Votes from 6-14-2022 Council Meeting: 8-A, B, C, D, E, H, and I, approved 5-0.

8-A RESOLUTION NO. 22-3892 – APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 PROJECT LIST TO BE FUNDED BY THE ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY
ACT OF 2017 (SENATE BILL 1)

8-B 1. Approve an allocation of funds in an amount not to exceed $19,450 in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget for a contract with Planet Bids within account 101-4207-0021-245- Contract Services; 2. and Approve a contract and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the contract, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Planet Bids Innovative Procurement Solutions for the components described above. Unanimously approved.

8-C City Council approved an agreement with Planet Bids Innovative eProcurement Solutions to provide citywide web-based eProcurement, contracts, and insurance management software.

8-D Adopted Resolution declaring the City-owned real property located at 308 Chambersburg Road/SH23 in the City of Fillmore (“Property”), known as the Fillmore Equestrian Center, to be surplus, authorizing offers of the Property for purchase pursuant
to the Surplus Property Land Act, and finding these activities to be exempt from CEQA. Unanimously approved.

8-E Designated a primary voting delegate; and 2) Appointed up to two alternate delegates. Unanimously approved.

8-H City Council reviewed and approved the Agreement for Services (Valve Turning) with Veolia Water Contract Services USA, LLC. Unanimously approved.

8-I Staff recommended entering into a contract with Retail Strategies for one year with options for a second and third year, in a form approved by the City Attorney’s office authorizing the Mayor to execute the contract, and approve an appropriation in the amount of $45,000 to fund the cost to be incurred during fiscal year 2022-23. Unanimously approved.

8-F Authorized the Mayor to sign contracts with Willdan Financial Services for $17,500 in a form approved by the City Attorney’s office. Approved 4-0, Mayor had conflict.

8-G That the City Council discuss and provide direction to the City Manager whether to have the CPA Conduct a feasibility study for the City. Vote not to approve, 3-2.

Back in April 2022, at about 12:30am, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were actively searching for Daniel Drum, 25, who was previously reported as a missing person at-risk due to mental health issues. The Sheriff’s Communication Center received a call reporting a family disturbance in the area. Deputies responded and learned an altercation between Drum and his 62-yearold father occurred resulting in a homicide. Drum fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival. Deputies later located Drum hiding under an abandoned house in Piru and arrested him. UPDATE: Drum’s defense attorney expressed to the court that his client may not have the capability to understand the charge brought up against him. Criminal proceedings have been suspended and schedule for next month to discuss the issue of his mental competency.

On Tuesday, June 7th residents gathered outside of Fillmore’s First Baptist Church to cast their votes for the 2022 election. On June 14th, 12:56am, the result were as follows: Measure A: Yes – 89,818, NO- 99,203; Measure B: Yes – 88,516, NO –99,034; Supervisor District 2: Claudia Bill-de la Peña (D) - 25,329 votes, Jeff Gorell (R) - 19,903 votes , Tim McCarthy (R) - 8,389 votes; VC Sheriff: Jim Fryhoff - 102,515 votes & Bill Ayub - 77,397 votes; District Attorney: Erik Nasarenko - 100,594 votes & John Barrick - 74,548 votes; Clerk and Recorder: Michelle Ascencion - 108,663 votes, Jeff Hargleroad - 55,478 votes & Bruce Boyer - 6,989 votes: Treasurer-Tax Collector: Sue Horgan - 114,981 votes, Ron Speakman - 53,521 votes; Assessor: Keith Taylor - 121,820 votes Bradley Coburn - 40,984 votes; Auditor-Controller: Jeffery Burgh - 136,271 votes. More voting result info at https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CA/Ventura/114132/web.285569/#/....

A Grand opening was held Friday, June 3rd and was very well attended and supported by Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Fillmore Association of Business, Fillmore City Officials and the community!

They had live music by Professional Saxophone Player, Isaiah Venegas. Charcuterie and champagne were served.

