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Please excuse this unusual informality.

Well, I’m sitting down to write my column at 11:15 PM. Just got back from a devastating house fire. Before that, I had just returned from a long school board meeting concerning the Drag Queen show at an after-school organization designed to assist children with various youth challenges. The audience contained quite a few out-of-towners and demonstrated vigorous pro and con speakers.

Please note: To stop widespread false rumors, it should be noted that neither the Fillmore City Council nor the Fillmore School Board had anything to do with organizing the One Step A La Vez Drag Queen event reported by the Gazette on June 29. Two Council members attended that event on their own time. I have requested information from school Superintendent, Christine Schieferle, about possible presence of One Step A La Vez on the school campus. I apologize to Mrs. Schieferle for the short lead time provided for an answer, but the last 24 hours have been very busy. I’m assured the Gazette will be provided with accurate facts, and I thank the Superintendent for her consideration.

The theater room was packed with a considerate, orderly, and highly involved audience last night. I think everyone appreciated that. More details to follow.
Martin Farrell, Publisher

(l-r) is Fillmore’s Caleb Salazar & Gabriel Lopez who competed with their Simi Valley 9U All-Star team in the PONY Baseball Zone Tournament in Walnut, California this past weekend. Now they will play in the 2023 Pony International Mustang 9U World Series to take place Friday, July 21, 2023. Live stream the game at https://bnproductions.uscreen.io/.
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Gabriel Lopez and Caleb Salazar, both of Fillmore, battled it out with their Simi Valley 9U All-Star team this past weekend July 15 & 16, 20223 in the PONY baseball Zone Tournament in Walnut, California.

The duo helped their team clinch a spot on the International stage. Where their team is one of two in the State of California to compete in the tournament of teams featured from around the globe.

Teams from Japan, Mexico, Honduras along with four other teams from the United States will participate in the 2023 Pony International Mustang 9U World Series. The tournament begins July 21, 2023 at Keating Park in Vacaville, California. The boys will face off with their first opponent Mexico Los Mochis 5p.m. on Friday night. The Championship game will be held Monday, July 24, 2023. Gabriel and Caleb are excited for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to represent their community on such a big stage. “Their big dreams are now reality”. You can live stream the game at https://
bnproductions.uscreen.io/.

Two Council members received numerous complaints for attending the One Step A La Vez Drag Queen production a few weeks ago. Mayor Mark Austin made a point of stating this was not a Council sponsored event.
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July 11, 2023
All agenda items approved 4-0
9.A NEW BUSINESS 9.A PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF AN INTERIM URGENCY ORDINANCE EXTENDING FOR 10 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OR EXPANSION OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE AND SELF-SERVE STORAGE FACILITIES WITHIN CITY LIMITS, DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF, AND FINDING AN EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
9.B 1. Adopt Resolution 23-3949 to extend the declaration of a local emergency arising from the collapse of a sewer manhole which rendered the downstream pipeline unusable.
9-C REQUEST: That the City Council provide staff direction on the preferred style and color to allow staff to prepare a bid specification and bid a project to construct new shade structures over the tot-lots at Two Rivers Park and Dolores Day Park.
9-D RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve using American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds in the amount of $150,000 to support the Spirit of Santa Paula in Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
9-E RECOMMENDATION: Provide direction on the request to sponsor up to $25,000 for the County of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Celebration.
All agenda items approved 4-0

Courtesy https://explorelakepiru.com/

Dear Lake Piru Visitors:

It’s been an unprecedented year for rainfall throughout the state and there is an abundance of available water. In addition, the coming year’s forecast is shaping up to be a second straight wet year. To help other regions prepare for significant flood mitigation and to take advantage of the opportunity of the excess available water that can be put to beneficial use here in Ventura County, beginning on July 10, 2023, we will begin drawing down the reservoir level in Lake Piru, using the water to recharge groundwater basins in the Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard areas. This recharge operation also helps to fight seawater intrusion along the coast, another extremely beneficial use of this water.

The draw down will take several weeks/months so that swimming, fishing and boating will still be possible at Lake Piru through summer. We fully anticipate, however, that come November, we will once again be filling the reservoir as excess State Water from Northern California becomes available and winter storms bring more runoff. For information on how the water in Lake Piru benefits the region, please visit the United Water Conservation District (owners and operators of Lake Piru and the Santa Felicia Dam) website at www.unitedwater.org.

