To the Editor:
Fillmore Voters, The School Administration has changed and so too must the existing Board. The three incumbents (though Prado doesn't want to admit he is an incumbent) have done a lousy job.
The test scores at just about every grade level are among the lowest (if not the lowest) in Ventura County and have been for a long time. Whose fault is that? It's said that you can't fire the "team" but you can sure fire the "coaches". And these three incumbents running for re-election must go.
Sean Morris, Michael Saviers and Scott Beylik represent the new "blood" and this school district Board sure needs that!
Remember too, the three incumbents (including Prado) didn't do a "darn thing" when Fillmore High English teacher, Ms. Fitzpatrick, decided in class to teach her students that stepping on the American Flag was an OK thing to do. Disgraceful doesn't begin to say how disrespectful this "lesson" was.
All 5 members, including those 3 incumbents, wanting us to re-elect them, didn't do a thing. When I spoke before them they just sat there "like bumps on a log". Yep, their time is up, they have got to go!
Yes, it really is a time for a change! Morris, Saviers and Beylik have my vote and I hope your vote too.
Charles Richardson
Fillmore voter

To the Editor:
Vote Carrie Broggie for City Council! When Carrie moved to Fillmore 4 years ago, she didn’t just move to Fillmore, no, she jumped right in, head first! She had a strong desire to get involved in her new community. She secured a position on the Film Commission, one she currently holds today as the Chairperson.
Vote Carrie Broggie for City Council! I support Carrie’s goals for Fillmore: attract more businesses; establish a relationship between the City and the School District; provide opportunities for our youth; economic recovery and, most important, public safety.
Vote Carrie Broggie for City Council! Carrie has 20 plus years working at the local county level of government. She has the knowledge of how things run and the experience of how to get things done. She can successfully maneuver her way thru government regulations.
One of the freedoms of our great country is the freedom to vote. Whether it’s absentee or at your precinct, please, join me and vote! Vote Carrie Broggie for City Council!
Sheila (McKendry) Duckett
Life-long Fillmore resident

To the Editor:
Well the update from the last meeting is that Chevron showed some nice pictures of what the enormous hill adjacent to neighbors would look like with plants on it, but they forgot to add the big building that would be on top of the plants and hill. It was a nice try, but the hill needs to go. They also went over the clean up they recently did and how the contaminated dirt was not bad enough to be sent off in the red bins like last time but was loaded into regular trucks with tarps on top. I later told them, I hope they can keep the contaminated dirt off the road ways better than they did out of Pole Creek. Speaking of the clean up, what a stink!! Now you all know what I am talking about when I say they smell bad. People could smell it all the way down to the high school. The post cards that were sent out by the EPA were a nice thought but failed to mention that we may smell some thing along with the noise and dust you may see, so don’t freak out. Poor kids at the school adjacent to the site had to be kept in for some of the morning due to the odor.
The thing that really gets me today is that the Chevron rep went to a City Planning meeting knowing that they had found something days before of concern and was advised from the EPA not to report it until a plan could be made. Are you kidding me? The EPA that is supposed to have our well being in mind told them not to report it? What else have they not reported? I know they did not report the pole creek issue at the Thursday night senior center meeting until I said some thing. Then they did acknowledge it had happened.
It was nice of someone ( Chevron?) to put in the paper the latest update on the ATSDRS report that will help us all rest at ease that our health is safe. I am going to take a stab in the dark on this, but I think that it will state just that. Other wise it may not have been reported to us.
I have mentioned how I and other neighbors have felt that Chevron have deceived us and now it is sad for me to think they maybe doing it to our city officials as well.
My fear is that some are thinking that Chevron will help our town; I feel that they will bring only problems and we will be strapped with a superfund site if we annex them into our city.
I was told that you catch more bees with honey than vinegar and so here goes……Chevron thank you so much for the clean up, would you now please give the near by neighbors, school children and teachers some peace from all this noise, dust, and smell. Please go tell your company officials that this community cannot support this project from lack of funds (we are a poor community) lack of water (we are in a drought) and lack of support form those who will be impacted by the most. Now let’s see what happens with that honey. 
There will not be a meeting this month since we are waiting for the ATSDRS report findings to come out and to be reported on.
If you do wish to give ideas as to what YOU would like over on the superfund site such as open space (what it currently zoned for), solar farm, Business Park and how you envision them to look like send the ideas to Kevin McSweeney in City Hall so they can be documented. Also if there are reports you would like to see done to see if this is a good idea or envormental concerns send those to him as well so they can be added to the scoping meeting documents. The hope is to have the scoping meeting in November. I hope any one who has an opinion comes and voices it.
Thank you,
Kathy Pace

***

To the Editor:
Thank you to the Fillmore Unified Teachers’ Association for sponsoring the Fillmore Unified School Board Candidates Forum held Wednesday, September 24th at the Fillmore Middle School library. I offer special thanks to Sandra Butts and Janey Munoz for organizing the forum. It is unfortunate that it was not better attended. In his gentle, inimitable style, Scott Lee did an excellent job moderating. Each of the six candidates obviously consider the education of our young people to be of prime importance and expressed good ideas for accomplishing this goal. I must applaud Board member Dave Wilde’s candor about his frustrations with the preceding administration.
After careful consideration for what would be best for our District and the education of our students, I have decided to endorse Scott Beylik, Sean Morris and Lucy Rangel. Scott, Sean, and Lucy come from different backgrounds which together represents a rich life experience on which to base decisions. Scott and Sean are businessmen who have expertise in prioritizing funding. Lucy is a former teacher who has a good understanding of curriculum. I believe each is honest, hard-working and possess excellent communication skills. I am sure that these candidates could work well and respectfully with each other.
Mary Ford
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
The city of Fillmore is indeed fortunate to have a wonderfully talented woman, Carrie Broggie, running for election to its city council. Carrie is a longtime colleague of mine having joined the district attorney’s office in 1993 as a legal management assistant. She has been given increasingly responsible and difficult assignments since that time and consistently exceeded expectations. Her quick grasp of complex matters, ability to reduce them to easily understood concepts, her strong people skills and work ethic made her a vital and highly respected member of my management team. She continues to excel in this position under current District Attorney Greg Totten.
Carrie’s expertise is broad and includes having helped handle fiscal issues, legislation, employment matters and relationships with other agencies and officials to mention just a few. Most importantly, Carrie is a person of unquestioned integrity whose word is her bond. She possesses the courage of her convictions and, a sometimes elusive quality in public life, the ability to put personal interest behind what is best for the public.
I wholeheartedly recommend Carrie for election to the council. She will bring not only needed wisdom and dignity to the position but humility and grace.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Bradbury

