“Plan your work and work your plan.” So goes one of the truisms of successful organizations. Properly planning projects to successfully deliver them involves carefullybalancingconstraints such as size (scope), quality, schedule, budget, and risks. These elements are so closely linked that changing one will always have an impact on one or more of the others. Nowhere is this truer than in planning major information technology (IT) systems, which have become just as important to the working world astelephone, electricity, and plumbing systems.

As a result of public complaints, the 2014-2015 Ventura County Grand initiated an investigation into Ventura County’s methodology and practices for project management, using the county hospitals’ implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) system as a case study.

After extensive research and interviews, the Grand Jury found that:
• No countywide policyidentifies required project management standards.
• Project management countywide is inconsistent in its use of “best practices.”
• Based on its cost and its effect on other departments and agencies,the EHR system ranks as an “enterprise” project—a type that requiresa comprehensive, formal risk assessmentbefore the project’sstart-date. This was not done.
• Quantitative project status and “estimate at completion” (EAC) reports are not consistently
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required, which can cause the project-governing group to miss opportunities to identify problems and take corrective action.
• Important categories of expenses within the EHRproject’s total cost—such as labor hours and travel expenses—were not calculated and included when project authorization and funds were sought from thecounty’s Board of Supervisors. The project’s ultimate total costs will soar above the $71 million-plus originally authorized to an amount not yet known.
As a result of its investigation, the grand jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors standardize the use of project management “best practices” and formalize the approval of any deviation from those standards.
The grand jury also recommends that the board assign responsibility for IT project management to the county’s Information Technology Committee, giving the ITC authority to regularly monitor the achievement of stated IT project goals; ensure compliance with the approved project process; enforce the use of quantitative data to measure a project’s progress; identify problems; and assure that prompt corrective action is taken.

Following a state mandate, the 2014-2015 Ventura County Grand Jury has completed its yearly inspection of all 15 facilities in Ventura County where persons are placed into custody. Its observations and conclusions have just been released in a report that also looks at the impacts of major law enforcement legislation.

Assembly Bill 109 (Realignment), discussed in previous grand jury reports, continues to have a major effect on the county’s law enforcement community. Additionally, the passage of Proposition 47 last November is having significant impacts on the law enforcement environment in the county, including the reclassification of some property and drug-possession crimes that previously required jail time to misdemeanors thatnow only require citations.

The grand jury followed a well-established methodology: touring facilities, taking notes based on visual inspections, asking questions of facilities’ personnel, and documenting the process.During the process, the grand jury observed and documented other factors that might affect the ability of law enforcement agencies to fulfill their responsibilities.

The grand jury’s findings include the following:
• Space limitations of the Oxnard police station have affected the police department’s ability to efficiently carry out its functions and responsibilities.
• The Santa Paula Police Department is operating with an inadequate and deteriorating physical facility.
• The county has made a major effort to cope with the effects of Realignment with measurable success; however, overcrowding at the Main Jail and Todd Road Jail remains a problem.
• The availability of sworn officers in Santa Paula and Port Hueneme isinadequate.
• Proposition 47’s consequences, both intended and unintended, are only beginning to be evaluated. Early indications are that it may be successful in reducing the state’s prison population, but the effects on local law enforcement agencies and communities are yet to be understood.
The grand jury’s recommendations include:
• That the Santa PaulaCity Councilapprovephysical improvements at its police department facility and support an increase in police staffing consistent with that city’s needs;
• That the Oxnard City Council obtain additional space for the Oxnard Police Department;
• That the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office be persistent in their efforts to build the mental health facility at the Todd Road Jail;
• That the Port Hueneme City Council increase police availability consistent with that city’s needs;and
• That the Sheriff’s Office, Probation and city councils closely track and evaluate the impact of Proposition 47 on local law enforcement agencies and communities and report findings to the Board of Supervisors.
The complete report, “Detention Facilities and Related Law Enforcement Issues,” maybe accessed at http://www.ventura.org/grand-jury; click on the “Annual Reports” tab and consult “Fiscal Year 2014-2015.”

On Monday, June 8, the Y will launch its Summer Food Drive to benefit local children and their families. Through Aug. 1, the Y is accepting donations of non-perishable, nutritious, family-friendly food items to benefit The River Community Church Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off at the Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA.

Nationwide, more than 30 million children in low-income families receive meals during the school year, but only 2.3 million of them continue to receive free meals during the summer break. In Ventura, 66% of students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals, so initiatives like the Ventura Family YMCA’s Summer Meal Program and Summer Food Drive ensure that children throughout Ventura continue to receive the nutrition they need to be healthy, active and well-nourished over the summer.

The Y is also proud to continue its annual partnership with the Ventura Unified School District as a lunch site for the Summer Meal Program. From June 15 to August 14, Monday through Friday, children 18 years or younger can visit the Y from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to receive a free nutritious lunch provided by the VUSD. Children must remain on site to eat.

