The Fillmore High Alumni Association presents two upcoming Alumni Events. On Friday, September 19th they are hosting their annual “PACK THE HOUSE” night for the Fillmore/Santa Paula Football game at Fillmore Field, and they want the whole community to come out to the game and support our local student athletes as they compete in the 104th meeting between these two High Schools on the gridiron. To gear up for this great traditional game, they are also hosting “Alumni night” at Central Station this Friday evening Sept 12thin beautiful downtown Fillmore. The Alumni Association wants to paint the town Blue and White for Santa Paula week, so come out to Central Station this Friday between 5:00pm and 10:00pm and get your Flashes Game day wear. They will be there with their Flashes T-shirts, Ball Caps, Bling wear, and sweaters and hoodies. It’s also the last Cruise Night of the summer, so come out and see the beautiful classic cars parked along Central Avenue between Main Street and Sespe Streets. If you have a classic car that you would like to park and show the whole community, please enter from Main Street, and someone will help you find your parking spot. It’s the “Kick Off” to Santa Paula week, so come out and help the Alumni Association paint the town Blue! GO FLASHES!!

Local business owner Norma Amaro questioned the city council’s plans to restrict “Sandwich-Board” sidewalk advertising on Central Avenue.

There were four items on the agenda at the September 9, 2014 Fillmore City Council meeting. First was a budget adjustment for the Mountain View/Highway 126 traffic signal; then approval of supporting an increase in Medically Needy Only Beneficiaries; next a report on the status of the Fillmore Redevelopment Agency/Successor Agency; and last were discussions on what priorities to put forward to the Ventura Council of Governments.

The meeting began with Public Comments as three Fillmore business owners addressed the Council on the crackdown of advertising "bootleg/sandwich boards" signs discussed at the last Council Meeting. The business owners complained about the signage removed stating they all struggle to be successful and need signage. Some stated the ordinance prohibited signs but not banners and flags. Minjares responded later that banners are ok and the Council agreed to discuss the issue directly with the business owners on Central Avenue and Sespe Street.

Norma Amaro said the foot traffic on Central Avenue is less than it has been in the past, stating it might be due to less tourism and the question of the train continuing. She asked for better communication between the City and business owners which would dampen the gossip and everyone would be informed, adding.
"Before any decisions are made, talk to the business owners."

Another question Amaro raised was if the Council had considered the possible loss of foot traffic on Central Avenue if the Chevron project is built. She also asked if the Mayor had voted against keeping the train, to which he responded later that the train was not financially feasible.

The Council wants the light signal on Mountain View and Highway 126 as a priority project. The cost of design, construction management and construction of the signal was not included in the original FY 2014/15 Budget. The Council agreed to adjust the budget allowing the project to move forward. Willdan Engineering will handle design, manage construction, and submitting the plans to Caltrans for permits. Their contract is for $100,300 plus $15,000 to cover the cost of research and applying for grants to fund the project. The total cost is expected to be $547,730. Funding will come from the anticipated advanced payment of Transportation Development Impact Fees (DIF) for approximately 48 units Hearthstone will build, other DIF and grants from the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Active Transportation Program. At this time the grants have not been applied for.

The second agenda CONTINUED »

The small town of Piru experienced a little moving and shaking Sunday night, September 7th. At 9:10pm a 2.0 magnitude shook the tight-knit community. The epicenter was located 7 miles north of Piru. A second, stronger earthquake registering 3.7 on the Richter Scale struck at 9:19pm. The earthquake was felt over some of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

City of Fillmore

08/19/14
Burglary Vehicle
700 Blk. 4th St.
Vandalism
700 Blk. Edison Ln.
Found Property
500 Blk. Sespe Ave.
Abandoned Vehicle
1000 Blk. Elmhurst Ln.
08/20/14
Vandalism
200 Blk. Blaine Ave.
30 Blk. A St.
Fight
500 Blk. Central Ave.
Cruelty to Animals
100 Blk. Lora Ln.
Search Warrant
600 Blk. Via Rodeo
300 Blk. Burson Ln.
1100 Blk. Sespe Ave.
Keep the Peace CONTINUED »

FUSD Superintendent Adrian E. Palazuelos

At Tuesday night’s Board meeting, Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) new Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez described the District as being in "limbo" when asked where FUSD stands today regarding Program Improvement. This lack of a more defined definition is due to the recent change in adopting Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and eliminating the old tests used to document student progress.

