To the Editor:
Fillmore was voted “America’s last best small town” several years ago. Since that time, we have had many outside investors try to turn us into many other things: urban sprawl, which resulted in Fillmore buying a sewer plant that almost bankrupted our city, and would have resulted in Fillmore losing its name, and becoming just a part of the Heritage Valley sprawl. We all hope and pray we can survive that one.
The latest attempt to change Fillmore is commercial marijuana conglomerates who want to set up in our area (not their own neighborhood). If you remember, many months ago, one of these set up without even asking permission, in the surrounding county area off Grand Ave right next to homes. When they were busted, 89,000 plants were confiscated, and we found out that they were stealing water and power from members of our community.
Once again, the people of our community are being asked to consider commercial marijuana at the “City of Fillmore Medical Marijuana Listening Session”. This meeting is scheduled for Sunday June 25 at 3:30 at the Fillmore Memorial Building.
Last year, hundreds of us turned out to express our opposition to any form of commercial marijuana business in Fillmore. We also turned in petitions with over 1000 signatures, expressing the same sentiments to the city council. All of our community was welcomed to the meeting, yet only a small number of our residents expressed support for Marijuana business.
Furthermore, this small but mighty town was the only city in Ventura County to vote no on Proposition 64 (legalizing recreational pot). Marijuana is still a federally illegal section 1 drug, along with heroin, LSD, and Ecstasy.
To our city officials, I ask, are you listening to the people you promised to serve and protect? What part of “NO” do you not understand? We do appreciate your hard work and commitment, but we ask that you please support us in our efforts to stay America’s last best small town. Please create stronger ordinances and zoning laws to keep Fillmore growing conservatively, along with what we value here. I’ve coined my own motto for us “if it’s good for the family it’s good for Fillmore”.
Of particular concern to us is the property on the west end of the 126, which is adjacent to our newest park, across from a mostly residential area, in short our children and homes. We in Fillmore grumble about our once a year traffic problems due to our fireworks sales, but are happy to do it because it supports local service clubs, faith communities, service leagues, etc., in short our families and lifestyle. A cultivation facility permanently installed on the 126 would ruin our lovely light traffic, one of the many reasons I made Fillmore my home 30 plus years ago.
Even as I write this, daily reports flood in from other states and communities who have taken on this industry: reports of criminal activity, deaths, broken monetary promises, destruction to youths, etc.
Finally, the ‘Safeguard our Fillmore Community Citizen Group” (founded last year) and I ask you to show up on Sunday June 25 in the Fillmore Memorial Building from 3:30-6:00 pm. We need to make clear to all that we love our town, and will not stand idly by while it is destroyed by outsiders who don’t appreciated her beauty and worth.
Sincerely,
Annette M Sula
Spokesperson of the Safeguard the Fillmore Citizen Group and its members

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To the Editor:
The City of Fillmore invites Fillmore residents pro, against or neutral on this topic to a “City of Fillmore Medical Marijuana Listening Session.” At this facilitated, bilingual session, the City Council seeks to share information with Fillmore residents on its deliberation of requests for permission to cultivate medical (NOT recreational) marijuana within the city limits. City council is not considering or entertaining dispensaries, advertising or deliveries in Fillmore. There will be no speakers advocating positive or negative views regarding the cultivation of medical marijuana.
Residents will be engaged in a structured and respectful sharing of personal views to inform the City Council of the breadth of views on this important topic. Your City Council is committed to assuring that Fillmore remains a secure, safe and livable city, and your input on this important topic is invited. Please come prepared to listen and share your views with fellow residents and your City Council. The listening session will be held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street, Sunday, June 25, from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Spanish language translation will be provided throughout the meeting.
David W. Rowlands
City Manager
City of Fillmore

