Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

On November 8th, 2024, the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation concluded an investigation with the arrests of (S) Alexander Rocha (DOB: 02/13/2001) and (S) Montavious Harriel (DOB: 07/31/2000) who were involved with fraud and forgery crimes which victimized residents of Ventura County for thousands of dollars. The individuals were taken into custody following an extensive investigation by the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation.

Alexander Rocha and Montavious Harriel are accused of engaging in fraudulent activities involving financial document forgery. Detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation became aware of such activities when a victim reported a crime earlier this year. After a lengthy investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant which was executed in October 2024, in the 4200 block of Nimitz Drive in Oxnard. During the warrant service, detectives located and seized additional evidence related to fraud and forgery.

Additionally, several illegal firearms were located and seized, including assault weapons. Alexander Rocha was subsequently arrested for violations of Penal Code § 470 – [Forgery], Penal Code § 25850(a) – [Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle], and Penal Code § 30605(a) – [Possession of an Assault Weapon]. He was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility pending court proceedings.

On 11/08/2024, detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation and the West County Special Enforcement Unit executed a secondary search warrant in the 200 block of N 2nd Street in Port Hueneme. During the warrant, additional evidence of fraud and forgery was found in Montavious Harriel’s possession. Harriel was arrested for Penal Code § 470(a) – [Forgery] and transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he was booked for the offense. Harriel was later released on his own recognizance pending court proceedings.

The arrests of both Alexander Rocha and Montavious Harriel reflect the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office commitment to protecting citizens and businesses from financial crimes. The Fillmore Bureau of Investigation encourage community members to remain vigilant against fraud and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

Report Number: 24-4892
Location: 4200 block of Nimitz Drive, Oxnard
200 block of N 2nd Street, Port Hueneme
Date & Time: November 8th, 2024, at 3:00 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Bureau of Investigation, West County Special Enforcement Unit

