To start off a very long, eventful, and passionate meeting, the City Council called first for public comments. Bill Faith urged the council to pay heavy attention to the danger of Highway 126, and the constant accidents that are occurring. Faith encouraged patrols to be set up when possible to both Highway 126 and the exchange from Highway 23 to Highway 126.

Two items regarding housing were brought to the attention of the council. The council wanted to bring to attention senate bill 1069 which removes all processing requirements for certain dwellings. A letter of protest was suggested for the bill. Another item brought up by the Governor of California that states that if a unit meets zoning requirements, it will not be subject to the discretion of the city or any environmental review. Councilman Manuel Minjares stated that capacity is critical and that the city must find different ways to attack the issue of affordable housing.

The only piece of old business was brought up by Fire Chief Keith Gurrola. The Chief was asking for a delay of the presentation of weed abatement as almost 100% of homes offered participation. Chief Gurrola wants a delay so that the city can achieve 100%. The motion was carried by the council.

The first order of new business involved the approval of Ventura County Transportation (VCTC) measure investment/expenditure program. A representative of the VCTC brought forward this measure as a way to give cities as much jurisdiction as possible when properly using the funds, which would amount to a minimum of $500,000 in sales tax revenue. There would be a committee to ensure proper usage of the funds. As explained by the representative, the VCTC has been very proactive in community outreach, and much of Ventura County has passed this approval. Councilman Rick Neal stated that adding taxes is the least creative solution and it affects the businesses and citizens of Fillmore without many benefits. He goes on to urge Fillmore to maybe focus less on public transit that isn’t being used and more on cops, firefighters, and better infrastructure. Councilman Manuel Minjares believes the tax is the way to go because funding will allow drivers to spend less time on highways and more time with their families. But Councilman Douglas Tucker responded saying that Fillmore is a bedroom community, and a tax would mean paying more for gas, thereby increasing the financial burden of those who have a lengthy commute to work. Mayor Pro Tem Carrie Broggie finished by highlighting the fact that the purpose of this order of business was to get the issue to the voters, not to approve the tax. The motion to adopt getting the approval to the voters was carried.

A concise summary of the CONTINUED »

Frank Hurtado, 46

Approximately one month ago, the victims in this case had a large amount of cash stolen from their residence by an unknown suspect. The crime prompted the victims to install a Wi-Fi enabled motion activated camera system in their home which operates with an application on the victim’s cell phone.

At approximately 0800 hours, on June 6, 2016, the victims received notification that motion was detected inside their home in the 500 block of Kensington Drive, Fillmore. Upon watching the live feed from the camera, the victims immediately recognized their neighbor, Frank Hurtado,46, inside their home. The victim immediately called the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived and determined an additional theft of money occurred.

After an investigation, detectives tracked down and arrested Hurtado for residential burglary on June 6th. Hurtado was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Bail was set at $150,000.00.

This crime may have gone unsolved if not for the use of modern technology which has become more affordable and easy to use. If you have any questions, or would like crime prevention tips, please contact the Fillmore police department.

Prepared by: Detective John Fox

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

A wrong way driver on Highway 126 near Center Street, Piru, caused a head-on collision which killed him and took the lives of two Fillmore women. On Sunday, June 12th, at about 1:45am, Carlos Sanchez-Romero, 35 of Los Angeles, was driving eastbound in the westbound lane at a reported high rate of speed in a 2015 Kia Optima. He struck head-on a 2012 Toyota driven by Esmeralda Escobedo, 31, and her mother Maria, 53, both of Fillmore. All three were pronounced DOA at the scene. Highway 126 in that area was closed until shortly before 6am for accident investigation. The collision is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol’s Moorpark Area office. Any possible witnesses are encouraged to contact the CHO Moorpark office at 553-0800.

Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (SPARC) has launched a special Father’s Day promotion of $25 off adoptions of all big dogs (50 lbs. or over,) during the month of June. SPARC has too many large dogs being surrendered by owners and being brought in as strays, and needs to find homes immediately for as many dogs as possible.

“We’ve taken in so many big dogs in recent weeks that we urgently need the public to come and adopt them, as we are running out of space,” said SPARC’s executive director, Nicky Gore-Jones.

