The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order to a longtime Fillmore area resident to cleanup rocks and other fill in the Sespe River he placed there in an attempt to build a crossing in the river.
James Van Trees has to come up with a solution to reverse the fill material and restore steelhead passage, encompassing approximately ¾ of an acre.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first inspected Van Trees’ property last year and issued a cease and desist order demanding he stop putting rocks and dirt into the creek. The EPA later inspected the river and began its investigation. The EPA is now requiring Van Trees provide documentation of all his activity in the river since 2005. He has several deadlines over the next two months, to present a solution to the problem. Failure to meet the deadlines could result in the EPA filing charges against him.

Also, the Ventura County Resource Management Agency has noticed Van Trees of violation regarding a bridge he built across Sespe River, and an unpermitted mobile home on the property. He has until February 22 to correct the violations or face possible civil penalties.

On Sunday, January 31st. at approximately 7:46 p.m. Santa Paula Police Officer Michael Hoppin was on routine patrol when he drove into the overpass in the 900 block of Faulkner Road. When he did so he discovered four subjects had been spray painting the walls of the underpass. The four subjects were identified as Rene Mariscal, 22 years old, Saul Torrez, 22 years old, Martin Torres 21 years old, and Jose Lira, 21 years old. All four subjects are from the city of Fillmore. Inside their vehicle, located under the underpass, were numerous spray paint cans, rubber gloves, and marijuana paraphernalia. All four subjects were charged with felony conspiracy and misdemeanor vandalism. Martin Torres was also charged with felony vandalism due to previous convictions for the same offense. All four subjects were transported to Ventura County Main Jail.

By Rich McKee
Californias Aware
While the City Council's public statements suggest a commitment to open government and the requirements of the Brown Act, their actions tell an entirely different story.

In the City of Fillmore’s January 27th press release, the City attempts to absolve itself of its most recent Brown Act violation. But their cries of innocence sound oddly familiar. Maybe that’s because it’s not the first time the City has denied violating the Brown Act.

After we demanded cure for Brown Act violations involving illegal closed sessions back in August, the City Council and City Attorney immediately declared we were wrong. However, less than two months later, they admitted to the violations, paid our attorney’s fees, and attended a Brown Act refresher training in order to settle our lawsuit.

This time the City Council held a closed session to CONTINUED »

Submitted by the City of Fillmore
As the City of Fillmore moves forward with efforts to be the "last best small town in Southern California," by providing efficient services and open government, and enhancing community parks, business opportunities, swimming pools, and theaters--staff and the City Council must continue to divert their attention to defending unfounded demands, like the one filed December 3, 2009 by Richard P. McKee. McKee erroneously alleges that a violation of the Brown Act occurred when the City Council met in closed session on November 24, 2009 under the “pending litigation” provisions of the Brown Act. This meeting was held to discuss enforcement of a prior settlement agreement the City had entered into with McKee.

Despite efforts by City Attorney Ted Schneider to amicably resolve McKee’s current ultimatum, including offering to submit McKee’s question at the City's cost to the California Attorney General for an opinion, McKee changed his mind and withdrew his offer of settlement in favor of pursuing costly litigation. McKee’s attorney, Kelly Aviles, informs the City that McKee has instructed her to file yet another lawsuit against the City of Fillmore.

As Schneider explained during his 90-minute Brown Act CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

David Dollar has resigned as a trustee of the Fillmore Unified School District and board members decided at Tuesday’s board meeting to appoint his replacement.

Dollar submitted his letter of resignation to the County Board of Education where it was forwarded to Fillmore Board President Tony Prado. Prado read the letter to an overflow crowd at the February 2 meeting.
Instead of holding a special election run by the county, which would be billed to the district, Prado said: “Consensus is that we will appoint someone to fill the position.” Under FUSD bylaws the board shall advertise in the local media to solicit candidate applications. A committee consisting of less than a quorum of the board shall ensure that applicants are eligible for board membership and announce the names of the eligible candidates. The board shall interview the candidates at a public meeting, accept oral or written public input and select the provisional appointee by a majority vote.

