Fillmore City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Camilla Conaway, expresses her concern regarding the process accessing the track as “ridiculous”.

In a rare packed house with standing room only and a line out the door the Fillmore Unified School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. Public comment began with three speakers regarding the long road to allowing public access to the track. Fillmore City Parks and Recreation Commissioners Kenneth Palmer and Camilla Conaway were joined by Fillmore Resident and Exercise Club member John Scholls who all spoke to the Board indicating their desire to move ahead quickly to find a reasonable solution which addresses the concerns of FUSD, allows sensible access to the track and takes into account the costs which the City will bear. Palmer indicated a plan that will cost $1,000 to $2,000 and makes entry to the track more direct than the current set up. Conaway commented that the current process for accessing the track is “ridiculous” and requires exercise club members to “jump through hoops.” According to all three speakers, the current process requires those accessing the track to check in at the pool, walk around the block, down an unlit alley/sidewalk, and pass through three gates. Conaway commented that she understood the District had concerns over adults having access to the high school, but the current access route provides more opportunity for that compared to the plan they are proposing. Palmer, Conaway and Scholls all suggested an easier and more direct access route utilizing the entrance used for football games. Scholls commented that this entrance is “more direct, less costly, better lighted, [and has] less likelihood of injury.” Board President Virginia De La Piedra commented on “miscommunication on both sides” and that she had previously requested to be notified of any City meetings on this subject and to date has not received any such notifications. Conaway said she would be notified of future meetings. Board Member Tony Prado indicated that he was the Board rep on the sub-committee charged with finding a solution that works for all, but apparently he had not been notified of any meetings and therefore did not attend them. FUSD Superintendent Jeff Sweeney suggested that Michael Bush, FUSD Assistant Superintendent Business Services, should meet with Parks and Rec and other City officials to come up with a plan to recommend for the Boards approval. All parties agreed to this and De La Piedra joined Sweeney in expressing their desire to “expedite” this process while addressing student safety and facility issues.

Next the Board heard from 7th grader Curtis Warring Ponce, a resident of Piru and student at Fillmore Middle School. He began by reporting to the Board “ [we have] great schools…education is very important to me…failure is not an option.” He informed the Board of his perfect attendance record and 4.0 GPA. Ponce informed the Board “[He really likes his school] it’s safe, friendly and it is awesome. Our principals are the best, we have excellent teachers and staff that work hard to make it a great school…[and have activities for each student] something that fits them.” He spoke about his experience in advanced band with the “best teacher, Mr. Godfrey and I want to learn more. Music calms me down and enriches [my life, it is] very important to me to keep music and arts in school.” He stated that he hoped the budget cuts would not affect his school. In conclusion he said “I want to thank everyone who works hard to make our schools great for us kids to keep learning and succeeding.”

The final speaker in CONTINUED »

Above, Linda Arroyo of Interface speaks to parents at Wednesday night’s bullying forum.

On the evening of Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Fillmore Unified School District hosted a Parent Forum with a focus on Bullying. Fewer than thirty parents attended the event, which was held in Sespe Elementary School cafeteria. This event comes just a few days after state lawmakers passed a resolution marking March “Bullying Prevention Month.” Bullying has garnered national attention due to recent suicides attributed to the effects of bullying. Speakers at the forum included Linda Arroyo, a mental health therapist with the Camarillo organization ‘Interface Children and Family Services’, Rhonda Reyes Deutsch counselor at Fillmore Middle School, Deputy Leo Vazquez the School Resource Officer for FUSD, Carol Berringer Director of After School Program/Student Services for FUSD and Fillmore High School principal John Wilbur. Reyes-Deutsch reported “Every day in the U.S. an estimated 150,000 kids miss school due to fear or intimidation [from] bullying.”

Arroyo began the forum by introducing a program operated by Interface, called “Triple P” standing for Positive Parenting Programs. Arroyo explained that this program “support[s] you in your role as a parent.” Some of the issues they help parents with include tantrums, lying, talking back and even motivation for getting homework done. The 8 to 10 week program is available at no charge to all families within FUSD schools. Interested parents or guardians can contact their principal for a referral to the program.

What is bullying and cyberbullying? Arroyo defined bullying as CONTINUED »

FILLMORE, CA. - On 4/5/2011 at 2:44am the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a possible structure fire at 160 Santa Clara Avenue in the City of Fillmore.

Upon arriving on scene, firefighters observed light smoke coming from the single story, single family dwelling. Further investigation revealed the seat of the fire to be in the kitchen and dining room area. Prior to fire personnel arriving on scene, one of six residents had just returned home when he was alerted to the fire by his family. The resident quickly applied water to the fire using a water hose from the yard preventing further spread. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining flames and evacuated the smoke from the structure to prevent further damage.