To the Editor:
Well the update from the last meeting is that Chevron showed some nice pictures of what the enormous hill adjacent to neighbors would look like with plants on it, but they forgot to add the big building that would be on top of the plants and hill. It was a nice try, but the hill needs to go. They also went over the clean up they recently did and how the contaminated dirt was not bad enough to be sent off in the red bins like last time but was loaded into regular trucks with tarps on top. I later told them, I hope they can keep the contaminated dirt off the road ways better than they did out of Pole Creek. Speaking of the clean up, what a stink!! Now you all know what I am talking about when I say they smell bad. People could smell it all the way down to the high school. The post cards that were sent out by the EPA were a nice thought but failed to mention that we may smell some thing along with the noise and dust you may see, so don’t freak out. Poor kids at the school adjacent to the site had to be kept in for some of the morning due to the odor.
The thing that really gets me today is that the Chevron rep went to a City Planning meeting knowing that they had found something days before of concern and was advised from the EPA not to report it until a plan could be made. Are you kidding me? The EPA that is supposed to have our well being in mind told them not to report it? What else have they not reported? I know they did not report the pole creek issue at the Thursday night senior center meeting until I said some thing. Then they did acknowledge it had happened.
It was nice of someone ( Chevron?) to put in the paper the latest update on the ATSDRS report that will help us all rest at ease that our health is safe. I am going to take a stab in the dark on this, but I think that it will state just that. Other wise it may not have been reported to us.
I have mentioned how I and other neighbors have felt that Chevron have deceived us and now it is sad for me to think they maybe doing it to our city officials as well.
My fear is that some are thinking that Chevron will help our town; I feel that they will bring only problems and we will be strapped with a superfund site if we annex them into our city.
I was told that you catch more bees with honey than vinegar and so here goes……Chevron thank you so much for the clean up, would you now please give the near by neighbors, school children and teachers some peace from all this noise, dust, and smell. Please go tell your company officials that this community cannot support this project from lack of funds (we are a poor community) lack of water (we are in a drought) and lack of support form those who will be impacted by the most. Now let’s see what happens with that honey. 
There will not be a meeting this month since we are waiting for the ATSDRS report findings to come out and to be reported on.
If you do wish to give ideas as to what YOU would like over on the superfund site such as open space (what it currently zoned for), solar farm, Business Park and how you envision them to look like send the ideas to Kevin McSweeney in City Hall so they can be documented. Also if there are reports you would like to see done to see if this is a good idea or envormental concerns send those to him as well so they can be added to the scoping meeting documents. The hope is to have the scoping meeting in November. I hope any one who has an opinion comes and voices it.
Thank you,
Kathy Pace

***

To the Editor:
Girl Members and Adult Volunteers Alike Benefit
For many, a sit-upon, a round of Make New Friends, or fly-up wings may not carry any meaning, but to thousands of girls who are now adults throughout the central coast, these prompts bring back warm, fun memories more valuable than silver and gold as the song goes.
And, so it goes… another school year begins and with it brings another need or opportunity for a mom, a dad, a guardian, a grandma, or those with special skills to raise their hand to become a Girl Scout volunteer. The benefits are tremendously fulfilling to both girls and those who volunteer.
How else does a girl have access to fun adventures like learning about robotics, Being A Friend First to prevent bullying, or spending a weekend of outdoor orienteering, and so much more?
At Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, we serve over 10,000 girls from Ventura County to Santa Cruz County. We want to reach more girls than ever before, but in order to do that, we need more volunteers.
Girl Scouts is making the world a better place while making a lasting impression in the lives of both its volunteers and girls members. Demonstrating this, recent Girl Scout research shows that 94 percent of Girl Scout volunteers and 97 percent of girl members believe Girl Scouts provides them with new, fun and exciting experiences.
Locally, our volunteers had this to say about what excited them about becoming a Girl Scout leader: “I had an opportunity to not only be a positive influence on my daughter and other girls in the troop, but that I could be an intimate part of watching them grow as leaders and amazing young women.” “I like outdoors and teaching [girls] self-sufficiency.” “Bringing the program to my daughter, who’s not into sports, gave her an activity that would help her grow as a person.”
It’s easy to register, training is provided, and we have girls waiting...ready to explore in a judgment-free space that is cooperative and encouraging. And, so it goes…that we again ask our communities to support girls and help them explore, imagine, and be amazing. To join or volunteer, please visit www.girlscouts.org/join.
Karen Skole
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast
800-822-2427