As a “No-Kill, No Excuses” shelter, SPARC provides low cost spay and neuter services for only $10 per animal, cat or dog, and urges the public to have their pets spayed or neutered to avoid the pet overpopulation problem currently inundating all shelters in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Anyone who would like to take advantage of the special Father’s Day promotion is encouraged to visit SPARC to meet the big dog of their choice, this week.

SPARC is a non-profit, 501C3 shelter that relies on the public for financial, adoption and volunteer support.

Fillmore, CA – As part of a national one-to-one technology initiative, Apple will soon put the latest iPads, Apple TVs and MacBook Air devices into the hands of every student and staff member at Piru Elementary School in the Fillmore Unified School District. Thanks to a competitive grant awarded in October 2014 by Apple ConnectEd, the oldest school in the District will officially become among the most technologically advanced. Piru Elementary was one of 114 schools nationwide and one of only 11 in the entire state of California to receive funding.

This is cause for celebration when the first of many Apple device rolls outs begins at a gala celebration at Piru Elementary on June 2 at 8 a.m. Local elected officials, administrators, site staff and students and parents will be on hand as Apple gives out MacBook Air devices to teachers and conducts the first of what will be more than 17 days of staff training over the upcoming school year.

“Our participation in the Apple ConnectED initiative will help us extend teaching and learning across every classroom and platform at Piru Elementary School,” said Dr. Adrian Palazuelos, Fillmore District Superintendent. “We are overjoyed to be a partner with Apple in this work and know that it will have tremendous benefit and relevance for our entire school community.”

Apple’s ConnectEd grant provide products, support and opportunities to schools that need them most. Every student at Piru Elementary will receive an iPad that each will use at school and home to integrate classroom learning on a daily basis. Every teacher and administrator will receive an iPad and MacBook Air. All classrooms on campus will be outfitted with upgraded/enhanced connectivity, Apple TVs and supplemental projectors where needed. In addition, Apple will provide all professional services, project management, ongoing professional development and any essential third-party application or component.

Students and teachers will have the opportunity to continue learning beyond the walls of the classroom with free mobile broadband services from AT&T.

“This grant is a very exciting opportunity and will have a tremendous impact on our students and community,” said Martha Hernandez, District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “This amazing technology will enrich the educational experience for our students by bringing an awareness of new fields of study and career opportunities.”

Not only that, these resources promise to launch students, parents and staff at Piru Elementary to the highest levels of global competence. Teachers and staff will become well-trained facilitators and experts at leveraging their new digital tools, enabling students to create their own knowledge and compete and succeed in an increasingly complex digital world and future economy.

“I am thrilled by this recognition from Apple and excited to embark on our journey to a different level of excellence,” said Diana Vides, Principal of Piru Elementary and author of the school’s ConnectED grant. “This funding will give my students access to the world at their fingertips, a wealth of knowledge and resources to my staff and amazing opportunities for our entire community.”

Visit http://www.apple.com/education/connectED/ to learn more about Apple and ConnectED.

Megan Luna-Baker has been named Fillmore Middle School Employee of the Year. Principal Scott Carroll is pictured with Megan.

My name is Megan Baker and I have been teaching at Fillmore Middle School for four years. I received my credential and Master of Science in Special Education at California Lutheran University. My dream was to come back to the Fillmore Unified School District and give back to the community that helped shape me into the person I am today.

I graduated from Fillmore High School in 2007. I remember during my Freshman orientation for high school that we were asked who do we want to be. My mission in life was to be known for love and compassion that knows no bounds. I thank my principal Scott Carroll and the staff at Fillmore Middle School for recognizing my love, compassion, and commitment to my students and presenting me with employee of the year at Fillmore Middle School. It is an honor to teach at FMS and for the Fillmore Unified School District.

Fillmore High School graduating senior, Alondra Ramos (right) is the recipient of the 2016 Rosie Torres Scholarship For Future Teachers. Michael Torres (left) recently presented the award at an on-campus ceremony.

Fillmore, CA — Alondra Ramos, a graduating Fillmore High School senior, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Rosie Torres Scholarship for Future Teachers. Members of the Torres family were on hand to present Ramos with the $1,000 scholarship at a June 1 award ceremony held on campus.