Five occupants were inside the location at the time of the incident however they escaped the structure without injury. Due to the smoke damage throughout the structure, it was determined to be inhabitable by the Building & Safety Department.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

County of Santa Barbara, California

The California Department of Public Health has found trace amounts of iodine -131 (radiation) in milk from dairy cows in San Luis Obispo County. The amount found was so low that it does not pose any risk of human health. The milk in San Luis Obispo and elsewhere in the US is absolutely safe for human consumption.

The California Department of Public Health samples milk, soil and vegetation on a quarterly basis. They have increased the frequency of testing to weekly due to the Japan incident. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has also increased its nationwide monitoring of radiation in milk, precipitation, drinking water and other sources.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the utility provider that operates the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, conducts regular testing in San Luis Obispo County where the nuclear power plant is located. PG&E split a recent milk sample from San Luis Obispo County and sent a portion to the California Department of Public Health for testing.

The level of radiation is very low, described as incidental. Officials say the levels are 5,000 times below levels of concern. The amounts detected are thousands of times less than what someone would receive from an X-ray or from everyday sources such as the sun, air, soil and television viewing. Air sampling has shown no activity for the past few days and the half-life of iodine -131 is short, meaning it will be gone in roughly one week. The actual impact of radiation diminishes daily.

Children are a bit more sensitive than adults, yet the amount found does not pose a health risk for children either.

Public health officials continue to recommend that potassium iodide not be taken.

With close testing by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, there is continued monitoring. The CDPH website provides Frequently Asked Questions about Radiation and regularly updated information at: www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/RadiationFAQS2011.aspx

Charles Mozley (“Mr. Moze")

While there may be disputes about what makes a good or bad teacher, the Ventura County Educators’ Hall of Fame’s debate is over choosing the most worthy candidates among the best, brightest and/or the most beloved.

For this round of annual inductions, five educators of varied talents were selected, representing a historical look at the human foundations of Ventura’s educational system.

They are: Jim Lane of Oxnard, Andy McEuen of Oxnard and three who are being inducted posthumously, Leslie (Les) Meredith Jr. of Camarillo, Charles Mozley (Fillmore High School) and John Devine (Isbell School in Santa Paula).

All will be honored at a county-wide fete Friday, June 17th at the Courtyard Marriott in Oxnard, along with the Ventura County Teacher of the Year, who is chosen separately by the Ventura County Office of Education.

In contrast to the Teacher of the Year award, the Hall of Fame’s scope casts a wider net, as it may also honor administrators and classified employees, and takes in to account those working in higher education.

The idea for an Educators’ Hall of Fame was initiated in 2005 by Darrin Parrent, who was inspired by the experiences he had going through the local Ventura County school system. He contacted a number of prominent educators – notably former Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chuck Weis – and together they formed a committee of 15 education and civic leaders to hammer out the details for the first induction in 2007.

“The Hall of Fame selects individuals to be honored for their outstanding contributions to the field of education,” Parrent said. Details about this year’s selections are:

√ John Devine literally lived education, going so far as bringing kids home and ensuring others that they had lunch money or decent clothes.

He spent much of his career at Isbell Middle School in Santa Paula, where he taught industrial arts and organized trips to sporting events. He passed away in 1982.

√ Jim Lane was born and raised in Oxnard, and he stayed local, becoming a business teacher and coach at Hueneme High School where he helped set up a student mentor program. His experience converted well into writing articles on education for the Ventura County Star.

Although he retired in 2002, he stays involved in the community, such as helping out the mentor project at Hueneme and developing a boys and girls club at Meiners Oaks Elementary School in Ojai. Aware of school cutbacks, he also helps raise money for athletic programs.

√ Andy McEuen began as a business teacher at Oxnard High School after serving in WWII in a combat battalion. His administrative skills as a principal were later tested and he was so good that he became principal of the new Hueneme High School in 1959, and later became superintendent of the Oxnard District until his 1980 retirement.
Under his direction, Hueneme became a state model for parent and student involvement.

√ Les Meredith Jr. was a teacher-principal at the Santa Rosa Elementary School and prior to that, an assistant principal at Los Altos Intermediate School, both in Camarillo. He developed 7th and 8th grade programs at Santa Rosa that included vocational and science instruction, the latter from grades 2-8.

He also became versatile in creating counseling and disciplinary plans and helped with teacher evaluations. Beyond the school, he was an instructor in scuba diving who ran oceanography workshops and served as a long-time member of the county sheriff’s Underwater Search and Rescue team. He passed away on July 17, 2009.

