Shane Morger

Courtesy Brandy Hollis

Let me tell you about a special man I have gotten to know of late, his name is Shane Morger. Most people know him from Bunnin Chevrolet as the relations director. I met Mr. Shane (as I like to call him) at the Boys and Girls Club Annual Auction. The person I was with said, “Oh that’s Shane, who works at Bunnin. He’s a very nice man!” The next time I met Shane was after I busted into his office and emailed him trying to get him to join a golf tournament for Project Understanding. And guess what, he showed up! We spoke before the ball drop, and bumped into each other several times throughout the tournament. He knew my son played baseball and he was trying to get a check to Fillmore Little League—I pointed him in the right direction. He helped sponsor the beautiful field banners for girls softball, and presented a check to AYSO. I’ve heard stories of the kids he has helped with their animals at the Ventura County Fair. He takes part in Cruise Night, on behalf of Bunnin and its restaurant, R&Q Kitchen. He has put on a blood drive at the dealership and in general been just a great guy. He is one of my favorite people when I think about people who try to do what they can to help the community however they can. Part of that is helping grow Bunnin Chevrolet with their beautiful showroom, friendly staff and amazing food! If you go into Bunnin, shake Mr. Shane’s hand or give him a pat on the back. It’s nice when people care about our community and it’s always nice to see his happy face! (Brandy has no affiliations to any business or organization).

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In honor of Fillmore’s Lin Thomas, who past away back in 2022, the Ventura County Model A club visited the Fillmore Historical Museum Saturday, October 21st, 2023 for a BBQ Lunch where they displayed their Model A vehicles pictured above. Photo credit Fillmore Historical Museum.
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Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

On Saturday, Oct 21st, 2023, the Ventura County Model A club visited the Fillmore Historical Museum to display their Model A vehicles and to enjoy a BBQ lunch remembering and honoring Lin Thomas of Fillmore who passed away in 2022. Lin was a teacher of industrial arts at Fillmore High School until his retirement. During the last three years of his teaching career he led his students in an auto restoration project. Each year under his direction they restored a Model A pickup which was then driven on one of the History Channels’ Great Races.

The first pickup, a 1930 Model A, restored by Lin and his high school students is now in the garage display building at the Fillmore Museum located at 350 Main St. in Fillmore and can be seen any day the museum is open. The three pickups were all painted blue and white, Fillmore High Schools colors. Each also had signage signifying the year and route that they traveled on the Great Race. The auto at the museum traveled from Marietta, Georgia, to Anaheim, CA, in the 1999 race and took 4th place.

The restoration of the each vehicle was a yearlong project. Cars had to be restored with materials available when the car was manufactured. This meant that fiberglass body and solid state ignitions were not allowed. For safety, two taillights and seatbelts were required. Older cars were allowed to adapt front axles to four wheel brakes and electric systems could be changed to 12 volts. The project also required finding body and engine parts, painting, cleaning and assembling the car. Students also had to be taught how to connect wiring, fuel, transmission and brake lines.
During the race odometers had to be covered from view. One clocks other that the race issued wristwatch for the driver and navigator was allowed. Students were the navigators and a teacher or adult supervisor were the drivers. Any repairs during the day were to be done by the driver and navigator. Extensive repairs could be done at the end of the race day by the repair crew that was part of the group. Maps were not allowed.

The race to Anaheim took 13 days to cross the country and came in 4th.

Those attending the Saturday event enjoyed viewing the Model A cars, talking to the owners and visiting the various buildings on the museum site. They also enjoyed the BBQ lunch prepared by Doug and Andrea Legan.

FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA – October 26, 2023– The Fillmore City Council unanimously approved the Hometown Heroes Military Banner program at its meeting on October 24. The City is proud to recognize Fillmore’s military heroes for their service through the City's Military Banner Program. Family members and loved ones may nominate duty service members from any branch of the United States Military to be honored with a street banner with the service member's name. The City will officially take over the program as of Monday, November 6.

