Historical Landmark No. 151 is back in place after recent repairs to existing damage. The repairs were done for two reasons according to David Smallwood, City of Fillmore Public Works Supervisor: one, it is a historical landmark, and two, it is part of city council goals for beautification of the city. “To me, it is another small sign (no pun intended) of the recovery of our town from the tough economic times we went through, and the hard work city staff and our citizens did to preserve and restore this great community,” stated Smallwood. In September 1994 the sign was designated a historical landmark by the sitting city council. Councilmembers Don Gunderson, Scott Lee, Mike McMahan, Linda Brewster and Roger Campbell determined at an October 1993 public hearing that the Fillmore sign met the criteria of the county Ordinance code. A Cultural Heritage Board Resolution declaring the sign Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 151 was signed. The sign is a Streamline Modern Architectural-style thin vertical rectangle, rounded at top and bottom with a curved arch extending across the top. There is an arrow that goes through the sign at the bottom which points to the downtown. The name Fillmore is spelled out in neon letters, 12 inches with white neon tubing. It is blue-green in color. The original cost of the sign was $190.

The September 6, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez presenting awards honoring the First Fillmore High School Academic Decathlon Team winners. This accomplishment was a result of teacher Kelsey McClain who, after working with the Academic Decathlon Team at Moorpark High School, brought the challenge to Fillmore. The students studied over 1,000 printed pages of material on 10 subjects that required many hours of dedicated work. "The students are extremely motivated," McClain told the Board.

The students honored were: Connie Quintana-Music and Literature, Jene Tarango-Art, Naythan Martinez-Music and Literature, Dillon Galarza-Science, Jon Menjivar-Social Science, Emma Couse-Art, Miguel Ponce-Economics and Mathematics, Jessica Manginelli-Economics and Mathematics.

An item that required quick Board attention was deciding what to do regarding the vacancy left by John Garnica. Garnica resigned the Board due to a possible conflict of interest over a position his wife had applied for. Beverly Garnica, who had been Assistant Principal at Fillmore Middle School, had applied for a school principal position and is now the principal of Rio Vista Elementary School.

This left the Board with a decision on how to fill the vacancy. Education Code requires that within 60 days of a vacancy the Board must either order a special election or make a provisional appointment. The cost of a special election would be $34,000 and whomever would be elected would hold office for the remainder of Garnica's term. Due to the cost and the short time left on Garnica's term as a Board Member, it was decided to go with a provisional appointee who will then hold office until the next regular scheduled Board election in November 2016.

The position will be advertised for candidate applications. A committee of two Board Members (Lucy Rangel and Scott Beylik) will then vet the applicants eligibility and the Board will interview the candidates at a public meeting and select an appointee.

The meeting had a number of purchases, projects and future projects approved.

Due to the age and condition of the current bus fleet, new buses are needed. The current bus fleet has a 55-65 capacity and do not meet State Certification standards. The district reserved $400,000 for the new purchase of two new 2016 Thomas 82 passenger school buses from BusWest. Both buses will have air conditioning and WiFi.

There was also a request to approve the purchase of two portable classrooms, one for San Cayetano Elementary School and one for Piru Elementary School. They will be installed this winter. Both were specified in the Emergency Repair Program (ERP) funding which was applied for in 2008 and approved. FUSD has been waiting for the funds to become available in Sacramento.

The ERP funding will also upgrade the fire alarm systems and communication systems at both Piru and San Cayetano. The total grant monies to be spent on Piru Elementary is $1,327,349 and at San Cayetano $1,764,393.

The FUSD Deferred Maintenance Fund balance is being used to turn the dirt parking lot area at the Fillmore High School stadium into 80 paved parking spots at a cost of $350,095.

Other upgrades being done are at Rio Vista Elementary School with purchases of furniture, equipment and technology from monies left available ($230,000) after the school was built. This includes flooring which is being repaired under a warranty.

Future projects at Fillmore Middle School will be a counter replacement in the Band Room and termite abatement for Building D& I. Fillmore High School with receive a new quieter air conditioning unit system. The District Office will have upgraded rooms and the School Farm will have the Cattle Barn roofing repaired.

