more years than all of the city council combined. You folks come in here like thieves in the night, with little warning to the public, and chop down all our lovely Palm trees that have so graciously lined our Central Avenue for over 70 years. I know why you did it. You were told by the film industry that if you were to cut down the Palm trees they would come in more often and film here. I'm hoping and praying that you folks received a written contract from the film industry because if you are going on speculation CONGRATULATIONS, you have just ruined a beautiful little community that I was ONCE proud to call my home.
Mr. Gonzalez (on the city council) suggested that maybe we could have people donate a plaque where the trees used to be in honor of a loved one or a friend. I'LL AGREE WITH THE PLAQUE BUT INSTEAD OF FAMILY MEMBERS, MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE IN HONOR OF THE # 1 THROUGH #26 PALMS THAT WERE CHOPPED DOWN!!! The plaque could read something like this…the first one would read IN MEMORY OF #1 PALM THAT ONCE STOOD ON CENTRAL AVE. FOR 70 YEARS. THEN THE HACKERS CAME IN AND HACKED ME DOWN ON JULY 20, 2012. Then we continue with #2 ALL the way through 26.
Fillmore has gone through fires, floods and earthquakes and we have always bounced back, but cutting down those Palms on Central Avenue was the icing on the cake.
Sincerely
Sharon A. Villasenor
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
This is such great news for those of us in the film business. I can't tell you how many times I have thought of Fillmore to fill the need for a "small town" look for a TV commercial and then looked elsewhere because of the palm trees. We would love it if you would put some other kind of tree on your lovely street, but the palm trees scream "This town is in California!" and that's a big road block for national TV commercials that need to have a more generic small town look.
Thank you, Fillmore!
Pat Parrish
Location Scout
Los Angeles

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To the Editor:
To the Community of Fillmore, the Fillmore Women's Service Club would like to thank you for your support over the 4th of July week by buying fireworks from our booth. Through your efforts the monies raised will go back to our community, the Educational and Adult Women's Scholarships in 2013.
The Fireworks Committee would also like to thank all our members for volunteering to work in the booth. We would like to extend a special thanks to all the non-members who helped, and went above and beyond to ensure our shifts were covered, to make our fundraiser successful.
To Fillmore local business man Eliel Hernandez Fence Company for all the hard work, and Fillmore Rentals for their continued support. To Ruben Rojo and John Nehrig for lighting our way. To ETI Corral 126 for volunteering their time, to Otto Klittich, Jerry Silversmith, Shelly and Clark Johnson without whose help we would not have had such a comfortable booth. A special thank you to the scholarship winners and parents who also came to help us. The fact that you took the time to volunteer and contribute towards the 2013 scholarships, makes us know it is all worthwhile.
See you next year.
Mimi, Susan and Jeannie

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To the Editor:
While a decent leader strives to achieve the goals of their constituents, an effective leader yields results. It is the latter characteristic that sets Congressional candidate Tony Strickland apart from his competition. His accomplishments while in California's senate not only affected lasting, positive change for our region, but were often negotiated across party lines in a traditionally divisive legislature. Simply put, Tony knows how to get things done. If successful in his bid for congress, his efforts will prove a boon to our area and to our nation.
Take, for example, SJR 19, legislation Tony authored that received unanimous, bi-partisan support from his fellow senators. If passed by the state assembly, SJR 19 will protect our area's most prolific employer, Naval Base Ventura County (NVBC), from closure or downsizing.
Consider the lawsuit Tony spearheaded against governor Gray Davis. Ultimately, this litigation ultimately saved California taxpayers from billions of dollars in spurious energy contracts.
Consider SB 425 and SB 917, bills authored by Tony that crack down on animal fighting and ban the sale of animals in parking lots and along roadsides. Consider another article of legislation Tony authored, Jacquelyn's bill, formed to rectify the deficiencies in California's newborn screening program that led to a young girl's tragic death.
Oh, and before I forget, consider the endorsements Tony has received from the humane society, the chamber of commerce, the US majority whip, and NVBC's former commander.
Examine his record for very long, and one thing becomes very clear: Tony Strickland has a demonstrated ability to lead.
But please, don't take my word for it. Judge Tony for yourself. And when you decide who sits in congress this November, remember the time-honored saying, "actions speak louder than words".
Spencer Whitworth
Thousand Oaks, CA

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To the Editor:
A sense of character
Its been said that a true a test of character however, is how fear is dealt with when threats arise to certain situations. Threats can arise in all shapes and sizes however having the courage to stand up the timid and fight for a cause can inspire the masses to believe that the fear will circumvent.
Through out these past months we as constituents of Ventura County have been crumbed to hustle and bustle of an election year. This summer we have been introduced to both state Senator Tony Strickland and Julia Brownley, and have heard their cases for why they deserve to represent us in the United States House of Representatives. We have seen and definitely heard from Tony, as I’m sure I’m not the only one that has read all those letters in the Star an Acron. But wait. What about Julia Bronwley? all I have heard from her is that a truck caring her likeness that goes caravanning out in Camarillo trying to muster support. Listen, I may not be the most politically aware but I do know when someone is afraid to make a stand for their beliefs. I have heard absolutely nothing from Julia Brownley and as an independent voter how I’m suppose to make a choice with only one side making their case to me.
Now hear this cause I know I’m not the only one undecided about this election. I’m not going to just vote for whatever party looks the best. No, I’m going to vote for who has the strength to lead and right now that’s looking like Senator Strickland. Tony has made a strong case that his character and political stances can make our county believe in the future. Without candidates like Tony, all our county would have to look forward is the picture on the back of a truck.
Greg Sefain
Simi Valley

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To the Editor:
Strickland Letters
I am quite surprised at the number of letters that have recently appeared in the local papers, criticizing Tony Strickland's supporters for sending so many letters to the editor.
It seems to me quite sad that Julia Brownley's supporters, rather than extol her record, would instead attack Tony Strickland's supporters for writing positive letters detailing his achievements. If Julia Brownley is concerned at the number of pro-Strickland letters that local papers have printed, I would suggest that she motivate her supporters to explain why people should vote for her instead. The fact that they have chosen to criticize Tony Strickland's supporters for nothing more than writing letters, is disturbing.
Perhaps Mrs. Brownley doesn't have much of a volunteer base, or much of a network, in the area, given that she only moved here from Santa Monica a few months ago so that she could run to represent Ventura County in Congress. Whatever the reason for the disparity, it would be encouraging if Mrs. Brownley's supporters could close the gap in letters to the editor by writing their own supportive letters, rather than writing letters that serve no other purpose than to attack, not even Tony Strickland, but his supporters.
Sincerely yours,
Trevar Kolodny
Woodland Hills, CA