√ Charles Mozley taught at Fillmore High School, adult education in Ventura and Oxnard and even had a stint as teacher in the Youth Authority. Known affectionately by some as “Mr. Moze,” his grasp of issues was wide as he taught politics, journalism, psychology and consumer issues.

Clearly beloved, he was also well known as the announcer at football games and involved in pep squads, plays, graduation ceremonies and as an advisor. He passed away in 2007.

The Educators Hall of Fame dinner event Friday, June 17th at the Courtyard Marriott opens at 5 p.m. so that friends, colleagues and family members can converse before a dinner around 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person; the best way is to log on to the website, www.vceh.com, or you can call 805-482-1492 or email president@vceh.com.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

An attempted car jacking left a 30-year old Fillmore man stabbed early Monday morning in Oxnard, 4500 block Saviers Road.

At approximately 1:50AM, two men in their 20s approached the vehicle and demanded the Fillmore man and 27-year old Oxnard woman get out.

The man resisted and was stabbed; the assailants fled. The victims drove away from the area, and called 911. The Fillmore man was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, where he was treated for a non-life threatening injury. The investigation is ongoing.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 28, 2011, at approximately 2:00 a.m., two victims were seated in a vehicle in front of a residence. Two male suspects approached the victims, brandished a knife and demanded money from them. The suspects fled in a white sedan without any money.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., city of Fillmore patrol deputies located the suspects in their white Hyundai traveling westbound on Highway 126 towards the city of Fillmore. Patrol deputies attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused to stop the car and a pursuit ensued. The fleeing suspect vehicle ultimately collided with a street sign at Burlington Street and Reading Street in Fillmore.

The male juvenile driver of the vehicle escaped on foot but was tracked and apprehended by a Sheriff’s K-9. He was lodged for felony attempted robbery charges into the Juvenile Justice Center in El Rio. The male juvenile passenger whowas trapped in the car due to the collision, was rescued and treated by Fillmore Fire Department personnel at the scene. The passenger was also lodged at the Juvenile Justice Center on felony attempted robbery charges.

Attempt Robbery- 400 Block of Simon Way, El Rio / Vehicle Pursuit -Fillmore
Location- Fillmore
Date & Time: March 28, 2011 @ 2:00 a.m.
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police and Sheriff’s Gang Units
Report #: 11-6953
Arrestees: Address: Age:
Juvenile Santa Paula, CA 17
Juvenile Oxnard, CA 16
Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Dave Wareham
Follow-up Contact: Detective Albert Ramirez (805) 524-2233
Date of Release: 03/28/2011
Approved by: Captain Tim Hagel

Enlarge Photo

FILLMORE, CA. - On 3/27/2011 at 11:15am the City of Fillmore Fire Department responded to a report of a possible structure fire at 436 Central Avenue in the City of Fillmore.

Upon arriving on scene, firefighters observed light smoke coming from the rear of a single story, single family dwelling. After forcing entry into the locked residence, it was determined the source of the smoke was a bedroom and contents that had ignited into flames. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and took immediate measures to prevent further damage to the structure. Smoke damage was present throughout the location however the integrity of the structure was untouched. Two adults and two children were displaced by the blaze but were left unharmed.

The cause of the fire was determined to be due in part to a clothes iron that was left on some 45 minutes prior to fire units being dispatched The occupant indicated he was ironing his clothing before leaving with his family to church when he placed the heated iron in a window seal inside the bedroom. It was later determined by Fire Investigators the iron was left in the on position igniting the adjacent curtains and room.

From our little town of Fillmore there are eight high school aged youngsters that began in September to prepare for the 2011 L.A. Marathon on March 20, 2011. They practiced here in Fillmore and in the Valley on some challenging practice runs. They participated in practice organized runs throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. They started with a 10K in La Puente; 9 miler in Encino, two half marathons in Pomona and Irvine; 18 miler at Hansen Dam in the Valley and then the L.A. Marathon. They ran these with SRLA (Students Run L.A.); yes they were out there with all those other kids with the bright green singlets that you saw on T.V.

These students ran the marathon under conditions that the L.A. Times stated “on what is believed to be the stormiest day in L.A. Marathon history”. Alexander Frias (16) has run the LA Marathon 4 other times, this was his 5th L.A. Marathon; Nico Frias (14) ran it one other time, this was his 2nd L.A. Marathon, missed the first one due to a broken arm; they are brothers. They have been trained for these last years by their dad, Joel Frias, who has been an SRLA leader for 11 years now. Sammy Martinez (16), friend to Alexander, ran it with him last year and this was his second L.A. Marathon. The following ran it for the first time: Vincent Chavez (16), Isaac Gomez (15), Anthony Rivas (15), Jovani (Geo) Rubio (18) and Carina Silva (18).