Student Representative/Speaker of the House Hannah Wishart informed the Board of the Associated Student Body's Blood Drive on October 23rd at 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fillmore High School and that the cheerleaders are selling Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirts for $14 S-XL, $15 for a 2X and $16 for a 3X. Contact Fillmore High School for more information.

Michael Castro

Story courtesy the Castro Family

The journey began sophomore year for Michael. I sat him down one day and asked what his future plans were? Teenage answer. I don't know dad. I then told him he should start looking into either sports scholarships or try for an academic one. He then said, I think I'm going to join the Military. I was a little shocked at first this had not been brought up before and of course this was NOT on my list of things for him to do after graduating high school. I sat back and thought, well it's only his sophomore year I'm sure he'll get over it. I said well you think about that and we can talk about it later. But every time we did it was the same he was joining the military. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge that year, he loved it. He began to bring to bring military brochures home he began talking to recruiters and shortly after senior year started he began to go with the Marine recruiters to do physical training. I sat him down once more and asked him what it was he wanted to do after graduation? His answer, I'm Joining the Marines I want to do something that's not just for me. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge once again. He became more involved with Marines then graduation came, next thing I knew he was off to boot camp!

His journey for a title that few can claim began on Sept. 14, 2015 as a youth he played soccer and then football. In high school he was a football player first and then became a wrestler but he always kept his priorities straight he was passionate about whatever it was he was doing as long as he liked what he was doing he was relentless and would leave everything out on the field to win. He knew going in this would be a challenge unlike anything he had faced before he and all the other young men and women who volunteer to be put through 13 weeks of grueling mental and physical conditioning also know that someday they be called to defend us to put their lives on the line in some foreign country, knowing all that going in they are still willing to raise their hand and swear to protect us. Well there's just no words for that! My son has always been my hero from his first tackle to his last high school wrestling match! Love you Kidd. Always wants to be the best!

The Bardsdale Cemetery District has added a Columbarium as another option for the final resting place of a loved one who has chose cremation. A Columbarium is a structure that contains niches, secured space, for the housing of cremation urns. The Columbarium contains sixty niches. Prior to the addition of the Columbarium families using the Bardsdale Cemetery were only offered In-ground Cremation Urn placement.

Surrounding the Columbarium is an attractive concrete open patio area with four black colored concrete bench seating to accommodate visitors to the Columbarium. The concrete walking area has black pebbled flex placed into the gray concrete. The black design on each side of the Columbarium reflect where future Columbariums would be located if needed. Colorful flowers will be planted at each end of the open patio and maintained by Cemetery staff according to Doug Basolo, Manager of the Bardsdale Cemetery.

The cost for construction of the Columbarium and patio area was approximately $70,000. The patio area can accommodate two additional Columbarium's of the same size for a total build out of 180 niches. Depending on demand for the Columbarium it is estimated that this Columbarium could take ten years to fill all sixty niches.

The cost of the Niche Wall Inurnment at the Columbarium is $1,975 for a single Urn and $2,425 for a double urn in a niche for residents of the Fillmore and Bardsdale area. Non-residents are charged an additional $750. A resident is a person who resides or pays property taxes within the district at time of plot purchase. A non-resident is a person who has a near relative buried in the cemetery; or a near relative of a resident of the district; or a police, fire or military person at time of plot purchase.

Located nearly in the middle of the main portion of the Bardsdale Cemetery the Columbarium was placed strategically there to take advantage of the majestic views of the Santa Clara Valley which are also visible from most areas of the Bardsdale Cemetery. A daily Coastal breeze will be a comfort to visitors sitting near the Columbarium on one of the four concrete bench seating areas.

The Bardsdale Cemetery District Board of Trustees is committed to managing the Bardsdale Cemetery in the most efficient means possible to offer a comfortable and full-service cemetery to those living within the District boundaries. The new Columbarium is just another means to offer residents an option when looking for a final resting place for a loved one.

American Red Cross of Ventura County

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of
complications.

Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.

"I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours.
My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage," she said. "I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood."

