Video clips courtesy Sebastian Ramirez, Andrew Castel de Oro, and Scott Duckett.
[Editor's note: The Gazette did not want any ads to appear in this video. Any ads that appear in this video do so beyond our control. A YouTube user has claimed copyright ownership of the bagpipes song "Going Home" and YouTube is displaying ads on their behalf.]

Fillmore Unified School District

The first Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting of the 2016-2017 school year began with heartfelt eulogy by Board President Virginia de la Piedra addressing the loss of Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, "If you knew him, you knew he impacted your life." She spoke of Landeros' positive impact on Fillmore and the board members themselves. Board Member Sean Morris spoke of how their paths had crossed at Rotary Club where Morris was President just before Landeros took over that position. Landeros was very helpful when two Rotary Clubs merged and "strong minds" were present stating "Rigo always showed concern....he'd be there, he'd help you." Board Member Lucy Rangel said she remembers having Landeros as a 6th grade student and that you just knew he was going places and how he will be missed. Superintendent Dr. Adrian Palazuelos commented that Landeros was the first person to introduce him to Fillmore and remarked of his genuine honesty and warmth. At the end of giving their thoughts, de la Piedra asked everyone in the room to stand for a minute of silence in recognition. As the meeting continued, de la Piedra holding back tears and visibly upset, Palazuelos stepped up for a few minutes until de la Piedra gained her composure and she continued chairing the meeting.

The first item presented was recognition of Fillmore High School Drama Class teacher Josh Overton and his students Fatima Bazurto, Israel Brooks, Trysten Riddle and Nicholas Podada for their 2015 performance of The Rainmaker. Also recognized, but not in attendance were Blake Paloiso and Rachel Rivera.

During the Superintendent Report Palazuelos spoke of the resources coming from Sacramento, which he stated are good at present, but the coming years may be lean. Palazuelos emphasized that money must be reserved for the possibility of "resources getting tight" and the need to prioritize..."Right now things are positive, but that could change in a minute."

In the Governor's CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Honda Accord is the most frequently stolen vehicle in the United States according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau in their 2015 annual “Hot Wheels Report.” The Honda Civic is #2 on their list.

On January 15, 2016, at 4:55 AM, deputies patrolling on Highway 126, east of Wells Road, saw two vehicles on the right side of the shoulder. The deputies stopped to render assistance and investigate but shortly thereafter, they realized one of the vehicles was an unreported stolen Honda from the city of Oxnard.

As deputies attempted to contact the two subjects, Omar Martinez, 20 of Fillmore, attempted to drive way from the scene in his vehicle, which had a flat tire. Deputies briefly chased Martinez but due to the condition of his vehicle, he was unable to maintain control and collided into the center guardrail a short distance away. He was detained by the deputies.

Multiple car keys for Honda vehicles were found attached to the ignition of the second vehicle, a Honda Accord being driven by Daniel Mendoza, 18 of Fillmore. The Honda Mendoza was driving was registered to an address in the city of Oxnard. Neither Mendoza nor Martinez was able to provide the name of the registered owner.

Based on the suspicion that the Honda driven by Mendoza may be stolen, deputies contacted officers with the Oxnard Police Department, who in turn contacted the registered owner. The registered owner confirmed that the vehicle was stolen.

Martinez and Mendoza were arrested and booked for grand theft of a vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of burglary tools. Both were booked at the Main Jail in Ventura.

Prepared by: Detective Javier Chavez

United Blood Services has upgraded it’s “blood mobile”, a familiar sight in the area, with a brand new unit. The new blood mobile was especially built and configured to United Blood Services specifications and is designed for the lifesaving work they do everyday. It has a very specialized lay-out and specific technical equipment to conduct even more efficient blood drives than the older unit. The space was designed for optimal blood donor use and low physical effort for donors regardless of donor size or posture.

United Blood Services new blood mobile will be out and about in the community effective immediately at blood drives being held at high schools, places of worship, businesses, special events and more! In fact, this new blood mobile will travel to 350+ community blood drives in 2016 to collect blood from United Blood Services fabulous volunteer blood donors.

Nearly, 60% of the blood collected in the Ventura & Santa Barbara area comes from community blood drives. Having this new state of the art blood mobile to hold blood drives in will become an even greater tool in having blood available to hospital patients when needed. Donors are encouraged to tour the bus at one of many blood drives happening in the area. Donors can make an appointment for an area blood drive by calling 877-827-4376 or by going online at www.Blood4Life.org and clicking on “Donate Blood” and typing in their zip code to find a list of drives nearby. Appointments are appreciated, but not necessary. Walk-ins are welcome, and will be honored. Much needed blood donations may also be made at our Ventura Center on 2223 Eastman Ave or our Santa Barbara Center on 4213 State Street.

