Cooper’s Hawk
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Hands up, all who knew there is a real nature preserve right in our own backyard! The Hedrick Ranch Nature Area (HRNA) is a 223-acre property on the south bank of the Santa Clara River between Fillmore and Santa Paula, off of South Mountain Road. Sanger Hedrick’s father bought the property in 1940, and the family has farmed it until recently. In 2001, he sold the property to the California State Coastal Conservancy which then granted it to the Friends of the Santa Clara River (FSCR), a non-profit environmental group. The mission of FSCR is to “protect, enhance and manage resources of the Santa Clara River.” They believe it is critical to protect and preserve floodplains and riparian areas and to address watershed issues. The HRNA is a living workshop where habitat restoration takes place, including weed abatement, seed collection, native plant propagation, and planting.

Volunteers meet once a month on alternate first Saturdays or Sundays for a morning’s work. On a recent Saturday morning, several eager workers with loppers in hand tackled an overgrown path. All agreed that working with friends, seeing a variety of birds and wildlife, including coyotes and bobcats (and the occasional rattlesnake), and doing their part to help the environment were all benefits of volunteering at HRNA. A highlight of today’s workday was seeing regular HRNA and Ojai Raptor Center volunteer Pete Triem release three Cooper’s Hawks into the wild. A group of teenagers with City Corps of Ventura were also on hand to plant 1,200 native plants grown right on the property.

In addition to volunteers, the HRNA is supported by grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and from the State Water Resources Control Board. The FSCR also contracts with Coastal Restoration Consultants for technical advice on implementing the habitat restoration plan. John True, Project Coordinator, discussed how the goal of removing non-native, invasive plant species and reintroducing native species was being achieved. The property had most recently been used as pasture for cattle when FSCR received it, and heavy rains in 2005 causing flooding had deposited about one foot of silt and sediment on the property. Native grasses, shrubs, and trees were planted, and now most plants used in restoration here are propagated in a small nursery on site from seeds and cuttings collected on the preserve. There are about 11,000 plants growing in their “low-tech” nursery, and they are continually starting plants throughout the year, using frames covered with plastic to protect vulnerable plants from the cold in winter months. Plants are watered from a well and rain. According to John, as a greater variety of native species are planted, biodiversity increases, resulting in higher populations of insects, birds, and other wildlife. The Least Bell’s Vireo, an endangered species of bird, is present in the area.

The restoration of the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area is helping to meet the larger goal of protecting endangered species and returning the Santa Clara River to a more native state. More volunteers are always welcome at workdays! The next workday is Sunday, January 11, 2009 (weather permitting). Wear long pants, boots, and sun protection, and bring water and gloves. They have tools, but you can bring your own. If you have been looking for a way to help the environment while making new friends, enjoying nature, and getting a little exercise, then these workdays fit the bill. Jackie Bowland Worden of Bowland & Associates (Biological and Environmental Consulting Services), the restoration manager for HRNA, coordinates the workdays. Contact her at jbworden7@gmail.com.

Kailey Andrews, United States Air Force.
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Life-long Fillmore resident, Kailey Andrews, 19 years, a graduate of Fillmore High School (FHS) Class 2007, was home for the Thanksgiving Holiday with her family after she completed eight weeks of Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) in Wichita Falls, Texas and six weeks at Keesler AFB near Biloxi, Mississippi. At Keesler AFB she trained in the operating room of the base hospital as a surgical apprentice. Kailey attended Los Nogales Elementary and Camarillo Heights Elementary Schools, and Los Altos Middle School in Camarillo before attending FHS. After graduation from FHS Kailey attended Ventura College before enlisting into the United States Air Force. Kailey was an avid softball player since she was 4 yrs. old and played year-round softball through high school at both second base and center field. Kailey enlisted in the United States Air Force in December of 2007.