Many Thank You’s to Claudia Tovar of CMT Interior Design, Ruben Andrade with Andrade’s Flooring, Veronica Morris of Watermark Art, West Coast Signs (for our upcoming building signage), the Cardenas/Cornejo Family for entrusting us with their building, City of Fillmore and our loving family, friends & Clientele.

On exhibit in our office now, Ms. Nichols’ Art students from Fillmore Middle School have a beautiful display of art. They are for sale. Please stop by.

We are very blessed and thankful to serve our community with their real estate needs!

Services provided:
Real estate sales
Property management
Notary Public Services

DiamondRealtyTeam.com
316 Central Ave.
Fillmore, CA 93015
805.524.2121

Central Avenue Pepper Tree Days before paving in 1915.
Enlarge Photo

In the late 1930s a local businessman and farmer, R. A. Fremlin, suggested Palm trees along Central Avenue, just as they did in 1911 when they built the first high school.
Enlarge Photo

In 1940, not a single tree downtown.
Enlarge Photo

Central Avenue in 2012 with Palm Trees still along the street.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

Every now and then an event at the Fillmore Historical Museum sends us researching a specific subject from Fillmore’s history. The near miss of our utility building by a broken pepper tree limb in May, 2022, suggested some research into why these huge, nonnative trees were planted here and when.

California has plenty of native sycamore and oak trees. Fillmore still has a group of large sycamore trees on Kensington Ave. They served as the location of a corral used by Basque sheep shearers before the city was established in 1888. The sycamores grew along the edge of Pole creek which in those days crossed Fillmore from Pole Canyon and dropped into Sespe Creek on the west. Kenney Grove was an oak grove under whose branches Native Americans and then newly arrived settlers held celebrations.
The Peruvian pepper tree made its appearance in California in the late 18th century thanks to the Franciscan padres who founded California’s mission system. It seems that the padres brought pepper tree seeds with them and planted them around the new missions to provide shade from the hot California sun as it was known to be a fast growing, aromatic, shade tree.

Museum founder, Edith Moore Jarrett, seemed to have had a great affinity for the pepper tree. In a chapter titled “Trees That Made History” from her book, “Old Timer’s Tales of Fillmore” she wrote that the trees began appearing in our little part of the valley in about 1886. Squire Tietsort planted pepper tree berries and around his home at the top of Foothill in 1889. It is entirely possible that the pepper trees on Central Ave. across from the library were planted at the same time. By 1912 Central Ave. was almost completely shaded by large pepper trees.

Schools used them as well to shade activities on the grounds. Mountain View School, Bardsdale School and eventually Sespe School, today’s School District Offices, had numerous pepper trees. Whether it was hot, cold or windy, students ate lunch on benches under the pepper trees at Sespe School well into the 1960s until a cafeteria was built. The trees were located on the western side of the school between the front lawn and the playground about where the temporary classrooms are currently located. They provided shade, but you had to pick the occasional pepper tree berry or leaf out of your sandwich. Jarrett also noted that the pepper trees in her school days provided teachers with the occasional switch used to promote quiet and “encourage scholarship.”

By 1908 Central Ave had pepper trees on both sides of the street. But, as many a homeowner has discovered to their chagrin, pepper trees roots and branches cause all sorts of problems. The city fathers had paved Central Avenue in 1914, but by 1917 they discovered that the roots of the trees had begun to raise those new city sidewalks. They also felt that the pepper trees looked “countrified”. So the city council determined to cut them all down. The only dissenting voice was Constable Owen Miller. He owned a hotel on the west side of Central and refused to let the city remove his pepper tree. He was so adamant that he sat on the porch of his hotel with a shotgun across his lap and dared anyone to try to remove it. What to do? Because he was a constable, he had to enforce the law, so the city council, headed by Mayor Everett Pyle, decided to send him on a trip to Lockwood Valley after reports of trouble in the area. While he was gone they took the tree down. He was infuriated. He put up a sign that read “Everyone welcome here but Everett Pyle; Everett Pyle Keep out.” The sign stayed in place for months.