Those who are age 16 and older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, can likely donate. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors age 22 and younger. Donors who are age 16, will need a parent permission slip to donate (which can be obtained online at www.UnitedBloodServices.org).

Sammy is a Black male, 11 years old, 4’11” tall, 70 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help finding Sammy Evans, who has been missing since the night of January 16, 2016.

On January 16, 2016, Sammy's mother contacted the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and reported Sammy missing. Sammy has a medical condition and requires daily medication. Sammy was last seen by family members on January 16, 2016, at about 9:00 PM.

Sammy is a Black male, 11 years old, 4’11” tall, 70 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

It is currently unknown how Sammy may be dressed.

Sammy's family and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are concerned for Sammy’s safety and are asking for the public’s help in locating him. Anyone with information on Sammy’s whereabouts is asked to contact Deputy Scott Baugher at (805) 797-6353 or the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at (805) 654-9511.

Nature of Incident: At Risk Missing Juvenile
Report Number: 16-8028
Location: Tree Ranch Rd, Upper Ojai area
Date & Time: 01/17/16 @ 0900 hrs
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff's Office and Upper Ojai Search and Rescue
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Sammy Evans Upper Ojai 11
Prepared by: Deputy Scott Baugher
News Release Date: January 17, 2016
Media Follow-Up Contact: Deputy Scott Baugher
805-797-6353
scott.baugher@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Kenney

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).

[The following article was first printed in The Fillmore Gazette on July 18, 2013, in recognition of Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros. We are running it again in tribute to a good man.]

Tribute to a Good Man
There are many “Only in Fillmore” and “Hometown boy makes good” stories to recount, but the one about Fillmore's own Rigo Landeros deserves mention in both those categories! If I didn't live in Fillmore and personally know Rigo for over 20 years I would be suspicious myself that in today's environment anyone would be asked to do what he was asked to do; or that he could accomplish what he did these past 11 months as interim city manager. But to really understand how this happened, and how it actually worked, you really have to know a little background about Rigo, Fillmore’s Fire Chief.

Except for being born in Ventura, Reguberto “Rigo” Landeros, 49 years old has lived all his life in his hometown of Fillmore. He has been educated in Fillmore Unified School District Schools; San Cayetano and Sespe Elementary Schools, Fillmore Junior High School (now Fillmore Middle School) and he graduated from Fillmore High School in 1982.

Rigo is the son of Nicholas and the late (2001) Gabriela Landeros of Fillmore. Rigo's father was a hard working family man who toiled in the orange orchards until age 70 as a laborer. Rigo is the youngest of six Landeros children; Brothers Nick 59 years of Ventura, Frannie, 56 years of Fillmore, Chris, 54 years of Fillmore and sisters Abbagail, 58 years of Pearblossom, CA, Annaberta, 52 years of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Josie, 51 years of Lancaster, CA. His father-In-Law Tom and mother-In-Law Jan Petersen also live in Fillmore.

Rigo is married to his wife of 25 years, Laura (Petersen), and together they have three children; daughter Christina Bingham, 28 years (husband Elden), living in Fillmore with Granddaughters Gabriella, 5 years and Mea, 1 month. Christina is a Chef for Garmin's Restaurant and Irish Pub in Santa Paula and Elden is employed by Gelson's Markets in the City of Commerce. Sons Daniel, 23 years of Port Hueneme is employed as a Grocery Clerk for Whole Foods in Oxnard and David, 21 years of Fillmore, who broke tradition, is a welder in Oxnard.

There are four qualities I have learned about Rigo over the years; he has fierce a love for his family, especially for his wife Laura. I have also known that he is a very hard worker and a dedicated and loyal friend and employee of the two employers I have known him to work for; Gelson's Markets and the City of Fillmore. And lastly Rigo has difficulty saying “no” to a friend, or to a good cause!

It is important to know Rigo's employment history prior to his employment with the City of Fillmore to understand how he could work under the stressful, and sometime adverse conditions that existed when he stepped up to to sit as the acting City Manager nearly one-year ago.

While still a teenager, Rigo began his career in the grocery business at the age of 14 as a means to change the direction his father had him heading. With six children to feed the Landeros Family needed everyone to chip in and contribute to the wealth of the family. As a result all were required to work in the orange orchards picking fruit and giving back their wages to help support the household. Rigo tells me he hated working in the orchards and one day while walking down Central Avenue in Fillmore he wandered into Austin's Market (formerly Segovia's and today Estrella Market), located at the corner of Main and Central and asked the owner Bill Austin for a job. Impressed with young Rigo he was hired on the spot to sweep the sawdust from the floors (sawdust was used at that time in and around the meat counters), clean the meat cutting equipment and some other general custodial duties. It was at this time he learned about customer service and developed his interest in meat cutting. Although the new job removed him from farm labor, he still was required to assist with the finances of the family, a concept that Rigo embraced.

