City of Fillmore

Southern California was a busy time in the late 1800’s. With the coming of the railroad, and regularly scheduled freight and passenger train service available from Los Angeles to Santa Paula in early 1887, real estate prices boomed and the pioneer spirit prevailed in little villages and settlements nestled in the sheep and cattle country of the magnificent wild mustard covered Santa Clara Valley. Advertisements in the Los Angeles Times, train excursions and barbecues all served to lure Angelinos and others to the developing area.

Our town’s formal beginnings go back to 1887 when visionary, Joseph D. McNab of the Sespe Land and Water Company convinced the Southern Pacific Railroad to establish a stop on the Fillmore site in lieu of the Cienega area site, east of the fish hatchery, Bardsdale, or the Sespe area, west of Sespe Creek. McNab was also instrumental in much of the infant town’s early activities and development, which included laying out the future city’s plans and hiring William Mullholland from Los Angeles to develop a wooden flume system, bringing essential water from upper Sespe Creek. Named in honor of Jerome A. Fillmore, a Southern Pacific General Superintendent, the town’s first street map was recorded in 1888 at the Ventura County Court House. By 1900, Fillmore boasted 150 citizens (Rand McNally Atlas). In 1958, a half century ago, the recorded population had grown to 4,725. Today, approximately 14,000 men, women and children call Fillmore home.

Growth, change and disaster have touched Fillmore through the decades. During Fillmore’s early days, businesses sprung up on either side of the railroad right-of-way near the depot on Main Street, the original main street. The first businesses, all wooden structures, included a rooming house, pool hall, general store, saloon, lumberyard, fruit stand, and barbershop, servicing the needs of rail passengers and residents alike. Dozens of other businesses including a newspaper, theatre, olive oil factory and an inn spread east down Main and along Fillmore Street. Fruit packinghouses, warehouses and corrals for cattle were located east of the depot. The railroad company owned a gravel pit, employing one hundred Chinese laborers loading cars of gravel. They lived in a tent village on the edge of town and traded with local merchants.

The Ventura Free Press applauded Fillmore’s acumen, serving the Santa Clara Valley in 1899 citing numerous service and goods businesses, two churches, grammar school, large public hall, Justice of the Peace, Constable and Deputy Sheriff, three notary publics, and an insurance and real estate agent. Other businesses included The Sespe Land and Water Co., Fillmore Irrigation Co., Sunset Telephone and Telegraph Co., Excelsior Laundry, on site representatives of Wells Fargo and Western Union Telegraph Co., and a stockyard with facilities to ship cattle. CONTINUED »

Whose Town Do They Want to Take Back? The Town that Gary Creagle and a few others envisioned in the 1980s? Gary and others wanted the City to grow all the way to Piru, build an airport and allow a gaming casino. Do we want Back the dysfunctional Town that nearly brought Fillmore to financial ruin? The voters threw out Gary and his cronies, and with a new city council under Mayor Delores Day, Roy Payne was hired as city manager and the city began to pick up the pieces. Now Gary wants it all back his way, and he's convinced a few newcomers to see things his way.

The frugality of the current City Council and city management is not an issue. Our city has lived within its means for many years now. The cost increases for management employees were largely beyond the city council's control; these were due to increases in medical insurance and the PERS retirement fund. It has been a difficult inflationary year for everyone, yet our city continues to operate on a BALANCED BUDGET. Since the recovery from the 1994 quake, the city has steadily built up RESERVES which amount to about 36% of the current operating budget.

With our financial house in order we can soon look forward to a new community swimming pool, new tennis courts and a new 22 acre park. These long-terms visions are coming to reality thanks to the support of the community and the leadership shown by the current city council. Fillmore needs more jobs and services. Santa Paula Hospital has been reopened and we have a new modern urgent care facility and Fillmore's budding business park and the needed jobs it will bring will soon be realized.

Above all, we are saddened by all the negative commentary about our community and our city. We need to start building bridges rather than creating walls of division. The discussion needs to focus on what is right for Fillmore, not who is right.

