To the Editor:
[In response to May 5, 2011 Letter to the Editor Re: Target Sacramento Rally for Education Committee]
The local teacher’s union and Fillmore School District administration are working together to “target Sacramento” with a “protest march” and “Rally for Education.” This, they feel, will help express our “outrage and frustration” as educators. Instead of focusing on ourselves, it might be novel to consider the parents we serve –parents who pay the salaries we constantly whine about, who are our bosses, who struggle with the same dread of layoffs – but don’t have time or energy to protest while continuing to support their families… and ours. Instead of yelling at Sacramento, why don’t we hold protest rallies outside some local parent’s house? We could demand they pay even more in taxes so we don’t have to worry about our own finances. That would be more honest, and no less ridiculous.
While the poster for the rally is characterized by a “target” symbolizing Sacramento as ground zero, it might strike some as ironic that the same mindset that runs teacher unions, which are bent on indoctrinating students to their far-left ideology, has fits when conservative Americans use the same graphics. Did someone say hypocritical? Maybe we should change the target graphic now that the hypocrisy has been pointed out, and so appear less radical.
The organizers of this “rally-to-embarrass-us-in-front-of-our-bosses-the-parents” are blaming the California Legislature – they are the current “boogey man.” Evidently we have to blame someone other than ourselves for our choices. But guess what? – the legislature is a wholly owned subsidiary of the teachers unions. California Teachers Association campaigns for the law makers who will support union salaries and state worker’s pensions. The unions got the budgets and pensions they wanted, but because members have been so mis-educated by the totalitarian left, the inevitable realities of hating our own American capitalist system, and therefore being ignorant of profit and loss, are coming home to roost. Now that we have helped bankrupt the state, we evidently feel it is ethical to shakedown the taxpayers, as the world evidently owes us a living. But should we hold our breath and stomp our feet if we don’t get a raise in our allowance?
Despite all the tax dollars poured into education, test scores continue to drop. Our solution? : More money for salaries, and higher taxes. After WWII, natives in the south pacific would make runways in the hope that American cargo planes would continue landing. We are a “cargo cult”, going through the motions of protest, although those goody-carrying cargo planes will no longer be landing. There’s no more money, okay? It’s over. We helped cause it. We should deal with it like adults. Or, apparently there are those who feel we should threaten or blackmail the public as is happening elsewhere with self-serving unions.
Question: How much money would be enough for teachers? Answer: Just a little more...always just a little more. Has a district ever seen a bond measure it didn’t like? The ridiculous belief that continuing and increasing the very spending and subsequent debt that has caused our financial crisis will be the solution to it is so mind-boggling juvenile, that it should disqualify those who hold it from the responsibility of being in charge of any budget except their own. That way, their own personal bankruptcy can serve as a warning to others.
Strangely, I still have not heard from either the teacher’s union or the administration regarding my multiple offers to save the district money and the union jobs by teaching an extra period for free. Not one word of support from any other teacher, or any administrator. No response. Other teachers could make the same offer, but instead we have decided to hold a “Rally for Increased Taxes.” Wouldn’t a better “target” for our “frustration and outrage” be in making sure the dropout rate is decreased by preventing students from leaving the eighth grade with third grade reading and math levels? What we hear is “kids come first” but what kids see from us is “we get ours first.”
I was taught monopolies were wrong, America-harming, self-protection devices used to discourage competition and would therefore thwart progress. If we want our students to succeed, why then do we fight every attempt by parents to break our educational monopoly, and allow parents some choice instead? Well, you know what they say… that it’s hard to make a person see the truth when their paycheck is dependent on their not seeing it.
Richard Hood

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To the Editor:
The Seniors that did not participate in our fund raisers will have to pay $100 for their Harbor Boat Cruise and Bus ticket this year. The seniors knew at the beginning of the school year and again it was noted in the Senior Packet that the seniors were expected to help in the fund raisers by selling pies, sandwich meals, See’s candy, suckers, spa (massage/facials) and working the yard sale (parents also) for Grad Nite Live or pay $100. We have a record of the names of students that did work, so we know who is going to pay if they want to go on the Cruise. The money/check is to be stapled to the permission slip signed by the senior and their parent even if the student is 18. Part of it is a medical release so a parent has to give consent. They are to give the permission slip to Jaci in the attendance office and receive a receipt for their money or check. Even though Grad Nite Live had many fund raisers this year and many of the seniors and their families helped, we find ourselves a bit short of the mark of $21,500.
At this time we are $600 short of the boat balance due 5/13/11, $600 for the Magician (has not raised his fee in 20 years), $400 for breakfast, buses (are $1300 each) we need 2 buses for the 100 seniors that are eligible to go now. $2600. The students that pay $100 will be paying for the next buses. So right now we “need” $4200. Thank you to Fillmore Sunrise Rotary for your donation of $750!
Money is tight as we all are experiencing just for the necessary things, I understand that and these so called ‘extra’ things are really hard to come up with, but think of this organization as not just giving a party but a life saving .party - the graduated seniors of 2011 are not only safe from drugs, alcohol and accidents, but they have parents and extended family that are sleeping better knowing their senior is safe.
Thank you for all that you have done and will do for us.
Mrs. Chaney 407-5759 or 525-4909.

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To the Editor:
The Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru Kick-Off Rally All Aboard for a Cure on April 27, 2011 gained momentum when at the end of the event 26 teams had signed up. The 70 plus guests enjoyed treats and finger foods donated by Bella’s Teas & Treats, El Pescador and Cookie Lee (Ari Larson). Everyone enjoyed listening to information about the Relay in the three train cars provided by Fillmore & Western Railway. Josie Real chairman of the Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru reminded everyone to participate in the 1rst Annual Relay Idol! Auditions will be held at the Fillmore May Festival on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 3:00pm (V.C Trade School Stage-Central Park). Please RSVP/Sign-Up by e-mail: to fillmorepirurelay@yahoo.com or leave a message at 805.524.0149 with your name, phone number, e-mail and audition song request. The winner of the competition will perform at the Relay for Life event in September. “Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru,” says Josie “will also have a booth at the Fillmore May Festival so if you haven’t signed up yet, please stop on by!”
Submitted by Ari Larson