Rigo worked at Austin's Market until about 1984 when he was hired at the Green Acres Market in Simi Valley. It was there he began a four-year apprenticeship in meat cutting. Rigo left Green Acres Market for a position at Gelson's Markets in 1988 as a meat cutter and worked for Gelson's Markets until 2009. Gelson's Market is a chain of 18 markets stretching from the Orange County city of Dana Point to Santa Barbara to the north. Gelson's Markets are known for their high quality Produce and Meat Departments as well as high quality take-home foods prepared on their premises. Gelson’s Markets and their employees are known for their gusto, can-do spirit and love of the customer. Those company traits clearly speak to Rigo's passion towards life and work, and define who Rigo is.

Throughout his tenure with Gelson's, Rigo progressively moved up the corporate ladder. He held positions as; assistant manager, then manager of the meat department. He was then placed as the supervisor of the meat departments of all of Gelson's 18 stores which eventually led him, because of his expertise, to Human Resources where he was responsible for the hiring of meat cutters for the chain. Not one to go unnoticed for his hard work and dedication Gelson's Markets again tapped Rigo to be their buyer for Gelson's meats, gourmet cheese and service deli. As their Director of Meat and Deli, Rigo traveled the world negotiating contracts with foreign processors of meat and imported cheese. In addition he was responsible for insuring the processors met the standards of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) before allowing their products to be sold in Gelson's Markets.

Rigo’s dream began back about the same time he decided he no longer wanted to work as a farm laborer and happened into Austin's Market. Rigo always had it in the back of his mind that he wanted to some day become a firefighter. That thought became a passion and may have started with his childhood relationship with the then Fillmore Fire Chief and neighbor Oscar Lefever. Chief Lafever was somewhat of a mentor in and around Rigo's neighborhood on Foothill and Central Avenue. In 1982 he became a Ventura County Fire Department Reserve Firefighter after completing their Fire Academy. He stayed there until 1994 when he moved to the all Volunteer Fillmore Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and rose through the ranks as an Engineer, Captain, Assistant Chief and in 2009 he left Gelson's Markets to accept the position as Fillmore Fire Chief. Rigo told me because of his passion to become a firefighter he always held that dream close, but while at Gelson's Markets he lost sight of that passion as he worked hard within the system. Becoming the Fire Chief for the City of Fillmore rekindled that passion and met his goals as a professional firefighter.

So how does someone working in the hierarchy of a successful grocery store chain, earning a six figure salary, find himself leaving that security and taking a position within the City of Fillmore as their Fire Chief? The answer was not easy for Rigo and it was complicated. I know this personally because over the years Rigo and I have talked about the dilemma of following his passion for firefighting, or continuing to thrive at Gelson's Markets. And, I know it was a huge decision for him, and for Laura, when Rigo was presented with the opportunity to lead the Fillmore Fire Department. This would be a decision that would seriously challenge his financial ability to support his family at a time when his family's needs were increasing. It was here that Rigo told me, “Laura was the driving force for me. Laura has defined who I am today. She has always sat on the sidelines supporting me. I always knew I could do better in my life and make my parents proud of me. Laura helped me do that. But, I do apologize to her for putting her, and my family through the stress.” Rigo told me you have to have a passion for what you do. Rigo does and Laura saw and supported his passion.

Those of us living in and around the City of Fillmore are very aware of how contentious politics in Fillmore had been over recent years. When you combine that with a shrinking budget, loss of revenue sources and a pending lawsuit from a previously released fire chief, a perfect storm was about to hit Fillmore City Hall. Over time two city managers and a interim city manager came and went. A number of key department heads and employees left the City either because of budget cuts, or because of the inability of city leaders to work with their department heads, or act within the best interest of the citizens they were elected to serve. One-by-one those elected officials left office, or were voted out of office, and in 2011 Rigo found himself serving as the Fire Chief/Acting Public Works Director. This occurred after long-time Public Works Director Bert Rapp left for calmer waters and a job closer to his home in Ojai. Then in August of 2012 Yvonne Quiring, then the embattled City Manager, left her position virtually overnight, and Rigo was asked to serve as the Acting City Manager until a replacement could be found. He accepted the challenge. But, he was asked to continue to serve as the City Fire Chief and Acting Public Works Director concurrently with his now Acting City Manager duties.