Program Improvement (PI) is what the California Department of Education designates a school or district that does not make Adequate Yearly Progress. Individual schools throughout the FUSD have been in PI for several years, but last year was the first year the whole District fell into the category.

According to Hernandez, "FUSD is required to provide an end of year summary (to the State) to highlight strategies and actions implemented during the 2013-14 school year including a description of local evidence used to determine effective implementation." She went on to explain the testing normally given at the end of the spring semester was not conducted due to the tryout testing for CCSS, leaving no testing data to present the State on the 2013-14 school year status. When asked what exactly that meant Hernandez responded, "Right now we're in limbo....we're in the status we were last year."

Board Member Tony Prado asked if there was data on the different grades. Hernandez answered, "It's the District that's in IP...this is due to many years of declining scores" and explained there is no data on specific grade levels. When asked what plans they have going forward she informed the Board, "We want to target our weaknesses."
Newly hired Superintendent Adrian E. Palazuelos interjected, stating the English Language Learners (ELL) need a great deal of improvement in learning English.

"We need to have designated ELL time...It took some time to get into this (PI), it will take time to get out.
Regarding the time frame the District is looking at to present the data on progress that the State requires, Hernandez said, "We need to do it in the next three months."

Just after the meeting began Superintendent Palazuelos described some goals and improvements he hopes to implement going forward. But those goals come with a big price tag; improving FUSD's internet technology infrastructure and upgrading software. "We want all students to have full access to the new software.....bridge together all our data systems and give access to every student" he told those in attendance. The main goal Palazuelos described was full wifi access throughout FUSD. Whether the funds will be available to achieve those goals is a big question.

Associated Student Body Representative Irma Torres announced Food Day is Thursday, September 18th to help raise money for school clubs; Thursday, September 4th, Fillmore Gym will be Girls' Volleyball team vs. Louisville; Saturday Cross-Country will race at Mount San Antonio College; the Santa Paula vs. Fillmore football game will be in town on September 19th; Homecoming Week begins September 29th thru Homecoming Parade and game time on October 3rd.

On November 7, 2013 The Complaint of El Dorado Estates (Plaintiff-Appellant v. City of Fillmore (Defendant-Appellee was submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. El Dorado, a mobile home park owner located in the City of Fillmore alleged that the City interfered with an application for a subdivision of its seniors-only mobile home park by causing unreasonable delays and imposing extralegal conditions because of a fear that subdivisions would lead to El Dorado opening the Park to families. El Dorado's complaint was dismissed for lack of standing. The court concluded, however, that El Dorado had Article III standing where El Dorado suffered a concrete and particularized, actual, injury, in the form of added expenses caused by the City's interference of the application. Accordingly, the court reversed and remanded for further proceedings. Dtd. September 2, 2014. See Judge Richard R. Clifton’s Opinion here: http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2014/09/02/12-55549.pdf

Sean Morris

I, Sean Morris, am announcing my candidacy for Fillmore School Board 2014.

I am a lifelong resident of Fillmore and graduated from Fillmore High School. I am married to Veronica Morris and we have two children attending Fillmore Schools.

I have served on several non-profit boards and am currently President of the Rotary Club of Fillmore. I have been involved in community literacy projects, volunteered in my children’s classes, coached and served with many teachers and parents, including the District’s Reconfiguration Committee during Superintendent Jeff Sweeney’s tenure.