These outstanding young people deserve our congratulations and respect for their accomplishment of hard work and planning to complete an awesome goal of running a marathon (26.2 miles) (it’s like running from Fillmore to Ventura) and under such harsh conditions! Way to go!

Building official Michael McGivney and Stephen Stuart from Santa Paula addressed the Council with the most recent edition of the California Building Codes.

The March 22, 2011 Fillmore City Council Meeting continued on until half past eleven as Council grappled with discussions of the next 2011-2012 budget with its projected cuts to services. Also on the agenda were the new State Building Codes, Southern California Association of Governments Integrated Growth Forecasting, installing a side entrance gate for access to Fillmore High School’s running track, and a proposal for a town hall meeting.

The Council had their work cut out for them in tackling the midyear budget review and the upcoming Fiscal Year 2012. Some of what the Council can and cannot do pertains to Proposition 26 passed by California voters in November 2010. Proposition 26 changed the requirements when cities attempt to adjust certain fees and charges.

Fillmore like most California cities is facing budget problems. Financial Advisor Anita Lawrence, in her last work preformed for the City, presented the Council with the 2010/11 Midyear Budget Review, which was not good news.

The bottom line is the General Fund does not have sufficient revenue to support basic Public Safety Services, which means City service levels will have to change.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Contract with the City is expected to cost $3.4 million, an increase of 5%, plus other police Services and Fire Service each costing $800,000, bringing the total for Public Safety Services to $5 million.

The current 2010-2011 budget which ends June 30th will have a balance of $1 million to roll over to the next budget which starts July 1st. The debt service payments (money borrowed) are escalating leaving the General Fund with baseline expenditures over $7.4 million and expected revenues coming in to equal less than $4.2 million, resulting in a $3.2 million structural gap.

Council Member Steve Conaway told CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros has announced the formation of a Foundation to help with accomplishing the many community service goals he has for the City of Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department. The nearly 100-year old Fire Department has operated primarily as an all Volunteer Fire Department since the Fire Department was established in 1914. Since that time the Fire Department has professionalized and grown to five full-time paid positions and 65 volunteer positions.

The Fillmore Volunteer Firefighters Foundation (Foundation) is a newly formed organization with a pending application seeking IRS 501(c) (3) tax exempt non-profit status. The Foundation will be governed by a five member board of directors living within the Fillmore Community. The Foundation's mission is to assist with providing community education of fire prevention and general public safety programs for the residents of Fillmore. The Foundation will also encourage and support community charitable outreach, such as the Annual Christmas Toy Drive and Chicken Dinner, inspecting and installing of smoke detectors and replacement of defective smoke detectors within Fillmore homes and conduct programs such as the Stop! Drop! and Roll! presentations within the Fillmore Unified School District schools. Another program that will be shared with the Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 406 will be to foster and encourage patriotism through the donations of United States of America Flags to our schools and assist in the proper disposal of retired United States of America Flags. Following the theme of patriotism the Foundation will participate in the existing grant program for the purchase of the Military Banners that are placed within the Fillmore Community recognizing those Fillmore Military Members that are currently serving.

Scott Beylik, Foundation Board President indicates the Foundation has an active agenda planned for the upcoming year. The Foundation will establish an Annual Honorary Member of the Foundation Dinner. There are plans ongoing for recognizing the Ten-Year Anniversary of the tragic events on September 11, 2001 occurring in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.. There will also be a 100-Year celebration of the establishment of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department to be held in 2014 and planning for that celebration is in progress. In conjunction with that celebration there are two historic vehicles the Foundation would like to restore; a 1946 Ford Panel Fire vehicle and a 1953 GMC fire truck. Funding for the Foundation's goals will come from fund-raising, donations, and both public and private grants.

Not waiting around for CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 15, 2011, at about 10:22 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle for equipment violations. The driver was identified as James Alvarez 24, and his passenger was identified as David Gomez 21. During the traffic stop, deputies smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Alvarez and Gomez were removed from the vehicle for further investigation and a pat-down was conducted of their persons. During the pat-down search, deputies found two loaded handguns concealed in Gomez’ waistband.