Personal watercraft (PWCs) will be limited to no more than 20 units on the reservoir at any given time. No vessels will be permitted past the 5 mph buoy line at the Reservoir’s South End near Santa Felicia Dam. This area will remain closed until further notice.

Civic Pride names Fillmore’s Juanita & Ray Morales as the July 2023 “Yard of the Month” award winners. Above are the two in their beautiful yard filled with red Yucca in bloom with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern & Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Photo credit Linda Nunes.
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By Linda Nunes

We meet the nicest people while presenting the Civic Pride Volunteers’ Yard of the Month award! The July award was presented to Ray & Juanita Morales at 951 Oliver St. They have lived in this home for 40 years and are now retired (Ray from working for the City of Fillmore), so both can enjoy working on the yard. When water conservation became a big issue, they removed the grass, built beautiful brick pathways, and are now in the process of adding weed barrier, with a brown rubber mulch to lower maintenance and prevent their dog from eating the regular mulch. Juanita admitted that she likes “rescuing” plants that look a little “sad” and are on sale. They have used these plants in a raised central area with pathways around the planted areas.
This side yard has a beautiful red Yucca in bloom as the focal point, with Lantana, several Lavenders, Impatiens, Petunias, Dusty Miller, Delphinium, yellow Dutch Iris, Asparagus Fern and Mystic Spires Salvia around the Yucca. Plumeria is in a large pot, and Star Jasmine on a trellis. They are preparing to plant a silver dollar Eucalyptus tree and roses for a border.
The front yard has wonderful “curb appeal” with Salvias, blue & white Bachelor Buttons, Gaillardias (blanket flowers), and flower-filled window boxes.

Juanita showed off a large tulip shaped coil pot that she made in the ceramics class that she attends in Ventura. She is in the process of making larger pots to create a fountain.
Ray and Juanita went to Otto & Sons Nursery to view the gardens recently and were so pleased to receive the $50 gift award to the nursery! Civic Pride Volunteers appreciate Otto & Sons Nursery for making this award possible for all these years!

On June 29, 2023, Fillmore patrol deputies contacted and arrested three Fillmore gang members for vandalizing property with spray paint.

On June 29, 2023, at approximately 3:45PM, Fillmore patrol deputies responded to a report of a vandalism in progress occurring in the alley of the 200 block of Main Street. A community member observed three suspects spray painting graffiti in the alley and called 911 to report the crime. This diligent community member provided valuable information to our dispatch center, which was relayed to responding deputies.

Deputies responded and determined the graffiti was gang related in nature. Deputies conducted an investigation and obtained additional evidence that led to the identification of all three suspects. The three suspects were identified as Efrain Reyes (age 21), Gonzalo Miranda (age 22), and a male juvenile. Deputies assigned to a bicycle detail deployed and conducted a search of the surrounding areas. Deputies located all three suspects in Fillmore Central Park and seized additional evidence linking all three suspects to the vandalism.

All three suspects were taken into custody. Reyes and Miranda were booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for violations of Graffiti Vandalism and Participation in a Criminal Street Gang. Reyes and Miranda both remain in custody. Reyes’ bail is set at $200,000 and Miranda’s is set at $110,000. The male juvenile was lodged into the Juvenile Justice Center and later released to his guardian.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left
unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Gang graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious conflicts
between rival gangs. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers
thousands of dollars each year.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and
vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling the Sheriff’s Communication Center at (805) 654-9511. After police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to crimes are urged to contact the Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the below listed detective. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Graffiti Removal
The city removes all graffiti by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. If graffiti is on private property, the city secures a signed
agreement from the property owner giving them permission to do the work. Call the city at (805)
524-1500, (option 4,3) if you see graffiti within the city and they will take steps to remove it.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling our dispatch center. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.

Nature of Incident: Gang Vandalism Arrests
Report Number: 23-82865
Location: 200 block of Main Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: June 29, 2023 @ 3:45PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services

(S)uspects, (V)ictims,(P)arty,(D)ecedent

(S) Efrain Reyes Fillmore 21
(S) Gonzalo Miranda Fillmore 22
(S) Male Juvenile Fillmore 16

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

The following letter was sent to the Fillmore Unified School District
Good afternoon, Superintendent and School Board Members,

I am writing you as a concerned parent. Please note that there are several other Fillmore community members CCed in this email. Some have kids in the district, some have kids growing up in the community and not yet at school age, have had kids in the district or have chosen to school their children elsewhere due to their own reasons. There has been a general consensus amongst us, while not every case and point is of the exact opinion of each person involved in the email.

