Ventura County Department of Public Health

Ventura, CA. - Many people on the West Coast of the United States are concerned about the risk that faces us from the radiation being released from damaged Japanese nuclear reactors. The United States is familiar with monitoring and responding to distant source releases of radioactive materials. Such releases occurred frequently throughout the 20th century beginning in the 1950s with the testing of nuclear weapons by countries throughout the world.

The Ventura County Department of Public Health exists to promote the safety of all of our county’s residents. This is our highest priority. We have well-established mechanisms in place to stay informed by the state and federal agencies responsible for monitoring radiation levels across the West Coast.

We want to emphasize that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all stated that there is no risk expected to California or its residents as a result of the situation in Japan.

We will continue to monitor the situation in Japan and will take all available steps necessary to protect our county’s residents. If we become aware of a radiation threat to our county’s residents we will recommend protective actions.

We urge our county’s residents not to take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary given the current circumstances in Japan. It can be harmful to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish and to people who have thyroid problems. Taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

Ventura County residents with questions about radiation exposure can contact the California Department of Public Health's Emergency Operations information line at 916 341-3947.

The Chevy vehicle you might have the opportunity to win.
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President David Lugo throws shirts to the Little League players during Saturday’s Opening Ceremonies.
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Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley Since 1929 Steps up to the Plate for Fillmore Little League as Part of National Chevy Youth Baseball Program Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of heritage Valley since 1929 to provide Fillmore Little League with new equipment, monetary donation, instructional clinics; additional funds via Chevy Vehicle Giveaway.

Fillmore, February 7, 2011 – Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is supporting the Fillmore community through a partnership with Fillmore Little League. The dealership will provide baseball equipment, instructional clinics, a monetary donation and an opportunity to raise an additional $10,000 in founds through a Chevy vehicle giveaway-fundraiser. The effort by Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is part of the Chevy Youth Baseball initiative being rolled out across the nation from March through July 2011.

“Baseball is a great American past-time and Chevrolet is proud to have a longstanding history with the tradition on a national level. Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 is bringing that level of commitment for youth baseball to the Fillmore community, where our customers and their families live,” said Chap Morris, Title for Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929. “Our youth baseball program in Fillmore is truly cherished and we are happy and excited to support the kids in a significant way.”

Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 will present the Fillmore Little League with equipment kits complete with equipment bags, baseball buckets, dry-erase coach’s clipboards and Chevy Youth Baseball t-shirts. The sponsorship includes clinics with experienced instructors from former MLB/MiLB players and coaches or the Ripken Baseball professional staff.

In addition, a one-time monetary donation check will be presented by Wm. L. Morris – Fillmore Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929 to Fillmore Little League. The team also will have an opportunity to raise additional funds for their use as part of a Chevy Youth Baseball Fundraiser. Sponsored leagues across the country will each receive 2,000 fundraiser entry tickets to distribute for a suggested donation and the league will keep 100 percent of proceeds raised. At the end of the fundraiser, there will be five winners of a Chevy Equinox or Chevy Cruze vehicle of choice (up to $30,000 in value), and in each participating market there will be a secondary prize of a home entertainment center valued at $1,000.

Chevrolet is recognized on the national level as the “Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball.” “Chevrolet vehicles are made for families and we hope the kids or their parents will consider a Chevrolet as an official vehicle of their household,” said Morris.

Chevrolet has expanded its support of MLB to the youth baseball players in communities across the country through the Chevy Youth Baseball program. The Chevy Youth Baseball program began in Atlanta in 2006. In 2010, more than 980 Chevrolet dealers participated in Chevy Youth Baseball and helped raise more than $3 million for youth baseball programs across the USA. Now going into its sixth year, more than $10 million has been contributed to youth baseball in the communities where Chevrolet’s customers live, work and play. Currently 1,423 Chevrolet dealers are participating in this national program.

For more information about Chevy Youth Baseball, please visit Wm. L. Morris Supporting the Youth of Heritage Valley since 1929.

