Bob Crum

Gazette readers... hark!

As long as Sespe Creek has been dry... you've waited for this. Your patience is hereby rewarded. I'm not talking about water flowing again in the creek, which is nice to see. No, instead, a new column here in the Gazette by yours truly to tickle your literary bones.

It's true. I recently caught the publisher by surprise and before he came to his senses, the contract was signed. You know, 10 years, six figures, the usual. My agent is the greatest.

My intention is to present all manner of things Fillmore. Special events, business grand openings, activities at various venues and the like. Occasionally weigh in on City Council happenings. And of course, discuss subjects of great importance to the Gazette readership and residents at large. Please note, that it's going to be a work in progress... evolving as the readership provides input about the column and your preferences.

Now the difficult part. Publisher Martin insisted that I present a little background info.

Back in the early 60s I joined the U. S. Air Force where I was promptly assigned to an airborne reconnaissance wing (spy planes) at Kadina AF base in Okinawa, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base. On leave to Japan, I bought my first camera, a Konika range finder. Konica's single lens reflex cameras pioneered auto-exposure in cameras with focal-plane shutters. For one, I could not resist shooting the 12,388 feet Mt. Fuji, aka “Fuji-san” as well as other Japanese iconic landmarks.

Upon my honorable discharge, I returned to civilian life in south Florida. Established a residence with my family outside of Miami. My first day job was with WTVJ, channel 4 Miami as video tape editor and operator.

During free time, I became an active explorer of the vast wilderness known as the Everglades and the great cypress tree swamp and upland range of Big Cypress. So much grandeur in all that wildness.

After leaving TV production, I held various jobs throughout the next 10 years or so, including, installation of electronic equipment in hotels for Totell Systems, Picker X-Ray and electronic tech for an aerospace contractor. These positions paid the bills for my growing family of three children but getting burned out on electronic work.
Moved to a small town outside of Ft. Lauderdale that didn't have a recreation department. Not good. With the city attorney, presented the city council with an ordinance establishing a Parks & Recreation Board which was seated by the city council by interested persons that I recommended. Those people, the P & R Board, saw the wisdom of hiring me as the city's first Parks & Recreation director. Funny how that works. Held the position for 12 years.

All the while, I continued to spend as much free time as available out in the Everglades and Big Cypress. I not only learned the territory, by observation I learned the ways and means of the varied wildlife of the area. Captured as much as I could but with a newer camera. Along with photos, I was keeping a journal of my observations. And also spent a good deal of time fishing. Why not, I learned where all the lunkers lurked!

Having acquired many photos of flora and fauna, I began, as a freelance photojournalist, to submit them to various publications around Florida. Many were published. In time, I was getting assignments. About this time, I again made another career move: joining the Florida Fish & Game Commission (as it was know back then) as a Reserve Officer. Besides routine patrols, I also served as the regional information officer.

Eventually, the hazards of the position wore on me. So, again time to rethink about what to do. Became a fishing guide... fresh and saltwater. In all the intervening years, I had not only knowledge of the Everglades, but of many of fisheries from Lake Okeechobee to the St. John's River. I also fished the offshore Gulfstream for all manner of saltwater fish. But first, obtained my Captain's license required by the Coast Guard when taking aboard paying customers. At this point, my photojournalism took a new turn based on boating and fishing.

Again, getting published was easy because the photos were fresh... of places not normally seen. And I began to write about such places, travel writer of sorts. I began to write short travel snippets about the location accompanied with photos. But as one might suspect, work as a fishing guide is weather dependent and to a large degree, seasonal. This can wreck havoc on one's budget.

All of my published work throughout Florida did not escape the notice of the Southern Star magazine publisher. One day, visiting the owner of a tackle store in Ft. Lauderdale, I was approached by the magazine editor with a proposition. I accepted his invitation to meet with the publisher... and in a blink, I was Associate Editor of the Southern Star fishing and boating section.

A steady job but a challenging one as well. For all intent and purposes, I was initiating a whole new section. The Editor, Vic, was only writing about sailing. It began with my writing just three articles for the first edition. But, I was busy. All the fishing magazines in FL wrote about fishing last month. Boring. I scoured the state and finally had a group of 9 professional anglers from all parts of the state. But not feeding me last months activities, instead, predicting the fishing to be expected in the NEXT month. Never been done before. It quickly became a huge success. If someone had a week off and wanted to fish Lake George on the St. Johns River, they'd know what to expect by reading my fearless fishing forecast. Or maybe they'd plan to go wherever the fishing looked the most promising. Magazine sales jumped from an average of 12,000/month to 178,000/month-give or take-in five months and increasing.