Suspect:
(S) Alexander Rocha Oxnard 23
(S) Montavious Harriel Port Hueneme 24

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024
6:30 PM CITY HALL AGENDA
All items passed 5-0. Items 10D & 10F were received & filed.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A AWARDING THE WINNER OF THE 2024 TRUNK OR TREAT EVENT
5.B CITY OF FILLMORE PROCLAMATION HONORING DAVID ROWLANDS FOR HIS DEDICATION SERVICE AS CITY MANAGER
6. MEETING IN RECESS (BREAK)
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS, RECO-MMENDATIONS, AND COMMENTS
9. CONSENT CAL-ENDAR
RECOMMENDATION FOR ITEM 8A. THROUGH 8C. IS TO APPROVE BY VOICE VOTE.
9.A CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER - NOVEMBER 12, 2024 CITY OF FILLMORE WARRANT REGISTER-NOVEMBER 12, 2024.PDF
9.B CONSIDERATION OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF FILLMORE AND INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS, LOCAL 501 COVERING THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2024 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027
SR LOCAL 501 MOU 2024 - 2027.PDF
9.C SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 24-977 UPDATING THE FORMAL AND INFORMAL BIDDING LIMITS FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE STATES UPDATE TO THE UNIFORM PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT
SR - UPCCAA UPDATE ADOPTION HEARING.PDF
10. NEW BUSINESS
10.A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) AMONG COUNTY OF VENTURA, VENTURA COUNTY WATERSHED PROTECTION DISTRICT, AND THE CITIES OF FILLMORE, OXNARD, SANTA PAULA, AND SAN BUENAVENTURA TO SHARE THE COSTS OF FUNDING A SANTA CLARA RIVER TMDL MONITORING PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the County of Ventura (County), Ventura County Watershed and the cities of Fillmore, Oxnard, Santa Paula, and San Buenaventura to share the costs of funding a Santa Clara River Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Monitoring Program.––
SR - SANTA CLARA RIVER TMDL MOA.PDF
10.B CONSIDERATION OF AN APPROPRIATION AND AWARD OF CONTRACT TO MACKONE DEVELOPMENT INC. FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR REAR WINDOWS AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BUILDING (565 FIRST STREET)
SR 2024 _BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WINDOW REPLACEMENT_565 FIRST ST.PDF
REQUEST: Staff is requesting that the City Council: 1. Approve the appropriation of an additional $5,233 from other ARPA administrative funds to cover the full costs of drawings and hazardous material testing and abatement, in case lead and/or asbestos are found, when the contractor undertakes the replacement of windows at 565 Fist Street, the Boys and Girls Club; 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract with Mackone Development Inc. for the above described hazardous material abatement and window replacement work in a form approved by the City Attorney
10.C AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR PHASE ONE SPORTS FIELD LIGHTING AND TURF REPAIRS AT TWO RIVERS PARK, PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 24-08 SR - TWO RIVER PARK LIGHTING AND TURF IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT_FINAL.PDF
RECOMMENDATION That the City Council: 1. Approve an appropriation in the amount of $500,000 from unallocated funds in the Parkland Development Impact Fee (“DIF”) Fund 404 to Park Improvement Fund 464; and 2. Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign a contract, in a form approved by the City Attorney’s office, with Techline Sports Lighting for an amount not-to-exceed $430,000 for the purchase, delivery, and installation of sport field lighting of soccer and football fields at Two Rivers Park and installation of a controller at Shiells Park; and 3. Authorize the City Manager to sign a contract amendment, in a form approved by the City Attorney’s office, with Venco Western Inc. for an amount not-to-exceed $250,000 for the installation of an overhead irrigation system and leveling of the soccer and football fields at Two Rivers Park.
10.D LAND TRANSFER AND EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FUSD LAND TRANSFER AND EASEMENT SR .PDF
10.E CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN CITY OF FILLMORE AND FILLMORE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION IAFF, LOCAL 5382 COVERING THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024.
APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH FILLMORE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, LOCAL 5382 SR.PDF
RECOMMENDATION That the City Council receive information from staff and provide guidance regarding the following proposed items: 1) Transfer of the strip of land along the north and west portions of the Fillmore Tennis and Aquatic Center land parcel to the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD); 2) Easement Agreement over the land transferred to FUSD providing rights of use to the City; and 3) Relocation of existing public sewer line and reclaimed water line by FUSD, vacation of existing sewer easement and acceptance of new easements over relocated utilities
10.F INTRODUCTORY REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE INCOME AND EXPENSES PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 66001 AND 66006
SR FY 2023-24 DIF REPORT INTRO.PDF
RECOMMENDATION That the City Council receive a verbal introduction as a preliminary review of Development Impact Fee (DIF) income and expense report information for Fiscal Year 2023-24. Staff will continue this report at the December 10, 2024 City Council meeting by providing additional information and requesting that the City Council make the findings required by state law to allow the City to retain unexpended DIF funds that were collected five (5) or more years ago.
10.G CONSIDERATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF OFFSITE DEVELOPMENT IMPROVEMENTS WITH SDI FOODS, INC. FOR THE SONIC RESTAURANT DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE THRU PROJECT
SR -2024-SONIC SECOND AMENDMENTTO THE OFFSITE IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT.PDF
RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve an amendment to provide a second 12-month extension to the Offsite Improvement Agreement (OIA) with SDI Foods, Inc. (Developer) for assurance of completion of public improvements for the Sonic Drive-In project, Development Permit No. 18-01 Modification #1, to be constructed at 655 Ventura Street and authorize the mayor to sign the amendment.
11. COMMITTEE, COMMISSION, AND BOARD REPORTS
12. CITY MANAGER CITY MANAGER VERBAL REPORT
13. CLOSED SESSION
13.A CLOSED SESSION - NOVEMBER 12, 2024 NOVEMBER 12, 2024 - CLOSED SESSION.PDF
14. ADJOURNMENT MAYOR CARRIE BROGGIE ADJOURNS TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING AT 6:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024, CITY HALL, 250 CENTRAL AVENUE, FILLMORE, CA 93015.

On 09/18/2024, patrol resources from the Santa Paula Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting in the area of South Mountain Road and the Santa Clara River Bottom. Arriving officers located the victim and confirmed a shooting had occurred. As a result of the investigation, (S) Maximo Hernandez (DOB: 02/18/1990) was identified as the shooting suspect and fled with the firearm prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
On 09/20/2024, detectives with the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation secured a warrant for Hernandez’ arrest for his involvement with the shooting.

In the following weeks, a manhunt was conducted. Hernandez was able to evade capture on multiple occasions by skillfully utilizing challenging river bottom terrain along the Santa Clara River Bottom to obscure movement and hinder tracking efforts. The rugged river bottom, combined with thick vegetation, various encampments, and nearby water sources, allowed Hernandez to evade immediate apprehension despite coordinated efforts of ground and aerial search teams.