That is why we five retired Mayors of Fillmore are supporting Steve Conaway, Cecilia Cuevas and Norris Pennington for City Council. Vote November 4!

Sincerely,

Scott Lee, Mike Mc Mahan, Don Gunderson, Roger Campbell and Evaristo Barajas
5 Retired Mayors of the City of Fillmore

Linda and Jerry Edmunds had a problem. They were country folks at heart, but they were city dwellers. Linda’s grandparents had a citrus ranch in Bardsdale and after they passed away, the Edmunds bought five acres from the family and decided to make the move to the country. First they built a barn for Jerry’s ranch management business and eventually they began to design a house. The idea of a modular home appealed to them and they ordered one which was delivered on three very long trucks. With extensive planning and vision, Jerry and Linda have transformed a modular home into a beautiful living and entertaining space.
Entering through large gates, a wide driveway leads to the home. The Edmunds have upgraded the interior with granite and tile and the spacious rooms are beautifully decorated. Several Kincaid paintings grace the living room and the family room/kitchen is large and welcoming with a stone fireplace. Three spacious bedrooms, an office, and a laundry area completes the home. In the backyard they have built a large entertainment area with a kitchen, massive stone barbecue and spit and plenty of seating space. It is a perfect gathering place for large groups of friends.
You will be delighted by this lovely home which is one of the four homes featured in the Fillmore Historical Museum Annual Fall Home Tour. The date is Sunday, Nov. 9th from 12:00 to 4:00. The Heritage Valley Fine Arts Sale will take place on the Museum grounds from 11:00 to 4:00 on the same day. Tickets are $20.00 advance sale and $25.00 the day of the tour. They may be purchased through the Museum (524-0948) or at Coffeeboy or Mirage in town, or at any home the day of the tour.

Campus Updates… Fillmore Middle School (FMS) Principal Todd Schieferle, left, and Sierra High School (SHS) Principal Tony Held provided updates on plans to improve student academic achievement, school discipline and safety, and parent outreach, at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Schieferle emphasized FMS’s improved school climate and a new-to-FMS professional development method, Professional Learning Communities (PLC).

Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board held the open session of its regular meeting October 21, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board heard an update from two school principals, reviewed Walk to School/Work Day, and discussed future construction.

Fillmore Middle School (FMS) Principal Todd Schieferle and Sierra High School (SHS) Principal Tony Held provided updates on plans to improve student academic achievement, school discipline and safety, and parent outreach. Schieferle emphasized FMS’s improved school climate and a new-to-FMS professional development method, Professional Learning Communities (PLC). Both FMS and SHS had struggled under a lack of firm and clear procedures due to staff turnover. Held and Schieferle are remedying those situations.

Schieferle deliberately started out the school year in a manner designed to ensure that FMS would be safe, orderly, positive, and have systems in place. He said that discipline had always been an area of concern. Last year, then-Principal Held with Schieferle as Dean had started addressing the gang problem. There were ten expulsions and six sexual battery cases last year. This year, the administration is laying down the law. Schieferle described the orderly manner in which students are required to enter and exit the gym for grade-level assemblies. Students have been pre-warned against specific behaviors that would be punished by expulsions and suspensions. They have also been warned that the school does not tolerate violence, sexual assault, battery, or dress code violations. FMS has a new dress code this year. Assistant Principal Tricia Godfrey has visited each class to describe the dress code, and it is now well-established. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 300 block Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA. 93015
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses, Address, Age
(V) Male, Fillmore, California, 88

On October 16, 2008, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to a dog bite victim in the 300 block of Sespe Avenue in Fillmore. Deputies arrived and discovered an eighty-eight year old male had been bitten by a dog while bicycling. The victim suffered a small puncture wound to his left calf as a result of the dog bite. He was treated at the scene by emergency medical technicians who had been summoned by deputies.