To the Editor:
What a beautiful Bardsdale Cemetery with a lovely view!
After a trip to the Bardsdale Cemetery recently, I was amazed at how well the Bardsdale Cemetery looks now.
So any improvements have been made and the grass is so trim and green.
A big pat on the back to our Cemetery crew!
Helen Lidamore
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Fillmore Boosters Club and Fillmore FFA held “Casino Night” back on April 9th. It was a great success! I would like to thank the following for their generous donations and volunteering to make the raffle event a huge success.
AM/PM Pet, KSSP Photographic Studio, La Cabana, Karen Torres – Vanity on Main, Sherri McGuire – Total Concept Salon, Tonya Blankenship – Southern Wine & Spirits, Ernie Quiroz, Coach Tafoya- Cross Country, Track and Girls Basketball Basket’s, Cristina Estrada, Brenda Hampton-Ortiz - Girls Softball. The volunteers who put together the baskets: Ernie and Suzi Ortiz (Girls Volleyball and Basketball), Martha Hope (Cross Country and Track), Lani Farr (Girls Softball and Boys Volleyball), Alisha Duncan, Kathleen Aguirre, and Michelle Pina (Football).
It is people like you who make the town of Fillmore a great place.
Sincerely,
Susan Golson and Lani Farr

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To the Editor:
Dear Colleagues and Community Members,
The committee charged with planning an end of the year social gathering feels that it would be inappropriate to plan a celebration at a time when so many employees of the Fillmore Unified School District are facing an uncertain future. Instead, we are working with others in our school community to organize a Rally for Education. At this rally we will target Sacramento with a letter writing campaign and demonstration in a show of support for all our colleagues who are affected by this financial crisis.
The Rally for Education will be held on May 11, beginning at 3:00. Staff, their families, and community members are all invited to gather on the lawn in front of the District Office. At that time, Save Our Schools postcards will be available for all to write messages that will be sent to Sacramento. In addition, materials will be available to make signs to be used during our brief demonstration march and then to be taken home for public display. While postcards are being written and signs are being painted, food will be served. There will be a picnic meal of hot dogs, chips and drinks. All attending should bring blankets and lawn chairs. We are trying to identify a motivating speaker (suggestions are welcome) to stir the gathered crowd into action ending the rally with a demonstration march around the block in support of staff, students, and education.
The solution to the District’s fiscal crisis is in the hands of our legislators. These are the ones we need to prod into action. We need to tell them to act now to save education for the sake of our colleagues, students, and community. Through this Rally for Education we will target Sacramento to make a difference for our colleagues and students.
Many classified staff have been notified that they may lose hours or not have a job at all. Many FUTA members have received RIF notices. As well as, some administrator’s jobs are in jeopardy. Any loss of jobs does harm to families and community. This rally presents an opportunity for all employees to show solidarity. We hope that this rally will focus us beyond the boundaries of our individual bargaining units and show, by your participation, our solidarity with all those who will suffer from the political gamesmanship of the legislature.
We need your help to get the word out and to be at the Rally for Education. It is one way we can show our support for colleagues and students. Please pass along any thoughts and ideas you have to make this event successful. If you are willing to help in other ways, your help will be appreciated.
The Target Sacramento Rally Committee
Contacts:
Ann Wade
Todd Schieferle

To the Editor:
[Editor’s note: The main issue in the following letter has been resolved and Ms. Arnett asked that this statement be added on: “Mr. Sweeney has now contacted me and has talked to Mr. Wilbur about removing my son from this class. But there's still a lot of issues this School District needs to deal with.”]
This is in regards to the article on school bullying. I would like to say that what Mr. Wilbur told the parents for the most part is totally untrue. Yes if another student is doing the bullying the school jumps all over it, but when it involves a teacher they do nothing. I called Mr. Wilbur on March 4th regarding an Algebra teacher constantly harassing my son. She has ripped up his personal property and everyday she is making snotty remarks to him. When he got injured in P.E the Doctor had his knee in a brace and he couldn't bend his leg. This teacher kept yelling over and over for him to put his leg under his desk and then almost knocked him out of his chair when she attempted to pull his chair forward, all because she does not like him. And now that she handed my son his score for the High School exit exam and he passed, she has had even a bigger attitude toward him. She even made a comment when she found out that my sons Birthday is on Easter Sunday, which I don't feel is appropriate to repeat. I told Mr. Wilbur that I wanted my son removed from her class. Mr. Wilbur changed the subject to my sons grades and said he would have the Counselor call my son in and discuss everything. On March 9th the Counselor called me at work to discuss my sons grades, I asked how did this turn into a discussion about my sons grades, when the reason I called the school to begin with was about this teacher harassing my son. The Counselor started sticking up for the teacher and said that Mr. Wilbur has sat in on her class and sees nothing wrong. Well duh! of course she is going to be on her best behavior when the Principal is in there. She than said that she was going to speak to Mr. Wilbur, when she called back she said Mr. Wilbur would not remove my son from this teachers class. After loosing my temper with the Counselor, I informed her that I would be contacting Mr. Sweeny. I emailed Mr. Sweeny after getting off the phone. To this day I have not heard back from him on this matter. I feel that I as a parent have the right to ask for my child to be removed from any class that I feel someone is bullying him or her, even if that person is the teacher. This in not the first time that I have had trouble with the High School teachers and the way they talk to the kids they don't like. My son just informed me that a girl in his Algebra class who didn't get harassed by this teacher was able to transfer out last week, so why does my son have to stay in this class, because the teachers and the staff don't like him. I am so tired of hearing that they want parents to be involved more, but the truth is that they don't want to hear from us at all. Last year Mrs. G one of the vice principals got mad at me when I called her out on the way she was treating my son and she rudely hung up on me. Mr. T the other vice Principal walks around after school with Officer V. and sees my son and his friends and ask the officer if he wants to search any of them, what is this all about, kids can't meet up with each other after school without being harassed. Because if they are going to search my son after school is out, they better have a really good reason other than a bunch of friends standing around talking. I am not the only parent fed up with the schools in this town. I have three kids in three different schools in this town and I know which teachers I don't want around my children. There are a lot of really good teachers such as Mr. Olsen, Mr. Moss, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Moore, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Merril and Ms. Shrock that my children have had. I use to be able to pick their teachers at San Cayetano, but for the past two years they haven't allowed me to do that and I haven't liked my youngest sons teachers that they gave him. I was able to transfer him last year before the school year started only because the Principal was standing right there and I told her no way did I want her to be my sons teacher, she was my daughters teacher and she doesn't like parents involved in anything so they put my son with a new teacher Mr. Raymond who I didn't know at the time and he turned out to be a very nice teacher. But this year I was unable to transfer him because he is in the Gate program. After having my other two go through the schools, I know what teachers are good with the kids and which ones I would rather not have around them. The school district really needs to do something at the way these teachers speak to the kids, I know there are a lot of unruly kids, but grabbing a kid by the arm and yelling at him and humiliating him in the lunch line is totally unacceptable, because when I saw that, I just thought to myself, that teacher is so lucky that that was not my child. One of the biggest problems is that this is such a small town and the board members, teachers and staff are to close to each other to discipline staff members because they are all friends with each other. I know people on the Board and the school staff, but when it comes to my kids I am going to speak up about what is going on in these schools and I hope that other parents start speaking up as well. I won't lie for my kids and if one of my kids ditches, doesn't do there home work and they get a detention than that is what they deserve, but they don't need to sit in a class and be yelled at and harassed from the time they walk in. I was sitting at work today thinking about how my kids are in the care of these schools everyday, all day and when I call about a concern of how my child is being treated nothing gets done, they always put the blame on the kid and cover for each other, this is just not right.
Diane Arnett

