Pictured above are Fillmore Rotary President Anna Reilley and Rotarian Cindy Blatt. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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Fillmore Rotarian Cindy Blatt gave a Kraft Talk for our program. Since she was one of the chairpersons for the Rotary 5/10K Run she gave a summary of the event. There were 342 runners this year. She thanked many people who made the Run a success. Kim Tafoya-the second chairman, City of Fillmore, Fillmore Citizen Patrol, Search & Rescue, Bank of the Sierra supplied goody bags for the runners, several people donated items for the bags, many students from FHS track, Interact Club, swim team and more. Rotary Club members gathered sponsors, worked booths, set up and took down afterwards. Many more were involved and thanked. It was a successful event!

Cindy also talked about her family. She grew up in Simi Valley with one brother and two sisters. Her father was an athlete, a runner, and her parents were passionate about every child learning to swim. They gathered neighbors and friends and built a swimming pool then followed a swim team. Cindy became an excellent swimmer and swam in the US Nationals in 1970 and won the 100-meter freestyle and was 2nd place in 200-meter freestyle. She ranked second in the world in 100: 6th in the world in 200. On the US National Team, they traveled to the Philippines and Japan. In Osaka she was a member of the 400 Medley Relay that broke the world record. She was also inducted into the LA Valley Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. In the last 24 years she has been the Swim Coach at Fillmore High School and encouraged many students to succeed.

“In looking at violent crime statistics for 2023, you can see a significant jump in comparison to the previous year. We did see a noticeable decrease in violent crime during and following the global pandemic. However, the trend we are seeing now is that incidents involving violent crime have returned to pre-pandemic numbers. In a county our size, with as little crime as we do have in comparison to other jurisdictions across the nation, a few cases in a calendar year can result in a sizeable spike in crime statistics, evidence of which can be showcased by simply comparing the figures from 2022 to 2023,” said Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. He continued, “Overall, crime across the board is down, as we had nearly 100 fewer criminal offenses in 2023 than the previous year. My office will never take our foot off the gas when it comes to reducing crime. We will continue to focus our efforts on outreach, community engagement, education, and working closely with partners inside and outside of the criminal justice system, which is crucial for effective violence reduction.”

Note: Each geographical area in Ventura County is unique, and crime trends vary from city to city. For questions regarding each city’s reported crimes, the following people can be reached directly:

Captain Eduardo Malagon – Fillmore (805) 477-7108
Commander Eric Tennessen – Camarillo (805) 797-7102
Commander Jeremy Paris -Thousand Oaks (805) 797-7105
Captain Darin Hendren – Moorpark (805) 797-7137
Captain Trina Newman – Ojai (805) 477-7039

In observance of the Independence Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Friday, July 4. As a result, in Fillmore, residential customers’ trash, recycling and yard/organics waste will be collected one day later than usual that week – on Saturday, July 5, instead of on Fillmore’s usual Friday pickup day. The regular schedule will resume the following week.

Remember that residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as Santa Clara Valley Disposal collects all waste weekly – including food waste, which is recyclable. All food waste should be placed in closed paper or plastic bags and the bags should be tossed in the organics waste cart. Even if you only have food waste bags and no yard waste, you can still put the food waste bags in your organics waste cart and take it to the curb every week for pickup.

Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of La Conchita, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley (Ventura River Valley), Oxnard Plain, Piru, Point Mugu, Rancho Matilija, Rincon, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Somis, Upper Ojai, Yerba Buena and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, as well as California State University Channel Islands and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; and the city of Fillmore as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.

For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2025
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A sweeping Senate budget proposal threatens to force the sale of millions of acres of public land throughout the western United States, including more than 875,000 acres in the Los Padres National Forest, according to an analysis by Santa Barbara-based conservation organization Los Padres ForestWatch.

Buried in the Senate’s current budget reconciliation package—formally titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—is a provision that mandates that the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management identify and sell off between 0.5% and 0.75% of all National Forest and BLM lands in eleven western states over the next five years.

Supporters claim the measure is aimed at addressing the housing crisis. But according to conservation groups, that’s a smokescreen for what amounts to a sweeping public land giveaway that will do nothing to provide safe or affordable housing—and will instead create new dangers for people and wildlife alike.
“Aside from our view that selling federal public land is a terrible idea in and of itself, most of the targeted land in Los Padres National Forest is extremely rugged and fire-prone,” said Bryant Baker, Director of Conservation and Research at ForestWatch. “Housing development in these areas would not only be enormously expensive but would also cause irreparable damage to open spaces, impede wildlife movement across an already fragmented landscape, and put more people and homes at risk of damage from inevitable wildfires.”

