Ventura County Sheriff's Department

An investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes -Financial Crimes Unit leads to the arrest of Claudia Portugal Cornejo for four (4) felony counts of Grand Theft, four (4) felony counts of Presentation of Fraudulent Claim, two (2) felony counts of False Presentation of Another, one (1) felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Crime and the arrest of Sergio Cornejo for one (1) felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Crime.

Claudia and Sergio Cornejo own and operate Fillmore General Services in the city of Fillmore. Claudia Cornejo informed clients of their business and family they qualified for Covid Grant Relief funding through the Business Assistance Grant Program offered by the county of Ventura and the California Grant Relief Program offered by the State of California. Claudia Cornejo charged a fee for their services to apply for the grant funding. Claudia and Sergio Cornejo doctored tax documents to elevate gross income. Claudia then submitted fraudulent business certificates and manipulated documents to obtain grant funding for clients who were otherwise not qualified for grant funding. Claudia and Sergio Cornejo did the same for their own grant funding.

Investigators believe Claudia Cornejo secured $95,000.00 in grant funding from fraudulent submission of documents to the county of Ventura and State of California during the time period of June 2020 to November 2021. Claudia and Sergio Cornejo were arrested in Fillmore on October 20, 2022.

Claudia Cornejo was booked into the Pre Trial Detention Facility. Claudia Cornejo’s bail has been set at $50,000.00 dollars.

Sergio Cornejo was booked into the Pre Trial Detention Facility. Sergio Cornejo’s bail has been set at $50,000.00 dollars.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident or may be a victim is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Jason Cantrall at 805-384-4744.

Nature of Incident: Arrest of Fraud Suspects
Report Number: 21-144558
Location: Fillmore
Date & Time: 10/20/2022 @ 12:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes -Financial Crimes Unit, Fillmore Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Claudia Portugal Cornejo, Fillmore, 49
(S) Sergio Cornejo, Fillmore, 52
(V) County of Ventura – County Executive Office
(V) State of California
Prepared by: Jason Cantrall, Sergeant
Approved by: Victor Medina, Captain

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 800-222-TIPS (8477).

On Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, Sheriff’s detectives conducted compliance checks at the residences of forty-one (41) registered sex offenders throughout the City of Fillmore and the surrounding unincorporated areas. The compliance checks were funded through the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE / ELEAS) program.

Thirty-two (32) of the sex registrants were confirmed to be in compliance with their registration requirements. Nine (9) registrants were not contacted because they were either not home or had moved. Sheriff’s detectives will follow-up to determine if the nine registrants not contacted are out-of-compliance.

The Sheriff’s Office aggressively pursues prosecution of those sex registrants who fail to comply with their registration requirements. Detectives will be conducting similar sweeps on an ongoing basis to verify the registered sex offenders in our community are living at their reported residences and remain in compliance with any probation or parole terms. Residents of Ventura County can visit the Megan’s Law website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) to familiarize themselves with the sex registrants in their community.

Nature of Incident: Sex Registrant Compliance Sweep
Report Number: N/A
Location: City of Fillmore and Surrounding Unincorporated Areas
Date & Time: October 22nd, 2022
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau
Prepared by: Sergeant Hector Macias
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina

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 800-222-TIPS (8477).

On Saturday, October 15th the Historic Fillmore Towne Theatre opened for a free screening of the award-winning film “. . . and the earth did not swallow him” for residents to enjoy as the opening of the new theatre. Photo credit Carina Monica Montoya.

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

The Historic Fillmore Theater opened its doors on Saturday, October 15th, for a free screening of the award-winning film “. . . and the earth did not swallow him”, a 1994 movie about a migrant farm-working family in the 1950s. Many of the scenes were filmed in Piru.

A 4:00 p.m. matinee featured a children’s dance group that performed a short traditional Mexican dance, and a special appearance by El Mariachi Los Rayos performed at the 6:00 showing. Actors Marco Rodriguez, Art Bonilla, Danny Haro, and director Severo Perez attended the event and were available after the last showing to Meet & Greet and answer questions.

It was a day of celebrating the opening of the 100+ year old theater. Strong community involvement and interest in the organization of the event and community attendance in support of its local theater, evidences the desire of many Fillmore residents to have its own theater and place to gather for entertainment.

The Fillmore Women’s Service Club donated funds for popcorn and water, and La Fondita Mexican Restaurant donated the use of their popcorn machine and provided the actors with a beautiful tray of pastries. Theater owner, Sean McCulley, spent weeks readying costly repairs needed before the theater could open. Fillmore resident Juan Toledo was MC for the event and donated many hours in support of the event by reaching out to people and organizations. Many others came together to help at the theater to bag and handout popcorn and water. A very special appearance was made by Ernie Morales, former City Council and Mayor of Fillmore, and his wife Becky, who both helped and supported the organizers in making the event a success.