Airman Kailey Andrews left on November 29th for Eglin AFB located about sixty miles from Pensacola, Florida. Eglin will be her new duty station with the Air Forces 96th Medical Group as a Surgical Technician. As a Surgical Technician she assists professional staff in providing patient care for surgical patients before, during, and after surgery. Airman Kailey Andrews will perform scrub and circulating duties in the operating room (OR). Additionally she will assist with post-anesthesia recovery of patients. The 96th Medical Group manages and provides comprehensive, cost-effective health care for 83,000 eligible beneficiaries who include active duty men and women, their dependents and military retirees. It operates a community-based teaching hospital with graduate level programs in family practice, general dentistry and other medical disciplines. It deploys and expands to provide responsive health services in any contingency. CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At approximately 11:01 PM, Ventura County Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a report of robbery at the Shell Gas Station. A Hispanic Male, 5’9” to 6’, 150-170lbs, Slender build, Brown eyes, 20-29 year old suspect wearing a hooded sweatshirt, knit cap with his face covered by a bandana brandished a rifle at the 38-year-old female store attendant and demanded money. The clerk gave him the money in the cash register and watched the suspect flee toward the west and north. A second witness saw the suspect leave the store carrying a rifle and also called authorities.

Anyone with additional information about this crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (805) 494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark), (805) 385-TALK (Camarillo / Oxnard / Port Hueneme), Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-2233 or the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit at (805) 477-7000.

Pictured (l-r) Mountain View Principal Chrissy Schieferle, school board member David Dollar and Heidi Popp. Popp was given the “Be the Change” award.
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Pictured (l-r) Cynthia Frutos, David Dollar and Isela Larin. Larin was given the "Be The Change" award for her outstanding career counseling at SHS (Sierra High School).
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The open session of the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting was December 16, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board presented awards to Isela Larin and Heidi Popp, swore in newly elected Board Members, elected a president, received recommendations from the Reconfiguration Committee, discussed fundraising principles, discussed contracts, and heard a facilities update on recent leaks.

Cynthia Frutos introduced Isela Larin on behalf of Sierra High School (SHS). Larin was awarded a "Be the Change" certificate for her outstanding work. She provides career counseling to SHS students, as well as Fillmore High School (FHS) students. Larin received praise for arranging remarkable guest speakers, and helping each SHS student with a plan for life after high school.

Mountain Vista Elementary School Principal Chrissy Schieferle introduced Heidi Popp. Popp was awarded a "Be the Change" certificate. Popp had sought donations for a "coat closet" from Mountain Vista staff, Fillmore Middle School staff, and the community. Schieferle said that Popp had hoped to gather enough coats and clothes to help the needy during the holidays, but collected so much clothes that the "coat closet" will be open year-round.

Board Members John Garnica and Virginia De La Piedra were re-elected in November, and were sworn in for another four-year term at this meeting. The Board elected Garnica to be School Board President, elected Board Member Tony Prado to be Vice President, and elected Board Member Liz Wilde to continue as Clerk. The Board decided to continue holding meetings on first and third Tuesdays. The Board appointed Prado as the School Board Representative on the County Committee on School District Organization. It appointed Superintendent Jeff Sweeney as the Ex-Officio Clerk and/or Secretary, with Assistant Superintendent Mike Bush as alternate. It appointed De La Piedra and Garnica to the Vision 2020 Steering Committee, with Wilde as alternate. It appointed David Dollar to the Agricultural Advisory Committee. CONTINUED »

Patti Walker

The newly elected City Council Members, City Clerk, and City Treasurer were sworn in at the City Council Meeting on December 9, 2008. The Council honored outgoing City officials for their public service, elected the Mayor and Mayor Pro-tem, made appointments to City Council Committees and Outside Agencies, and conducted City business. After intense discussion, the Council decided not to provide a track at the Fillmore Middle School.

City Clerk Shirley Spitler administered the oath of office to Council Members Gayle Washburn, Jamey Brooks, and Steve Conaway. She then administered the oath of office to incoming City Clerk Clay Westling and incoming City Treasurer Norma Gutierrez. Westling then presided over the mayoral election.

The Council elected Patti Walker as Mayor, and Gayle Washburn as Mayor Pro-tem. Laurie Hernandez was also nominated for Mayor Pro-tem, but was not elected.

County Supervisor Kathy Long presented honors to Cecilia Cuevas and Scott Lee. Long noted Cuevas's work on the Library Commission, noted her work with the Red Cross (especially with disaster preparation), and praised her "willingness to take on tough issues and do her homework". Long said that Lee had served for a total of thirteen years, and thanked him for stepping up to fill the vacancy left when a Council Member resigned in March 2007. She noted that his passion for serving the community extended beyond City Council to the Boy Scouts and other organizations.