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

American Red Cross Donation Center

American Red Cross Woodland Hills Donation Center
6338 Variel Ave.
Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

Monday and Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Additional blood donation opportunities:

Camarillo
10/26/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive
10/28/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive

Oak Park
10/27/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Oak Park High School, 899 North Kanan Road

Oxnard
10/21/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Oxnard College, 4000 S Rose Ave
10/22/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Oxnard High School, 3400 W Gonzales Rd

Simi Valley
10/17/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community,
5005 E Los Angeles Ave
10/23/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave
10/30/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community,
5005 E Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
10/19/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Xirrus, 2101 Corporate Center Drive
10/21/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/26/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/28/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/30/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N Moorpark Rd

Ventura
10/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in California), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The Diaz family, Richard and Carolyn, with US Navy Chief Phillip Diaz, and his sisters Arron Diaz and Julia Fitzgibbons (Diaz).
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United States Navy Chief, Phillip Diaz, was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (ITC E-7) on September 16, 2015 during an official Navy Pinning Ceremony in San Diego, California. In attendance were his proud parents, Richard and Carolyn Diaz, Sisters Arron Diaz and Julia Fitzgibbons (Diaz), Uncle Michael Diaz and Aunt Karen Diaz. Richard and Carolyn had the honor of pinning on Chief Diaz's Navy Chief Anchors to his uniform shirt lapels.

Chief Diaz, 29 years old, is a 2004 Fillmore High School Graduate. All of Chief Diaz's education was within the Fillmore Unified School District attending K-5 at Piru Elementary School, 6-8 at Fillmore Middle School having been part of the first 6th Grade Class to enter the Middle School. He went on to attend FHS where he played baseball and and football, graduating in 2004! Chief Diaz was also active in the Bardsdale United Methodist Church, and local 4H Clubs where he had the honor, at age 9, of having his pig "Tomasina" being selected as the Grand Champion at the Ventura County Fair.

Chief Diaz began his career in the Navy on October 31, 2005 attending his basic training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class receiving a meritorious promotion to Seaman Apprentice E-2. Chief Diaz's job specialty is Information Technology. In addition to his current instructor assignment at the Center For Information Dominance, Point Loma, San Diego, Chief Diaz was previously assigned to the U.S.S. McFaul (DDG 74), an Arleigh Burke class of guided missile Destroyer in Norfolk, Virginia. And, at the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit-2 (EODESU-2), in Little Creek, Virginia. Chief Diaz has been on three deployments; two to the Persian Gulf aboard the U.S.S. McFaul and in Afghanistan with the EODESU2, prior to his assignment in San Diego as an instructor.

On August 24, 2008, while assigned on the U.S.S. McFaul, the McFaul was to first United States Vessel to arrived in Batumi, Georgia, as part of Operation Assured Delivery to "deliver humanitarian relief supplies, as part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance" in the wake of the 2008 South Ossetia war. The McFaul offloaded nearly 155,000 pounds of supplies—including hygiene items, baby food and care supplies, bottled water, and milk.

Chief Diaz has received numerous awards during his Naval service. According to Chief Diaz, "I am ready to be a Navy Chief! I look forward to guiding the sailors under my command to some day being successful as future Navy Chiefs!" Chief Diaz will remain at his current assignment for the next 1 1/2 years, but after that he will serve "At the convenience of the Navy!" Chief Diaz hopes to spend more time in San Diego, but is excited to serve where the Navy needs him.

The citizens of the Santa Clara Valley are proud of Chief Diaz's service, congratulate him on his promotion. We thank Chief Diaz for his service and sacrifice to maintain the freedoms all of us enjoy as American citizens. Chief Diaz is truly an American Hero!

A 3-judge Ventura County Superior Court appeals panel struck down the eviction of the Fillmore and Western Railway by the Ventura County Transportation Commission who owns the tracks the railway operates on.

The panel released the decision on Tuesday, September 22, 2015. It ruled that the VCTC used an incorrect legal procedure to evict the railway, and the judge who upheld the eviction error in backing the eviction based on the incorrect legal procedure.

It remains to be seen if VCTC will appeal this ruling to a higher court, or return to the trial court to seek a legal eviction.

The VCTC filed a lawsuit in March 2014 against the Railway when they ignored the agency’s demand to stop running the train operation. The Railway countersued, claiming the Commission terminated its 20-year lease wrongly. The popular tourist train remains in operation for now.

New Senior Center Location:
330 Central Avenue, Suite C (Across from the Post Office)
Fillmore, CA 93015
Same Phone #: 524-4533
Parking in the back of the building / Open Monday – Friday: 8:30 to 1:00 PM.

