Council members sat in a large circle with audience members at the "Town Hall" style meeting.
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(top to bottom) Former Fillmore City Manager, Roy Payne, and current City Manager, Yvonne Quiring. Editor's Comment: "Roy built the city for 20 years; Yvonne stirs the ashes. If Roy and Bert Rapp were here again, and the Katzenjammers gone, Fillmore would rise again from those ashes."
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Unlike most Fillmore City Council meetings, this one, held Tuesday, was much more relaxed and used a roundtable setting with the Council Members seated among those in attendance. Many spoke of the comfortable atmosphere and thanked Councilmember Brian Sipes for suggesting it.

There were a number of items on City Council/Town Hall Meeting agenda which included the: Sespe Creek Levee, the Business Park, Redevelopment Agency/Budget, the high school running track, Economic Development, and VC Alert System (see “Ventura County replaces and upgrades reverse 911 system” – front page).

Peter Sheydayi and Norma Camacho from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCWPD) gave a presentation on future plans for addressing the FEMA 100 year flood hazard zone in Fillmore and bringing the standards up to meet today’s required federal flood protection. The contributing factors impacting Sespe Creek that make the new upgrade necessary are; peak flow rates have increased by 35% compared to the original levee design, shift in the dominant alluvial channel in the active streambed from west to east fork, active channel subject to resetting after major storm events, long-term sediment deposition and local erosion.

There are two sections of the flood area that do not meet today’s higher standards and require improvement. This includes having a minimum of three feet freeboard (safety factor) above the Base Flood along the length of the levee and an additional one foot within 100 feet of structures—such as bridges or wherever flow is restricted. All systems must also have closure devices that are structural parts of the system during operation and no appreciable erosion of the levee embankment can be expected during a Base Flood. The existing levee was completed in 1981 and the largest flood on record to pass through occurred on January 10, 2005 and reached the peak. Research has shown that the levee below Old Telegraph would be overtopped during a large storm event.

To bring it up to standards the project will take 30-45 days at a cost of $1,528,000 which would normally be paid by the City. But with the financial problems the City is dealing with there aren’t funds available for the project. Fillmore City Manager Yvonne Quiring spoke to VCWPD and explained the hard financial situation the town is facing. The VCWPD did the town a service and applied for a $2.8m grant to cover the project, which also includes restoring any damage done during the project. When the project is completed FEMA will do a revision of Fillmore’s flood plane map. Council Member Jamey Brooks told the representatives, “On behalf of the homeowners I’d like to thank you.”

Rod MacDonald with KDF Communities spoke to the Council on the need to bring businesses to Fillmore. He said of the lack of undeveloped commercial property in the County, due to the Save Our Agricultural Resources Act (SOAR), Fillmore has a great deal of land that is still available at half the price of other towns like Valencia. MacDonald said Fillmore needs to establish itself as an industrial area adding, “Fillmore is untested on Hwy 126 and has tremendous opportunity…. with a workforce that is available.” MacDonald went on to say, “Fillmore is the most beautiful area I’ve seen in Southern California……what it doesn’t have is jobs….you need to put the flag up and say you’re business friendly…we don’t need a lot of bureaucracy or push back.” He reminded the Council that the City reached out for this project and paid for the Environmental Impact Report adding it was a tremendous endeavor by the City; the City realized jobs were needed here. MacDonald also spoke of the need for continuity and what a great loss it was when of Bert Rapp resigned along with so many of those who had knowledge of Fillmore’s past and present development projects including the Business Park. Continuity is important, he told the Council.

Former City Manager Roy Payne spoke in regards to the Business Park, saying that Fillmore is ahead of the game this time since everything has been approved and stated, “I am confident we are ready to move forward.”

Bruce Stenslie from the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura (EDCV) addressed the Council and also spoke of the need to attract more business to Fillmore and what the EDCV has to offer such as financing loans. They are also working on expanding the film industry outreach in the County and have a new website http://venturacountyfilm411.org/.

Quiring gave an updated presentation on the budget and what is known of Gov. Brown abolishing all Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and the required liquidation of all its assets. According to Quiring and many others it was done by Brown in retaliation of Prop. 22 which was passed by voters and took away the States ability to siphon off revenue generated from the RDA’s.

She gave a breakdown of where Fillmore’s General Fund receives monies and where that money goes. The largest source of revenue is property taxes which brings in $1.9 million. The remaining sources are: sales tax $670,000, fees for services $468,000 (approx. $200,000 development related), Franchise fees $331,000, license and permits $14k, grants $99,000, Transportation Occupancy Tax, fines and forfeitures $62,500.