My experience with our community through my work with the parents, administration, teachers, and students, is that we have an incredible human resource to achieve great things. Our district has not performed to its fullest potential and we need everyone to be involved on a consistent basis in order to become a distinguished center of learning. I will bring energy, listening skills and a desire to work with everyone to make Fillmore Unified School District a point of light for every student in our community.

My vision is for excellence in teaching, community support, and facilities which will lead to positive growth and academic achievement in our children. I would love the opportunity to speak with any parent, parent group, teacher, school staff, business leader, Fillmore Council Member and school administrator to gain more insight and express my views. Learn more or contact me by visiting Morris4SchoolBoard.com.

Morris for School Board 2014

Come out to Central Station on Friday, Sept 12th to celebrate our Alma Mater, and the Flashes, as we gear up for Santa Paula week. Our Hometown Flashes Football team plays the Santa Paula Cardinals the following Friday, and the Alumni Association wants to paint the town Blue. They will be at Central Station with all their Flashes Merchandise, available for you so you can look awesome in you Flashes Game Day Wear for the Big Game. We're talking T-shirts, Bling wear, and other Flashes Merchandise all available to you. So come out to the last Cruse night of the summer, and show your Flashes spirit on "Alumni Night" at Central Station from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Music, DJ provided by Central Station. GO FLASHES!!

City of Fillmore

08/12/14
Vandalism
300 Blk. Los Serenos Dr.
Robbery – Alarm
300 Blk. Central Ave.
Keep the Peace
300 Blk. Blaine Ave.
08/13/14
Search Warrant
500 Blk. Main St.
Vandalism
300 Blk. Main St.
Narcotics Violation
300 Blk. Arundell Cir.
Theft Residential
1300 Blk. Waterford Ln.
Keep the Peace
500 Blk. Santa Clara St.
Disturbance Party
800 Blk. Edison Ln.
Drunk in Public CONTINUED »

Fillmore Police Chief Dave Wareham addresses council about new security cameras to be installed at different city locations.

At the August 26, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting Police Chief Dave Wareham announced Fillmore will have a new eye in the sky at three locations. This is due to the efforts of Sheriff Geoff Dean and Council Member Diane McCall who sits on the Sheriff's Foundation. Thanks to a state grant of $5,000 and Sheriff Dean’s contribution of $5,000 in matching funds Fillmore will be receiving three microwave cameras to help fight crime. One camera will be located on Santa Clara St. and Central Ave. providing a view of Central Park, Central Avenue and the bus station. A second camera will cover Mountain View and Delores Day Park. The location of the third camera is still being discussed.

Wareham said the cameras will provide what police and sheriffs call Real Time Incident Communications (RTIC) and... "give a direct feed secured network to dispatch, which cannot be hacked into." The information viewed is monitored at dispatch in the Ventura Sheriff Station and Fillmore Sheriff Station and can cut respond time by as much as five minutes or more. Should an incident occur where there is a question of what happened or who was involved the information is available for review at a later date. These cameras have been in use in most big cities and for about three years at Lake Piru and throughout Ventura County.

An agenda item was the contract with Quality Landscape Care that provides services to 25 Landscape and Lighting Districts, nine parks, the Memorial District, bike path and planters in town. Council Member McCall questioned the maintenance bike path around Old Telegraph. David Smallwood, Public Works, agreed that area needed greater attention. McCall responded, "My concern is that we address that." Council Member Steve Conaway asked, "Are you pleased with their work?" Smallwood answered, "Yes, they do everything I ask them to do." Mayor Manuel Minjares said he too noticed that Old Telegraph needed attention and that he would like some comparison costs with what other landscape companies are charging.

Fire Chief Rigo Landeros spoke briefly about the earthquake in Napa, California and the importance of registering with WWW.VCALERT.org in case of an emergency. He said there are two pamphlets available at City Hall, one discussing VCALERT and another from Homeland Security with a list of items needed to be prepared when a catastrophe strikes.