Yeah! We now have “Fresh Coffee”

Regular Scheduled Programs & Activities
Monday 8:00 – 9;00 Senior Walk / 9:00-10:00 Tai Chi Class / 10:30 Senior Chair Exercise
Tuesday 8:30 - 1:00 Computer Room Open / 9:00-12:00 Gourd (1st & 3rd Tuesdays of Month.)
Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 Book Club (2nd Tuesday of the Month.)
Wednesday 9:00 - 10:30 Busy Hands / 10:30 Line Dancing
Thursday 9:00 - 1:00 Computer Room Open / 10:15-11:30 Sketching Class (day changed)
Friday 10:30 - 11:30 Senior Chair Exercise

BINGO, STARTING SOON “KEEP” WATCHING FOR START-UP DATE!

AARP Drivers Safety Program Monday & Tuesday, October 19th & 20th. this is a 2 day course 4 hrs each day. From 8:30 -1:00 pm Cars have changed. So have the traffic rules, driving conditions, and the roads you travel every day. Some drivers age 50-plus have never looked back since they got their first driver's licenses, but even the most experienced drivers benefit from brushing up on their driving skills. You ask what will I learn by taking the Course? You can expect to learn current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment. You'll learn adjustments to accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. You will learn the following: How to minimize the effects of dangerous blind spots: How to maintain the proper following distance behind another car: The safest ways to change lanes and make turns at busy Intersections: Proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and new technologies used in cars: The effects of medications on driving: The importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use. After completing the course, you will have a greater appreciation of driving challenges and of how you can avoid potential collisions and injuries to yourself and others. This is a “GREAT Course” One every Senior should take. Please Call and let us know your coming. 524-4533

One Stop Shop for Medicare 2016 will be held at the Fillmore Senior Centers “New Location”, 330 Central Avenue, Suite C, across the street form the Post Office in Fillmore. Friday October 23. (Time to be determined) HICAP Counselors will run a Prescription Drug Plan comparison for you. Receive counseling on Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap, Employer Group, Retiree Plans & Medi-Cal. Enroll in a stand alone Prescription Drug Plan for 2016 Call HICAP for a Free, Unbiased Medicare & Health Insurance Counseling 800-434-0222 they will also send you a Part D worksheet, so your comparison will be ready for the ONE Stop Shop. Remember Open enrollment begins Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2015

Next Board Meeting: is scheduled for Monday, September 28. at 1:00 pm

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Chouest in 1980
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Chouest in 1978
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Chouest
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On July 18, 1980, at approximately 12:30pm, Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a call of a dead body found in a parking lot of Westlake High School, 100 N Lakeview Canyon Road, in Westlake Village. The murdered woman was at the foot of a dirt hillside in the rear parking lot of the school, accessible from N. Via Merida. It was determined the unidentified woman was sexually assaulted, stabbed and strangled to death elsewhere before being dumped in the school’s parking lot. Her autopsy determined she was approximately five months pregnant with a son. Thirty-five years later, the murdered woman remains unidentified.

As a result of major advances in DNA, in 2012, DNA that was collected from Jane Doe’s clothing and fingernails was submitted to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Wilson Chouest was identified as the person associated with this DNA. At that time, Chouest was serving a life sentence in state prison for the kidnap, robbery, and rape of one woman, and kidnap and robbery of another that occurred in Tulare County in August and September of 1980. Chouest is eligible for parole for these crimes in 2017.

This new DNA information gave the investigation forward momentum, especially when investigators learned Chouest had been linked through DNA to another Jane Doe homicide in Kern County. The body of Kern County’s Jane Doe was found in an almond orchard near Delano on July 15, 1980, three days prior to the Ventura County Jane Doe being found. While detectives from both agencies worked to develop evidence in the case against Chouest, they continued in their efforts to identify the two Jane Doe’s. The women have been featured on bulletins shared on our social media platforms and on numerous Jane Doe websites. Despite not being able to identify the women, the investigation did develop evidence that showed Chouest was responsible for the deaths of the two women and the unborn child.

The Ventura County Cold Case Unit detectives submitted evidence to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for review. On September 23, 2015, Chouest was brought back to Ventura County on a court order. He was arrested on September 30, 2015 for murder. Chouest is due to appear in court on October 1, 2015.