The services provided by the General Fund are: Police/Sheriffs $3.1 million, Fire Dept. $785,000, Parks $100-$150,000, Recreation and Pool subsidy $100,000, Finance/City Attorney/City Manager/City Council, Community Development (Planning), Public Works (streets, trees, sidewalks).

Quiring explained the four main issues that have had a devastating impact on Fillmore’s finances: Expenses have risen faster than revenue, medical insurance costs went up 13%, cost of Police increased $250,000 in the past two years, and pension costs rose (employees are picking up increased costs this year).

The net impact to the General Fund after dissolving the RDA is not yet known. But the most pressing problem is that the General Fund received $864,000 from the RDA in the past. Instead, about $500,000 will be available, which is $364,000 less this year.

The City has cut $2.9 million and used its reserves in the last two years to balance the budget while today the General fund has seen a decrease of 40%. This year’s budget was balanced using $620,000 from the General Purpose Reserve with roughly $916,000 remaining. The RDA is paying $376,000 for salaries and benefits and $488,000 to the General Fund in transfers; the total comes to $864,000. The projected City deficit for fiscal year 2013 is $1.4 million. This would have a dramatic impact on Fillmore.

The cuts, if the City does see the $1.4 million deficit, would be to all non-supporting recreation programs: graffiti removal, police or contracting with another agency, fire services or let County provide protection, closing parks, no street repair, no tree trimming, reduced Code Enforcement and closing the pool.

Another item that brought a number of speakers to address the Council with their concerns was the installation of an access gate to the Fillmore High School running track. John Scoles told the Council there are many residents interested in the track and they are looking to the Council to solve this problem which has been an ongoing plea for 3 ½ years. He asked that the City go forward with the $8,000 financing of the access gate and agree to be reimbursed later by those using it. Mayor Gayle Washburn replied, “It boils down to funds, we don’t have the funds.” Scoles said there is a substantial number that would support the financing of the track. The revenue would come from the $25-$50 yearly dues runners would pay and the Sunrise Rotary Club would help with fundraising. Scoles stated, “I’m 70 years old, I’d like to use the track before I’m 73.”

Cindy Blatt representing the Rotary Club said they would take the lead to raise the funds and solicit other clubs to join in the fundraising. “Our goal is to raise the funds…that’s our commitment, and to start I’ll donate $100.”

Joan Archer spoke on how the issue of the track has been “bounced back and forth between the School Board and the City Council for over three years without resolution until recently when the school board approved a public access gate which they will install at an agreed upon location after the City pays for it. The next move is up to the City.” She went on to say that over the last three years the Aquatic Program has resulted in a deficiency of about $385,000 and that the city should reevaluate that program in light of the City’s financial situation. Archer stated that there isn’t a profit and loss analysis for the Lap Swim Program, which she stated an estimated 14-16 people participate in annually and although participants pay $4 per session, a pool manager and two lifeguards must be on duty at a combined rate of $38 per hour. “After learning what the revenue received from the Lap Swim Program was for the last three years, estimating the hours the pool was open during that time, and calculating the combined staff hourly rate of pay, I was able to determine that the operation of the program has resulted in a deficit of at least $16,000 over the last three years. If the City cannot afford a one-time expense of $8,000…that more than 150 citizens say they want, how can the City operate a Lap Swim Program…that has already cost the City at least $16,000 and is scheduled to reopen next month?” Archer asked the council.

Fire Captain Rigo Landeros announced the new VC Alert system that began this month replacing the Reverse 911 system. The new system will alert registered participants by email, text, cell phone, home phone, work phone, facsimile or instant messaging. There are three ways of registering: online at www.vcalert.org or calling 805 648-9283 or by mailing in the form that’s available at City Hall. In addition to emergency information those registered can receive messages regarding crime alerts, road closures, public meetings or other community events. They can choose the location to be contacted and receive information about their home, parent’s home, workplace or child’s school.

A correction to the January 10, 2012 article which stated the vote for the Council seat given to Eduardo Gonzalez was 3-1 with Sipes voting No. The correction is the vote was unanimous with all Council Members voting Yes for Gonzalez.

Fillmore Fire Captain Rigo Landeros speaks to the Fillmore Lions Club regarding upgrades for the Reverse 911 System.