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To the Editor:
Carl’s Jr. is donating 25% of what we spend to help us, so mark your calendars!
Fillmore Middle School’s AVID program is hosting a fundraiser at Carl’s Jr. on April 29th from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. Carl’s Jr will donate 25% of the profits earned that day if presented with a flyer at the time of purchase. The Fillmore Gazette has graciously offered to run the flyer in the paper April 21st and April 28th. Please cut out the flyer and help our FMS AVID program succeed. Monies earned will benefit materials and fieldtrips for our AVID students. Thank you for your support!
Heather Atwood
FMS AVID Coordinator

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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 thirteenth annual arts show "Drawn Into the Arts". 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 Lions Club, Fillmore Women’s Service Club, Soroptimist International of Fillmore, and Fillmore High School ASB for your donations which help to make this event possible. Thank you to Jessica Mendez and to Lucy Quezada-Romero for your donations and for being a patron of this event. Thank you to the Administration at Fillmore High School for your ongoing commitment to this event, and to Principal John Wilber who has seen to it that we get what we need to keep the show going year after year… 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 Tony -thanks for helping with breaking down the show. Special thanks to Greg Godfrey and the fantastic members of the Fillmore High School Concert Band and the Fillmore High School Jazz Band who played at the event- the musical concert helped to make the evening a resounding success… To Mary Ellen Wortham and FHS photo department and Mr. Henry Beltran and the woodshop classes for your artwork. … To Josh Overton, the drama department and the poetry club 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, poets, 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:
The Fillmore Senior Center appreciates the coverage of our senior activities and the “senior column” in each week in the Gazette.
As all of the Fillmore citizens know, funding in our City (and state) is being cut, and priorities must be considered. The majority of our Fillmore-Piru seniors are on a fixed income, and they are no longer physically capable of, or having the option of, taking the extra part-time job to earn “additional income” necessary for survival. Our Fillmore Sr. Center provides hot meals, information, social and physical activities, in a caring family-style environment. We need your support and commitment to continue providing these services to the senior community.
We are asking for your support for our senior center in any way possible: monetary donations (in care of City Hall); excess produce or non-perishable items can be dropped off at the senior center; or good condition office supplies )copy paper, pens, scratch pads, file folders, etc). All of this would be helpful and appreciated. We are a licensed non-profit organization so this would be tax a tax deduction for you. If you have comments or suggestions please e-mail them to fillmoresrcenter@sbcglobal.net and put Attn: Donna in the subject line.
We can always use smiling warm bodies to help us on our “brown bag” and “commodity” days or, if you just happen to have a little time to spare, we can use you on the “host/hostess” desk to greet our daily patrons.
And, last but not least, for all of you who have donated produce, items, time or just moral support…you have made a huge difference. Our center is like the “Little Engine That Could” and has made remarkable progress; which we couldn’t have done without all of you. Thanks so much.
Donna Voelker
President, Fillmore Senior Center Board of Directors

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To the Editor:
Once again Congratulations are to be lavished on the Vision 2020's Civic Pride Group for putting on the best Flower Show ever! Lots of hard work by many volunteers led in part by Linda Nunes and Joanne King's leadership and involvement put together a thoroughly enjoyable flower show. In spite of our cold winter, the gardeners brought out beautiful displays and bouquets of many varieties of plants for all the good citizens of Fillmore to enjoy. Conspicuous by their absence were members from our city council and our local media. The local turnout was high and the entries were almost doubled from last year. Many thanks and Congratulations to the Civic Pride Committee - Well done!
Judy Dressler
Fillmore

To the Editor:
On behalf of the Visual and Performing Arts Department I would like to thank the members of the Soroptimists International of Fillmore for their donation to the Arts Show. Your support of this event helps us maintain our vision for the show - an evening of the arts featuring Fillmore High School students. We truly appreciate your support.
Rosalind Mitzenmacher
Art Department Chair
Fillmore High School

Sean and April Hastings, Owners of Attractions Spa, Massage ~ Facials ~ Waxing, would like to thank the community and our customers for the success of our new business!
Attractions Spa will be celebrating our 1 year anniversary this April 1st, 2011! Within our first year of business we have successfully gained over 300 customers, moved to a larger location, hired a third therapist and expanded our services. We are now located at 287 Central Avenue and have welcomed Brenda Bush of Fillmore as our third therapist. Brenda comes with over 15 years experience and matches the professionalism we have here at Attractions Spa. New to our menu are the following services; Hot Stone Massage, Custom Mommie to Be Pregnancy Massage, Foot Reflexology Massage and Deep Therapeutic Massage. We still of course offer Swedish & Deep Swedish Massage, Facials and Waxing.
We have decided as a thank you to the community and to our customers, April 2011 will be our Customer Appreciation Month! Attractions Spa will be offering $15 off ANY Massage or Facial throughout the entire month.
Also, Attractions Spa will be hosting the monthly Fillmore Chamber Mixer on Wednesday April 6th from 5:30-7:30pm and all are welcome!!! Come help us celebrate our new location and Attractions Spa's 1 year anniversary! Double A Cafe will be serving Appetizers and Bella's Teas & Treats will be serving Tea, Coffee and Treats! On this night ONLY from 530-730pm, we will also offer an unbelievable special for ANY Massage, Facial or Waxing certificate to be purchase at 50% off!!! (can be used anytime starting April 7th and there is no expiration on the certificates, 2 per person limit.)
This is our way of saying thank you to our customers and future customers. We look forward to seeing you April 6th at Attractions Spa! Please call us with any questions 805-524-7722 or visit our website at AttractionsSpa.com.
Sean and April Hastings

To the Editor:
Civic Pride arrived in the community and is working although many new to the community of Fillmore do not know what it is! Much work went into the many facets of the program which is operating as you read this article. Having been one interested in the program working with various citizens of the city we worked for civic pride in many ways.
A roster came to my attention as I was filing away papers and it was the Civic Pride Roster. So, I felt these citizens should be thanked once again with so many changes that have happened since the program was in operation.
In my opinion thanks should go to these individuals: Helen Archer, Andy Arias, Pat Couse, Bill Dewey, Judy and Ray Dressler, Sarah Hansen, Cindy Klittich, Jan Konter, Linda Nunes, Joe Zunia and Rosemary Fennel.
Conway Spitler
Fillmore

