To The Editor:
Where will the children practice? I am outraged that once again children are being pushed aside! The children that are playing AYSO have been limited in their practices because the adult softball leagues are given preferential treatment. The City of Fillmore and council members have allowed this to happen. AYSO is not a new organization and the season has always been within the same timeframe. Why can’t the softball team practice after hours since they are adults, and will end their evening games and practices by drinking alcohol? (Not a positive image to portray to our children of the future.) Also why can’t the softball league begin their season when AYSO has ended, since there is only 1 park in Fillmore where there are fields? To top it off, the school district does not allow the use of their fields to these organizations!
I feel bad for the children of the community. They are being told that they need to exercise and be active; however, they are treated as second class citizens when it comes to having a place to conduct their practices. This is a grave problem as these children can end up participating in gangs or becoming overweight. I urge the City of Fillmore to re-consider and take appropriate action!
Sincerely,
Jennie G. Erazo,
Fillmore

To the Editor:
I am writing this letter as a concerned parent of three children who are currently playing soccer in the AYSO program and the lack of playing fields for an organization that has over 500 kids in it. Currently, AYSO is only allowed to practice and play on one field, Shields Park, which is also shared with the Adult Softball League. The Adult Softball League has preferential use of Shields Park and now AYSO is limited to very restricted use for practice and it puts a heavy burden on parents who work because we are unable to make it to practice any earlier. Board Members have talked to the City Park Recreation department and have not helped or made any attempt to work with the Organizations. There has to be a way to get this scheduling conflict resolved.
Part of the problem is that there is only one Community Park in our City. If AYSO were allowed to use local school districts for practice, this would greatly help the current scheduling conflict with the Adult Softball League. The kids in our city need these sport programs that helps build character and keep them occupied. We all know that besides sports there is little for the youth to do in the City of Fillmore and if we start pushing them off the fields what can they possibly have left to do to stay busy?
Javier Alcarez,
Fillmore

To the Editor:
In the interest of full disclosure, I signed the petition to put Measure I on the ballot. My work to help get this measure passed will not profit me financially. It will only help keep my quality of life from being diminished by the negative impact caused by the overcrowding in North Fillmore planned and approved by the prior City Council. Measure I will fix that mistake.
Roy Payne, in his opposition piece to Measure I chose not to disclose that he will profit if Measure I fails. We’ve been sold a bill of goods by outside profiteers; Payne and other enablers have had their way at our expense far too long. Enough!
After being ignored by the city council when we voiced our concerns about the North Fillmore project and the $80 million sewer plant we the people were forced to put Measure I on the ballot. Measure I: Of, for and by the people, finally gives every Fillmore voter a voice in how we want our city to look.
Bob Stroh,
Fillmore

To the Editor:
The Fillmore Community
The members of Soroptimist International of Fillmore would like to invite you to participate with them in the Day of Peace on September 21st. at 1:30 p.m. in front of Fillmore City Hall.
The International Day of Peace began in 1982 through a United Nations proclamation “devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations”. It was expanded in 2001 to a call for a day of global cease fire and nonviolence.
We invite you to participate in this day with us by: Talking with your friends and family about the need for global, community and family peace; Participating in the September 21st International Day of Peace; Ring your church’s bells at 12:00 noon; Come to the Celebration at the City Hall at 1:30 pm in front of City Hall; Participate in the installation of the temporary Peace Pole, helping to install a permanent Peace Pole for next year.
At a time when people around the world are being needlessly killed and wars are decimating entire populations, this call to peace is even more urgently needed. We hope that you will join with us in this worthy event! If you have any questions, please call me at 524-0132 or President Oralia Herrera at 524-6936.
Sincerely,
Sarah Hansen,
International Day of Peace Chairperson