The Fillmore High School Percussion Ensemble brought home the gold medals and first place trophy for the Scholastic C Division of the American Drum Line Association at Santiago High School in Corona on Saturday April 26, 2008. Show Title: The House - music by Alan Keown and Brian Mudget. Drill design by Alan Keown. Licensed to Marching Show Concepts. David Adams and Colleen Anderson – instructors, Chris Fernandez - Director of Instrumental Music. American Drum Line Association - 26 years of drum line competitions, in 2008 there are over 120 competing drum lines and percussion ensembles, representing approximately 2,000. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
The Fillmore High School Percussion Ensemble brought home the gold medals and first place trophy for the Scholastic C Division of the American Drum Line Association at Santiago High School in Corona on Saturday April 26, 2008. |
By Dick Diaz — Thursday, April 17th, 2008
On His Way to Afghanistan
Today, while I was involved in my “normal and routine” life I was consumed with the thoughts of all the young men and women I have written about in this article and where they are right now: Army Staff Sergeant Rudy Alcantar now serving in Kosovo; Army PFC Juanita Altamirano in Afghanistan; Air Force Senior Airman Michael Chavez in Italy; USN IT3 Phillip Diaz (my son) deploying for the second time in May for the Mediterranean; Army Sergeant Kevin Edwards soon to be on his second deployment to Iraq; Army Specialist Michael Edwards soon to deploy to Honduras; Army Staff Sergeant Gilbert Zavala on his third deployment, twice to Iraq and now to Afghanistan. While I was doing my “normal and routine” life, and you yours, these young men and women were serving our Country so we could enjoy the freedoms we all now have. All of them so young and all of them seeing so much more than any of us can possibly imagine. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
As of Monday, April 7, 2008 Fillmore Fire Chief Peter Egedi went on leave. This is a personnel matter. The City is respecting the privacy rights of its employee. The City is in the process of gathering information and does not wish to speculate at this time. When the City has completed its review it will be in position to make further comment on the matter. [City of Fillmore Press Release.] |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Park designer Tim Maloney explained the need for payment on many new changes that had to be made to the new city park. Payment was approved at Tuesday’s special council meeting. The special meeting was needed because a majority of the council would not approve a half-hour extension of the last regular meeting. Redesign of the skateboard part of the park, as well as grading to protect against a 100-year flood, necessitated approval to avoid delay of ground work. |
By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Captain Bruce Macedo, born in Merced, California in 1959, grew up on a three-hundred acre dairy farm in the tiny town of Snelling, home to a drug store, Catholic Church and a school. He is the youngest son and middle child of six, receiving his elementary education in a multiple grade classroom at the local rural public school, after milking cows every morning. His parents moved their family briefly to Hanford, then to Chowchilla when he was twelve years old, and ultimately sold the dairy farm just prior to their youngest son’s high-school graduation. Somehow, even as a young child of San Joquin Valley’s rural towns, tucked amongst picturesque rolling hills and tranquil miles of farmlands dotted with cows and cattle, Bruce Macedo was certain of his ambition for a career in law enforcement. Deputy Macedo’s career with the Sheriff’s Department commenced at the Poli Street Jail, later performing duties for the new pre-trial detention facility at the Ventura County Government Center. He was transferred to Camarillo, working patrol, and then back to Ventura where he patrolled coastal cities and unincorporated areas of the county. He then performed duties as Court Liaison Deputy following up on cases filed with the District Attorney, and coordinating Neighborhood Watch programs. Promoted to Sr. Deputy, he returned to duties at the jail in the capacity of Supervisor of Deputies. His responsibilities included maintaining the safety and care of inmates, including some well-known celebrities. Throughout his career as Sr. Deputy, he served in the Criminal Intelligence Unit investigating illegal gambling, prostitution, organized crime, motorcycle gangs and intelligence threats. During a budget crunch, he returned to patrol duty, besides working collateral part-time assignments on the off-road motorcycle detail, helicopter crew chief, SWAT team, tactical response team in jails, and as an emergency response team and