To the Editor:
Thankfully God does not imitate the Supreme Court. The right of the Westboro Baptist Church to express their anti-gay views outside military funerals was upheld Wednesday by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that the free speech provisions of the First Amendment protect the Kansas-based group's public protests. If courts could rule in matters of righteousness perhaps we'd see a different resolve. What is civil and what is lawful aren't synonymous. We can expect anti-Christians to sully the church in the mainstream while media pundits run with this rancor over political and religious speech. In this matter, speech cannot be separated from the inclusive right to assemble. Judges are free to personally comment, even call the actions of the protesters morally reprehensible, but rule according to what the law allows. Here, it's not the law but the gospel that's being perverted by delusional men and women professing to be harbingers of Christianity. The Court did the only thing it could do without subjugating the 1st Amendment.
Bert Castel de Oro
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Today I received an e-mail from a friend of mine that I stay in contact with regularly. His letter read, “I am in England, I am in a terrible situation right now and really need your help with a loan of $2700. I know it’s such short notice, but unfortunately for me, my bank does not have local presence here. That's why I have to ask you for help. If you can help out with this money or whatever funds you can come up with, I will greatly appreciate it.” I replied saying it sounded rather strange but in case it was true I would be glad to help. He mailed me back saying this: “I wasn't supposed to spend more than a week but I got mugged and robbed here. I lost my personal effects including my bank & credit cards, my cell phone and other important stuff. That's why I am asking you for a loan but I'll explain better once I get back. I am at this address. (removed)”
I noticed the e-mail address he was using was different than my friends and of course knew it was a scam and didn’t follow up with his request. I tried to get hold of my friend with no luck and then went to the local Sheriff’s Dept. I knew they would not take the time to follow this up and I was right. There are just too many scams going around for the manpower they have available. At least I did the right thing by trying. This all leads up to one of my pet peeves, “using e-mail etiquette.” Once a year I send to all my e-mail friends a special letter hoping it will make a difference; sad to say that I have made very few converts. I don’t know if people are just lazy or don’t give a darn, maybe both. Here is the letter I send every year.
Do you really know how to forward emails? 50% of us do; 50% DO NOT.
Do you wonder why you get viruses or junk mail? Do you hate it? Every time you forward an email there is information left over from the people who got the message before you, namely their email addresses and names. As the messages get forwarded along, the list of addresses builds and builds and builds and all it takes is for some poor sap to get a virus and his or her computer can send that virus to every email address that has come across his computer. Or, someone can take all of those addresses and sell them or send junk mail to them in the hopes that you will go to the site and he will make five cents for each hit. That's right, all of that inconvenience over a nickel! How do you stop it? Well, there are several easy steps. Try the following if you haven't done it before:
(1) When you forward an email, you can DELETE all of the other addresses that appear in the body of the message (at the top). That's right, DELETE them. First though, You MUST click the 'Forward' button, and then you will have full editing capabilities against the body and headers of the message. If you don't click on 'Forward' first, you won't be able to edit the message at all. Highlight names, addresses and etc. and delete them, backspace them, cut them, or whatever it is you know how to do. It only takes a second. [At this point you can make corrections or additions in the body of the email, if you wish].
(2) Whenever you send an email to more than one person, do NOT use the To: or Cc: fields for the list of email addresses. Always use the BCC: (blind carbon copy) field for listing ALL the email addresses. This is the way the people you send to will only see their own email address. If you don't see your BCC: option click on where it says To: and your address book list will appear. Highlight the address and choose BCC: and that's it, it's that easy. When you send to BCC: that message will automatically say 'Undisclosed Recipients in the 'TO:' field of the people who receive it.
(3) Remove any ' FW:' in the subject line. You can highlight the FW and delete it or re-name the subject if you wish or even fix the spelling.
(4) ALWAYS hit your Forward button from the actual email you are reading. Ever get those emails that you have to open 10 times to read the one page with the information on it? By Forwarding from the actual page you wish someone to view, you stop them from having to open many emails just to see what you sent.
(5) Have you ever gotten an email that is a petition? It states a position, asks for an address and you to add your name to it. You are to forward it to 10 or 15 people or your entire address book. The email can be forwarded on and on and can collect thousands of names and email addresses. A FACT: The completed petition is actually worth a couple of bucks to a professional spammer because of the wealth of valid names and email addresses contained therein. DO NOT put your email address on any petition. If you want to support the petition, send it as your own personal letter to the intended recipient. Your position may carry more weight as a personal letter than a laundry list of names and email addresses on a petition. (And don't believe the ones that say that the email is being traced; it just ain't so!)
ACTUAL FACT: Most e-mail petitions are worthless because they do not fully identify the signer by street address, etc. nor does it prove that the signer really signed it. Don't forward them. Besides, if you send the petition to several people that means your name is on several other petitions and growing. Not quite legal.
Some of the other emails to delete and not forward are:
a.) The one that says something like, 'Send this email to 10 people and you'll see something great run across your screen.' Or sometimes they'll just tease you by saying 'something really cute will happen.' IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!! I repeat.... IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN!!!!! (No matter how many you send it to or how long you wait.... IT AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!!!!! We are still seeing some of the same emails that we waited on 10 years ago!)
b.) I don't let the bad luck ones scare me either, they should get trashed. The ones that say if you send to x-number of people you will receive a blessing or something...don't be fooled. If you want to bless someone or be blessed send them a direct encouragement. And as for 'send this and don't break the chain', .this is another type of a petition format.
c.) Before you forward an 'Amber Alert' or a 'Virus Alert' a99 or some of the other emails floating around nowadays, check them out before you forward them. Most of them are junk mail that's been circling the net for YEARS! Just about everything you receive in an email that is in question can be checked out at Snopes. Just go to www.snopes.com. It's really easy to find out if it's real or not. If it's not, or seems far fetched please don't pass it on.
So please, in the future, let's stop the junk mail and the viruses.
Also get rid of the advertisements at the bottom of your emails! You pay for your internet why advertise free for them? If they want advertisement let them pay you to use your space!!!
Finally, here's an idea. Let's send this to everyone we know (but strip my address off first, please). This is something that SHOULD be forwarded, so do it, please!
John Heilman
Fillmore

To the Editor:
Tillie Spitler was involved in so many different areas that happy memories of her will live in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to know her We knew her best as a board member of our Santa Clara Valley Hospice/ Home Support Group. Tillie helped represent the Fillmore Area and was conscientious about all information about the services being were publicized in the Fillmore area. She also made sure everyone had an opportunity to purchase tickets for our many fundraising events.
Many of you will remember Tillie, looking adorable, in her sunbonnet at a card table outside Von’s Market, with the information about our Light Up a Life Tree of Life. She was instrumental in our being able to add a Tree Lighting Ceremony in Fillmore. Tillie usually showed up at our very early morning board meetings with little muffins. She initiated many projects with her creative ideas. She had a quick brain, wonderful sense of humor and her enthusiasm was contagious.
We will all miss Tillie very much!
Cathy Barringer
Past President Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group

