To the Editor:
Dear Lions,
The Friends of the Fillmore Library extend a gracious and appreciated Thank You for the $200.00 donation you granted to us. Your continued support of the Friends allows us to provide greater learning opportunities for the entire Fillmore Library community.
Sincerely,
Patti Walker
President of the Friends of the Fillmore Library

To the Editor:
Last Thursday at about 1:00 pm, I was driving north on Central Avenue and had to stop, as did many others, while a train was on repositioning maneuvers (back and forth many times through the crossing.) All of the vehicles on both sides of the tracks had to stop as the crossing "arms" were properly down, however, on the west side of central there is an area crossing the tracks which is open to pedestrians. Most people walking on the sidewalks on both sides stopped and watched the movement of the train. Additionally, there were people on the balconies of the apartment building watching. Unfortunately there were two children, one boy and one girl, about 10 to 12 years of age on the south side of the tracks who did not remain at a proper distance from the tracks. They seemed to be playing "chicken" by running up close to the moving train and then backing up. Finally the girl stopped but the boy continued and disappeared from my sight. Apparently he went between to cars of the train or underneath without getting hurt or killed.
In discussing this with Fillmore authorities, they surmise that the children were probably students at Sespe school who are let out early on Thursdays. I was asked if I had seen any RR personnel monitoring the crossing while the train was being repositioned. I told them that I had only seen one individual at each end of the train. I was told that if the crossing arms are functioning and are down that the RR Company is not responsible. My question is "If a person is hurt or killed in such a case here in Fillmore, who is responsible? The City?, The School?, The person? The parents in the case of children such as I saw?"
To me, this seems to be a potential accident ready to happen.
Marlene Schreffler, a concerned citizen
Fillmore

To the Editor:
Let’s look at what happens to property tax providing Proposition F is passed and the El Dorado is converted into a condominium. (All the data I am using is from the Ventura County Tax Assessor and Tax Collector web sites.) The El Dorado Mobile Home Estates sits on 37.5 acres and the Ventura County Tax Assessor has calculated the value to be, for property tax purposes, $4,367,410.00. The park has 302 mobile home spaces. Dividing the assessed value by the number of spaces equals $14,461.62 per space. This assumes that each individual space would be valued the same as any other and also include a portion of the ‘common’ areas, such as the buildings, streets and utilities.
Prop 13 (remember that?) took effect after the El Dorado was built and therefore limits the amount of increase in the valuation for tax purposes. Each year the county tax assessor may raise the valuation by only a fixed amount due to the limitations of Prop 13. However, once the property is sold, the county tax assessor may (will?) raise the valuation to the selling price of the property! If each and every lot were to sell for $14,461.62 then the total property tax would remain at the current $52,971.40 for the entire 37.5 acres. This works out to be $175.40 per space.
But you and I and the county tax assessor know that this isn’t going to happen! If the ground under my mobile home is offered to me for $15,000.00 then I want to buy two, three or four spaces at that price. Simple math will tell you that if the lot is sold for ten times the current tax evaluation or $144,616.20 then the property tax will go to at least $1,754.00 per space!
Get the spare bedroom ready; Grandma and Grandpa are moving in!
Yours in freedom,
Jay C. Wood
Fillmore

To the Editor:
Kudos to Ventura County during the Guiberson Fire. From all indications, the reverse 911 system worked beautifully to all residents in Bardsdale, etc.
A big THANK YOU to ranchers and custom farmers who made their water trucks which are primarily used for farming available to helping supply water to fire truck in outlying areas. I also understand that some of these ranchers and custom farmers supplied trucks, water, and personnel to the Station Fire.
A big question for me is: Why was there no evacuation center set up in Fillmore? The day of or the day after the Guiberson fire started, TV and radio news welcomed potential evacuees to the Goebel Center in Thousand Oaks. This was fine for the people of Moorpark but with Grimes Canyon and Balcom Canyon closed, where could any Fillmore, Bardsdale, and Piru people to go. After four days, an evacuation center was opened at the Santa Paula Senior Center. I heard that this was a "Ventura County fire" and as such it was up to Ventura County to ask for evacuation centers. Did VC ask for one here in Fillmore? It was needed. Is there a problem between City of Fillmore and Ventura County for emergency operations and needs?
Marlene Schreffer
Fillmore

To the Editor:
I find it sad and unfortunate that our only published newspaper in Fillmore appears dedicated to the city's destruction. Whatever personal vendetta motivates both Mr. Farrell and his fellow naysayer, Mr. Payne, they don't evidence much concern for our city and its reputation. I wonder how we were even able to attract a city manager given the hornet's nest that has been created. The present council (all five) was elected by the citizens, serves endless hours trying to make Fillmore a better place, and, for that civic interest, they get castigated, belittled, and threatened every Thursday when the paper comes out. How many potentially good council candidates are reevaluating their desire to serve our community?
I could write the editorial response to this letter as I've seen enough of them - a "holier than thou" misguided interpretation of free press. I read many newspapers that manage their role of holding people of authority accountable while maintaining high standards of journalism. I believe the Gazette could do this as well. I urge the paper to have a more thoughtful approach to the power of the press and to remember that community pride is a precious commodity.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Cuttriss
Fillmore