Sammy Martinez is a dynamic young man, who has a strong work ethic that ensures success in all things in which he is involved. Currently, he is the Associated Student Body (ASB) President for Fillmore High School. When asked who should represent Fillmore High School in different programs, Sammy’s name comes up as “Mr. FHS.” He is outgoing, listens well, and supports all students and staff whenever they ask for his assistance.

Sammy ran for ASB at the end of his freshman year and decided that he was going to learn to be a leader. After his sophomore year, Sammy was selected to attend the HOBY program, which is one of the nation's foremost youth leadership development organizations. While there, he learned different ways of analyzing school and leadership issues.

He used those new skills immediately upon starting his position as the FHS Speaker of the House in ASB last year. One of his job requirements was to attend all School Board Meetings as the high school student representative. Sammy definitely charmed the board members and superintendent. The district office commented on his stellar performance at board meetings. In addition, he was the student representative on the school site council both last year and this year. He does an exceptional job the on committees, and his views of student activities are vital to the committees as they make decisions regarding students.

Sammy decided to run for ASB President this year and he was elected by the student body. He has done an amazing job as president. This is not an easy job as ASB Presidents are required to lead in all aspects, and Sammy does so with a cheerful and optimistic demeanor. In addition to the regular ASB items, he started working with one of the elementary schools last year training them on proper procedures and helping them with an academic rally during state testing. Sammy has been instrumental in organizing and executing training the Fillmore Middle School’s ASB. He set the goal of including all of the elementary and middle schools our trainings in an attempt to reach out to the youth in our community.

As a member of the FHS Cross Country team for four years, Sammy has spent many hours running miles and miles around Fillmore and also been a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, Sammy has participated in the California Lutheran University’s Math and Science Upward Bound Program.

Otto & Sons Nursery was recently named “Lifetime Achievement Business“. Scott & Cindy Klittich own and operate the nursery which is located at 1835 E. Guiberson Road. Otto & Sons Nursery has been in Fillmore for over 30 years and has always supported the community in many ways. Plants have been donated or loaned for many events including High School Graduation, landscaping at Fillmore High School, Middle School, San Cayetano, Piru, Sespe and Mountain Vista Schools. Boys and Girls Club, Fillmore Women Service Club, Central Park, Relay for Life, Bardsdale Cemetery and Shiells Park have all been recipients of Otto & Sons Nursery’s generosity. Otto & Sons Nursery has donated to the Fillmore Civic Pride Committee’s Yard of the Month program for many years. They also participate in the Ventura County Fair by creating a beautiful rose filled landscape display each year for the past 25 years.

Otto & Sons Nursery moved to Fillmore in 1977 after being in Chatsworth for 20 years. Scott’s father Otto was a landscape contractor in the San Fernando Valley when he developed the business into a nursery. Scott rejoined the business in 1984 after receiving his degree in Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The nursery currently employs 18 full time, and 3 part time staff, many of whom have been there for over 20 years. The staff is a team of professionals who work together to supply the best plants for the best customers. Otto & Sons specializes in growing rose plants, fruit trees and landscaping plants. They have the largest rose selection in southern California with over 800 varieties. The nursery services retail garden centers and landscapers throughout California delivering plants in their fleet of trucks weekly. The nursery has a retail garden shop which is open Wednesday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with shorter hours in winter. Visit our web site www.OttoandSons-Nursery.com for great information about roses and fruit trees. Also become a fan on Facebook “Otto and Sons Nursery local business” for updates on special sales, events, and pictures.

Scott and Cindy have been married for 30 years and have 3 sons: Danny who is pursuing his doctorate in Entomology at UC Davis., Andy who is a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Applied Plant and Environmental Science, and Timmy who is in 10th grade at Fillmore High School. Cindy works part time at Associates Insectary as a biotechnician and also at the nursery. Cindy is a Community Club Co-Leader for Bardsdale 4H leading projects in entomology and gardening, secretary of Fillmore FFA Booster Club, and serves on the Fillmore Civic Pride committee. Scott currently is Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 406, serves on the Ag Advisory Board for the Fillmore School farm, Board of Directors for Ventura County Farm Bureau, Board of Directors for the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and is currently a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Class 43. The family attends Peace Lutheran Church in Camarillo.

Otto & Sons Nursery would like to thank the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce for selecting them as “Lifetime Achievement Business“!

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Fillmore & Western Railway Co. for receiving Business of the year for 2012. Thank you for all you do for our community.

