About the time I was sitting down in the front patio area of retired city clerk for the City of Fillmore Shirley Spitler's house to talk with her about her display of the American Flag and a Support Our Troops banner, a news article, written by Robert Burns of the Associated Press, was arriving at my, and many of your homes. As Shirley and I sat on her white wicker patio furniture and I admired her fountain with a collection of ceramic turtles playfully perched at the fountain’s edge that article sat waiting for me to read in disbelief . The headlines, “One per day dying in Afghanistan” was sobering enough, but the article content was about more than that . It named names of fallen soldiers and it placed Americans in an awful light of complacency. The article said that the, “…war impact fades for some, but not for families.”

That is right, for most Americans the War in Afghanistan is no longer thought about . But for those of us living in Fillmore and Piru, fathers, mothers, and other family members who have loved ones in that war right now, we think of the war every day . We wish for our loved ones safety and a return home to a better life . I know as I am talking with Shirley that she is not one of those Americans who has forgotten the sacrifices of our currently serving military as well as those who have served and have earned the honor to be called a Veteran. Shirley honors our currently serving members and Veterans every day with her display of the American Flag and Support our Troops banner .

If you drive by 850 Oliver St. you will see two flags flying over the garage. One is the American Flag and the other a Support Our Troops banner. Both are on display 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is a practice started by Shirley's late husband Robert “Bud” Spitler many years ago. As Shirley looked fondly at the Flag and Banner she told me it was about time to buy new ones because they have begun to fade.

Shirley told me her first husband and the father of her three children, Marion Woods, served in the Navy stationed in the Philippines during the Korean War. He was killed in a car accident in 1966 at the age of 31. Two years later she married her second husband, Fillmore Native, Robert “Bud” Spitler, who had been an Army Air Corps P-38 pilot in Italy during WWII. Bud Spitler was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as a Lieutenant in 1944 while serving with the United States Army Air Corps (now the United States Air Force) when leading his squadron of P38s over Austria while escorting heavy bombers, rescuing his comrades in a stricken and crippled P38, driving off vicious attacks of the enemy and then directing an entire formation to safety. Shirley told me Bud had many interesting stories of the time he served including flying home on one engine after an operation and flying so low over Japanese fishermen that their small fishing boats would capsize. Since Bud passed away five years ago Shirley has continued with the display of the American Flag and Support our Troops banner.

It is for all American Veterans and closer to home Veterans like United States Korean War Veteran Marion Woods and United States Army Air Corps WWII Veteran Robert “Bud” Spitler that Shirley Spitler continues the tradition of flying both the American Flag and the Support Our Troops banner. Shirley Spitler is not one of those Americans described in the article as, “Americans in an awful light of complacency .” Thank you Shirley for your patriotism and honoring those men and women who have and are serving the United States of America. They are truly our American Heroes!

FILLMORE City Council
7 of 7 Precincts Reporting
3 New City Council Members Elected
(1) RICK NEAL - 2,063
(2) MANUEL A. MINJARES - 2,037
(3) DOUGLAS TUCKER - 1,507
Defeated Incumbents
Mayor - GAYLE WASHBURN - 1,017
Mayor Pro Tem - JAMEY BROOKS - 922
Defeated Candidates
SANDY PELLA - 977
ALEX MOLLKOY - 549
Total Votes: 9,087

FILLMORE City Clerk
7 of 7 Precincts Reporting
1 New City Clerk Elected
NANCY BLENDERMANN-MEYER - 1,615
Defeated Incumbent
CLAY WESTLING - 1,598
Total Votes: 3,239

FILLMORE City Treasurer
7 of 7 Precincts Reporting
1 New City Treasurer Elected
(1) SHANNON GODFREY - 1,640
Defeated Candidate
GRACE DONAHUE - 1,527
Total Votes: 3,190