An analysis by ForestWatch reveals that much of the land at risk is steep, remote, and lacks basic infrastructure like roads or water. These parcels lie in some of California’s highest wildfire hazard zones, where development would not only expose new residents to danger, but also increase the likelihood of human-caused ignitions that could threaten existing nearby communities.

The bill casts an alarmingly wide net in determining which public lands can be sold. Even iconic places like Pine Mountain could be up for grabs. ForestWatch warns, however, that parcels closest to existing communities—such as the Santa Barbara front-country, the foothills of the Santa Ynez Valley, West Cuesta Ridge near San Luis Obispo, portions of the Big Sur coastline, and areas around Frazier Park and Pine Mountain Club—are the most likely targets, putting treasured open spaces and nearby residents at immediate risk. A little over 105,000 acres of land eligible for sale in the Los Padres National Forest is within one mile of populated areas according to ForestWatch’s analysis.

The bill also jeopardizes essential wildlife corridors. The Los Padres National Forest serves as one of the last remaining linkages for species like mountain lions, black bears, and other wildlife to move across an increasingly fragmented landscape. Selling off these public lands for private development would sever those connections and accelerate biodiversity loss.

“This proposal is not about housing—it’s about privatizing public lands for short-term gain,” said Baker.
ForestWatch is urging the Senate to reject public land sale provisions in the federal budget. Community members can speak out and contact their senators through ForestWatch’s campaign page at: https://forestwatch.org/get-involved/

***
Update to June 23rd press release regarding the forced land sale of public lands:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 24, 2025

Last night, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that a provision mandating that the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management sell 0.5 – 0.75% of their federal land estate across 11 western states cannot move forward as part of the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill being finalized this week. The provision—developed by Senator Mike Lee of Utah—would have resulted in the sale of millions of acres of national forest and other federal lands to ostensibly facilitate housing development in California and elsewhere.
ForestWatch’s Director of Conservation & Research, Bryant Baker, released the following statement in response to the news:
“We’re glad to see the Senate parliamentarian reject Senator Lee’s proposal to sell off millions of acres of America’s public lands. These wild places are an integral part of our region and should never be placed on the chopping block. While our public lands face a variety of other threats from the Trump administration, this most recent threat seems to have dissipated for now.”

While it is unlikely that a land sale provision will be included in the final version of the Senate’s megabill, Senator Lee vowed to revise the language of his proposal to exclude national forest land and to limit the sale of lands under the Bureau of Land Management’s jurisdiction to those within five miles of a population center.

These changes are likely due to immense public pressure and backlash from both sides of the political aisle over the initial proposal. It is unclear whether a revised proposal will be its own legislation or part of another bill that is not subject to the same rules that prevented it from being incorporated into the budget reconciliation process.

According to a ForestWatch analysis of public land data, some 281,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties would still meet the new criteria Senator Lee suggested in a social media post earlier today. ForestWatch will continue to monitor proposed legislation that may involve federal public land sales.

Above are three Certificates of Award from the Los Angeles Pigeon Club, Inc. 20th Annual Show back in January 1933, for Lawrence B. Hinckley, or Fillmore. Photo courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Pictured above is a Frank Barrachina English Pouter. Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Birds have long been popular pets, but at least in our area, birds were all the rage during the mid-20th century. Pigeons were particularly popular.

For reference, pigeons are monogamous, but appear to after a few years will “remarry”
If you raise and train racing pigeons, you practice Columbophilism. I understand there is no known treatment for this.

Pigeons were especially popular, and competitions were held for conformation as well as in races. The Ventura County Star had a column called “I just Found Out” that was written by several different people. For some reason columns on birds were very popular.

We couldn’t find a specific reference in the Fillmore Herald but we do know at least one person in
Fillmore enjoyed raising and showing pigeons.

Lawrence Hinckley raised and showed “pouter pigeons” and won ribbons. In 1933 he won three blue ribbons for two hens and one cock. The black cock was advertised for sale at $15.

