Our family had a real treat this year for Thanksgiving Dinner. We adopted two young United States Air Force Airmen to join us for our Thanksgiving Dinner. The idea came to us four years ago when a family adopted my son Phillip while he was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. Phillip told me it was a great experience having dinner off-base with a family. He also said being able to call us at home when the “Host Family” offered their phone to call was the best part. I knew then our family would like to be a part of just such a program, but it was not until last year that I knew how to be a part of it after reading an article in the newspaper.

The article introduced United States Navy Construction Mechanic Petty Officer First Class (CM1) Michael G. Robb, a Naval Military Training Instructor at the Naval Construction Training Center onboard the Seabee base in Port Hueneme (NBVC). He said that every year, a number of local citizens in Ventura County volunteer to provide a home-cooked meal for sailors who are far away from home for the holidays. This included the Thanksgiving and Christmas meal. CM1 Robb hoped that Ventura County families were willing to open their hearts and homes and help our service members while they are away from their families due to their military service!

I responded to the article by emailing CM1 Robb, michael.g.robb@navy.mil, and CONTINUED »

Today FEMA announced that all of the changes on the Santa Clara River Valley are on hold until the completion of the Santa Clara River Watershed Flood Insurance Study in 2012. The 1,500 property owners in Fillmore will no longer be required to purchase flood insurance by January 20, 2010.

During this Flood Insurance Study, all residents along the Santa Clara River Watershed will have an opportunity to participate in the public comment period. This additional time will provide an opportunity for the Ventura County Watershed Protection District and the Cities to pursue options to address these issues.

“The Ventura County Watershed Protection District is continuing to move forward with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify the deficiencies with the Sespe Creek Levee and move as quickly as possible with retrofit work to make it certifiable,” stated Bert Rapp, Director of Fillmore Public Works.

“This is at least a three year process and could take up to ten years depending upon funding availability.”
FEMA still encourages residents potentially at risk of being in the flood zone to purchase flood insurance at the low preferred rate while the study is being completed.

Councilman Steve Conaway was visibly upset at Tuesday night’s Council meeting over the way the Boys & Girls Club was suddenly closed without warning or explanation.

Tuesday night’s City Council meeting began with the surprise announcement that the Santa Clara Valley Boys & Girls Clubs have closed. Councilman Steve Conaway left the dais, to speak as a private citizen, expressing his anger and disappointment with the news of the sudden closure. Conaway said there had been no dialogue with the club’s CEO, Doug Caldwell, and “any other city officials, such as the city manager.” He strongly expressed concern that the closure would have on the community.

A letter was sent to “Club Parents” dated November 24, saying the club would close November 25th. The decision to shut down will affect the Santa Paula Clubhouse, North Fillmore (Neil C. Schmidt Clubhouse), Fillmore Clubhouse, Rancho Sespe Clubhouse, and Las Piedras Clubhouse. No reason was given for the closures.

Conaway also noted the effect it will have on afterschool care. He stated that other communities have resources to fall back on that Fillmore does not.

“Some of our underprivileged families have paid ahead. I’m just saying, it speaks for itself,” said Conaway, intimating the dubious way the clubs were closed.

Councilmember Laurie Hernandez and Mayor Patti Walker both CONTINUED »

The letter below was sent to “Club Parents” on November 24, 2009
“Dear Club Parents, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley will be ending daily programming at Santa Paula Clubhouse, North Fillmore (Neil C. Schmidt Clubhouse), Fillmore Clubhouse, Rancho Sespe Clubhouse, and Las Piedras Clubhouse effective Wednesday, November 25, 2009.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley regrets this action very much because our goals are to serve children and provide them with positive programs and activities. Club leaders are aggressively studying the best way to reevaluate our efforts in the Heritage Valley Community.
Thank you for your understanding of this difficult situation. We are hopeful that this will be a temporary closure as Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley has every intention of providing services to our communities' youth in the future.
Sincerely, Doug Caldwell, Chief Executive Officer, The Place For Kids”
No explanation was given for the surprise closing. A source has told the Gazette that a meeting was held on Wednesday to discuss the closure.

The Gazette received word from The Boys & Girls club on Wednesday afternoon that the Boys & Girls Clubs will be in operation on Monday, November 30th, 2009. Why the letter was sent out and what the future ramifications will be are unknown.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

22 year old (Victim)Sergio Juarez of Santa Paula said he had been in front of La Unica market on Old Telegraph at about 11pm Saturday, he was alone.
A male suspect approached him and demanded money.
Juarez turned to run off and the suspect attacked him with a knife.
Juarez ran away and the suspect fled.
Juarez went to Santa Paula hospital for knife wounds. He was listed in good condition.
The suspect is a Hispanic male, young looking / late teens to early twenties, short, with a shaved head.

City of Fillmore

Last Wednesday, November 11, 2009, a settlement agreement was signed between the City of Fillmore and Richard McKee, President Californias Aware, ending McKee’s lawsuit against the city. The Agreement contains the three items McKee demanded:

1. A public admission of the City Council's "errors;"

2. A 2-hour Brown Act retraining for the City Council offered by the City Attorney and McKee at a special meeting before the end of the year; and

3. Payment of McKee’s attorney fees and costs, totaling $6,000.

In return, McKee will dismiss the lawsuit.

McKee brought suit claiming the Fillmore City Council violated the Brown Act. Under the settlement, the city will issue a written statement admitting that Brown Act violations were committed at the August 25 council meeting.

The Ventura District Attorney’s office investigated CONTINUED »