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Welcome to Farm Watch...
Who are we? Over 600 Ventura County farms, ranches, nurseries agriculture supply and packing houses.
Farm Watch is really more than that. We are a virtual-rural, crime fighting community. Welcome if you are just joining us. Lets catch up on the last few weeks:
STOLEN CAR:
A week ago, I attended an Agricultural Insectary meeting in Oxnard. I heard a story from a Santa Clara Valley farmer who told me about Sheriff's Deputy Leo Vazquez.
Leo patrols the rural area where the farmer lives and has orchards. He told me that a few days earlier he received a random call from Leo. The Deputy told him that he was currently out on patrol on the other side of Fillmore and noticed an unknown person with the farmer's vehicle. Leo was suspicious, as he had always seen the vehicle parked at the owner’s farm. A loud laugh broke out with the farmer as he told Leo that he had just sold the car. He wanted me to thank Leo for "Watching Out" for the rural residents and paying attention to such detail.
The story didn't end there. Unrelated, and the a few nights later, we were honored to present Leo with the Santa Clara Valley Officer of the Year Award. It is no coincidence that Leo is Officer of the Year. He is an example of his fellow deputies that share the same drive to keep our community safe. Drop Leo an E-note at Leonardo.Vazquez@ventura.org
Trail Heads:
Our Ojai Valley Crime Watch folks have asked us to spread the word. Visitors to the Los Padres Forest in the Matillja Canyon area have been plagued with window-smash car burglaries. The suspects are looting cars when they see any bags, purses and towels.
Remember, always try to minimize what you leave behind. Lock what you must in the trunk and never leave anything in the passenger areas that you don't want to lose. Crooks know that if you throw a jacket or towel over something on the seat its “gonna” be yummy for them.... They are the bear, and the jacket in the car is covering the picnic basket..
Connex Burglar:
Pleasant Valley Road, Camarillo. Nighttime burglaries of farms and ranches will CONTINUED »

California Governor Jerry Brown

SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown today issued an emergency proclamation for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties following the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan, which generated a water surge along the California coast, causing damage to ports, harbors and infrastructure.

The full text of the emergency proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Honshu, Japan generated a tsunami; and

WHEREAS the water surge caused by the tsunami inundated California beaches, ports, and harbors, destroying public and private property and threatening numerous structures, which caused the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS the water surge is causing conditions of extreme peril to the infrastructure and the safety of the persons and properties within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and

WHEREAS the effects of the water surge continue to threaten the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz; and

WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, the counties of Humboldt and Santa Cruz proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS the counties of Del Norte and San Mateo are expected to issue proclamations of local emergency; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this tsunami and water surge, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the tsunami and water surge impacting the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the State Emergency Plan and that Cal EMA provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 11th day of March 2011.

________________________________

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.

Governor of California

ATTEST:

________________________________

DEBRA BOWEN

Secretary of State

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services remains in contact with state and federal officials regarding the continuing developments in Japan. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is coordinating with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies in providing whatever assistance the Japanese government requests as they respond to conditions at several nuclear power plant sites following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

In response to nuclear emergencies, the NRC works with other U.S. agencies to monitor radioactive releases and predict their path. All the available information indicates weather conditions have taken the small releases from the Fukushima reactors out to sea away from the population. Given the thousands of miles between the two countries, Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity. The NRC will not comment on hour-to-hour developments at the Japanese reactors. This is an ongoing crisis for the Japanese who have primary responsibility.

The California Emergency Management Agency is referring public inquiries concerning health issues to the California Department of Public Health (916-341-3947). This line will be staffed today until 5:00 p.m. and during business hours starting tomorrow. For after-hours callers, there will be a message referring them to the hours when a live operator will be available.

Questions from local residents may be directed to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at (805) 654-2551. For more information on disaster preparedness, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov or the County of Ventura Disaster Information page at www.countyofventura.org/disasterinformation.

Date & Time: March 14, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services
Administrator Preparing Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-3655
Follow-up Contact: Dale Carnathan, OES Program Administrator (805) 654-5152
Date of Release: March 14, 2011

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 11, 2011, at about 0700 a.m., the Fillmore Gang Unit and Sheriff’s Gang Unit served a search warrant at a residence on the 700 block of Akers Street in the City of Fillmore. The search warrant was in reference to an ongoing investigation involving weapons and gang members.

During the search of the residence, gang investigators found a handgun, gang paraphernalia, a large amount of marijuana and a large amount of cash. The handgun, gang paraphernalia, marijuana and cash were confiscated as evidence by gang investigators.

Two suspects were arrested during the search. The suspects were identified as Steven Chaveste (30 years of age), and Matthew Chaveste (26 years of age), both from Fillmore. Steven was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and Matthew was charged with possession of narcotics with the intent to sell. Steven and Matthew Chaveste were booked at the Main Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.

