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The FHS Class of '68 is planning their 50th Class Reunion. The date is set for Friday, June 8th, 2018 at Elkins Ranch in Fillmore. It starts at 5:30pm, and ends at 11:00pm. The reunion dinner includes barbecue Chicken, Tri Tip, and all the wonderful fixings that go with barbecue. There will be a DJ so folks can listen to, and dance to, all the oldies-but-goodies. To make a day out of your 50th class reunion, go ahead and make your reservation for a round of golf earlier in the morning. Gil Escoto is heading this up and he can be reached at 805-231-5817. For further info on this wonderful celebration, please call Jeanie "Gofourth" Allred at 805-216-0781. Or, if you’re on Facebook, go to....FHS Class of 1968. You can also find more info at the Alumni's website at www.fillmorehighalumni.com. Click on the "Reunions" link at the top of the website. Congratulations FHS Class of '68 on your 50th Celebration!

Bob Crum

Ranting again because the menace continues unabated: A growing horde of phonetographers. This greatly affects me, a world-renown photojournalist who will someday undoubtedly be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Uh huh!

About phonetographers, an experienced photography friend recently lamented: “The point is that if the 'untrained' (phonetographers) gets the money shot, why do they (clients) need a (pro) photographer? Don’t knock it! Embrace it”. Frustrated, she's ceding photography to a hobby. As a rogue photojournalist, surrender is not in my DNA.

Most times on scene, I anxiously but patiently wait, anticipating “the” moment a composition that best tells the story materializes. With a Canon 7DII glued to my eye, I am not invisible. Yet phonetographers, oblivious of my presence & purpose all too often step into the frame ruining the shot!

Back to the harbor last Sunday for another shoot. Arrived early. As often happens, a photo op materialized while walking around. Camera ready anticipating the 'right' moment. Suddenly, dreaded phonetographers with seemingly no purpose or particular destination gathered between me and the subject. Being a public venue of course they had every right to be there so I had no business yelling: GET THE (choose any naughty word you prefer) OUT OF MY SHOT! Wasn't easy but I remained polite and silent. I waited. To my delight they eventually moved on just in time. My patience (this time) was rewarded with the photo I anticipated making. It's my fervent hope that phonetographers (listening?) learn photography ethics sooner than later. They don't get paid for a money shot. I do. Just sayin'. End of rant.

The harbor provides photo ops galore. And challenges. Though the sky included either cirrus clouds or a layer of altostratus fluff, the bright sun created horrendous glare on the ocean. C'est la vie.

Though perplexing, the dastardly circumstances proved to be a fortuitous opportunity to illustrate the difference between images made with a circular polarizer filter (CPL) and without one. Photos that I will need for future instructional purposes.

It was chilly at the beach. After the shoot, I retreated to my truck for warmth. In the interim, I decided to stay. A potentially colorful sunset loomed given the temperature and clouds. At the appropriate time, I ventured out to the beach tripod in hand. Tripod? Of course! I have scientifically proven that during a sunset it progressively gets darker. In low light, with the lens aperture at its widest, shutter speed needs to progressively get longer to achieve a respectable exposure. Hand-holding a camera with a shutter speed of a 10th of a second begets shaky photos. But instead of reducing the shutter speed so much, why not just increase the ISO value? Remember that the higher the ISO value goes, so goes problematic digital noise. Now you know!

My optimism quickly diminished. As the sun set, it disappeared into a marine layer on the horizon, the heavy fog quashing most potential colors. Exasperating!

However, just before the sun disappeared into the murky goop, a brief moment of lackluster orange appeared turning into a feint purplish pink. Then darkness. Nevertheless, is there such a thing as a bad sunset? Actually, yes. Residing in Florida, I witnessed a couple of sunset killers called hurricanes. Speaking of Florida, did I tell y'all about almost eloping with a Key West mermaid?

Featured photo is the Lady Washington heading out to sea. Speaking of tall ships, I created a photo/movie of my tall ship adventure you might enjoy. The link is https://youtu.be/xMx1rjJfAvE.

Happy photoing.

Send your comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

Fillmore's Parkview Apartments need some immediate attention.

The Gazette has received calls about the building's single elevator malfunctioning. The building is home to 53 residents. The elevator has not worked for the past 13 days, and counting, trapping some elderly and disabled residents on the third floor. This elevator has been malfunctioning for years, at the rate, according to one resident, of several times a week for many years. Most recently, repairs are waiting for an inspection from the state.

Recently, one resident had to be carried by Fillmore Firemen, from the second floor, in a bed sheet, using the stairs. Many residents are unable to use the stairs due to various disabilities. Use by others has aggravated existing disabilities. Other residents cannot bring supplies up to their apartments, and cannot walk their dogs. They are virtual prisoners when the elevator doesn't work. On separate occasions, two residents were trapped in the elevator, assisted only after screams for help were heard.

It seems like this building has been a problem for a long time. From the beginning, multiple plumbing problems were an issue. According to some residents this remains a problem. Among numerous deficiencies in the structure are electronic keys that don't work, gate locks that don't work, and doors that by code should be open, but are locked.