To the Editor:
Dear Members of the Fillmore Community,
I am writing to give you an update on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR’s) work at the Pacific Coast Pipeline Site. ATSDR’s goal is to protect the health of the people of Fillmore. To do this, ATSDR is investigating the possibility that contact with soil from the site could contribute to human health effects. Contact with soil from the site may occur by:
• Breathing dust in the air or;
• Direct contact with the soil after proposed redevelopment is finished.
We are focused on these health issues because community members voiced concerns about them and because data exists to study them.
We visited Fillmore twice in early 2013 and met with a local youth group, the Mayor, the city planning office, the county health department, and others. We also toured the site with the Chevron project manager. At that time we heard from community members and city staff and leaders about their health concerns, and their concerns about Chevron’s proposed redevelopment plans.
Since 2013 we have met with the EPA project manager to learn about the soil cleanup process. We requested, received, and reviewed data from EPA and Chevron about soil and air contamination at the site. We have reviewed air monitoring methods and soil cleanup techniques put in place by Chevron and overseen by EPA. We have reviewed the current draft of Chevron’s redevelopment plans for the site.
The ATSDR project team has written a draft report that our agency will release for public comment. This report is now going through an established, thorough internal review process with ATSDR technical experts and leadership. This review process ensures that we use the best science to draw conclusions about the potential health risks at the site and that our recommendations will help protect the health of the community.
We know that Fillmore community members are eager to hear about ATSDR’s findings. While we cannot say exactly when the draft report will be available, we look forward to sharing it with members of the Fillmore community. In addition to the draft report, we will publish a fact sheet that summarizes the key points and we will hold a public meeting in Fillmore to present our findings and answer questions. There will also be an opportunity to provide written comments and feedback during the report’s public comment period. When the report is released we will be happy to meet with interested community groups and leaders (for example, the Fillmore Works Community Focus Group, One Step a la Vez, and elected officials).
Thank you for your patience as we complete our draft report. If you have questions about our work, please contact Ben Gerhardstein (bgerhardstein@cdc.gov and 415.947.4316) or Jamie Rayman (jrayman@cdc.gov and 415.947.4318).
If you have immediate concerns about outdoor dust or odors from the site, please contact the Chevron Project Manager (661-632-1408) or the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (805-654-2797).
Best regards,
CAPT Robert B. Knowles, M.S., REHS
Regional Director
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, Region 9

***

To the Editor:
Girl Members and Adult Volunteers Alike Benefit
For many, a sit-upon, a round of Make New Friends, or fly-up wings may not carry any meaning, but to thousands of girls who are now adults throughout the central coast, these prompts bring back warm, fun memories more valuable than silver and gold as the song goes.
And, so it goes… another school year begins and with it brings another need or opportunity for a mom, a dad, a guardian, a grandma, orthose with special skills to raise their hand to become a Girl Scout volunteer. The benefits are tremendously fulfilling to both girls and those who volunteer.
How else does a girl have access to fun adventures like learning about robotics, Being A Friend First to prevent bullying, or spending a weekend of outdoor orienteering, and so much more?
At Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, we serve over 10,000 girls from Ventura County to Santa Cruz County. We want to reach more girls than ever before, but in order to do that, we need more volunteers.
Girl Scouts is making the world a better place while making a lasting impression in the lives of both its volunteers and girls members. Demonstrating this, recent Girl Scout research shows that 94 percent of Girl Scout volunteers and 97 percent of girl members believe Girl Scouts provides them with new, fun and exciting experiences.
Locally, our volunteers had this to say about what excited them about becoming a Girl Scout leader: “I had an opportunity to not only be a positive influence on my daughter and other girls in the troop, but that I could be an intimate part of watching them grow as leaders and amazing young women.” “I like outdoors and teaching [girls] self-sufficiency.” “Bringing the program to my daughter, who’s not into sports, gave her an activity that would help her grow as a person.”
It’s easy to register, training is provided, and we have girls waiting...ready to explore in a judgment-free space that is cooperative and encouraging. And, so it goes…that we again ask our communities to support girls and help them explore, imagine, and be amazing. To join or volunteer, please visitwww.girlscouts.org/join.
Karen Skole
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast

To the Editor
Good Day to you Fillmore.
I am here once again to give you a little feed back about the Chevron superfund project A.K.A Pacific Coast Pipe Line project. I was unable to make it to some of the Remediate and Redevelopment meetings in June and July but during the June site tour my substitute told me that there was discussion on the odors that were emitted and there was discussion about the height of the hill area directly adjacent to the Island View Street neighbors. Chevron was also told that some neighbors are considering moving and they (Chevron) did their best surprised look at such a statement. July’s meeting neither I nor my substitute were able to attend so I cannot comment on that meeting. Chevron has reported that the “clean up” work is done that the last thing they will be doing is installing the sparging unit and then they will be finished. So as I see it they could be done soon and stop all the continued stress brought on by more Earth work that building will bring again to neighbors.
Well this week some of the neighbors received a flyer from EPA stating that they (Chevron) hit yet another snag while digging and contaminated soil has been found again, will it ever end? At one of the Thursday night meetings months ago the EPA told us that the site is clean until they find stuff then it is no longer considered clean and must be reworked, so this will mean that as long as they are over there working we have the possibility of them hitting more and more stuff (debris pits, contaminated soil, etc). A Chevron rep told me that they have no idea where all the areas are where things are buried, so this problem I see as an on going problem.
Most of you know that California is in a 3-year drought and we have most recently been told by the state that the 20% recommended water reduction is now being required of water companies, so now how does this affect our city or this project? I feel that if we the citizens are going to be asked to do this reduction then the city should also follow suit by looking into how much water this project Chevron is proposing will take from our city’s resources. We as a city do not get our water from any other source so we currently are self-sufficient but our water levels are low from what they normally are at this time of year (but not as low as others in the county). I feel that even if Chevron does pay for our water for their project it is water we may want or need if things don’t get better. Our city already has houses that are being built and more scheduled right behind them along with another dollar-something store now in the works. All these projects use a lot of water. Why would we think about the HUGE project like the one Chevron is proposing if this may become a problem for us down the line?
From what I have been told the site is currently zoned open-space in Ventura County, so I may be wrong on this but if this is true then from what I understand nothing could be built there unless it was on the list of SOAR-approved projects or goes through a process which would require the zoning to be changed and go to a SOAR vote. So for those who worry that Ventura County would get tax money or build a prison, as I was told could happen if we don’t jump on the Chevron wagon, it looks like that currently would not even be an option for them at this time. Could it change? Yes, the world is always changing as is the ever disturbing hillside we the neighbors, teachers and students look at, listen to and smell every day.
The scoping meetings have been moved yet one more time so look for it to happen maybe in November. During this meeting you the public will have a chance to voice your opinions on the project.
I would like to thank the one and only city council member who had a meeting with me even though I gave them all my number and requested a meeting.
Thank you again for letting me bore you once more with this but my hope is to keep you all in the loop of this neighbor’s view on this proposed project.
Kathy Pace
Fillmore