City of Fillmore

8.A REQUEST That the City Council: (1) appropriate funding in the amount of $963,800 from the Water Development Impact Fees (DIF) fund, (2) authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Control Systems West for an amount not to exceed ($983,714.74) for upgrades and maintenance to the City’s SCADA system, including the purchase and installation of a new chlorine analyzer at each well, and (3) authorize the Assistant City Manager to execute a purchase order with APEX for the new server and related equipment needed for the new SCADA system in the amount of $16,286.26
Passed 5-0
8.B REQUEST Staff requests that the City Council award a professional services agreement to Peckham & McKenney in the amount of $25,500 for executive recruiting services, approve a one-time General Fund appropriation in the same amount, and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Peckham & McKenney in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Passed 5-0
8.C REQUEST That the City Council approve a proposed new full-time unrepresented Public Works Senior Management Analyst classification and job description for this classification and appropriation of funding for this position for the second half of the 2022-23 year.
Approved 5-0 REQUEST Approve Resolution No. 22-3904 authorizing the Assistant City Manager or City Finance Director to execute contracts with a municipal advisor and certain other professionals and permitting the Administration and finance team to initiate the bond issuance process and bring contracts with other professionals and the bond documents back for final City Council approval prior to the bond sale.
Passed 5-0
8-D REQUEST Approve Resolution No. 22-3904 authorizing the Assistant City Manager or City Finance Director to execute contracts with a municipal advisor and certain other professionals and permitting the Administration and finance team to initiate the bond issuance process and bring contracts with other professionals and the bond documents back for final City Council approval prior to the bond sale.
Approved 5-0
8-E REQUEST Approve City Attorney contract amendment for legal services. DISCUSSION Tiffany Israel of Aleshire and Wynder serves as the city’s City Attorney and has done an excellent job representing the city and handling our legal matters. She is a key contributor to the management team and a valued member. The last increase was approved in December 14, 2022. A majority of the rate increases will be paid by third parties such that this proposed amendment will have minimal impact on the General Fund Budget.
Approved 5-0

2022 Elections will be held on November 8th.

Fillmore City Council has one partial term (2-year) seat to fill, and two candidates, Lynn Edmonds and Chris Gurrola.

The Gazette submitted 3 questions to each candidate.

There are also two full-term (4-year) seats on council and four candidates, Carrie Broggie, Albert Mendez, Zachary Lotshaw and Luis Rodriquez. Their answers will be published in next week’s edition of the Gazette.

The three specific questions for direction were:

1. Qualifications which prepare you to serve on Council.

2. What actions taken by the current council in the last two years do you agree with most and why? What actions do you disagree with most and why?

3. What is your vision for Fillmore if elected/reelected? What do you perceive as the five most important priorities for the city?

***

LYNN EDMONDS

1. Qualifications which prepare you to serve on Council.

It has been a pleasure to serve Fillmore on the City Council for the last four years. Prior to that I was principal of Piru Elementary and Fillmore Middle School. I have always worked with others to help Fillmore families, youth, to keep the town safe and improve the environment. I was on the founding committee of the Boys and Girls Club, founded the Fillmore Piru Mentor Program (BBSVC) and the One Step a la Vez Teen Program because it was clear that Fillmore Teens needed a safe, fun place to go after school to get help with homework and “hang” with friends in a welcoming, fun, safe environment. Clearly, youth and families of Fillmore are very important to me. In few words, I love Fillmore as a city and enjoy representing the people of Fillmore.

As a member of the City Council I represent Fillmore on many committees and report back to the community on the many activities that each committee has to help the residents of Fillmore such as the Air Pollution Control Board, the Ventura Transportation Commission, the Regional Energy Alliance and the Regional Sanitation District. All of my actions prepared me to better understand, represent and be elected to the City Council which I have enjoyed. I have learned so very much during my four years on the Council and feel that my prior four years have even better qualified me for the next two years.

2. What actions taken by the current council in the last two years do you agree with most and why? What actions do you disagree with most and why?

As a member of the City Council for the last four years, I am proud that we are finally fixing the parks and the park bathrooms and the dog park, soon to repair Sespe Ave and Santa Clara, are working to improve the downtown, are improving our website and looking at the water/sewer bills to see if there is a way to lower the cost of the bill. As a member of the City Council I was disappointed that the council voted down having community conversations and chose to not even investigate joining the Clean Power Alliance which possibly could not only help our environment, but also lower our bills.

3. What is your vision for Fillmore if elected/reelected? What do you perceive as the five most important priorities for the city?

My vision for the next years is to:

1) Improve the Downtown by reviewing the recommendations of the Downtown consultants and support the merchants as they work to improve the downtown while at the same time we maintain the streets in good repair and cleanliness,

2) Provide more low income housing so that all persons will have safe, comfortable, affordable housing.

