U.S. Army Captain Jason Pace.

Fillmore resident Jason Pace has had a very interesting military career having served as both an enlisted Non-Commissioned Officer and as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps and as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army.

Jason attended Fillmore Unified Schools until the eleventh grade when he left Fillmore High School after taking the California High School Proficiency Exam which allowed him to leave high school early to attend Ventura College. He attended San Cayetano and Sespe Elementary Schools, Fillmore Junior High School and Fillmore High School. At Fillmore High School he was on the football, tennis and wrestling teams in his Freshman year. Jason was active with the Boy Scouts through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Fillmore. For his Eagle Project he did a flagpole restoration and permanent lighting to allow the flag to be flown day and night at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Fillmore. He coordinated and participated in the restoration of the flag pole, installed lighting and performed the landscaping around the flag pole. (His brother Devin's Eagle Project was to design the playground at the North Fillmore Storefront soon after the Storefront was completed.)

Jason Pace is the son of DeLores Pace and the late Gary G. Pace. He is married to Eunice E. Pace (Escobar) and has three children, Miller (Alcocer) 18 years, Sybellen 14 years and Chelsea 12 years.

Jason enlisted in the United States CONTINUED »

Pictured are Cindy and Scott Klittich, owners of Otto & Sons Nursery.

Otto & Sons Nursery was named Business of the Year at a presentation on April 29th at El Pescador Restaurant. The owners of the nursery Scott & Cindy Klittich accepted the award. The nursery is located at 1835 E. Guiberson Road. Otto & Sons Nursery has been in Fillmore for over 30 years and has always supported the community in many ways. Plants have been donated or loaned for many events including High School Graduation, landscaping at Fillmore High School, Middle School, San Cayetano, Piru, Sespe and Mountain Vista Schools. Boys and Girls Club, Fillmore Women Service Club, Central Park, and Shiells Park have all been recipients of Otto & Sons Nurseries generosity. Otto & Sons Nursery has donated to the Fillmore Civic Pride Committee’s Yard of the Month program for many years. They also participate in the Ventura County Fair by creating a beautiful rose filled landscape display each year.

Otto & Sons Nursery moved to Fillmore in CONTINUED »

Doug Wilhelm (left) was presented with “Outstanding Citizenship” and his community beautifi cation efforts by Mayor Patti Walker (right) at Tuesday nights council meeting.

Presentations
Mayor Patti Walker presented a Proclamation to Citizen Doug Wilhelm for “outstanding citizenship and his community beautification efforts,” noting that she has personally witnessed his daily excursions to pick up trash in Fillmore. Wilhelm also helps remove graffiti. “His labor of love should serve as a shining example,” said the mayor. Upon receiving a standing ovation, Wilhelm explained, “I’m just trying to be part of the solution.” He encouraged “everyone out there to get involved and do the best we can.”

Mayor Walker also presented Kathleen McCreary, President of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau, with a Proclamation designating May 8-16 as Travel and Tourism Week, emphasizing the economic importance or tourism. McCreary mentioned that the Bureau has tripled its business since its move to the end of Central Park and thanked the City for their support.

Public Comments
Citizen Norma Amaro asked the community for donations of used magazines to Vintage Pleasures, which sells them for a dollar apiece to support Alzheimer research. So far, $100 has been raised. Amaro said the store would resell re-donated magazines purchased from the program. Amaro also presented the Fillmore Alzheimer Memory Walk 2010; Oxnard and Thousand Oaks are holding walks in October. Fliers with more information are available at Vintage Pleasures.

Citizen Jesse Amaro announced CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

Five teachers from San Cayetano Elementary School told the Fillmore Unified School District Board Tuesday night about their experiences at the Johnson Space Center.

Those who participated included Melony Chisholm, who introduced the rest of the team. Others participating were: Brandy Walker, Scott Olson, Vivianna Laureano and Rory Mous. “This is one of the most extraordinary experiences I have ever had,” said Chisholm.

The group spent 12 days at the Center, working with engineers and scientists. Their task was to assemble the Plumbing Micro Gravity experiment, which their students had built earlier with a grant from NASA. San Cayetano was one of 10 schools accepted for the grant. The experiment measured gravity and weightlessness. Each member of the team was presented a Power of One award plaque by Board President Tony Prado. He congratulated them on their outstanding work in science and as teachers at San Cayetano School.

