The June 29 School Board Meeting was fraught with tension as criticism underlined public comments. Ventura County resident Mary McClennan expressed her concern for the county’s children and explained that she had been hearing of teachers being harassed and children being refused transfers, so she had come to “find out what’s being done” in the Fillmore schools. McClennan called the situation “ridiculous” and referred to a “failing school” several times.

School Board President Tony Prado responded by saying he was not sure what failing schools she had in mind, and stressed, “Harassment of any teachers is intolerable. And it’s really important to understand that harassment of teachers in any school district across the United States is intolerable. I wholeheartedly agree with you on that comment. And in the Fillmore Unified School District, to the best of my knowledge, there is no harassment of any teachers.”

Ide Ramirez then took the mic to register her displeasure in receiving a letter announcing that Piru Elementary Principal Leticia Ramos would be getting a transfer, apparently with a promotion. “She clearly showed the community, the school, that she was incapable of handling her position. Attending activities outside the school, her mannerisms with acting out with the parents, it’s just, it’s incredible,” Ramirez alleged. She questioned the Board’s motives for the move, suggesting, “because, she needs to be covered up? Or what? She needs to be babysat a lot more closely with you guys?” Ramirez also submitted a complaint for an unexplained cancellation of a School Site Council meeting at Piru Elementary scheduled for that day. She said she saw no notice posted and hadn’t received the customary phone call, and pressed the Board for an answer regarding why the meeting wasn’t held.

Ramirez further inquired, “How is CONTINUED »

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From USGS:
Magnitude 5.4 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
2010 July 07 23:53:33 UTC
This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.
Magnitude 5.4
Date-Time Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 23:53:33 UTC
Wednesday, July 07, 2010 at 04:53:33 PM at epicenter

Location 33.417°N, 116.483°W
Depth 11.7 km (7.3 miles)
Region SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Distances 22 km (13 miles) NNW (332°) from Borrego Springs, CA
23 km (14 miles) SE (131°) from Anza, CA
33 km (20 miles) NE (52°) from Lake Henshaw, CA
41 km (25 miles) SW (215°) from Indio, CA
45 km (28 miles) S (174°) from Palm Springs, CA
94 km (58 miles) NE (41°) from San Diego, CA

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.3 km (0.2 miles); depth +/- 0.6 km (0.4 miles)
Parameters Nph=122, Dmin=10 km, Rmss=0.26 sec, Gp= 29°,
M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=3
Source California Integrated Seismic Net:
USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR

Event ID ci10736069

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AFTERSHOCK PROBABILITY REPORT
Published on Wed Jul 7 16:56:14 2010 PDT
Southern California Seismic Network: a cooperative project of
U.S. Geological Survey, Pasadena, California
Caltech Seismological Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Version 1: This report supersedes any earlier probability reports about this event.

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MAINSHOCK
Magnitude : 5.9 Ml
Time : 7 Jul 2010 04:53:33 PM PDT
: 7 Jul 2010 23:53:33 UTC
Coordinates : 33 deg. 25.05 min. N, 116 deg. 28.96 min. W
13 mi. ( 21 km) NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
28 mi. ( 44 km) S of Palm Springs, CA
Event ID : 10736069

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STRONG AFTERSHOCKS (Magnitude 5 and larger) -
At this time (immediately after the mainshock) the probability of a strong and possibly damaging aftershock IN THE NEXT 7 DAYS is approximately 40 PERCENT.

EARTHQUAKES LARGER THAN THE MAINSHOCK -
Most likely, the recent mainshock will be the largest in the sequence. However, there is a small chance (APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 PERCENT) of an earthquake equal to or larger than this mainshock in the next 7 days.

WEAK AFTERSHOCKS (Magnitude 3 to 5) -
In addition, approximately 20 to 50 SMALL AFTERSHOCKS are expected in the same 7-DAY PERIOD and may be felt locally.

This probability report is based on the statistics of aftershocks typical for California. This is not an exact prediction, but only a rough guide to expected aftershock activity. This probability report may be revised as more information becomes available.

Background Information About Aftershocks
Like most earthquakes, the recent earthquake is expected to be followed by numerous aftershocks. Aftershocks are additional earthquakes that occur after the mainshock and in the same geographic area. Usually, aftershocks are smaller than the mainshock, but occasionally an aftershock may be strong enough to be felt widely throughout the area and may cause additional damage, particularly to structures already weakened in the mainshock. As a rule of thumb, aftershocks of magnitude 5 and larger are considered potentially damaging.

