Former Fillmore City Manager Roy Payne spoke at last night’s City Council meeting to give information as well as concern for the proposed Business Park Master Plan.

During Tuesday's regular Fillmore City Council meeting the filling actions were taken:

Ordinance No. 18-888 granting a non-exclusive franchise to Seneca Resources Corporation to maintain, use, and operate pipelines for the transmission of oil or gas was unanimously approved by Council.

Staff reviewed several models of landscape maintenance contracts and prepared a Request for Proposals for Landscape Maintenance Services. Council unanimously approved a contract with Mariposa Landscape Inc. in the amount of $690,785for the Citywide Landscape Maintenance Services.

Council approved Resolution No. 18-3629 increasing potable water rates and sewer rates. See City of Fillmore website for details.

Former Fillmore City Manager Roy Payne provided information concerning a proposed amendment to the Business Park Master Plan, Appendix B, to modify the common area infrastructure fee. No action was taken.

Lions International Student Speaker Contest is an annual event allowing high school students the opportunity to showcase their public speaking talents and knowledge. This year’s contest topic is “Integrity and Civility in Today’s Society.”

Fillmore Lions Club is proud to announce that Fillmore High School senior Alina Herrera has advanced to the Region Competition after winning both the Club and Zone levels.

The Fillmore Lions Club wants to congratulate Alina as well as send positive thoughts her was as she competes in the Region Competition to be held on March 27th. The public is invited. Contact Lion Scott Lee for details. If Alina advances from Region to the prestigious “District Level” she will compete for a $4,000.00 award.

Bob Crum

First, portrait photography is not my favorite genre--especially of teenagers. But “no” was not an option. A friend of a friend. You know how that is.

Mother wants a portrait of her son for relatives back east. Must be natural light, I'm not loving flash photography much. To impress the relatives back east, mom selects Mugu rock on the PCH, background the ocean. Works for me.

When they arrived, the afternoon light was delicious. No sooner had John, not his real name, and I met it was obvious he was no more happy sitting for his portrait than I was shooting it.

Let's go over here I suggested. John agreed, mom objected. “I want the rock and the ocean,” she said. Fine, I said, move the rock and it'll work. She didn't appreciate my humor. I wasn't kidding.

I knew the perfect place for John to perch. It meant some rock climbing. Fine with John. Mom stayed up top. With John sitting on a boulder with the ocean background, I urged John to smile. Wasn't happening. Mom noted and yelled: “Smile John!” John remained stone faced.

John, I said, smile and we can both go home. John was obstinate. So was I. OK, John, here's how it is: You either smile or you are going to sit on that rock until you become one with it and seagulls poop all over you. He finally smiled, just long enough for me to capture a couple photos. Not enough. One more time John. Nothing doing. Mom, I yelled, bribe your son! “New cell phone John!” mom yelled. John's smile was ear to ear wide. “Did he smile?” yelled Mom. Yes! a lot, I replied! Mom loved the photos and wrote the check with a smile. I smiled too. Smiling is good! Well folks, that's it, done with portrait work for the rest of the year. Well, maybe. If you want to pay a $50,000 sitting fee then I'm your guy.

Afterward, I had time to stroll around and perhaps come upon a photo op or two. A few pelicans flew by but I forgot to reinstall the telephoto lens. OK, forget the pelicans. After changing lenses, maybe shoot some explosive waves. Nah, wasn't happening. Calm ocean, slack tide. Boring. It's like that sometimes. Worse, no mermaids!

Whoa, out of the corner of my eye, the left one of course, I glimpsed a hairy animal. Then it disappeared. I moved to get a better view of where the animal emerged. I shouldn't have. It suddenly reappeared and began to move towards me. Frightened, I froze. It moved slowly at first oblivious of my presence. As I raised the camera it saw me and instantly began to rapidly charge at me. Escape options were limited with the ocean on one side, a cliff on the other. Difficult as it might be, my only escape was to scramble up a nearby boulder. Mmmm. But even as the shrieking hairy monster with its glaring beady eyes got closer, you know I have to capture at least one photo. Thankfully it finally moved on, disappearing into the rocks. I quickly returned to the safety of my truck. Whew! Of the two: The tortuous portrait shoot or confronting a hairy monster; which would I prefer? HA! That's easy. I'll take my chances photographing ferocious wildlife any day! That said, I'm thrilled to have escaped this harrowing experience to bring you the photo of the week: The menacing Super Mouse of Mugu!

Happy photoing.