Short Line Enterprises was founded in 1967. Between 1967 and 1972, the company bought, sold and traded locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars, mostly of 19th century origin. The majority of the equipment was acquired from the property departments of three major movie studios: MGM, Paramount and 20th Century Fox. This activity, combined with Short Line’s experience in buying, selling and evaluating railroad equipment led to the company’s emergence as one of the foremost appraisers in America of rolling stock and other railroad-related items. It also focused the company on its long-term path of providing movie trains for the film industry.

During this time (1985), Short Line moved its movie operations to the Newhall Ranch, placing it within the Hollywood production zone. Between 1985 and 1990, Short Line was used in over seventy feature films, television series and commercials. No Hollywood railroad location had ever amassed that number of credits in such a brief period of time. The track lease was cancelled in 1990 when the Newhall Land and Farming Company decided to develop the surrounding area in a way, which was incompatible with movie operations.

A search began for a new home for Hollywood’s “movie trains”. The only line that met the specific needs of the film industry was Southern Pacific’s Santa Paula Branch in rural Ventura County. The pastoral surroundings of the area also bode suitable for development of a passenger excursion business. The City of Fillmore showed great enthusiasm for the operation of a vintage train in conjunction with the revival of its 1920-era Central Business District. The objective—to create a major visitor destination that features the movie trains, passenger excursions and dinner trains as the master theme for the community redevelopment. To date over 400 feature films, television series, commercials and still shoots have been filmed on Fillmore & Western Railway, home of “The Movie Trains”.

The “Movie Trains” found a home, and Fillmore became known as “train town”.

In 1996, Short Line Enterprises became the film division of the Fillmore & Western Railway Company, when Dave and Tresa Wilkinson purchased the railroad from the former owners. Operations expanded from movie work and limited passenger trips to regularly scheduled daytime passenger excursions and Saturday night dinner trains, and have gone on to include widely recognized “train themed” events such as Day Out With Thomas, the first tourist railroad to present PumpkinLiners, the North Pole Express and Xmas Tree Trains. Because of the mild valley climate, Fillmore & Western is one of the few historic railroads that operates year round. Many southern California school children have ridden one of the “school field trip” trains either to the Fillmore Fish Hatchery or “Ichabog”, Fillmore & Western’s private pumpkin patch.

The antique trains of Fillmore & Western continue to attract visitors and railfans to the Heritage Valley and is as involved as ever in the magic of movies, while the company’s passenger excursions, dinner trains, private parties and corporate events provide the means of travel to a bygone era. The owners and staff of Fillmore & Western are involved in many community based organizations and contribute to county wide and local fundraisers. Fillmore & Western has partnered with 5 tourism bureau organizations, several regional Chambers of Commerce all in an effort to bring more visitors and prosperity to all businesses in Fillmore and the valley. The owners have proven time and again that they are committed to giving back to their community by donating train trips and sponsoring non-profit organization. When the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau lost its funding, the railroad owners stepped up and provided full time staffing to keep the Tourism Bureau operational. The train partners with local museums and businesses to promote not only the train, but all the historical and cultural treasures, festivals and events that our community has to offer. The original tracks, depot and trains arrived in Fillmore in 1887 hauling citrus and passengers, now one hundred and twenty six years later it is still “chugging down the tracks” carrying tourists and locals because Dave and Tresa Wilkinson have devoted the last twenty years of their lives to ensuring the history and heritage of railroading stays alive and thriving.

Fillmore Unified School District

The 45 parents and teachers who attended this Tuesday's Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting were there primarily to hear the findings on Fillmore Middle Schools mold spore report, but received some very good news on other issues as well. It was reported that FUSD is in good financial shape and that a contractor has been chosen to begin the roofing repairs on Fillmore Middle School. Other agenda items covered were the Common Core State Standard Assessment Format and English Language Arts (K-5) Curriculum Update.

Superintendent Dr. Alan Nishino informed the Board that FUSD is in a strong financial position with a Positive rating, the highest of the three ratings the State of California gives to school districts. A Positive rating means that a district is on good footing and will remain in the black for the next three years. The next lower rating is Qualified which means a district's financial stability is questionable for the next two to three years. The lowest rating is Negative which means the district can not sustain itself for the next coming year. When that happens the State takes over receivership and governs the district. The Positive rating is really exemplary for FUSD considering the District received cuts five years in a row. Other districts in the County have not faired so well such as Simi Valley School District which almost landed in Receivership with a $20,000,000 debt that was reduced to $10,000,000 after Prop. 30 passed.

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Ventura County Sheriff's Department

After an extensive eight-month investigation, a former employee of the Fillmore and Western Railway was arrested for embezzlement.