The dog, an American Stadfordshire Terrier, was located roaming nearby. Deputies corraled the dog until the arrival of Ventura County Animal Control, who collected the dog and placed it under a standard ten day quarantine. The dog’s owner was located and it was learned the dog had escaped from the owner’s backyard.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department reminds dog owners to ensure their dogs are properly secured at home and to always obey local leash laws.

Norma Amaro, representing the Fillmore Downtown Merchants Assn., pleaded for assistance for merchants who have been financially devastated by storm drain construction which has closed Central Avenue for months. An emergency meeting was scheduled to seek a remedy.

Fillmore City Council held a well-attended meeting October 14, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Council will have a special meeting this Friday to address concerns raised by business owners, including schedule conflicts over possible further construction on Central Ave. The Council approved a final budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

Norma Amaro spoke movingly on behalf of the Downtown Business Merchants. This holiday season will be critical for their businesses. She said, "In the last fifteen months, nine businesses have had to close on Central Avenue due to little or no foot traffic." Over the past two years, the Merchants have repeatedly emphasized the importance of "Significant Signage". Significant Signage means large permanent attractive signs located along the promenade next to the train tracks and at the gateway entrance to Central on Highway 126. The Merchants have been tracking the activity of train-riding tourists and have concluded that when signs directing those tourists are placed near the promenade, then sales go up on that day. Deputy City Manager Bill Bartels remarked that some signs have been approved and purchased, but are not installed because their hangers cannot stand up to the Santa Ana winds. There are extra train rides scheduled from now through December because the Railway offers pumpkin patch and Christmas tree trips. Amaro noted that several businesses are in danger, and requested a special emergency meeting. The Council granted a special meeting for Friday, October 17th, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The Council engaged in intense discussion regarding a potential change order with Lash Construction to incorporate the extension of the Central Ave. storm drain from Sespe Ave. to First St. The controversy arises from the potential damage further construction could do to downtown businesses. The proposal called for additional construction along Central Ave.: from Sespe Ave. to Kensington Dr. during November and from Kensington Dr. to First St. during the high school's winter vacation. The City and the Merchants had agreed that there would be no construction downtown from November 1st until January 1st, so that holiday shopping would not be negatively impacted. All parties agreed that the Merchants have been exceedingly patient, and the Council does not want to cause them any further hardship. CONTINUED »

United States Marine Corps Private Tabetha Solorio.

2008 Fillmore High School Graduate Tabetha Solorio, 18 years, has entered United States Marine Corps Boot Camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina. Tabetha left for Parris Island on August 25, 2008 for a challenging thirteen weeks of military training. In addition to FHS Tabetha also attended Sespe Elementary and Fillmore Middle Schools and enjoyed playing basketball.

Private Tabetha Solorio is the daughter of Maria Barragan of Fillmore and Guillermo Solorio of Arizona. She is the granddaughter of Trinidad Barragan of Palmdale, California and the late Guadalupe Barragan. Private Tabetha Solorio has two brothers; Robert Solorio, 21 years, of Arizona, Adam Solorio, 20 years, of Fillmore and one sister Samantha Valdez, 22 years, of Fillmore. Her Cousin Monique, 2 years old, Fillmore misses her auntie very much and can’t wait to see her after her graduation. She also has seven uncles, 4 aunts and too many cousins to mention that all miss Private Tabetha Solorio very much and are extremely proud of her service.

MCRD Parris Island is the only location for the training of women Marines. MCRD Parris Island is generally the location for the Recruit Training of new Recruits who enlist from states east of the Mississippi River. Recruits living west of the Mississippi River receive their Recruit Training, as I did, at MCRD San Diego. Recruit training is divided into three phases: Phase 1 is Basic Learning; physical and mental, Phase 2 is Rifle Training, Phase 3 is Field Training. The Training Matrix represents the best training in the world. It is a methodical and time-tested process. Every hour of every day for 13 weeks culminating with the 54-hour Crucible is designed for just one purpose...To make the highest quality basically trained United States Marine.