Interested applicants must be 18 or older, a U.S. Citizen, live in the FUSD boundaries and not be an employee of the district. Applications should be submitted by March 1 at 4:30 pm Applications can be picked up at the FUSD office at 627 Sespe Avenue. Interviews will take place at the regular board meeting on March 9. The appointment will be made on March 23. The new board member will take the oath of office on March 30 during a joint session with the City Council at the City Hall.

San Cayetano School was chosen last year to participate in a NASA grant for a program called Space Kids where they interact with astronauts. They are one of 10 schools in the country to be chosen and even had to compete with college students to get the grant. Four students, along with their fifth grade teacher Melanie Chisolm and school Principal Jan Marholin, demonstrated their project. The project concerns reduced gravity, also know as micro gravity. The students have participated in video conferencing with their assigned astronaut. The community is invited to their Science Night April 8 where the micro gravity will be present to give more information.
The board heard an updated report from Fillmore High School Principal John Wilbur on graduation requirements and the advanced placement program. He said their goal is to provide students with a rigorous high school experience, similar to other California high schools. He told trustees that they have four reading intervention classes for students who are reading at the sixth grade level or below. They also have three math intervention classes. Wilbur added that the WASC Accreditation Committee recognized the rigor in FHS curriculum and graduation requirements and the number of students meeting the challenge. The AVID program is also there to help all students, whether or not they are in the advanced placement program or not.

Karen Ashim, FHS Head Counselor told the board of recent college graduates from Fillmore, including two from Harvard, one from Stanford, one from the Air Force Academy, two from the University of San Diego, two from USC, three from Cal Lutheran University, one from Loyola and one from Azusa Pacific University. “We have more students graduating from college than Moorpark High,” said Board President Prado.

Mike Bush, Assistant Superintendent for Business told the board that the budget shortfall is still unresolved. What the budget gap will be is still uncertain and Bush said the district is still in talks with the CSEA (California State Employees' Association) and the FUTA (Fillmore Unified Teachers' Association). Bush said one possible avenue to make up for the budget gap would be to cut student days by five, which would save $578,000. “The board can set the calendar but the employee work year is negotiable,” Bush added. Another budget saving idea would be to switch the health benefit plan. That would save $500,000. The last idea is the realignment of categorical funding.

The next regular board meeting will be held February 16 with a closed session at 5:15 pm and the public session at 6:00 pm in the board room at 627 Sespe Avenue.

State Route 126 hosts upwards of 100,000 vehicles per day resulting in several fatal traffic collisions each year. City of Fillmore Firefighters are faced with the constant challenge of responding to major traffic collisions and providing citizens top-notch service with aging equipment.

The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the City of Fillmore Fire Department a grant in the amount of $10,889.00 to purchase additional heavy rescue tools and vehicle stabilization equipment to be used for traffic collision responses.

“As firefighters, it is imperative we reach traffic accident victims as quickly as possible” said Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros. “This new and improved equipment will add to both the safety of the victim and the firefighters working. Another added benefit is the increased efficiency of which the rescue is performed.”
The grant package received is part of a State of California Office of Traffic Safety grant made available to all California fire agencies. In 2008, City of Oxnard Fire Department Firefighter Alex Hamilton began orchestrating local agency efforts by compiling the regional application, representing all Ventura County Agencies. Each local entity was responsible for submitting a list of their needs as well as justification supporting those requests. Following a competitive review of applicants, Ventura County was selected to receive upwards of $182,000 in grant funding.