“At the center of every effective education system is the classroom teacher,” says Michael Torres. “We congratulate Alondra for her performance in the classroom and the dedication, hard work, and ambition she has demonstrated throughout her high school years. We wish her success as she embarks on her next goal to become part of the future generation of educational leaders.”

The Rosie Torres Scholarship For Future Teachers was established three years ago to provide college financial assistance to Fillmore High School graduating seniors with plans to pursue a career in early childhood education, elementary education or secondary education.

Rosie Torres devoted nearly 30 years to teaching in Fillmore Unified School District and touched the lives of hundreds of students throughout her career as an educator and community volunteer. Along with her family, she established the scholarship program to inspire the next generation of teachers and invest in Fillmore High School students who are committed to improving the lives of children.

Awards are determined based on academic performance, teacher recommendations and a written essay.
Ramos’ future plans are to attend Ventura College and the University of California, Santa Barbara to pursue a teaching credential, with a focus on mathematics.

Fillmore Fire Chief Keith Gurrola spoke at the May 10th council meeting on behalf of the acceptance of field inventory of properties requiring weed and rubbish abatement, instruction to the Fire Chief to notify those property owners, and adoption of the City Council resolution NO. 16-3530 declaring said properties to be a public
nuisance and setting a public hearing for abatement on June 14, 2016.

Gurrola acknowledged that weeds and rubbish can cause a nuisance, but more importantly a fire hazard. He brought forth the possible issues of who was on the list, but assured the Council that any misunderstandings would be resolved promptly. The motion to accept the field inventory was carried.

For Supervisor - 3rd District
123 of 123 Precincts Reporting

CARLA CASTILLA 24.52% 6,718
KELLY LONG 22.01% 6,031
KEVIN KILDEE 18.90% 5,178
MIKE MORGAN 16.96% 4,646
MARTIN F. HERNANDEZ 8.88% 2,433
JESUS TORRES 4.54% 1,243
DAN GOLDBERG 3.93% 1,078
WRITE-IN 0.27% 73

A Runoff between Castilla and Long will be on the November 2016 ballot.

Photos and Video by Bob Crum

Photos and Video by Bob Crum

Spud Walsh quit Fillmore High School at the end of his Junior Year, and stepped up to serve his Country on May 27, 1944, his 18th birthday. He earned the Bronze Star while serving on Iwo Jima. Spud is one of a recent 2016 estimated count of 697,806 WWII American Veterans still alive today.

Part 1 of the story here: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-page/wwii-veteran-william-thomas-%E...

PART 2 of the story:
WWII ended for Europe on May 8, 1945 when the Germans surrendered. For the United States the War came to an end on September 2, 1945 when the Japanese surrendered aboard the USS Missouri. Spud Walsh was discharged from the Navy on May 27, 1947 and he returned to Fillmore to work with his Father who owned Tom Walsh Auto Repair located at 224 Central Avenue and the building is still there today.

Spud said the first year after his discharge he worked for his Father and the Veterans Administration bought his tools and paid half of his salary and his Father paid the other half. He said they did a bit of everything; auto repair, repair of radiators and rebuild batteries. Spud eventually took over the business and renamed it Fillmore Auto Electric. After closing his business of over forty years in 1989 he went on to work with Dwayne Steel repairing orchard wind machines until the business closed. Spud then worked for J.E. Kirby at Barnett Trucking until September 1995 when he fell off of a trailer at age sixty-nine shattering his left heel in three places. After two years of rehabilitation he officially retired at age 71.

Spud was born right here in Fillmore, to parents Thomas and Ruth (Jorgensen) Walsh, in a house at 530 Stephens St. the N/E corner of Bard St. and Stephens St. In those days doctors came to the home to see their patients. Dr. Manning was the doctor that delivered Spud on May 27, 1926. Spud and his family lived at the Stephens St. address for two years before moving to 303 Third Street where Spud and his younger sister were raised. Spud’s younger sister, Marjorie, better known as Marge, (married to Frank Begga) lives in Rathdrum, Idaho. Spud lived at 303 Third St. until May 27, 1944 and the end of his junior year at Fillmore High School. Because he was 18 he knew he would soon be drafted so he voluntarily entered the United States Navy. Although he did not finish High School, while at Fillmore High School Spud “Lettered” in basketball, track, wrestling, tumbling, swimming and football.