On 11/08/2024, at about 1:39 PM, deputies from the Fillmore Patrol Station responded the Santa Clara River Bottom near South Mountain Road in Santa Paula reference a transient male subject on foot in the area carrying a rifle. Once deputies arrived, they began searching the area. During their search, deputies located Hernandez hiding in an encampment in the Santa Clara River Bottom south of Cornell Drive. Upon contact with law enforcement, Hernandez fled on foot deeper into the river bottom. Deputies gave chase and Hernandez’ effort to elude law enforcement was thwarted when he was apprehended some distance away.

After Hernandez’ apprehension, patrol deputies secured the encampment where Hernandez was found. Detectives from the West County Special Enforcement Unit and the Fillmore Bureau of Investigation responded to assist. A search warrant was later obtained and executed at the encampment.

Hernandez was later booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility (PTDF) for his felony warrant (Penal Code § 245(a)(2) – [Assault with a Firearm], Penal Code § 29800(a)(1) – [Felon in Possession of a Firearm]), two additional warrants, and Penal Code § 148(a)(1) – [Resist, Obstruct, or Delay a Peace Officer]. Hernandez remains in custody with a bail set at $520,000.00.

Nature of Incident: Arrest of Shooting Suspect
Report Number: 24-141784
Location: Santa Clara River Bottom south of Cornell Drive, Santa Paula
Date & Time: 11/08/2024 @ 2:50 PM
Unit(S) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Bureau of Investigations, West County Special Enforcement Unit

(S)uspects,(V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent
(S) Maximo Hernandez Santa Paula 34

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

On Monday, November 11, 2024, Fillmore hosted its annual Veterans Day Parade at 10am on Central Avenue. Classic cars cruised downtown Fillmore as folks waved and thanked our local Veterans for their service and sacrifice, a longtime Fillmore tradition. On Saturday, November 9th, folks gathered in front of Fillmore City Hall for the Veterans Day Celebration in the Park, also put on by the Veterans Day Celebration Committee. From 4pm to 7pm, the community came out to listen to music, enjoy food and dance the night away. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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Pictured is Fillmore VFW Post 9637 proudly displaying every military branch flag along with the carrying of the American flag to get the Veterans Day parade started. Above and below photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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The band “Heart & Soul” grooving away as folks dance Friday night at the Concert in the Park. Photo credit Fillmore Veterans Day Celebration Committee.
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Fillmore High School Marching Band showed off their skills at the Veterans Day Parade on Monday. Photo credit Gazette Staff.
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Photo credit Fillmore Veterans Day Celebration Committee.
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The Veterans Day weekend kicked off to a great start with its Concert in the Park last Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 4pm to 7pm. Everyone had a great time with about 80 attending the concert featuring “Heart and Soul” at City Hall. Many were Fillmore and Piru Vets enjoying the music. The City of Fillmore proclaimed the month of November as “Veterans and Active Military Month” honoring those who served and are serving our country.

On Wednesday, Nov-ember 6th, at 8:51 a.m., the Ventura County Fire Department was dispatched to a brush fire reported near 7930 Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road.

The fire was located, quickly growing to hundreds of acres in size during Santa Ana conditions. The Public Information Officer for VC Fire was reporting as of 9:23am that 148 firefighters and 58 units had already arrived.
Additional resources, including aircraft and units, were ordered. The www.vcemergency.com website was reporting the following evacuation orders as of 11/06/24:

* Unincorporated Somis

* West to: Saticoy Country Club

* East to Balcom Canyon Road

* South to Highway 118

Firefighters were conducting structure protection for numerous residences with reports of fast approaching fire.
As of about 11:00am, VC Fire was reporting that the fire had jumped the 118 Highway headed towards the Camarillo Heights area. Per radio traffic, notifications were being made to the affected areas.

As of 11:17am, VC Fire was reporting that the fire was expected to impact the entire area of Camarillo Heights. Law enforcement was being requested in the area of West Loop for traffic control. Anyone calling from this area is being told to evacuate and that the priority is life safety and not property.