3) Provide interpretation at all meetings and translations for all notices.

4) Save our small town feeling while incorporating the new residents by improving communication about city activities to everyone, sponsor community conversations so that people can meet new people in a positive way.

5) Assure folks that we serve EVERYONE and to work with and serve the entire community regardless of political point of view, ethnicity, language, religion, gender or age.

***

CHRIS GURROLA
1. Qualifications which prepare you to serve on Council.

**The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US Air Force, Department of Defense or the US Government**
My name is Christopher Gurrola. I have 17 years of Military leadership experience, which began when I was appointed to the United States Air Force Academy, after serving as Class of 2005 president at Fillmore High School. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, while serving as the Cadet Squadron Commander. I married my high school sweetheart, Cassandra, right here in town, and we began our 6 moves across the country. Concluding my last assignment in CA, we chose to buy a house in Fillmore - which incurred a 200-mile round-trip commute for me for 3 years - so that our four children could grow up in such a phenomenal place! I finished Active Duty as the Director of Operations for the 412thOperations Support Squadron at Edwards AFB. I continue serving as a civilian USAF instructor pilot, and also serve in the Air National Guard at the rank of Major. I want to put Fillmore’s tax dollars back to work, using the high quality training and experience that I have received, to better serve our community.

2. What actions taken by the current council in the last two years do you agree with most and why? What actions do you disagree with most and why?

Most recently, I agree with the City Council’s decision to use our tax dollars to implement the City of Fillmore Downtown Rehabilitation Grant Program. It’s an honest attempt by the City to assist property owners and businesses in keeping Fillmore a beautiful, walkable town. The approval of funding to re-open the dog park at Two Rivers Park was another great decision. A flood control basin at Rio Vista Park was quickly perceived as a viable solution simply because it is a gated area. The city was unfortunately sending mixed messages during that time, but ultimately made the right decision to invest in the promise of a true dog park at Two Rivers.
Unfortunately, the City Council has missed the opportunity to communicate a clear vision to the people of Fillmore. Despite multiple information gathering and goal setting sessions, there remains an outdated Vision 20/20 plan; the hallmark of the council for roughly 20 years. Leadership requires the creation and maintenance of consistent communication channels, to and from constituents. The City has also unreliably posted meeting minutes to its website, missing the opportunity to concisely communicate decisions of the council, and commissions, to its citizens. It is unreasonable to have to watch hours of recorded video to see the outcome of decisions on scheduled agenda items.

3. What is your vision for Fillmore if elected/reelected? What do you perceive as the five most important priorities for the city?

My vision for Fillmore is to foster a culture that values families and their children; they are the future and bedrock of our town! Smart growth and thoughtful sustainment plans will be required so that our town can support future generations. Five priorities the City must focus on include: articulating a meaningful vision for the next 20 years; updated, reliable communication channels; clear construction guidelines to reduce unnecessary delays and increased construction costs; long-term sustainment plans for parks and public facilities; and traffic control from surrounding cities that consider safety and continued support of local businesses.

At last night’s City Council meeting Mario Robledo and Vanessa Garcia spoke to council regarding the approval of Boarder rates collected at the Fillmore Equestrian Center.

7.A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PRIVATE USE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF A GROUND WATER MONITORING WELL BY 7-ELEVEN, INC.
Staff requested approval from the City Council of a new license agreement to allow the private use of public right-of-way by 7-Eleven, Inc. (“7-Eleven”) for the installation, maintenance, and operation of a ground water monitoring well and appurtenances.
It is recommended that the City Council approve the License Agreement with 7-Eleven, Inc.
Approved 4-0.

7.B ADOPTION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 21-01 - FILLMORE AQUATIC CENTER POOL REPLASTERING PROJECT AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS.
Approved 4-0.

7.C ADOPTION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 22-01: NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS REHABILITATION AND ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO RIVERS PARK PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE THE PROJECT FOR BIDS.
Approved 4-0.

7-D Staff requested that the City Council authorize an appropriation of $70,000 for the award of professional services agreements to Koff & Associates for conducting a citywide classification and compensation study and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with Koff & Associates in an approved form by the City Attorney.
Approved 4-0.

7.E ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 22-3903 APPROVING THE 2022 VENTURA COUNTY MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.
A copy of the plan is available for review in hard copy format on the City Clerk public counter, or online at: https://vcportal.ventura.org/OES/2022-03-01_VenturaHMP_Vol2_PublicReview.... FEMA’s approval of the 2020 Ventura County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is a prerequisite for receiving certain forms of disaster assistance by the County and cities covered by the Plan.
Approved 4-0

7-F BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE AND ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 22-3900 UPDATING THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE. Staff recommends that the City Council review the proposed amendments to the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and adopt City Council Resolution No. 22-3900, amending the City’s Conflict of Interest Code.
Approved 4-0

7-G PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTING THE NEXUS STUDY FOR IMPACT FEES AND SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE UPDATED NORTH FILLMORE SPECIFIC PLAN (NFSP) AMENDMENT.
Approved 4-0

7-H CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF BOARDER RATES COLLECTED AT THE FILLMORE EQUESTRIAN CENTER.
Approved 3-1.