In July 2012, the railway company reported long time trusted employee Mariah Sjolund was embezzling from the company by manipulating the payroll. The investigation revealed tens of thousands of dollars were stolen from the railway, a Fillmore City landmark.

Sjolund was booked at the Sheriff’s Main Jail with bail set at $10,000.00.

Nature of Incident: Embezzlement Arrest
Report Number: 12-16159
Location: 1400 Block Ojai Road, Santa Paula, CA
Date & Time: March 13, 2013 / 0800 hours
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Investigations
Suspect City of Residence Age
Mariah Sjolund Santa Paula 33
Prepared by: Detective John Fox
Media Release Date: March 13, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre (805) 524-2233
Approved by: Captain Monica McGrath

Fillmore Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Myrna Taylor for receiving Lifetime Achievement Citizen of 2012. We appreciate all you do for our community.

Myrna started working for Fillmore in about 1954 when she moved to Fillmore as a wife of a new 6th grade teacher at Sespe School. Walt was in the classroom, but Myrna was behind him in every way. She was a volunteer in both Sespe School and San Cayetano School libraries and helped with a special reading program several years. She kept books repaired, read to the kids and helped them find a book “just for them.”

When her children reached school age, she joined the Fillmore PTA and served as President. She was chairman for the Halloween Carnival for two years and pulled it all together to provide a fun evening Fillmore kids of all ages. She also worked with 4-H to teach sewing classes.

Soon her family participated in the Scout Troop 406 annual summer camp. Myrna was the best assistant cook in town. She played back up to Marie Wren for several years to keep everyone fed for the week and still enjoyed the fun. Only two years ago she was co-worker for several months with Marie in cooking class for Cub Scouts.

Eventually her family grew-up, married and moved away from Fillmore. Myrna soon started work with the Friends of the Library to help raise money for new books and present programs at the library for all age groups.

Myrna Taylor has been a main stay at the Convalescent Center Auxiliary almost since it was organized. For YEARS she has worked on Bingo days and helped in every way to make life better for the many patients there. She sews for their bazaar and helps raise money the Auxiliary uses to buy extra things for the Center to have to make life better for each patient. The Fillmore Convalescent Auxiliary was still a new group when Myrna became involved with them. She has worked three days a week to improve the life of those patients.

Myrna has been a very devoted and caring person to the residents at the Fillmore Convalescent Center and she has gone far and beyond what a true volunteer is. I know that her late Love of her life Walter Taylor is very proud of her as well as all the residents and staff here at the center.

Through the years, Myrna has worked from leading organizations to just being a worker bee behind the scenes, but she is always there lending a hand where needed and quietly making sure things are making Fillmore a better place to live.

Since moving to Fillmore in 1996, RJ has been very privileged to be involved in this community. He has provided sound and announced at events such as the local parades, FHS Basketball games, and Raider Youth Football games. He has coached youth sports and served on various committees. If there is a way for him to be involved, you know he will be there, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to “git-er done”. He has been a head coach for football, baseball and basket ball for many years. For 10+ years he has been a Board Member of Fillmore Little League and is currently serving as President of the organization. He has served in various positions on the Raider Youth Football Board for many years and was a member of the FUSD Reconfiguration Committee and a parks and rec sub-committee. He loves this community and is willing to help in any capacity to see it flourish for our youth and the community in general. He has been involved with Faith Community Church for many years, serving in multiple capacities, from providing sound to vacation Bible School “Fun and Games Engineer”. He has devoted his career to construction management, with a primary focus on the building of schools and other public works projects. His hobbies include dirt bike riding, camping, spending time with family and friends. His true passion is spending time with the kids, coaching, mentoring and watching them grow in “the game” and in life. He is married to Joni, whom without the world would stop turning and has 4 wonderful boys, a daughter-in-law and one grandson, all of whom he is very proud!

David A. Morales, of Fillmore.

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today, March 12, 2013, that David A. Morales, of Fillmore, was convicted by a jury of the First-degree murder of his sister, Maricruz Morales, who was beaten to death with a variety of objects, including a hammer. The jury also convicted Morales of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury on a second victim, Roselia Morales. The crimes were witnessed by neighbors who confronted David Morales and attempted to help the victims during the assault. Maricruz Morales died at the hospital one hour after the attack.

Sentencing in this matter is set for April 24, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 25. Morales faces a maximum possible sentence of 29 years to life in prison.

Related:
http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-page/brother-accused-killing-sister
http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-page/trial-set-brother-accused-kill...

Rigo Landeros informed the Council that the Ventura County Alert System (VCALERT) had still not received the response from the County residents that they need to have a reliable responsive system in an emergency. To date only 294 Fillmore residents have registered their cell phones. Landeros wanted to remind everyone to sign up.