It has been announced that Ventura County, CA (and its nine municipalities, including the City of Fillmore, City of Camarillo, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Thousand Oaks and City of Ventura) has replaced its Reverse 911 system with Everbridge SmartGIS. The County selected Everbridge for its performance, near infinite scale and interactive communications capabilities, which allow County officials to reliably gain situational intelligence from their more than 800,000 residents. In addition, Ventura introduced its new “VC Alert” citizen Web portal, powered by Everbridge SmartRegistration™, to provide residents with an advanced opt-in that will allow them to personalize which alerts they receive from city officials.

The next generation emergency and incident management solutions developed by Everbridge offer interactive communication capabilities that inform constituents and empower them to be part of the incident response and resolution lifecycle, thereby helping public safety officials make better decisions.

“With Everbridge, we now have a way to interactively communicate with our citizens, and allow them to quickly inform us regarding their specific need for assistance, so we can most efficiently manage our available resources during an incident,” said Patrick Maynard, Program Administrator, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Services.

Malcolm Lloyd Jackson (1917-2012)

Malcolm Lloyd Jackson passed away on the morning of January 15th, 2012, as the result of a fall at home on January 2nd. Malcolm celebrated his 94th birthday on December 10th, 2011.
He was born in 1917, in Sneed, Oklahoma. He spent his early years growing up near Ardmore, Oklahoma. His first trip to Fillmore, California, was in 1924, arriving on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, in the midst of the Rose Parade. He often recalled his disbelief that there were that many people and cars in all the world. After just one year his parents and he returned to Oklahoma. Then at the age of seventeen he returned to California on his own in the midst of the Depression years.
After a few years at various labor jobs, he was hired by the State Department Of Transportation to act as the blaster on the Hwy 33-Maricopa Hwy improvement project. Evidence of his drilling and blasting can still be seen along the lower portions of the Maricopa Hwy. Near the end of the project, a large boulder struck Malcolm on the side of the head crushing his skull. He was off work for nearly two years. He rehabilitated himself by using the time to explore the eastern Sierra High Country by pack horse and on foot. Upon returning to work he entered the oil industry as a wireline technician. He retired from Sun Oil in 1976 to work full time at his vocation of gunsmithing. He had already become famous among shooters from all walks of life, business people, movie actors, politicians, judges, and just plain folks. The shotguns he made for trap shooters and the rifles he built for target shooters and hunters have become much sought after. He also repaired literally thousands of guns. All of that becomes almost a footnote to the stories he told, the life lessons he shared and his view of the world through eyes that saw everything as either right or wrong. His ability to communicate with generations of young people became legend.
Malcolm Jackson had many more true friends than most people. Over 400 friends attended his 75th birthday event and again on his 90th birthday from such diverse places as New Jersey, Alaska, Montana, Oregon, and Nevada. He was loved far more than this written account can possibly portray.
Malcolm was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Annabelle Marie, in 1998, and his daughter Christina Jackson Warring in 1984, and great grandsons Logan and Parker Farstad.
He is survived by his daughter Linda Ann Durand, grandchildren Holley Hammond (Chris), Mandy Farstad (Spencer), Kevin Warring, Brian Warring, Pierre Durand (Maria) and Mario Durand. Also, son and daughter Larry and Jeannie Carpenter. Also surviving are great grandchildren Payton Christina Hammond, Kiefer Farstad, Jadon and Kiera Durand.
Special thanks to caregivers Helen Riesgo and Liliana Vazquez.
Malcolm was a founding member of the Piru Sportsman Club and also a founder of the Piru Petroleum Club. He was, as well, a Life Member of the National Rifle Association since 1948.
In Lieu of flowers, Malcolm asked that donations be made to the Piru Petroleum Club, P.O. Box 178 Fillmore, CA 93016.
Graveside services, open to all, Monday January 23rd at 11:00am, Bardsdale Cemetery. Shuttle service will be provided by Wm. L. Morris Chevrolet from the lot located at 211 Central Ave (North of Hwy 126). There will be a shuttle at 10:00am and 10:20am with return service directly following the service.

Tuesady night, Jeff Nigro, CPA, with the State of California, presented the Fillmore Unified School District with a “clean audit” and explained the new format and the States’ findings. Each year the State does an audit of FUSD which is part if the educational code requirement; it begins in spring and ends in December, and takes approximately 300 hours.
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Ali Widmar spoke to the Board of the run around she received when trying to address the use of the running track, at Tuesday’s board meeting.
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The main topics of discussion at the January 17, 2012 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board meeting were the cost of education and what funds are available after the State announced the proposed cuts. The FUSD is dealing with what schools throughout the state are facing – a $248 million cut in school transportation funding; the first state in the nation to completely eliminate transportation funding. Also Governor Jerry Brown is proposing to eliminate funding for the new Transitional Kindergarten program.