The general concern is that Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD} has a group on the high school campus that coincides with One Step A La Vez. The concern comes after last week’s Pride event that One Step hosted at their main location. During the Pride event One Step hired a drag queen to perform; this is a club for 13-19 year old’s. During the drag queen’s performance, they emulated a strip tease. While the drag queen went down to a bathing suit or leotard, was it appropriate? Why would FUSD choose to affiliate themselves with an organization that deems this type of behavior at a community outreach informational fair? Drag queens are performers for adult type of shows. This was in the presence of children during normal working hours. Even Ru Paul does not live his life in drag. I don’t know what drag queens stripping and dancing provocatively in front of children have to do with Pride Month. I want to you to think about this very carefully.

Would FUSD have their teachers or staff do a simulated strip tease down to their bathing suits for the children they are meant to teach and protect? Would it be appropriate for the cheerleaders to simulate a strip tease with a trench coat down to their bathing suits during a football game? Would it be ok if FUSD endorsed any group whose mission is to groom our children (and YES, normalizing a strip tease by any adult for children is GROOMING)? What if there was a hunting club and at their event they had women who came in trench coats, simulate a strip tease down to skimpy bathing suits and pole danced while community members, FUSD staff and others cheered on at a kid’s event. Would this be appropriate? Would FUSD associate with this club? Would they have this club as a resource for children on their website. Would they announce that club’s activities in their calendar. I think NOT. I know NOT. Why would this be any different?

I am not asking FUSD to control One Step A La Vez, it is pretty clear they do what they want over there. Their mission seems to teach our community’s children what their beliefs are on gender fluidity. I believe there is even a poster on their wall when you walk in that walks you through how to identify if you’re a girl or boy. I think simple genetics are enough for any school or organization affiliated with the school for that matter.
Gender Dysphoria is a mental health condition and probably should be discussed in psychology, which I don’t remember taking until college.

I take my children’s safety and education very seriously. I do NOT want my children exposed to this sort of club. I think you are employed or voted into office to protect our children, not to give into this recent new cool thing to be, which is transgender. Frankly this thing has gotten out of control. I can hit you with actual statistics etc. But frankly that doesn’t matter either.

What does matter is what/who FUSD chooses to affiliate with. And if it is groups that host child grooming by normalizing strip teases for children then it has a really serious problem on hand.
I hope this email has not landed on deaf ears. I was going to mention all the families moving into the town, but I will leave it at myself. But this is a CHILD SAFTEY ISSUE.

I also skipped all the information on family values or Christian values. I will entrust for now that FUSD will carefully choose who they affiliate with for appropriate behavior at club events. So far Mrs. Scheifele has been nothing but an upstanding superintendent. She is a breath of fresh air after the last.
Concerned Parents

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to rejoice and celebrate over the Fourth of July weekend responsibly and with consideration for the safety of all members of the public and their respective property. With the anticipated increase of the city’s population during the festivities, in addition to the inherent dangers associated with illegal fireworks, the Fillmore Police Department will have extra patrol deputies on patrol throughout the city over the holiday weekend.

The Fillmore Police Department wants to remind community members of the following information pertaining to illegal fireworks and the fines associated with these crimes:

“Safe and Sane” fireworks, bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal, can be legally sold, possessed, and enjoyed within the city limits of Fillmore between 12:00 PM, June 28th, and 12:00 PM, July 5th.
Fireworks that are not labeled “Safe and Sane” or do not have the seal are considered illegal and dangerous. Anyone who possesses or manufactures illegal fireworks will be subject to arrest pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 12677, 12305, and Penal Code section 18710.
Violators may also be cited for violating city municipal codes and are subject to a $1000.00 fine.
If you witness any illegal firework activity, please call the Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-2233 or, if there’s an immediate threat to life or property, 9-1-1.

The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious activity, illegal fireworks, and crimes they come across by calling 9-1-1. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their ongoing support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.