Once those huge pepper trees were removed, the business block of Central Ave. was treeless for years. By the late 1930s a local businessman and farmer, R.A. Fremlin, was getting tired of the bare, hot sidewalks. He suggested planting palm trees. There had been palm trees all over town for many years as shown in many of the early photos. Palm Trees had been planted in front of the High School when it was first built in 1911.

The palms grew well but eventually movie production companies began to complain that the palm trees made the downtown area look more like California and less like the generic Midwestern streets which were often preferred when filming. One production crew solved the problem by strapping evergreen trees to the palm trees in an attempt to disguise them for the camera. So in July, 2012 the city began removing the palm trees between Sespe and Main Streets.

Eventually trees were returned to Central Ave in large planters, again offering some shade to weary shoppers on hot summer days.

There are still plenty of pepper trees on Fillmore’s streets offering shade on hot days, but perhaps parking under one should be avoided on hot, east windy days.

[Below are both Sierra Northern Railway and City of Fillmore press releases]

[Sierra Northern press release]

Sierra Northern Railway to leave Fillmore

June 1, 2022

Effective immediately the Sierra Northern Railway, Ventura Division, an FRA-regulated common carrier railroad, has been asked to move out of the Fillmore railyard by the City of Fillmore, CA. The property is owned by the city.

“It is unfortunate that the City does not want to continue to work with us as this means a loss of excursion operations for the residents of Fillmore who for so many years grew up around the trains,” said Matthew Blackburn, Sierra Northern Railway Ventura Division Manager.

The Sierra Northern Railway, Ventura Division operates 30 miles of railroad right-of-way owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission as provided for in a 35-year lease. The company and its predecessors have hosted a variety of excursions, freight operations, and filming locations for dozens of motion picture and television productions.

The company is in the process of pursuing relocation to another online community. Normal Sierra Northern Ventura Division business will continue as usual. The company anticipates the reintroduction of excursion trains and railbike adventures originating from the new facility in the near future.

For additional information, contact Matthew Blackburn, 530-490-1446.

###

[City of Fillmore press release]

Contact: David W. Rowlands, City Manager — (805) 524-1500

City of Fillmore and Sierra Northern Railway Part Ways

June 2, 2022

After months of negotiations, the City of Fillmore and Sierra Northern Railway have determined that they are unable to come to terms to allow Sierra Northern Railway to use city property for freight storage and possibly tourist train and railbike operations.

“It is unfortunate; we could not come to an agreement with Sierra Northern Railway. One item of concern was Sierra Northern Railway removing language saying that their use of the properties cannot bother the neighbors. In addition, they wanted the City to rubber stamp grading and the installation of buildings on the property without the City reviewing the plans for safety, drainage, and code compliance. We always needed to look out for Fillmore and the residents by enforcing laws to protect public health and safety.” stated, David W. Rowlands, City Manager.

The language preventing Sierra Northern Railway from doing anything on the property which would bother the neighbors is essential as there has already been an incident involving Sierra Northern Railway’s storage of creosote-soaked railroad ties on the property which created odors that made neighbors sick. Sierra Northern Railway initially dismissed the neighbor's concerns by stating a Federal Preemption allowed Sierra Northern Railway to store any material onsite regardless of noxious odors. This claim is dubious as Sierra Northern Railway does not yet even have the legal right to use this property as no valid leases have been accepted on behalf of the Railway even after months of negotiations.