Walker presented honors on behalf of the Fillmore Friends of the Library. Walker thanked Lee for donating 100% of his Council salary to the Friends, praised Cuevas for her service on the Library Commission, and thanked her for the expanded library hours.

Walker presented proclamations on behalf of former Mayor Conaway and the Council to Lee, Cuevas, outgoing City Clerk Shirley Spitler, outgoing City Treasurer Grace Donahue, and former City Treasurer Angela Mumme, commending and thanking them for their service. The Council recessed for a congratulatory reception with coffee, cookies, and cake.

Jim Higgins from the Higgy Foundation appeared with young people, Alissa Reyes and Joe Salazar, to: thank Scott Lee and Cecilia Cuevas for their service; remind Council Members to be models of honesty and integrity for community youth; and announce that they had provided refreshments for the reception. They requested that the Council meetings start with a prayer, like Congressional and Senate meetings, and that the City have an annual Youth Summit to set community goals. CONTINUED »

Jeff Sweeney
Superintendent Fillmore Unified School District

“Good Day, Recall that the District had filed a writ against the Ventura County Office of Education following a disagreement we had over the interpretation of an Interdistrict Transfer Policy. On Monday, we received the results of the writ hearing. The following will summarize the findings. I have also attached a more in depth informational page.
The writ the District filed asked the judge to rule in two areas: 1) Rule on the interpretation of Education Code… In essence, which Interdistrict Transfer policy should be implemented? The County’s first policy (The one we are currently using and the one that was used four years prior to our implementing it.) or the County’s second policy. 2) Overturn the decision of the VCOE Board regarding four families who were allowed to leave FUSD under the new VCOE Board policy; and in summary…
1) The judge declined to make a decision on whether the County’s first policy (our interpretation) or its second policy was correct. In other words, he did not take a stand on who was right nor interpret the law for either one of us; and
2) The judge ruled that the four families do not need to enroll in Fillmore because the issue is moot and does not need to be resolved. What does this mean? He said the application for the students to leave was for the 2007-08 school year, and that he does not need to rule on this as the school year has passed. He did not consider that the students are enrolled this year at Santa Clara; he only ruled on the narrowness of the fact that the school year in question has passed.
As the court chose not to advise us in this matter, we will continue to use our current interpretation of the policy until further notice.
Fillmore’s Board will discuss this decision in Closed Session next Tuesday. Feel free to contact me or Evalene Townend for more information.”
Enclosed attachment dated December 8, 2008: Fillmore Unified School District, Office of the Superintendent, Writ follow-up:
“The Fillmore Unified School District believed that the Ventura County Board of Education was in error of their jurisdiction when they, in June 2007, reversed their long-standing policy governing Interdistrict Transfers for all Ventura County schools. We believed they based the change of this policy on an erroneous interpretation of Education Code, therefore the need to have the interpretation resolved by the Court. CONTINUED »

Fillmore’s Sharon Palmer owns and operates Healthy Family Farms.