Prior to commencement of this program, the creation of military banners was a joint effort between the City and the Fillmore Unified School District. For a coordinated and consistent program, the District and City determined that the City should administer the banner program on its own.

To qualify, honorees must meet the following requirements:

o Live within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries at the time of enlistment; and

o Be active-duty military personnel in any branch of the United States Military (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marine Corps), including active Reserves and active National Guard; or,

o Be inactive duty or retired military personnel that served in any branch of the United States Military; or,

o Be a fallen service member in any United States conflict.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and banners will be installed and removed quarterly, on the last Thursday of the last month of each quarter (January, April, July, October), weather, City Holidays and staffing permitting.

Applicants must pay the vendor directly for each banner, which costs $138. The City will pay for the banner brackets, installation, and removal.

The banner applications and program guidelines can be obtained from the City of Fillmore’s website at https://www.fillmoreca.gov/1318/Hometown-Heroes or you may contact the Public Works Department to have them emailed to you by contacting Shannon Godfrey at (805) 201-9623 or sgodfrey@fillmoreca.gov. Applications will also be available at City Hall, in the lobby and second floor offices, located at 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA.

The City is also soliciting volunteers to be Ambassadors for the Fillmore Hometown Heroes Military Banner program. Ambassadors will provide assistance with administering the program. Participation in the program by Ambassador volunteers is strictly voluntary and uncompensated. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Erika Herrera, Assistant City Manager at eherera@fillmoreca.gov / (805) 946-1712 or Jacky Magdaleno, Senior Management Analyst, at jherrera@fillmoreca.gov/ (805) 946-1295

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

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October 30, 2023 - As part of Ventura County’s 150-year celebration, ÁNIMO Theatre Company will premiere Los Braceros De Buena Vista- A Mariachi Opera at the historic Fillmore Towne Theatre on November 10, 2023.

The story of the Braceros is an important chapter in the history of Ventura County, whose fields and orchards received more of the laborers than in any other county in the United States.

In Ventura County today, thousands of families trace their roots to a bracero. Oxnard was home to the Buena Vista Bracero camp, the largest in the nation, which at its peak housed 5,000 workers.

Set in the 1950s at the height of the Bracero program, “Los Braceros De Buena Vista” is a dynamic one-act “Mariachi Opera” which fuses mariachi music, ballet folklorico, and powerful “opera” style set pieces. “Los Braceros De Buena Vista” highlights the challenges workers faced and is both a cultural and educational experience that honors the legacy of migrant workers.

”‘Los Braceros De Buena Vista’ poignantly expresses the struggles encountered by fieldworkers to the audiences and honors their great contributions to the U.S.,” says Miguel Orozco, writer and director of the show.

The Mariachi music in “Los Braceros De Buena Vista” is performed by Mariachi Águilas de J. Carlos Ozuna – one of the premiere mariachi ensembles in Southern California. Joining the production will be a special performance by the Inlakech Cultural Center.

Tickets for “Los Braceros De Buena Vista” are on sale at www.animotheatre.org and at Estrella Market at 317 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA. The play is presented in English and Spanish with subtitles.

I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to my family, friends, and the communities of Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula for all your support, thoughts, and prayers during a most difficult time. The unexpected passing of Ernie left me and all who knew him saddened over the loss of someone who has been an icon in their lives and the community for more than half a century. He was the love of my life, husband of over 60 years, father of Jeff, Brian and Michelle, and grandfather of Gabriel, Stella, Luke, Finn, Sofia, and Cameron Joseph. The kindness, generosity, participation and assistance of family and friends during the funeral service was appreciated more than you know. It made an otherwise somber day more comfortable for me and your continued kindness and generosity is helping me find a new normal.