The proposed cuts take effect the second half of the academic year. Brown is calling for a new “weighted-pupil” funded formula which allocates funding to schools based on each school’s needs. Those schools with higher poverty or greater number of English learners receive greater funding.

The Transportation Funding cuts will hit hard for those school districts with a large percentage of low income students like FUSD. Many of the families do not have transportation to take the children to school and pick them up.

Another program on the chopping block is the Kindergarten Readiness Act which was signed into law on September 30, 2010 by then Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger. It pushes back the date by which children must turn five to enter kindergarten from December 2nd to September 1st. For children with birthdays that fall between Sept. 2 to Dec. 2 and are too young under the new cutoff date to enter regular kindergarten, a Transitional Kindergarten has been established. But just as schools are starting to phase in the new program, Brown is proposing elimination of funding for the classes. At the December 7, 2011 board meeting, FUSD Alan Nishino announced the start of the program with such enthusiasm only to face its elimination less than two months later.

Dr. Michael Bush, assistant superintendent, informed the Board that as a result of the California Supreme Court ruling eliminating all of the State’s Redevelopment Agencies (RDA), the FUSD will no longer be receiving a percentage of the revenue generated from Fillmore’s Redevelopment Agency. When addressing the Governor’s stated goal of eliminating the RDAs to aid funding education and schools, Bush added, “It is very unlikely we will not see any new revenue……a lot of it’s a shell game.” To which Nishino stated, “It doesn’t benefit us.” Nishino went on to say the Governor is using the kids to get his tax increase passed on the November ballot and was “very problematic…..to use our kids as a pawn bothers me.” Bush said that it won’t be clear how greatly this will affect the district until around June 30th.

Jeff Nigro with the State of California presented the FUSD with a “clean audit” and explained the new format and the states findings. Each year the State does an audit of FUSD which is part if the educational code requirement. It begins in spring and ends in December and takes approximately 300 hours.

Ali Widmar spoke to the Board of the run around she received when trying to address the use of the running track. Widmar said she has a disability that is helped by having the use of a soft track. When informing the Board of all the people she spoke with and the continued non-answered responses, those in the room laughed.

The Board approved a field trip for approximately 25 students from Piru’s 6th grade to the Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre. The date of the trip is May 15-18 and will cost $7,356. The students will sleep in cabins, share KP duty in the dining hall, learn to take 3 minute showers, go on hikes and have the chance to learn activities such as boating, archery, crafts, games, etc. After breakfast each day, plus one evening they will go on educational walks where they learn about wildlife biology, botany, geology, astronomy, nocturnal animals, and Chumash culture.

All individuals and groups who want to use the all weather track at the high school please attend the City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at 6:30 PM., for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. A group has been working with the City Council and School District for nearly 3 1/2 years to secure community rights to use a track once accessible to the public but closed to us after the all-weather track was built with community financial support. If you believe that this is an important community issue, this is the time to so advise the City Council, for while the District Board is responsible only for the District, the City Council is elected to serve the needs of the entire community. If you believe that the track is a community asset and access to it is vital to public health and safety, please attend and let the City Council know of your support.

Fillmore Firefighters sift through the remains of a residential garage fire that occured early monday morning in the City of Fillmore. No injuries were reported at the fire was contained to the garage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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At 4:43am the City of Fillmore Fire Department was responded to a reported structure fire in the 300 block of Bard Street in the City of Fillmore. Upon arriving at the location, first in units reported heavy smoke and fire contained to a detached garage. Firefighters were able to make quick work of the fire by using forcible entry techniques to gain entry into the structure, allowing them an opportunity to extinguish the blaze before it spread to adjacent structures. The fire was reported out at 4:58am. Three occupants were asleep inside the nearby home when the fire first ignited however they were able to evacuate safely resulting in no injuries at the scene of the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation however it appears that heavy fire loading contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Damage was contained to personal property and the structure and is estimated at $16,000. Issued by: Patrick Maynard, Public Information Officer Follow-Up Contact: Rigo Landeros, Fire Chief 805-844-7109

