Dave Roegner, advocate for rent control within the El Dorado Mobile Home Park, addressed the council Tuesday night, regarding an initiative.
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The City Council met Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. The most controversial items under discussion were the "Fair Rent and Homeownership Initiative", possible uses of the former ice cream parlor, and Addendum #37 to the Water Recycling Project. Postal workers expressed concerns regarding a proposed consolidation of services.
The Council authorized the City Attorney to cooperate with the California League of Cities, and other cities and counties, to challenge any seizure by the State of California of the City's street maintenance funds. Fillmore will support litigation if necessary.

After much discussion, the Council ordered an Initiative report on the potential impacts of the "Fair Rent and Homeownership Initiative". The Initiative report will include in-house analysis of the Initiative's potential impact, and the Council authorized up to $8000 to be spent on a consultant to analyze the Initiative's financial impact on the City. Council Member Jamey Brooks had not wanted to spend that much, but City staff explained that financial impact would be complex, and they would be unable to provide an accurate detailed analysis of the financial impact. The Council voted unanimously for the report, but Jamey Brooks and Steve Conaway voted against allocating the $8000 and were outvoted. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Monday June 22, at 10:30 am, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies Cadman and Meixner made contact with the driver of a blue Nissan Path Finder in front of the 800 block of A Street. When Deputy Cadman asked the driver for his identification, the driver ran from the vehicle into a near-by residence. Deputies Cadman and Meixner chased the driver into the residence. While chasing the suspect, Deputies Cadman and Meixner contacted additional subjects that were involved in criminal conduct. Deputy Meixner detained the subjects while Deputy Cadman continued chasing the fleeing driver through the house and into the backyards of local residences.

Two of the subjects in the house displayed signs of being under the influence of acontrolled substance. Matthew Duenas, 21 and Brina Salas, 41, were both arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Salas also had three outstanding warrants for her arrest for prior drug related charges.

During the same time, additional deputies located and detained the fleeing driver, later identified as Marshall Perez, 32. Perez was under the influence of a controlled substance and had methamphetamine in his possession. Perez was arrested for 148(a)(1) PC/ Resist, obstruct or delay of a peace officer, 11377(a) H&S/ Possession of a controlled substance and 11550(a) H&S/ Under the influence of a controlled substance.

The three suspects were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The Ventura County Sheriff’s
Department and Fillmore Police Department wants to recognize all the local citizens who assisted in the search and arrest of these suspects. With partnership efforts like this, we will make the community a safer place to live and work.

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The Fourth of July is just around the corner. Here is a list of the booth locations: Chamber of Commerce, east of 1149 Ventura St.; Christian Praise Assembly, 955 W. Ventura St.; Fillmore Athletic Booster Club, 725 Ventura St.; Fillmore Future Farmers of America Booster Club, Lot #14 Telegraph Rd. (E. Hwy 126 & El Dorado); Fillmore High School Athletic Boosters, Ventura Street & A Street (Balden Town Plaza); Fillmore Historical Museum, 725 Ventura St. (Super A Foods Center; Fillmore Lions Club, 1462 W. Ventura St.; Fillmore Senior Center, 251 Telegraph Rd (vacant lot); Fillmore Women’s Service Club, 446 Ventura St. (Margaret’s Restaurant); Fillmore Youth Football, 460 Ventura St.; First Assembly of God Church, 251 Telegraph Rd.; Maranatha Fellowship, 131 E. Telegraph Rd.; Piru 4-H, 501 Central Ave. (NW Corner of Ventura & Central); Rotary Club of Fillmore Noontime, 613 W. Ventura St.; Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers, 908 Ventura St. (McDonalds); Sespe 4-H, 1049 Ventura St.; St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1048 W. Ventura St.; VC Search & Rescue, NW corner of Los Serenos & Ventura St.; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 9637), 502 Ventura St.; Santa Clara Valley Grange, 251 Telegraph Rd.; Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society, SW corner Ventura St., & C Street; Fillmore Church of Christ, Balden Towne Plaza (VONS); Fillmore Girls Softball, 572 W Ventura St., (Balden Town Plaza-Burger King).
Have a Safe & Sane Fourth of July!