Douglas Tucker:
In my opinion the council should deal with disagreements and criticism with professionalism, accountability and integrity. Each city council representative will have their own perspective; this is why it is so important for them to listen to each-other and the community prior to making decisions. I have received a lot of negative comments about how the council treats persons expressing their opinions only to have their comment refuted 1 council member at a time. The Council needs to treat everyone with respect and dignity. They need to ensure that they are fair when the public speaks including with time allotments and how the council responds to speakers.
If two or more council members disagree then agree to disagree and take the conflict to the closed session for resolution or simply vote and move on to the next agenda item. A council should truly have the best interests of the community at heart, they should be fair, have a code of ethics and conduct and they should most importantly put aside their personal differences and truly represent us the Fillmore citizens. If this is accomplished, the new media, citizens and each council member will unit and we can focus on the problems we face today and ensure we have solutions for our future. We may not always agree, but isn’t that one aspect of the U.S.A. that makes us the best nation in the world, our freedoms should be embraced not taken advantage of.
Douglas Tucker
Candidate for Fillmore City Council

Rick Neal:
Getting along with CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

Each Year, the National FFA Organization is proud to honor the FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. That honor, the American FFA Degree, is bestowed up on a select group of individuals for years of academic and professional excellence. The American Degree is the highest level that can be achieved as an FFA member. Attaining the American FFA Degree requires a solid commitment to agriculture and FFA, and is earned by less than one percent of FFA members.

Aaron Largen and Riley Wright, FFA members representing the Fillmore FFA Chapter in California were selected to join that exclusive list and were awarded the American FFA Degree at the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo. The convention is known as the largest student gathering in the United States and occurred October 24-27, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fillmore FFA Chapter is under the direction of Ag Advisor, Joe Ricards.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Writen by U.S. Attorney’s Office

October 26, 2012 - Southern District of California

Fourteen individuals were charged following a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-led investigation into the theft of over $1 million from Citibank using cash advance kiosks at casinos located in Southern California and Nevada. According to an indictment unsealed earlier today, the defendants stole the money by exploiting a gap—which required multiple withdrawals all within 60 seconds—in Citibank’s electronic transaction security protocols. FBI agents assisted by the Glendale Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department arrested 13 of the defendants in the Los Angeles area Wednesday and Thursday.

According to court documents, the alleged scheme worked as follows: defendant Ara Keshishyan recruited conspirators who were willing to open multiple Citibank checking accounts. He then supplied his co-defendants with “seed” money, which was deposited into the recently opened accounts. After the money was deposited into the checking accounts, Keshishyan and his conspirators would travel to nearly a dozen casinos, including the Morongo, Pechanga, San Manuel, Agua Caliente, Chukchansi, and Spa Resort casinos in California; the Tropicana, Wynn, Bicycle, and Whiskey Pete’s casinos in Las Vegas; and Harrah’s in Laughlin. When inside the casino, the conspirators, including Keshishyan, used cash advance kiosks at casinos in California and Nevada to withdraw (all within 60 seconds) several times the amount of money deposited into the accounts, by exploiting the Citibank security gap they discovered.

The indictment alleges CONTINUED »

City of Fillmore

Some Agendized Items:

*El Dorado Mobile Home Estates Vesting Tentative Parcel Map for a Mobile Home Resident Ownership Conversion of an Existing Mobile Home Park.

*Request City Council to Adopt Resolution Authorizing the Acting City Manager, Finance Director and City Attorney to Examine Sales and Use Tax Records.

*Request City Council to Review and Approve the Executive Search Services Agreement for the City Manager and City Finance Director Positions.

*Receive and File – Comment Letter on County of Ventura Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Grimes Rock, Inc. Expanded Mining Facility Project.

SANDRA PELLA:
At this time, the city council has not sent out an RFQ to American Water. The council is acting in a prudent manner by entering into negotiations with American Water in an attempt to reduce maintenance and operational costs for the water treatment plant. Contracts are often negotiable, and considering the financial status of the city, the council is being proactive. The American Water contract was awarded in 2006, two years before the incumbents took office. Although incumbents Gayle Washburn and Jamey Brooks adamantly opposed the water treatment plant contract, they are now bearing the brunt of criticism for decisions made before they were elected, and the impact of those devastating decisions to the community. Four out of the five sitting council members favor negotiating the American Water contract, and if necessary, are open to RFQ’s from other vendors if an agreement can not be made.
The negotiations with American Water should be conducted in a respectful and business-like manner. It is proper business etiquette to allow the company holding a contract to make a proposal. American Water has serviced the city as agreed, and the action to negotiate is not a reflection on the company’s performance. They have also generously contributed chemicals to the community pool, and deserve to be commended for assisting the city with the cost of operating the pool. In its dealings with American Water, the council must be concise in communicating what amount of contract reduction is necessary, and allow sufficient time (perhaps 30 days), for American Water to either approve or disapprove the terms before considering other possible RFQ’s to competitive vendors.