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Tucked away against a hillside three and a half miles down Wheeler Canyon Road outside of Santa Paula, you will find Healthy Family Farms, owned and operated by Sharon Palmer. Sharon moved her farm operation from thirty acres in Fillmore to this 124-acre location about seven months ago, to expand her operation and to take advantage of cooler temperatures. Sharon raises a variety of poultry, including chickens and ducks, plus seasonal turkeys. A large herd of Saanen-Nubian goats provides artisan cheese. Lamb is also seasonal. All animals are fed an organic, vegetarian-based diet, free of corn and soy; they are free-range, meaning they are free to roam within their enclosures and are not confined to “factory farm” type cages. Sharon says they are in the process of adding a greenhouse fodder system in order to become fully sustainable. She is also planning to plant an orchard with apricot and sugar pear trees, where her poultry herds can run around freely.
The Sunday before Thanksgiving, Sharon was hosting “Harvest Day” at the farm. Ventura County residents who had pre-ordered a turkey arrived to pick them up and to wander around the farm on a self-guided tour of the barns, animal facilities, and cheesemaking room. Fresh, organically-grown vegetables for sale were beautifully displayed, along with flower bouquets of fall colors. Eggs and artisan goat cheese were also for sale. Many had made it a family outing; some children were seeing real, live farm animals for the first time. Sharon proudly said that their animals are all cared for like part of the family, and are processed humanely by small processors.
Sharon began humane and organic farming in 2003 after visiting a food processing plant where animals were mistreated and pumped up with antibiotics. She determined to raise food for her own family and for others who appreciated locally- and organically-grown meat, eggs, cheese, and produce. She and her children work the farm together, each having their own daily chores. Sharon sells her farm goods at most area Farmer’s Markets, so you can find her at the Wednesday and Saturday Markets in Ventura and the Sunday Market in Ojai.
Knowing where and how their food is grown and the farmer that grew it is becoming more and more important to many families. Trucking and shipping food products from long distances only increases their costs and degrades their quality. “Buy fresh, buy local” is becoming the new motto. Those of us who live in California and in Ventura County are fortunate to have most everything we need grown right here. Healthy Family Farms is part of this new push for sustainable and local eating, so visit them at a Farmer’s Market soon, or contact them at HealthyFamilyFarms@gmail.com.

City of Fillmore

The city is awaiting a response from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board to its request to pay the $222,000 fine assessed for discharged into the Santa Clara River. Fillmore’s water treatment plant was built in 1955 and is unable to achieve water purity at the level of current standards.
Although construction on the city’s new $33 million treatment plant is about three quarters finished, the fines are not negotiable. Under legislation passed created by California’s Democrats, and passed by former Democrat Grey Davis, the fines are mandatory.
The new treatment plant (to begin operation April, 2009) will prevent any discharge to the river, avoiding any future fines. According to Bert Rapp, Fillmore’s Director of Public Works, the city hopes the (RWQCB) will permit payments on the fine instead of the burden of paying the entire amount immediately. The city has also requested that $115,000 be payable towards a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) instead of the State. A payment schedule would greatly ease the burden on the city’s budget.
Further fines are expected because the city’s old treatment plant cannot deal with the new water quality standards. If we receive heavy rains the fines will be greater. The city has asked that the State Board combine all penalties until they can be processed and settled at once.
Water bills for Fillmore residents are not expected to go up due to these fines. Funds from other accounts will probably be used, including the possibility that money from the general fund would be made available.

Private Tabetha Solorio

2008 Fillmore High School Graduate Tabetha Solorio, 18 years, has graduated from the United States Marine Corps Boot Camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina. Tabetha left for Parris Island on August 25, 2008 for a challenging thirteen weeks of military training and graduated on November 21, 2008. In addition to FHS Tabetha also attended Sespe Elementary and Fillmore Middle Schools and enjoyed playing basketball.
Private Tabetha Solorio is the daughter of Maria Barragan of Fillmore and Guillermo Solorio of Arizona. She is the granddaughter of Trinidad Barragan of Palmdale, California and the late Guadalupe Barragan. Private Tabetha Solorio has two brothers; Robert Solorio, 21 years, of Arizona, Adam Solorio, 20 years, of Fillmore and one sister Samantha Valdez, 22 years, of Fillmore. Her Cousin Monique, 2 years old, Fillmore misses her auntie very much and can’t wait to see her after her graduation. She also has seven uncles, 4 aunts and too many cousins to mention that all miss Private Tabetha Solorio very much and are extremely proud of her service.
Today I spoke to a very proud mother, Maria Barragan, and to Private Tabetha Solorio after she returned home from a well-deserved shopping trip to the mall with some of her friends. Private Tabetha Solorio told me she enjoyed Marine Boot Camp and she sounded very excited about her future training as a United States Marine. She is home on leave until December 2nd when she will leave Fillmore for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for Military Combat Training. She also will complete her Military Occupation Specialty Training (MOS) at Camp Lejeune in Supply and Accounting. Camp Lejeune is the home of "Expeditionary Forces in Readiness" for the past 65 years, and throughout the years, it has become the home base for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and other combat units and support commands. Private Solorio anticipates that after her advance training she will be assigned to the East Coast and soon deployed to Afghanistan. CONTINUED »

Pictured (l-r) District Manager for Wells Fargo Bank Ernie Pineda, San Cayetano Principal Jan Marholin, and Branch Manager Eric Irie. Pineda and Irie were honored by the School Board for being part of the “Be The Change” program.
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The open session of the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting was held November 18, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office. The Board presented "Be the Change" awards and Migrant Education awards. The Board decided to stand by its earlier decision to raise Public Use of Facilities fees.