Despite being asked by the City for months to provide valid insurance protecting the city and to cite relevant regulations to support Sierra Northern Railway’s claims that a few provisions of the agreement violated their duties as a common carrier railroad, nothing was ever provided to the City. “We would not propose terms that violate the law. If Sierra had provided citations to support their vague contentions the City would have agreed to change the terms at issue to comply with the law. Instead, Sierra elected not to provide any information supporting their claim. Sierra also rejected common contract terms such as language allowing the City to deny Sierra’s request to transfer Sierra’s interest in the property to a third party,” said Tiffany Israel, City Attorney.

Julius Luna, 18, of Ventura

June 2, 2022 - District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Julius Luna (DOB 10/09/03), of Ventura, was charged with the murder of Gabriel Cueva, of Piru. It is further alleged that Luna personally used a firearm in the commission of the murder causing great bodily injury or death, and that the murder was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang. On May 29, 2022, at approximately 5:33 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the call of a gunshot victim in the area of Azahar Street in Saticoy. Deputies located the victim who was receiving CPR from bystanders. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Luna was arraigned on the filed complaint on June 2, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13 of the Ventura County Superior Court. The arraignment was continued until June 30, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. and a bail proceeding was set for June 6, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 13. If convicted, Luna faces a maximum penalty of 50 years to life in prison. Luna is in custody with bail set at $1.5 million.

Written by Carina Monica Montoya

On June 1, the Fillmore high school gymnasium was standing room only. Several graduating seniors received scholarships for their stellar academic, sports, and community service achievements. Family, friends, and teachers beamed with pride over these young accomplished seniors. Scholarships ranged from $100 to $7,000 from several organizations, including the Fillmore Women’s Service Club. The Fillmore Women’s Service Club was established in 1964 for the purpose of raising funds to help the community of Fillmore. The Club assists families in need, graduating seniors, women returning to education, school activities, local museums, libraries, and many other community groups. Learn more about the Fillmore Women’s Service Club and see photos of the Senior Awards Night event on Facebook (The Fillmore Women’s Service Club), and at www.fillmorewomensserviceclub.com

Bob Hammond

On Monday, May 30, at 11am, a Memorial Day ceremony was held at the Bardsdale Cemetery, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in war. The Reverend Bob Hammond of Fillmore's St. Stephens Anglican Church gave the inspirational message and prayers. Featured speaker this year was Jannette Jauregui, who shared moving sentiments about her experiences interviewing past Veterans in Ventura County over the years. Also attending was VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406 and Cub Scout Troop 3400. Music was provided by Alissa Allred Thompson, and Bill Morris assisted in this year’s ceremony. Photo credit Ernie Villegas.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A Ventura man, identified by authorities as Julius Luna, was arrested for murder Tuesday morning after the shooting death of Gabriel Cueva.

On Sunday, May 29, 2022, at about 5:32 PM, deputies responded to a disturbance call in the area of Azahar Street at Alelia Avenue. This location is in the Ventura County unincorporated area known as Saticoy. Deputies discovered Cueva lying face down in the street, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Lifesaving measures were attempted on Cueva who was ultimately transported to the hospital and later passed away at Ventura County Medical Center.

Detectives procured search warrants and obtained additional evidence linking Luna to the homicide. Luna was located in Fresno County and taken into custody, with the extensive assistance of the Fresno Police Department.

Luna was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he is currently being held in lieu of a $1,500,000.00 bail. He has a scheduled arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court on 06/02/2022, at 1:30PM, in Courtroom #13.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Jamal Clark at 805-384-4740.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance and requesting anyone with videos or photographs from the incident to upload files to investigators at https://venturasheriffca.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/saticoyhomicid....

The files are logged as digital evidence but contact information is not stored. Those submitting media can remain anonymous.

Nature of Incident: Ventura man arrested for fatal shooting of Piru resident
Report Number: RB# 22-70769
Location: 400 block of W. Sierra Avenue, Fresno, California
Date & Time: 05/31/22 @ 8:42 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, Sheriff’s Gang Unit, West County Patrol, Sheriff’s Property/Evidence Unit, Fresno Police Department
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
(S) Julius Luna, 18
(V) Gabriel Cueva, Ventura, Piru, 26
Prepared by: Sergeant William Hutton
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau / Homicide
Approved by: Captain Victor Medina

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).