At the time magazine sales were increasing exponentially, I was writing 5 articles a month, covering tournaments all over south Florida and the Bahamas, the fearless fishing forecast and doing boat tests and writing about my reviews. Can you even imagine the challenge of writing and photographing all that every month? Deadlines were dreaded!!! And I lost weight!

Sad to say, unfortunate circumstances befell and the Southern Star and it closed. Not long after that, Hurricane Andrew displaced me. My daughter graduated UCLA the following June and upon coming out here for the graduation ceremony, her then boyfriend suggested that I fly back home, drive my 27 ft. class C motorhome back to California and because of his being a state park ranger, I'd be camp host at Leo Carillo. That was 1995, I think.

Exploring the territory as I like to do, I eventually discovered Fillmore, back when the green steel bridge spanned the Santa Clara river. Eventually I ended up in Fillmore, and discovered the Fillmore Gazette. And as many of you may remember, there was also the Fillmore Herald. I chose to begin as a Fillmore photojournalist with the Gazette simply because I immediately saw more professionalism in the Gazette publisher Martin Farrell. Been shooting for the Gazette now well over a decade.

Well, that's a snippit of my background over several decades. As you see, I have done a good deal of writing and photography the last four decades or so.

One more item! A weekly newspaper naturally can't afford (so I'm told) a full-time photojournalist so, to pay the bills, I needed some additional income. I discovered what was then A Street Self Storage. In exchange for providing customer service, I was able to park my 40ft 5th wheel RV on the property and work from it. Worked for A Street Storage for 12 years and many of you perhaps rented a storage unit from me or a place for your RV. Nova Storage bought the business and property in March of 2016 and retained me as their property manager. And that brings us to the present moment.

Besides this column, we'll also be introducing another new feature: “Photo of the Week.” Why not? I'll begin and eventually invite residents to submit an image. The only condition, for now, is that the photo must relate to Fillmore, Bardsdale, Piru and the immediate surrounding area. Landscapes, architecture, waterscapes, wildlife and the like. Please, no photos of little Johnny blowing out the candles on his 5th birthday. Or your Auntie Bertha modeling her new Easter bonnet. You get the idea.

By the way, if you haven't noticed, my writing style is colloquial... an informal conversational style without regard to strict set of rules. So, rather than take me to task for grammatical miscues (should there ever be one) or improper speling... er... spelling, remember: Compassion rules.

Last but no less important. A contest. I purposefully didn't name the column so that you, the readership, can submit your suggestion. If I ultimately select your suggestion, you will win, at my expense, a scoop of Baskin-Robbins ice cream at the new Fillmore B-R store. Deal? Now, what's your suggestion?

Cheers!

Ortega Family House Fire Fundraiser

Saturday February 11th, 2017
Piru United Methodest Church
3875 Center Street, Piru, CA
12pm - 6pm
Donation $8 per plate
Pit Barbeque Meat, Chili Beans, Rice, Green Salad, Bread Roll, Salsa Choice of Soda or Water

We the Ortega family want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love and generous support given to our brother, uncle and cousins.

Fillmore Unified School District

2015-2016 Financial Audit
The Board of Trustees accepted the 2015-2016 Independent Financial Audit Report, as presented by Christy White Associates, the District's financial auditors. The audit contained no findings and district staff were commended for their work.

Class of 2016 Analysis
The Board was provided with information regarding success, accomplishments, and areas for continued effort related to the Class of 2016. Information presented by Assistant Superintendent, Martha Hernandez and Fillmore High School Principal, Tom Ito.

Class of 2016 Analysis
Emergency Resolution: Mountain Vista Elementary School Repairs
The Board of Trustees approved an emergency resolution to complete repairs to Mountain Vista Elementary due to fire sprinkler line rupture and resulting damage to classroom at the campus. The purpose of the emergency resolution is to ensure immediate action related to repair of this public facility (classroom) without giving notice for bids to let contracts.

Second Reading: Revised Board Policy Updates
Review of revised Board Policies and Administrative Regulations; E 1330 Community Relations– Use of Facilities, BP/AR 3513.3 Business and Non-instructional Operations– Tobacco-Free Schools, and BP/AR 5131.62 Students– Tobacco were being completed to better align Fillmore Unified current policies with California School Boards Association recommended policies and actual practices of the District.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations and leaves.

The National Weather Service has released the total rainfall recorded in Ventura County since Saturday January 7th through Friday morning January 13th at 4:00 a.m. The totals are as follows: Fillmore 2.40, Piru 2.32 and Lake Piru 0.25. A series of 3 more storms are expected to come in late Wednesday night, January 18th through Monday January 23rd. The storm coming in Sunday through Monday is expected to produce the most rain, possibly being the largest of the three. The storms could bring moderate to heavy rain, isolated thunderstorms, and moderate to strong, south to southwest winds. Especially across the higher terrain. Possible impacts include flash flooding and debris flows for recent burn areas, rock and mudslides along canyon roads, urban and small stream flooding, significant travel delays, downed trees and isolated power outages, and dangerous winter driving conditions, especially late Thursday night through Friday evening when snow levels could lower to the Grapevine."