Aftershocks are most common immediately after the mainshock; their average number per day decreases rapidly as time passes. Aftershocks are most likely to be felt in the first few days after the mainshock, but may be felt weeks, months, or even years afterwards. In general, the larger the mainshock, the longer its aftershocks will be felt.

Aftershocks tend to occur near the mainshock, but the exact geographic pattern of the aftershocks varies from earthquake to earthquake and is not predictable. The larger the mainshock, the larger the area of aftershocks. While there is no "hard" cutoff distance beyond which an earthquake is totally incapable of triggering an aftershock, the vast majority of aftershocks are located close to the mainshock. As a rule of thumb, a magnitude 6 mainshock may have aftershocks up to 10 to 20 miles away, while a magnitude 7 mainshock may have aftershocks as far as 30 to 50 miles away.

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To: U.S. West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia coastal regions
From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Subject: Tsunami Information Statement issued 07/7/2010 at 4:57PM PDT

At 4:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time on July 7, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 5.9 occurred 60 miles/97 Km northeast of San Diego, California .

The magnitude is such that a tsunami IS NOT EXPECTED. However, in coastal areas of intense shaking, locally generated tsunamis can be triggered by underwater landslides. This will be the only WCATWC message issued for this event.

The location and magnitude are based on preliminary information. Further information will be issued by the United States Geological Survey or the appropriate regional seismic network.

The following words were written by a well respected author attempting to get the Head of State of our great nation to recognize the extreme consequences associated with misuse of governmental power and authority.

The history of that Head of State is one of repeated seizures and injustices, all having the purpose of the establishing absolute power and control over the people of this country.

The author subsequently created a document which constituted a written a petition of grievances. It outlined the reasons the citizens would no longer tolerate the loss of their liberties and rights. The document was presented to that Head of State. Those grievances stated, in part:

1. "He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
2. He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
3. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
4. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws;
5. He has excited CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 9:45 pm Fillmore Shooting. Gang Related, 700 Blk "B" St: Witnesses stated they saw a dark colored sedan occupied by 4 subjects driving Southbound in the 700 blk of "B". Several shots were heard and one of two subjects (Javier Izarraraz 20 yrs) walking on the street was hit in the left leg by a bullet. He was taken to Santa Paula Hospital in stable condition. Sheriffs major crimes team responded with CSI. The suspects are at large..

UWCD and Lake Piru Operators review north day use area plans during morning tour.
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Lake Piru Pontoon Boats for rent. New docks installed and slips for over 80 vessels.
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United Water Conservation District and Recreation Resource Management (RRM) met at Lake Piru for a tour of lake and park improvements on Friday, June 25. RRM is the concessionaire for lake operations. This half day session included a tour of the lake to view recent improvements as well as discuss operations and policy matters, including much-needed improvements and review of alcohol policy.

This story is accompanying photos highlight the major site improvements. Following the tour, officials met at the Ranger’s office to discuss a number of matters. This included a discussion and refinements to alcohol-free policy that went into effect this year. There appeared to be continued support to maintain this policy in order to create and maintain a family-friendly environment at this jewel of a recreation destination.

Following this session, the Board’s Recreation Committee will report any actions for consideration by the full board in coming meetings of the full Board.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Friday, June 25 at 12:34 a.m. S101760020 - Suspicious subject Stop - 800 block 3rd Street, Fillmore - Fillmore units were on patrol in the middle of the night looking for burglars who have been active in the community when they noticed a suspicious male. They attempted to stop the subject who then ran from deputies. A foot pursuit ensued and the subject was finally caught and detained at B St. @ 4th. 18 year old Herman Uriostegui was arrested for under influence of drugs 11550, possession of narcotics 11377, possession of burglary tools 466, and resisting arrest 148 P.C.

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Director Reddy Pakala, Water and Sanitation Department, led a tour of the new $14.5 million Piru Wastewater Treatment Plant, Saturday, June 19, 2010. The day included a ribbon cutting with County Supervisor Kathy Long doing the honors. Remarks were made by Janet Bergamo, President, Piru Neighborhood Council. The Project Team included Pakala, Project Manager Eric Keller, Project Inspector Steve Jackson, Design-Build Team, Tetra Tech, and Pascal & Ludwig Constructors.

The Ventura County Waterworks District No. 16 was formed on May 8, 1972. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the District.

The district provides sanitation services to the community of Piru. It also provides potable water service to properties along Pacific Avenue.