City Clerk Clay Westling swears in councilmember Eduardo Gonzalez.
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Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, State Farm Public Affairs Official Greg Sherlock, and Asst. Fire Chief Bill Herrera hold a $5,000 check, presented to the Fillmore Fire Dept. for the C.E.R.T. program and equipment and training. The grant was presented by State Farm Insurance.
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Mayor Gayle Washburn thanks Glenda Jay for exemplary efforts at city hall.
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Two important items were on the January 10, 2012 Fillmore City Council’s agenda. One was the decision of who would fill the vacant council seat left when Councilmember Patti Walker resigned. The second was what to do with the Fillmore Redevelopment Agency after the recent California Supreme Court decision upheld legislation that abolished redevelopment agencies throughout the State.

There were four applicants vying for the seat on the Council. They included Alex Mollkoy, Adrian Grimaldo, Eduardo Gonzalez and Barbara Cavalli. One by one the four applicants were given 20 minutes to answer four predetermined questions and one additional question chosen by each Councilmember. The four standard questions asked were; Why do you want to be appointed to the City Council? What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the City of Fillmore in the next year or two? What do you feel needs to be done to maintain and enhance the City’s economic health? What approach would you take as a Councilmember to balance the budget or address budgetary issues? The additional questions asked were whether the candidate could commit to the time needed to serve and complete the term, leadership, if the applicant could put aside their self-interest, why the Council members should support them, and what the candidate wanted to comment on that the Council hadn’t covered.

Cavalli responded to the question of why she wanted to sit on the Council by stating her love for the City and her ability to make level-headed decisions. Gonzalez answered the question with his education and business experience having done hundreds of budgets. Grimaldo’s answer was, “I’m young and not afraid to say what’s on my mind.” Mollkoy answered with, “I have a strong desire to serve the community.”

Each Councilmember then gave their opinion on who had impressed them, when Councilmember Jamey Brooks quickly motioned that Gonzalez be appointed to which Mayor Gayle Washburn seconded. There was a pause and the other two Councilmembers Steve Conaway and Brian Sipes said they wanted more discussion with Conaway motioning for Mollkoy to be nominated, but no one would second Conaway’s motion. Then in a 3 to 1 vote with very little discussion, Washburn, Brooks and Conaway voted to give the seat to Gonzalez; only Councilmember Brian Sipes voted against it.

The second big item on the agenda was whether the City should become a “Successor Agency” to the Fillmore Redevelopment Agency. In a presentation City Manager Yvonne Quiring gave the pitfalls that the City may face if it decides to give control of Fillmore Redevelopment assets to the State and relinquish control. Quiring informed the Council that the State requires cities to meet enforceable housing units and there would not be any money if housing responsibility went away. Also that the State legislation regarding this component was not well written and contains conflicting provisions.
The situation began when Governor Brown took office and targeted funds historically earmarked for Redevelopment Agencies (RDA) to help fill the States multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. The California Legislature then adopted two companion bills - ABX126 which dissolved the RDA’s and an alternative bill, ABX127, which was an exemption from dissolution and left the ability to keep the RDA’s if cities and counties agreed to make a “ransom” payment (Fillmore’s ransom payment was to be $1.9m this year and approximately $400k every year thereafter) to fund education, transit and fire districts. The law was upheld by the court and passed on June 29, 2011, stating that RDA’s would be eliminated on Oct. 1, 2011 but the court delayed the date to February 1, 2012.

This legislation did not go over well with the RDA’s throughout the State and on July 18, 2011 the California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities filed a suit with the California Supreme Court arguing that Proposition 22, which was passed by California voters, prohibited the Legislature from eliminating the roughly 400 RDA’s and the State from using RDA funds.

On December 29, 2011 the California Supreme Court ruled on the suit and found that ABX126, which dissolved the RDA’s, did not violate Prop 22 and was a valid exercise of the Legislature’s authority stating that because the State Legislature authorized the creation of the RDA it has the power to eliminate them. And in an opposite decision in that same suit, the court also ruled that ABX 127 asking for the “ransom” did violate Proposition 22.
The court ruling requires RDA’s close down by February 1, 2012. Cities and Counties must choose by January 13, 2012 to take over the RDA’s as “Successor Agencies” or Gov. Brown will appoint a three-member panel to handle the task. As Successors, cities will become the owner of the housing and property now owned by the RDA and will assume the functions, powers, duties and obligations of the agency, including the responsibility to carry out any projects that have previously been approved and also be responsible for winding down the RDA and repaying the agency debt. But since the law was passed the agencies have been banned from issuing or expanding any new debt or making loans, entering into new contracts or amending them, renew or extend leases or other agreements, selling assets or buying land, approving any program, project, or expenditure, transfer of funds out of the Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund. Basically all RDA ability to function has been halted. Also, the validity of bonds or other obligations issued or entered into after January 1, 2011 could be reviewed for up to two years after the action.