Blazers 8U Boys and 9-10 Boys Relay Teams.
Enlarge Photo

Blazers 11-12 year old Division Distance Runners, Abel Arana, Destina Guzman and Lucy Zuniga.
Enlarge Photo

Blazers 9-10 Bantam Girls 4x400m Champions & 9-10 Bantam Boys 4x100m Relay Team.
Enlarge Photo

By Erika Arana

The Heritage Valley Blazers track and field club kicked off their largest season yet, with 236 athletes, and the third largest club in the Ventura County Track Conference. This season, the conference welcomed the Rio Mesa Spartan Track Club, total athletes competing was nine clubs of 1,636 athletes.

The Blazer’s season opener was Saturday, March 14, at the Fillmore High School Track. They competed a total of six regular season track meets, JV finals at Buena High School on April 23, where most of the athletes finished their season. The Ventura County Track Championships (Varsity) was on April 30 at Moorpark High School and Blazer’s had 76 athletes qualify.

The Southern California Track & Field Co-Conference Championships were held on Saturday, May 14th at Rio Mesa High School. A total of 13 teams participated with only the conference top athletes who qualified. Heritage Valley Blazers represented well, with 56 athletes.

In Distance and Mid-Distance, Jacob Ramirez was the only (8U boy) to qualify for both the 800m and 1600m. He ran away with two medals, 11th in the 800m 3:27.39, and 8th in the 1600m 6:50.54 PR. Abel Arana (11-12yr/boys) was also the only who qualified and placed 7th in the 800m 2:38.41 and dominated in the 1600m, placing 2nd with a PR of 5:29.17. The Blazers had two (9-10yr/girls) qualify for the 800m; Jaylene Ponce out kicked her teammate for a 4th place 3:01.12 PR finish; In 5th plc was Itzel Arana, 3:03.72. Itzel also placed 4th, in the 1600m, 6:26.97. In the same race, close behind was Anika Uribe, 7th, 6:41.20 PR. Destina Guzman (11-12yr/girls) division took 10th, 2:53.43 and 6th in the 1600m, 6:05.23. Luzy Zuniga finished the season with an 8th place 6:08.78 PR. In the (13-14yr/boys) 800m, Noah Halcon started off fast and eased it through the finish line with a strained muscle. Diego Felix (15-16yr/boys) placed 6th in the 1600m, 5:29.75.

In the 100m, hurdles, Noah Halcon (13-14yr/boys), took 5th. The (15-16yr/girls) 100m hurdles, Maria Faulk took 2nd and Arianna Halcon was 3rd. Isaac Mohun (15-16yr/boys) finished in 1st place, 15.48.

In the relays, Blazers (8U/divisions) 4x100m, Aixa Lomeli, Avery Arias, Delilah Vargas and Nadia Rangel placed 2nd, 1:10.17. The boys, Isaak Romero, Koen Richie, Jacob Ramirez, and Jacob Santa Rosa were 3rd, 1:09.54. In the (9-10/divisions) we saw some impressive racing. For the 4x100m boys, Vincent Halcon, Michael Hipskind, Marcus Castro, and Jesse Navarro took 2nd by 7 hair biting milliseconds. The girls, Alexis Amaro, Itzel Arana, Itzel Abrego, and Jaylene Ponce took 8th, but redeemed themselves in the 4x400m taking 1st with a 5:23.36 PR. The (13-14/divisions) 4x100m, girls, C’enna Uribe, Sarah Cedillos, Jasmine Gonzalez, and Kimberly Magaña placed 4th, 54.08. Boys, Blasie Mohun, Abel Villela, Jacob Montes, and Jasiah Patterson, dropped the baton in the second leg exchanged and finished 7th. Amelia Cervantes, Daniela Hurtado, Kaylee Riedmiller and Sophia Aviles, (15-16yr/girls) placed 3rd, 55.80. Benedict Collins, Isaac Mohun, Joseph Weinkopf and John Paul Mohun (17-18yr/young men), took 1st in the 4x100m, 49.67. Diego Felix and Preston Good joined the Mohun brothers in the 4x400m, to run a 4:14.55.