To the Editor:
THANK YOU!
I hope this is the best forum to take the opportunity to thank so many of you for all the kind words, prayers and help as I dealt with my rattlesnake bite. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to all of you who visited, called, sent cards, made contact on social media and continue to give me well wishes when we cross paths. The community outpouring of support was beyond anything I could have imagined. I spent 5 days in ICU and another 9 in a regular hospital room. I was given over 100 vials of anti-venom, which looking back sounds like a lot. Two months later I feeling 90% back to normal. I want to thank Los Robles Hospital, the doctors and especially the nurses who provided my care. I want to thank my family especially my sister who got me in touch with a snake venom specialist out of North Carolina, Dr. Sean Bush who helped the team of doctors with my care. Thank you to Sheriff Jeff Dean & his staff, Fire Chief Rigo Landeros and department members, and Ventura County Sheriff Search & Rescue Captain Rick Neal & team for their support during my recovery. Like so many have said before me, it’s the people of this community who make it such an honor to serve as a State Farm Agent, Assistant Chief, and as member of the Ventura County Search & Rescue Team. Life changes fast! Enjoy and cherish the relationships and people around you. Thanks again to all of you.
Sincerely,
Bill Herrera

To the Editor:
Our 4-H Club, Sespe 4-H, had a great season at the Fair this year and we are very proud of our group! Tuesday night Clinton Staples won grand champion barrow, competing against all the barrows entered in the Fair. This included all 4-H, FFA and Grange Clubs. This is a nice win for Clinton. The following day another of our members, Jazmin Olvera, won supreme grand champion swine!! This means she was the 4-H champion first, then went into the champion drive to compete against FFA and grange champions and won against those to become the Supreme Grand Champion which is the highest placing hog in the Fair Jazmin is one of the hardest working, most deserving winners we had ever had. This year she served as Teen Leader of our swine group, and has been an excellent example for our younger members to learn from. Jazmin will be a senior at Fillmore High School next year and plans to take one more pig to the Ventura County Fair. Our club has 20 swine project members and out of those, six of them won their weight class and competed in the Champion drive. Very exciting for a lot of young members to get that far!! Our club also won 1st place for their Fair Banner that was made by members Jazmin Olvera, Toni Ruiz and Olivia Hunt-Borrell. (I have a photo of the banner!). We also won all classes in showmanship: Daniel Torres, Sr showmanship, Jazmin Zavala, Jr showmanship, Isabella Vaca, novice showmanship, Gina Meraz 2nd place, novice showmanship, and Ari Osegueda, 2nd place jr. showmanship. Aliza Estrella also won 1st place showmanship in primary pygmy goats, 2nd place in her confirmation class.
Thanks to the city of Fillmore who continues its support of the 4-H clubs by providing space for our pigs, goats, lambs and steers to be raised by dedicated youth of Fillmore. Having this area is giving the 4-h youth the opportunity to experience agriculture with animals at a younger age and we try to make the most of this area provided to raise healthy animals and do a good job showing them!
Best Regards,
Sue Maynard
Patrick Zavala
Lyn Hicks
Danny Torres
Karen Torres
Richard Perez
Swine Leaders, Sespe 4-H

To the Editor:
On behalf of myself, James Cummings and Pam Weed, we wanted to publically thank the staff and the members of Body Image Fitness that put on their annual power-lifting contest to benefit the Fillmore Middle School Athletic Dept and the kids we serve. Tony Sr. and Tony Jr. and the whole crew threw around some serious weight on Saturday and in the process helped us financially for which we are grateful. Body Image Fitness Center is a true local business that puts their clients and community first and if you’re thinking about getting in shape you couldn’t find a better place here in town.
Thanks again to all who participated and helped us out.
Dave Mac Donald
PE Teacher
Fillmore Middle School

To the Editor:
What was it like to grow up on the grounds of the Fillmore Refinery? How large was the oil industry here? Visit the Fillmore Museum at 340 Main Street (In the two story bunkhouse building) to see photos and information regarding the Refinery, the local oil industry and its historic relationship to our city.
We are open Tuesday , Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Thursday from 1p.m.- 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The museum also contains hundreds of photos and stories of local pioneers, farmers and businesses.
Martha Gentry, Executive Director

***

To the Editor:
Dear Parent, Teachers & Community Volunteers:
It’s that time of year…….REGISTRATION TIME!!!!!
If you are willing to volunteer to help with registration, please let me know. Email me at blemons@fillmore.k12.ca.us . Let me know which day(s) and what hours you can help!! The more, the merrier !
Registration is Thursday, July 31st (11th & 12th graders) and Friday, August 1st (9th & 10th graders) from 9 – 3:30. If you are able to help ANY or BOTH days , I would really appreciate it. It will be a great time to meet our new principal, Tom Ito. Thank you very much!
Barbara Lemons