Each Successor Agency will be under the jurisdiction of an oversight board and must put together a payment schedule for the RDA’s liabilities/obligations which must then be signed off on by the county auditor-controller and finally the State Finance Department. The RDA’s will be audited to determine the amount of tax-increment revenue that each RDA had been collecting and any property tax funds remaining after repayment of debt will be distributed to local government agencies in proportion with their usual share under state law. The Successor can receive funds of no less than $250k for administrative costs or up to 5% of property tax for 2011-2012. It is not known at this time if there will be any more layoffs due to this new predicament the City finds itself in. The RDA is very meshed into the workings of the City and handled by many of Fillmore City staff, from Account Clerk to the Finance Department and City Manager.

What is considered an “obligation” may also come into question. Projects and loans approved in 2011 by RDA’s will be in limbo until there is a clearer understanding of of the definition of “obligation”.
How redevelopment originally functioned was the agencies collected the incremental property tax growth in areas that were designated “blighted” and used the increased tax revenue to back bonds sold to fund economic development and affordable housing. This continued increase in tax revenues created by their projects went to fund more projects. The RDA’s were required by the State to use 20% of the revenue for affordable housing development with the remainder used to develop infrastructure projects and business. At the beginning of the year when Brown gave the RDA’s the ultimatum of paying or dissolving their agencies, Fillmore decided that the 20% set aside funding was going to go to the State to pay the ransom, but now that there isn’t a choice, that portion of local property taxes that once funded the RDA’s Housing (Low/Moderate Housing Fund) will eventually go into the State for disbursement.

After listening to the presentation, Brooks responded, “We don’t have a choice.”
In response to the courts ruling the 400 RDA’s throughout California are drafting a bill to extend the February 1 deadline and asking it be pushed back to April 15, 2012.

In other business, Conaway asked that the Council discuss the terms of the City Manager’s contract which is set to automatically renew for two more years employment. Sipes asked if this practice was done in the past with other City Managers and Conaway responded, Yes. Sipes then said that going back to his notes he saw nothing like that happening. Conaway then reminded Sipes that none of the other contracts contained an automatic renewal clause. Washburn, Brooks and Gonzalez stated, “I do not support a review.” Conaway then went on to remind the other Councilmembers that if it is not reviewed or considered, the City Manager’s contract will automatically extend for another two years. The other members were fine with that.

Johana Gracia, a Fillmore Middle Middle School student, has taken the first step to becoming a state wide recognized artist by winning the local competition sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club. This year's theme was “Children Know Peace”. Johana’s work was selected from the work of students in Mrs. Doris Nichols' art classes, supervised this year by Mr. Eddie Angel.

Johana’s poster has been forwarded to the local Lions District for further competition in California. Her creation will be one of over 370,000 posters in the United States. Each are seeking the Grand Prize of $5,000. There will be 22 merit winners who will receive a cash award of $500.

The runner-ups were Grisele Castro and Christiana Del La Mora. Johana received $25 as the winner and Grisele and Christiana received $15. Judges Colleen Chandler and Ken Mittan were impressed by the many fine posters submitted. They also want to encourage all students to participate again next year.

Congressman Elton Gallegly
Serving the 24th Congressional District encompasses most of Ventura County and inland Santa Barbara County.

Simi Valley, CA - With his wife, Janice, standing at his side, U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties), the longest serving U.S. representative in Ventura County history, told a small group of close friends Friday night that he will not seek re-election and will retire at the end of the current Congress.

“Janice and I want to thank everyone who has been with us through more than 30 years of public service,” Gallegly said. “Serving in Congress and representing my home for 25 years is the greatest experience I could have ever asked for. Working with our country’s leadership on a daily basis in striving to move toward a better, stronger and more vibrant America for more than two decades has been a dream come true. The decision to step aside at this time did not come lightly. But in the end, Janice and I decided now was the right time to begin the next chapter in our lives. We are truly blessed to have our health, our family, and so many, many friends that we look forward to spending more time with.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have served our communities and our country for the past 25 years and I look forward to continue to do so for the next year.”

Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten said:
“I am saddened at the prospect of a Congress without Elton Gallegly. He has been a true friend to law enforcement who went to Washington to serve his community and our great nation. His legacy will be that of a principled and committed patriot who served his constituents, not special interests, and helped make our community, and indeed America, safer and stronger.”

Mike Sedell, Simi Valley’s City Manager and Gallegly’s first Chief of Staff from 1986-1990, said:
“Having known Elton for over 30 years, first when he was elected mayor, then as his first chief of staff, and finally for the past 21 years as a close friend, I can attest first-hand to the fact that few if any elected officials in this country are more dedicated to the concerns of their constituents on a 24/7 basis, 365 days per year.

“Elton has always been humbled by the trust that voters placed in him and has worked tirelessly to continue to deliver excellent constituent services, to be responsive to all of the communities that he represents, and to take very seriously each of the many thousands of votes that he has cast on behalf of those who elected him. While I am saddened that he is leaving Congress, as a friend I know that he will do well in the future and will continue to involve public service and family in all that he does.”

Arthur Finkelstein of Arthur J. Finkelstein and Associates said:
“I have done political analysis for Elton Gallegly since his first congressional campaign. I know that he remains very strong and, in my judgment, would be the favorite to win in either district. The base of his support is unusually solid.”

Gallegly is Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement and will continue in the next year to work with his colleagues to help businesses create jobs for Americans and to protect Americans from its enemies, foreign and domestic.

A native Southern Californian, Gallegly settled in the Ventura County community of Simi Valley in 1968.
He entered public life in 1979 with his election to the Simi Valley City Council and, in 1982, became the City’s first directly elected mayor. He held that post until he ran for Congress in 1986 when the incumbent ran for the Senate. Outspent 2-1, Gallegly’s local ties gave him a landslide victory in the 1986 primary over Tony Hope, son of comedian Bob Hope.

Elton and Janice have four children and 10 grandchildren.

On Christmas Eve at my mom’s house, I met an incredible young lady who my nephew had invited for the holiday. She came from Indiana and had gotten her nursing degree there. Anxious to leave Indiana she ventured out and signed up to be a traveling nurse, something I had never heard of. It’s where you go from clinic to clinic anywhere in the United States as needed from 8 to 16 weeks at a time, wherever needed.

Well her first adventure was at a clinic in New Mexico at a Navajo Indian reservation. She had been there only one week when I met her. She shared with us the poverty she saw all around her. No electricity, no running water, shacks for homes, and many homeless but what really sadden her heart were families coming into the clinic who had no food to feed their families much less a Christmas dinner and definitely no toy’s for their children. Also seeing them in the same clothes day after day really broke her heart.

I thought you’ve come to the right place. My sister Cyndie and I are always stashing old clothes and stuff throughout the year in our family barn, to have huge yard sales in the summer. We were both off work the week after Christmas, pondering what we were going to do that week. We looked at each other and said, “Let’s go to New Mexico!”

So we gathered up all the clothes and toys. Cyndie went to Rite Aid and Vallarta’s grocery store in Newhall and they donated their 75%-off toys, cupcakes, cookies, 12 jars of spaghetti sauce and 12 packages of spaghetti. We loaded up my sister’s SUV which has a trailer shelf on the back. With our luggage on the top and boxes and bags filled beyond capacity, off we went; Cyndie, her husband Max, my great niece (age 12) , my great nephew (age 10), my 78 year old mother and myself.

On the trip over we had stuff under our feet in the car, on our laps, stuff stuck in any corner we could to make it all fit. It took us 12 hours to get there, driving all night depending on our GPS to lead the way. Arriving at 3 a.m. we stayed with our new friend Sasha (the nurse).

The next morning we met with a pastor of a nearby church on the reservation. We really hadn’t thought of how we were going to distribute the goods, so we figured it out as we went. We set up tables for serving spaghetti, bread and bottled water. In another room we set up tables for them to shop. My niece and nephew starting cooking the spaghetti and we accomplished setting up a store. With only one day notice we had 100 people show up. We fed them and then let all the children go through and pick a toy for themselves. Then we let the parents go through and shop for their needs.

It was like when Jesus fed the multitudes, we had no idea how far the goods would go. But it all turned out to be exactly enough. The people were so grateful and were amazed that there were people who would come from far, just to give to them! With all the smiles, hugs and heartfelt gratitude it was amazing what we got out of doing such a deed. Our cups runneth over! It was an amazing trip!