GAYLE WASHBURN:
For clarification, there has CONTINUED »

James Alvarez Jr.

In September of 2012, a Thousand Oaks resident placed a personal advertisement on Craigslist, seeking male companionship in the unincorporated area of Piru.

The suspect and the victim exchanged text messages and e-mails then met in Piru late one evening. At the conclusion of their meeting, the suspect stole the victim’s cell phone and portable GPS unit and fled.

The victim reported the crime to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Fillmore Police Department detectives investigated the matter which led to the suspect being identified as James Alvarez of Fillmore. The victim later identified James Alvarez from a photo lineup.

At the time of the crime, James Alvarez was already a fugitive from justice, having an active warrant charging him as a felon in possession of a firearm, in addition to several other misdemeanor warrants. Alvarez was considered armed and dangerous. Based on the Craigslist investigation, Detectives knew Alvarez had returned to the Fillmore area.

On October 16, 2012, CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On October 21, 2012 Fillmore Police patrol deputies went to the 100 Block of Cook Drive in the city of Fillmore to conduct a probation search of a residence belonging to Mark Anthony Perez. During a search of the residence, deputies found a shotgun and ammunition where Perez had access. Perez is a convicted felon and a narcotics registrant who is prohibited from possessing firearms. Also arrested in the residence was John Glen Roberts for an outstanding misdemeanor domestic violence warrant. Both were arrested without incident.

Mark Perez was booked for 29800(a)(1) PC (felon/addict with a firearm) and 30305(a)(1) PC (felon with ammunition). He was booked into the Ventura County Jail – Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Perez posted a $50,000 bail bond.

John Roberts was booked into the Ventura County Jail – Pre-Trial Detention Facility with bail set at $10,000.

Nature of Incident: Probation Search Leads to Arrest of Felon with a Firearm
Report Number: 12-23661
Location: 100 Block of Cook Drive, Fillmore
Date & Time: October 21, 2012 @ 3:00 PM
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police Department - Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Mark Anthony Perez, Fillmore, 39
(S) John Glen Roberts, Fillmore, 37
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre
Media Release Date: October 22, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre (805) 524-2235
Email: anthony.aguirre@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

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).

Deputy Anthony Biter

The Thousand Oaks Police Traffic Bureau is investigating an injury traffic collision involving an on-duty Thousand Oaks Police Motor Officer that occurred on Wilbur Road north of St. Charles Drive in the City of Thousand Oaks. Marcia Obrien was driving her vehicle south on Wilbur Road. Deputy Biter was riding his police motorcycle north on Wilbur Road in the #1 traffic lane. Obrien entered the left turn lane at the location in preparation for a left turn into the driveway of the Center Oaks Plaza shopping center. Obrien then turned left across the northbound lane of Wilbur Road as Deputy Biter was approaching. Deputy Biter’s motorcycle collided with the front end of Obrien’s vehicle causing Deputy Biter to lose control of his motorcycle. Deputy Biter was then ejected from his motorcycle. Deputy Biter was transported to Los Robles Hospital via ambulance for his injuries. Obrien was not injured during the collision. The cause of the collision is still being investigated. At this time alcohol / drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to call the Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau at (805) 494-8271.

Councilmember A. Eduardo Gonzalez recused himself from voting on delinquent water bills, during Tuesday night’s Council meeting.

The October 23, 2012 Fillmore City Council Meeting had only two items on the agenda, delinquent water accounts and appointing a temporary employee; but the public comments seem to go on and on. Many of those who stepped up to the podium during this time basically repeated the same dislike of Martin Farrell, owner of The Fillmore Gazette, as they have done at almost all council meetings for months. Some used the podium as a campaign tool to show their grasp of Fillmore’s financial history and former Council Member Patti Walker spoke of how unfair and damaging it was for a newspaper to reveal that a council member owed an outstanding water bill of $95,000 to the City and asked those in support to standup to “tyranny”. Over an hour and a half of speakers address the Council as the political drama continued.