firearms instructor. Promoted to Sergeant, he served at the pre-trial jail, headquarters patrol, Camarillo patrol and Administrative Sergeant. In December 1999, he transferred to the training academy. His work as Basic Academy Coordinator entailed the coordination of 120 instructors in the training of cadets to become police officers, in over 40 domains (subject matter). The Ventura County Police Academy offers approximately 900 hours of training, far surpassing POST standards (minimum standards for all academies) of 650 hours. The year 2003 found him working with the Professional Standards Unit on Internal Affairs investigations, and in March 2005, he was awarded the position of Watch Commander, and the rank of Captain. March of 2006 was indeed a lucky time for Fillmore, for Captain Bruce Macedo became Chief of Police of our town. An accomplished peace officer with a wonderful well-rounded ability to coordinate, encourage and inspire his staff, sergeants, deputies, volunteers and cadets alike, enabled his many accomplishments in the two short years he has served this community. Some of the accomplishments on a very small budget have included a 10% decrease in serious crime, efforts to expand the North Fillmore Police storefront, expansion of community programs, addition of our motorcycle cop and stronger relationships with Neighborhood Watch programs and the community. His new assignment will return him to Ventura, where he will be Captain of Professional Standards, working with Internal Affairs at the Government Center. Captain Bruce Macedo has traveled far from the serene valley where he spent his youth. Since his departure, he has accomplished much as a husband of twenty years, a father of two sons, volunteer activities in Cub Scouts and coaching sports, attaining a BA degree in Organizational Management, University of LaVerne, near completion of an MA degree, Emergency Management, CSU Long Beach, and his excellent twenty-seven years of service in law enforcement. Friday, April 4, was his last working day in Fillmore, but we will always be grateful for the time he has spent helping to keep our town a safe place to live. So, in parting, we all wish him the best and say, “Hail to the Chief, Captain Bruce Macedo”. |
By Dick Diaz — Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Like with most of the articles I write honoring the men and women of the Fillmore and Piru Communities serving our Country, to protect all our freedoms, I usually begin the journey with a phone call from a family member. I received just such a phone call from a very proud grandmother; Dolores “Lola” Chavez of Fillmore. Mrs. Chavez wanted to tell me about her Grandson, Senior Airman Michael Anthony Chavez 24 years now serving in the United States Air Force. Mrs. Chavez told me that Michael was stationed in the northern city of Aviano, Italy at the United States Air Force’s Aviano Air Base with the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (31st AMXS). During the few phone calls we shared and the two visits to her home I found her to be a dedicated and very proud Grandmother of an American Airman. I appreciate her helping me put this article together and for her concern for all the men and women currently serving in the military from the communities of Fillmore and Piru. Senior Airman Michael Chavez is a 2002 graduate of Fillmore High School and he also attended Lancaster High School. He participated in both varsity football and track while in high school. He and his wife Jessica (Taylor), also a 2002 graduate of Fillmore High School, 2006 graduate of Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks with a B.A. in Liberal Arts, and a 2007 graduate of Pepperdine with a Masters in Education. They live in Aviano, Italy where Jessica is a pre-school teacher and they do not have any children. Senior Airman Chavez joined the Air Force in January 2004 and has been assigned duty throughout the world: at Cannon AFB Clovis, NM, Kunsan Air Base Korea, Bulgaria, Turkey and currently Aviano Air Base, Italy. His job specialty is as a Weapons Loader and he also maintains all the equipment related to weapons loading of the F-16 aircraft. While in the Air Force he is attending college to continue his education by studying Aeronautical Engineering. In the two phone calls (there is a +9 hours difference in time) with Senior Airman Michael Chavez I found him to be a very dedicated Airman. With still two-years left on his six-year enlistment he is still unsure if he will make the Air Force his career. Senior Airman Michael Chavez has been awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short, Air Force Longevity Service, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle) and the Air Force Training Ribbon. Senior Airman Chavez’s parents are Andy Chavez of Fillmore and Leanne Gravley (1983 