The City of Fillmore is about to become a Centurion, marking one hundred years since becoming incorporated. That was one of the items discussed at Tuesday night’s meeting. Another was the opening of the City Pool, which in the past drew many to the Council Chambers, but less than ten people attended the short March 12, 2013 Fillmore City Council Meeting which ended after an hour and twenty minutes. Other items on the agenda were the direction of the City of Fillmore Vision 2020 and Ventura County Alert System.

The Aquatic Center (AC) was once again on the Council's agenda. The AC is still running a deficit but has been reduced from $76,000 to $41,000 due to greater usage and more revenue than expected last year. As of February 28, 2013 the AC Fiscal Year 2013 operating expenses were $96,963 with revenue of $82,062 with a deficit of $14,901. The operating costs for utilities are estimated at $960 per week, staffing costs for lap swim and water exercise is $608 per week.

Looking for ways to control the costs Council Member A. Eduardo Gonzalez contacted the YMCA, an organization with a great deal of experience in managing a pool, asking for advice. The YMCA believes they can run the AC from April thru October and break even on revenue and costs, similar to what the City of Santa Paula does by leasing their pool out for the summer. Interim City Manager Rigo Landeros and Annette Cardona, Community Service Supervisor, have since been meeting with the YMCA about contracting the AC out. Besides the negotiations the City continues trying to find ways to open the AC as soon as possible, suggesting April 1st, but some said that was unrealistic due to having to hire staff so quickly. The Council began the evening discussion of what to do about the AC by stating that they were at a crossroads of whether to keep control of or share it. The YMCA is willing to take on the task but does not want a long contract, three years at the most with a 30 to 60 day to reconsider. This would mean YMCA would cover the utilities which ran $25,328 last April thru October. American Water has given a one year extension on covering the cost of chemicals.

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The March 5, 2013 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting was packed to overflowing capacity with parents wanting answers as to what is being done to fix Fillmore Middle Schools (FMS) mold and leaking roof problems. Every seat was filled leaving many of the parents crowded at the doorways and still more flowing into the hallway.

The leaky roof in the gym and classrooms has plagued the school for over three years and has continually worsened as mold grew creating a serious heath issue along with an unsafe area to teach. The parents of students who attend FMS approached the school back in early December 2012 asking what was being done to remedy the situation. They kept a record of inquiries and felt they were getting the run-around after a number of meetings and phone calls but no answers. Many showed up at the last Board Meeting on February 5th to directly address the Board and others whose responsibility it was to fix the problem. Another meeting was held at FMS on February 7th with Interim Assistant Superintendent Earl Davis present where he informed the parents via a translator, Norma Sanford, that FUSD was aware of the problem. He said as a precaution they would treat the mold in the gym with bleach, and that a FMS teacher had the areas tested. Davis then handed Sanford a camera to take close-up pictures of the parents who attended. Some parents found it disrespectful but didn’t back down, according to the written record kept. They came out in force, wanting answers at Tuesday’s Board Meeting.

Alyssa Calderon told the Board that she meets weekly with the other parents and no one from FUSD had informed the parents of anything that had been done so far, leaving them in the dark. Calderon told the Board, "I feel if it wasn't for our griping nothing would have been done, or maybe it would have.” Then added, "No one told anyone about the tile that fell and hit a student. Make us trust you if you really want to help." Calderon's husband Guillermo Calderon asked the council, "Who’s responsible for this, the builder? What action have you taken?” Then Calderon's son Julian, who is in seventh grade and plays baseball, basketball and football at FMS, spoke to the Board about how important having sports is to him.

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The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol responded to a report of a suicidal man walking on Highway 126 near Atmore Road, Monday.

The man, reportedly a 47-year-old Fillmore resident, is said to have walked into the westbound lane of traffic shortly after 6 p.m. holding his arms in the air before being struck by a compact vehicle. The sheriff’s department is treating the investigation as a possible suicide rather than traffic related.

The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame held their 2nd Annual Golf Tournament on February 22 at Elkins Ranch in Fillmore. The weather was beautiful and the golfers all had a great time this year, and oh yeah, the Hall of Fame had a huge fundraiser at the same time.

The folks at Elkins Ranch did a great job as host to the tournament. The Bar B Q of tri-tip and all the fixins topped the evening off. The Hall of Fame would also like to thank the following sponsorships of the tournament that made the event such a big success; Harrison and Sons, Lexicon Consulting, One Call Logistics, William L. Morris, and Hall of Famer Kevin Gross. The Hall of Fame would like to say thank you to all the Tee Sponsors this year, and all the people and businesses who donated all the awesome door prizes we had this year.