The first part of week one is called "forming." The Drill Instructors "form" new recruits by a process known as "total immersion." Without a doubt, Marine boot camp is more challenging -- physically and mentally -- than the basic training programs of any of the other military services. Not only are these requirements much higher, but recruits are required to learn and adhere to the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.< !--break-->

The Crucible is the 54-hour culmination to the transformation of recruit training. It is a physically and mentally challenging event that involves food and sleep deprivation and the completion of various obstacles for the potential Marine to negotiate. It has been said time and time again by former Marines that Marine Corps recruit training was the most difficult thing they ever had to do in their entire lives. In order to train the world's most elite fighting force... It has to be that way.

Basic Facts about the Crucible:
1. Recruits will travel 42 miles on foot during the event.
2. There are 29 problem-solving exercises during the Crucible.
3. It consists of 36 different stations.
4. The recruits will have three meals, ready-to-eat (MREs) during the 54 hours.
5. The recruits will be required to carry ammunition cans up to 50 pounds and dummies up to 100 pounds during the Crucible, in addition to combat (782) gear, uniform and M16 A2 service rifle weight.

After Recruit Training Private Tabetha Solorio will receive technical training in Shipping and Receiving.

All of us here in the Santa Clara Valley are especially proud of Private Tabetha Solorio and her commitment to serving her Country. As a former Marine myself I am especially proud to have her join the ranks of the Marines. We wish her safe travel and thank Private Tabetha Solorio and her family for their sacrifices now and others sure to come to keep the United States of America strong.

Looking as if it came straight from the rolling hills of Tuscany, the home of Marge and Tony Anselmo is the ideal location for family and friends to gather. This is an entertainer’s dream home. The super large kitchen and dining room are the heart of the home and the spot where everyone congregates. A large patio opens off the living and dining room and has a built in barbecue and pizza oven, with a grandchildren’s play yard attached. There are three bedrooms and baths, all beautifully tiled, and even his and her workrooms tucked in the corners of the two garages.

“I always dreamed of building a home in an orchard, just like my home in Sicily”, says Tony who personally did all the extensive stone and tile work in the home, built in 2004. Not to be outdone, Marge, who hails from an area near Naples, has guided the landscaping and decorating, even making the drapes and valances.

After enjoying this grand home with the surrounding grove of oranges, fig trees, and grapes, you will come away saying, “Bellissimo”.

This year the tour will highlight four homes in Bardsdale. The date is Sunday, Nov. 9th from 12:00 to 4:00. The Heritage Valley Fine Arts Sale will take place on the Museum grounds from 11:00 to 4:00 on the same day. Tickets are $20.00 advance sale and $25.00 the day of the tour. They may be purchased through the Museum (524-0948) or at Coffeeboy or Mirage in town, or at any home the day of the tour.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Seneca Oilfield – Sespe Mountains- Fillmore, CA

Suspects:
Joseph Hermosillo, Santa Paula, 30 Years Old
Brian Miller, Oxnard, 32 Years Old
Christopher Rail, Oxnard, 27 Years Old

Victim: Seneca Resources Company - Fillmore

On Sunday, 10/05/2008, at about 1137 A.M, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a recycling theft in progress. The victim was the Seneca Oil Company. Suspects stole about $28,000 in oilfield parts. The oilfields are located on Squaw Flat Road in the Sespe Mountains above Fillmore.

Detectives report that the Sheriff’s 911 Center received a phone call from a Seneca employee who reported three suspicious males were in the mountains posing as oilfield workers. Oilfield and local farm workers have been on alert due to a surge in metal thefts.

The oilfield employee reported to authorities that the suspects were in a remote oilfield using their own commercial truck and forklift. It appeared that they were stealing numerous, large metal parts from oil pumps. When a Seneca employee confronted the suspects, the criminals attempted to use a ruse to escape suspicion. The employee became alarmed and contacted 911.

Deputies responded from Fillmore and closed off the forest access in the Goodenough Road area in an effort to apprehend the suspects.