To the Editor:
Re: FHS AVID Program, Advancement via Individual Determination
Dear businesses and community members,
Last year the FHS AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) program had quite a busy and successful year. With your generous support we visited UCSD, SDSU, USD and CSULB. We also had Fillmore AVID students earn honors by becoming finalists in the annual AVID Write-Off Competition. We are very proud of what we accomplished and want to continue this success this year as well.
One of the most important components of a successful AVID program is the ability to take students to visit universities. This spring we will visit Cal Poly-SLO, Cal State Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz and others. With nearly so many students participating, these trips do not come without a cost. Last year, one trip cost us $1100 in transportation fees alone. In our budget for this year, we have decided to raise at least $5000 for our field trips. We are confident that this can be achieved and certain that with the help of the community, we will surpass this goal.
We would appreciate your help and the entire AVID program will benefit from your financial support. As an FHS graduate, teacher and former AVID student, I know that without the aid of businesses and organizations in the community, many school programs would be far less effective. Thank you for your time consideration in this important matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Paul FitzGerald
Fillmore HS
555 Central Ave
Fillmore CA 93015
805-727-1377
Yes, I would like to support the Fillmore High School Avid program by donating to the cause.
Name: ______________________________
Business Name: _____________________
Phone #:____________________________
Amount of Donation:_________________
*All checks can be made out to Fillmore High School
(Tax Id: 95-249340)

To the Editor:
At the risk of forgetting to mention many worthy businesses, I want to share that I'm discovering anew that Fillmore does have a lot to offer. We really don't need to drive out of town for a good meal or something to do. Just lately I had the most delicious potato salad at Central Station - as close to the one my mom made as can be found. And Double AA has a great roasted vegetable salad -so good! It's quite special to be able to have "high tea" available within walking distance at Bella's. One could easily spend a week enjoying the museum - many, many Fillmore stories and pictures. Being home to the Fillmore Western Railway is certainly a bragging right despite having to stop for its crossings! Reading the article about Bert Rapp and what he said about the connection between local services and taxes made me more aware that we really should try Fillmore first before we hop in the car and go!
Sincerely,
Susan M. Cuttriss

To the Editor:
Fillmore High School hosts a Beautification Day twice a year to improve our facility. Staff, students, and the community get together to pull weeds, prune roses, rake leaves, scrape gum from the sidewalk, and undertake other general upkeep tasks. The last Beautification Day was a success! Eighty five students from the local schools volunteered to make Fillmore High School a better place. We assembled twenty two new tables that the Associated Student Body of 2010- 2011 purchased to provide more tables for the students to have a place to sit. We pulled weeds, raked leaves, pruned, roses and scraped gum. The photos were taken by our wonderful photographer Nicole Camarillo.
Kind Regards,
Chloe Keller

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To the Editor:
My daughter went online to view [an] excellent [feature at www.fillmoregazette.com]. Unfortunately we saw a very offensive video showing Nancy Pelosi getting smashed over the head with a hammer. As a mom of a daughter, I don’t appreciate that the Gazette thinks it is amusing and encourages violence and hatred towards women. I will never buy another Gazette.
Requesting that my name and address be unknown to avoid being bashed by the Gazette.
Anonymous
(The Gazette here and now officially bans ‘Anonymous’ from ever buying anther issue of the Gazette.)

To the Editor:
On Thursday, January 13th we were in a motor home accident on Highway 126 heading to Steckel Park. We wound up in a drainage ditch. People stopped to help us get out of the rig, bring us to a safe place on the road and make the necessary calls for the ambulance, Highway Patrol, etc.
Unfortunately they left the scene all too soon and we never got the chance to thank them properly. Therefore, we want to send out a very grateful THANK YOU for their compassion, selflessness and kindness during this devastating time. We will never forget what you did for us. We wish you a very happy and blessed life.
Bob and Fran Bagdad
(Editors Note: See photos of the accident here: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-page/injury-accident-126-near-tolan...)

To the Editor:
Former Councilwoman Laurie Hernandez sent the following correspondence to Fillmore City Manager Yvonne Quiring, Council Members Washburn, Walker, Conaway and Brooks (asking it be forwarded to Sipes), and City Attorney Ted Schneider.
Dear City Manager Yvonne Quiring, Council Members and City Attorney Ted Schneider,
First of all may I remind you, most of you ran on Open Government and Transparency. I need to know, is it true Yvonne you just hired a part-time employee for the Finance Department? And no Council, I don't mean Finance Director, [I mean]part-time person and at what wage? Why on earth would we hire another person when permanent staff is subject to furlough days, why not give those hours back to our staff that’s sacrificed already? This is a slap in their faces. You have a duty to staff and the general public. My hope is, Council, you have a good reason for continuing acceptance of such hires, because this is against all you preach. As you see I've shared my question with the local papers as well. Look forward to hearing from you.
Laurie Hernandez

To the Editor:
We would like to thank the service clubs of Fillmore for their continued support of the arts programs at Fillmore High School. Thank you to the Fillmore Lions Club and the Fillmore Women’s Service club for their donations to the upcoming April Arts show. We would also like to thank the Fillmore Ebell Club for their generous donation to the Ceramics and Photo departments which allowed us to purchase much needed studio equipment for our programs. Thank you all for your generosity.
Rosalind Mitzenmacher
Visual & Performing Arts Dept. Chair
Fillmore High School

To the Editor:
The One Step a la Vez (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County) would like to thank the Santa Clara Valley Democratic Club as well as particular members Jane Munoz, Steven Lattimore and Ruth Ann Vomund for the generous donation to the program. Their donation will go to support the Food Distribution Program and will feed 60 families for four weeks. Thank you so much for your support of the youth and the families of Santa Clara Valley (and in particular Fillmore/Piru).
Gratefully,
Lynn Edmonds
Program Manager

To the Editor:
Happy rainy day! I hope everyone is safe and dry. I wanted to say what a wonderful job the Musical Theater Workshop kids did with their performance of "Hairspray" yesterday at the Sespe Auditorium. And we had a great and dedicated audience tromp through the rain to see it.
We are holding in the rankings.
www.refresheverything.com/sespeauditorium - text to 73774 message 104492.
Keep on voting!
Janet Foy

To the Editor,
I would like to take the time to formally thank Mr. David Deutsch for his generous donation of time, effort, and energy to make Fillmore Middle School a better place. Fillmore Middle School hosts a parent meet and greet the last Friday of each month. This is an opportunity for parents (both Spanish and English speaking) to become more educated about what is going on at FMS. Mr. Deutsch has cooked breakfast for each of our monthly meet and greets and the food has been amazing. The monthly meet and greets are open to parents and community members and the next meet and greet is this Friday, December 17th at 7:30. David’s wife Ronda Reyes-Deutsch is a counselor at FMS and plans all of our meet and greets. Thank you to both David and Ronda for making a tremendous difference at Fillmore Middle School.
Sincerely,
Scott Carroll
Assistant Principal, FMS

