Proclamation well earned. Jack Stethem, left, and Victor Gongora receive a city Proclamation from Mayor Gayle Washburn on behalf of the Fillmore Lions Club for Non-Profit Organization of the Year, at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
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It was standing room only as the March 27, 2012 Fillmore City Council meeting began. Most of those in attendance came to voice their concerns over the continued operation of the Aquatics Center or were recipients of the 10 proclamations for various awards of the year. The main items on the agenda were the Midyear Budget Review and Adoption, along with the City declaring a state of fiscal emergency.

Finance Director Glenda Jay gave a thorough report of the City finances, starting with a graph depicting three years of deficit spending and continuing the presentation with more projections of future unmet expenditures. The 2011/12 General Fund saw revenue of $5 million and expenditures of $6 million, with 2012/13 expected revenue $4.7 million and expenditures $6.2 million. The expected deficit by 2013 is $1.5 million.

The bottom line is that Fillmore’s General Fund does not have sufficient revenue to support basic public safety services and further reduction in law enforcement is possible along with more layoffs and creating part-time positions. Other possibilities are; closing park restrooms during the week, change in trash service at parks, contract services (janitorial/custodian), safety tree trimming, no code enforcement and no street repair.
The City is grappling with the question of how much can be cut and still provide a safe town to live in. A couple of years ago, Fillmore increased the paramedic stipend because the City was having a hard time getting enough paramedic to staff the fire trucks. In July, as part of the budget reductions, the stipend was reduced by $25 per shift. The City is considering decreasing the stipend another $25 per shift as part of the next round of budget cuts.

City Manager Yvonne Quiring does not recommended that the City consider reducing paramedic service. The County is proposing to relocate the paramedic out of the Fillmore Station (27) as part of its own budget cuts. Also when there is heavy call volume in the West County, AMR Ambulance is moved to Santa Paula. If Fillmore were to discontinue paramedic service, it would have a two fold impact--first the County won’t have a paramedic on staff and/or AMR may be based in Santa Paula. Often, since by law the City needs three fire fighters to respond to a fire for safety, the paramedic makes up the third position on the truck.

Two of the largest expenditures that rely on the General Fund are recreation and the community pool. The projected Recreation Fund will receive $37,790 less in revenue than originally budgeted. Rental from the parks and community center is down and the revenue from the sports programs is less than expected. The cumulative deficit on June 30, 2012 is estimated to be $75,376 and the ongoing deficit is projected $25,000 annually.
The pool is projected to end the fiscal year with an operating deficit of over $77,000 and a projected cumulative deficit as of June 30, 2012 of $232,263. Closing the pool for three months and the increased advertising and concession stand efforts have not been enough to cover the shortfall. Mayor Gayle Washburn told those in attendance, “We’re going to do our best not to close the pool, but I can’t make any promises. It’s something we have no control over…we may not have a choice.” Councilmember Jamey Brooks presented a motion that the pool not be closed for the next eight months, to which Council Members Eduardo Gonzalez, Brian Sipes voted Yes and Washburn the only No vote.

The Council wants to pursue having businesses take sponsorship of the pool and other projects/operations to help cover costs. A motion was passed authorizing the City to put the effort forward in finding sponsors. There was also talk of having a Volunteer Coordinator in a non-paid position to help with organizing volunteers for various positions no longer provided by City workers. Another idea was to pursue more grants. This would require a 501c3 nonprofit to apply for the grant and the City to partner up. Fillmore Police/Sheriff Chief Monica McGrath has done a great job of obtaining grants and received a $140,000 grant just two weeks ago.

Another area where revenue has declined is from the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) which has been eliminated and the City has become the Successor Agency due to state requirements. The RDA provided $864,000 to pay for General Fund services which the City will no longer receive.

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Get along little doggies! Cowgirls were riding the range at RailFest this past weekend. A good turnout on a beautiful Saturday. RailFest is put on by the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society in cooperation with Fillmore & Western.
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Opening day, under cloudy skies, locals and busloads of people descended upon Fillmore for the 17 th annual Rail Fest hosted by the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society in cooperation with the Fillmore & Western Railway.

Again... hundreds of people... young, old and everybody in between... came to ogle and marvel the star of the Festival... the magnificent #14 steam locomotive. She never disappoints. Rail fans with cameras of all kinds were in photographers heaven.

But wait... there's more! Those fortunate enough to secure a ticket were treated to a rare experience. Hop aboard... take your seat in an enclosed car... or the open-air car... and hold on as #14 hauls the train east out to the Fish Hatchery Road. After a brief pause... she shudders... belches a cloud of smoke... and begins the return trip. After going through the infamous “tunnel” just west of Highway 126, the train stops. Everybody with a camera... and others who simply desire to witness the pending exciting event... disembark. The engineer puts #14 in reverse to go back through the tunnel. After a brief pause... letting the suspense build... #14 begins her re-run through the tunnel. Rails shivering under her powerful driving wheels... she emerges with a dense plume of smoke and blasts from her mighty steam whistle. A classic Kodak moment with a thrill remembered forever. As she whizzes by the throng of people enthralled with her performance... observant types swear that they saw the proud #14 grinning with glee. Pssst... it's true! Thereafter... passengers climb back aboard the train for the return trip to the depot.

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District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today the Ventura County District Attorney's Office is currently prosecuting James Homer Schoenhofen (DOB 7/19/43) for alleged crimes involving the sexual abuse of a child. A jury trial is set for May 2, 2012, and Mr. Schoenhofen has pled not guilty to all charges.