The next day we had a guide take us through the Canyon of Chilly, a National Monument. Our guide shared with us the history of their Navajo tribe and many folklore stories and traditions. When we returned our hostess had her Indian neighbors come over to teach us how to make Indian fry bread and have a feast. They also came bearing handmade gifts for us and showed us their jewelry they make of turquoise and beads. We played games around the livingroom floor and laughed until our sides hurt.

The next morning we packed up our not-so-over packed SUV and headed for home.

As I reflect on our trip I find myself smiling and savoring the memories that were made with our new friends. With only one day notice to pull this off, can you imagine what we could do if we had more time to plan? Well maybe we’ll find out next year. If anyone asked me, “What did you do on your Christmas vacation?” I’d have to say, “Wow! What an adventure we had!” I wonder what my next adventure is?!

Phillips was arrested for allegedly pointing a laser at a Sheriff’s helicopter. Laser beams directed at any aircraft in flight, specifically during nighttime operations where crewmembers are aided by night vision goggles, have the potential to put the safety of crewmembers at risk. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

On 12-27-2011, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Ventura County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the 500 block of Central Avenue in Fillmore. Sheriff’s deputies requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit in an attempt to search for the gunman who fled from the scene of the shooting.

Members of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit launched Air Squad 9 from the Camarillo Airport to assist in the search for the gunman. Air Squad 9 was manned by a sheriff’s pilot, sheriff’s crew chief, and by a Ventura County firefighter/paramedic. When they arrived on the scene of the shooting, the crew of Air Squad 9 utilized night vision goggles to assist in the search for the gunman.

While conducting the search, the crew was subjected to a laser being directed at the helicopter. Laser beams directed at any aircraft in flight, specifically during nighttime operations where crewmembers are aided by night vision goggles, have the potential to put the safety of crewmembers at risk. When a laser beam is directed at a subject utilizing night vision goggles, the subject can experience serious eye damage, whiteout conditions and disorientation because the night vision goggles do not have the ability to compensate for higher levels of light generated by a laser beam. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

The crew of Air Squad 9 continued their search for the gunman involved in the shooting when they were subjected to a laser being directed at the helicopter a second time. The crewmembers were able to pinpoint the house where the laser beam was coming from, but they were unable to make contact with the occupants at that time. As a result of the laser incident, the crew of Air Squad 9 could not safely complete the flight and had to return to the Camarillo Airport.

On 12-28-11, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit began assisting in the investigation of the incident. They arrested Torrey Phillips at his residence in the 600 block of Fernglen Circle for an outstanding felony warrant. When Phillips was arrested, he was found to be in possession of a green laser pointer. As a result of their investigation, gang unit investigators found that Phillips pointed the laser beam at the sheriff’s helicopter on two different occasions on 12-27-11 while the helicopter was assisting in the search for the gunman.

Phillips was booked into the Ventura County Jail for discharging a laser at an aircraft and for felony warrants.

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Fillmore Fire Department responded to an unknown type explosion 118 B St. (Convalescent Center). upon arrival Fillmore Fire Chief met with facility staff and was briefed on what they believed was an explosion that appeared to have originated from the roof area. Fillmore fire personnel laddered the building and check for damage to roof area. Fire personnel used their gas monitor and checked the area and building for any gas leaks. No leaks could be found. Gas company was called out to this location and met with Fillmore fire Chief and briefed. No injuries to report and no evacuation of facility was necessary.

Fillmore Fire Chief, Fillmore Engine 91, Squad 91, Quint 91, Engine 191 and MRE 27 responded to this incident.

Being the first baby born in Ventura County in the New Year is an honor. And this year the honor went to Jayden Bernal and his parents Joshua Bernal and Angela Bustos, both of Fillmore.

Jayden was born at 12:02 a.m., Sunday, at Santa Paula Hospital. He arrived a few days ahead of schedule, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, 20 inches long.

Jayden’s paternal grandfather, Ramiro Bernal said it’s a good sign that he is the first baby to be born this year.

Congratulations to the Bernal-Bustos families.

The Fillmore Gazette is offering a reward of $300 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the losers who plastered graffiti around town last week. The Gazette previoulsy offered $200 and a concerned citizen added $100 to the reward. Anyone wanting to contribute to the Graffiti Reward fund can visit the Gazette with your name, phone number and amount to be contributed upon arrest and conviction. Thank You.