Not surprisingly, a pouter pigeon was an unknown entity to the writer. According to Wikipedia, “As with all breeds of domesticated pigeons, the English Pouter is descended from the rock pigeon (Columba livia), and has been developed over years through selective breeding of individuals with specific characteristics.] It is a breed of fancy pigeon, that being a type of pigeon kept by pigeon fanciers as part of the fancy pigeon group as opposed to Flying/Sporting Pigeons or Utility pigeons. The Pouter is long limbed with an enlarged crop, and overall a large body.” There are over 30 different breeds of Pouter pigeon, but it was probably an English Pouter Pigeon that Lawrence Hinckley bred. One of his winners was a red hen who might have looked something like this.

So, when Lawrence won the ribbons, he would have been 33 years old and meeting Mildred Combs and establishing the Artists’ Barn were years in the future.

In the larger Ventura County, raising pigeons and especially racing them was extremely popular but not without problems. The February 19, 1940, Star reported that 92 pigeons were stolen from breeders in Miners Oaks and Ventura. They were valued from $5 to $15. The Star said that Ventura County Sheriff Howard Durley “unaccustomed to hunting pigeon stealers, was at a loss to state what fate might have befallen the birds” (Ventura County Star, February 14, 1940).

Surprisingly just three days later the Star report the 80 of the stolen birds were recovered at a Los Angeles “bird market”. Don’t all pigeons look alike? If you said this to a pigeon fancier, you would get a scathing look at the very least. Pigeons raised by a serious breeder have metal tags put around the ankle at birth so identifying the birds was rather simple. The tag is usually used to identify pigeons competing in races to know who the winner was, second place, etc.

The pigeons are not infallible, Weather, especially heavy fogs can throw them off and they may or may not return to their home “loft.”

Not all pigeons were for show or racing. Some had actual jobs. In 1902 there was an election for Supervisor for the position that represented Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru and the surrounding area. Hugh Warring didn’t like either of the two candidates running so he ran against them. Not surprisingly, the Piru vote was critical to who won the race. But Piru was over a day’s ride to Ventura so those in Ventura, including apparently Hugh Warring were on pins and needles.

The Ventura Free Press addressed this problem using homing pigeons. Prior to the election, the Free Press sent homing pigeons owned and trained by Ed Mercer to Piru. The journey by road between Piru and Ventura was stated to be about 100 miles, but as the crow flies (or in this case the pigeon) the distance was said to be only about 40 miles. The Free Press lost little time in publishing the results (Hugh Warring won the seat) and for the next few election cycles continued to make sure everyone knew they were the ones to come up with the idea and effectively use it. Why couldn’t the telegraph be used I can’t say.

Although many liked pigeons for what they could do, there was another group (and there may have been some crossover) enjoyed hunting pigeons. In 1945, the “bandtail pigeon” season would be most of the month December with a limit was 10 pigeons per day. (Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, November 30, 1945).

Board of Directors Meeting Thursday, June 19, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
City of Fillmore City Hall Council Chambers
250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015

To participate in the Board of Directors meeting via Zoom, please access: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85480305580?pwd=ZnFBWGhtVU05dXd3REFkM255c0h6UT... Meeting ID: 854 8030 5580 Password: FPBGSA
To hear just the audio portion of the meeting, phone into: Toll-free number: 877 853 5247 Meeting ID: 854 8030 5580

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance

1B Directors Roll Call

1C Public Comments
Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Agency) will accept public comment concerning agenda items at the time the item is considered and on any non- agenda item within the jurisdiction of the Board during the agendized Public Comment period. No action will be taken by the Board on any non-agenda item. In accordance with Government Code § 54954.3(b)(1), public comment will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker per issue.

1D Approval of Agenda Motion

2. OATH OF OFFICE

2A Oath of Office and Seating of New Director Ceremonial
The Clerk of the Board will administer the oath of office to newly appointed Board member Brian Hauss.

3. UPDATES

3A Director Announcements/Board Communications:
Oral Reports from the Board.
Fillmore Pumpers Association Stakeholder Director Update
Piru Pumpers Association Stakeholder Director Update
Environmental Stakeholder Director Update
City of Fillmore Member Director Update
United Water Conservation District Member Director Update
County of Ventura Member Director Update

3B Executive Director Update
Information Item
The Executive Director will provide an informational update on Agency activities since the previous Board of Directors meeting of May 15, 2025.

3C Legal Counsel Update
Information Item
Legal Counsel will provide an informational update on Agency’s legal issues and concerns since the previous Board of Directors meeting of May 15, 2025.