Gomez and Alvarez are documented gang members from Fillmore. Gomez and Alvarez were both arrested for possession of a loaded handgun and active participation in a criminal street gang. They were both transported and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Although the cases of identity theft in the United States have decreased in 2010, criminals are still finding new ways to steal information. An example is the use of a credit card skimmer. Skimmers read magnetic stripe on the credit card and store this information in the skimmer. Credit card skimmers are now as small as a quarter. Some of these skimmers are placed on ATM’s and inside gas pumps. Criminals use the information obtained from the credit card skimmer to make new credit cards and then charge hundreds to thousand of dollars on a victim’s stolen credit card. This type of illegal behavior is not unique to Camarillo and has become a worldwide problem.

The Camarillo Police Department is incorporating a program to help combat the placement of illegal credit card skimmers at gas station pumps. The Camarillo Police Department has a dedicated group of volunteers who staff our Citizen Patrol Unit who will be periodically checking the gas station pumps at participating gas stations in the City of Camarillo for credit card skimmers.

The new program is designed to deter as well as detect the use of illegally placed skimmers at gas station pumps. If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Deputy Sean Britt at 805-388-5130.

Location: City of Camarillo
Date & Time/ RB#: 3/22/11
Unit Responsible: Camarillo Police Department – Community Resource Unit
Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Sean Britt
Follow-up Contact: Senior Deputy Sean Britt
Date of Release: 3/22/11
Approved By: Captain Monica McGrath

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 22, 2011, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors proclaimed March 20th through March 26th as Tsunami Awareness Week in Ventura County. Tsunami Awareness Week is a nationwide effort to encourage individuals to be prepared for tsunamis through education and awareness.

Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, referenced recent events in Japan in her presentation to encourage local residents to be prepared.

"Strong ground shaking, a loud ocean roar, or the water receding unusually far and exposing the sea floor are all nature's warnings that a tsunami may be coming," said Hernandez.

The County of Ventura also announced that it is currently in the process of obtaining Tsunami Ready certification from the National Weather Service. Part of this process requires that jurisdictions place tsunami-warning signs along the coast within the tsunami hazard areas.

“A public comment period will be opened within the next month to address questions or concerns regarding the installation of the tsunami hazard signs along the coast,” said Erin Slack, Alert and Warning Coordinator for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services also will be disseminating tsunami preparedness materials to residents within the potential tsunami inundation zone.

For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation.

Location: County of Ventura
Date & Time: March 22, 2011 at 9:00 AM
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Media Release Date: March 22, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Dale Carnathan, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-5152
Approved by: Laura D. Hernandez, Assistant Director of Emergency Services

Ventura County Emergency Planning Council (EPC)

When disaster strikes, time is of the essence. As a result, the best method of handling a disaster is not to react to it, but to prepare for it before it occurs. That is the purpose of the Ventura County Emergency Planning Council (EPC). Made up of representatives from city, county and local government agencies, along with non-profit and other organizations, the EPC is responsible for coordinating and developing emergency management plans for the county.

The recent catastrophic events in Japan are a clear demonstration of the need for this kind of advance planning. Not only does the county need to be prepared for a disaster that occurs here, but also for one that strikes elsewhere and may have an impact on the county.

While Ventura County escaped any significant damage from Japan’s earthquake or the tsunami it generated, advance planning by the EPC ensured there were systems in place should the county be affected. Even now, agency members of the EPC are monitoring radiation levels to ensure the county is prepared in the unlikely event that radiation released in Japan reaches dangerous levels here.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) operates three radiation monitors in Southern California for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including one at Fire Station 21 in Ojai. The SCAQMD is posting daily radiation monitoring updates on their website: http://www.aqmd.gov.

The Ventura County Health Care Agency is also closely watching radiation levels to determine if any protective actions are necessary. Medical Director Robert M. Levin, M.D., has prepared a radiation fact sheet for Ventura County residents but cautions there is no risk expected for the county.

“We urge our county’s residents not to take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure,” he said. “Taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects. If we become aware of a radiation threat to our county’s residents, we will recommend protective actions.”

In addition, local law enforcement and fire agencies, along with city, school and county government organizations have also developed contingency plans in case the need should arise. But, as a group, the EPC reminds residents that preparation is the most effective means of dealing with a disaster.

“Preparation begins with you,” said EPC chairwoman Linda Parks. “If everyone does their part to plan for a disaster, the county will be ready if it occurs. The EPC is here to help all our residents to achieve that goal.”

Questions regarding the EPC may be referred to Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director of Emergency Services, at 805-654-2552.

For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation.

Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655 and Bill Nash, Ventura County Fire Public Information and Marketing Officer (805) 389-9746
Follow-up Contact: Laura Hernandez, Ventura County Sheriff’s OES Manager (805) 654-2552
Approved By: Ventura County Emergency Planning Council
Date of Release: March 21, 2011

Date & Time: March 21, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services