Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board held the open session of its regular meeting October 7, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board heard an update from two school principals, discussed a Business Math Course, noted that volunteers are needed for the Bond Oversight Committee, and started a re-negotiation of the City-FUSD Joint Use Agreement.

At a previous Board meeting, the school principals reported on student achievement and school plans to increase student achievement. At this most recent meeting, Katy Hadley, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, announced that smaller groups of principals would continue to report at Board meetings to provide updates on student achievement, English learning, discipline and safety, and parental involvement.

San Cayetano Elementary School Principal Jan Marholin and Mountain Vista Elementary School Principal Chrissy Schieferle spoke about Response to Intervention (RTI), which is a data-based early intervention method, and teacher collaboration. San Cayetano and Mountain Vista both have "Program Improvement" (PI) status under the "No Child Left Behind" Act. San Cayetano is a PI 3 school, because it is in its third year of PI and Mountain Vista is a PI 1 school. PI schools must spend 10% of their Title I money on staff professional development. Marholin and Schieferle expect teachers to work out how to implement their professional development training during collaboration meetings. They require teachers to identify specific students that are having difficulty and expect instruction techniques to be adjusted for those children, so that the students will have progressed by the next meeting. Marholin meets with her teachers by grade-level every four weeks, and has arranged for three teachers each month to spend one day visiting other classrooms. Schieferle holds progress meetings every five weeks, and plans to visit a high-achieving school in Moorpark with her leadership teams, which include representatives from each grade. Teachers have collaboration time each week. CONTINUED »

United States Army Private Joanathan “Jon” Gerlach.

Joanathon “Jon” Gerlach, 18 years, is a 2008 graduate of Fillmore High School. Jon entire education was within the Fillmore Unified School District where he also attended San Cayetano Elementary School and Fillmore Middle School.

Jon enlisted in the United States Army in June 2008 right after graduation. His mother is Barbara Gerlach of Piru and his siblings are brother Niles Gerlach 31, of Piru and sister, Andrea Rodriguez 28, of Fillmore. Maternal Grandparents are Jack Sivils of Lake Isabella, California and the late Bonnie Sivils. Grandfather Sivils worked most of his life on the Vanonni Ranch in Saticoy. Jon’s Paternal Grandparents are the late Rudolph and Doris Gerlach of Ventura. Growing up Jon enjoyed wrestling and he loved basketball, a sport his Mother tells me he would play for hours. When Jon enlisted in the Army he knew he wanted to make the Army a career and he enlisted for 4 years. His goal is to become an Army Ranger.

United States Army Private Joanathan Gerlach graduated on Friday, September 12th at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. While he was in Basic Training he was assigned to Charlie Company 2-13 Infantry 3rd Platoon, Sky Reapers. At graduation he received a Marksmanship medal for his proficiency with a firearm. He will receive twenty-five weeks of advanced specialty training in Computer Detection Systems at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After completing this training he will then transfer to Fort Benning, Georgia for four weeks of Army Airborne Training. It is then expected that he will then be deployed. Private Gerlach is the first in his immediate family to enlist in the Army; however, his Grandfather Rudolph Gerlach was with the Merchant Marines during WWII and Uncle Rudy Gerlach was with United States Army’s 173rd Airborne and is a Vietnam Veteran.

Mother Barbara Gerlach and Private Gerlach’s fiancée Carmen Barocio attended Private Gerlach’s Basic Training Graduation. Jon and Carmen plan to marry this December. His Mother tells me, "He loved basic training!" She also told me, “I'm so very proud of Joanathan, as I am with all my children, they are good, kind hard working people. I'm also a proud Grandmother of 6 with 2 more on the way!”

All of us in the communities of Fillmore and Piru wish United States Army Private Joanathan “Jon” Gerlach safe travel, a successful career in the United States Army and we thank him and his family for their sacrifices to keep the United States strong.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Friday, September 26, 2008, at about 3:30 p.m. Sheriff’s patrol deputies and investigators arrested Sergio Anguiano 32, and Alexis Ferreira Vasquez 26, residents of Los Angeles, for attempting to sell fake gold jewelry to a local Fillmore business.