3D GSP Consultant Update
Information Item
Representatives from Daniel B Stephens & Associates will provide an informational update on the Agency’s groundwater sustainability planning activities since the previous Board of Directors meeting of May 15, 2025.

4. CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine by the Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member pulls an item from the Calendar. Pulled items will be discussed and acted on separately by the Board. Members of the public who want to comment on a Consent Calendar item should do so under Public Comments. (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED)

4A Approval of Minutes
The Board will consider approving the Minutes from the Board of Directors meeting of May 15, 2025.
4B Approval of Warrants
The Board will consider approving payment of outstanding vendor invoices:
DBS&A $49,102.18
United Water Conservation District $20,732.07
Stillwater Sciences $15,940.27
Aleshire &Wynder LLP $ 1,277.30
CV Strategies $ 1,254.50
The Fillmore Gazette $ 216.00
4C Monthly Financial Report
The Board will receive the monthly financial report for the Fillmore and Piru Basins Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

5. MOTION ITEMS

5A Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Groundwater Extraction Fee and Adoption of Resolution 2025-01.
Public Hearing and Motion
The Board will conduct a public hearing to receive stakeholder comments regarding the proposed groundwater extraction fee of $13 per acre-foot and consider adoption of Resolution 2025-01 setting the proposed extraction fee to become effective on July 1, 2025.

5B Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Work Plan and Budget and Adoption of Resolution 2025-02
Motion
The Board will receive a presentation from staff on the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Work Plan and Budget and consider adoption of Resolution 2025-02.

5C Task Orders with Daniel B. Stephens & Associates for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026
Motion
The Board will consider approving Task Orders Numbers DBSA-FY26-01, DBSA-FY26-02, DBSA-FY26-03, DBSA-FY26-04, DBSA-FY26-05, DBSA- FY26-06, DBSA-FY26-07, DBSA-FY26-08, DBSA-FY26-09, and DBSA-FY26-
10 with Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc. for as-needed technical and planning support services for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 period.

5D Payment Plan for Outstanding Groundwater Extraction Charges Motion
The Board will consider approval of a request from Jennifer Trinidad for a payment plan for outstanding groundwater charges totaling $6,659.34 and to waive the associated late fees and interest in the amount of $1,956.45 at the completion of payment plan.

5E Waiver of Late Penalties and Interest for Sun Pacific Motion
The Board will consider waiving late fees and interest in the amount of $1,660.55 for Sun Pacific c/o Jose Mari.

6. FUTURE ITEMS

7. ADJOURNMENT
The Board will adjourn to the next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, July 17, 2025, or call of the Chair.
Materials, which are non-exempt public records and are provided to the Board of Directors to be used in consideration of the above agenda items, including any documents provided subsequent to the publishing of this agenda, are available for inspection at UWCD’s offices at 1701 N. Lombard Street in Oxnard during normal business hours.

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, the District’s services, programs or activities because of any disability. If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, or if you require agenda materials in an alternative format, please contact the UWCD Office at (805) 525-4431 or the City of Fillmore at (805) 524- 1500. Notification of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make appropriate arrangements

Approved: Board Chair Kelly Long
Posted: (date) June 16, 2025 (time) 3:00 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra At: https://www.FPBGSA.org
Posted: (date June 16, 2025 (time) 3:10 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra At: https://www.facebook.com/FPBGSA
Posted: (date) June 16, 2025 (time) 3:20 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra At: UWCD, 1701 N. Lombard Street, Oxnard
Posted: (date) June 16, 2025 (time) 3:30 p.m. (attest) Eva Ibarra At: Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore

Pictured right is Fillmore Rotary President Anna Reilley with Paul Harrison Award winner Rotarian Dave Andersen. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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President Anna Reilley presented Rotarian Dave Andersen with a Paul Harris Award. He has joined the Paul Harris Society which means he is committed to giving $1,000 each year which is his pleasure. Dave also talked about his recent trip to South East Asia. It was a three-week trip into the jungle where he saw many animals such as pigmy elephants, various birds and reptiles. The scenery was amazing as well as meeting the people. He also attended a Rotary meeting there as he does on most of his travels. Rotary is an International Club, and it is interesting to go and see what each club does.

