The October 13, 2015 Fillmore City Council meeting began with a presentation updating the Council on the progress made by The Retail Coach, a company the City hired to evaluate Fillmore's business and development potential. Also presented was an update on the Active Adult Center. Another item, which was just approved with a voice vote, was a Settlement Agreement costing the City $100,000.

Back on December 19, 2006 the City of Fillmore filed an Eminent Domain lawsuit to acquire a portion of Ventura County property along Highway 126, known as the Becerras property. The property also contained a billboard belonging to Clear Channel Outdoor. Agreements addressing the billboard were added to the Eminent Domain case along with a stipulation that the City would make its "best efforts" to relocate it to another location on that same property. But the billboard was not relocated and as a result Becerras claimed loss of the income the billboard had produced. Becerras subsequently filed a motion to enforce the issue which was heard in court on April 16, 2015.

The City objected stating there was "no absolute" requirement to relocate the sign and that the damage cost was included in the City's payment for the property. Ventura County Superior Court agreed with Becerras, that the City had breached the stipulation.

The Court agreed to mediation which produced a settlement agreement of $100,000 to Becerras with each party paying their own attorneys' fees. The payment, which is to be paid on or before October 30, 2015, will be taken out of the General Fund.

A presentation was given by Aaron Farmer representing The Retail Coach (TRC) on the 4-5 months of work completed so far regarding Fillmore's future development and retail business. Farmer stated that presently 20,300 people shop in Fillmore, with an expected 21,693 next year. He informed the Council that it takes a minimum of 20,000 customers for business to take an interest in a city/community. The goal of TRC is to contact developers and business to "....know about Fillmore...It's like building a brand" Farmer explained.

TRC attends conferences both in Southern California and throughout the country making business aware of Fillmore's potential. Farmer would like Fillmore to have an exhibit displayed at those conferences to help spread the word.

Farmer informed the Council that community development precedes economic development. He then commented on the visual affect of those approaching town and the appearance of business properties both on Central Avenue and Highway 126. Suggestions were make that no hand painted signs be displayed, no storage containers visible to the public, properties be required to have some landscaping and color charts that exclude "obnoxious colors." A stand alone website focusing on development and retail was also suggested.

Farmer stated he has five good business leads with two having been in town last week. One of those is a developer who is interested in redevelopment in downtown. "I'm encouraged, I'm encouraged by that....it's a numbers game, the more contacted the better the chances are." Farmer and associate Kimberly Allred will be working together doing community outreach contacting business and property owners in town.

The data on all the progress to date will come out in late November 2015. "Some projects will take longer than others.

The Council then reminded Farmer that when you need to set policy that is when you get pushback from business owners and the importance of support from the community for changes to happen. Farmer responded, "It's a domino affect, once one block improves then the next one usually does also.....it improves property values and business." He then stated he would get as many business involved as possible.

Mayor Douglas Tucker ended the conversation with, "We're a bedroom community with one job for every sixteen residents," then adding that Fillmore needs job creation and places with sit down dining.

At a previous Council Meeting Council Member Diane McCall had asked that the City's preparations for El Nino be brought before the Council. It was addressed by City Manager David W. Rowlands, Fire Chief/Assistant City Manager Rigo Landeros and Police Chief Dave Wareham.

Landeros began with identifying what residents can expect if the weather conditions do create an El Nino as predicted: lots of moisture; large amounts of debris; flooding due to the debris stoppage and a large amount of calls for service. He continued with the areas expected to be hit hardest: Pole Creak and 4th St.; Pole Creak and Ventura St.; Teitsort and Foothill; Shady Lane and Maple Court; the levee and A Street. There is also a great concern in protecting a main natural gas line that supplies the City of Fillmore. The line is exposed at a levee crossing Pole Creek. Also of concern is a plan to make sure the animals at the Equestrian Center are kept safe.

There is little possibility of Lake Piru overflowing or the dam breaking due to the extreme drought conditions these past years resulting in the lake being so empty.

Landeros said it is the responsibility of residents to be prepared by cleaning our their gutters and drains, being sandbag ready, possibly buying flood insurance, a disaster kit ready, a family preplan on where family members will be, a plan for animals, a plan for evacuation and registered with VCAlert.