For more information on the Ventura Family YMCA Summer Food Drive or Summer Meal Program, please contact Support Services and Development Director, Brie Frank, at brie.frank@ciymca.org or call the Y at 805.642.2131.

Concerned about the health and achievement gaps many children face, particularly during the summer, the Y – a leading nonprofit in youth development – is launching a national campaign, Hop the Gap (www.hopthegap.org), to bring more awareness to the issue and how the Y can help. Locally, the Ventura Family YMCA help kids hop the gap through summer camps, day camps, swimming classes, youth sports, Kid’s Cardio Club, Adventure Guides, 3rd Grade Learn to Swim, Operation Ventura, and family programs such as the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on June 18, 2015. Please visit ciymca.org/ventura for more details.

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Ventura Family YMCA serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs which nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Through its’ Open Doors program, the Y ensures that no one is ever turned away due to their inability to pay and facility memberships without contracts or join fees makes the Y accessible to all. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. Log on to www.ciymca.org/ventura. Learn more about Hop the Gap at www.hopthegap.org.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Foundation invites our community to come visit us at Coppers & Choppers for FREE family fun! Meet the deputies and see the choppers, vehicles and K-9 unit up close. We will provide lunch and there will be fun activities for the kids including prizes and giveaways!

Coppers & Choppers will be held on Saturday, July 18th from 11:00-3:00 P.M. at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Air Unit located at 375 Durley Ave., Suite A at the Camarillo Airport.

The event will feature Helicopters, Squad Cards, Sheriff’s Department Vehicles, Search and Rescue Teams, K-9 Unit, Mounted Patrol, Photo Opportunities, Bounce House and Obstacles, Face painting, DJ and more!

“You have seen the helicopters many times before from afar doing everything from firefighting to landing at local hospitals.” shares Sgt. Carl Patterson “Now take advantage of this rare opportunity to come see, touch and sit in the only government aviation unit helicopters in the county of Ventura!” This is a great opportunity for the community to come see the resources our Sheriff’s Department uses to keep our community safe.

For more information please visit the Ventura County Sheriff’s Foundation website at www.VCSheriffsFoundation.org or email Erin Pierik, Executive Director, erin@vcsheriffsfoundation.org

SACRAMENTO - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Karen Smith warned consumers today not to eat certain batch codes of Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s cold-smoked salmon because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can lead to severe illness or death.

CDPH and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating Santa Barbara Smokehouse in Santa Barbara, California, due to bacteriologic contamination found in the processing facility and in a packaged sample of smoked salmon.

Santa Barbara Smokehouse has initiated a voluntary recall of all cold-smoked salmon manufactured at its Santa Barbara facility between March 1, 2015 and April 8, 2015, after learning about Listeria monocytogenes contamination in a product surveillance sample and environmental samples collected at the processing facility. No illnesses have been associated with the recalled products at this time.

Santa Barbara Smokehouse’s recalled cold-smoked salmon was packed under the Cambridge House, Channel Islands, Coastal Harbor, Santa Barbara, North Shore, S.F. Specialty, and Harbor Point brand names. The recalled products were vacuum-packed and distributed as both fresh and frozen products. The CDPH Website has a list of the specific product names and batch codes affected by this recall. Example photos of the affected products can be seen here.

CDPH recommends not eating any cold-smoked salmon manufactured by Santa Barbara Smokehouse with the affected batch numbers. CDPH also recommends that anyone in possession of these recalled products return them to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of the product into a garbage bag and put it in the trash.

The brands of smoked salmon identified above were likely distributed to wholesale food distributors, airline catering companies, and foodservice distributors. Subsequent product distribution may have resulted in retail sales to consumers. Santa Barbara Smokehouse continues to work with CDPH and FDA to address any potential sources of contamination in the processing environment. CDPH continues to work with Santa Barbara Smokehouse to determine the distribution of potentially affected products.

Symptoms of Listeria infection may include high fever, headache and neck stiffness. Infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness and death. Listeria infection in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery or infection of the newborn baby. The CDPH website has more information about Listeria infection.

CDPH recommends that consumers who feel sick after eating cold-smoked salmon products should consult their health care provider. Consumers that see smoked salmon with the affected batch numbers manufactured by Santa Barbara Smokehouse being sold are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll-free complaint line at (800) 495-3232.

Daniel’s dream came true; here he is riding in a Ventura County Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. vehicle, in the Fillmore May Festival Parade last month.
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Daniel Steiger is one lucky young man! Thanks to his Mother, Dani Steiger, her friend Linda Wareham and Fillmore's Chief of Police Dave Wareham, Daniel was able to have a day that he will remember forever. On Saturday, May 16th Daniel fulfilled his dream of riding in a Ventura County Sheriff's S.W.A.T. vehicle in Fillmore's Annual May Festival Parade. Daniel also had a tour of the police station and photos taken with members of S.W.A.T.