In the Sprints, first time track star, Nadia Rangel (8U girl) took 6th in both her races; 100m, 16.90 and 200m, 36.68. Vincent Halcon (9-10yr/boys), took podium 3rd place finishes in the 100m, 14.35 and 31.12, in the 200m. A blazing fast 12.86, 100m 1st place finish for Kimbery Magaña (13-14yr/girls), she also finished 3rd in the 200m, 27.54. Teammate, Leah Barragan was behind her in the 200m, 27.88 for 5th and took 4th, 1:04.19 PR. Andrew Estrada (13/14yr/boys) took 8th, 25.80 in the 200m and 4th in the 400m, 57.65. Sophia Aviles (15-16yr/girls) took 2nd, 13.68 in the 100m. Kaylee Riedmiller was 3rd in the 200m, 29.99. Aralynne Gonzalez took 4th in the 400m, 1:21.11. Isaac Mohun (15-16yr/boys) finished with a 58.09 PR, to take 1st place in the 400m. In the (17-18yr/young men) John Paul Mohun, took 2nd in both the 100m, 12.32 and 200m, 25.87. He placed 1st in the 400m, 57.66. Benedict Collins took 3rd in both the 100m; 13.35 and 27.63 in the 200m. He also took 2nd in the 400m, 1:03.38.

In Jumps, Nadia Rangel (8U girls) placed 2nd 9’-06” in the Long Jump. Vincent Halcon, 3rd place jump, 12-11.5. Isaac Mohun had a PR leap of 17’-07.25” for 3rd. His brother, John Paul, took 1st in 18’-05.75” and Benedict Collins, 16’-00.50” PR jump. Joseph Weinkopf (15-16yr/boys) was the only HVB high jumper to qualify and he did not disappoint. He had an impressive PR jump for a 1st place tie that ended in a 2nd, based off attempts, 5’-03.00”

In Throws, shot putters Isabella Zavala (9-10yr/girls) in 5th, 16’-10.25”. Hermelinda Ocegueda 3rd, 25’-02.75” and Jaylin Faulkner, 4th, 24’-04.25” for (11-12yr/girls). Ralph Avila managed to throw his best season PR of 33-10.50 for a 1st place finish. Andrew Estrada (13/14yr/boys) threw 31’-11.75”, for 2nd. In the (15-16yr/girls), Maria Faulk, 1st, 25’-00.50” PR and Kaylee Riedmiller, 2nd 23-04.75 PR. Sebastian Faulk (15-16yr/boys), took 2nd 28’-09.50” and Diego Felix, with a 7th, 24’-06.25” throw.

Heritage Valley Blazers is a nonprofit organization, providing each athlete the opportunity to reach their full potential by developing endurance, strength, self-esteem, discipline, personal accountability, and goal achievement while encouraging positive attitudes, good sportsmanship, and respect. With the help of our coaching staff, these young athletes have grown to love the sport. Until next Track & Field Season... GO BLAZERS!

Fillmore High School will live-stream their 2022 Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 9th. FHS seniors will take their walk
across the stage to say their final goodbyes to Fillmore High. You can view the entire graduation using this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/AqFKyBYktfQ

Thank you, Laura Purcell, CFO of Fillmore’s Super Seal & Stripe, for organizing this great project for the Santa Paula Boys & Girls Club site. It has been a dream of the Club’s to have a new blacktop with lines for games. “The kids used to have to
imagine where the lines would be when playing games,” stated B&G Club CEO Jan Marholin. Super Seal & Stripe donated all materials and labor and Laura coordinated with Guy Tittlemier, Division Manager of Pavement Coatings Co. in Santa Paula, and Chris Aurella of traffic technologies LLC in Oxnard, to donate the rest of the materials. This project is huge for the Boys & Girls Club which ranges from 80-200 youth a day depending on the season. Thank you to all these companies for making such a positive impact for the Club!