Landeros also spoke of the last week's outreach program at El Dorado Mobile Home Park where they collected 18.6 pounds of outdated prescription drugs in four hours and plans to expand the outreach to other locations. He reminded everyone that the prescription drug drop off barrel is located at the Sheriff's Station.

Another two items briefly discussed were the "bootleg/sandwich boards" signage being used on Central Avenue. There are City Codes against their use and businesses displaying such signage will soon be contacted. Council Member Rick Neal also asked if the City Code restricting synthetic lawn could be reviewed due to the severe drought California is experiencing.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Restoration is nearing completion at the Pacific Coast Pipeline (PCPL) site. During recent grading at the southern end of the site, soil contaminated with lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was found when a concrete slab, buried about 6-7 feet underground, was encountered and removed. Routine confirmation soil testing as required by EPA showed that soil beneath the removed concrete did not meet cleanup standards. EPA has directed Chevron to excavate the impacted soil and, to support restoration completion, transport the material offsite for proper disposal. Approximately 500 cubic yards (30 truckloads) are being removed, pictured above. The work will take about two days and is expected to be completed before Labor Day weekend. Dust control measures are being enforced, pictured top is water truck. Photo date August 25.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is sending a contingent of search and rescue (SAR) volunteers to assist the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department in the search for Arvin Nelson.

Nelson, a seasoned outdoorsman, was reported overdue on August 16. Nelson was expected to return to the Big Sur area on August 14. Nelson began a nine day trek that started from the China Camp trailhead in the Los Padres National Forrest and was expected to end at the Big Sur Station trailhead in the area of Big Sur.

A total of fifteen volunteers comprised from the Fillmore, Upper Ojai, and East Valley Search and Rescue Mountain teams departed Ventura County in the early hours of August 22. The SAR team members are expected to be inserted by helicopter on Friday August 22 into the search area. They are expected to be picked up by helicopter on Saturday August 23 in the afternoon hours.

A majority of search and rescue teams in the State of California are comprised of volunteers. Their skills and knowledge of the back county make them valuable assists to the counties they serve.

Nature of Incident: Search and Rescue Mutual Aid
Location: Monterey County / Big Sur
Date & Time: August 22, 2014
Units Responsible: Fillmore, Upper Ojai, and East Valley Search and Rescue
Victim: City of Residence Age
Arvin Nelson Big Sur Unknown
Prepared by: Deputy Chris Dyer
Media Release Date: August 22, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Deputy Chris Dyer (805) 535-0270
Email: Christopher.Dyer@Ventura.org
Approved by:
Captain Luis Obregon

Motivated by their adventurous spirit, their dedication to physical fitness, and their commitment to those in the community who need them the most, the Cops Running For Charity team is at it again, this time running a marathon in Ireland.

The team ran a course through the Irish countryside on actual paved roads, which is a departure from their typical adventures, which have taken them to the sands of North Africa, the volcanoes of Iceland, China's Great Wall, and Patagonia's rugged mountains.

The men have collectively run more than 4,000 miles in their quest to raise money and awareness for children's medical charities. The group has raised more than $250,000 for organizations such as Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, ALS Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Camarillo Hospice, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The Longford Marathon will be in preparation for a much tougher run, which will take place in Antarctica in March. That event will mark the completion of a longstanding goal to run marathons on all seven continents.
The team leaves for Ireland on Thursday, and the marathon will take place this Sunday. Information about the event can be found at www.longfordmarathon.com.

The team will be led by recently retired Commander Randy Pentis, Commander Tim Hagel, Captain Dave Kenney, Captain Paul Higgason, Sergeant Joe Devorick, and retired Sergeant Frank Underlin.

For information about Cops Running For Charity and how you can help, visit www.copsrunningforcharity.com, or contact Randy Pentis directly at (818)661-8540.

Prepared by: Sgt. Eric Buschow