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT OTHER
06/14/09
600 Block Ventura Street
06/17/09
1000 Block Ventura Street
BURGLARY
06/17/09
500 Block Sespe Avenue
BATTERY
06/11/09
500 Block Sespe Avenue
06/11/09
600 Block Ventura Street
THEFT VEHICLE
06/13/09
4th St. / B. Street CONTINUED »

Gregorio Aguilar

“I just killed my first man.” Those were the chilling words of Gregorio Aguilar, 19, of Fillmore, according to the testimony of Adam Solorio at Aguilar’s June 2 preliminary hearing for murder.

Under oath Solorio testified that Aguilar didn’t think Ventura Circle K clerk Sean Odle, 30, was taking him seriously during the December 26 attempted robbery. Solorio said Aguilar told him that Odle made a face like he was “making fun” of him. He also testified that Aguilar pulled the trigger, realized the safety was on, released the safety and fired, killing Odle with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Odle was shot about 4:25 a.m., and taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he died.

Solorio wore a concealed recording devise and testified in exchange for leniency in connection with January 2009 charges of residential burglary, grand theft auto and receiving stolen property. He stated that he and Aguilar drank alcohol and smoked marijuana together and committed the residential burglary. CONTINUED »

At Tuesday’s council meeting Public Works Director Bert Rapp noted that the construction of the City’s Reclaimed Water Transmission and Distribution System was delayed at FMS in order to receive bids within budget and save money. According to Rapp’s memo to the Council, “Amendment # 2 provides a time extension for Substantial Completion from August 4th to August 28th.” American Water is still responsible for and expects to meet the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board’s water quality requirements by its September 9, 2009 deadline. Rapp’s memo states, “There is a cost savings to the City of about $50,000 associated with approving contract Amendment # 2 because of the avoidance of the importation, processing and disposal cost of additional biosolids.”

Fillmore City Council held a joint meeting with the Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Together, they heard an update on the possibility of building baseball fields at Two Rivers Park, discussed the Aquatics Facility construction delays, and considered converting the old Water Treatment Plant into a park area with observation points. Then the Council approved Amendment #2 to the Service Contract between the City of Fillmore and American Water for the Water Recycling Facility, received a report on the new budget management system under development, and heard an update on the City’s affordable housing distressed home purchase plan.
Public Works Director Bert Rapp explained that when the City contracted out the development of Two Rivers Park, there was not enough money to pay for the three desired baseball fields. It was hoped that near the end of the project, contingency funds would become available to install baseball facilities. Rapp estimated that only $150,000 would be available and suggested that it would be unwise to re-allocate that money before September. He presented a Community Works Design Group Preliminary Cost Estimate showing that constructing three basic baseball fields would cost over $483,000. That includes backstops, fences, bases, and clay, but does not include dugouts, bleachers, or lighting. Various members of both bodies spoke about the importance of having the fields completed with at least basic facilities. Steve Conaway said that he thought $150,000 of DIF funds might be available to augment the contingency money. The Commission and Council agreed to work with local sports organizations, especially Little League, to find out whether money is available through grants. The City might contribute a permanent Little League field in order to obtain construction money through grants. Currently Little League rents fields from schools at $10 per hour, and spends over $8,500 annually.