Superintendent Jeff Sweeney reported that Fillmore High School (FHS) was well prepared for the WASC accreditation exit interview. He said that the FHS staff deserves to be proud of how it handled the accreditation process, and the District is waiting to hear from WASC how many years of accreditation have been awarded.

The Board and Tricia Gardias, Migrant Education Coordinator, presented Recognitions of Achievement for the Migrant Education Program. The Board Meeting Agenda listed the qualifications for each award, and Gardias described each person's accomplishments. Laura Quintana is Migrant Parent of the Year. That award goes to "parents who become involved in their children's education, strive to further their education and get involved in school and community". Quintana has served two years on the Migrant Advisory Council, attends English Learner Advisory Committee meetings, and has three children (an Eighth Grader, a Sixth Grader, and a toddler). Mayra Regalado is Migrant Student of the Year. That award goes to students who "exhibit exceptional leadership", maintain a GPA of at least 3.5, and "plan to continue their education and involvement in their school and community". She has a 4.33 GPA, is taking three Advanced Placement classes (Calculus, Physics, and Spanish), teaches Catechism at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and hopes to attend UC Davis or San Diego State University. She also plays soccer at FHS, and had to leave for practice after receiving the award. Homero Magaña is Migrant Alumnus of the Year. That award goes to "those students who become professionals, exhibit exceptional leadership, get involved in school/community activities and always strive to further their accomplishments". Magaña graduated from Moorpark College with Honors, earned a degree from UC Berkeley, has participated in State and National Conferences, and is a Counselor at Moorpark High School.

Garrett Reilley reported that the FHS Boosters and Associated Student Body are attempting to subsidize a bus rental so that students can afford to travel to 29 Palms to cheer the FHS football team as it plays in the semi-finals this Saturday.

San Cayetano Elementary School Principal Jan Marholin introduced Ernie Pineda, District Manger for Wells Fargo Bank, and Eric Irie, Branch Manger for Wells Fargo Bank. The Board honored Pineda and Irie as part of the "Be the Change" program. Marholin thanked Pineda and Irie for their help with the grant used for the fall harvest festival at San Cayetano. Marjolin reported that, due to extra publicity from newspaper articles and flyers, teachers at all four elementary schools received $85 each for classroom use. CONTINUED »

California Highway Patrol

On November 28, 2008 at approximately 2:34 a.m., a fatal collision involving a four-year-old passenger of a Ford Focus, occurred on SR-126 eastbound, just west of the 10th Street off-ramp. The collision caused the closure of SR-126 eastbound between Palm Avenue and 10th Street for over five hours.

Lucia Cardoza, 24 years of age from Fillmore, was driving her 2005 Ford Focus on SR-126 eastbound at an unknown speed, west of the 10th street off-ramp. At the time, her two children, ages one and four, were in the backseat of the vehicle. For unknown reasons, Cardoza’s vehicle swerved out of control across the traffic lanes toward the right shoulder. The left side of her vehicle then collided into a metal guard rail. The impact then caused her vehicle to rotate back into the traffic lanes. The Ford Focus was subsequently struck by a 1998 Town and Country van, which was traveling eastbound on SR-126. Following the second collision, both vehicles came to rest within the traffic lanes.

At some point during the incidents, Cardoza’s four-year-old child was ejected from the vehicle. He was found laying in the center median by emergency personnel who responded to the area, but was later pronounced deceased at the scene. Cardoza, along with her other child, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where she was placed under arrest by CHP officers for DUI. She was admitted into the hospital and was expected to undergo surgery for her injuries. The extent of injuries to the one-year-old child is unknown at this time.

Maria Rangel, the driver of the van, along with her three passengers, was transported to Santa Paula Hospital. They were later released with only minor injuries. The incident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.