The original wastewater treatment plant was built in 1974. Up until March 2010, the District owned and managed this secondary wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of 0.26 million gallons per day. The plant was operated and maintained by the Ventura Regional Sanitation district.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, issued a Time Schedule Order which stipulated that construction and start-up of a new wastewater treatment plant be completed by February 28, 2010.
In order to comply with the Regional Board permit requirements, the District recommended that a Design-Build approach be pursued. The Ventura County Board of Supevbisors approved the Design-Build project – a first in the County’s history. This approach enabled the district to complete the project on time and save thousand of dollars for the residents of the community.

The new Piru Wastewater Treatment plant was put into operation in February with a capacity to treat up to 0.5 MGD of wastewater.

Funding for construction of the new wastewater treatment plant was obtained by the Ventura County Public Works Agency water and Sanitation Department through a Federal Grant of $8.55 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the Economic Stimulus Bill) and approximately $6 million from a State loan through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

The Department Director and County Supervisor lobbied the State of California to provide loans for disadvantaged communities at 1% for 30 years. Loans are to be repaid from the customer sewer charges.

Roxanne Mata Hays, 35 of Fillmore, was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on Piru Canyon Road, Thursday, June 17, 2010.

Hays apparently was driving south on Lake Piru Canyon Road and missed a steep curve along the lake’s western shore. Her car plunged over a 10-foot cliff, and into the lake, and into 12-feet of water. Boaters reported the accident to authorities at about 3:05 p.m. Authorities had to break the car window to recover Hays. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy revealed Hays had died from asphyxia by drowning.

Federal and local authorities this morning arrested 13 individuals linked to mortgage fraud operations that filed fraudulent loan applications with several banks and other lenders, generated millions of dollars in loan fees and real estate commissions, and caused millions of dollars in losses when the homes went into foreclosure because the purchasers were unable to make their monthly payments.

Those arrested this morning are among 14 charged in two federal indictments that were returned last week by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles . The indictments outline schemes in which real estate professionals prepared mortgage applications that contained false information about borrowers' income, employment, assets, and intent to occupy the properties. In the first case, which names 10 defendants, investigators estimate that the conspiracy was responsible for banks funding at least $25 million in mortgages. In the second case, which names four defendants, authorities believe that banks funded at least $10 million based on fraudulent loan applications.

The defendants in these cases generated huge commissions and fees through the mortgage application process, with the largest commissions coming when the banks approved loans and paid "yield spread premiums" or "rebates" to mortgage brokers who convinced borrowers to seek high-risk "option ARM" and similar mortgages that started with low monthly payments that dramatically increased after the "teaser" period, leaving many borrowers unable to make their payments.

Today's arrests were CONTINUED »

Bill Burnett spoke to council concerning proposed business park.
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Announcements
Mayor Patti Walker thanked the Board of Supervisors for their approved $50,000 to support the transportation of youths from Piru to Fillmore’s Boys & Girl’s Club.

The Budget Workshop has been rescheduled for Tuesday July 13 at the regular City Council meeting at 6:30 pm; the budget will be available on the City website on June 28.

From the podium, Walker presented the plaque she received from Cabrillo town homes on Main Street on behalf of the efforts of past councils, the present council, and staff to bring the housing project to fruition.

City Planner Kevin McSweeney announced the upcoming Friday Farmer’s Market to be held at the northeast corner of Sespe and Central Ave, starting July 13, running from 4pm-9pm. Thirty booths will be available for rent.

The Fourth of July hot rod show put on by Fillmore & Western is expected to run as planned at Central Park.
McSweeney also noted that the City has issued only two block party permits. Though the registration deadline has passed, the City will not turn anyone away this week, but McSweeney warns that it is not possible for authorities to process many permits at the same time. Permit seekers are asked to apply by July 1.

Public Comments
Resident Dave Roegner expressed CONTINUED »

A student listens to Clara Knopfler as she speaks.
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Eighth grade students at Fillmore Middle School had a rare opportunity Tuesday May 25th. They heard the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, Clara Knopfler. As Clara related her story of life in Transylvania she emphasized she was the same age as FMS students when her country was occupied by Hungarians, Hitler‘s first allies in World War II. As she spoke the silence in the FMS gym was palpable. Eighth graders have been reading the Diary of Anne Frank in Language Arts and studying the Holocaust in their history classes. They sat mesmerized by actually hearing the history from a woman who lived it. As Clara explained, she was first made to live in the ghetto, an old brick factory with no restrooms. She was then transported to Auschwitz and later ended up in Riga concentration camp where she made gun powder for the German army. Luckily she lived through these trials with her mother at her side, Pepi Deutsch, who’s spirit led she and her daughter through the darkest times. From Riga she went to the Eastern front to dig anti-tank trenches. There she confronted a German soldier beating her mother. By the simple, but strong statement, “don’ t you have a mother?” actually got him to stop hitting her mother.