Landeros said the department wants to make sure the fire personnel has the proper equipment and is looking for funds to cover added costs. He sited precautions the Fillmore Fire Department will do: make sure there is adequate staff, daily briefings and pre-filled sandbags. All equipment will be fully fueled along with lighted barricades, road closure and flooding signage and a large storage of plastic sheeting.

The Active Adult Center (AAC) is holding a Health Fair Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This year the Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation will be partnering with the AAC and 40 or more venders are scheduled to attend the fair which includes pharmaceutical/drug stores, medical insurers, healthcare providers, non-profits and more. With Medicare's annual enrollment period approaching there will be numerous health care insurance companies available to answer questions.

Also, a reminder of Casino Night this Saturday at 6:00p.m. at the Fillmore Memorial Building. A $30 entrance gets you fun and food and all fundraiser proceeds support the Rotary Club and Future Farmers of America.

Santa Cause Lane
Enlarge Photo

Thomas Wolfe was half right, “You can’t go home again.” I had that experience after a recent trip to my hometown of Watsonville. Now over 50,000 in population with a serious housing problem, residential streets in Watsonville are bumper to bumper with cars, overflowing from driveways of homes with an abundance of residents and a lack of paint and parking. The town in general, is pretty beat up.

Fillmore is another story. While I don’t claim to be a native, Fillmore has been in my bones for over 60 years. I and my younger brothers (twins Bill and Bob) spent two weeks in Fillmore each summer, staying at my great grandparent’s house on Olive Street in the 1950’s. Their names were William (Pop Welchance) and I don’t know my great grandmother’s given name. I should know but I don’t want to wreck it and find she had a name like Minerva or something. I was good with MOM. I was 5-years-old my first trip to Fillmore and I continued to return each summer until I was 12.. After MOM died, POP had a stroke and moved up to Watsonville. He was not the same man… he was a Fillmore guy.

My mom, Emily ( born in Santa Paula) would be with us and my dad Gerald, better known to our Oregon Street gang as “Uncle Curly” (for his receding hairline) came down to Fillmore on weekends. Those were some of the greatest weeks on my life. By age 9 I had explored every inch of Fillmore and a good stretch of the Santa Clara River close to town.

My grandparents, Rollie and Dorothy French, would also be there. The house looked big to a little kid but standing in front of it recently, I realized how cramped it must have been. It’s not in the best of shape after all these years but it wasn’t exactly Buckingham Palace 60-years ago either.

I’ve returned several times in the last few years always finding an excuse to get my “Fillmore Fix” while visiting my son and his family in Simi Valley.

I’m going to steal from David Letterman and do a “Top Ten Fillmore Experiences That Come To Mind.” List. I have plenty more but they get a little mushy and would bore the hell out of you and you might have not even read this far!

#10 Danny the kid next door got stung by a bee, he was allergic and died.
Now that I got the bad stuff out of the way:

#9 Visits to “Sack’s House” That’s all I remember about the lady’s name but she and her sister were the oldest living twins in the United States and every year got a letter from the President. I always liked looking at those letters and that was my first awareness of autographs, the ritual despised by many celebrities.

#8 The Ride to Fillmore. We would leave Watsonville before dawn in the family 1951 Plymouth Wagon and the backseat side compartments were stocked with toilet paper and Kleenex. Under the seat were new comic books that were not to be opened until after the sun came up. Yeah , right. In almost complete darkness, I did more than 90% of my life’ squinting on the ride to Fillmore in that battleship grey Plymouth. The comic books were also supposed to be a buffer between brotherly combat… that didn’t work either.

#7 Stopping At Santa Claus Lane near Santa Barbara
Not only was it a great place to get whoopee cushions, fake barf and dog crap and Chinese handcuffs, the first couple of years I still believed in Santa Claus so I really hit the jackpot. Plus, I knew we were getting close to Fillmore. I see the giant Santa Claus from Santa Claus Lane’s glory days is sitting in a junkyard on the 101 just south of Oxnard. Not cool.