The event began at about 1:50 p.m. when Anguiano and Vasquez entered the business located in the 300 Block of Central Avenue in Fillmore.

The two offered to sell gold necklaces to the business employee. The employee was aware of scams where fake gold is sold by thieves as real gold and suspected the necklaces Anguiano and Vasquez were selling were fake. The employee called the police, at which time Vasquez fled while Anguiano remained at the business.

Sheriff’s deputies and investigators arrived at the business and their investigation led to the arrest of Anguiano and Vasquez and the discovery of 27 pieces of fake gold jewelry Anguiano and Vasquez intended on selling to unsuspecting victims. The jewelry included necklaces, bracelets, rings and medallions made of copper and other inexpensive metals. Anguiano and Vasquez were booked into the county jail and charged with felony commercial burglary.

The public is reminded to beware of this and similar scams that include the offering of fake gold bars and/or fake lottery tickets for sale or trade. Any such incidents should be immediately reported to the local police.

Everyone enjoyed their BBQ.
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Fillmore City Council and Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) School Board held a joint meeting September 30, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the School Farm. The Council and Board are working together to promote health, share resources, provide public access to a track, restrain street vendors, and honor individuals for their military service.

The Council and Board approved a proclamation declaring October 8, 2008, as Walk to School/Work Day in Fillmore. This is the first event sponsored by Fillmore's Wellness Committee. Fillmore Middle School (FMS) Assistant Principal Tricia Godfrey explained that this project is the result of collaboration between the City and FUSD. The idea is to promote physical activity, and for those who live too far away to walk to school or work, the Fillmore High School (FHS) track will be open for supervised walking before school starts on October 8th. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney will participate by walking to each school except Piru. Police Captain Tim Hagel will provide extra patrols for walkers' safety.

City and FUSD staffers had met to re-evaluate their joint use agreements regarding facilities and equipment. There are three such agreements: one for Mountain Vista, one for the pool, and a general agreement that includes the FMS gym being used for community basketball. Other shared items include the Senior Center, the Boys and Girls Club, and tree chippers. Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush said that FUSD staffers are gathering data about costs. According to Ristau, the agreements were reviewed four years ago and determined to be equitable. FUSD and the City will review the data to determine whether the agreements are still equitable, and will make adjustments next year if necessary. Mayor Steve Conaway commended both parties for creating such a beneficial arrangement and maintaining it through open communication and a willingness to work through issues.

Board Member Virginia De La Piedra wants to honor Fillmore residents in active military service with banners hung throughout town. Deputy City Manager Bill Bartels suggested that, because banners are susceptible to sun damage, engraved bricks arranged in an area in front of City Hall would be a less expensive option. Bartels stated that there are only 43 poles available for hanging banners, and there will be 35 to 55 people honored. Banners would have to be rotated, unless two could be hung on each pole. Council Members Patti Walker and Laurie Hernandez expressed a preference for banners instead of bricks. The Council voted to hang banners. Names will be gathered by application, and the applicants will be required to pay for the banners, but the city will hang and maintain the banners. The banners will go to the military person's family at the end of his or her active service or after a predetermined amount of time. Costs and design are still being determined. CONTINUED »

For many years, a modern, state of the art track and field was just a dream for the athletic youth of our City. Fillmore High School, the site of both the new and old facilities, was rated as the worst athletic facility in the County, in part due to the poor condition of the football field from over usage. Last year, CIF officials gave two visiting teams the option of having Fillmore forfeit their games rather than play on the badly degraded turf. The dream became a reality in April of this year when work commenced on a new field that boasts artificial turf manufactured with the latest anti-microbial materials, all weather track, new, improved lighting, extensive drainage system, refurbished sound system, landscaping and thanks to the Fillmore Lions Club, a brand new scoreboard!