Location: 700 Block of Akers Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: 3-11-2011 @ 0700 AM
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police and Sheriff’s Gang Units
Report #: 11-5231
Arrestees: Address: Age:
Chaveste, Steven Fillmore, CA 30
Chaveste, Matthew Fillmore, CA 26

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Albert Ramirez
Follow-up Contact: Detective Beau Rodriguez (805) 524-2233
Date of Release: 03/11/2011
Approved by: Captain O’Hanlon

Fillmore Unified School District

Recently the non profit organization Californians Aware performed a “statewide public information audit” of several school districts in California. They were analyzing how those districts responded to requests for public information. In November 2010 Fillmore Unified School District was sent an email requesting publicly available information. FUSD received not only an “F” in this audit, but also a zero score for its complete lack of response to the written request.

When asked to comment on the “F” grade FUSD Superintendent Jeff Sweeney indicated that he was contacted by a reporter for the Ventura County Star in late February to let him know that she was writing about the audit (“School District Public Access Rating a mixed bag” Cheri Carlson, Feb. 24 2011). “I was surprised to hear that we were given an “F” by the Californians Aware organization. I recounted our process, one that we had always used, and thought we had met the measure of our responsibility.” FUSD has required anyone requesting information to fill out a simple form in order for the District to process that request. District staff reviewed their emails and located the one from CalAware in November 2010. The emails indicate that staff followed the District policy of asking the requestor to complete the Districts form in order to receive information. Sweeney reports “We followed our normal process and sent the individual a request for public records form on December 13, 2009. We asked the individual to complete the form so that we could comply with the request. When we did not hear back from the individual, we assumed that she did not wish for the requested information.”

Sweeney goes on to explain “As a follow up, I contacted our attorney to verify that we had followed proper protocol. She told me we had not. She told me that the requestor’s email sufficed for a written request. As a result, I have informed all of my staff that from this point forward, we are to honor email requests for public records.”

Mayor Gayle Washburn presented outgoing Planning Commissioner Diane McCall with a proclamation for her service at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
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The March 8, 2011 City Council came with both good and bad news. On the Council’s agenda was an unexpected savings to the residents of Fillmore, but on the Redevelopment Agency’s (RDA) agenda the City may take a large financial hit.

Agenda items included updates on the proposed community garden and dog park, extension of the employment position for Linda Pappas (Diaz), the second reading of the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for one year and the contract for street sweeping. The RDA items were a proposed revised Storefront Rehabilitation Program (SRP) criteria and the disposition of RDA property.

The Council again, similar to the last meeting, addressed a loss to the RDA on property the agency extended financial backing. The question at this meeting was what to do with the property at 401 Arundell Circle, Unit 14 which the City now owns and wants sold. At the February 22, 2011 meeting the Councils asked that an update of the disposition of the property be presented at the next Council Meeting.

On October 5, 2010 the RDA granted authorization for the property’s sale to a qualified household or an affordable housing developer. As of today the RDA has a total investment of $162,710 which includes the original down payment assistance loan of $40,000, acquisition cost of $106,500, rehabilitation and repair costs of $9,220 and payment of Homeowner Association dues from August 2009 through February, 2011.

On October 27, 2010 a market value appraisal of $152,000 was given on the property, which is almost $11,000 less than the City has invested to date.

The main factor preventing the sale is lack of available funding in the current economic climate. The property is part of a 26 unit project which is currently reported to be less than 51% owner occupied. Consequently, FHA and other federally funded loan instruments are not available to a potential buyer due to the low percentage of owners.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring informed CONTINUED »

Fillmore Police 2010 Report: Captain Tim Hagel with the Ventura County Sheriff’s office comments “[We] will be challenged in 2011 as we strive to deliver the same level of public services [amidst statewide cuts]… we [continue] to rely on the community [to help] us.” According to Hagel Fillmore police responded to almost “6,000 calls for service… during 2010.” This includes a slight increase in actual crimes, 690 in 2010 compared to 688 in 2009, both of those years down from 743 crimes in 2008. Hagel reports “The biggest increase in crime categories [in 2010] were assaults due to gang activity and family issues.” He continues that the largest “decrease in crimes were in robberies, forgery and vandalism.” 2010 saw 182 counts of vandalism, nearly all graffiti. Hagel reports that there were two homicides in 2010, “one was gang related (gang on gang) and the other was a family dispute.”

Hagel states “Our emphasis in 2010 and 2011 has been early gang intervention with teens and young children in the city. We have established a strong teen mentoring program with three local organizations; One Step A La Vez, Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters. We could not do our job without these organizations supporting our combined efforts with the Fillmore School District.”