Some in attendance had come to the scheduled public hearing on El Dorado Mobile Home Estates vesting tentative parcel map for ownership conversion, but it was postponed until Friday, November 2nd 6:30p.m. Fillmore City Hall, due to parties involved not being able to attend until that date.

Only one of the two items on the agenda went into any real discussion and that was the Water Utility Bill Cycle and Delinquent Accounts. Before this item was discussed Council Member A. Eduardo Gonzalez made a statement admitting he has a large outstanding water bill. He said he and his wife have discussed the issue and decided not to declare bankruptcy adding, “I am not going to run away from this. I’m not going to hide away. I’m going to make every effort to pay for it.” Gonzalez stated that he has not asked for a deduction or reduced amount on the bill. Later a man who had been sitting in back of the room stepped up to the podium and asked Gonzalez, “Are you a respectful man?” and then repeated it and asked again. To which Gonzalez answered, “Yes.” The man just looked at him and turned around and walked out of the chambers.

When the water bill CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On October 19, 2012, Deputies from the Santa Clara Valley Sub-Station responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 3600 Block of East Telegraph Rd, Piru. Upon their arrival, they were contacted by the reported victim, Wayne Cain, who said he and his business partner, Raymond Grams, were arguing over owed wages. Cain accused Grams of intentionally knocking him down with his car. Cain suffered minor injuries during the incident. He was treated by medical personnel at the scene and released.

During this investigation, it was discovered that Cain and Grams had a large marijuana cultivation in and around the residence where the original incident occurred. Narcotics detectives were called and assumed responsibilities for this portion of the investigation. A Search Warrant was obtained for the residence where a sophisticated marijuana growing operation was discovered. Several rooms of the rented property contained marijuana plants, high intensity lighting on automated tracks, multiple air conditioning units, exhaust fans with carbon filters to reduce odors, and propane fueled carbon dioxide generators. 541 marijuana plants were seized.

Cain was arrested for CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives received reports of methamphetamine sales by Juan Villa, occurring at a residence in the 700 Block of Akers St, Fillmore. Information obtained during surveillance led to the issuance a search warrant for the residence. On 10/19/2012, members of the West County Street Team executed the search warrant and discovered approximately 11 grams of methamphetamine in the bedroom identified as Villa’s. Prior to the execution of the search warrant, Villa had been detained for a vehicle code violation by Santa Clara Valley Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies, and was subsequently arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Based on the evidence discovered during the search warrant, Villa was also arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale. He was booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.

Nature of Incident: Narcotics Arrest
Report Number:
Location: 700 Block Akers St, Fillmore
Date & Time: 10/19/2012 1130 hours
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau, West County Street Team
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Juan Villa Fillmore 34
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Mike Horne
Media Release Date: 10/23/2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Mike Horne, 805-383-8700
Approved by: Captain Mike Hartmann

By now you are all aware of Fillmore's own 2010 Fillmore High School Graduate and United States Marine Corps, Corporal Jose A. Patino, calling and then emailing me from Afghanistan to learn how he could have a Military Banner with his name displayed in Fillmore. Since that initial request the Fillmore and Piru Communities have donated $2,250 towards the purchase of not only Corporal Patino's Military Banner, but the remaining monies were generously donated to remain in the account for partial grants for future Military Banners for those men and women currently serving from the Communities of Fillmore and Piru and requesting Military Banners! I am also happy to report that Corporal Patino's Military Banner and those of three others; Victoria Hernandez, United States Navy Marcelino Zavala, United States Marine Corps and Juan C. Garcia, United States Army were installed on Thursday, October 4th at 10:00 A.M. on Central Avenue just North of Highway 126. Family and friends were present in large numbers in front of the Fillmore Unified School District Offices for the presentation of the Military Banners and pictures before they are installed by City of Fillmore Public Works Crews.