Although still in need of some final touches, including correction of blemishes on the track surfaces and lane line painting (scheduled for early 2009 in between football and soccer season), the facility opened to an ecstatic staff and student body in early August. However, by August 19, due to the high cost of repairs from inappropriate use, vandalism and trespassing, the Board of Education felt compelled to limit field use to the Fillmore Unified School District and for Community Facility Permit access only. Organizations that wish to use the facility must apply in advance, pay a permit fee and show the appropriate insurance naming the School District as “additional insured”. Furthermore, a District staff member will provide on-site supervision at every function. Costs are $125 per hour for non-profit organizations and $300 per hour for semi-pro use, similar to Ventura College, Ventura and Conejo School District rates. There is an additional $95 charge for lights. Previously negotiated season rates will remain in effect throughout their current seasons. Total income this year from permitting fees was not available in time for printing. There is no charge for school related activities day or night, however if nighttime electricity use becomes too costly, it might become necessary to address scheduling changes. Operating costs are paid by the FUSD through the General Fund.

Destructive incidents have decreased with limited access, however, gum and stroller wheel marks have been found on the track as well as sunflower seeds in the artificial turf, presenting maintenance and health issues. The track and field requires maintenance in a similar fashion as carpet with every incident. Trespassing is still an issue. However, a sub group of the FUSD and the City Council are meeting to explore options of creating track venues with open access. Suggestions have included installing a crushed brick track at the Middle School and/or a longer path at the new park. CONTINUED »

Corporal Ray Alvarado, a vehicle commander assigned to Weapons Company, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and a Fillmore, Calif., native, fires a Javelin missile at enemy targets during an assault on a Taliban-held compound August 28, 2008.
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The other day, I received a phone call from the stepfather of United States Marine Corps Corporal Ray Alvarado-Ponce, Fred Ponce, that his son had been combat meritoriously promoted to his current rank at Camp Barber, Afghanistan on August 31, 2008. As you may recall back in April of this year I had a phone conversation with the then 20 year old United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ray Alvarado-Ponce as I was preparing an article about his deployment to Afghanistan. Then Lance Corporal Alvarado-Ponce was about to leave his family, in about four hours after we would hang up the phone, to return to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms located near 29 Palms, California for preparations to leave for his second tour to the Middle East.

Corporal Ray Alvarado-Ponce is assigned to a reinforced infantry battalion of approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors, 2/7 deployed from the Marine Air Ground Combat Training Center at Twenty-Nine Palms, to Afghanistan in early April to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The battalion, now considered a task force, is supported by various attachments to include soldiers, airmen, National Guardsmen and civilian contractors who specialize in police operations. The Marine unit is currently conducting full spectrum and counterinsurgency operations with a focus on police mentoring of the Afghan National Police. CONTINUED »

Fillmore Police Chief Tim Hagel had good news to report to the city council at Tuesday’s regular meeting; Crime statistics for Fillmore were down signifi cantly.

Fillmore City Council held a meeting September 23, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Council accepted and discussed a status report on the City's 2008 Goals. City staffers also reported on Lemon Way and the FEMA map controversy.

City Manager Tom Ristau provided the quarterly status report on the 18 goals that the Council had adopted in December 2007. Police Captain Tim Hagel pointed out a decline in crime over the past six months. Battery has dramatically decreased. He indicated that Fillmore is statistically safer than similar size cities in Ventura County. Hagel credits the School Resource Officers, the gang unit, and the maintenance of probation searches. City staff is preparing paperwork for the Brine Water Softener Buyback Program. Public Works Director Bert Rapp expects the program to start in October. Council Member Scott Lee criticized the status update on the "Town Theater Success" Goal. He said that the report does not accurately reflect the reality of that situation. Lee noted that the City has had the theater for ten years, the theater is not breaking even, and he wonders how long the City can support the theater in its current situation. Council Member Patti Walker asked, as part of the "Open Accessible, Responsive Government" Goal, that Council meeting minutes be placed online and that online documents be searchable. Lee said that the Senior Center should be included under the "Expand Recreation Programs and Facilities" Goal. Rapp mentioned that the City is replacing a 1920's water main that runs from Sespe to Highway 126. He said that replacing waterlines is expensive, but the old iron pipes are gradually being replaced. Mayor Steve Conaway congratulated the citizens of Fillmore on their soon-to-be-constructed tennis courts, which are costing only $1.25 per parcel per month. He was also pleased with the progress on the pool, park, and storm drain projects. Conaway noted that the goals are good and said, "We are investing in Fillmore's future." The entire Goals 2008 Status Report can be found on the City's website as part of the City Council Meeting Packet for 9-23-08 (http://www.fillmoreca.com/doc_download.htm). CONTINUED »