Their Principal, Jan Marholin, was also surprised with a Power of One award. “We are presenting her the award her outstanding work and leadership in securing the grant and seeing that her team carried through, said Prado. Marholin said, “This was my sixth year participating. This was a truly wonderful experience.”

Five Piru parents thanked the board for CONTINUED »

Grad Nite Live has offered a safe graduation alternative to students for 20 years. This year GNL is $9,500 short to meet its goal of providing a fun, memorable harbor cruise. Please support GNL with a donation to help them meet their expenses, Call Mrs. Chaney at 524-4909.

Grad Nite Live was founded by Fillmore citizens concerned about unsupervised graduation celebrations, some taking the lives of former graduates in traffic collisions involving alcohol. Starting in 1990, not one death has occurred during grad nite celebrations, thanks to Grad Nite Live. Each year a boat is rented to cruise Long Beach harbor for the night, giving the kids a real celebration and keeping them safe. Grad Nite Live has only $12,251 for the boat with money from fund raisers and donations; we are short $3,000, and there is still the 5 buses at $1,300 each we have ordered for 270 students. We also have to pay $800 for breakfast and $600 for the 'Roving Magician'. We are selling the Sandwich Meals with Frank at The Central Station for the month of May on sale now. Also the Attractions Spa has 3 different types of treatments (Massage, Facials & Waxing) at different price ranges. Available now or Gifts for Mothers Day. We also are offering 3 Pool Tables and 2 cars (1954 Buick Special 2-door and 1955 Chevy Cameo Pickup). These are all offered to help Grad Nite Live with a percentage of the sale price. Grad Nite Live will have a booth at the Festival selling Scentsy Wickless, Attractions Spa giving mini massages and selling the different treatment sessions, Cookie Lee Jewelry, Sandwich Meals, Central Music Franks Pizza and Soda at Central Station. Everybody wants to help and it’s a lot of money to come up with. If you are interested in any of these items Pool Tables or Cars call 625 0494 or any of the meal tickets, pizza, spa, call 317-9002, 407-5759 or 524-4909 All the other items will be available at the Festival May 14th, 15th & 16th. Let’s keep GNL alive!

Citizen of the Year Sarah Hansen
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Officer of the Year Deputy Brian Hackworth
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Student of the Year Amanda Hernandez
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Firefighter of the Year Billy Gabriel
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Standing ovation given for Citizen of the Year Sarah Hansen

When David Crockett, president of the Chamber of Commerce, announced that this years recipient of Fillmore Citizen of the Year was Sarah Hansen, the patio at El Pescador erupted in a clamor of hoots, hollers, and applause that could be heard throughout Fillmore.

Sarah is known throughout Fillmore for her smile and good humor while forever trying to make Fillmore a better place. When you see that tall slender lady with the gray hair walking along the walking path who, when she sees you, smiles and gives you her “break-her arm” wave then you know you have seen Sarah Hansen. Whether it be leading a group of Soroptomists on their monthly cleanup walk, or on her own daily walk with bag in hand picking up trash, (Is it 13 years or 15 years?) or with a group of seniors on their weekly walk enjoying nature, birds, butterflies, trees or flowers, it is Sarah keeping the path clean and getting her daily exercise.

What has Sarah done for Fillmore? Sarah makes time weekly to deliver flowers from Hospice to all citizens that need a friendly flower or a smile. She helps with the annual Fillmore “Light up a Life” program for them and serves on the support group. Serving as Church Lay Leader and Chair of Mission and Outreach, she can be found delivering a large box or two of groceries from the First United Methodist Church to a family in need or you can see her weekly pulling weeds or planting flowers in the church‘s yards to beautify the area.

Being a charter member of the City of Fillmore Civic Pride 2020, she has been instrumental in organizing 3 years of tree planting along the bike path, scattering wild flowers along the highways, and bike paths. In 2007 she helped her special friend Marie Wren in reorganizing the Senior Citizen center. Sarah took charge of the library and was leader of their monthly book club and gave weekly nature walks. Naturally!

Her involvement in Soroptomists includes having ran the Imogene Vest Memorial Fishing Derby for over 10 years at Lake Piru with the monies raised going for scholarships. She continues to serve on their scholarship committee and enjoys the relationship with the young adults. Her current big project with the group is as Chairman of and raising money and awareness for the Peace Pole project which began with the celebration of the International Day of Peace, Sept. 2008 & 2009 with a temporary pole and will conclude in September with placement of a permanent pole.