After an on-scene investigation, the deputies were able to catch all three adult suspects in the act of stealing the oilfield property. Evidence at the scene, and in their truck indicated the three men used sophisticated props and heavy-equipment to complete the metal thefts. They are under investigation for other Santa Clara Valley metal and farm thefts. The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Agriculture Detectives responded and are investigating the case.

Hermosillo, Miller, and Rail were all arrested for Felony Grand Theft (487 PC), Felony Conspiracy (182 P.C), and Misdemeanor Trespassing (602 P.C). They were transported to the Sheriff’s Main Jail for booking.

Anyone with information regarding similar industrial or farm recycling thefts is asked to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 524-2235. We need your help in catching these recycle thieves.

SPC Altamirano in front of a runned down building that used to be a mural of Sadam Husein.
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by SPC Juanita Altamirano

In some ways my life could have consisted of going to college, filled with midterms and exams an the night life of parties.An 18yr. old Fillmore High School grad. I decided to go a different route. Two years ago on Sept. 11, 2006 I signed a contract, a contract that showed I was now part of the United States Army Reserves. Private First Class Juanita (Jenny) Altamirano, I was no longer just a civilian I was now a soldier. Attending my Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and continuing my Advanced training at Fort Lee, Virginia. After my training I was assigned to my Unit the 137th Quartermaster Co. in S. El Monte, CA. Just a little over my one year in service I was informed that my Unit was to be deployed to Iraq, and little did anyone know was that I was one of the few that had the choice on whether or not to go do to medical limitations.I chose to go. So there I was off to a country where no one wished to take part. Even though I made the choice to deploy, I admit I was still scared, I mean after all the news always gave us insight of what was taking place, which was not always positive for the most part.There I was now in Iraq living the truth of what I was told it would be like. Days that lasted forever, where everyday was a Monday,an weekends no longer existed. A change of pace I say, being in country has opened my eyes and made me see life a bit different.Made me see an realize that we as civilians and soldiers take to much for granted. Being in this country I don't have all the luxuries of home. For example my others cooking I truely miss.My meals consist of the same things everyday,and we always hope that we have bread an lettuce the next day.Where i rest my head at is what I wish to only be my own bed from home, bunked in a run down building with air conditioning and electricity not much but its my home away from home.With long 12 hour days this is my spot of rest an I am grateful.So here I am 7 months later with only 3 more months to go. I have only heard the bad an I am thankful not to have seen the worst. Living day to day with my fellow buddies an continuing on with the mission. I have come a long way it wasn't easy but with the support of family, friends, and supportive civilians I am making it through. But most of my thanks goes out to my mother Lorraine Perez of Fillmore an my closest friend Maritza Gutierrez also of Fillmore Who both supported me way back when joining was just a dream, Thanks for your support I love you both with all my heart.I would also like to give my prayers to the friends an family of my fellow Armed Force friends, Kailey Andrews, Josh Compos, Joseph Ponce, Philip Diaz, Micheal Edwards and to the rest I forgot to name, my love an support goes out to you.

On Sunday, October 12, more than thirty health care vendors will be on hand from 1P.M. until 5P.M., at the Santa Paula Community Center located at 530 W. Main St. in Santa Paula, for the “1st Annual Santa Paula Adult Health and Wellness Day”. The event will benefit area baby boomers, aging adults and caregivers. Administrators of The Gables of Ojai, and Santa Paula Healthcare presented the idea for the fair to hospital administrators also as a way to promote two-year-old Santa Paul Hospital. It has become a collaborative effort of local organizations, actively involved in aging adult and caregiver issues. They include the Santa Paula Senior Center, The Medicine Shoppe (Ojai and Santa Paula), Help Unlimited, Valley Care IPA, Casa Bella, Ventura County Behavioral Health, Twin Pines Healthcare, The Palms at Bonaventure, State Farm (Santa Paula), Secure Horizons and Scan. The goal is to provide aging residents of Santa Clara Valley with current news in health issues, exercise, resources for in-home support, mental health, hospices, pharmacies, adult day care, retirement communities, HICAP, Medicare and health plans, Alzheimer’s, Veterans affairs, home safety, disaster planning, conserving energy resources, fraud/scams and spiritual guidance. Additionally, blood pressure screening and free flu shots (limited supply) will be available.

