To the Editor:
As the summer heat and east winds pick up Chevron is busy applying more layers of lipstick to the stinking, toxic pig known as the Pacific Coast Pipeline Project, an EPA Superfund Site. This is the same swine that they plan to dress up as a commercial/industrial development they call “Fillmore Works.” It’s an offer our leaders must refuse.
Within the next year or so our city leaders will have to decide whether to seek approval to annex this stink hole into the city limits under the guise of “economic development.” The last I checked, the city still has a few hundred acres of prime light industrial/commercial zoned land along the 126 corridor. This land, which is flat and has easy access to water and other utilities and is away from homes and schools, sits vacant.
Why then, would the city need to take ownership of a permanently contaminated site (on County land) that has numerous other drawbacks? This site east of Pole Creek has an earthquake fault running right down the middle of it. The hillsides above it are part of an ancient landslide formation. It is within 20 yards of residences and San Cayetano School’s recreation area. The hillsides are a constant wildfire danger. There are issues with providing water and treating wastewater and, of course, it sits along the area of the Pole Creek channel and flooding is always a possibility.
The EPA has determined that this site will forever be contaminated to the point that no residences or schools could ever be built there. What about the future workers who could be putting in 50-hour work weeks for years? When they get sick from cancers or respiratory illnesses and they (and their lawyers) blame their ailments on the contamination at their worksite, the City of Fillmore will no doubt be held liable.
Chevron officials arrogantly expect our city to accept their sick pig of a site and welcome it into our home. Why on Earth would we be so foolish?
Art Sandford.
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Yesterday, May 28, 2014, the Ventura Sheriff’s Department made a more than impressive showing of professionalism, fast response to a community need and effective team work that covered every possible area and produced a positive result.
One of the residents of El Dorado Estates was reported missing and they immediately whipped into action, getting out an all-points-bulletin to be on the alert for the at-risk senior citizen, searching the park thoroughly and even organizing a phone message program to advise Part residents to keep an eye out for Josephine Lorenz.
Her family would like to thank the Deputies involved, Dep. Martin, Dep. Ryerson, Dep. LeMar, Sgt. Sparks, Detective Almazan, Dan Amberian, Detective John Fox and the well-trained and highly effective Canine Unit that was brought into play and all of the others not here mentioned—you know who you are, although we do not. Without this great forum through the Gazette, we would have no way to personally thank all involved, starting with everyone in Fillmore who helped us, and ending with everyone is Ventura County who promptly lent a caring, competent and professional hand.
You all deserve accolades, and an eternal commendation for going beyond the call of duty to assist a family in distress. We will remember your amazing professionalism forever!
The Lorenz Family

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To the Editor
The Ebell Club has a long history of supporting the arts in Fillmore. The club has presented its members with a wide variety of dramatic and musical performances. It has contributed to the high school band and drama groups. And it has generously contributed to Sespe Players.
Those contributions over the years have enabled Sespe Players to purchase lighting equipment and set materials. And we have seen the faces of Ebell members in the audiences of our productions.
This week marks the last gathering of the Fillmore Ebell Club. Over the many years the members have spent countless hours together, dining, playing cards, catching up with dear friends and enjoying their programs. Longtime members have each served multiple times in the various positions of office. This is a truly unique organization that has done much for our community.
As Ebell disbands and distributes funds to the many deserving groups in Fillmore, once again Sespe Players is grateful for the donation.
Thank you again for all of the support, past and present. Fillmore will greatly miss the Ebell Club.
Sincerely,
Christine Villegas, Secretary Sespe Players