#6 Watching MOM and POP watch the wrestling matches on TV. They could really get worked up over that “rasslin’” especially when Gorgeous George would make an appearance. They had a black and white TV and a piece of 3D cellophane they put over the screen so they could scream at Gorgeous George in semi-color. The “matches” were telecast from the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. My Dad took us down there one Saturday night but he didn’t know MOM was packing. As Gorgeous George made his entrance down the center isle MOM plunged a hatpin into his left buttocks. George was not gracious and close up, as I remember, not particularly gorgeous either.

#5 Walking To The Pool Hall. Weekday afternoons POP would take me for our trip to the pool hall on Central Avenue. We’d walk out the back door past the chicken coops; unlatch the gate to the back alley and “walk uptown.” I remember the mystery of the alley and walking by a Pontiac Dealership with one car on the showroom floor. POP was well known at the pool hall, always greeted warmly. I remember feeling grown up, sitting at the bar with a soda pop. I think POP had a pop too but it was a different kind. Years later my mother told me he was a bookie. I remember listening to Dodger games with him….wonder now if he liked the team or it was just business.

#4 Speaking of chickens, I use to watch MOM cut the chicken’s head off and let the body dance around the yard for a few seconds. Pretty cool for a boy my age and MOM sure could fry a hen. In the morning, we would gather eggs and I remember thinking that a chicken laying an egg was a most interesting thing.
** This is not in my Top 10 but it’s a plus that you can get Japanese Peanuts grown in Mexico in just about any Fillmore or Piru market. I love those things and they’re hard to find in Florida.

#3 The Sespe Saloon. Remember drinking there one time coming back from San Francisco Giants spring training in the early 80s. Probably best it’s not open and that I’m not drinking.

#2 The Trout Hatchery. When I took my 19-month old grandson to the hatchery it made six generations in my family that have fed those speckled beauties. Jimmy had a blast. After feeding them one pellet at a time from the fish food vending machine (A hand fullbargain at 10 cents!) Jimmy realized he could cause a frenzy of fish by throwing all the pellets at once. I have been a trout fisherman all my life and it all started in Fillmore. Not that I fished there, just seeing the fish always made me want to catch one in a stream and Uncle Curly was a great fly fisherman and teacher . He was also a pretty fine father.

The fish have been swimming in Fillmore since the 1930s. For some reason, I particularly like the sign that says “No Fishing for Fish, Crayfish or Frogs.” The lagoon at the west end of the hatchery is home to some interesting birds and fat trout that made a break for freedom and are now living the good life, eating real fish food, bugs and minnows and the occasional old captivity food as people throw pellets through the meshing on the lagoon fence.

#1 How Fillmore looks today. I don’t know how things work in Fillmore and I’m sure there are the normal small town politics even big towns have but Fillmore looks great. Downtown is still a little sleepy but yet seems vibrant and alive. Those in charge have done a good job keeping the franchises at bay and out on the highway. The central neighborhoods look like homeowners care and houses that were $20,000 in the 50s’ are now $400,000. The foothills are a fantastic backdrop.

Fillmore…… it brings back a lot of memories and is a place I could end up if I play my cards right. I just realized I’m wearing my Flashes T-Shirt………Fillmore Rocks!

Ventura County Clerk Recorder/Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today the deadline to register to vote in the November 3, 2015 Uniform District Election (UDEL) is Monday, October 19, 2015.

Voter registration is available online at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov. Voters may also call the Elections Division at (805) 654-2664 to request a voter registration card be mailed to them.

Voters may still register on a paper form at the Ventura County Elections Division, Government Center Hall of Administration, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Registration forms are also available throughout the County at city halls, post offices, libraries, chambers of commerce, and fire stations. Completed voter registration forms must be postmarked by Monday, October 19, 2015, in order to vote in the November 3, 2015 UDEL Election.

For more information, please visit the Elections Division website at www.venturavote.org or call the Elections Division at (805) 654-2664.

Here we go Fillmore!! Our last Flashback Friday / Alumni Nights event is here. Join us on Friday evening, October 16th in beautiful downtown Fillmore for Classic Cars, and Alumni fun, 5:00pm to 9:00pm. You know the routine. Bring out those folding chairs and come listen to some wonderful Doo Wop music provided by JoeyD from the 50’s and 60’s. It’s good ol Fillmore fun, and the whole gang will be there. Big Bear, maybe the Flashman, and you know SWEET CHEEKS won’t miss the last one of the season!! So mark your calendars for Friday, October 16th, and join in the fun as we shut down Central Avenue and enjoy the beautiful cars, and music from the past. P.S. Don’t forget to save your appetite for the great food that will be there. Let’s make this last Flashback Friday one to
remember. Bring the family!