Replacement of a drain in the children's play structure at the Aquatics Center could delay the start of recreational swimming or close the pool for two weeks in July. The replacement part will arrive June 30th, but the demolition involved in the repair will take 5-7 working days, resulting in up to two weeks of construction, according to the latest estimates. The Council directed staff to find out whether the pool could remain open with reduced capacity during that time. Lap swimming and water aerobics classes are already available. Lifeguards hired to supervise recreational swimming will be finished with training by June 26th. CONTINUED »

According to California Highway Patrol reports, Ricardo Briseno, 27 of Fillmore, died Monday morning as a result of crashing his car into a drainage ditch adjacent to Highway 126 near Fillmore.
Apparently no one witnessed the 5 a.m. accident, which was reported more than a half-hour after the incident. Briseno was headed east on Highway 126 when his vehicle left the south side of the roadway, spun around on a dirt shoulder, hit a sign post before skidding across five lanes, colliding with a guard rail, and landing in a drainage ditch.
The cause of the crash is not known. Briseno is reported to have been wearing a seat belt. He suffered massive blunt-force trauma and internal injuries, and had to be freed from the wreckage by Ventura County Fire Department personnel. Briseno was pronounced dead at 7:48 a.m. at Santa Paula Hospital.

Sunday is Flag Day in the United States. It is a time when all Americans should take time to reflect and ponder on what exactly our flag means and symbolizes. On June 14, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson, upon declaring Flag Day a holiday, reminded the nation, "This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us - speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it." In recent history, the flag has been considered as an inspiration to those brave souls who risked everything for their country, family, and freedom. One of the most prominent features in the famous painting by Emanuel Leutze of Washington crossing the Delaware on Christmas Day of 1776 is that of the flag accompanying the patriots into battle. In the War of 1812 Francis Scott Key recorded from the deck of a British Navy ship, "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." During the long and bloody Civil War the troops on both sides were led into battle by soldiers carrying their respective flags. As long as the soldiers could see the flags they were inspired to fight on. If the flag bearer was killed, another soldier would pick it up and proceed forward rallying the troops to press on. If a flag was captured by the adversary it was a sign that the battle was lost. In February of 1945, a contingent of United States Marines landed upon the beaches of Iwo Jima a small but strategically important island in the Pacific Ocean. The ensuing battle resulted in one of the bitterest and costly battles of World War II. Approximately 7,000 Marines lost their lives with another 20,000 being wounded. The heroism shown by these men is unparalleled in American history. Twenty-seven men were awarded Medals of Honor for their actions. As these gallant men from our Greatest Generation fought their way to the top of the highest point on the island, Mount Suribachi, they found a twenty-foot section of pipe and attached the flag to it which they raised for all to see - both friend and foe. The photograph taken of the flag flying freely in the breeze on Mount Suribachi would become a monument to those men and would inspire those in the service of this country for the remainder of that war and all those since then. When fallen patriots are returned home to their final resting places, their caskets are accompanied by a military escort and are draped with the flag for which they made the ultimate sacrifice. Prior to the interment that flag is presented to the family from a grateful nation as a token of its gratitude. That flag is not merely a brightly colored piece of cloth - it is a symbol of everything that we as Americans stand for - it is a monument to all of those who fought and died to preserve our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. It is a monument that should be protected from desecration just the same as the monuments that mark the graves of our fallen heroes. We would never tolerate the desecration of the Lincoln Memorial or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and should never allow the desecration of our flag which is, among other things, a memorial to the over one million Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep it flying proudly and free. As an unknown author aptly stated, "The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner."

Fillmore City Council met on June 9th. The Council honored local firefighters and passerby who saved a man's life, slightly raised garbage service rates, approved the first steps of what could become an affordable housing distressed home purchase program, discussed the completion of the Water Treatment Facility, prepared for July 4th, and approved contracts for publishing legal notices in local newspapers.

Mayor Patti Walker, on behalf of the Council, commended David Brown, Jose Mendez, Martin Lopez, and Benjamin Pratt for performing emergency CPR. Together they saved the life of a 19-year-old jogger who had collapsed and was not breathing. The jogger's parents were present, expressed their gratitude, and said that he would come home on Thursday.