***

5:50pm, multiple houses have burned, including in the area of Valley Vista Drive in Camarillo. The fire was estimated at over 10,000 acres with no containment. Ventura County authorities held a press conference with additional information, found at the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/live/5QIUgGrdh8c

***

According to www.vcemergency.com , the following evacuation orders had been issued as of 9:18am on November 6 of 2024, for a brush fire call starting in the area of 7930 Balcom Canyon Road near Bradley Road:

Zone 1 – North of Somis: areas north of East Los Angeles Avenue/Hwy 118, west of Balcom Canyon Road, and east of La Vista Avenue

Zone 2 – Saticoy Country Club: east of Los Angeles Ave/Hwy 118, and south of the Santa Clara River and north of Beardsley Road

Zone 3 – Areas south of Hwy 118, west of N. Lewis Road, north of North Loop Drive and Mission Drive, and east of Fairway Drive

Zone 4 – West Camarillo (Las Posas/Spanish Hills areas): north of Las Posas Road, south and east of Central Avenue and Beardsley Road, and west of Anacapa Drive

Zone 6 – The area extending south of Santa Clara River, east of Los Angeles Avenue, north of Saticoy County Club, and west of Briggs Road

Zone 7 – The area north of Hwy 101 and south and east of Beardsley Avenue, and south of Central Avenue

Zone 9- The area east of Santa Paula Community Golf Course, north along Santa Clara River, west of San Cayetano Street

Zone 10 – The area south of the Santa Clara River, north of the ridge bottom of South Mountain at the rock quarry, west of Grimes Canyon Road, east of San Cayetano Street

Fire conditions are heavy and fast moving, and have consumed residences. Firefighters and emergency resources responding to help you during imminent conditions will be at risk.

***

By 5:50pm, the fire was estimated at over 10K acres burned with 0% containment.

Originally beginning near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road near Bradley Road near Somis and Moorpark, the fire moved quickly towards the Camarillo Heights area.

Several homes were consumed by the flames, including along Valley Vista Drive. The fire continued towards the area of the 101 Freeway and Central Avenue with smoke heavily impacting the area.
The county website, www.vcemergency.com , outlined evacuation warning information and resources available to affected people. A press conference held by the Ventura County Fire Department gave more information, and can be seen at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/5QIUgGrdh8c

***
Over 20,000 people were estimated to not have power.

Air resources had been limited due to the strong winds. Due to the size and severity of the fire, the primary mission of the firefighters was to save lives over structure protection.

Multiple calls of people being trapped at their property had come into dispatch. Multiple ambulance transports had occurred in the morning with some people becoming injured.

Traffic jams in the evacuation zones were quickly responded to with additional law enforcement aiding in clearing the people out of the fire’s path.

The fire fight was continuing through the evening, night, and for the foreseeable future until it can be contained and handled.

***
As of 10:00am on Thursday, November 7 of 2024, the Ventura County Fire Department was reporting that the Mountain Fire that began the previous day near Moorpark and Somis had consumed over 14,000 acres. The containment remained at 0%.
Evacuation orders and warnings, shelters, and additional information, can be found at the County website, www.vcemergency.com .

Sheriff James Fryhoff has issued a Local Emergency Proclamation and has requested California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaim a State of Emergency for the areas impacted, according to the website. These emergency proclamations are vital steps to activating state and federal assistance programs for both fire suppression efforts and assisting residents, the website said.

The fire was actively hitting the Santa Paula area with evacuation orders found at the County website.
Multiple fire agencies are fighting the fire, and will be for the next several days.

***
As of about 5:00pm on Friday afternoon, November 8 of 2024, www.vcemergency.com reported that the Mountain Fire was currently estimated at nearly 21,000 acres consumed. More than 2,500 personnel in total had responded to the fire.
Containment was reported at 7%. As of Thursday evening, over one hundred homes had been reported lost, with nearly another hundred damaged by the incident.

Numerous evacuation orders, listed on www.vcemergency.com , were still in effect Friday evening. Firefighters were working perimeters in Somis, Camarillo Heights and Santa Paula.

Ventura County Voter Turnout (51.69%)
Registered Voters 516,989
Ballots Cast 267,226
Fillmore Unified School District Trustee Area 3
Brandy Hollis 287 (37.52%)
Olivia Palacio 478 (62.48%)
Total Votes 765
Fillmore Unified School District Trustee Area 4
Tricia Gradias 463 (64.76%)
Andy Klittich 252 (35.24%)
Total 715
Fillmore City Council, District 1
Luis Alberto Rodriguez 286 (100%)
Fillmore City Counciul, District 2
John L. Garnica 423 (55.66%)
Mark Austin 337 (44.34%)
Total 760
Fillmore City Council, District 5
Gary A. Cushing 391 (53.34%)
Christina Villasenor 342 (46.66%)
Total 733
Fillmore City Clerk
Olivia Carrera Lopez 3,041 (100%)
Fillmore City Treasurer
Jaquelyn Magdaleno 2,995 (100%)

On Friday, November 1st, at 2:30 a.m., Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol were dispatched to a cell phone crash notification on Highway 126 near Camino Del Rio, just east of Piru, near the Los Angeles County line.