I am most grateful to Father Jim Stehly who officiated at the funeral held at St. Francis of Assisi on September 29. Father Stehly was a close family friend, so it was special that he blessed the day and joined us in quiet sadness as he bid his friend farewell. I would also like to thank the Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Council 8800 for their support of one of their brothers. It was Ernie’s pride and joy to be part of the brotherhood since its founding in Fillmore. There are so many of you that I want to thank individually, and I will, eventually, when I see you.

Again, I thank you all sincerely for everything everyone did for me, especially your generous donations to Fillmore High School’s Mariachi Los Rayos in Ernie’s honor. Ernie would have liked that.
Becky Sosa Morales

CAMARILLO, Calif. – The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) joins other local
transit operators in honoring U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members with free
bus rides on Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day.

Operators will provide free rides on fixed routes during normal service hours.
Participating operators are Camarillo Area Transit, Gold Coast Transit District, Moorpark City
Transit, Ojai Trolley, Simi Valley Transit, Thousand Oaks Transit, Valley Express, and Ventura
County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Intercity.

Camarillo Area Transit, East County Transit Alliance (ECTA), Moorpark City Transit and Valley
Express will provide free on-demand dial-a-ride services to veterans and active-duty service
members on Nov. 10.

Eligible riders can show their valid identification to the bus driver upon boarding any
participating fixed-route service. Valid forms of identification include U.S. military ID, Common
Access Card (CAC), Veterans Affairs (VA) card, veteran designation on a California driver’s
license, DD214, and Retired Military ID. Riders without proper ID are asked to share their
branch, dates and location of service with the bus driver.

VCTC started the Veterans Ride Free program in 2016.

“This is our way of saying thank you to the brave men and women of Ventura County who have
served our country in the past and are serving now,” said VCTC Executive Director Martin
Erickson. “We are honored to welcome them aboard our buses.”
About the Ventura County Transportation Commission

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency
committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at
goventura.org.

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular trash, recycling and yard/organic waste collection schedule in Fillmore during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 5-11.

Harrison Industries serves the cities and surrounding unincorporated areas of Ventura, Ojai and Camarillo as well as the unincorporated areas of Newbury Park, El Rio, Somis, Ojai Valley, the Channel Islands beach communities and the city of Carpinteria as E.J. Harrison & Sons; Fillmore and surrounding unincorporated areas as Santa Clara Valley Disposal.

For more information, visit www.ejharrison.com.

Tuesday City Council Report - Council voted as follows:

7.A, 7.B, 7.C, 8.C, 8.E, 8.F, - All approved 5-0.

8.D - Approved 4-0 (One Council Member had a conflict.)

8.B - Approved 4-1

8.A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM. SR - (CVRA) FIRST PUBLIC HEARING.pdf – Thursday, October 26th, 6:30pm.

RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: 1. Receive public input and discuss the Hometown Hero Banner Program.
8.B FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LARRY WALKER ASSOCIATES FOR SUPPORT FOR RENEWAL OF THE WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS PERMIT FOR THE FILLMORE WATER RECYCLING PLANT. SR- 1ST AMENDMENT- LARRY WALKER.PDF.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: 1. Authorize the reallocation of $166,414 from the Sewer Operating Fund Balance to the Sewer Enterprise Account – 301-4638-0021-245; and 2. Approve the First Amendment to the Contract Services Agreement for Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) services with Larry Walker Associates (LWA).

8.C APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN POSITIONS AND EMPLOYEES TO APPROVE LOCAL AGENCY INVESTMENT FUND DEPOSIT OR WITHDRAWAL TRANSACTIONS
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is requesting that City Council of the City of Fillmore and the Successor Agency of the Redevelopment Agency update the City’s current list authorized positions and people to be added to the City’s Local Agency Investment Fund account.