“Sales Tax Revenue Sharing”, the phrase is becoming a common one as things progress concerning the City of Fillmore’s arrangements to split its share of the sales tax revenue rebate with three consultant firms contracted to bring new businesses into town. To recap, California cities are rebated 1% of all sales taxes collected in their cities. MTS Consulting LLC, Inspired Development LLC and Ryan and Co., retain agreements with the City of Fillmore to relocate retail businesses to our town in exchange for 85% of the 1% rebated dollars, generated by those businesses. The consulting firms then share their portion with the individual contracted businesses. Unanimously voted in by a previous City Council including Mayor Evaristo Barajas, Mayor Pro-tem Ernie Villegas, Cecilia Cuevas, Ken Smedley and Patti Walker, the City has benefited from this practice since 2003. It also has the endorsement of the present City Council and Administration officials. Nevertheless, Fillmore is the only city of record in the State to practice Sales Tax Revenue Sharing in this specific manner.

The issue was publicized this summer when the City of Livermore, after researching the cause for a substantial decrease in their sales tax rebates, filed complaints with the State Board of Equalization (BOE), against Fillmore. Livermore is home to one of four warehouse/sales offices in California; of Virginia based Fortune Five Hundred company Owens and Minor, a leading medical/surgical supplier. City of Industry, location of a second warehouse/sales office joined in the complaint. Both cities, declaring that business is going on as usual at their locations, take a position that the agreement between Fillmore, MTS Consulting and Owens and Minor is depriving their cities of their rightful taxes, by diverting sales through Owens and Minor’s office in the Gurolla Building on Sespe Avenue.

On September 8, 2008, the Cities of Livermore and Industry took the issue a step further by filing a claim against the City of Fillmore and all members past and present of the Fillmore City Council beginning in 2000. Various past and present City officials; City Manager Tom Ristau, Finance Director Barbara Smith, Administrative Services Manager Steve McClary, Roy Payne, and others yet to be identified are included as well. The claim accuses the three consultant services and several affiliated businesses registered in Fillmore, of establishing sham sales/purchasing offices in Fillmore with the intention of diverting sales tax revenues from other cities. It should be noted that a claim, though a legal instrument, might or might not be a precursor to a lawsuit.
From its’ inception in 2003 through 2007, the “Sales Tax Revenue Sharing” program alone has grossed $9,994,260 in rebated sales tax. The City’s 15% share of these rebates, nearly $1,500,000, was appropriated to the Reserve General Fund, and earmarked for additional law enforcement services. Additionally, a portion of these funds will offset some construction expenses of the new 22-acre community park. CONTINUED »

Fillmore's Planning Commission held a meeting September 17, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Community Development Director Kevin McSweeney updated the Commission on various projects throughout the city.

The Commission approved changes to the plans for the upcoming Longs Drugstore, which will be located in a shopping center to be built on the corner of C Street and Highway 126. Longs will have two drive-thru windows. The inner drive-thru will access a bank-style window in the side of the building and can be used for pharmacy consults as well as prescription pick-ups. The outer drive-thru will access a pneumatic tube that customers can use to drop off prescriptions. Allowing two drive-thru windows, instead of one, will significantly reduce the number of cars waiting in line. The Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Longs to sell alcohol, and adjusted a previously poorly-described lot line so that the store would sit on its own parcel.
The Commission discussed a Right-to-Farm Ordinance, which would protect agricultural businesses from nuisance suits by their neighbors. The Ordinance was modeled after a Ventura County law that applies to neighborhoods on County land. The Ordinance would require that in agricultural areas realtors notify potential purchasers and users of land about potential nuisances resulting from area agriculture. Nuisances could include dust, noise, insects, smells, and chemical exposure. The County Agricultural Commissioner would mediate nuisance disputes between farmers and nearby residents. As City Attorney Ted Schneider wrote in the relevant memo, "right-to-farm ordinances mainly serve to inform and educate residents about the local value of agriculture." The Commission recommended that the City Council approve the Ordinance at the next Council meeting.