To the Editor:
Last year, the relatively new executive director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), Darren Kettle, arbitrarily decided the Fillmore & Western Railway (F&W) wasn't paying enough toward maintenance costs on the county-owned railroad line. This was in spite of the fact there was a long-standing contractual agreement that had been amicably made by both parties and specified those responsibilities in detail. Instead of trying to privately discuss his concerns, Mr. Kettle chose to publicly make an issue of it and end a 20-plus year relationship between the parties had always been extremely cordial.
I can attest to the positive and productive nature of that relationship. I was the tourist railroad professional who was hired in 1993 to transform what had been exclusively a movie train operation serving Hollywood into a passenger railroad offering rides to the public. I had the pleasure of working with then-VCTC executive director Ginger Gherardi and her wonderful staff, all of whom were dedicated to doing things that would benefit then and future generations of Venturans. What is going on today is a far cry from those halcyon days. The present VCTC is an embarrassment.
Dave and Tresa Wilkinson of the F&W – who I know to be very reasonable people – were not close-minded when Mr. Kettle ignored common professional courtesy and opted to take a confrontational approach. They were always willing to negotiate. They even publicly offered to assume all of the maintenance costs, entirely relieving the VCTC of what was Mr. Kettle's original stated problem. This was not acceptable. Solving the stated problem was not good enough. The VCTC opted, instead, to arbitrarily cancel the railroad's track lease and took actions to evict it.
If the railroad goes away, the entire burden of maintenance will fall on the VCTC. How is this a solution? Or was that ever the real problem?
The VCTC or Mr. Kettle, apparently, wants the F&W gone – for unspecified reasons – even though this would be to the detriment of the economies of cities of Fillmore and Santa Paula. Closing the railroad puts dozens of people out of work immediately. It also economically impacts the County of Ventura in ways that can't be determined now, but will be slowly revealed over time. More jobs will certainly be cut by local businesses in the near future as tourism in the Heritage Valley region shrinks. Local businesses and residents that planned their finances and assumed debt on the assumption of a certain income level may find themselves in default. People's real-world concerns have been ignored by the VCTC every step of the way.
I have been disappointed that in the many months this issue has been dragging on, no one in government at the cities or the county has vigorously protested this situation and demanded that the VCTC seriously negotiate a solution that benefits all parties. Maybe everyone was just hopeful that rationality would prevail and at some point this situation would be resolved. Actions always speak louder than words and it is now abundantly clear that the VCTC is not willing to negotiate – period – and never was. They either have a hidden agenda of some sort as an organization, or the VCTC executive director has gotten so far into a "pissing match" of his own making that he is now bound and determined to "win" at any cost – including misrepresenting truths – the good of the county be damned. Neither is acceptable.
Many questions come to mind: Why haven't leaders at all levels of city and county government been looking out for the best interests of their constituents? Why have the county supervisors and the VCTC board of directors let their employee behave like a common bully when people's livelihoods are at stake? Why hasn't anyone demanded to know – in detail – exactly what the VCTC plans to do with the property in the future, if its railroad use is being terminated? If a "better use" for the property is contemplated, how much will this cost the county to develop and where will that money come from in these tough economic times? Since the VCTC's reasons for permitting this situation to exist in the first place aren't publicly known, have they been making decisions behind closed doors in violation of open meeting laws? Is there any sort of accountability in Ventura County for actions by government agencies that are detrimental to the best interests of its residents? And finally, why hasn't the press been asking these questions; is investigative journalism dead in Ventura County?
Looking from the outside at this sad situation, I'm seeing elected officials who may need to be replaced and a minimum of one government employee who should be shown the door. Public servants who aren't serving the best interests of the public are useless. Bullies only prevail when good people do nothing.
Larry Jensen
Gunnison, Colo.

To the Editor:
The Fillmore Historical Museum is happy to report the recent receipt of a $4,500.00 grant from Chevron Corporation for programming , accessioning and display purposes in support of the Fillmore Incorporation Centennial Events. The Museum is a 100% volunteer organization and appreciates the support given by businesses and individuals in the community. If you should want to know more about the history of Fillmore, Piru, Sespe and Bardsdale please come to visit your local Museum.
Our goal is to preserve and display the history of our four local communities. Visit the museum to see artifacts from Fillmore’s early days including many pictures of the city as it was 100 years ago. The Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-12 and 1-4, and on Thursday afternoon from 1-4. We are also open from 10:00 to 3:00 on Saturday.
Please join us on July 10th at the Museum’s Southern Pacific Depot for a reception from 4:00 pm until 6 pm jointly hosted by Chevron Corporation and the Fillmore Historical Museum to celebrate the 100 years since incorporation.
Martha Gentry
Executive Director

To the Editor:
Update from last months Chevron meeting. We were shown the pictures again of their ideas for the site. But there was a new idea that they talked about. One of their ideas is to have a solar farm on the site. There was discussion on how this may be a better option for not only the near by neighbors but the town as well. Solar panels could be put in sooner, which would cause less disruption to neighbors along with not the height of buildings that are not wanted in some areas. I have talked with some of my near by neighbors and they all have said that if they HAD to have anything then they would rather have solar panels. Solar panels would not be exposing large numbers of people to possible toxins on the site which is a superfund site and always will be a superfund site. In case of emergency an idea was talked over by some about hooking the solar panels up to the Fillmore water supply. This would provide emergency power to keep water available, which I think would be a great thing for Fillmore since Chevron keeps saying that they want to benefit Fillmore. I asked Chevron and others in an email on this but did not receive any feed back form Chevron but another representative of theirs replied that Chevron will need to see if this is profitable for them for it to really be considered. In the email I also asked if it would be possible to see the names of prospective businesses who have an interest in the industrial site, because I still belive no one will want such a poor location of a site for business on top of a superfund site. I was told that Chevron reps would need to be asked first to see if they wanted to give this information or if they were using non-discloser clauses. Interesting? This week anyone who did not get a chance to look at Chevrons plans last month can do so Thursday the 26th from 4:30-5:30 pm at the senior center. The committee only will then leave to do a site tour. Please look for your opportunity to voice you opinion if you have one during a city council meeting that will be announced in the Fillmore Gazette soon.
Thank you for your time,
Kathy Pace