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To the Editor:
I am a concerned parent and member of our community. Last night I spoke at city hall to make the public aware of what has been going on within our community. First let me re iterate since there seemed to be some confusion, Fillmore has 2 competition cheer teams in our community. The two competition teams are the So Cal Fillmore Bears Cheer and Voltage Extreme Cheer. There is also Raiders cheer but they do not currently have a competition team. I am speaking solely on the side of the competition teams. My daughter is currently on the Bears team.
Parks and Rec has a long standing tradition & policy to make sure to split facilities evenly with all teams in our community. For the last three years our team has been practicing in the memorial building. We have split days evenly with the other team as it should be done. We had a verbal contract with the city for Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm-8pm on the books for 2017/2018 season which is September through March. An email was received from the city stating that payment would needed to be made in full from here on out. Then they decided they would change the policy again to work with teams in the city and they would take a deposit. When the cheer director went in to put a deposit down as requested she was told sorry the Voltage cheer had already booked Monday, Wednesday and Thursday through the end of the year. When she tried to explain we had already had a verbal contract for Tuesdays and Thursdays she was met with a finger in her face and told to shut up. She of course made an immediate complaint as she walked away from city hall. So it was decided lets try to go ahead and book the old boys n girls club with the mats since the mats where not mentioned in the original contract with Voltage. The old boys n girls club is literally like 3 steps down the back door. Its not like its across town at an entirely different facility. Of course we where met with a response of mats are included in the Memorial building rental and are not able to be moved to other facilities, even though this is just out the back door. I was under the impression that the mats where moved to the senior center for self defense class. Last year a certain city council members daughter had tumbling class in the old boys n girls club which the mats where moved for. When the Memorial building has very large events the mats are moved. Also, last year we used that building with the mats. Which sets a precedence.
I happen to know the Memorial board is not happy with current turn of events as far as this is concerned. As I understand they do not even really want the mats in the Memorial building. The Memorial board asked the both teams to work it out. Voltage is refusing. The Bears don't want to lock out another team from practicing we just want to split the facility evenly like has been done traditionally.
I think this is an equality issue. All teams in the city should be able to use facilities equally. The Voltage team has been boisterous in their claim of a private facility in the vicinity they are able to practice at. Even if they do, we are still happy to split the Memorial facility with them. Our teams only other option to drive to Camarillo to a private gym which is another huge expense for the team, which brings me to my next point.
Fillmore is a small town. It is a historically poor town. Gathering the funds to rent any facilities is difficult to say the least. The city was supposed to work with us on a deposit and payments for Tuesday and Thursday rental but once again they refuse to do so, only for Tuesdays.
I very truly believe this is a small town politics issue which city council denies. But how convenient is it that a member of city councils daughter is a coach for the Voltage team. This small town plays a lot of games of who knows who and whos friends with who when it comes to how they juggle things. You would think that Diane McCall would push for the city to operate fairly so it didn't look like their was obvious favoritism going on and who she is friends with. While she doesn't over see these issues she has a huge influence within the city hall. The city manager Dave Rowlands said last night that he hopes the cheer teams can come to a resolution but how can we do that if the city absolutely refuses to intervene and the other team is adamant about making any sort of resolution. Diane McCall was flabbergasted that I said her name last night in the middle of my small speech, but I only speak of what I truly know to be true. This has gone far enough. These back door politics need to end. I'm not even going to get into the nasty messages sent from the other team. This is all a calculated, mean spirited bullying going on. The city is aware and not handling it properly.
Finally the only ones who are suffering are the kids. Who in city council is concerned that the Bears competition team gets treated fairly??? Our kids are missing out and no one is doing anything about it.
Sincerely,
Brandy Hollis
Mother of a So Cal Bears cheerleader

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To the Editor:
The Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of updating outdated policies and procedures. Earlier this year all groups using public facilities in Fillmore were notified of the new facility rental policy change. The policy change applies to everyone. The So Cal Bears Cheer Director was provided the following notification May 4:
Any reservations that are currently “penciled in” (meaning reservations that don’t have an agreement and are unpaid), and are scheduled to take place before July 15, 2017, will be honored. However, any “penciled in” reservations after July 15, 2017 will be removed from the City’s calendar as of the end of the day on May 15, 2017. Paid and contracted reservations will not be deleted.
Organizations who wish to make their reservations for any dates past July 15, 2017 may do so beginning Monday, May 15, 2017 at 8:00 AM. At that time, you will be allowed to pay and contract for dates beyond July 15, 2017.
New policies:
1. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis.
2. Deposit or full payment and signed agreement are required to reserve.
3. Reimbursement policy:
(refunds will only be processed for the following non-usage or cancellation):
a. Rain or other weather restrictions
b. Facilities staff cancels due to emergency repairs or a safety hazard
c. Booked anticipating playoffs but do not make the playoffs
d. Cancellation 6 or more months in advance
When city staff was unable to accommodate the requested So Cal Bears schedule at the Memorial Building, a call was placed to the new Boys and Girls Club where mats are currently located. Although the City was advised that there are limited hours available, So Cal Bears Cheer declined those times as they would result in irregular practice times. With a limited staff, the City is unable to move very heavy mats between buildings.
City staff provided adequate and equal notification to all groups to ensure a fair and impartial process in reserving facilities and remains hopeful that the two groups can find a way to work together to meet the needs of the children in both groups.
David W. Rowlands
City Manager
City of Fillmore