Arriving firefighters reported a solo vehicle overturned with one person trapped and unresponsive. Per CHP, the driver, who was alone in the 2019 Jeep Wrangler, was pronounced dead at the scene. In an update Friday afternoon, CHP officials said a 29—year-old Fillmore woman was driving the Jeep and had travel onto the right shoulder, which was covered with dirt and brush. It wasn’t immediately known how fast the vehicle was going or why it went off the roadway.

The Jeep continued on the shoulder until it struck a drainage culvert, authorities said in a news release. The Jeep flipped over onto its roof and came to rest on the right shoulder west of the culvert. The vehicle sustained major damage. The driver’s name wasn’t released pending notification of family.

Investigators don’t yet know whether drugs or alcohol were a factor, according to the release. The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about Friday’s collision is asked to call the CHP Moorpark-area office at (805)553-0800.

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Channel Islands Restoration (CIR) hosted a family-friendly volunteer day at Lake Piru to clear Tamarisk and other invasive weeds in Piru Creek on October 26th. Tamarisk can consume up to 200 gallons daily, threatening local biodiversity and harming wildlife. Removing these weeds can help restore the forest’s natural beauty and ecological health.

Agenda for the day was Volunteer Work: Teamed up with fellow environmental advocates to remove tamarisk and other invasive weeds; Educational Talks: Heard from experts about the native ecology of the Piru Creek Watershed; Food and Refreshments: Enjoyed lunch and snacks thanks to CIR.

It was a chance to make a tangible difference in preserving the local environment, and to protect and nurture a riparian zone. Volunteers brought their enthusiasm and commitment!

On Tuesday morning, November 6, the Santa Ana winds kicked up and started early with gusty winds expecting to be 30mph-55mph. A fallen tree branch was spotted off of 3rd Street & Mountain View. Due to the high winds Ventura County is on a Red Flag Warning until Friday. Photo credit Angel Esquivel.
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Courtesy https://www.vcemergency.com

SantaAna Wind Event & the Potential for Public Safety Power Shutoffs Updated 11/6/2024 at 7:58amVentura County Sheriff’s Emergency Services and the National Weather Service are currently monitoring a significant Santa Ana wind event forecasted to impact Ventura County from Wednesday morning, November 6, through Friday, November 8. Gusty northeast winds can be expected with sustained speeds ranging from 30mph-55mph. Gusts as high as 100mph are possible in wind-prone mountainous locations. In addition to windy conditions, low relative humidity with poor overnight recovery is expected. A Red Flag Warning has been issued starting Wednesday at 4am through Thursday at 6pm for all areas of Ventura County. Due to the high fire danger, 46 Southern California Edison electrical circuits are being monitored for potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). The period of concern for PSPS extends from November 6 at 3am to November 7 at 9pm. Should conditions in any area exceed Southern California Edison’s safety thresholds, electricity may be temporarily shut off to minimize the risk of ignition of a wildfire. Areas at risk for shutoff may change as conditions evolve. Individuals that rely on electricity to power medical devices are encouraged to plan ahead now and take steps to ensure your safety and well being.

For a map of impacted circuits, please click on the Realtime Incident Dashboard below.https://vcoes.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e15ca0d2737d43cea6514 043e61f1a7c. For more information on the weather forecast, please visit The National Weather Service online. https://www.weather.gov/lox/.To file a claim for losses associated with Public Safety Power Shutoffs, clickhttps://www.sce.com/customer-service/request-support/claims. For the latest updates visit https://www.vcemergency.com/.

On Saturday, November 9th and Monday, November 11th, the City Fillmore will honor its Veterans with its annual Veterans Day parade and celebration. Saturday will be the Concert in the Park from 4pm to 7pm at 250 Central Avenue. With live music put on by the Veterans Day Celebration Committee. On Monday, November 11th, there will be a Veterans Day parade at 10am from 2nd Street to Santa Clara, with a BBQ to follow and a ceremony at Fillmore Middle School at 1pm with music and speakers, as well as a salute to the military branches.