If you have been following all of this Rigo was now serving as the Acting City Manager, sitting Fire Chief and Acting Public Works Director of a city functioning with half of its employees due to budget cutbacks to balance the budget, and the loss of critical department heads who left because they no longer felt supported by the elected officials, or did not feel secure in their employment tenure.

So how did Rigo find himself as the “Go-to Guy” for this rudderless ship sailing into the perfect storm? Some reasons are his extensive and highly successful corporate background, as well as an earned strong reputation for being someone who was loyal and willing to work hard. The City Council knew they had someone right in front of them who would give it his best to do it right, or die trying! They knew Rigo loved his hometown and would not fail.

There was also another reason. Rigo is also well known for not being able to say ‘no’ to anyone, or to any challenge if Rigo believes in the cause. There is not a service club or youth group that has not asked Rigo for donations of Tri-Tip from Gelson's Markets, or asked him to provide the chef services for cooking the BBQ. I know that once Rigo has committed he will deliver. Many times when he was unable to make the connection for the donated Tri-Tip, he would quietly pay for the Tri-Tip out of his own pocket and donate it so as not to disappoint those hosting the fundraiser. This would hold true for a fundraiser for the soon to be newly elected Sheriff, any 4-H, or FFA event, or even the funeral services for a friend's mother. Everyone knew Rigo could always be counted on and that is what the City of Fillmore needed.

As to how he was successful in keeping things afloat Rigo told me, “I was blessed to have the trust of the City Council. I also had the help of the City Staff to move the City forward. I was able to organize the people around me to help me succeed. All of the City Staff helped me get through it. Former Fire Chief'(s) Pat Askren and Bill Herrera did the ground work for the Fire Department so that all I had to do was continue what they had started. With a functioning Fillmore Fire Department, I could then concentrate on my Acting Public Works Director/City Manager duties.”

Rigo has affiliations in many areas of service; he was a former Fillmore Lions Club member, he is the current sitting president of the Rotary Club of Fillmore, many years of involvement with local 4-H and FFA, previous member of the Board of Directors for the City of Hope/Grocery Industry Representative, coached Little League and Youth Basketball, past Board Member of the Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation and past President of the 500 member California Dairy/Deli/Bakery Association. All of which has help prepare him for the challenges he has endured over the past 11 months.

As our conversation for this article was approaching a close, I commented to Rigo, that like President Obama, Rigo's hair has grown conspicuously gray almost overnight. Rigo, without comment, smiled as he looked into the side view mirror of his Fire Chief SUV, and ran his fingers through his graying hair. As he put his SUV into reverse I said to him, “I love you man!” And Rigo responded, “I love you too!”

As one member of the broad Fillmore Area Community I know I speak for many of the people living in and around Fillmore when I say thank you Rigo, and Laura, for the sacrifices they have made over the past 11 months. Those sacrifices have brought the City of Fillmore to the point where a new City Manager, Mr. David Wayne Rowlands, can confidently take the helm. I know Rigo will be there to help Mr. Rowlands succeed. Thank you Rigo for a job well done!

A Landeros Family Benefit Fund has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/krd8tras

And a Meal Train has been established for The Landeros family https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/g0krne

Rigo Landeros was more than a Fire Chief. He was a loving husband, father and friend. He was the most compassionate person I have ever known. Giving his time, money and talents to various charities and organizations. I was fortunate to have him in my life for the two plus years I have been city manager.

After I was hired as city manager, and before I relocated to Fillmore from Ohio, he would send me emails and we would talk on the phone about what was taking place in Fillmore so I could hit the ground running. On my first visit to Fillmore Rigo and his wife, Laura, invited my wife and I over for dinner. We hit it off like long lost friends. We talked about our vision for Fillmore, food, travel and, most importantly, family. He was very proud of his three children and could not stop gushing about his grandchildren.

We shared a passion for food, drink and BBQ. At our first employee pot luck we grilled my sweet jalapeño chicken wings and his famous tri-tip. From that point on a friendly cooking and dining challenge between us led to outings together all over the County and surrounding areas. He introduced me to many authentic dishes you would be hard pressed to find in Ohio. These included menudo, tripas tacos, lengua tacos and many other dishes to share. We enjoyed searching out new places to eat off of the beaten path. Often after Kristen and I found a new place, we would mention it to Rigo and Laura, they’d smile and say, “oh, try this place, it’s even better!” They were always right.

He was my sounding board and confidant. Discussing his vision of the Fire Department was a joy for us: the redesign of the quarters, the new squad, and looking at adding additional full time personnel to keep the Fire Department one of the best departments in the State. His love and care for Fillmore was second to none. He loved this city with all his heart. He also loved his fire fighters. I will work to see his vision through on hiring new employees and ensuring our employees have the best equipment to complete their jobs.