She is a team captain in the Relay for Life program for the American Cancer Society.

In past years, she was CONTINUED »

Egedi sues
On April 1, 2010, former Fillmore Fire Chief Pete Egedi (40) filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the City of Fillmore, Fillmore City Council, City of Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, and ten unnamed individuals claimed to be negligently and legally responsible for the alleged events and injuries cited in the civil complaint. The lawsuit lists violations of Firefighter’s Procedural Bill of Rights Act, violation of Due Process denying Egedi an Administrative Appeal, violation of the Brown Act, and violation of Fillmore’s Municipal Code, and includes a demand for a jury trial.

The Ventura Star reports that Egedi was terminated over allegations of misappropriating thousands of dollars, transferring money to his wife, as well as funding a city employee’s abortions and purchasing a wide-screen TV he had installed at his home. If convicted, Egedi could spend up to roughly five years in prison, says Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Drescher.

According to the complaint, the city allowed searches of Egedi’s storage space without his presence, consent, or a valid search warrant, and without first notifying him of the investigation. The complaint also alleges that his continued employment as Fire Chief was deprived him without due process of law; his request for an administrative appeal of his termination has not been addressed.

Further allegations include CONTINUED »

Los Angeles – The owner of B.A. Income Tax, located in Santa Paula, made his initial appearance in United States District Court yesterday afternoon to answer charges that he aided and assisted in the preparation of false tax returns, willfully failed to file tax returns, and committed wire fraud with respect to mortgage loans.

Benjamin Aparicio, of Fillmore, was charged in a 17-count indictment obtained by prosecutors earlier this month. The indictment alleges that Aparicio aided and assisted in the preparation of thirteen fraudulent returns for the 2003 tax year.

Aparicio is alleged to have claimed losses on five individual income tax returns stemming from a limited liability company that his clients were not entitled to deduct. The indictment also alleges that Aparicio aided and assisted in the preparation of three individual income tax returns upon which he claimed Schedule A deductions that his clients were not entitled.

Aparicio is also alleged to have aided and assisted in the preparation of false partnership income tax returns on five occasions. These partnership income tax returns claimed income and deductions that Aparicio knew the businesses were not entitled to claim.

Additionally, the indictment alleges CONTINUED »

On Saturday May 1st the Society of Women Engineers toured Fillmore’s new Waste Water Treatment Plant. The tour was requested by Elena Woodard, who lives on Grand Avenue, and watched the construction from ground breaking to completion while walking the bike path.

Approximately 10 members of the SWE, which includes electrical, civil, chemical and industrial engineering disciplines, toured Fillmore’s award winning plant. Members commented on the innovative approaches used at the plant and the amazing new technology incorporated into it. The automation during off hours was of interest to many members. Also gaining the nod of approval was the energy efficiency aspects of the design and reuse of the water within the community. Showing their awareness of community issues the Society asked questions concerning the chloride problem and the effectiveness of the city water softener buyback program.

On Saturday, May 22, from 2 – 4 pm, visit Fillmore’s new water recycling plant during its first open house. Learn how sewage is treated and the water recycled, 1580 River St.

In a surprising decision by the California Board of Education, the petition to transition Piru Elementary School to a charter school has been denied. The Board determined the charter plan had an insufficient probability of being successful.

Curiously, in stating their decision, the Board admonished those who testified against the petition, for lying. It also concluded that more residents of Piru opposed the charter because more opponents drove to Sacramento to express their opposition. In every other respect the charter petition was valid and complete. Observers are left to believe that if more proponents of the charter had driven to Sacramento the result would have been different.

In the view of the Fillmore Gazette, this decision of the State Board of Education displays remarkable weakness and lack of character on the part of certain Board members. The community of Piru has just had a golden opportunity stolen from them.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies Bill Meixner and Beau Rodriguez have both made remarkable recoveries since the April 17th traffic accident on Highway 126 that left them in critical condition. Bill has been transferred to St. John’s Hospital’s rehab facility and Beau is now recovering at home. “Beau and Bill have made a remarkable recovery from life threatening injuries because of their courage and positive attitudes. They are both taking about how soon they can return to work. Their progress was aided by the great medical staff at VCMC and the tremendous support they received from family, friends, and the Sheriff's Department family,” commented Sheriff Bob Brooks.