McSweeney notified the Commission that the pool and skate-park are on schedule. The Groves wants to change its zoning so that it can harbor a fast-food place instead of a restaurant. Many retail and residential projects are moving forward.

Last week Mayor Steve Conaway and Mayor Pro Tem Cecilia Cuevas achieved significant progress with FEMA over proposed new floodplain regulations that may have required most Fillmore homeowners to purchase costly flood insurance.

In a conference call held September 18 that included Fillmore, County and other local officials, FEMA agreed to the removal of a new flood zone designation that would have covered most of Fillmore. On May 30 FEMA published a draft Flood Insurance Rate Map that if adopted next year would have required most Fillmore homeowners to purchase flood insurance at a cost of about $100 per month.

FEMA had two reasons for the proposed flood zone designations. First, FEMA asserted that an automatic, mechanical flood gate was needed in the Sespe Creek Levee gap for the railroad cut-through. Second, FEMA proposed to negate the entire two miles of the Sespe Creek levee due to floodwaters expected to encroach onto the levee’s freeboard in a major flood.

In the conference call, Mayor Conaway and Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas gained concessions from newly appointed FEMA Region 9 Engineering Director Kathleen Schaefer to allow the continued use of the aluminum stop logs in the railroad cut-through of the Sespe Creek Levee instead of requiring installation of an automatic flood gate, provided that documentation and analysis be provided to FEMA to support that adequate and timely installation procedures are in place for installation of the stop logs.

With regard to FEMA negating the entire two miles of the Sespe Creek Levee due to encroaching floodwaters at the Hwy. 126 bridge, Director Schaefer indicated that she would allow the Ventura County Watershed Protection District to apply to provisionally accredit the Sespe Creek Levee. This will allow another year for submitting an engineering analysis to determine more accurately how much of the levee may be accredited and what portions, if any, will not be accredited until a retrofit is completed.

With these new concessions from FEMA, Mayor Conaway says he “is optimistic that when the revised FEMA maps are released the number of homes required to obtain flood insurance will be reduced by 80 percent or more”. Mayor Pro Tem Cuevas indicated that the “draft floodway through the western half of Fillmore should now be removed because FEMA has agreed to acknowledge the stop logs in the railroad gap and the sufficiency of the upper portions of the Sespe Creek Levee.” If the floodway had been adopted, homeowners in western portions of Fillmore could not have been allowed to make room additions, finance their homes, or be issued building permits on empty lots.

Fillmore Public Works Director Bert Rapp said he is “pleased with progress made by Conaway and Cuevas, but there is still at least a year or two of hard work ahead of us with FEMA to resolve the possible flooding issues ”I am confident all of the areas of Flood Zone A can be eliminated so no one will have to purchase flood insurance,” Rapp said.

Ventura County is no stranger to wind machines. The 30 to 40 foot structures resembling windmills have been part of our farming landscape for many decades. They were designed and installed, primarily to prevent crops from freezing, warming the air during cold snaps in wintertime. Bob Hammond, retired educator, Anglican minister and third generation owner of Hammond Family Ranch, inherited one of these ancient structures along with his nine-acre citrus ranch located on Chambersburg Road in Bardsdale.

Early last July, Hammond read an article in Central Coast Farm Bureau Magazine concerning wind turbines. Specifically designed to harness energy from wind, they are similarly structured with towers and propellers, resembling wind machines. He began thinking about utilizing his existing tower and converting his wind machine into a productive, clean energy maker, to help power his farming operation, cut ever rising costs, and help preserve the environment all at the same time. After contacting Prevailing Wind Power Inc., a Redondo Beach firm, specializing in state-of-the-art, turnkey, turbine solutions, Bob Hayes, a representative of the company visited him. Hayes explained that wind power is the fastest growing energy sector, and how wind turbines help to reduce costs and traditional energy usage from gas and electric driven generators, recharging stations for battery-powered farm equipment, and in rural locations, homes, barns and out buildings. Both men toured the property and Hayes determined that the prevailing winds were sufficient to power his company’s smaller model. That model is 12 feet in diameter and sits atop a 40-foot tower, generates 500-700 kilowatt-hours per month and carries a price tag of $14,500. Hammond was convinced, especially after Hayes informed him of the State’s substantial rebate of $4,200.