Small towns have so many positive aspects to them, but one notable positive is the ability to get things done through the relationships that are built through the everyday contacts we, as residents, make! There is not a parent among us that would not do what they could for their child to not only protect, but to guide them in achieving goals they have set for their future. Imagine though if your child has special needs and some of those goals seem out of reach! Dani Steiger is one of those parents faced with that kind of a problem.

Dani is the mother of Daniel Steiger, 29 years old of Fillmore. Daniel was born with Fragile X, a chromosome disorder that creates a number of challenges to his everyday life. Dani tells me, "We have found some strengths (in Daniel) over the years with the help of the Fillmore Unified School District. Daniel worked with School Security during his high school years because of his abilities to notice details that were often overlooked. He has always looked up to Fillmore Officers."

Daniel, and his family attended the Bardsdale United Methodist Church while Daniel was growing up. It was there Daniel met Jerry Peterson a now retired deputy with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and the School Resource Officer for Fillmore High School while Daniel was in school. Through that relationship Daniel developed his admiration for police officers. Also a member of the church is Linda Wareham, the sister of Sheriff's Captain David Wareham. Dani told me, "Linda developed a soft spot for Daniel and once aware of Daniel's admiration for police officers, Linda introduced Daniel to Captain Wareham and Daniel's dream was about to come true."

Dani told me, "It just warms a mother's heart when people are nice to her children and even though Daniel's 29 now, it still touches me when someone goes out of their way to give him special memories. I want to thank David and the guys - Daniel will be talking about that day for a long time."

It was a very special moment for Daniel and I would bet it was also special for the deputies and Captain Wareham! Great going guys!

Melecio Poncedeleon, 29, Wasco, Mexico

On 06/02/2015, a woman driving her car eastbound on highway 126 towards the city of Fillmore reported to the Fillmore Police Department that a male subject, later identified as Melecio Poncedeleon, was masturbating as he intentionally drove a white Dodge Charger next to her car.

On two previous occasions within the month of May, two additional victims reported seeing a white vehicle, matching the description of the Charger, where a Hispanic male subject was masturbating as the victims walked past the vehicle. Both incidents also occurred within the city of Fillmore.

The Charger was located by responding deputies in the McDonald’s parking lot in the city of Fillmore and Poncedeleon was contacted. During the contact with Poncedeleon, a second female victim, drove by McDonald’s and recognized the vehicle and Poncedeleon. The victim stopped and reported to police that she had been the victim of his indecent act by Poncedeleon on two previous occasions while driving in the area of Wells Road and Vineyard Avenue, in the Saticoy area.

Poncedeleon was arrested for 314.1 PC – Indecent Exposure. He confessed to the five reported crimes and more. Poncedeleon was transported to the Main Jail in Ventura and was booked.

If anyone has further information or if you have been victimized, you are encouraged to contact Detectives John Fox or Detective Javier Chavez at the Fillmore Police Station.

Nature of Incident: Indecent Exposure Arrest
Report Number: 15-12338
Location: Ventura Street / E Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: June 2, 2015 @ 08:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol / Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Poncedeleon, Melecio, Wasco, 29
Prepared by: Detective Javier Chavez
Media Release Date: June 2 ,2015
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Javier Chavez, 805-524-2233; Javier.chavez@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Dave Wareham, Chief of Police – City of Fillmore

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 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board received some welcomed news during the June 2, 2015 meeting. Sacramento has increased student funding for FUSD to $9,106 per student average for the 2015-2016 school year.

This increase in student spending is attributed to Proposition 30, the temporary tax increase approved by voters in 2012. It included increases in two taxes, income and sales. Taxpayers agreed to the increases, giving Sacramento seven years (2020-2021) to improve the deficit spending California schools were experiencing.

Sacramento now states the recovery was quicker than anticipated. The figures for the seven year guideline stated that in 2015 less than 40% of the gap (deficit) needed in school funding would be recovered. But Sacramento is now reporting that the gap recovery is at 70% of funding levels.

Proposition 30 was mainly funded by the California Teachers Association $11.5M, Service Employee International Union $10.7M, Democratic Committee $5M and American Federation of Teachers $4.1M, and was presented to the public as two temporary taxes. The .025 cent sales tax is due to expire the end of 2016, with the income tax increase to the highest earning Californians to end in 2018.

But as some say, "No tax ever dies" especially in California. Sacramento is already looking to extend the "temporary" taxes. Five months ago, state schools chief Tom Torlakson called for an extension of Proposition 30 beyond its full expiration in 2018. Governor Jerry Brown does not agree with an extension of the taxes and wants to keep the assurances given to Californians that Prop. 30 was temporary.

Board Member Scott Beylik reminded everyone that the tax increases are to expire fairly soon and there is no guarantee that the projected 2016-2017 increase in funding next year will transpire. He said to allocate the recent increased funding very prudently, "Plan and prioritize."

The meeting began CONTINUED »