Fillmore High School Graduate) of Reno, Nevada. He has one sister Heather 18 years of Acton, California and brother Andrew 4 years of Fillmore. His Paternal Grandparents are Adon and Delores “Lola” Chavez of Fillmore and his Maternal Grandparents are Joe and Ellen Gravley of Henderson, Nevada. Senior Airman Michael Chavez’s Father-in-law and Mother-in-law are John and Joyce Taylor of Fillmore. The 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (31st AMXS) is responsible for maintaining the United States Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. Plans and directs expeditionary aircraft generation and maintenance operations of 520 personnel in 20 Air Force specialties. The 31st AMXS Maintains 48 F-16C/D aircraft valued at $1.28 billion. Provides repair capabilities for aircraft, avionics, weapons and propulsion systems to support delivery of conventional and precision-guided weapons. The 31st AMXS supports the 31st Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and NATO contingency and combat aircraft. The vision of the 31st AMXS is to perform safe, expeditionary aircraft maintenance anytime, anywhere! Since inception, the 31 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM. Additionally, the squadron supported 24 hour air defense for the 2002 NATO Summit. The squadron's largest deployment challenge was its most recent seamless transition of back-to-back deployments to Balad Air Base, Iraq in support of Air Expeditionary Force 5 and 7 rotations. Senior Airman Michael Chavez’s contribution to keeping the F-16 in the air and supporting our troops in the Middle East is appreciated by all of us here back at home. We wish Senior Airman Michael Chavez safe travel and to his family we thank them for their sacrifices while Senior Airman Michael Chavez is serving in this supporting role so far from home. |
John Reider tells council how he has suffered for 6 years to get the approval for his controvercial project. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Thursday, April 10th, 2008
On a 4-1 Vote, Mayor Conaway being the single dissenting voice, the Fillmore City Council abandoned the City’s Code of Ethics, which applied to both Council members and staff. |
Work continues on the Central Avenue drainage project. Closure of Central Avenue has caused substantial fi nancial loss to shop owners, and a major inconvenience for the driving public. The much-needed new storm drain will be appreciated during the next major rainstorm, as “normal” fl ooding will have been eliminated. Enlarge Photo By Joyce Schifanelli — Thursday, April 10th, 2008
By now, everyone has surely noticed or been affected by the massive project that has Central Ave., Fillmore’s downtown business district for the past several weeks, in a state of dust, fences, signs, holes, noise, street closings, detours and the general concern of shopkeepers and residents alike. If you have not kept up with the newspapers, you might not know that the City has retained Lash Construction, Inc. to replace the existing 10” water line with a new 20” line, and the leaking, corroded, cast-iron storm drain with a 60” epoxy coated, concrete drain which can have a life of up to two-hundred years. Choosing the Central Ave. location minimized costs to the City for the much-needed work. “Completion of the project is expected to bring flood relief to Downtown and North Fillmore neighborhoods,” says Bert Rapp, Public Works Director. |
Mama Sue shows her display of the men and women of Fillmore and Piru who are serving in the United States Military. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Mama Sue’s Café, located across from City Hall at 454 Santa Clara Street, is honoring residents of Fillmore/Piru that are currently serving in the United States Military. Sue (Mama) and John Conroy are the owners of the popular local breakfast and lunch Café. Mama Sue is the person who came up with the idea of displaying the pictures of all the men and women currently serving in the military. Sue is a frequent reader of the Fillmore Gazette and specifically the articles highlighting local military men and women. It was those articles and the memory of her late father, James Allan Zeman, who served in the United States Navy that spawned the idea. |
The driver of this Ford pickup was arrested for DWI following a Sunday, single vehicle crash. According to an eyewitness, the driver lost control east of Piru, crashed into a barrier on the south side of the highway, veered back into lane 2, before again swerving onto the unpaved roadside and fl ipping over. The driver appeared only slightly injured and was the only person in the vehicle. Broken containers of beer were found beside the truck. Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Thursday, April 10th, 2008
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