This is the first event of its’ kind in Santa Paula, and the afternoon will be filled with crucial health related information, music, fresh veggies, food booths, raffles and fun. It will also be the day to become familiar with Santa Paula Hospital, “The Hospital on the Hill”. CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board held the open session of its regular meeting October 7, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board heard an update from two school principals, discussed a Business Math Course, noted that volunteers are needed for the Bond Oversight Committee, and started a re-negotiation of the City-FUSD Joint Use Agreement.

At a previous Board meeting, the school principals reported on student achievement and school plans to increase student achievement. At this most recent meeting, Katy Hadley, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, announced that smaller groups of principals would continue to report at Board meetings to provide updates on student achievement, English learning, discipline and safety, and parental involvement.

San Cayetano Elementary School Principal Jan Marholin and Mountain Vista Elementary School Principal Chrissy Schieferle spoke about Response to Intervention (RTI), which is a data-based early intervention method, and teacher collaboration. San Cayetano and Mountain Vista both have "Program Improvement" (PI) status under the "No Child Left Behind" Act. San Cayetano is a PI 3 school, because it is in its third year of PI and Mountain Vista is a PI 1 school. PI schools must spend 10% of their Title I money on staff professional development. Marholin and Schieferle expect teachers to work out how to implement their professional development training during collaboration meetings. They require teachers to identify specific students that are having difficulty and expect instruction techniques to be adjusted for those children, so that the students will have progressed by the next meeting. Marholin meets with her teachers by grade-level every four weeks, and has arranged for three teachers each month to spend one day visiting other classrooms. Schieferle holds progress meetings every five weeks, and plans to visit a high-achieving school in Moorpark with her leadership teams, which include representatives from each grade. Teachers have collaboration time each week. CONTINUED »

United States Army Private Joanathan “Jon” Gerlach.

Joanathon “Jon” Gerlach, 18 years, is a 2008 graduate of Fillmore High School. Jon entire education was within the Fillmore Unified School District where he also attended San Cayetano Elementary School and Fillmore Middle School.

Jon enlisted in the United States Army in June 2008 right after graduation. His mother is Barbara Gerlach of Piru and his siblings are brother Niles Gerlach 31, of Piru and sister, Andrea Rodriguez 28, of Fillmore. Maternal Grandparents are Jack Sivils of Lake Isabella, California and the late Bonnie Sivils. Grandfather Sivils worked most of his life on the Vanonni Ranch in Saticoy. Jon’s Paternal Grandparents are the late Rudolph and Doris Gerlach of Ventura. Growing up Jon enjoyed wrestling and he loved basketball, a sport his Mother tells me he would play for hours. When Jon enlisted in the Army he knew he wanted to make the Army a career and he enlisted for 4 years. His goal is to become an Army Ranger.

United States Army Private Joanathan Gerlach graduated on Friday, September 12th at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. While he was in Basic Training he was assigned to Charlie Company 2-13 Infantry 3rd Platoon, Sky Reapers. At graduation he received a Marksmanship medal for his proficiency with a firearm. He will receive twenty-five weeks of advanced specialty training in Computer Detection Systems at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After completing this training he will then transfer to Fort Benning, Georgia for four weeks of Army Airborne Training. It is then expected that he will then be deployed. Private Gerlach is the first in his immediate family to enlist in the Army; however, his Grandfather Rudolph Gerlach was with the Merchant Marines during WWII and Uncle Rudy Gerlach was with United States Army’s 173rd Airborne and is a Vietnam Veteran.