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To the Editor:
A grateful & appreciated thank you to the Piru EMT’s who came to my rescue in the wee hours of Saturday morning. And a thank you to all emergency personnel.
Thank you again.
J. Council

To the Editor:
"The staff and families at Fillmore Middle School would like to publicly thank Moon Valley Nursery in Fillmore for generously providing beautiful trees and greenery for the FMS promotion ceremony on June 12th. FMS had 230 students participate in the ceremony and over 1000 guests attended the promotion celebration. We wish our promoting 8th graders good luck as they continue their education at Fillmore High School"
Scott Carroll
Principal, Fillmore Middle School

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To The Editor:
I would like to say thanks to all of the following who so graciously donated vehicles, space, time and effort for the 2014 May Festival Parade: Sonshine Pre-School, Super Seal and Stripe, William L. Morris, Deputy Leo Vasquez and the Explorers, Ron Smith and the Boyscouts, Darlene Holmes, Amber Chewning, RJ Stump, Tyler Stump, Kyle Popp Lynn Cole and Gabi Farrar. The parade would not have been possible without all of you and your help. Lynn and Gabi THANK YOU for stepping up to fill in at the last minute. Thank you to the Citizens of Fillmore for enduring the road closures, especially those who live on Shiells Drive and surrounding streets, for putting up with all of the traffic and no parking on parade day; to all of the parade entrants for your patience and cooperation. Thank You So Very Much!!!
Sincerely,
Joni Stump
Following is a categorical listing of the parade winners:
Floats: 1st Place Perces Kenpo Karate
2nd Place Fillmore Raiders Cheer
3rd Place Ventura County Search and Rescue
Walking Groups: 1st Place Luv 2 Dance
2nd Place Zumba Studio
3rd Place ACS Flmr/Piru Relay for Life
Cars: 1st Place Nosotros Car Club
2nd Place Ventura County Model A Club
Equestrian: 1st Place Charros De Paloma
2nd Place Rancho Arroyo
Novelty: 1st Place Fillmore So Cal Bears
2nd Place Calli McKeown Ultimate Grand Supreme and Jazzy Rivera Queen
3rd Place Scooter Crue - Brad and Tayler Balades
Other: 1st Place Thunderball Youth Team
2nd Place Cash Ryder
3rd Place Cinco de Mayo Court
Twirlers: 1st Place Pleasant Valley Hi Steppers
For those of you who were unable to attend the awards ceremony immediately following the parade, your award may be picked up in the Chamber Office during normal business hours. Please give the Chamber a call to let them know when you will be coming by, (805) 524-0351.

To the Editor:
I dislike being labeled a "complainer" so am always reluctant to write letters of this nature. I have found in the past the best way to get something done is to let the public know what the problem is and who's job it is to resolve that problem. When an entity knows that not just one person, but many, are aware of something that needs correction they tend to sit up, take notice and hopefully do something about it.
Having lived in Fillmore for all of my seventy-nine years I consider Fillmore my home. I want to see it hopefully prosper, if not that, at least not back-slide. Thus I am especially aware of anything that could cost the City financially. I will never criticize unless I have an answer to back it up.
About three months ago I noticed the "rules and regulations" posted sign at the Three Rivers Skateboard Park was missing. Some of you are saying, "So what, it isn't obeyed anyhow." This is just the point, to my knowledge that sign is there to inform the users of the park of the dangers and how to minimize them. By having the sign in full view the city is not liable if someone gets hurt because of not adhering to those rules.
Now...... for about three months that I am aware of there has been no "warning sign," this could make the city liable in case of injury. I had concerns years ago, when the skateboard park was first constructed and saw the users were not complying with the rules. So I called the city attorney. He informed me that if there was a rules sign in place and the city did not monitor the park the for safety violations the city was not liable. This places the liability fully on the users.
Why didn't I bring the missing sign to the attention of the city.......I did, about one month ago. After being referred to the one in charge of "signs," he did remember that the sign was taken down because of excessive graffiti and he would have to dig it out and get a new one made. Dig it out? Sounds as though this was not high on the important things to do priority list. Well, that was over a month ago, still no "sign" and the city seems not too concerned about a liability suit......I am and that is why I informed all of you in hope that, if this is what it takes, to "shame" the city into correcting the matter.
Don't mess with Big John...
I ♥ Fillmore
John Heilman

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

To The Editor:
Without others many things are not possible. With the 102nd May Festival in the books, I wanted to personally acknowledge and publically “THANK” those that helped make it happen. It is truly a thankless job and for the past few months, especially this past weekend all of these individuals showed their true dedication and commitment. Many assume that they are “paid” to do this event, however that is a false statement. They all dedicate themselves, take time away from their families all for the love of this community. These volunteers have always been a huge help to me as they combine the rare talents of grace-under-pressure with a friendliness “can do” spirit. Ron Smith, Helen Dominguez, Christie Neal, RJ & Joni Stump, Kristen Dollar, Gabi Farrar, Shawn Diaz, Amber Holmes, Darlene Holmes, Craig Cole, Greg Nunez and all of the volunteers who helped, served or sold tickets during the event.
This event also would not be what it is without Rico Santana along with his sound crew, Mark Ortega and all of the Fillmore High School Alumni volunteers as well as Boy Scout Troop 406 along with their parents and families. City Staff, Dave Rowlands, Rick Neal, Annette Cardona, David Smallwood, Rigo Landeros, Kevin McSweeney, Hannah Stuart, Ines Ebell , Patty Virto, Leo Vasquez, the Ventura County Sheriff Explorers together with Dave Wareham and the Ventura County Sheriffs Department.
Lastly to Evelyn Hasty throughout the 15+ years you have been involved with this event, your knowledge, accounting & office skills as well as just the plain simple fact that you kept all of us “in-line” were sorely missed this year. You are definitely a pillar of strength and an example that many should follow.
My sincerely apologies for anyone that I might have forgotten. Thanks again to all.
Lynn Cole