The next phase should have been easy. Hayes phoned the Ventura County Planning Department for information on the permitting process and fees for wind turbine installation. He was advised by the planning office, that wind turbines require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), carrying a fee of $1500. He personally visited the Planning Department, and was shocked to find that Ventura County not only required Planning fees, but Administrative, Environmental, Public Works and Building and Safety fees as well, initially totaling $5,651. However, that was not all. He was also informed that the Planning and Public Works fees were merely deposits, and upon completion of the project, the final, total fees could be closer to $10,000, with no certainty that approval would be granted. Before he left, he learned the process could take months or even years. This is a far cry from Hayes’ claim that State guidelines, practiced in other California counties such as San Diego County, require a permit fee of $42 for wind turbines, installed on any parcel, one acre or more, and are issued over the counter. (Still other counties charge several hundred dollars for CUP fees and may take several weeks for application.) Hayes also says, “State law says that a non-urban lot of an acre or more is allowed to put up a small wind turbine, but Ventura County zoning does not abide by that law.” CONTINUED »

Five passengers in a sedan driven by Fillmore resident Gerardo Villa, 32, were killed in a collision with a power pole Tuesday about 5 a.m.

The California Highway Patrol identified the deceased as Guillermo Aguiniga, 29; Juan Carlos Gallardo, 34; his brother Miguel Gallardo, 23; Horacio Sanchez, 23; and Raul Fletes, 43.

All 5 passengers were ejected from the vehicle at the time of impact. Only the driver was wearing a seat belt.
An Edison Company crew found the accident scene about 6:00 a.m. when responding to a power outage. Guiberson Road was closed to traffic for approximately 5 hours.

According to CHP reports, Villa, the only survivor of the accident, was treated at the Ventura County Medical Center for undisclosed injuries. He was later arrested for felony drunk driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and vehicular manslaughter. He is reported held at Ventura County Jail with bail set at $500,000.

Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board held a regular meeting September 16, 2008, at 5:15 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Principals of FUSD’s Schools presented a District Student Performance Report based on annual test results. Superintendent Jeff Sweeney presented to the Board the District’s response to the Grand Jury regarding Middle School Safety Recommendations. The Board approved two field trips to Fort Tejon.

The Board met with School Administrators in a study session at the beginning of the Board meeting. The District and Schools have recently received results from various standardized tests given in May. These tests impact the Schools’ Academic Performance Index (API), which is a State standard, and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), which is a Federal standard connected with No Child Left Behind. Each Principal presented the Board with an explanation of their scores and an intervention plan to increase student achievement.

The District’s 2008 API score is 697, which is a 2 point decline from 2007, but there has been a growth of 49 points since 2004. The district did not meet AYP standards in 2008, but met 19 out of 26 AYP criteria.

The Fillmore High School (FHS) API went up 13 points to 691. FHS’s CAHSEE (Exit Exam) scores have been gradually increasing. Graduation rates have increased over the past three years, and Dropout rates have decreased. Forty-four percent of incoming Freshmen at are reading at or below a 6th grade level, according to the Accelerated Reader (AR) Program’s test results. AR is not a standardized test. The English department is developing an intervention plan, and reading classes are in place. FHS’s intervention plan includes working with FMS to improve reading, and using double block classes to improve Algebra performance.

The Fillmore Middle School (FMS) API went down 18 points: from 719 to 701. FMS’s intervention plan includes: “implementation of a rotating schedule including an advisory period where students that need remediation can get it during the school day,” and “support and training for staff in the area of using and analyzing data on an ongoing basis.”