Historical Landmark No. 151 is back in place after recent repairs to existing damage. The repairs were done for two reasons according to David Smallwood, City of Fillmore Public Works Supervisor: one, it is a historical landmark, and two, it is part of city council goals for beautification of the city. “To me, it is another small sign (no pun intended) of the recovery of our town from the tough economic times we went through, and the hard work city staff and our citizens did to preserve and restore this great community,” stated Smallwood. In September 1994 the sign was designated a historical landmark by the sitting city council. Councilmembers Don Gunderson, Scott Lee, Mike McMahan, Linda Brewster and Roger Campbell determined at an October 1993 public hearing that the Fillmore sign met the criteria of the county Ordinance code. A Cultural Heritage Board Resolution declaring the sign Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 151 was signed. The sign is a Streamline Modern Architectural-style thin vertical rectangle, rounded at top and bottom with a curved arch extending across the top. There is an arrow that goes through the sign at the bottom which points to the downtown. The name Fillmore is spelled out in neon letters, 12 inches with white neon tubing. It is blue-green in color. The original cost of the sign was $190.

The September 6, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez presenting awards honoring the First Fillmore High School Academic Decathlon Team winners. This accomplishment was a result of teacher Kelsey McClain who, after working with the Academic Decathlon Team at Moorpark High School, brought the challenge to Fillmore. The students studied over 1,000 printed pages of material on 10 subjects that required many hours of dedicated work. "The students are extremely motivated," McClain told the Board.

The students honored were: Connie Quintana-Music and Literature, Jene Tarango-Art, Naythan Martinez-Music and Literature, Dillon Galarza-Science, Jon Menjivar-Social Science, Emma Couse-Art, Miguel Ponce-Economics and Mathematics, Jessica Manginelli-Economics and Mathematics.

An item that required quick Board attention was deciding what to do regarding the vacancy left by John Garnica. Garnica resigned the Board due to a possible conflict of interest over a position his wife had applied for. Beverly Garnica, who had been Assistant Principal at Fillmore Middle School, had applied for a school principal position and is now the principal of Rio Vista Elementary School.

This left the Board with a decision on how to fill the vacancy. Education Code requires that within 60 days of a vacancy the Board must either order a special election or make a provisional appointment. The cost of a special election would be $34,000 and whomever would be elected would hold office for the remainder of Garnica's term. Due to the cost and the short time left on Garnica's term as a Board Member, it was decided to go with a provisional appointee who will then hold office until the next regular scheduled Board election in November 2016.

The position will be advertised for candidate applications. A committee of two Board Members (Lucy Rangel and Scott Beylik) will then vet the applicants eligibility and the Board will interview the candidates at a public meeting and select an appointee.

The meeting had a number of purchases, projects and future projects approved.

Due to the age and condition of the current bus fleet, new buses are needed. The current bus fleet has a 55-65 capacity and do not meet State Certification standards. The district reserved $400,000 for the new purchase of two new 2016 Thomas 82 passenger school buses from BusWest. Both buses will have air conditioning and WiFi.

There was also a request to approve the purchase of two portable classrooms, one for San Cayetano Elementary School and one for Piru Elementary School. They will be installed this winter. Both were specified in the Emergency Repair Program (ERP) funding which was applied for in 2008 and approved. FUSD has been waiting for the funds to become available in Sacramento.

The ERP funding will also upgrade the fire alarm systems and communication systems at both Piru and San Cayetano. The total grant monies to be spent on Piru Elementary is $1,327,349 and at San Cayetano $1,764,393.

The FUSD Deferred Maintenance Fund balance is being used to turn the dirt parking lot area at the Fillmore High School stadium into 80 paved parking spots at a cost of $350,095.

Other upgrades being done are at Rio Vista Elementary School with purchases of furniture, equipment and technology from monies left available ($230,000) after the school was built. This includes flooring which is being repaired under a warranty.

