City officials estimate that about 20,000 people ventured out to Fillmore on the 4th of July to attend the Sespe Creek Car Show & Festival, observe the horseshoe tournament, purchase safe and sane fireworks and stay for the annual spectacular fireworks display in the sky.

The car show attracted approximately 220 car entries this year, down about 30% from previous years, but still substantial enough to satisfy the car enthusiast. The following entrants took home a beautifully crafted blue glass-engraved trophy for winning in their selected category.

T Buckets—Tom Sheehan; Street Rods 1900-1932—Gary Larkins; Street Rods 1933-1936—Mark Pierce; Street Rods 1937-1941—Greg Chavez; Street Rods 1942-1948—Roy Tapia; Street Rods 1949-1963—Ralph Casallittas; Mustangs—Tony Rivas; 1955-1957 Chevy’s—Mike Wiener; Rat Rod—John Lynch; Rancheros—William Taylor; Corvettes—Kevin Warring; Thunderbirds—Gerald Lybolt; Sports Cars—Richard Faidley; Camaros—Gran Classics; El Camino—Jerry Jenkins; Truck-Pickyp—Kevin Warring; Stock Original 1900-1940—Pepe Gonzales; Stock Original 1941-1951—Ernie Trujillo Stock original 1952-1974—Joe Avila; Street Rod Open—Bob Boudreau; Street Rod Closed—Deuces Wild; Mild Modification—Albert Papu; Major Modification—Jerry Kransler; Muscle Cars—Eddie Arano; Most Likely to be Stopped—Nick Donwen; Under Construction—Manny Figuerea; Drag Cars—John O’Hare; Under 21—Roy Nava; Best Flames—Joe Freas.

Fillmore & Western Railway, CONTINUED »

It must have seemed like a nice day for a drive, Sunday, July 11, when Codi Love, 18 of Fillmore, drove down the 800 Block of Edison Lane. Unfortunately, when a Sheriff’s cruiser attempted to stop her vehicle, Love fled, driving less than a mile, hitting a curb and tree. Then she stopped. Love was arrested for evading and hit-and-run. No one was injured.

Mimstar, a manufacturer and seller of one-of-a-kind photo items made from its customers’ photos and original artwork, has created keepsakes for countless customers since 2006. Now the Fillmore business located inside Mirage women’s clothing shop has its own keepsake, thanks to Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County.

At a check passing ceremony on June 24, Mimstar owner Karen Thayer received an $85,000 loan to be used for debt restructuring and working capital that will enable Thayer to increase her staff and the company’s production.

EDC-VC is a community-based lender, and the loan is the largest it has made to a Fillmore company to date.
F
illmore Mayor Patti Walker and Supervisor Kathy Long, both EDC-VC board members, presented the check to Thayer on behalf of EDC-VC and the county.

“EDC-VC has given me wings to fly,” said Thayer. “Fillmore has been hit pretty hard with the economy, yet Mimstar is growing so much that it’s a challenge to keep up with demand.

I owe a great deal of our success to EDC-VC, because they educated me about business strategies specific to my company before we even entered into the loan process. My business is my passion, and now I have the business skills to match.”

Mimstar is a digital customizing business whose primary production is that of transferring customer photographs onto a multitude of items using dye sublimation, which uses special dyes and 400 degree heat to create photo-quality replications of all types of photographs on various objects. Mimstar also offers vinyl application and a digital transfer process called Chromoblast.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Business Enhancement Program, the Revolving Loan Fund and other services available to small businesses through the EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 21 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com.

The June 29 School Board Meeting was fraught with tension as criticism underlined public comments. Ventura County resident Mary McClennan expressed her concern for the county’s children and explained that she had been hearing of teachers being harassed and children being refused transfers, so she had come to “find out what’s being done” in the Fillmore schools. McClennan called the situation “ridiculous” and referred to a “failing school” several times.

School Board President Tony Prado responded by saying he was not sure what failing schools she had in mind, and stressed, “Harassment of any teachers is intolerable. And it’s really important to understand that harassment of teachers in any school district across the United States is intolerable. I wholeheartedly agree with you on that comment. And in the Fillmore Unified School District, to the best of my knowledge, there is no harassment of any teachers.”

Ide Ramirez then took the mic to register her displeasure in receiving a letter announcing that Piru Elementary Principal Leticia Ramos would be getting a transfer, apparently with a promotion. “She clearly showed the community, the school, that she was incapable of handling her position. Attending activities outside the school, her mannerisms with acting out with the parents, it’s just, it’s incredible,” Ramirez alleged. She questioned the Board’s motives for the move, suggesting, “because, she needs to be covered up? Or what? She needs to be babysat a lot more closely with you guys?” Ramirez also submitted a complaint for an unexplained cancellation of a School Site Council meeting at Piru Elementary scheduled for that day. She said she saw no notice posted and hadn’t received the customary phone call, and pressed the Board for an answer regarding why the meeting wasn’t held.

Ramirez further inquired, “How is CONTINUED »