Mountain Vista (MV) Elementary School’s API went up 9 points to 712. MV’s intervention plan includes improving teacher collaboration and tying grades to actual progress. They believe their success came from collaboration and Response to Intervention (RTI). Programs that helped were: REACH, Horizons, and Waterford/Success Maker.
San Cayetano (SC) Elementary School’s API is 704, which is a 14 point dip from 2007. Since 2004, SC has had steady growth with an overall gain of 25 points. SC’s intervention plan includes teacher collaboration. According to the report, teachers are “pulling individual student scores and plan to meet monthly to revise and adjust student intervention needs.” CONTINUED »

FILLMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT
VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

MEDIA RELEASE

BOB BROOKS, Sheriff
Captain Tim Hagel, Acting Police Chief

www.VCSD.org

Nature of Incident: Sketch of Suspect from Attempted Burglary / Criminal Threats Case
Location: 100 Lora Lane, Fillmore, California 93015
Date & Time/ RB#: September 10, 2008 080024564
Unit Responsible: Special Services - Major Crimes Unit

Suspect:
Hispanic, male, 5’10”, medium build, mid-twenties, dark complexion with a mole on the right side of his face. Last seen wearing a black baseball cap, and a black t-shirt with white lettering or emblem on the backside. The suspect spoke English.

Narrative:
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at about 11:15 A.M., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 100 Block of Lora Lane, Fillmore, to a report of a male who attempted to force entry into a residence and threatened the adult female inside. When deputies arrived, they discovered the suspect, who was not known to the victim, had already fled the scene.

According to the victim, she was home alone at about 11:10 a.m., when the suspect came to her front door and knocked. The victim opened the door believing it was a visitor. The suspect yelled at the victim that he was going to kill her and tried to force open the door as the victim fought back to close it. The victim was able to force the door closed and lock it, at which time the suspect fled from the residence on foot. Deputies conducted an extensive search of the neighborhood and surrounding area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

Two other incidents, which have occurred recently in the same neighborhood, may be related. The public is warned to always be aware of their surroundings when walking and to keep the doors and windows to their residences secured and to not open the door to strangers.

Sheriff’s major crimes detectives are investigating this incident and have attached a sketch of the suspect.

Ventura County 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 (805) 524-0970 (Fillmore) or Fillmore Police at 805-524-2233

Officer Preparing Release: Detective Taurino Almazan / (805) 524-2233

Follow-up Contact: Fillmore Police 805-524-2233

Date of Release: September 11, 2008

Approved By: Captain Tim Hagel

Phillip Diaz with shipmates.
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USS McFaul in Georgia.
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2004 Fillmore High School graduate Phillip Diaz, is getting a firsthand view of U.S. humanitarian aid efforts in Georgia. United States Navy Information Technician 2nd Class Phillip C. Diaz, 22, is aboard the USS McFaul, which pulled into the port of Batumi, Georgia, Sunday, August 24th, in the Black Sea. The guided-missile destroyer was the first U.S. warship to bring aid to Georgia and was loaded with nearly 55 tons of supplies; bottled water, baby wipes, baby food, blankets and more and anchored in the port of Batumi, Georgia. The USS McFaul’s arrival puts the U.S. Navy in close proximity to Russia’s Black Sea fleet based in the Ukranian port of Sevastopol. The McFaul is the first Navy ship to arrive in the Black Sea with aid relief. The USS Mount Whitney and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas have also been sent to assist. The relief is needed after Russian troops occupied parts of Georgia for nearly two weeks following Georgia's Aug. 7 attack to retake South Ossetia.

IT2 Diaz has been in the Navy for nearly three years and has had one deployment to the Middle East and now to the Mediterranean on a routine cruise. IT2 Diaz began his five-month deployment to the Mediterranean in May of this year and was originally scheduled to return to his home port the end of October, or early November but all return plans have been put on hold. The USS McFaul is home-ported in Norfolk, Va., delivered 82 pallets of supplies donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The USS McFaul was in the eastern Mediterranean when it got the call to divert to Georgia. The ship first pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, where it was loaded with supplies, then sailed to the Black Sea.