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Letter to the Editor,
Hello Fillmore! What a great week we had last week starting off the 100 celebration with such a great May Festival. Our town is such a great place to live, with the exception of
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep….this is the sound that near by neighbors, teachers and students of the Chevron superfund site hear on a daily bases for 8 hours 5 days a week. Yup it is like an alarm clock going off all day long. Oh but I am jumping to quick to my monthly rant. At our last meeting we were told that the soil cleanup is being completed. The first loads were sent out of town in the red bins and the later days work the dirt was moved to another location on-site to be sorted. Now there was a bit of discussion if the dirt that was just moved to another location would be contaminating dirt that has already been cleaned. We were told by the Chevron representative it is only debris. We were told by the EPA representative that a contaminant is a contaminant and would need to be cleaned up. Some questions that were asked were: How far is the air quality tested? Will children be evaluated to consider their exposure? Who decides what tests get done? Who is at risk? The EPA representative said everyone is at risk. Is it safe to build there? EPA representative stated that when it is finished it will be safe. Will building there be better than grass or natural plants? EPA said either would be fine, the top fill of clean soil covers the problem. One is not better than another.
Now I have recently talked to the planning commission and City council on how I do not feel that Chevron is on the up and up and I feel that they will not be truthful to our City council and the town as a whole, so I think I should back that up by some examples I have experienced and some that people have told me about .1) I went to a Chevron meeting 1 year ago this month and “no Chevron rep” was present but instead the sent another consultant company to run the meeting. The rep gave nice but out dated information. Months later one of the people whom I did not know at the May meeting showed up to be the Chevron Rep giving the latest report. 2) When I asked about the 20 ft hill in the back of my house I was told it was for drainage, after having an engineer look at the grading plan it was determined that is only half the truth. The hill is actually a pad for a future building. Back in 2013 I was told that “the slope won’t be that steep nor that close to the channel”. 3) Chevron has said that they will not do anything that would hurt our down town merchants but in their hand out on page 2 it states the project is “anticipated for commercial use such as restaurants, offices and retail stores”. 4) Chevron has told me and others that work would not be done on windy days. Then it changed to no work on east wind days, then it changed to no work on days where the winds are 20+ mph. 5) Chevron has told some neighbors that there have not been reports of odors. 6) I have been told by some one being paid by Chevron that any time my name comes up on the web they are notified, creepy. Also when I have recently gone to take pictures of the site work being done I am now being photographed also, again creepy.
The Remediation & Redevelopment meeting (Chevron superfund site) will be tonight Thursday May 22, 2014 5:30 p.m @ the Fillmore Senior Center. Please come and learn more about this project so you will be ready to voice your opinion on the matter very soon. The city will announce the date of the public comment soon so look for it.
Thanks again for your time,
Sincerely
Kathy Pace

To the Editor:
I would like to thank the members of the Fillmore Ebell club for their generosity toward the music program in the Fillmore Unified School District. As our program has grown, the Ebell Club has consistently donated funds that have allowed us to purchase some of the more expensive instruments that we use in band including baritones and tubas. Even with constant fundraising we would not have been able to purchase these instruments due to the expense. The Ebell members should be most proud in knowing that, for many years to come, students will be able to learn and perform using instruments that would otherwise not be available. Most recently, we were able to purchase two new sousaphones for our marching band at FHS.
The FHS Marching Band will use their new tubas for the first time this Saturday at the May Festival Parade. The high school band will also perform at the final Ebell club meeting on May 27. Our tuba players look forward to playing our new instruments.
Thank you for your belief and commitment to music education.
Greg Godfrey, Band Director
Fillmore High School /Fillmore Middle School

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To the Editor:
The Fillmore Band Boosters would like to thank the Fillmore Ebell Club for their continued support of our music program and the opportunities they have provided for our students over many years. Recently, the Ebell club donated funds that allowed us to purchase tubas for our marching band. The Band Boosters goal is to support our programs through fundraising and help to provide opportunities for our students through music education. The Ebell club has been extremely generous to our bands for many years and has helped us to meet our goals of providing instruments for students.
Thanks for your support!
Fillmore Band Boosters

To the Editor:
After reading your rant about the gasoline pump meter, I did some simple arithmetic to see if your complaint was justified. Today regular was $4.439 at the Fillmore Chevron, which would be $97.66 to fill a 22 gallon tank. That is approximately $10 less than what you spent. If the gas were $0.20 per gallon cheaper at the time you made your purchases, it would have cost $93.36 for 22 gallons. It appears you were not overcharges. Why pay more to pump gas at Chevron when across the street it is $0.10 to $0.20 cheaper? Maybe you had 200 Vons points for a 20 cent discount.
I do wish the Gazette would spend a little more time on some of the real issues that impact Fillmore. Besides the school issues, an important issue is the Transportation Commission vs Fillmore Western Railroad. It deserves more investigation than the other media has given it. Both the L.A. Times and the Star have cover it superficially. No one has asked why the Transportation Commission staff allowed so many years to elapse before claiming that Fillmore Western was not fulfilling the contract. It would appear that the Commission staff and Committee members are incompetent and should be replaced. Does anyone remember the overgrown railroad right-of-way and graffiti covered crossing signals before Fillmore Western came to town?
Bob Morris