Mother Barbara Gerlach and Private Gerlach’s fiancée Carmen Barocio attended Private Gerlach’s Basic Training Graduation. Jon and Carmen plan to marry this December. His Mother tells me, "He loved basic training!" She also told me, “I'm so very proud of Joanathan, as I am with all my children, they are good, kind hard working people. I'm also a proud Grandmother of 6 with 2 more on the way!”

All of us in the communities of Fillmore and Piru wish United States Army Private Joanathan “Jon” Gerlach safe travel, a successful career in the United States Army and we thank him and his family for their sacrifices to keep the United States strong.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Friday, September 26, 2008, at about 3:30 p.m. Sheriff’s patrol deputies and investigators arrested Sergio Anguiano 32, and Alexis Ferreira Vasquez 26, residents of Los Angeles, for attempting to sell fake gold jewelry to a local Fillmore business.

The event began at about 1:50 p.m. when Anguiano and Vasquez entered the business located in the 300 Block of Central Avenue in Fillmore.

The two offered to sell gold necklaces to the business employee. The employee was aware of scams where fake gold is sold by thieves as real gold and suspected the necklaces Anguiano and Vasquez were selling were fake. The employee called the police, at which time Vasquez fled while Anguiano remained at the business.

Sheriff’s deputies and investigators arrived at the business and their investigation led to the arrest of Anguiano and Vasquez and the discovery of 27 pieces of fake gold jewelry Anguiano and Vasquez intended on selling to unsuspecting victims. The jewelry included necklaces, bracelets, rings and medallions made of copper and other inexpensive metals. Anguiano and Vasquez were booked into the county jail and charged with felony commercial burglary.

The public is reminded to beware of this and similar scams that include the offering of fake gold bars and/or fake lottery tickets for sale or trade. Any such incidents should be immediately reported to the local police.

Everyone enjoyed their BBQ.
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Fillmore City Council and Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) School Board held a joint meeting September 30, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the School Farm. The Council and Board are working together to promote health, share resources, provide public access to a track, restrain street vendors, and honor individuals for their military service.

The Council and Board approved a proclamation declaring October 8, 2008, as Walk to School/Work Day in Fillmore. This is the first event sponsored by Fillmore's Wellness Committee. Fillmore Middle School (FMS) Assistant Principal Tricia Godfrey explained that this project is the result of collaboration between the City and FUSD. The idea is to promote physical activity, and for those who live too far away to walk to school or work, the Fillmore High School (FHS) track will be open for supervised walking before school starts on October 8th. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney will participate by walking to each school except Piru. Police Captain Tim Hagel will provide extra patrols for walkers' safety.

City and FUSD staffers had met to re-evaluate their joint use agreements regarding facilities and equipment. There are three such agreements: one for Mountain Vista, one for the pool, and a general agreement that includes the FMS gym being used for community basketball. Other shared items include the Senior Center, the Boys and Girls Club, and tree chippers. Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush said that FUSD staffers are gathering data about costs. According to Ristau, the agreements were reviewed four years ago and determined to be equitable. FUSD and the City will review the data to determine whether the agreements are still equitable, and will make adjustments next year if necessary. Mayor Steve Conaway commended both parties for creating such a beneficial arrangement and maintaining it through open communication and a willingness to work through issues.

Board Member Virginia De La Piedra wants to honor Fillmore residents in active military service with banners hung throughout town. Deputy City Manager Bill Bartels suggested that, because banners are susceptible to sun damage, engraved bricks arranged in an area in front of City Hall would be a less expensive option. Bartels stated that there are only 43 poles available for hanging banners, and there will be 35 to 55 people honored. Banners would have to be rotated, unless two could be hung on each pole. Council Members Patti Walker and Laurie Hernandez expressed a preference for banners instead of bricks. The Council voted to hang banners. Names will be gathered by application, and the applicants will be required to pay for the banners, but the city will hang and maintain the banners. The banners will go to the military person's family at the end of his or her active service or after a predetermined amount of time. Costs and design are still being determined. CONTINUED »