Future projects at Fillmore Middle School will be a counter replacement in the Band Room and termite abatement for Building D& I. Fillmore High School with receive a new quieter air conditioning unit system. The District Office will have upgraded rooms and the School Farm will have the Cattle Barn roofing repaired.

Student Representative/Speaker of the House Hannah Wishart informed the Board of the Associated Student Body's Blood Drive on October 23rd at 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fillmore High School and that the cheerleaders are selling Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirts for $14 S-XL, $15 for a 2X and $16 for a 3X. Contact Fillmore High School for more information.

Michael Castro

Story courtesy the Castro Family

The journey began sophomore year for Michael. I sat him down one day and asked what his future plans were? Teenage answer. I don't know dad. I then told him he should start looking into either sports scholarships or try for an academic one. He then said, I think I'm going to join the Military. I was a little shocked at first this had not been brought up before and of course this was NOT on my list of things for him to do after graduating high school. I sat back and thought, well it's only his sophomore year I'm sure he'll get over it. I said well you think about that and we can talk about it later. But every time we did it was the same he was joining the military. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge that year, he loved it. He began to bring to bring military brochures home he began talking to recruiters and shortly after senior year started he began to go with the Marine recruiters to do physical training. I sat him down once more and asked him what it was he wanted to do after graduation? His answer, I'm Joining the Marines I want to do something that's not just for me. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge once again. He became more involved with Marines then graduation came, next thing I knew he was off to boot camp!

His journey for a title that few can claim began on Sept. 14, 2015 as a youth he played soccer and then football. In high school he was a football player first and then became a wrestler but he always kept his priorities straight he was passionate about whatever it was he was doing as long as he liked what he was doing he was relentless and would leave everything out on the field to win. He knew going in this would be a challenge unlike anything he had faced before he and all the other young men and women who volunteer to be put through 13 weeks of grueling mental and physical conditioning also know that someday they be called to defend us to put their lives on the line in some foreign country, knowing all that going in they are still willing to raise their hand and swear to protect us. Well there's just no words for that! My son has always been my hero from his first tackle to his last high school wrestling match! Love you Kidd. Always wants to be the best!

The Bardsdale Cemetery District has added a Columbarium as another option for the final resting place of a loved one who has chose cremation. A Columbarium is a structure that contains niches, secured space, for the housing of cremation urns. The Columbarium contains sixty niches. Prior to the addition of the Columbarium families using the Bardsdale Cemetery were only offered In-ground Cremation Urn placement.

Surrounding the Columbarium is an attractive concrete open patio area with four black colored concrete bench seating to accommodate visitors to the Columbarium. The concrete walking area has black pebbled flex placed into the gray concrete. The black design on each side of the Columbarium reflect where future Columbariums would be located if needed. Colorful flowers will be planted at each end of the open patio and maintained by Cemetery staff according to Doug Basolo, Manager of the Bardsdale Cemetery.

The cost for construction of the Columbarium and patio area was approximately $70,000. The patio area can accommodate two additional Columbarium's of the same size for a total build out of 180 niches. Depending on demand for the Columbarium it is estimated that this Columbarium could take ten years to fill all sixty niches.

The cost of the Niche Wall Inurnment at the Columbarium is $1,975 for a single Urn and $2,425 for a double urn in a niche for residents of the Fillmore and Bardsdale area. Non-residents are charged an additional $750. A resident is a person who resides or pays property taxes within the district at time of plot purchase. A non-resident is a person who has a near relative buried in the cemetery; or a near relative of a resident of the district; or a police, fire or military person at time of plot purchase.

Located nearly in the middle of the main portion of the Bardsdale Cemetery the Columbarium was placed strategically there to take advantage of the majestic views of the Santa Clara Valley which are also visible from most areas of the Bardsdale Cemetery. A daily Coastal breeze will be a comfort to visitors sitting near the Columbarium on one of the four concrete bench seating areas.

The Bardsdale Cemetery District Board of Trustees is committed to managing the Bardsdale Cemetery in the most efficient means possible to offer a comfortable and full-service cemetery to those living within the District boundaries. The new Columbarium is just another means to offer residents an option when looking for a final resting place for a loved one.