Send your suggestions, comments and questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

The Fillmore Flower Show will be here before you know it! This year it will be April 14 and 15 at the Active Adult Center. The theme is “Fillmore Blooms”. We hope to see many of you bring your garden treasures to share with the community.
These are the competitive divisions:
- Single stem cut roses
- Single stem cut iris
- Other single stem cut flowers
- Bouquets
- Arrangements
- Miniature arrangements and bouquets
- Potted plants
- Dish gardens
- Youth arrangements
- Youth composition
- Youth art
Choose your division. Or enter something in each division. Our gardens make Fillmore beautiful. Our people make their gardens and our community beautiful. Fillmore is full of blooms! Plan to enter or visit the flower show this April.
For more information go to fillmoreflowershow.com

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced the extension of the nomination period to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, for two offices that are scheduled to be voted upon at the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election. The extension applies to the offices of Ventura County Supervisor, 4th District, and Ventura County Sheriff.

The extension is only applicable to persons other than the incumbent. Nomination documents for persons interested in the offices may be obtained at the Ventura County Elections Division, Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura.

Additional information regarding candidate qualifications and filing procedures may be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division by calling (805) 654-2664, or by visiting the Ventura County Elections Division website: www.venturavote.org.

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Top l-r: Coaches Cristoval Gomez, Francisco Garibay, Yareli Vasquez, Isabella Vaca, Shania Leon, Alexis Mejia, Kayla Martinez, Tori Villegas, Yaneli Conbian, Valerie Hernandez, Coaches Omero Martinez, Johnny Vaca, Alexsys Covarrubias, Ana Covarrubias, Anahi Andrade, Coach Yazu Meza. Middle Bottom: Ari Magana, Aliyah Alfaro, Jennifer Cruz, Sophia Garibay, Lupita Bravo, Emily Garibay, Lupita Ruvalcaba, Susie Garcia, Andrea Maruffo. Keepers: Ashley Yepez and Aaliyah Lopez. Coaches not pictured Jenny Andrade. Photo courtesy Coach Omero Martinez.
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Pictured is the team in front of Fillmore Fire Engine 91 after riding into town on top as they celebrated their victory.
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For the first time on 31 years the Fillmore Flashes Girls Soccer Program played in the CIF Southern Section Girls Soccer Division 7 Championship game. On Saturday, March 3rd 12pm the Flashes Girls Soccer Team played in the CIF Southern Section Girls Soccer Division 7 Championship game against Azusa at a neutral field Warren High school. The Lady Flashes fought hard and defeated Azusa to bring home the Championship Title with a final score of 3-1.

Fillmore scored two goals at the first 3 minutes of the game. Ana Covarrubias scored the first goal, followed by Andrea Marruffo. Yareli Vasquez scored in the second half to put the Lady Flashes up 3-0. Fillmore’s defense stayed strong and held Azusa to only 3 shots on goal.

After the amazing win on Saturday, on Tuesday March 6th the Flashes took to the field again at home against Rosamond High School for the Southern California Regional Girls Soccer Championship 1st round game. The Flashes defeated Rosamond 7–0.

They will advance the semi finals where they will take on Rialto High School Thursday, March 8th.

Captain Eric Tennessen

After an extensive vetting process to select the next chief of police for the city of Fillmore, Captain Eric Tennessen has been named the city’s chief this week as Captain Dave Wareham retires after 32 years of service with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Tennessen, who is a 19-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, has an extensive background in investigations, which includes assignments in Camarillo, Moorpark, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit, the Special Crimes Unit, and the Major Crimes Bureau. Tennessen most recently managed patrol operations for the East County / Thousand Oaks station.

Tennessen lives in Camarillo with his wife, Kaylee, and four children. He brings a diverse background to his new position, including a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Northridge.

The public is invited to get to know Tennessen during four “meet the chief” events scheduled in the coming weeks at the following locations:
Tuesday March 13, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. at Starbucks 650 W. Ventura St.
Thursday March 15, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at One Step a la Vez 421 Sespe Ave.
Tuesday March 20, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the Active Adult Center 533 Santa Clara St.
Thursday March 22, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at Starbucks 650 W. Ventura St.

Prepared by: Sgt. Eric Buschow
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Saturday, March 3, 2018, Sheriff’s detectives conducted compliance checks at the residences of twenty-nine (29) registered sex offenders throughout the Fillmore area. The compliance checks were funded through the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE / ELEAS) Grant.

Twenty-seven (27) of the sex registrants were confirmed to be in compliance with their registration requirements. Two (2) registrants were not contacted because they were not home or had moved. Sheriff’s detectives will follow-up to determine if the remaining registrants not contacted are out-of-compliance. The Sheriff’s office aggressively pursues prosecution of sex registrants who fail to comply with their registration requirements.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps on an ongoing basis to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residences and 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.

Prepared by: Sergeant Ryan Clark
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau / Sexual Assault Unit
Approved by: Captain Jeff Miller