He touched my heart as he did so many others. I will miss the morning greetings of “what’s up buttercup?” and hearing him say after I asked him how are you doing – “Living the dream. Living the dream brother.” He truly was living his dream of being Fillmore’s Fire Chief.

Here's to Silver Oak, great food, family and a truly great friend. I loved you like a brother and you will be missed.

City of Fillmore

The Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Fillmore City Council Meeting began with recognizing the loss of Fire Chief and Assistant City Manager Rigo Landeros who passed away January 7, 2016. Each council member spoke of the impact and importance Landeros had on Fillmore, with Mayor Diane McCall reading a heartfelt written statement as she fought back tears. Bill Morris, a member of the Fillmore Fire Foundation, wrote a statement read by Scott Beylik, regarding the foundation which Landeros started:

"Madam Mayor and Members of the Council
My name is Bill Morris and I'm a member of the Fillmore Fire Foundation Board. Members of the Fire Foundation Board are here in the audience tonight to share in the grief and sorrow of losing a beloved son of our city, Fire Chief Rigo Landeros.

The Foundation was the creation of Chief Landeros and the board members to bring additional pride and resources to one of the greatest Volunteer Fire Departments in Southern California. Our mission is simply to support the Fire Department, its members, as well as the City and our fellow citizens. We accomplished this mission by helping the City defray the cost of providing an expensive yet necessary public service. We feel we have been very successful in meeting this goal.

We understand that at last week's goal setting session, the foundation's fundraising expenditures and accounting practices came into question, as well as Chief Landeros' participation in decision making.

We want to assure the Council and the public that the foundation is following all accounting practices set forward by Federal and State standards. Furthermore, Chief Landeros was not a voting member nor signed any checks to cover expenditures the board agreed and voted to fund.

All of our charitable revenue was generated through fundraising, grant writing and charitable donations.

We will be happy to sit down and open our records with anyone who wishes, in order to avoid any further accusation of impropriety of the Board actions or our former comrade, Rigo Landeros, who served our City for all of his adult life and unfortunately lost his life in service to our community and its citizens.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify this issue."

Respectively,
Bill Morris, Scott Beylik, Mike Richardson, Scott Klittich, Mike Bush.

The first agenda item was a simple vote amending a zoning ordinance to allow artificial turf in front yards and received unanimous approval. The second item was a public hearing and adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 16-856 prohibiting marijuana dispensaries in Fillmore. The Council is trying to stay one step ahead of State regulations that were signed recently.

Back in January 2004 Legislature SB 420 was signed that established a medical marijuana ID card system and created guidelines allowing patients up to 6 mature or 12 immature plants and up to one-half pound of dried processed marijuana for personal use allowing seriously ill patients and their caregivers to cultivate medical marijuana cooperatively and collectively with others who use or produce it for medical purposes.

On October 9, 2015 Governor Brown signed three bills into law that regulate medical marijuana cultivation, sales and distribution in California. AB 243, AB 266 and SB 643 known as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, are intended to create a comprehensive scheme for regulating all aspects of commercial medical marijuana activity. There may have been pressure in Sacramento to pass a workable regulation before a full legalization measure is put before the voters in 2016.

AB 266 allows cities and counties to ban medical marijuana businesses within their borders. AB 243, which has a deadline, states that a city, county, or city and county does not have land use regulations or ordinances regulating or prohibiting the cultivation of marijuana, either expressly or otherwise under principles of permissive zoning; or chooses not to administer a conditional permit program pursuant then, commencing March 1, 2016, the State shall be the sole licensing authority for medical marijuana cultivation applicants in that city, county, or city and county. There was some discussion by the Council that the March deadline may have been eliminated.

SB 643 pertains to regulating the medical doctors who write prescriptions for medial marijuana.

Fillmore's ordinance is focused on marijuana dispensaries and does not apply to qualifying patients engaged in personal cultivation within the legal limits if the cultivation is not for sale, distribute, donate, or provide marijuana to any other person or entity. It also does not apply to designated primary caregivers growing for qualifying patients.

The illnesses covering the medical use are numerous: Cancer, Epilepsy, AIDS/HIV, Huntington's Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuropathies, Spinal Cord Damage, Anorexia, Chronic Pain, Spasticity, Glaucoma, Arthritis, Migraine.

It is legal to purchase marijuana for recreational use in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and in the District of Columbia. A number of states have decriminalized marijuana, but not legalized it. Those states often issue a violation, similar to a driving ticket with penalties for small amounts.