To the Editor:
On behalf of CJ Financial and Timeless Images Photography Studio we would like to thank those that came to our Holiday Party/Chamber of Commerce Mixer. We had a fantastic turnout and lot’s to enjoy. Thank you to Dustin of the Double A Café and Filipe of Bella’s Teas and Treats for the food, Hans Almena for tending the drinks, Dennis and Cody Jackson for setting up the games to play, and Vance Johnson for putting together some really good Country music. Many raffle prizes were donated and we would like to thank Elkins Golf Course, Element Computers, Cookie Lee by Ari, Attractions Spa, Camilla Conaway for a Avon Basket, Train Stop Crafts n Things by Sandi, Kathleen McCreary of Fillmore & Western Railway, Rosa Martel for a Center Piece, “The Girls” Joan, Paula and Amalia of Santa Clara Valley Bank, Kyle at Edward Jones for the gardening basket, Alex at AM Pet for the pet gift, Brenda Crockett at Troop Real Estate for the many cookie cutters, Melanie Fiske for the Mary Kay Cosmetics, Cindy Zanotti for the Christmas arrangement, and Ruth Uridel of the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. Thank you Ashley Jackson, Heidi Hinklin and my son Kelly for assisting with the raffle prizes that evening. We appreciate each and every one of you for your support and kindness. May God bless you all and best wishes for a Happy New Year in 2011!
Sincerely,
Cindy Jackson/CJ Financial
Eric Vigil/Timeless Images Photography Studio

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To the Editor:
Dear Family & Friends, Fillmore has a wonderful project/contest going on right now that could really benefit our School Auditorium, we need YOUR votes! Please click on the link below and vote, if you have a moment, please pass this along to your friends and family.
www.refresheverything.com/sespeauditorium
Thank You and Happy Holidays,
Cindy Jackson
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
We have moved up in the ranks again!! Way to go Fillmore Friends and Families!! We need your votes to win this $50,000 grant from Pepsi. Please, if you haven't registered to vote yet, it is easy, click on this web site and go to the bottom left corner to start. www.refresheverything.com/sespeauditorium AND text a vote to: 73774, Message:104492. Keep this moving!!
THANK YOU!
Janet Foy
Sespe Players

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To The Editor:
Regarding the Owens and Minor financing arrangement:
One of our local Service Clubs has what they call the "Four Way Test". Is it the TRUTH? No- Fail. 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? No- Fail. 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? No- Fail. 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned. No- Fail. Four out of four failures. How can this be good?
Even though the details are different, recent news about officials from the city of Bell come to mind. As far as ill gotten financial gains to benefit a few at the expense of many.
Is the short term financial gain worth the loss of credibility and respect for Fillmore?
At San Cayetano School they are teaching 'Character Counts'. Our former city officials seem to be practicing the exact opposite.
If this had been a just and equitable business transaction it is unlikely that any legal action would have been taken. Just because some judge decided in favor of Fillmore doesn't make it right. All too often the person with the highest paid lawyer wins. What is right, honest, just and beneficial to all concerned has no bearing on the final judicial outcome.
Maybe it is a good thing those who put this arrangement together are no longer leading the City of Fillmore down the road to moral bankruptcy.
Larry Jennings
Fillmore

To the Editor:
I am so thankful for all of the community support that we received during the campaign. I'm grateful to those of you who had the courage to speak out for change in FUSD. Mark Austin and I received over 2700 votes; every one of those a vote for change. I am hopeful that two new pairs of eyes and ears on the Board will bring the "breath of fresh air" that we were all hoping for.
I would like to thank Mark Austin. I am honored to have met him, campaigned with him and to call him my friend. He did not run for himself--period. I look forward to working with him in the future to improve our schools.
I am immensely proud of the campaign we ran, a campaign based on integrity and truth with true grassroots support. Our supporters volunteered to help, requested yard signs and people I had never met before were calling and emailing thanking us for running. Our campaign opened the door to change at our District. And we are not going anywhere. We must stay organized and stay vigilant. The new Board members will need help working for transparency and accountability. At the most recent School Board meeting the auditor had to remind the Board that the budget is a ‘public document” meaning that any member of the public has access to this. Even with all their experience they still need to be reminded that they are a public body, they are accountable to the public, it is their role to answer to us and to provide the best education to all students. A shift is happening. A seed has been planted.
Stay tuned for information on the formation of a community based group to support the District in improving our schools.
With Gratitude,
Kimberly Rivers
Piru Resident

To the Editor:
THANK YOU FILLMORE
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Fillmore for your continued support and faith in my leadership. I will continue to work hard for our community in every way I can. I am humbled and honored to be given the chance to represent you and Fillmore for the next four years. I continue my promise to listen to your issues and address your concerns.
I have been truly blessed with a strong support system in my family and friends. I thank those who contributed many hours to my campaign and who provided words of encouragement during this election cycle. I would be remiss if I did not extend a special thank you to those who donated their time and encouragement these many months as we worked on the campaign trail - Bob Stroh, Gloria Hansen and Bob Smith. I appreciate the many residents of Fillmore who made generous monetary donations to my campaign. And, of course, my treasurer, Donna Cruz for her time and support when I thought there wasn’t enough time, or money, to get it all done. To the many in the community who offered words of encouragement when the going got rough it was because of you I was able to keep focused on my mission and the issues.
I cannot thank my husband Steven enough for his unwavering support and his unending faith in my abilities.
I am honored to have the opportunity to continue in my service to this great city, my home, Fillmore.
Sincerely,
Patti Walker
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Friends and Customers in Fillmore,
We at the Double A café would like to thank all of you for the warm reception into the community. Opening the restaurant has been the culmination of a dream and involved a lot of planning and hard work but it has been all worth it. Business has far exceeded our expectations at this point in time thanks to you. It has been a pleasure greeting old friends and meeting new ones and we look forward to serving you for many years.
We will be having a lot of fun at the café where we provide a dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere, serving the best and freshest product possible at a reasonable price. No frozen or deep fried foods are used. Although I am an experienced chef, I am a brand new business owner so please be patient as we work out the “kinks” and look for ways to improve our service. The cafe is a work in progress and I think you will see improvements every time you visit.
Our business style lunch, Tuesday through Sunday, offers an excellent meal for a very reasonable price. Dinner, from Wednesday through Saturday, involves more gourmet fare with a menu that changes with the seasons. We have recently introduced an Early Bird special at a reduced price from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Starting soon we will offer a family style dinner on Wednesday nights where you can enjoy a three course meal with a choice of five entrees for a reasonable price. Our Sunday brunch has already become a very popular attraction. Please call 524-4052 for business hours, information or reservations.
Once again, thank you to everyone in Fillmore, citizens and businesses, who have helped make our venture a success. I am proud to have been raised in this great town and look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship for years to come.
Bon appetite!
Dustin Anderson