Pictured (l-r) are President Anna Reilley and speaker John Marquez. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
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The recent Fillmore Rotary speaker was John Marquez, Executive Director, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce. Marquez talked about how Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru needed to focus services on small businesses because we don’t have large businesses. We have to do things to fund the businesses like having festivals, podcasts to let people know what is happening and people can ask questions, and have more social media to get people involved and enthused. Santa Paula has lots of possibilities in a new development area where apartments and homes are being built such as a restaurant or grocery store. When the train bridge is repaired people can come and go and enjoy various attractions.

On June 14th, Rancho Camulos will host the Orchard Bluegrass Band at 2pm along with guided museum tours 112pm – 2pm.

The Orchard Bluegrass Band will entertain guests at the Rancho Camulos Museum with a unique blend of bluegrass, gospel, country and Western music Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m. Guided museum tours 12- 2 p.m.
All ages can enjoy the fun and energy of the group’s upbeat performances. Put on your dancing shoes and kick up your heels to old time musical favorites. Guests can bring a blanket, their favorite cold beverage and food for a Flag Day picnic in the garden. The suggested donation is $10

VETERANS AND CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER FREE.

Rancho Camulos Museum is located on Highway 126, 5164 E Telegraph Road, about 10 miles west of Interstate 5 near Piru.

In addition, Docent-led tours take place every Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Group tours and special focus tours can also be scheduled by appointment. Camulos is the perfect location for a memorable private gathering.
For more information about the museum, visit Ranchocamulos.org.

For immediate release
June 5, 2025

E.J. Harrison & Sons would like to inform all customers about an important change in Harrison’s online bill pay platform and the Autopay option for payment of solid waste services.

Beginning June 13, 2025, Harrison will launch a new platform that will allow customers to manage, view and securely pay account balances. Customers can make one-time payments or choose to enroll in Autopay for a hassle-free experience, and/or choose to receive statements electronically. Customers will need their bill to get started

All Harrison customers who would like to use the online bill pay platform will need to create a new profile. Customers who are currently enrolled in Autopay will have their payments continue, however, payment application dates may change (please see bullet points below for new dates). Existing Autopay customers will not be able to make any changes or updates to their accounts until they create a new profile.

• If the existing payment date is the 15th of the month, the new payment date will be upon receipt.

• If the existing payment date is three or four days after receipt, the new payment date will be upon receipt.

• If the existing payment date is three, four or five days before due or the last day of the month, the new payment date will be the due date.

• If the existing payment date is upon receipt, there is no change.

Payment options available include ACH/electronic check with no fees, or customers can pay by credit card. A $2.49 fee per credit card transaction will apply.

E.J. Harrison & Sons is committed to making this transition seamless and to providing prompt, reliable customer service and billing support. For questions about this transition, please contact Harrison’s Customer Service Department at 805-647-1414 or visit https://ejharrison.com

Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of La Conchita, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley (Ventura River Valley), Oxnard Plain, Piru, Point Mugu, Rancho Matilija, Rincon, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Somis, Upper Ojai, Yerba Buena and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, as well as California State University Channel Islands and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; and the city of Fillmore as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.

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By Linda Nunes

Civic Pride Volunteers have chosen for the June “Yard of the Month” a 75’ x 100’ lot that contains two magical cottages with a plethora of perennials, fruit trees & vegetables in a harmonious mix that makes you want to linger & explore. These properties, located at 307 & 311 Main Street, belong to Odi Martinez & her brother, Joe Martinez.

You have probably driven past hundreds of times, never knowing the floral “magic” behind the Lantana hedges with Hollyhocks & Sunflowers reaching into the sky above. I know that I noticed them for years, thinking, some day!

Odi said she has lived here “all her life” & her uncle built these homes. She does most of the yard work with her brother helping. This is her therapy, she says! This yard is a sanctuary for birds, bees, butterflies & kitties. The porch holds a safe box for a cat to climb in at night & one front window showed little white kittens peeking from a cat tower. Bird feeders line the eaves of an out-building.

Her brother planted many of the plants in large pots, so there would be less tending to garden.

There are Salvias in every color- Mystic Spires, dark blue, red & white, Foxgloves in several colors, Gerbera Daisies, Marconi Daisies, Gallardias, Marigolds, amazing Delphiniums, a variety of beautiful Pelargoniums, Larkspur, & Callibrachora with its hot pink flowers. Big sturdy A-frame trellises held string beans & other climbing vegetables, pots of onions, garlic, cilantro, corn, zucchini & tomatoes. Odi said they hardly need to go to a store.
When I mentioned the Pomegranate tree, she said they have loquats, peaches, lemons, plum & apricot--I couldn’t keep up writing fast enough!