Fillmore’s Crime stats for 2010:
128 Traffic Accidents (down 4.5%)
52 Drunk Drivers Arrested
2187 Traffic Citations Issued
165 Felony Arrests
1060 Misdemeanor Arrests
182 Vandalism (nearly all graffiti)
206 Thefts
9 Forgery
93 Assaults
5 Robbery
2 Homicides
2 Rape (suspects known)
51 Burglaries
20 Stolen Cars
253 Domestic Fight Calls
103 Miscellaneous crimes

Fillmore Fire 2010 Report: According to Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros “2010 was a very busy year for Fillmore Fire Department.” In addition to responding to 1017 calls for service, daily training on “basic [and advanced] life support skills”, and daily fire suppression skills practice, the firehouse restarted their High School Cadet program and implemented a brand new Fire Academy. Landeros states “This [Cadet] program offers high school students hands on experience [in a fire department].” Cadets work with “fire hoses, power tools, claim ladder, breathing apparatuses” as well as learning responsibility and “good work habits.” According to Landeros “[The Academy for new volunteer firefighters] is a more structured training program that we put our new recruits through before they… start working on an engine.”

Landeros reports “Fillmore fire has started training with other fire Departments around the County (Santa Paula Fire, Oxnard Fire and Ventura County Fire).” Training with other departments provides a better environment for effective collaboration should Fillmore Fire be called to help another city or if another department is called to help in Fillmore. Landeros comments “As part of Fillmore Fire’s ongoing commitment to provide excellent customer service to the citizens [and businesses] of Fillmore…we send our Training Captain Billy Gabriel to…outside training… so he can come back and train [the entire] Department on the skills and techniques [mandated by the] State Fire Marshall.”

Emergency Preparedness; Disaster Coordinator Patrick Maynard is responsible for updating and maintaining Fillmore’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Part of Maynard’s duties is to “keep up to date on …disaster programs [throughout the County] that will help Fillmore [in the event of a disaster].” Landeros reports “Fillmore Fire has officers training monthly to insure that when an emergency happens [officers are well prepared].” Some of the training involves; MCI (Mutable Casualty Incident, structure fire operations, and Hazmat. Landeros emphasized the importance of community involvement with helping in the event of an emergency. “We are continuing to provide our citizens with … valuable [CERT, Community Emergency Response Training].” The next training should begin in April. He encourages community members to get involved in “this great training.”

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 6, 2011, at about 1010 hrs, the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received an anonymous call reference a reported cockfighting event taking place at 1766 Grimes Canyon Rd. in the unincorporated area near Fillmore. When deputies responded to the area, suspects fled on foot leaving their gamecocks and several vehicles abandoned at the location.

Upon further inspection of the area, deputies found two (2) makeshift cockfighting arenas constructed of wood with blood stained panels and feathers strewn about the arena, indicative of recent cockfighting activity. Deputies also found approximately seventy (70) live gamecocks housed individually in cardboard transport boxes, and sixteen (16) dead gamecocks with obvious injuries consistent with being fought. The dead gamecocks found at the location were killed by suspects engaged in the illegal cockfighting event and in violation of Penal Code Section 597(a) – Animal Cruelty, a felony.

Major Crimes Detectives and Fillmore Area Station Detectives responded to the rural area to conduct further investigation, and found various items of cockfighting paraphernalia that were seized as evidence. Among the evidence found at the location were razor sharp fighting blades, a scale used to weigh the gamecocks, and paperwork indicative of illegal gambling activity.

Due to the aggressive nature of the gamecocks found at the location, Ventura County Animal Services was called to seize the gamecocks as evidence. Many of the live gamecocks had injuries consistent with being fought, and had to be humanely euthanized. An inspection of the gamecock carcasses revealed they suffered mortal wounds and still had fighting blades affixed to their legs.

No suspects were arrested at the scene. This is an on-going investigation and persons with information are asked to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers. 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).