These victims have been unidentified for 35 years. Both women had live births prior to their death. Somewhere, there are two families whose mothers disappeared in July of 1980, never to be heard from or seen again. We’d like nothing more than to bring the families answers and return their loved ones to them.

Chouest traveled throughout several counties during his four months of freedom in 1980. Investigators believe these women’s kidnapping and murders could have occurred in Tulare, Kern, Ventura or Los Angeles Counties.

If you have information about Wilson Chouest’s activity between June and September 1980 or you have information about the victims’ identities, please email your tips to the Cold Case Unit at coldcase.187@ventura.org.

Nature of Incident: Arrest Made in 1980 Jane Doe Murders
Report Number: 80-12246
Location: Westlake Village, CA and Bakersfield, CA
Date & Time: July 15, 1980 to July 18, 1980
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes, Ventura County District Attorney Investigators, Kern County Sheriff’s Office
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Wilson Chouest Lemoore, CA 63
(V) Kern County Jane Doe Unknown 25-35
(V) Ventura County Jane Doe Unknown 20-30
Prepared by: Sergeant Denise Sliva
News Release Date: September 30, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Denise Sliva (805) 947-9258
denise.sliva@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Melissa Smith

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).

On September 11th, 2015 The 13th Annual Firefighters & Heroes Gala to honor Ventura County’s outstanding firefighters and civilian heroes was held. Fillmore’s Firefighter of the Year 2014 Chad Panke was honored with a plaque and award presented by Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros. The event was hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Ventura. The evening included dinner, awards, and dancing with music provided by DJ Bruce Barrios.

Firefighter/Medic Panke was born and raised in Arlington Texas and graduated from Randolph High School in New Jersey. He graduated from the Middlesex fire academy in New Jersey in 1997. In 1999 he moved to California and began his carrier in EMS.

Chad is presently employed by AMR American Medical Response where he serves as a Clinical Education Manager. He has also held the positions of Field training officer and Field supervisor.

Chad joined the Fillmore Fire Department in 2007, right at the time Fillmore Fire was starting their Paramedic program. He has attended the Oxnard Truck Academy, MCI drills, and multiple burn events throughout Ventura County.

Chad has been instrumental in starting the county’s first Cardiac Arrest Management program and has trained every EMS and Fire agency in Ventura County on this program that is responsible for saving many lives. This program was designed to choreograph the way first responders provide aid to someone who is in cardiac arrest. To help put this into perspective, Seattle Washington has some of the highest recorded cardiac arrest survival rates in the United States, and since the Cardiac Arrest Management program was put into place, Ventura County survival rates are rapidly approaching those of Seattle, and in certain categories of cardiac arrest patients, Ventura County has a higher documented survival rate.

In addition to Cardiac Arrest Management, Firefighter/Medic Panke has been instrumental in the development and improvement of numerous other programs within the Ventura County EMS system, including multi-casualty incident training and response, prehospital sepsis recognition and care, and ongoing EMS education.

Firefighter/Medic Panke is well respected by his fellow firefighters and our EMS partners. His strong work ethic, can-do attitude, and willingness to learn have made him a valuable part of the Fillmore Fire Department team.

There were three items of new business on the Fillmore City Council Meeting and one old one, which was the establishment of a Pre-sale/Human Living Standards Inspection Program. Just as at the last council meeting on September 8th, many Ventura Country Realtors came to voice their opposition to the program.

Dennis Goldstein past president of Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors (VCCAR) addressed the Council stating, "Realtors are dedicated to peoples private property rights" and said he opposed the program "It places an unfair burden on property owners....reduces the privacy of the property."

Dale King with Santa Paula Troop Realty stated he was also opposed to the program for many of the same reasons that Goldstein spoke of. "It's not the newer homes that are the problem, it is the smaller older properties that will be burdened with the added expense King told the Council..... Some were built before there was a code enforcement and some of the conversions were done because there was no need to park a car in the garage. It is expensive to return some properties back to their original condition, and often these are the people who can least afford it..... A first time buyer can't afford it."

King encouraged a County Record check and a copy of the permit file, which cost about $40-$80. He said they are helpful disclosures between a buyer and seller.

Realtor Mark Chacon CONTINUED »