Odi is very familiar with Otto & Sons Nursery & was so pleased to receive the award. We appreciate the Klittich family for their generous support of this project.

May 29, 2025

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organics waste collection schedule in the city of Fillmore during the week of Juneteenth, June 15-21. The holiday is on Thursday, June 19.

Remember that Santa Clara Valley Disposal residential customers can place all three carts curbside every week, as the company collects all waste weekly – including food waste, which is recyclable. All food waste should be placed in closed paper or plastic bags and the bags should be tossed in the organics waste cart. Even if you only have food waste bags and no yard waste, you can still put the food waste bags in your organics waste cart and take it to the curb every week for pickup.

Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of La Conchita, Lake Sherwood, Lynn Ranch, Newbury Park, Ojai Valley (Ventura River Valley), Oxnard Plain, Piru, Point Mugu, Rancho Matilija, Rincon, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Somis, Upper Ojai, Yerba Buena and the Channel Islands Beach Community Services District, as well as California State University Channel Islands and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; and the city of Fillmore as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.

For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Cities of Fillmore, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, and Ojai would like to address our youth and young adults’ growing use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters. These vehicles can be useful in reducing traffic and allowing young people a means of transportation other than motor vehicles to school and other activities. However, we have seen recent increases in collisions involving our youth on e-bikes, bicycles, and scooters.

The increased speed provided by E-bikes and electric scooters requires increased care in their use. Traffic rules must be followed, and helmets must be worn at all times. Each type of the above-listed vehicle has specific rules for its use and operation. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has prepared two informational flyers outlining these rules.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the above-listed contract cities are collaborating with local schools, Community Resource Units, and School Resource Deputies to provide in-person education on the rules, regulations, and safe use of E-bikes, bicycles, and electric scooters in our communities.
Electric off-road motorcycles made by Sur-Ron, Talaria, Segway, and many other manufacturers are prohibited on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. These are off-road-only vehicles and are subject to impoundment if they are operated on public roads, sidewalks, or parks. The rider can be subject to citation and/or arrest.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will focus on education, but will also consider enforcement of violations associated with electric motorcycles and their unlawful operation.

The goal is to reduce traffic collisions, ensure safe operation, and prevent injuries, protecting the youth in our communities.

Prepared by: Deputy Bradley Bordon
News Release Date: May 23, 2025
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren
***
E-Bicycle Definitions (VC 312.5)
An electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Three classes of electric bicycles have been established:

• Class 1: A low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached.

• Class 2: A low speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor used exclusively to propel the bicycle and NOT capable of providing assistance when a speed of 20 mph is reached.

• Class 3: A low speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a speedometer, and a motor which provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when a speed of 28 mph is reached.

The operator of a Class 3 electric bicycle:

• Must be 16 years old or older.

• Must wear a bicycle safety helmet.

• Must not transport passengers.

• May ride an electric bicycle in a bicycle lane if authorized by local authority or ordinance.

All electric bicycle classes are exempt from the motor vehicle financial responsibility, DL, and license plate requirements (VC 24016).

The vehicle code requires all bicyclist to follow the rules of the road. See the following link for more information.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/motorcycle-handbook/two-wheel-veh...

Electric Motorcycles
These are commonly referred to by brand names (SURRON/TALARIA/SEGWAY), these vehicles are motorcycles. At the time of this flyer, there is no lawful way to operate an electric motorcycle of this type on a public roadway, sidewalk or public park. These electric motorcycles can only be lawfully operated in designated Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas after registration with the DMV as a OHV.
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren

***
Motorized Scooters

These are defined by the California Vehicle Code
VC 407.5(a):

A “motorized scooter” is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an electric motor. This device may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion. For purposes of this section, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, a motor-driven cycle, as defined in Section 405, or a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined in Section 406, is not a motorized scooter.
Electric Scooter use and rules are covered by California Vehicle Code

VC 21235:
The operator of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:

(a) Operate a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

(b) Operate a motorized scooter on a highway with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless the motorized scooter is operated within a Class II or Class IV bikeway, except that a local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the operation of a motorized scooter outside of a Class II or Class IV bikeway on a highway with a speed limit of up to 35 miles per hour. The 15 mile per hour maximum speed limit for the operation of a motorized scooter specified in Section 22411 applies to the operation of a motorized scooter on all highways, including bikeways, regardless of a higher speed limit applicable to the highway.