The Rotary Club of Fillmore announced the FHS scholarship recipients. Scott Beylik introduced the Scholarship Committee; Andy Klittich, Christine Scheiferle, Barbara Filkins, Garo Kuredjian and Dick Richardson, who in turn presented the recipients and scholarships. Angelica Herrera $1,000, Emma Myers $1,000+$800 for the Don & Ruthie Gunderson Scholarship, Gabriela Herrera $1,000, Alianna Tapia $1,000, Anahi Hernandez $1,000 Davian Gonzalez $1,000, Emilia Magdaleno $1,000, Chloie Martinez $1,000+$800 for the Ari Larson Scholarship, Nathalie Magana $1,000+$800 for the Rigo Landeros Service Above Self Scholarship, Brianna Camacho $1,000, and Michael Torres $1,000.

Bill Manning, County Sheriff Howard Durley, Ralph (Curly) Burson at extreme right.
Enlarge Photo

Fillmore’s Festival Queen of 1946 Queen Ruth Johnson and Ruth Johnson her court Jackie Hampson, Billie Barden, Inez Phillips and Glendolyn Stull as the ride in the Parade.
Enlarge Photo

George Espinoza.
Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Fillmore Historical Museum

It was May 1946. World War II had been over not yet a year. Fillmore was slowly returning to some sort of normalcy. Most servicemen were returning home, though even those that came back were changed forever by their experiences. But Fillmore was ready to shake off all that. The last festival had been in May 1941. Not enough time to get something ready for May, but maybe June?

The Fillmore Junior Chamber of Commerce, more well-known as the Jaycees, had just reorganized and were ready to take on a new challenge. The Fillmore-Piru area needed a new emergency vehicle, but that cost money, money that was still in short supply, so a fundraiser was needed. How about a festival? The first mention of a Fillmore Festival was in the May 10, 1946, Herald in a report on the Jaycee’s meeting of that week. By the next week, the City Council had approved the idea and June 22, 1946, was chosen as the date of Fillmore Frontier Festival, and with John Oxford named as overall chair.

It would only last one day, but it would be a full day of events, starting off with a parade at 10:00 A.M.

The Festival Queen would be chosen based on votes. Tickets were obtained from local merchants, one ticket for each dollar’s worth of merchandise purchased or the tickets could be bought outright for ten cents each, three for twenty-five cents. The contestant with the most votes would become festival queen with the four runners-up as her court. The race for Queen was intense with the standings posted at City Hall and reported in the newspaper. Two weeks before the festival Glendolyn Stull led with 1,974 votes, followed by Ruth Johnson with 1,633 and Billie Barden with 1,596. On the Wednesday before the Festival, Jackie Hampson was leading with 4,904 votes; Ruth Johnson was still in second with 4,260 votes followed by Billie Jean McKim with 3,830 votes. In the end, Ruth Johnson swept the field with 13,008 votes. Her court was made up of Jackie Hampson, Billie Barden, Inez Phillips and Glendolyn Stull, all of them gracing the Queen’s Float in the parade. Grand Marshall of the parade was Ventura County Sheriff Howard Durley.

The barbecue, headed up by Glen Fansler and Walter Hall was held on Sespe Avenue “under the peppertrees” with the newly formed VFW Auxiliary serving. It was estimated that over one thousand people were fed.

One of the more unusual events was the “Dive Bombing” by the US Army. This consisted of two US Army Air Corp planes. One did aerial acrobatics while the other flew low in an AT6 and dropped pamphlets many of which contained gift certificates redeemable at local businesses. Unfortunately many of the pamphlets landed on the roofs of business along Central Avenue and were never redeemed.