Mr. Schoenhofen is a 68-year-old former resident of Oxnard who may have been a foster parent beginning in the 1960s. The District Attorney's Office is requesting that anyone who has ever lived with Mr. Schoenhofen, has information concerning the identity of persons who may have lived with him in the past, or has information about crimes perpetrated against children by Mr. Schoenhofen to please contact the District Attorney's Office at (805) 477-1623.

Jerry Dean Bohannon, 49, Ventura

Jerry Dean Bohannon lives in the Ventura Riverbed west of Hwy 33, near Stanley Avenue. Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes unit have learned that Bohannon was the victim of a violent assault during the third week of January 2012. An extensive search for Bohannon has been conducted with little information revealed as to where Bohannon is or his current physical condition.

Prior to the assault, Bohannon was last seen on January 13, 2012. Detectives have received many conflicting stories as to what has caused Bohannon’s disappearance.

Detectives are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of Jerry Bohannon. They are requesting the public’s help in locating Bohannon or any information that may lead detectives to the reason for his disappearance.

If you have any information about or have seen Jerry Dean Bohannon since 01/13/2012, please contact:

Nature of Incident: Missing Person
Report Number: N/A
Location: Ventura
Date & Time: 01/13/2012
Unit Responsible: Major Crimes
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Jerry Dean Bohannon Ventura 49
Sergeant Evans – (805) 797-6394,
Detective Therrien – (805) 797-6401 or
Detective Lopez – (805) 797-7118
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Evans
Media Release Date: March 26,2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Evans – (805) 797-6394
Approved by: Sergeant Joe Evans
Sheriff’s Major Crimes unit.

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).

Congratulations to Nico Frias and Sammy Martinez for completing the 2012 L.A. Marathon. They were two of 18817 finishers, they placed 434th overall with an excellent time of 3:17 (3 hours 17 minutes).

Nico is a sophomore at Fillmore High School and this was his third L.A. Marathon. He participates in Cross Country and Track during the school year. Sammy is a junior at Fillmore High School and this is also his third L.A. Marathon. Sammy is on the Cross Country, Track and Swim teams. He is also Speaker of the House for FHS Associated Student Body. Both boys have many extracurricular activities, and have found time to still participate in the training involved to prepare for the L.A. Marathon with Students Run Los Angeles (SRLA). With all these activities they still manage to be good students in the classroom as well.

They were trained by Joel Frias, Nico's father, this was his 12th year coaching for SRLA and has mentored many student runners throughout those 12 years; over 200. He prepares them from August to March and they attend sanctioned practice runs, each one increasing in distance over the months. They also hold regular practices as an individual team.

Congratulations to both boys, hard work and determination always leads to a strong finish!

Fillmore, it is that time of year again to come out and support the local arts. Fillmore High School Drama is again teaming up with The Sespe Players in a production of a drama called "Guides". The play will be at the Fillmore District Auditorium on Sespe Ave in Fillmore. The time and dates are Frida,y March 23rd, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 24th, at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday March 25th, at 2:00 p.m. Then again next week on Friday, March 30th, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday March 31st at 7:30 p.m., and the last show will be Sunday, April 1st, at 2:00 p.m. Students and senior citizens $5.00... adults $8.00...and $15.00 you can come to as many shows as you like for the one ticket price. All cast members have tickets to sell or call Janet Foy at 524-2757.

The Saturday show on March 24th, at 2:00 p.m. will be a fundraiser for Grad Night Live. All ticket sales for that show will go to Grad Night Live, so that the Seniors of Fillmore High School can again have a safe and fun way to celebrate graduation. This is a good way to help out a good cause, and have some fun doing it.

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At Tuesday night’s school board meeting Joey Orozco (left) received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from a representative of Congressman Elton Gallegly for his achievements at R.M. Pyles Boys Camp.
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Vanessa Villa, Student of the Year .
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Raina Arrellano, Teacher of the Year.
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The March 20, 2012 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with a threat of reprisal from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) and ended with an announcement of changes to Piru’s 6th grade class. Also discussed was Transitional Kindergarten, Classroom Climate Task Force, a presentation by UCSB Early Academic Outreach Program and awards for Student and Teacher of the Year.

Tron Burdick, Labor Relations Representative with the CSEA addressed the Board regarding a contract disagreement. FUSD would not agree with certain retirement benefits asked for during contract negotiations and as a result CSEA is ready to fight for them, with Burdick adding, “The cost to negotiate will far exceed the cost of the benefits we wanted.” Burdick brought up another item CSEA was upset about; the use of volunteers to help in school offices. He told the Board that using volunteers was allegedly against their contract and that CSEA will be fighting to stop it. Burdick also alleges the District is not as financially strapped as they claim. Upon ending his scathing address Burdick was applauded by most of the faculty in attendance; many of whom may be in a fighting mood due to the 25 layoff notices sent out last week.

Dr. Alan Nishino, FUSD Superintendent, answered the allegations made by Burdick regarding the budget stating, “We must budget for three years, which includes this year, next year and the following year” and added, “We must have a rainy day fund…we have to budget without being sure we’ll even get the money.” He went on to say FUSD budgets conservatively whereas some other school districts budget using the best case scenario.

An item approved that may please parents with four and five year old children just starting school was Transitional Kindergarten (TK) which the Board voted to continue offering. Last Tuesday there was a 3-1 vote in Sacramento by the education finance subcommittee rejecting Governor Brown’s proposed State Budget calling for the elimination of the program in an effort to save $224 million. TK is a state law that was passed in 2010 and is part of a larger bill known as Kindergarten Readiness Act which advances the date children start kindergarten. By 2014 children must be five years of age by September 1 for kindergarten eligibility. The 2012-2013 school year requires kindergarten students to be five years of age by November 1, 2012. For the 2013-2014 school year, students must be five by October 1, 2013.

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