(c) Operate a motorized scooter without wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212, if the operator is under 18 years of age.

(d) Operate a motorized scooter without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit.

(e) Operate a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator.

(f) Operate a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

(g) Operate a motorized scooter upon a sidewalk, except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.

(h) Operate a motorized scooter on the highway with the handlebars raised so that the operator must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

(i) Leave a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk or park a motorized scooter on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic.

(j) Attach the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the roadway, by any means, to any other
Approved by: Captain Jason Hendren

Posted on: May 16, 2025, courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=221
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA –– Fillmore, CA – May 16, 2025 – At its May 13, 2025, meeting, the Fillmore City Council unanimously approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–2026 Annual Budget, ensuring continued delivery of essential services, targeted infrastructure investments, and alignment with all City Council priorities.

City Council Goals Met in the FY 2025–2026 Budget

The approved budget fully supports the following goals adopted by the City Council:
- Revitalize Downtown Central Avenue
- Enhance Parks and Recreation
- Upgrade Public Infrastructure
- Address Homelessness
- Improve Public Communication and Engagement

Key Investments and Highlights
- Public Safety Enhancements:
- Two new firefighter positions
- Ongoing support for police and sheriff contract services
- $265,000 for protective gear and EMS supplies
- Police Restroom Expansion
- Traffic control devices

Parks & Recreation:
- $659,000 for park operations and maintenance
- Graffiti removal and vandalism repair allocation
- Completion of Delores Day Park modular restroom
- Upgraded irrigation and water line repairs

Infrastructure and Facilities:
- $7.1 million in capital improvements
- Street and sidewalk repairs, tree maintenance, and storm drain upgrades
- Transfers from enterprise funds to support water/sewer infrastructure and AMI meter system
- FEMA-reimbursable sewer emergency repair project underway

Homelessness Initiatives:
- $599,000 in FY 2025–26 from the $1.49 million ERF-4-L state grant to support housing solutions

Community Engagement & Administration:
- Launch of a new City newsletter
- $10,000 for Downtown wayfinding signage
- General Plan update underway
- Code enforcement contractor support

Senior Services:
- $294,000 contribution to Senior Nutrition Program to ensure uninterrupted meal delivery and program operations

Transparency & Access
Residents are encouraged to explore the full FY 2025–2026 Budget and related materials, available on the City’s website:

Staff Report – FY 2025–26 Budget - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1046/Staff-Report-for-FY2...

Budget Presentation Slides - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1048/City-of-Fillmore-and...

FY 2025–2026 Final Budget Document - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1047/FY-2025-26-Budget-Bo...

This summary highlights only a portion of the investments and initiatives included in the FY 2025–2026 Budget. For a full list of funded projects, programs, and expenditures, residents are encouraged to review the complete Budget Presentation and Budget Book available at the links above.

For additional information, please contact, Debra Cavaletto at dcavaletto@fillmoreca.gov or via phone at 805-524-3701 ext. 122.

Please visit www.fillmoreca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Community Contact:
Name: Debra Cavaletto
Title: Finance Director
Phone: 805-524-3701 ext. 122
Email: dcavaletto@fillmoreca.gov

FRIENDS OF THE BLANCHARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY
BACK STACKS Used Book Sales
Monthly Saturday Sale June 7th from 10am to 2pm.
Summer has Arrived!!
Start your summer by learning how to draw, start a new hobby or craft.
Try the Back Stacks First!
50% OFF ALL Art Books, plus ALL Hobby and Craft books in both June and July.
Start your Saturday Morning by checking out the Back Stacks great used book inventory. You will be amazed at how many books you can buy without spending a fortune! All proceeds from sales go to support the Blanchard Community Library.
Please note that we now take credit cards at all sales…so come on down and buy more!
If you miss our Saturday Sale stop by one of our regular weekday hours of operation:
Wednesdays from 12 pm to 4 PM (except January 1st)
Thursdays from 12pm to 2pm
Fridays from 12 pm to 2pm
We have Loads of Fiction and Non-fiction, as well as children’s books. Our collection features 1,000’s of used books from 50 cents to $2, as well as collectible books from $4 and up. 100% of book sale proceeds goes to support the Blanchard Community Library. PLEASE NOTE: We love receiving donations, and accept everything EXCEPT VHS, magazines or cassette taps. Also, we accept donations ONLY on days when the Library is open for business to ensure that your generous donation is not damaged or stolen.
Located at 119 North 8th Street, Santa Paula,
Enter via the north parking lot, thru the roll-up door in the back.
LOOK FOR our BOOK SALE SIGNS on 8th Street