Lastly Clara and her mother were forced to CONTINUED »

Mr. Chuey Ortiz, owner of El Pescador was awarded with a Power of One certificate.
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Receiving recognition for participating in the “E-Scrip” program was (r-l) Kathy Lisle of Vons and Martin Hernandez of Super A, along with the E-Scrip coordinator Lori Dyer, and school board member Virginia De la Piedra.
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On Tuesday, June 15th the Fillmore Unified School Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting. The school year ended last week, Board President Tony Prado was not present, but school business carries on with concerned citizens asking the Board for clarifications on spending while the Board scrambles to cover it’s next payroll payment as the County claims money recently put in District accounts.

The Board heard again from Mrs. Mary Ford of Fillmore regarding concern over the situation in Piru and referred to the recent actions of Sweeney in hiring a mediator to help, but “how can the mediator do her job if these teachers are going to be moved” asked Ford. Board materials confirm that the District paid Ms. Cynthia Kings company Communication Catalysts $10,000.00 for “mediation services” over the next year. During an interview King commented that following a year end meeting with staff last week she feels the process is “Off to a good start, [emphasizing start] and I have met some wonderful people that I look forward to working with”. King was not part of the decision making process to pass the Resolution allowing the involuntary transfer of teachers from Piru School but she does intend to meet individually with all School Board members as part of the process. King will be meeting with community members in Piru and then performing “in-service” work during the upcoming school year.
Public comment continued with Fillmore resident, Ms. Ide Ramirez presenting questions to Sweeney regarding options for parents wishing to transfer students out of the District. Ramirez demanded that the District stop giving parents false information regarding their legal options. “We have been in touch with Moorpark, Ojai, Santa Paula, Ventura Unified and [they] have no recollection of denying enrollment to Fillmore [students] as a matter of fact they have asked us to give you the message that as long as they have room in their non “PI” schools they will continue to welcome FUSD [students]”. The final two public comment speakers brought questions to the Board regarding records of expenditures specifically at Piru School, for programs to benefit the students, and for facility improvement. Sweeney commented, and Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush later confirmed that $1.3 Million in projects have been applied for to go to Williams Act projects at Piru School, but that the District has been waiting for two years for the funding to be approved, although Bush did mention that he expects approval in July, the money will not come until the State releases funds. Bush emphasized that “we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars already” on Piru School facility projects - including painting and repairing asphalt which the District felt was an “immediate safety risk” - and that those dollars will be reimbursed to the District when the money arrives from the State.

In recognizing the great contribution of CONTINUED »

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As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, Fillmore residents are preparing to celebrate with BBQs and family get-togethers. Unfortunately, these celebrations can quickly turn disastrous, especially when children and teenagers are injured while discharging fireworks. Common sense and wise judgment are paramount to a safe holiday celebration.

The City of Fillmore Fire Department wants to ensure that Fillmore citizens enjoy a safe Fourth of July holiday. Residents are reminded that California State Fire Marshal approved “safe and sane” fireworks sold in Fillmore are legal between June 28 12:00pm – July 5 12:00pm The use of any type of non-approved firework is illegal and will result in criminal charges and fines in excess of $1,000. If you witness any illegal activity in the Fillmore area please report it. Please call 805-524-1500 ext. 350 with any information you can provide. An illegal fireworks enforcement team dedicated to responding to fireworks related calls for service will be on hand to insure violations are resolved both quickly and safely.

Below are several safety tips to insure you and your family enjoy a safe Independence Day celebration.
Fire Safety
• If you witness a crime or fire in progress involving illegal fireworks, call your local authorities by dialing 9-1-1.
• Only Safe and Sane fireworks bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal are legal in California. All other fireworks, including altered Safe and Sane fireworks and those that explode or leave the ground are illegal.
• Kids should not play with fireworks. Fireworks are intended for use by adults in open spaces with plenty of active supervision for every child present.
• Always have a bucket of water on hand to dispose of fireworks and a hose connected to water ready in case of fire.
• Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. Teach your children what to do if their clothing catches on fire — “stop, drop and roll” — and how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.