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To the Editor:
Re: Gazette Editorial (11/11/2010)
To address incorrect information and clarify issues.
“Gazette: Construction Costs”
The total capital cost of the Fillmore project is $82 million. This includes $26 million for effluent disposal. So if the plant was only $39 million, where did the other $17 million go? The Santa Paula plant is twice the size of ours and their plant capital cost was $44 million with $8 million for effluent disposal.
The truth is that the extreme costs of this sewer plant are due to the plan (undisclosed and unknown until recently) for ratepayers to subsidize the Business Park. The cost of the land, the levee and River Street extension would not have been incurred had the City used another site on land we already owned. In addition, the extended sewer mains, utility infrastructure and storm drains (from D St. to Plant) increased costs. THE MAIN REASON THE PLANT WAS SITED AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION WAS TO FACILITATE AND SUBSIDIZE THE BUSINESS PARK. KDF is NOT helping the City, the City and taxpayers are helping KDF. The question is whose plan is this?
Gazette: “Fillmore owns its plant outright while Santa Paula has a buyout clause”
Fillmore does not own its plant outright because it carries a 40 year bond debt of $57 million principal plus $77 million in interest, ($134 million). This does not include $19 million taken from the Redevelopment Agency. Plus whatever debt service is associated with that.
Gazette: “In every way Fillmore’s plant is far superior in cost and efficiency.”
Santa Paula's plant has a much smaller footprint, saving millions in land costs. (Fillmore paid $2.4 million just for land purchase.) Santa Paula's plant can be operated by 3 operators. Fillmore requires 6. Both plants have won awards and are recognized as state of the art.
It seems like the Santa Paula paper is keeping its citizens informed. If the Gazette did, citizens would know about the issues with Fillmore’s plant. Including; the delays to get an APCD permit, that W. M. Lyle’s took all of the “open book” funds(intended for cost savings sharing), and the 21 change orders, some of which were implemented prior to Council approval. In Santa Paula, this is what caused their Public Works Director to be fired.
The Gazette continues to smear citizens of Fillmore who have a right and responsibility to question the enormous cost of this plant. If the Gazette was doing its job, it would have asked the same questions.
Bob Stroh
Fillmore

Read a responce to Stroh's letter here: www.fillmoregazette.com/editorial/realities-117

To the Editor:
A Big Thank You! I would like to express a special thank you to the Fillmore High School Hall of Fame Committee and the Alumni Association for choosing me for their first inductee class and inclusion in the new FHS Hall of Fame; what an outstanding experience. This ranks as a “Top Ten” event in my life besides playing in college sports, marriage, having two great kids and 3 grandchildren and of course the privilege of coaching in Fillmore. Many thanks to the parents and the great “Flashes” fans. I want to thank my assistant coaches, Tom Ecklund, Robert Ortega, Bob Taylor, Ked Creed, John Romero, Jerry Dann, Owen Muchisky and all those who coached at the JV and Freshman levels. The FHS teaching staff, administration and classified staff certainly deserve a great thanks: Ellen, Joyce, Joleen, Debbie, Nada and all the guys who prepared our athletic fields; they were the wheels that kept our engine going. Fillmore is my home! To my Ventura R&A golfing buddies, I call Fillmore “God’s Country”! Having traveled to all 50 states and 34 foreign countries, no place is better. Also I believe the coaches and players who were inducted into the FHS Hall of Fame will feel privileged to “come off the bench” and represent those inductees who are only with us in spirit. A very humble thanks to all.. Bruce Dempsey, 2010 Inductee, FHS Hall of Fame
J. Dempsey

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To the Editor:
Tip of the hat to Joe Woods and the organizers and supporters of the Fillmore High School Hall of Fame first induction ceremony held at Fillmore High School on Saturday, November 13. The event was very well organized and the dinner provided by El Pescador was great. The induction ceremony, which was necessarily long because of the number of inductees, provided interesting details of the athletic history of the school and her first group of outstanding athletes. It was wonderful to see so many young families present (one infant of three weeks!) to honor friends and relatives. I hope that Fillmore High School will have this event annually. Thanks to all of you who made this happen.
Kelly Scoles

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To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the citizens of our great community, and my family and friends for the overwhelming support and words of encouragement you have given me during this past election. I am honored and proud to have been elected as one of your voices on our School Board. I am ready to serve you in this capacity, which I know will be faced with challenges and obstacles along the way. However, I am confident that together we can make positive changes that will improve our school system.
I plan to work with our local youth organizations, community groups, businesses, and especially with our Board members, administrators, teachers, other staff members, parents, and students. Positive changes can only happen if we work as a team! Let us stop all of the negativity that has gone on in the past. We must move forward as professionals with only positive efforts, and with mutual respect for one another, so that our students and schools can thrive.
I would like to encourage those parents who have pulled their children from our school system to contact me. I value your issues and concerns. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the parents and volunteers who have supported our schools with your time and effort at any of our school activities and functions. Thanks also go to the administrators, teachers, and other staff members who work tirelessly above and beyond their regular hours, without pay. Your dedication and commitment are to be commended. If everyone would put forth that same positive effort into whatever job they have, we would be one of the top school districts in the county. I believe we can be that. Again, thank you for your vote of confidence. My email is rangelfan@roadrunner.com.
Sincerely,
Lucy Rangel