8.D UPDATED HOMETOWN HERO BANNER PROGRAM AND CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF PROGRAM GUIDELINES. SR - HOMETOWN HERO.pdf
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: 1. Receive public input and discuss the Hometown Hero Banner Program; and 2. Adopt the Hometown Hero Banner Program Policies and Guidelines.
8.E INTRODUCE BY FIRST READING ORDINANCE NO. 23-955 TO AMEND FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 7.12 AND 11.20 SR - SIDEWALK VENDING.pdf

RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests that the City Council: 1. Approve the new marketing toolkit; and 2. Adoption the usage policy for the marketing toolkit set forth below.
RECOMMENDATION That the City Council introduce first reading of Ordinance 23-955, amending the penalty provisions of Fillmore Municipal Code (“FMC”) Chapters 7.12 and 11.20 as they apply to sidewalk vendors to bring such provisions into compliance with State law.

8.F APPROVAL REQUEST FOR NEW MARKETING TOOLKIT AND ADOPTION OF USAGE POLICY.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests that the City Council: 1. Approve the new marketing toolkit; and 2. Adoption the usage policy for the marketing toolkit set forth below.

Join the spooktacular fun at City of Fillmore’s Annual Trunk or Treat 2023! On Tuesday, October 31st, 2023, 6pm-8pm on Central Avenue, Downtown Fillmore from 6pm – 8pm. Local business, clubs, and more gather with their decorated trunks and pass out candy. Prizes and more to trick or treaters, while they cast their votes for a Peoples Choice award. Costumes encouraged!! Come out and have some fun for more details visit https://www.facebook.com/cityoffillmore.

Written by Lisa Givan

In the sultry heart of Georgia, amid the whispers of Spanish moss-laden trees and abundant fields of tobacco, a murder mystery play like no other is set to unfold. "Death and Nicotine," set in the 1930s.
This tantalizing production, conceived by local playwright Josh Overton, is a thrilling tale of secrets, deceit, and, of course, murder. The plot revolves around a mysterious death at the home of the elite Herrington family. The twist? The victim lies dead from nicotine poisoning without a cigarette in sight.

Overton, who drew inspiration from the tobacco plantations of the south and classic literary masterpieces, skillfully weaves together a plot where each character harbors dark secrets, and motives lie hidden in the shadowy corners of the Herrington Mansion. The actors bring their characters to life with finesse and flair.
The genteel hypochondriac Constance Herrington, portrayed by the captivating Jo Becerra, is the show's matriarch. The investigation into the poisoning death is led by a sharp-witted detective, Celine Winslet, portrayed masterfully by Brandy Lengning. Winslet's relentless pursuit of the truth keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Lengning's charisma and wit add depth to this unforgettable character.

Vincent, portrayed by newcomer Layne Allen takes center stage as the enigmatic victim who ignites the web of intrigue, secrecy, and suspicion that weaves throughout the plot.
Supporting characters played by Diana Martinez, Adriana Limon, David Becerra, Isabella Liu, Fidel Escoto, Alex Becerra and Mable Lengning round out a phenomenally talented cast of suspects.

Audiences are not mere spectators but part of the experience, invited to deduce the identity of the murderer. As the play progresses, it becomes a race against time to solve the perplexing crime.

Throughout the play, the characters are forced to confront their own connections to Vincent, unearthing long-buried secrets, hidden agendas, and potential motives for his untimely demise. As the audience is drawn deeper into the intrigue, it becomes apparent that everyone at "Herrington Mansion" has a reason to want Vincent silenced.

If you're looking for a night of intrigue, passion, and a dash of danger, be sure to secure your seat at the Sespe Auditorium.

Brought to you by director team Jessica and Lisa Givan and assisted by Hannah Faith, "Death and Nicotine" promises a night to remember, bringing the intrigue and allure of the 1930s back to life.

Opening on October 20 at 7:00 p.m., "Death and Nicotine" runs for two weekends. October 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at 7:00p.m. Sunday matinee on October 22 at 2:00 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. The theatre is located at the Sespe Auditorium, 627 Sespe Ave. Fillmore.

Tickets $10 adult, $7 senior/student. Tickets are available online at www.sespeplayers.org