What is a Hall of Fame Golf Tournament without Hall of Famers there? Well, we had a good share this year: Coach Bruce Dempsey, Mike Marostica, John Scoles, David Miller, Chip Bowlin, David Pillado, Kevin Gross, Jim Schleimer, Roger Palmer, Matt Dollar, Jamie Latshaw, Lynn Cole, Matt Mozley, Steve Hope, Steve Dann, and Chris Goodenough, all of them Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Famers.

The winner’s of this year’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament were the team of Hall of Famers Steve Dann, and Chris Goodenough, along with Tom Dann, and Chap Morris; in 2nd was the team of Hall of Famers David Pillado, Chip Bowlin, David Miller, along with Josh Bond. In 3rd place was the team of Hall of Fame Coach Bruce Dempsey, along with Dan Young, Jerry Rich, and Don Gluyas. The winner of the closest to the pin prize was Don Gluyas, and the winner of the longest drive prize was Hall of Famer David Miller.

The great thing about the tournament is of course the money that the golfers bring in, but even more important is the fun that we all had. Some of the people live far away and do not get to see each other often enough. But when we all get together it is like we never skip a beat.

The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame will be planning the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament for next year and we hope more people will come out and swing a club. It is also that time of year to nominate anyone you think should be inducted into The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame. If you will please send a letter to The Fillmore High Sports Hall of Fame at P.O. Box 697 Fillmore Ca. 93016. Give us the name of the person along with their mailing address and phone number, we will send them a form to fill out. All forms need to be in the Hall of Fame by April 1st, 2013. The person needs to be out of school at least 10 years before they can be inducted into the Hall of Fame. So get us the information as soon as you can.

Thank you to all the Golfers, Tee Sponsors, Donators, the Tournament Sponsors, the Hall of Fame Committee, and to the Elkins Ranch Golf Course for all the time, money, and effort to make the 2nd Annual Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Golf Tournament a big success. Fillmore people helping Fillmore people! That is why Fillmore is the Greatest town in America!

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Fillmore sheriff deputies arrested five Fillmore gang members on a variety of weapons and drug charges. The incident developed on March 5, 2013, at about 10:00 P.M. when sheriff’s patrol deputies were dispatched to a residence located in the 600 Block of Via Rodeo in Fillmore to investigate a complaint of a noise disturbance in the garage of the home.

When deputies arrived they found five Fillmore gang members loitering inside the garage. In the course of the investigation, deputies conducted probation searches on the five and found a loaded “short barreled” shotgun on German Uriostegui’s person, and another shotgun next to the gang members in the garage. Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and knives were also found in their possession. The gang members were charged with the following charges:

German Uriostegui – Possession of an illegal shotgun, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of an illegal knife and gang member participating in criminal activity.

Ivan Hernandez – Prohibited person with access to a firearm, possession of metal knuckles and an illegal knife, possession of a controlled substance and gang member participating in criminal activity.

Jose Ruiz – Possession of a sawed off shotgun, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and gang member participating in criminal activity.

Alfredo Hermosillo – Possession of drug paraphernalia

Minor – Violation of juvenile probation

Uriostegui, Hernandez and Ruiz were booked at the sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility - Main Jail with bail set at $125,000.00. Hermosillo and the juvenile were issued a citation and released.

Nature of Incident: Fillmore Gang Members Arrested on Weapons Charges
Report Number: RB# 13-4942
Location: 600 Block Via Rodeo Fillmore
Date & Time: March 5, 2013 @ 10:00 P.M.
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Police Department - Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
German, Uriostegui, Fillmore, 21
Hernandez, Ivan, Fillmore, 21
Ruiz, Jose, Fillmore, 27
Hermosillo, Alfredo, Fillmore, 18
Male Juvenile, Fillmore, 17
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Detective Taurino Almazan
Media Release Date: March 6, 2013
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. Anthony Aguirre @ (805) 524-2233
Approved by: Captain Dave Kenney

Fillmore Mayor Rick Neal
Enlarge Photo

I am truly honored to be here today as your newly elected City Council Member and as your Mayor to discuss the state of our great City---the City of Fillmore. I am personally humbled and honored to have been trusted with this office by the residents of Fillmore and to have been selected by the Council as your Mayor.

Please know that I will do all that I can working in concert with your City Council to uphold the confidence that has been placed in all of us on the dais to move our City forward toward a better future for all of our residents.

I recognize that as your Mayor I represent the City as an organization but I also know that all of our Council Members share equally as a team in moving our City forward and I would like to introduce those that are here today.

Having been born CONTINUED »