A fire destroyed the Ortega family home on 453 Market Street Thursday. Fillmore fire fighters responded to the scene at approximately 11:45 a.m. to find the structure fully engulfed in flames. The fire was controlled by about 12:30 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

Preliminary reports indicate the fire began in a clothes dryer in the garage.

Three persons were reported displaced as a result of the fire. Family members Mark, Angel and Michael are staying together in a hotel with kitchenette in Camarillo.

The Ortega's insurance company indicates the house will most likely be rebuilt. The family is grateful for the financial support and donated clothing.

Those wishing to assist in this disaster may make a donation at the GoFundMe webpage that’s been setup on behalf of the family at https://www.gofundme.com/ortega-house

Optionally, donations can be made by mailing a check made payable to Mark Ortega c/o FHS Alumni P.O. BOX 385 Fillmore CA. 93016 or to an account at the Fillmore branch of Union Bank under the name Angel R. Ortega.

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is pleased to name Skillin-Carroll Mortuary the 2016 Lifetime Achievement-Business. Please join us in celebrating them and the other honorees on Friday, January 27, 2017. Social Hour: 5:30pm-6:30pm, Dinner/Ceremony 6:30pm. Location: Veteran's Memorial Building (511 Second St.) Attire: 50's theme (highly encouraged), Tickets $35 per adult, $20 under 17-years-old. Tickets will be on sale at the following locations: Diamond Realty (460 Santa Clara St.), Bank of the Sierra (527 Sespe Ave.) and Fillmore Police/Sheriff's Station (524 Sespe Ave.) Questions please call the chamber office at 805.524.0351.

Mark, Angel and Michael will be staying at a hotel with a kitchenette for a few weeks. They are very thankful for everyone’s support and donations to the GoFundMe page that was setup on their behalf. The family is currently looking for a rental in Fillmore. If anyone has a place to offer, please contact scott@fillmoregazette.com

Another option for helping Mark, Angel and Michael has been created. You can now donate to an account at Union Bank in Fillmore under Angel R. Ortega.

Although the goal at the GoFundMe page has been reached, the family could use all the help they can get. Please continue to donate at https://www.gofundme.com/ortega-house

More updates coming soon.

The house and its entire contents are a total loss.

Just before noon January 5th, Fillmore Fire responded to the 400 block of Cook Drive in Fillmore. Upon arrival the department found a fully involved structure fire. With the aid from Ventura County Fire and Santa Paula Fire, the house fire was knocked down and is under investigation. The house and its entire contents are a total loss. A GoFundMe page has been setup to help the Ortega Family https://www.gofundme.com/ortega-house

By Superintendent Adrian Palazuelos, Ph.D.

As we embrace a new year it is only fitting to look back and reflect on our collective achievements over the course of 2016. The Fillmore Unified School District is committed to our mission and is working to ensure that “Every day we develop high-performing students who become engaged and productive members of society.” Our work is centered on this mission and on ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our students. We are especially grateful for the Fillmore Unified classified, certificated, and management staff who provide inspired service in helping all of our students achieve success.

In 2016 Fillmore Unified celebrated the opening of two new programs, Preschool and Adult Education. The Preschool and Adult School provide additional opportunities for district staff to work directly with our families. Our district has benefited greatly from the ability to compete for state funding and provide direct services and programming in our community. Fillmore Unified received over $2 Million dollars from the State of California to open Preschool programs in our school district during 2016. To date we have programs at Piru Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary, Mountain Vista Elementary, and on the Sierra campus. Over the course of the next month we will be opening a Preschool at San Cayetano Elementary and at the Sespe campus.

Additionally, our district received over $500,000 to open an Adult School program on the Sierra campus. The Fillmore Adult School provides opportunities for district residents over the age of 18 to access English as a Second Language, Adult School Diploma, and GED courses. We have over 200 adults enrolled in the Adult School program and are exploring additional courses and programs to meet the needs of our community.

In 2016 our Board of Trustees approved the Long Range Facilities Master Plan and approved for Measure V to be placed on the ballot this past November. Leading up to the election we witnessed firsthand the outpouring of positive community support for our schools. Our community further demonstrated that support with Measure V passing with 72.88% approval at the polls. A heartfelt thanks to our community for their support of our schools.

Our work in creating new opportunities for families and enhancing our facilities are but a few examples of reflection on the last year. However, the greatest honor is serving as the educational institution for this community. The tremendous privilege of educating the youth of this community is what we are most thankful for. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fillmore Unified School District we extend a Happy New Year to the community we serve and look forward to an exceptional 2017.