Beau was released from the Ventura County Medical Center on April 28th. After the accident, he sustained a collapsed lung, a head injury, several broken ribs and other broken bones. He is assigned to the Fillmore Station’s Special Enforcement Unit and was working in that assignment at the time of the accident. Beau is known for his solid work ethic, high productivity, and positive attitude. He has received numerous commendations during his eight year career.

Bill’s injuries from the accident included a compound fracture to his right femur and a broken hip, knee, and arm. Bill, an 11-year veteran of the Department, is a member of the Department’s SWAT Team. He is also a top performer who has been commended numerous times.

Before the accident, Bill had CONTINUED »

Leslie Leavens-Crowe of Santa Paula spoke to City Council Tuesday regarding the Asian Citrus Psyllis threat to agriculture.

Fillmore City Council, April 27, 2010 Tuesday:

Note: Mayor Patti Walker and Councilmember Jamey Brooks were absent from the council meeting due to family matters.

The State of the Utility in California
Nancy Williams, Regional Manager of Public Affairs for Southern California Edison gave a presentation highlighting Southern California Edison’s plans to help meet the region’s growing energy demands.

SCE is putting forth $21 billion over the next five years for infrastructure, with $45 million allocated for projects in this region during 2010-2012. Infrastructure enhancements include the installation of Remote Control Switches that decrease the duration of unplanned outages, increased capacity of the Fillmore Substation, deteriorated pole replacement, and annual system-wide line clearing.

Williams noted that customers can save energy and money through SCE’s Special Programs and Services, which offers programs for new couples and retirees on fixed income. SCE also offers help for the higher rates during the four-month summer season, such as incentives on the purchase of qualifying energy-efficient equipment and fixtures, a level payment plan, and payment assistance. For further information, visit www.sce.com or contact Williams at the Ventura office.

Citrus Killer Coming CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FUSD trustees voted in a special Board meeting Thursday, April 22 to send layoff notices to 25 Classified employees.

The layoff resolution cited a lack of work or lack of funds as the reason for the action which takes effect at the end of the current school year. Most of the Reduction in Force notices are at Piru Elementary School, is waiting to hear if the application to convert the school to a Charter School is accepted by the State. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney said a hearing on that issue is tentatively set for May 5 in Sacramento.

“Cutting services at the site level is as close to the students as it comes.” said Luanne Brock, a District employee. But she said she was speaking as a citizen. Sweeney said, “We worked with the California State Employees' Association (CSEA) on this issue and it was brought out that some categorically funded positions might be eliminated. We don't know yet how all the adjustments will be made.” He added that the Fillmore Unified Teachers' Association and the CSEA bargained in good faith. “There are positions being eliminated because the funding is drying up,” he added.

Virginia De La Piedra, acting as Board President said, “The State is giving us less categorical money.” “The nature of State and Federal funds are always at risk for categorical jobs such as librarians and technology personnel,” said Sweeney. “School Site Councils at each school help plan how the money is spent at each school.”
Todd Schieferle, District Human Resources Director, stated, “We have not stopped talking with the CSEA. Schieferle also told the board that he was going to Piru School the next day to personally talk with each employee on the layoff list.

Sheila Duckett, an employee at CONTINUED »

First Lieutenant Marcos A. Ruvalcaba
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Fillmore resident Marcos A. Ruvalcaba, 33 years, is a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and he is leaving for Afghanistan in the immediate future for a minimum seven month deployment. This will be his third deployment to the Middle East. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba is currently assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment is known as the “Thundering Third!”

1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba attended Fillmore schools until the 9th grade when he transferred to St. Bonaventure High School. At St. Bonaventure he participated in soccer and baseball before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in February 1998. While in the United States Marine Corps he attended Chapman University from 2002-2005 where he studied Criminal Justice. 1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba continued his college education as an enlisted Marine and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree which allowed him to attend Officer Candidates School. After completing Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 30, 2007 just nine years after enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.

1st Lieutenant Ruvalcaba is the son of CONTINUED »

It gives the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce a great deal of pleasure to announce the recipients of the community awards for 2009. The Chamber feels it is an honor to recognize these hard working individuals for their time and efforts, which help to make Fillmore “The last best Small Town in Southern California.”