Gazette Stock Photo
Enlarge Photo

Posted on: May 16, 2025, courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=221

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA –– Fillmore, CA – May 16, 2025 – At its May 13, 2025, meeting, the Fillmore City Council unanimously
approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–2026 Annual Budget, ensuring continued delivery of essential services, targeted
infrastructure investments, and alignment with all City Council priorities.

City Council Goals Met in the FY 2025–2026 Budget

The approved budget fully supports the following goals adopted by the City Council:

- Revitalize Downtown Central Avenue

- Enhance Parks and Recreation

- Upgrade Public Infrastructure

- Address Homelessness

- Improve Public Communication and Engagement

Key Investments and Highlights

- Public Safety Enhancements:

- Two new firefighter positions

- Ongoing support for police and sheriff contract services

- $265,000 for protective gear and EMS supplies

- Police Restroom Expansion

- Traffic control devices

Parks & Recreation:

- $659,000 for park operations and maintenance

- Graffiti removal and vandalism repair allocation

- Completion of Delores Day Park modular restroom

- Upgraded irrigation and water line repairs

Infrastructure and Facilities:

- $7.1 million in capital improvements

- Street and sidewalk repairs, tree maintenance, and storm drain upgrades

- Transfers from enterprise funds to support water/sewer infrastructure and AMI meter system

- FEMA-reimbursable sewer emergency repair project underway

Homelessness Initiatives:

- $599,000 in FY 2025–26 from the $1.49 million ERF-4-L state grant to support housing solutions

Community Engagement & Administration:

- Launch of a new City newsletter

- $10,000 for Downtown wayfinding signage

- General Plan update underway

- Code enforcement contractor support

Senior Services:

- $294,000 contribution to Senior Nutrition Program to ensure uninterrupted meal delivery and program operations

Transparency & Access

Residents are encouraged to explore the full FY 2025–2026 Budget and related materials, available on the City’s website:

Staff Report – FY 2025–26 Budget - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1046/Staff-Report-for-FY2...
PDF?bidId=

Budget Presentation Slides - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1048/City-of-Fillmore-and...

Budget-Presentation-PDF?bidId=

FY 2025–2026 Final Budget Document - https://www.fillmoreca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1047/FY-2025-26-Budget-Bo...

This summary highlights only a portion of the investments and initiatives included in the FY 2025–2026 Budget. For a full
list of funded projects, programs, and expenditures, residents are encouraged to review the complete Budget Presentation
and Budget Book available at the links above.

For additional information, please contact, Debra Cavaletto at dcavaletto@fillmoreca.gov or via phone at 805-524-3701 ext.
122.

Please visit www.fillmoreca.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Community Contact:

Name: Debra Cavaletto

Title: Finance Director

Phone: 805-524-3701 ext. 122

Email: dcavaletto@fillmoreca.gov

By Jan Lee

It is true that the Fillmore Flower Show has been over for a few weeks now. But, as you drive around town and see all the gardens blooming, it is as if all yards continue to show off their beauty!

Part of the fun of the flower show, besides the displays and music and cookies, is the possibility of winning one of the many door prizes donated by our local merchants. The following is a list of these generous people:

Ameci Pizza, Beyliks farming, Brandy Hollis, Bunnin Chevrolet, Central Nails, Diamond Realty & Investments, Green Thumb Nursery, Houry Meguerditchian/ Tracks, Sandy Ward’s Train Stop, La Flor Bonita/Rosa Agraz, La Michoacana Bakery, Nancy Cope, Otto & Sons Nursery, Pops Automotive, Red Engine, RQ Kitchen, Roan Mills, Santiago Ranch, The Treasure Station, and Vintage Pleasures.

If you are hungry, need work on your car, need some fresh eggs, your nails done, want to buy or rent a house or even want a bouquet or plants, look up one of these businesses. These wonderful people donate to many Fillmore groups. They offer some unique items and services. They say yes when asked to help. Let’s all help them continue to operate in our fine city!