The original San Cayetano School near 7th Street.
Enlarge Photo

Wire Chief Test Board.
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Sam Stocker receiving award at Ventura County Fair. Mural is now in the City Council Chambers.
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Fillmores first high school circa 1914.
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Fillmores Main Street circa 1895.
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Cactus Flat School. The boards were on loan and returned to the ranchers uncut.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical
Museum

Did you know that?...

Leo Carrillo (silent film star and 1950s TV actor) was a descendant of the family who originally owned the Rancho Sespe land grant.

Fillmore is named after Jerome Fillmore, Southern Pacific Superintendent, who may only have passed through the town on a special train in May of 1887.

C. C. Elkins owned 50 acres of orange groves in Florida before coming to Fillmore.

The boards of the temporary Cactus Flat school were uncut because the ranchers only loaned them for the building of the school and wrote their names on them to make sure they got them back.

The original San Cayetano School was west of Sespe Creek off 7th Street.

By 1900 Fillmore’s population was 150 people according to Rand McNally. It had grown to 13,643 a century later and to 16,419 by 2020.

Main Street was the town’s main street until it burned in 1903, then Central Avenue developed into the “main” street.

Pole Creek originally emptied into the Sespe until it was rerouted to flow into the Santa Clara.

The Fillmore Rotary club was founded in 1905.

The original (1911) Fillmore Union High School was considered to be one of the most beautiful schools in the state.

In 1911, the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools thought the new Fillmore High School was too big and there would never be enough students to fill it. Fillmore had to build a bigger school in 1924.

The first high school graduating class was in 1911 and the Alumni Association was founded in 1915 when there were 15 alumni.

City Manager Clarence Arrasmith sponsored City “Happy Hours” during the depression. These were variety shows – no alcohol.

The mural in the City Council Chamber was painted as a backdrop for the Ventura County Fair.

Fillmore was then next to last town in California to go from operator assisted calls to direct dial in the early 1960s. Avalon on Catalina Island was the last town.

The canon in front of the Memorial Building used to be fired during the May Festival.

Two large alligators washed out of animal sanctuary on the mountain on the east end of the valley near Piru in the 1969 flood.

One family has given us 3 mayors. William H. Price, 1926; his son, Lester Price, 1936; and W. H. Price’s great-grandson, Bill Dewey, 1979.

Frank Munoz was the first Hispanic mayor in 1972.

Delores Day was the first women mayor in 1977.

Southern California is experiencing acute levels of homelessness and lack of affordable housing. To help meet the need in the Fillmore community, Many Mansions and the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura built Mountain View.

On Tuesday, September 27th, over 200 guests gathered to celebrate Mountain View’s Grand Opening. The 77-unit community consists of apartments reserved for extremely and very low-income households, with 8 units designated for those who have suffered homelessness. It is a culmination of a 6-year development process that transformed an essentially vacant and underdeveloped site into a beautiful, well-managed complex.

In attendance at this week’s festivities were residents and community leaders. State Assembly member Steve Bennett, County Supervisor Kelly Long, Fillmore Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Edmonds, California Housing & Community Development Department representative Hector Leyva, and Joseph Alexander, a representative for Mountain View residents spoke compellingly about the need for more affordable housing, and about the collaborative effort that made Mountain View possible.

Indeed, at its inception, the proposed project received enthusiastic response from over 3,000 Fillmore community members, embracing affordable housing and positioning Mountain View to be a welcome addition to the city. With design elements that recognize and celebrate Fillmore’s history and setting, such as a wall mural painted by a local artist and playgrounds inspired by agricultural equipment, Mountain View is a Fillmore community asset.

Mountain View residents are part of the Fillmore community and stories such as a 76-year-old 5th generation Fillmore resident who could not afford her home after her husband passed away in 2013, are representative of those who found a home in Mountain View.

To further support residents, on-site services and programs such as case management, life-skills workshops, and children’s after-school programs are available at no cost to all residents. These programs are run at on-site amenities designed to support community building and wellbeing, such as a community room, a pocket park, playgrounds, and courtyards. They are facilitated by Many Mansions and partnering organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley.

Many Mansions is a leading provider of affordable housing and life-changing services in Ventura County. With the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home, we house and serve close to 1,500 individuals, with a focus on working families in the very low-income brackets, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and individuals and families who have experienced homelessness.

The Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura is an independent, nonprofit agency serving the residents of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and the unincorporated areas of Ventura County. It is a leader providing opportunities and assistance to people in need of affordable housing through development, acquisitions, and partnerships.