For her dedication, volunteerism, contribution to our city, the community has selected Sarah Hansen Citizens of the Year.

Due to his their hard work, dedication, and all the contributions to the City of Fillmore, Otto and Sons Nursery has been selected as Business of the Year.

The Fillmore Unified School District has selected Amanda Hernandez, as Student of the Year, due to her high level of personal motivation.

As a result of their outstanding service to the community of Fillmore, Brian Hackworth has been chosen, by the Sheriff’s Department for Officer of the year.

Billy Gabriel has been selected by the Fire Department for Firefighter of the Year.

The Chamber of Commerce, wishes to invite the community to attend the Annual Awards Banquet to be held at the El Pescador Restaurant 1305 Ventura St ( Hwy 126) Thursday April 29, 2010 starting at 6:00 PM. Tickets are available at Chamber office 557 Ventura St. at $ 20.00 each. Evelyn can be reached at 524-0351.

The Gazette will be delivered one day late next week, April 29th edition. So look for it on the stands Thursday evening and in your mailbox Friday afternoon!

Trustees of the Fillmore Unified School District have awarded the bid for improving the flooring at the new Sierra High School site to Green Polishing Solutions. They will be leveling and polishing the existing concrete floors and all finished flooring as a portion of the building rehabilitation and modernization at the school, at 615 Shiells Drive.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mike Bush said that, “This floor is more durable and less expensive than carpet. It is similar to Terrazzo tile and very safe.”

The board also approved the construction agreement between Griffin Homebuilding Group, LLC and HVP Residential Development Company and Hearthstone Multi-Asset Entity CLP which will put in the roads and sidewalks for the new Rio Vista Elementary School. The District has $6 million dollars for the project, but the money will not be released until the work is completed.

A major item of the evening was a facilities update for Piru Elementary School. Rita Avila, a Charter petitioner, addressed the board. She wants the board to publish spending records for Piru School.
At the last board meeting another proponent of the Charter School effort, Adrianne Thiesing told the trustees that she had sent an appeal packet to the State Board of Education in Sacramento claiming there were multiple violations of the Williams Act at the Piru School. Board members discussed in depth the attention that had been given to the fire alarm system, the intercom system and the playing field. Board President Tony Prado said he walked the field to observe the condition. The complaint filed with the State said there were gopher holes in the field. “I think playgrounds are up to par,” Prado said. “I didn't feel endanged. Our kindergarten playground equipment looked nice to me. In comparison to Moorpark and Santa Paula fields ours look very nice.” A consultant hired by the County Schools Office had earlier reported to the FUSD that an inspection of Piru School found that “The condition of the facilities does not pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health and safety of pupils or staff.” Prado added, “Every board member is concerned about the safety of every child and staff members in every school.”

Thiesing thanked the board for CONTINUED »

On April 17, 2010 at about 8:54 pm, a major injury traffic collision involving a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle and a GMC pickup truck occurred on SR-126 west of Timber Canyon Rd.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy William Meixner and his partner Deputy Beau Rodriguez had just completed a traffic stop on eastbound SR-126 near Willard Rd. The deputies were traveling eastbound west of Timber Canyon Rd. when a red GMC pickup truck made a sudden left turn out of a driveway directly into the path of the patrol vehicle. Deputy Meixner attempted to avoid a collision with the GMC by applying his brakes and steering to the left. Deputy Meixner was unable to avoid the collision and the front end of the patrol vehicle struck the left side of the GMC. The GMC overturned ejecting the driver, Mayra Tellez age 22 of Santa Paula. The GMC came to rest on its left side in the two way turn lane on SR-126. The patrol vehicle traveled northbound across SR-126 and struck a guardrail. The patrol vehicle came to rest on the westbound right shoulder. Tellez’s boyfriend, Jose Velasquez Diaz age 27 of Santa Paula, was the passenger and was able to climb out of the vehicle after the collision. The two deputies were trapped in the patrol vehicle and had to be extricated by the fire department.

Both deputies and Tellez sustained major injuries in the collision were transported by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center. Diaz was transported to Community Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries.

SR-126 was closed from Hallock Dr. to E St. in Fillmore while the CHP investigated the collision. Traffic was detoured to South Mountain Rd. The roadway was opened at 2:20 am. The collision is still under investigation.