To the Editor:
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who contributed to the success of Fillmore High School's sixteenth annual arts show “Euphoria”. It takes a lot of people and a lot of hard work, dedication and talent to coordinate an event such as this. Thank you to Fillmore Ebell Club, Fillmore Lions Club, Fillmore Women’s Service Club, Soroptomist International of Fillmore, Fillmore Rotary Club and Fillmore High School ASB for your donations which help to make this event possible. Thank you to Lucy for being a patron of this event. To the staff and teachers at FHS who supported the student’s efforts and allowed students to take part in hanging the show…To the custodial staff , Baldo and Johnny- thanks for your help. Thank you to Max and Susan Pina, and to the students who stayed late to break down the show and clean up after the event. I am so appreciative of your help.
Special thanks to Greg Godfrey and the fantastic members of the Fillmore High School Concert Band who played at the event- the musical concert helped to make the evening a resounding success… To Mary Ellen Wortham and FHS photography department for your photos. … To Josh Overton and the drama department for their outstanding performances. Thank you to the parents and the community who attended the show and helped to make this a special night for the students. Last, but not least, to all the student artists, photographers, actors, and musicians who put in numerous hours preparing for this event, hosting and cleaning up after a long day and night- especially my Art students and former students who came back to help- thank you- without you there couldn't be a show. I am very proud of all of you.
Rosalind Mitzenmacher
Fillmore High School Art Department

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To the Editor:
On Friday April 25th Fillmore FFA and Rotary Club of Fillmore hosted an exciting evening of casino fun. This event drew over 150 guests who attended for some great food, drinks and friendly Casino fun. This could not have been possible if it were not for our generous Casino Night sponsors, as well as all the community members who came out to support the event. The money raised will go towards helping both organizations with funding yearly scholarships to our local students and many other projects that help the community.
We would like to thank the following Sponsors, Wm L. Morris, Bill and Chappy Morris, Aguirre financial & insurance services, Barkley insurance, Scott & Laura Beylik, Edward Jones Investments, Fillmore Rental, Fillmore Air Conditioning & Heating, KLS, Jan Marholin, McGrath family, Murphy Pump & Well Service, Old Fashion Country Butcher, Otto & Sons Nursery, Oxnard Lemon, Palmer Farm Management, Peterson Family, Quality Ag, RMP services, Somers Ranches, Titan Tactical products & solutions, Water Art Design, Valley Tractor, Ventura County Deputy Sheriff Assoc., Jenifer Yeargen. We would also like to thank all the business and individuals who donated raffle prizes.
Rotary club of Fillmore, Rigo Landeros, President Fillmore FFA boosters, Scott Beylik
President

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To the Editor:
The membership and board of directors of the Fillmore Historical Museum were pleased yesterday, April 22, to receive an extremely generous donation of $20,000.00 from the ladies of the Fillmore Ebell Club. The buildings and collection of artifacts of the museum represent the shared history of Fillmore, Piru, Sespe and Bardsdale. Their donation will help assure the continued operation of the museum and assist us in our mission to collect, protect, and display these historic artifacts and buildings. We sincerely thank them for their support of the museum.
It is our hope that all members of our community will take the opportunity during this year’s centennial of Fillmore’s incorporation to visit the museum and learn about our fascinating, more than 127 year history.
Thank you
Martha Gentry
Executive Director
Fillmore Historical Museum

To the Editor:
Chapter 3 Chevron superfund site.
Well I hope that many of you had a wonderful Easter holiday, mine was good but of course it had the always underlining presence of Chevron. As we stepped outside into our backyard to hunt Easter eggs we once again had the odor of petroleum, a dirty gym locker and bad foot odor. Lucky for us we had plans to visit family else were. The last Chevron meeting was an interesting one, of the EPA letting us know that we are all safe and that they recommend people are not on site 24/7 for 70 years but that it would be o.k. for people to work 5 days a week for 8 hours a day. I hope that no one plans on working overtime or on weekends in the superfund business and industrial park. As they were working on drainage this month they found more dabree (brick pit and stuff) that they are working on. Thus the smell is back. I had a question of concern about the possibility of contaminated soils entering pole creek during our last rains and if they posed a danger to the homes and school down stream and was told by EPA that there was no problem. I was abruptly told by a Chevron rep that it was not possible for that to happen, but as I showed pictures of just that happening another Chevron rep did acknowledge the problem and said that it was taken care of. Yah, on Monday when they started their work week. The pictures were taken Saturday and it rained until Sunday. There were comments on the size of the 20 foot hill behind some of the neighbor’s homes, and their feelings that all was not on the up and up.
I talk with many people about this subject and a retired fireman brought up a new concern to me the other day. If Chevron has its way and we allow them to bring in light industry into this area it may be a big issue one day. Now many of you know this hill on the east side of Fillmore has been known to catch fire about every 5-10 years, now put that with many businesses some of which will no doughtily have permits for a few gallons of toxic or flammable chemicals of all different kinds (since we have no idea who all will be there renting) put these together and we are just asking for trouble. I was told by an official I was talking to the other day that there would be distance from the hill area and the site. Well, I have lived on this street and watch it burn down the hill jump across Pole Creek catch fire in a tree on the east side of Island View and then jump the street and start a fire in my neighbors gutter. So I am thinking this is a serious concern. Now I have been told that I need to accept what is going on and that we the citizens (neighbors) of Fillmore have no say in this, I say we do. What would be best for Fillmore would be to fill the empty lots along the 126 to show we have progress and not that we are struggling. We need to fill the empty business buildings through out our town to boost revenue and after these both have been done first and if our city can support it financially then we should then and only then ponder the idea of the Chevron site plan. It is in my opinion in a poor location filled with fault line issues, ancient mudslide history and on top of a superfund site. Not sure how many people will want to work or bring there lively hood into such an area.
We will be having another meeting tonight Thursday April 24, 2014 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the senior center. We will discuss risk assessments.
Hope to see you there,
Kathy Pace