Grant funding comprises approximately 5% of the City of Fillmore Fire Departments annual operating budget making it instrumental in the ongoing fiscal health an stability of the organization.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

01/20/10-01/26/10
Search Warrant
01/20/10
300 Block Clay St.
01/20/10
100 Block Main St.
01/22/10
100 Block Main St.
01/25/10
500 Block Main St.
Theft Other
01/20/10
500 Block Central Ave.
01/25/10
Central Ave. / Santa Clara St.
Threats – Verbal/Written
01/20/10
700 Block 4th St.
Narcotics Violation CONTINUED »

The Piru Charter School petitioners feel that education reform is the civil rights issue of our time. A good education is inextricably linked to our rights as American citizens. We are disappointed that Ventura County Board members have not supported our vision of quality school choice. Their denial of our petition is in clear opposition to the intent of the Charter Schools Act and the vision of educational reform recently outlined by the Governor of California and the President of United States. Quality education is a fundamental right and if given a chance charter schools can play an important part in erasing the “achievement gap” that exists in many “low performing” schools including Piru Elementary.

It is fundamentally unfair that Americans’ educational opportunities are so heavily influenced by dysfunctional school districts like Fillmore Unified School District where because of poor leadership and a reluctance to implement educational reform strategies each of their four elementary schools and their only middle school find themselves currently identified as a “low performing” school by the California Department of Education.

The Ventura County Board of Education had an opportunity to support Piru Charter School and make a clear choice to promote educational reform in Ventura County now and for generations to come. Many families and students will be disappointed as they learn that their wishes for quality school choice were ignored. To these parents we suggest you hold the Ventura County School Board members who voted against the charter petition accountable at the polls during the next election. As parents and voters you deserve more than “business as usual” from your elected officials.

Piru Charter School petitioners will appeal this CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

The Fillmore Police Department has organized the first explorer program in many years. On January 21, 2010, at 6:30 pm., the Santa Clara Valley Explorer Advisors had their first meeting with the explorer candidates.

The advisors are Deputy Leo Vazquez, Deputy Gabe Gonzales, Deputy Daniel Ozuna, Deputy Nora Sanchez and Cadet Leanne Thompson. Youths residing in the Fillmore and Piru areas were asked to sign-up if they were interested in becoming involved in the program. There were a total of 23 candidates and their parents that attended the meeting.

Fillmore Police Chief Tim Hagel, Sergeant Dave Wareham, Fillmore High School Counselor Isela Larin, Jermaine Bell from Boy Scouts of America, and Ventura Explorer Rockwell Ellis also attended. Deputy Gonzales gave a presentation about the program and what is expected of each individual. The purpose of the explorer program is to train young men and women of today for a future in the law enforcement field and to develop an interest in law enforcement.

The explorers will learn the mission of the department and the duties of deputies, build self-confidence and discipline, learn how to handle emergency situations, learn about the community and public relations, and develop leadership qualities. They will receive training in different areas of police work and will perform a variety of tasks under the direction of the Sheriff’s Department.

The explorer program is an organization of young adults CONTINUED »

Jorge Hernandez has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing a collision that killed two local disc jockeys in September 2009.

Hernandez, 24, was driving under the influence of alcohol on the wrong side of Highway 118 near Rose Avenue at 5:36 a.m.

Killed were David Garcia, 33, formerly of Fillmore, and Alex Estrada, 33, of Ventura. Garcia’s wife, Sonia, 26, was critically injured and remained in a coma for a month.

The two popular disc jockeys had attended and just left a Relay for Life cancer walk in Fillmore, when the collision occurred.

Hernandez pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, had no criminal record and accepted responsibility early, which Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie took into account in sentencing. Hernandez was also ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution.

Hernandez has two children, a 3-year old and a baby, who was born when he was in jail.

Public Works Director Bert Rapp explained to city council that Two Rivers Park will need sod to replace the failed hydroseed.

Two Rivers Sod
“This is not an easy item,” said Public Works Director Bert Rapp on Tuesday night, asking council to approve the installation of sod at Two Rivers Park, where hydroseeding has failed. The grass, hydroseeded in September 2009 (10 acres), is not growing as anticipated.

“It has not grown as it should have grown,” stated Rapp, citing improper care by the contractor after seeding.
Negotiations have been going on with the contractor to rectify the problem “on his nickel” according to Rapp. This approach yields the Change Order price of $156,000 to upgrade to sod.

He made it clear that the contractor was “absorbing [the] pain of the problem” financially. The contractor will pay $3,000 per day after April 15th if the sod is not “mowable” at one inch. Motion for sod passed 3-0.