During the afternoon, a Horse Show was held on the High School football field. John Galvin, in disguise with a fake beard, stove pipe hat and frock coat, emceed the event. In the windows of City Hall, people could view Al Lamberg’s extensive collection of clocks through the ages. A hobby show was simultaneously being held at the “IOOF Hall, next to the Theatre.” Over a thousand people were estimated to go through the show. The highpoint of the hobby show was Frank Erskine’s display of woodcraft, including a tiny desk, complete with telephone, labeled “For the man with a small business.”

The men of Fillmore had been encouraged to grow beards for the festival, with prizes awarded based on audience applause. George Nadin and Ken Fine were deemed to be the winners. Gentlemen who failed to grow a beard were subject to arrest and fines. City Marshal Earl Hume was kept busy enforcing this one-day ordinance, even arresting City Attorney John Galvin who was spotted through his disguise.

Concession stands lined Central Avenue run by local groups including a shooting gallery run by Oliver Corl, Jr.; a slingshot gallery in charge of Dr. Art Fuschetti; orange juice stands run by the American Legion Auxiliary; an ice cream truck with the Methodist ladies in charge; and several games of skill run by the Jaycees, Lions and other groups.

The evening started out with an amateur show. Entries included the ever-popular George Espinoza from Santa Paula as well as three dance groups under the direction of the high school athletic teacher, Mrs. Aldona Glover. Lee Chriswell won first place with “Indian Love Call.” Mrs. Glover’s groups took second and third places. Judges were Frank Erskine, John Galvin (who must have been let out on bail) and Mrs. John Keefe.

The hectic day ended with a street dance on Central Avenue. A six-piece dance band from Ventura, the Melody Men, played for over 800 couples. The dance was interrupted at 10 pm when the Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan was given away. Although Vic Casner bought the first ticket with a silver dollar, it was won by George Matosian of Los Angeles.

So, all in all, how did the festival stack up? According to Earl Hume the day was “gratifyingly free from disturbances.” Financially, the event not only paid for the needed emergency vehicle but showed a $200 profit!

The Bardsdale Cemetery will hold its Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th at 11AM.

The featured speaker this year is Jannette Jauregui a 4th generation resident of Santa Paula. She holds a Masters Degree in Journalism and currently serves as Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Agency on Aging. Jannette’s work profiling Ventura County’s military veterans began in 2001 as a freelance journalist with the Ventura County Star. She traveled throughout Ventura County interviewing veterans primarily from World War II. Jannette has profiled more than 220 veterans many of whom have since passed away. While most of the veteran profiles Jannette has completed are in written format she has transitioned to video profiles and continues to seek local veterans to interview. Her goal is to document the personal experiences of veterans before their stories are lost forever. Jannette is the author of four books, including Ventura County Veterans; World War II to Vietnam, Of War and Life; A Decade of Stories, a Man Named Jennings; and Dad’s Song From Heaven. In addition to her current position with the County of Ventura, Jannette served as Media Relations Coordinator and Adjunct Professor for California Lutheran University, Production Assistant and Associate Producer for NBC’s Today, and Writer and Editor for the Pepperdine School for Law.

The Reverend Bob Hammond of St. Stephens Anglican Church will give the Inspirational Message and special music will be provided by Alissa Allred Thompson. Also assisting in the ceremony will be VFW Post 9637, Boy Scout Troop 406, Cub Scout Troop 3400 and Bill Morris. The Boy Scouts & Bardsdale 4H will put out the flags on Friday, May 27th and they will be picked up by the Bardsdale 4H on Tuesday, May 31st.

The Board of Trustees of the Cemetery District: Lani Farr, President, Lynda Edmonds, Secretary ,Lisa Hammond, Greg Taylor and Bill Morris would like to invite the community to this special event.