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To the Editor:
I would like to make a correction to your article on November 11th regarding the Nov. 9th City Council meeting. My comments at the council meeting regarding lose of jobs had to do with eight pool staff who are employees of the City of Fillmore (not Heritage Valley Aquatics). My issue was with the fact that leading up to the pool closure and at the time of the closure, nobody from City Hall staff (not the job of City Council) communicated with these employees regarding their job status.
On another subject: I was very sad and upset when I began hearing in June that there was going need to be cuts in pool programs, jobs and, as it turns out, closure of the pool. I started asking questions and looking into the revenue and expenses of the pool. There was two years of parcel tax revenue collected before the pool opened. Does anyone out there wonder where it went? The only answer I ever got was that it was spent, that it cost a lot more than projected to run the pool. Yes, it does cost a lot to run the pool facility but it is my contention that had there been better oversight of the expenses and revenue from the beginning that the current situation and the future of the pool facility would not be so bleak. The City staffer who oversees the pool facility has no aquatic or recreation background, has taken the advice from vendors over the advice of experienced aquatic employees, has placed blame every where but their own doorstep. The latest “sound bite” is that our pool is too much of a competitive pool. This City staffer oversees two other city departments in deficit – the theatre and the recreation department.
I have been asking a lot of questions. It is like pulling teeth to get answers. I pointed out several times that the current pool budget does not make sense. Here is a specific: the budget states that only one part-time pool manager would be budgeted for the 2010-11 budget year when in fact the numbers showed two part-time pool managers budgeted. When I questioned this before the City Council, the council was told that only one pool manager was in the budget. I contacted the Finance Director asking to please show me where in the budget it showed one pool manager. It took about three weeks of sending emails. Even though I did not feel it was necessary the Finance Director insisted on a meeting at City Hall. After meeting with her on Wednesday, Nov. 10th, she did agree with me that the budget did, in fact, reflect two pool managers were budgeted. I believe that two pool managers are needed, especially during the summer months, but my point has been that the budget does not make sense and does not solve problems.
I have more questions. Where is the oversight? 1) Can anyone understand why $8,000+ was spent on pool office furniture and chairs for the locker rooms? (The filing cabinet cost $1,300!) Was that really in the budget? 2) There are two pool rentals from the summer of 2009 that have still not been paid. I have repeatedly asked about this uncollected revenue, beginning this past June when it came to my attention. The pool rentals go through the Community Services Supervisor’s office at City Hall – not through the pool office. One of the pool rentals was for a birthday party for a city council member’s son. The other was for the Boys & Girls Club. Why hasn’t something been done about the missing revenue?
I have many more questions. Citizens of Fillmore need to ask hard questions and demand answers. There needs to be more oversight of spending. We are all experiencing hard economic times but this that the only answer to all of our City’s financial problems?
Cindy Blatt
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Dear Editor and community of Fillmore,
Sespe Players, Fillmore's community theater group, has applied for a Pepsi Refresh Project Grant. we will find out on November 30th if we have been excepted into the “voting process”. Then, on December 1st we can start our Voting Campaign.
The grant will “Refresh Sespe Auditorium with new curtains, lights and sound”. Sespe Players has applied for $50,000, and to win this grant, the community must vote on a daily basis, for the “project they want”.
No one knows how old the stage curtains are in the auditorium! There is no stage lighting or sound system! So the Fillmore School District could really use our help in getting this wonderful asset “Refreshed”!
Sespe Auditorium is located in the Fillmore School District Building, at 627 Sespe Avenue. Sespe Players has used this stage for many years to produce wonderful plays and musicals for the community. Recently we have had Musical Theater Workshops and acting classes as well. The District uses the stage for graduation ceremonies, community forums and rents the facility to other performing entities.
Before the voting begins for Sespe Auditorium, you can go online to refresheverything.com register to vote, and check out this month's projects up for voting.
Get to know the process, because come December 1, we hope to have everyone online voting for Sespe Auditorium! We will be up against some very tough competition from other very large communities, but , if we get the word out to all our email, Facebook and Twitter friends from everywhere, we could really pull this off!
Thanks you all for your support! We will find out Dec. 1 and let you know for sure if we made it past the review process, and into the voting phase.
Janet Foy
Sespe Players

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To the Editor:
I just watched the Oprah show and Marie Osmond was talking about her son that committed suicide, believe me it was heartbreaking. She was talking about how hurtful bloggers were after her son's death. It reminded me of the bloggers we have in Fillmore that say such hateful things and don't have the guts to sign their real name, so they must be ashamed of what they say. I don't read that garbage because I have better things to do in life. A member of my family read the things said about me and was hurt that you (and you know who you are) would say such crap. Believe me I am not stuck in the nineties I am proud of what was accomplished then. I really had to laugh when the evil person said I did not know how to read. That does not even deserve an explanation since I have never sat around and used my brain for vicious things. I wish all of the no names would make better use of their time and do something constructive to improve Fillmore and the world.
God's word says "forgive them for they know not what they say", I believe that so much that I forgive you. I truly hope you will find better things to do, there are charities crying for help. Just remember some day you will stand before God ( at least I hope so) and you will have to explain the hurt you have dealt to people.
Always signing my name
Shirley Spitler

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To the Editor:
This is a proposed method to provide the U.S. Treasury with a better way to reduce the deficit by simplifying the tax codes.
In the past, numerous attempts were made to streamline the Federal Tax laws, to no avail. Now more and more citizens/politicians want to reduce government involvement and to reduce the deficit.
Almost $30 billion (Ref. 1) are spent paying accountants to fill out complicated forms and estimates. Also, we spend almost $110 billion (Ref. 1) on our labor for keeping track of the records/paperwork.
Two options are being proposed to meet said goals. One (I) is based on an article in the September 6, 2010 issue of Newsweek (See Ref. 1). The second (II) is based on my thoughts, also to meet said goals.
OPTION I: “Clean Slate Time” is a plan to eliminate the tax man and save the country from suffocating debt in four simple steps:
A. Cut income and payroll tax rates in half except for people earning more than $2 million a year who will enjoy smaller cuts.
B. Eliminate all individual deductions and exceptions.
C. Impose a 12-15% value added tax on consumption.
D. Individuals will no longer have to file tax returns with the IRS. All earned and investment incomes will be collected by withholdings.
OPTION II: To provide an equitable tax rate to all, across a wide spectrum of incomes:
A. Eliminate all individual deductions and exemptions.
B. A 10% tax on Gross individual incomes of $50K and up. No taxes for those making less than $50K. Thereby providing a financial benefit to the lower incomes.
C. A 10% tax on $50K and up from all Gross incomes from the following:
1. Withholdings (includes companies operating outside the U.S.)
- Salary/bonus/deferred payments/etc.
2. Investment incomes (includes sources outside the U.S.).
- Dividends
- Interest
- Capital Gains
- Etc.
D. Social Security/Medicare benefits are Status Quo, no changes.
E. With the simplification of the proposed Option II, of collecting taxes will virtually eliminate the large cost/labor of filling out complicated forms, keeping track of records/paperwork by the individual/tax preparer/IRS, and will result in savings of billions of dollars.
With the large reduction of the labor/dollar costs, the IRS workforce will be reduced by 30% during the first five years and an additional 20% within the next three years. Also, during the work force reduction, the remaining workers will be consolidated in specific offices throughout the U.S. The unused facilities/equipment would be sold and/or leased; thereby providing additional funds to be available.
This added revenue to be dedicated to our most needy programs, i.e.; jobs, small businesses, housing financing, Social Security, Medicare, Veterans and families.
(Ref. 1:”Clean State Time”, by Keith Libby & Evan Thomas, Newsweek, issue of Sept. 6, 2010 www.cleanslateus.com)
Raymond Dressler
Fillmore Ca.