Spud married a local girl Annette Garrison in May of 1950 and they had three children; Toni Techau, 65 (Richard) of Fillmore, Kathleen Carpenter, 63 (Gordon) of Sandy, Utah and Michael 62 (Jamie) of Las Vegas, NV. Spud’s wife Annette was killed in an automobile accident in September 1956 at Ventura and "A" Streets. Annette was westbound on Ventura Street and a fire truck responding to an emergency pulled out in front of her. Sometime after Annette’s passing Spud sold their home in Los Serenos and the three children moved in with their Maternal Grandmother Adolynn Garrison until Spud remarried. Spud remarried on May 6, 1961 and he and Joan "Pat" Marie have been married 55 years. Spud and Pat have ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Spud is a Master Mason Third Degree and his father was a Thirty-second degree.

Longevity runs strong in Spud’s genes and his Mother lived until she was 101 years, one month and one day old. Boise, Idaho Mayor Carolyn Terteling-Payne, declared the day Ruth Walsh turned 101 years old, May 16, 2003 as “Ruth Walsh Day”. Spud’s parents were married on December 30, 1923 and were married 65 years. Spud’s father, Thomas Walsh, passed away in 1989. Spud tells me his father was the Fire Chief for the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department in the 1930’s and that his father was also a good friend of Police Chief Earl Hume. It was that relationship with Chief Hume that encouraged Spud’s later involvement in automobile racing.

Chief Hume, Spud tells me, really loved to go to the car races and was known to drive his patrol car, in uniform, to the races in Los Angeles. On one particular trip to Los Angeles with Spud and Spud’s father Thomas, Chief Hume was running late to the Midget Car Races so they drove with the lights and siren on from Fillmore to Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles in order to get there in time. Can you imagine that happening in today’s environment?
As a young man in 1957 and 1958 Spud raced a 1932 Ford Victoria 2 door sedan on an oval dirt track in Carpentaria, California. The track closed in 1959 with the building of the 101 Freeway. But, not before Spud was able to win one race at the left turn only banked dirt track. Spud still has that trophy proudly on display in his den. In the 1970’s Spud was the navigator for Don Barlow in a 1972 Ford Bronco at the grueling Baja 500 mile off-road race in Baja California. Spud also did some other racing at the Saugus Raceway.

I have known Spud since I moved to Fillmore in 1985, but to be honest I never knew his birth name! So I asked Spud how he acquired his unusual nickname? Spud first showed me a tattoo on his left bicep of a potato (potatoes were commonly called spuds) and then said, “When I was a Boy Scout and on a camping trip we had caked mud on our potatoes and put them in the camp fire.” Spud continued, “I was so hungry that I couldn't wait and pulled my potato out of the fire and ate it raw. From that day forward the Scouts called me Spud and the name stuck.” While in the Navy Spud tells me one of his best friends was called Beans. Whenever they were together their shipmates called them “Spud and Beans”!

It is men like Spud Walsh that helped make the United States strong and Americans respected around the world. Their willingness to serve our Country is legendary. Many young men were so willing to serve they even lied about their age to serve. "Calvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 – November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12." But, there are many other documented enlistments of 15, 16 and 17 year old males enlisting to fight after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. They were of The Greatest Generation! All of them American Heroes!

Thank you William Thomas "Spud" Walsh for your service and your sacrifice to make this Country strong! You are truly an American Hero!

[I would also like to thank Bill Dewey for calling me about writing this article. I would also like to acknowledge that many of the facts listed in this article, in addition to Spud's memory, are attributed to Wikipedia and other WWII fact sites - Dick Diaz]

Photos taken during Spud's time aboard the USS Whitley and Iwo Jima can be viewed here:
Part 1: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/military/photos-taken-during-spud-walsh%E...
Part 2: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/military/photos-taken-during-spud-walsh%E...
Part 3: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/military/photos-taken-during-spud-walsh%E...
Part 4: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/military/photos-taken-during-spud-walsh%E...
Part 5: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/military/photos-taken-during-spud-walsh%E...