IT2 Diaz’s parents are Richard and Carolyn Diaz, both of Fillmore. "We are very proud of Phillip for serving his country and doing what he's doing. We always tell him we are so proud of what he's doing in the emails we send him and in the satellite phone conversations we have. Phillip recently told me that he feels good to be helping out people that need our help. Phillip cannot say much over the phone, or in emails, but generally tells me to watch and read the news to find out what he is doing. I do that and it makes me nervous to think he is there in harms way, but I always remind him to follow his training, his command officers and to use good judgment. I know if he does that he and his shipmates will be fine.” said his father Richard.

VC Supervisor Kathy Long addressed Tuesday’s city council. She asked the council to inform Federal Receiver J. Clark Kelso of Fillmore’s opposition to the conversion of the present California Youth Authority facility in Camarillo to a 1,500-bed maximum security prison hospital. Such a plan presents significant economic, housing, employment and safety problems for Ventura County.

Fillmore City Council held a meeting September 9, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Council decided to oppose the proposed conversion of the California Youth Authority Correctional Facility (CYAC) to a Medical and Mental Health Facility (MHF) for adult prisoners. The Council approved an engineering expenditure for preparing a response to the draft FEMA map. The Council heard arguments from the public for Measures H and I. The Council received a report from the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau.

Supervisor Kathy Long spoke to the council about the disadvantages of converting the CYAC to a MHF for adult prisoners. She said that the proposal resulted from a federal court action requiring a certain number of such facilities in each state, and that California was falling short. Receiver J. Clark Kelso, who is responsible for implementing the court order, has chosen locations for several facilities, including the CYAC between Oxnard and Camarillo. The MHF would house Third and Fourth level inmates, and would create 5000 new jobs in the area. An analysis by the California Hospital Association indicates that the MHF would drain the local hospital workforce because of the current nursing shortage. Medical personnel would move from local healthcare facilities to higher paying jobs with the MHF, which would offer to almost double their salaries. Long mentioned that St. John's Hospital, Santa Paula Hospital, and Los Robles Hospital oppose the conversion, as do law enforcement leaders, who believe that the MHF would change the composition of the community for the worse by bringing in inmate's relatives and visitors. Long claimed that an existing housing shortage and lack of appropriate roads to accommodate the increased population would cause problems. According to Long, Camarillo cannot provide any water to the MHF, and Oxnard's sewer system cannot provide for the increased usage. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors opposes the conversion, and in cooperation with other organizations is lobbying Kelso to choose another site. Long believes that Kelso will listen because other communities would welcome an MHF. The CYAC is underutilized, but the Board and others want to increase usage in a way that would serve the local community without being a drain on resources. The Council voted to oppose the conversion because of the effect it would have on Santa Paula Hospital and Fillmore's Urgent Care facility, which could increase the cost of healthcare.

Public Works Director Bert Rapp reported on the progress against FEMA's draft map, and the Council approved additional expenditures not to exceed $57,000 for research and reports to convince FEMA to change its map. Rapp explained that there are questions as to whether FEMA correctly modeled the flooding possibilities. Rapp and experts have noted that FEMA's map shows the Highway 126 bridge at an inaccurate angle. Councilmember Scott Lee advised Rapp to include a picture of the bridge demonstrating that inaccuracy in his next report to FEMA. As a safety precaution, levees have a freeboard area on top which extends three or four feet beyond the expected flood level. FEMA policies state that if any part of a levee's freeboard is below the expected flood level, then the area should be modeled as if no levee exists there. According to FEMA, floodwaters at the levee at the Highway 126 bridge would encroach upon the freeboard by a few inches. FEMA refuses to acknowledge the aluminum I-beams erected by the Army Corp of Engineers to stop flood waters, and therefore is requiring automated flood gates at the Sespe Creek Levee at the railroad. If a new more accurate hydrology analysis indicates that the water flow is less than FEMA's estimate, then there might be no encroachment. A special report could persuade FEMA to revise the map. FEMA has already agreed to revise their Pole Creek analysis. Fillmore had agreed to collaborate with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District on research, but the collaboration might not allow for enough analysis and might not be completed in time. Some of the $57,000 will be paid by developers and some will come from levee assessments which homeowners have already paid. CONTINUED »