This year’s Veterans Day Parade Grand Marshal is Reynaldo Luis “Willie” Rivera. Reynaldo was born in Santa Paula and was raised in Fillmore. His uncle, Frank Borrego, a World War II Veteran who fought in the European theatre, saw Reynaldo right after birth and immediately gave him the nickname Willie. That nickname was in honor of Frank’s best friend Willie who was killed in action. He attended Fillmore elementary schools, junior high and high school. After graduating from Fillmore High School, Willie worked at the Van Nuys General Motors Plant building Chevrolets and Pontiacs.

Willie was drafted in June of 1965 and sent to Ft. Polk, Louisiana for basic training. He completed basic training and won the Physical Combat Proficiency Test. He was then sent to Ft. Gordon, Georgia for Military Police (MP), where he was recognized as the best pistol shooter in his company. After completing training, Willie was assigned to the 534 MP Company in Panama where he served under the two best officers in the US Army, Lt. Wills, Commanding Officer, and Lt. Rogers, Executive Officer. As a Spanish speaker Willie was able to assimilate with the local population and culture and has fond memories of Panama, a beautiful country.

He was selected to do the news in Spanish on the Armed Forces Radio and TV Network. Willie was even offered the chance to go to West Point but turned it down as it would mean additional years of service.

Willie landed in Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhut airport and was assigned to Charlie Company of the 716 MP Battalion in Saigon. His tours in Louisiana and Panama enabled him to easily endure the extreme heat and humidity in Vietnam. Willie’s duties as an MP included patrolling the city on foot and by jeep, escorting convoys, guarding installations, assisting the Air Police at Tan Son Nhut and more. Willie also guarded Bob Hope, Jayne Mansfield, Nancy Sinatra and other celebrities there with the USO. The 716th MP Battalion earned the nickname Saigon Warriors for successfully defending the city during TET on January 31, 1968. Twenty-Seven MPs were lost that day and 44 wounded.

After being discharged in 1967, Willie graduated from San Jose State with the assistance of the GI Bill which enabled him to have successful careers in civil service. He has been married to Patricia (De Los Santos) for 55 years and is blessed to have three children and five grandchildren.

Looking back on his service, Willie can truly say it was an adventure and sometimes good except for Army food. Whenever Willie had a chance, he would eat at Air Force and Navy mess halls as their food was 5 stars compared to the Army slop. “To all my brothers who served, I salute you for what we endured and suffered and continue to do so because of our service”.

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Tim Gurrola’s presentation to Fillmore City Council:

My name is Tim Gurrola, a lifelong resident of Fillmore and a board Member of Tender Life Maternity Home. I’m here on behalf of Jim Duran, Executive Director of Tender Life, who regrets he cannot be present tonight because he is currently serving the City of Ventura as one of their elected officials.

As many of you know, the blessing of pregnancy is often accompanied by joy and celebration. But for women caught in cycles of poverty, addiction, or abuse, pregnancy can feel like a burden, leading to fear, abandonment, and despair. That’s where Tender Life Maternity Home steps in.

Since 1985, Tender Life has served as a beacon of hope for at- risk pregnant women, empowering them to overcome their challenges and embrace the journey of motherhood. Our mission is to equip these women with the tools they need to become confident and capable parents, who can also thrive as members of society.

We aim to break generational cycles and create brighter futures for both mothers and their children. The impact of this work extends far beyond the walls of our home, touching future generations and our broader communities.
Tender Life operates from a beautiful home in downtown Ventura, where we house up to eight mothers and their babies. Our faith- based approach offers women love and support in a structured, safe space. Our 24-hour on-site house manager and case management team work closely with each woman to ensure she has everything she needs to succeed.

In just the past five years, 49 babies have been born at Tender Life, each entering the world with the hope for a better tomorrow. The transformation these women experience is life-changing, and we are deeply proud of the progress they make.
Now, I am thrilled to share the great news: Tender Life is expanding into Fillmore with a graduate home! This new home will host two mothers and their babies who have successfully completed our program and are now in our graduate phase.
These women are gainfully employed, own their own cars, maintain savings accounts, and are working to become debt-free. Importantly, they are on their way to being completely independent, without the need for government assistance. These graduates will be valuable contributors to the Fillmore community.

We would love to invite you to join us for a Meet & Greet at our new Fillmore graduate home (237 Fillmore St.) on Friday, November 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Tender Life, meet our residents, staff and Board of Directors, and tour the property. Refreshments and light appetizers will be served, and we hope you can join us to see firsthand the difference this new resource will make for the City of Fillmore.

Thank you for your time, your support, and for welcoming Tender Life into the Fillmore community.