The Council approved a fee adjustment rate increase effective July 1, 2009 for Santa Clara Disposal Services. Standard Residential service will increase from $23.30 per month to $24.12 per month. Standard Commercial service will increase from $144.66 per month to $148.57 per month. In general, the increase is 3.52 % for residential customers and 2.7 % for commercial customers. The increase will cover increased operational expenses, including an increase in tipping fees at the landfill. CONTINUED »

FHS Teacher Matt Dollar and FHS Retiring Counselor Al Arguelles. FHS students had elected Dollar High School Teacher of the Year and Arguelles High School Staff Member of the Year.

The Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting was held June 2, 2009. The meeting was a striking mix of celebration and sadness, as the Board honored retirees, awarded “Be the Change” certificates, heard about preparations for the Fillmore High School (FHS) Graduation June 4th, heard a teacher and student presentation on the robotics program, and reviewed plans for the budget. On the good side, FUSD has just acquired three new school buses for only $20,000 thanks to an Air Quality Control Board grant. On the bad side, FUSD will barely be able to meet June payroll. As part of the consent agenda, the Board approved a Personnel Order which included New Employees Rosemarie Hibler and Leticia Ramos, who will be the Principals of Sespe School and Piru School, respectively.

The Board awarded “Be the Change” certificates to FHS Teacher Matt Dollar and FHS Retiring Counselor Al Arguelles. FHS students had elected Dollar High School Teacher of the Year and Arguelles High School Staff Member of the Year. Board President John Garnica said that the two had changed FHS for the better.
The Board honored the District’s retirees and presented them with certificates and small gifts. The Retirees are: Judith Clark, Tony Held, Al Arguelles, Robyn Arguelles, Ruth Prado, Harry Burns, Ann Reynolds, Carolyn Diaz, Rosa Supina, Geri Lunde, Margaret Giblin, and Marv Kwit. Most of the Retirees were present. Several said that their work had been an honor. Board President John Garnica characterized their contributions as “tremendous” and “incredible”. CONTINUED »

Betty Carpenter presents Jan Marholin, Principal of San Cayetano Elementary School, with the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award for the dedication, devotion and significant impact she has made on the lives of students, school and community.

The Soroptimist International of Fillmore honored Jan Marholin, Principal of San Cayetano Elementary School, with the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award for the dedication, devotion and significant impact she has made on the lives of students, school and community.

The award acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional actitivies, are working to improve the lives of women and girls and is the most prestigious award given by the Soroptimist.

In her five years as principal, Ms. Marholin has modeled the character traits. She is an excellent female model. She works with the staff of 45 as a team and keeps moral high. She is positive, thoughtful, respectful and thinks "outside of the box". When her school needed new sod for the play areas, she teamed with Soroptimist and the Melodrama director and cast, sold tickets which paid for the sod. She works hard not only to provide excellent education for the youth, but to have the teaching occur in a clean, well maintained campus. At a time when monies are increasingly scarce, she has had to be resourceful. CONTINUED »

Jeff Sweeney
Superintendent Fillmore Unified School District

It is hard to believe the end of the 2008-2009 school year is here. I believe that this has been an exciting and productive year and I sincerely hope that each of you feels the same. I have seen several positive changes as I look around the District. I trust you have seen the changes to each of our facilities. Work was completed at the FHS stadium, giving the school and community a state-of-the-art facility. In addition, FHS was painted and Piru is in the final stages of fresh paint and a new technology infrastructure. New playground equipment was installed at Sespe and new fences installed at Mountain Vista. And, by the time the new school year begins on August 19, FMS will have a brand new field that will be watered by a recycled water project funded by the City.
There has been growth in other areas, too. The following highlights represent a few of our accomplishments over the course of this school year:
San Cayetano Elementary School participated in a robotics competition and had two student teams finish first and fourth overall.
San Cayetano’s Principal, Jan Marholin, was recognized for excellence by the local Soroptimists and the County’s administrative organization.
Fillmore High School received a six year accreditation via the WASC process. CONTINUED »