To the Editor:
I attended the city council meeting of July 8, 2008. I was appalled and embarrassed that a few of our council members and staff would demonstrate such unprofessional body language to the public. The note passing between council members and staff is not acceptable and even if unintended, it gave the impression they were making “fun” of the brave citizens that came up to voice their opinion. The rolling of the eyes and shaking of the head is again giving the wrong impression to the public. I am so grateful that our citizens want to take a stand and speak their minds to the council, staff, and the public. I remember being a planning commissioner, the city attorney took all of us new commissioners aside and gave us the code of ethics and instilled into us that body language should be minimized. I have spoken in front of the city staff and city council several times and noticed this same demeanor. But sitting there last night as a citizen in the audience, I truly feel our city council has lost focus on what citizenry means. Lastly the city council needs to stop governing by intimidation for the well being of Fillmore.
Trinka Reynolds,
Fillmore
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To the Editor:
Nearly 300 Fillmore residents attended the important water & sewer issues meeting at the Memorial Building on Monday the 7th. A sign-up sheet was passed around seeking volunteers to help with Chloride Reduction in our wastewater. Approximately 20 volunteers signed up. THANK YOU. We will have our 1st: Chloride Control Volunteers Meeting - When: Tuesday, July 22nd at 7PM Where: Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara St. I am asking for more volunteers from the public. We have a huge amount of work to do, and your help is needed. PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING!
Mary Farkas,
Fillmore
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To the Editor:
Repeatedly, over a thousand Fillmore citizens have spoken by putting their signature on a petition expressing their desire to have the right to vote on the future development in North Fillmore limiting the number of dwellings to 350 with an appropriate mix meeting housing requirements.
Developed as planned, North Fillmore will add 700 dwellings including three story multifamily units with narrow streets and alleys. A new street from North Fillmore to the north end of Central Avenue will be constructed. Traffic studies show that traffic will become more congested on Central Ave., A, B, C and D Streets all the way to Hwy 126 because of the vehicles traveling in and out of the new development.
Council member Cecilia Cuevas wants the 700 homes in North Fillmore with its added traffic. She also wants four story apartments at A Street and Sespe. She also asked the Council to spend $20 thousand to study the impact the initiative, if passed by the voters, would have on the city. Council went along. Spending money seems to come easy for them, just look at our overpriced sewer plant.
The people in Fillmore have a pretty good idea what this $20,000 City Staff supported study will reveal; because of past poor decisions we all will be paying more. So donʼt try to hold us hostage with the threat of lawsuits, higher sewer bills etc.
We got it on the November ballot folks. Thanks to everyone for your help!
Bob Stroh,
Fillmore
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To the Editor:
Regarding the North Fillmore Initiative
Finally!
After last Tuesday’s City Council meeting the Citizens of Fillmore will get the chance to voice our opinion on the city’s plans for North Fillmore. After two referendums petition drives, and two initiative petition drives, we are now able to have on the November ballot a measure that will limit the dense development that the City has been planned for that area.
Again, we have no issue with low income, high-income housing or any income housing. Our only issue is to have North Fillmore developed in a manner consistent with the rest of Fillmore and one that does not contribute to over crowding, increased traffic, and does have the necessary parks and open spaces.
A City Council Member apparently is worried that the City will somehow be open to litigation. It’s a mystery to me that citizens exercising their voting rights regarding the make up of their city could cause litigation. We understand that the city has a State requirement to plan for low-income housing. So, go ahead and plan for this type of housing, but do it in a way that does not cause a deterioration of Fillmore.
Clay Westling,
Fillmore
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To the Editor:
On May 28, 2008, Boy Scout Michael Watson, a member of Troop 411 in Fillmore, California, part of the Ventura County Council, will be honored at a special court of honor for achieving the Eagle Scout award, Boy Scouting’s highest honor. In your position, I know you recognize the importance of this achievement in this young man’s life.
To become an Eagle Scout, Michael earned 23 merit badges and served his troop in a variety of leadership roles. He also completed a community service project where he coordinated and helped concrete the high school’s batting cage. This project included numerous hours of coordinating schedules, obtaining volunteer skilled labor, as well as acquiring donations of concrete, rebars and sand. As a student at Fillmore High School, Michael has maintained a 4.6 GPA while competing in baseball and basketball. He is planning on continuing his education by attending a four-year university after completing high school.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help us honor this special young man.
Sincerely,
Cliff Watson,
Fillmore
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To the Editor:
How do you all like the Democrat's argument that "why allow new exploration and drilling for domestic oil because it won't provide immediate relief at the pump". Of course we all know had we started 20 years ago we wouldn't be in the economic troubles we are in today!! SOUND FAMILIAR? Wasn't that Cirillo's argument that convinced you so called city council members to deny Rent Control for El Dorado? Didn't he say only 15 or so homes would be affected immediately if you passed rent control. But just like the Democrats, not one of you had the intelligence to look one, two, five years down the line to see what positive affect Rent Control would have for every singe home owner in this park. You passed millions of dollars for a ridiculous skate board park when Fillmore is hurting for money, and affects only a few kids, yet reject Rent Control that would have affected thousands of your senior citizens and cost Fillmore NOTHING!
You are an embarrassment to this city, and Fillmore is dying as I write this letter due to your total and absolute incompetence. I pray the Wrath of God on each of you sorry excuses for city leadership. Maybe this November the citizens of Fillmore will wise up and replace each of you with Council Members who will work for the people and their best interest rather than your own.
David Reeves,
Fillmore