In the lounge area are a bank of computers - none of them work. There is no internet as advertized. Some smoke detectors do not work, according to one resident. Lighting in the parking lot is inadequate, with uninvited people gathering there at night.

But the elevator is a main issue. This elevator seems far too small for the size of the building, and there is no freight elevator. Normal deliveries require traversing three flights of stairs.

I don't know what can be done to permanently fix the small elevator and guarantee quick, professional maintenance. I do know that this small, frequently out-of-order, elevator presents (to me) a clear, present, and outrageous fire hazard. Imagine the building, housing 53 residents, facilitating the evacuation of so many people, many elderly and disabled, at the same time, through this small, unreliable elevator! Panic time for those who cannot use the stairs?

Whoever is responsible for managing Parkview Apartments (Buckingham Management?) should have had the common sense to place the elderly and disabled residents on the GROUND FLOOR, where they can be quickly evacuated if need be, and medically serviced without climbing 3 flights of stairs.

(l-r) Fillmore Mayor Manuel Minjares and Dave Wareham.
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(l-r) Fillmore Mayor Manuel Minjares and Max Pina.
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Police Chief David Wareham was presented with a City Proclamation for his 32 years on the Ventura County Sheriff's Department as he prepares to retire. Former Sheriff's Deputy Max Pina was also awarded a Proclamation for his 53 years of service.
Fillmore Chief of Police David Wareham presented the 2017 Uniform Crime Report at Tuesday's regular City Council meeting. The City of Fillmore was reported to be ranked number 9 in the list of California's Safest Cities. Violent crime was reported to be at a record low for the City. Full details are available at https://www.alarms.org/safest-cities-in-california-2018.
A proclamation in remembrance of the devastating St. Francis Dam collapse was received by the Fillmore Historical Society. The reading of the Proclamation described California's second most destructive event which saw a 40-foot-high wall of water sweep down the Santa Clara River to the sea. The collapse occurred at night with very little warning to Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula.

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On Tuesday, February 21 at approximately 2:06 AM, the Santa Paula Fire Department responded to a structure fire at an 8-unit apartment complex on the 200 block of North 8th Street. When fire crews arrived, the attic of the complex was engulfed. The structure fire displaced all 12 individuals living in the complex, which 7-units were occupied, and 1-unit was vacant. The fire started on the second floor in the vacant unit, inside the bathroom near the ceiling and electric heaters. The fire spread quickly through the second floor due to a common attic that was shared among the units. Most of the roof was removed and stripped to access the fire and prevent further damage. Santa Paula Fire crews rescued an elderly
lady on the second floor on home dialysis.

The individual who reported the incident resided on the first floor and was awoken by a loud crashing noise coming from the vacant unit directly above their residence and a layer of smoke originating from their ceiling. The Red Cross assisted all
affected individuals from the structure fire and provided temporary housing. Responding agencies included Ventura County Fire, Ventura City Fire, Fillmore City Fire, Red Cross, American Medical Response, and the Santa Paula Police.

The following is a press release regarding Ventura County’s failure to enforce pipeline shutdown following flood warnings, putting municipal water supplies and downstream communities at risk. Courtesy Rebecca August, Los Padres ForestWatch
Three conservation organizations filed a formal complaint today against the Ventura County Planning Division for failing to enforce its own requirement to safeguard municipal water supplies and downstream communities from oilfield failures during floods.

The Ventura County Planning Division failed to issue a required shut-down order for the Santa Paula Canyon oilfield following flash flood warnings issued for the area last month. The complaint follows new warnings from the U.S. Forest Service of increased flooding risk over the next several years following December’s Thomas Fire, which burned about 440 square miles, including parts of the Los Padres National Forest immediately adjacent to the oilfield.

“We’re shocked and disappointed that Ventura County officials and the oil company failed to temporarily shut down this oilfield when the surrounding hills were barren from a recent wildfire and flash flooding was predicted,” said Rebecca August, Los Padres ForestWatch public lands advocate. “We hope the county takes our complaint seriously and uses an abundance of caution when rain is predicted in the area. The health of our environment and communities is at stake.”

In approving the permit in 2015, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors required the operator of the field, at that time California Resources Corp., to temporarily shut down its 200-foot oil pipeline across Santa Paula Creek when flood warnings are issued.

The current operator, Carbon California, took over the field last year and failed to comply with this permit requirement. The creek is a municipal and agricultural water supply for Ventura County, as well as critical habitat for endangered southern steelhead. The company also is required to submit a report identifying any structural damage from flooding and corrective measures taken. These are among several conditions the board approved in response to public concerns about safety when it granted the permit in 2015.

In a recent report, the Forest Service said areas burned by the Thomas Fire, including the Carbon California oil-and-gas field, are at high risk of increased flooding and debris flow until vegetation in the upper watershed is reestablished over the next decade.

“Modeling has estimated flows to increase 2.2 times that of normal flows,” the Forest Service recently concluded in its Burned Area Emergency Response report summarizing the hydrologic conditions in the Thomas Fire burn area. “Overall, Santa Paula Creek will likely experience a pronounced increase in sediment and higher peak flows. Houses, roads and other infrastructure in and near the creek are at increased risk and should be assessed in detail for post-fire risks.”