Two Boys & Girls Club sites close
Interim Chief Professional Officer Sheila Tate began Tuesday’s council meeting by announcing the closing of three Boys & Girls Club sites, two in Fillmore. As of January 31st the North Fillmore and Rancho Sespe Clubhouses will close due to financial pressures. Tate said the organization is consolidating and reorganizing, and hopes the closings will be temporary. Displaced members are encouraged to attend the First Street Boys & Girls Club.

Tate thanked Santa Clara Valley Disposal, Big Brothers and Sisters, American Girl Scouts and the Fillmore School District for their involvement in helping the Club. She also announced that actor/activist Martin Sheen will be the keynote speaker at the Breakfast of Champions on Feb. 26. Anyone with questions or suggestion can contact Tate at 805-525-7910.

Take Your Family to Dinner for the Club CONTINUED »

Monday, February 1 will be the Fillmore Lions Student Speaker contest. So now is the last chance t( enter and win $75 for winning and $25 for entering. The topic is "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE-HOW WILL IT AFFECT US?" The outcome of this debate will affect all of us for years to come.

The winner of the Fillmore contest Feb. 1 will move on and compete for $21,325 in prize money and scholarships. Call Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or see Mr. Josh Overton at the high school. All high school age youth who reside within the Fillmore High School District boundaries are eligible to compete. This includes home taught students as well as Fillmore residents who attend other high schools. This also includes foreign exchange students.

Students who wish to enter may contact Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or Josh Overton at the Fillmore High School drama room. Edmonds emphasized that this public speaking competition will be very worthwhile to the students and interesting to their parents and to the community. Public speaking competition will also look very good on college applications and resumes.

Time is drawing short and students should start at once. It takes time to develop and practice a good speech. Act now. The contest will take place Monday, Feb. 1 beginning at 7:00pm at the Scout House at the end of Sespe.

The Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley has been working on a reorganization and revitalization strategy the last 3 months that has brought needed change and enhanced communication and partnerships throughout both communities of Fillmore and Santa Paula. In order to strengthen service delivery and to ensure stability, the Board has decided to temporarily suspend services at 3 sites effective January 31, 2010 and will continue operations at 2 sites in Fillmore and Santa Paula.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley are encouraging parents to send their children to the Clubhouses that will remain open: FILLMORE - Fillmore Clubhouse, 565 First St., 524-0456. SANTA PAULA - Las Piedras Clubhouse, 431 13th St., 933-3676.

In order to cut expenses, the Santa Paula Clubhouse at 1400 Harvard Blvd. will be closed temporarily. This will also make room for a renovation project that has been funded through grants and collaboration with the City of Santa Paula. Construction includes a rebuild of the public restrooms on the outside of the building, a remodel and enlargement of the entry to the Clubhouse, updated wiring, and installation of heating and air conditioning.

The 2 other closures at Rancho Sespe, CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore Unified School District Trustees have learned that the district needs $2.2 million dollars to break even next year.

Mike Bush, Assistant Superintendent for Business told the board at this weeks meeting that “We're dead with less.” He went on to say that it's expected that the state will take away at least $2.1 million dollars to help make up for the state budget deficit. Bush added that if the state takes the additional money, that means that the state will have cut the Fillmore school budget by 20 percent over the past three years. This equals $3.6 million dollars. Bush said the state budget is $19.9 billion dollars “Out of whack.”

Board member John Garnica noted that California has the lowest credit rating in the country and he pointed out that California has dropped to last place in spending per pupil for education.

Bush also brought to the board the issue of insurance costs for district employees. The district now pays all the costs of the HMO Blue Shield Access Plus and the staff members may choose to purchase a Blue Cross PPO plan. He suggested the district switch from the Access Plus plan to Blue Shield Net Value. This plan would save the school district $150 per month per employee. Bush said the plan has the same basic benefits and the same doctors as the Access Plus. The savings to the district would be over $500,000 dollars, Bush added.

Human Resources Consultant Bev Jones said CONTINUED »