Location: 1766 Grimes Canyon Rd., Fillmore
Date & Time: 3-06-2011 @ 1010 hours
Unit Responsible: Sheriff Major Crimes Unit
Report #: 11-5231
Officer Preparing Release: Detective Ray Dominguez
Follow-up Contact: Detective Ray Dominguez (805) 477-7029
Date of Release: 3-07-2011
Approved by: Sergeant B. Hester

(l-r) Board President Virginia De La Piedra, F.H.S. Band Leader Greg Godfrey, and Toni Doktor. Doktor was presented the Students First Award for her generous donation of a Baldwin Grand Piano valued at $10,000 to the District’s Music Program.
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At the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 1 the Fillmore Unified Board of Education in their nearly last order of business, followed Superintendent Jeff Sweeney’s recommendation to “create more flexibility [in the budget]” by learning more about the option of “embedding” health education at the high school and middle school into physical education classes. The Board requested to hear from secondary PE teachers at a future meeting, but made no inquiry into hearing from the high school Health teacher who was in attendance at the meeting. This item was listed on the meetings agenda as an “Information/Discussion” item called “Graduation Requirements”.

Currently Fillmore High School mandates that all students take one semester of Health in order to graduate. The State does not require this. In March 2008 the California State Board of Education developed Health Education Standards aligned with the mission to “encourage the highest achievement of every student by defining the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire at each grade level.” While clearly describing the health standards that should be taught at each level the bill, Assembly Bill 689, does not require schools to follow the standards. According to the California State Education Core Standards (online at www.cde.ca.gove/be/st/ss/) “Students need health education.” The description of the standards emphasizes, “Health Education… addresses the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of health [and] teaches students how to maintain and improve their health…[skills which] foster academic achievement, increase attendance rates and improve behavior at school.” The statement goes on to say “Quality health education programs help students achieve their highest academic potential.” Some of the standards outlined by the State include; “Analyzing influences, Accessing valid information, Interpersonal communication, Decision Making, Goal Setting, Practicing Health enhancing behaviors” and so on. Aspects of these standards include education on healthy eating, reproductive health, sex education and other information geared at preventing teen pregnancy and drug use. Sweeney indicated that he would ask the PE teachers to come before the Board to report how they can incorporate the Health education standards into their classes. If the Board chooses to eliminate the separate Health classes, this will mean that the elective section will be eliminated, and thus approximately 160 students who currently take that class every day will need to be placed in other classes, further increasing class size. The Board is faced with daunting cuts in state funding and has reportedly issued “pink slips” to site administrators and is preparing to issue more to staff throughout the district although the public has yet to see any Board discussion or evaluation of District administrative positions, salaries, compensation plans or attorney fees.

During public comment CONTINUED »

Ron Smith, Citizen of the Year

Ron is a longtime resident of Fillmore and Piru. He spent a good portion of his youth with his Grandparents, Lloyd & Evelyn Hill in Piru where Evelyn was raised atop Torrey Mountain. He attended Fillmore High School graduating in the Class of 1984. Ron has two children, Alyssa 26 and Sean 24. Ron resides in Fillmore with his Common-Law wife of 16 years, Laura. Ron is very committed to his community, but when he does get free time he enjoys long drives, RVing, motorcycle riding and yard sales.

BOY SCOUTS
Ron became active with Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 406 in 1998 when his son Sean joined the Troop. He is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Treasurer. In years past Ron has organized the Christmas Tree Train, Trash clean-up detail at the May Festival, parking for Thomas the Tank Engine and other fundraising events for Troop 406. Ron also spearheaded the necessary electrical upgrades and lighting needed to reopen Camp Willet after it had been closed for many years. Mr. Smith located, procured & detailed the current camping trailer now used by the Fillmore Troop and then helped rebuild the old trailer by adding a new roof to it. He has attended numerous weeklong Summer & Winter Camps allowing local boys to live the camp experience long after his own boy moved on from the Troop. He continues to participate in many Troop activities.

SCOUT HOUSE FOUNDATION
Ron also serves as a Board Member on the Fillmore Lion's Club Boy Scout Building Foundation to help maintain a meeting place for the Fillmore Boy Scouts.

LION'S CLUB
As a Lion’s Club Member since 2004, Ron serves on the Lion’s Club Board of Directors. He is in charge of the Highway 126 Cleanup making sure this is done on a regular basis and per Cal Trans specifications. Ron is also the Chairman of the Enchilada Dinner Fundraiser, ordering and procuring supplies & services to make it a success. He is involved heavily in other fundraising activities such as setting up the Bingo Booth and working shifts within the Booth once operational. He sets up and oversees the credit card machines necessary to make the Lion's Club Fireworks Booth a yearly success as well.