Below is the most recent email I received from Corporal Patino acknowledging the Military Banner that will be displayed in his honor:
“Good morning sir,
I apologize for the delay I just recently arrived to another F.O.B "Camp Dwyer". I read all your emails and I am truly speechless. All the effort you have put into not just helping myself with the privilege of displaying my own banner, but with the time and respect of attending the rededication memorial of 1st
Lieutenant Toby Gritz. Without the Fillmore Gazette I would have no idea of what's going on in my home town of Fillmore. Knowing that you also did your time as a Marine I know you remember that our Marine Corps has a saying "ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE " and you have truly held that to the highest standards by taking your time to help the WHOLE community of Fillmore in the hard work and efforts you put into the Gazette. I would like to thank the community of Fillmore & Piru for all the tremendous support in making this possible. I would also like to thank my family; Rebecca and our son Dominik " daddy will home soon son" , along with my mother Gabriela, sister Gaby and my brother Ruben. Thank you for all the support and love you have given me. Mr. Diaz, you can contact Rebecca Botson at (deleted) to coordinate the presence of my family. Once again Mr. Diaz I am truly thankful for the help you have given me. SEMPER FI and I'll see you soon Sir.”

Receiving an email CONTINUED »

DOUGLAS TUCKER:
I believe that in addition to cost saving measures we should be looking at revenue generating measures. To increase revenues; we have several projects in town that have already received approvals, such as portions of the Business Park. This project has been waiting for the city to move forward. This one project will bring much needed revenue and jobs to the city. 2) We need to review our contracts with city consultants /contractors. How much is the city paying for these consultants and contractors? On at least two occasions, the city council had been asked to show the benefits of laying off employees and replacing them with consultants and contract employees. To date no answer has been provided. The city council needs to stop making emotional decisions on fiscal issues. Regarding the pool, we must explore all options to reduce cost and increase users. The city should offer a monthly pass, just like gyms, not just pay to swim passes. The reoccurring monthly fees would help the pool budget and allow the users to gain greater access to the pool. We should work with our youth groups more and advertise the Kiddie Play area which is available for party rentals. If we market it properly the use of the pool and hopefully the track, combined with our back country roads we have an excellent Triathlon training facility. The city should accept American Water’s offer to pay for the pool chemicals. We need to look at the possibility of privatizing pool operations and maintenance thereby turning it into a revenue source. The pool is something that we should take pride in, but we need to be practical and ensure that the pool is self-sustaining.

RICK NEAL
One of the first CONTINUED »

Scott Lee, representing the Lions Club International, presented FUSD with a check for $200 to be used for recognition plaques.

At the October 16, 2012 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting Assistant Superintendent Michael Johnson presented the Board with FUSD’s Academic Performance Index (API) Report and the status of the schools that are under Program Improvement (PI). The AIP scores give a sense of where the schools are today and what gains or loses have been made over the past five years. Parents of students attending the district will be happy to learn that the Alterative Governance Board (AGB) schools have made double digit growth. Their growth points are: Mountain Vista Elementary 48, Piru School 85, San Cayetano 36, Sespe School 17, Fillmore Middle School 5, Fillmore High School 55, Sierra High School 152, District overall 35.

Johnson informed the Board that most of California’s primary through high schools can expect to fall into PI at least once more, adding, “There are 26 different ways for a school to fail” and most schools have at least one deficiency. He went on to say that the challenge is to sustain momentum once the school starts improving.

One challenge FUSD has taken on is raising the bar on Math. Last year 55 seventh graders took algebra with 27 of them becoming proficient or advanced. This year 81 seventh graders are taking algebra and 51 are taking geometry. But what is impressive is that 201 eight grade students are taking algebra. Many of the students were encouraged by the success of the Summer School Math Bridge Academy which will be adding pre-algebra, algebra II, and chemistry to the summer 2013 session. Dr. Alan Nishino, FUSD Superintendent, said the goal is to allow those who want to move forward that option…” Raising the bar means the students are better prepared.” John Wilber, Principal at Mountain Vista, informed the Board that every freshman is enrolled in biology this year adding that it was quite a task to achieve, but they did it.

Johnson also went CONTINUED »