CITIZEN'S PATROL
Ron is currently the President of the Fillmore Citizen Patrol and Disaster Service Volunteers. This Patrol is overseen by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and is used to help the Dept. discover, report, and prevent crimes as well as identify and respond to emergencies as needed. As President, Ron leads the group and coordinates with the VCSD to arrange training and scheduled activities. The Patrol responds when needed to incidents, such as providing traffic control, search assistance, and securing crime scenes. Ron has done many Ride-Along's with deputies to further his knowledge of Law Enforcement policies & procedures. Ron has been trained in CPR, First Aid, CERT and has attended the Ventura County Sheriff's Dept. Citizen’s Academy.

Leo Vazquez, Officer of the Year

Deputy Leonardo Salcedo Vazquez was born in Los Angeles, California on August 18, 1967. Son of Leonardo and Carmen Vazquez, Leo has two sisters and two brothers. His brothers have been a major influence in his career due to the fact that both brothers work in Law Enforcement in the cities in Oxnard and Los Angeles. One of his sisters is currently a law student and is studying to take the bar. Leo graduated from La Salle High School and attended UC Irvine; he then joined the US Air force, where he became a Clinical Laboratory Specialist, as was his future wife, Barbara. Leo and Barbara have been married for 19 years. They have two children, Briana (18 years old) and Danny (16 years old) all living in the city of Fillmore.

After applying and completing the testing and background process Leo was hired by our department in June 1998 as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee and was assigned to the Ventura County Justice Training Center Basic Academy Class 98-2. He graduated the academy and was assigned to detention services (Main Jail) as a housing security deputy.
For the next two and one half years Leo learned and refined his fundamental skills of dealing with criminals and learning the faces, names, and con games of those he would someday be arresting on the street. On February 2001, Leo was transfer to West County patrol services and was assigned to work in the city of Ojai.

On June ‘04 Leo volunteered to be transferred to the Todd Road jail during Department downsizing, where he again performed housing duties. Deputy Vazquez requested to be transferred to West County patrol services and was assigned to work in Fillmore in Feb ‘06.

While in Fillmore he has been an active member in the community. He has been the liaison for the north Fillmore store front, and the Fillmore citizen patrol. Last year he reactivated Santa Clara Valley Explorer Post #2958. With the aid of his fellow advisors the post has grown to 21 active members and have recently returned from The Chandler Arizona SWAT Competition with a First place trophy.

The most memorable moment in his career was when he pinned the badge on his daughter when she completed the explorer academy.

He always said that he took this position because he wanted to be the keeper of the peace in the community where he decided to raise his family.

Bill Steossel, Coachcraft, Business of the Year

CoachCraft was started back in 1939 by Mr. Rudolf "Rudy"Steossel Set up shop in Hollywood , a Custom Carpenter of cabinets he began to custom build cars for some of the greats, like Bill Boyd,aka " Hop a long Cassidy", Bill Holden, Gary Cooper, and many more. CoachCraft was famous for designing and manufacturing the Continental Kits, Luggage racks, Reclining Seats, head rests, back in the late forties and fifties, things that are now, a standard item in cars we drive today.

In fact the Ford executives would often visit CoachCraft to see what they were building, and some Custom cars for the Rich and Famous were on Fords Chassis, Customize the current 1940's model cars. Henry Ford II was a Close friend of Coach Craft.

After the war the aircraft manufactures like "Lockheed" had engineers and design crews working for CoachCraft when they built a Concept car called the "1946 Hewson Rocket", this car has been to Europe car shows and now sits at the "Lane Motor Museum" in Nashville TN. Lockheed backed this concept car in place of building aircraft, and at the time the US did not need fighter planes so they needed to branch out to the private sector, this was one of the branches.

Bill, the son of "Rudy" grew up in the shop and after a convincing talk by a local store owner, picked up after his dad, as they built and restored beautiful cars, from the chassis up to a finished show car.

Bill's wife of 47 years was not given a loving talk by his Father "Rudy" when they were engaged, Rudy (dad) sat the little lady down and explained to her that she is not going to merry his son if she thinks he'll be home at a regular time, and that cars are his life, plus he will need a hot meal when he get's home. Bill told me, "she did just that and her only complaint was the "He's always playing with his toys". Since 2006 his wife had a bad stroke and after several years of private home nursing, she now enjoys the living at a medical rest home.

In 1997 Fillmore became the home of this Hollywood Custom car builder, and has been a local supporter of High School Sports and Grad Nite Live, which now Bill has retired at the end of 2010 and his son Anthony, has taken the rains of CoachCraft and will continue to build/restore classic cars for the motor enthusiasts and a Collision Center for Ventura County right here in little town Fillmore. (Story courtesy Eric Vigil)