Today’s complaint points out that Ventura County officials put public health and environmental safety at risk by failing to require Carbon California to follow basic safety procedures. The complaint also notes that the oil company failed to submit a required fire protection plan to the Ventura County Fire Protection Bureau. With no plan in place, it is unclear what actions the company took after the Thomas Fire burned through the facility on Dec. 7, 2017.

In addition, the complaint points out that the oil company failed to submit an incident report to the Ventura County Planning Division following the fire and the storms that followed in January.

“Ventura County is responsible for protecting Santa Paula Creek and communities downstream from these oilfields,” said Ileene Anderson, a biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The county needs to enforce its own safety requirements. Officials dropped the ball after the Thomas Fire by failing to initiate safety measures to protect people and wildlife in harm’s way.”

“The evidence available with this complaint demonstrates gaps in enforcement of permit conditions when it comes to oil and gas activities in Ventura County, not all operators always comply. The public relies on the county to provide vigorous oversight,” said Kimberly Rivers, executive director of Citizens For Responsible Oil & Gas. “The Planning Division must do a better job of holding the oil industry accountable and enforcing the terms of their permits.”

About Los Padres ForestWatch
Los Padres ForestWatch is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife, wilderness landscapes, watersheds, and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Los Padres National Forest.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.6 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

Citizens For Responsible Oil and Gas — CFROG — is a Ventura County-based nonprofit watchdog organization that defends local communities and wild places from the impacts of oil and gas extraction.

Bob Crum

As I go from one photo adventure to another, I delight in acknowledging the role that serendipitous weather plays in my behalf. Many of my most fortuitous photos are the result of a kind and considerate Mother Nature. For this I am forever grateful.

However, it behooves me to do my part. Meticulous planning included researching weather reports. We all know about the accuracy of weather reports... right? Anyway, given light winds and calm seas predicted, and not having any scheduling conflicts, I had the good sense to take advantage of glorious weather that weekend. Good thing considering last weekend's blustery weather!

I was at the Ventura Harbor Village again the past weekend for a photo shoot of a different nature. More in a moment. Didn't know the speed but the wind was howling. The ocean was riled and cantankerous. Many moons ago, as a captain of a sport fishing vessel out of Port Everglades, FL, I encountered such frothy oceans. Foregoing better judgment, on a rollicking boat I sometimes ventured forth. Forget photoing anything when just standing vertical is a challenge. Imagine trying to photograph a canon battle between two tall ships on a riled ocean? But I digress.

Last weekend I was commissioned to photograph a yacht for sale by the owner at the harbor. The weather was not photographic friendly. The wind that riled the seas also created so much mist that my mist-negating filter was negated. Thankfully, the shoot was postponed. Incidentally, I have the only mist-negating filter in the world.
While there, I thought why not shoot the two tall ships approaching the high seas, rough as it was. I positioned myself on a breakwater. BTW, it's also a place frequented by mermaids. The Lady Washington came along and I captured misty photos of a tall ship shrouded in mist in the misty Santa Barbara channel making me misty-eyed. Anyway, I waited for the Hawaiian Chieftain which is usually right behind the Lady Washington. Fifteen minutes later, it became obvious it was not coming. This means no canon battle. C'est la vie.

Back at the dock, I learned that the Chieftain endured an 'accident'. The end of the bowsprit was broken off. Curious, I endeavored to find out what happened. No one on board the Chieftain dared talk about it. MUM! One volunteered: Call headquarters!

On a high note, the Ventura Harbor Village is never without photo ops. Last Sunday was no exception. For example, a small abandoned boat was tied to a dock cleat. Something of special interest attracted many seagulls and a curious pelican. The commotion was also a photo op! Eventually all the birds departed. Upon the boat owner arriving with his son I asked what in the boat would attract a flock of gulls and a pelican? Birds, he asked? A quick look around and he proclaimed: They ate all my son's peanuts and cheese crackers”! The gall of those dastardly gulls!

Quick mention: If you ever need a weekend excuse to get out the of house, visit the Ventura Harbor Village. Think fun events, music and wildlife. I also think great food and photo ops.

Photo of the week is a favorite of the Hawaiian Chieftain I made from the Lady Washington the weekend before last. I watched her as the enticing image formed in my mind. Will it manifest? It did! A magnificent, colorful tall ship, with full sails, passing in front of the fabulous north Ventura coastline. Click! Done! Awesome!

Happy photoing.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

The Fillmore/Piru GSA Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose the Sespe Aquifer Exemption proposal, and to send a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board, stating their position.

Director Glen Pace recused himself because he represents the Piru Pumpers, but he also spoke in support of the board opposing the exemption.

The GSA board received at least 60 emails from residents in Fillmore and across Ventura County, urging them to protect Fillmore’s water by opposing the exemption, and drafting a letter, like the City of Fillmore’s, to the State Water Resources Control Board.

About 30 Fillmore residents attended the meeting.

Most everyone in the room stood when asked if they opposed the exemption, and several made public comments to that effect, as did CFROG, Keep Sespe Wild and Los Padres ForestWatch, who were there at the invitation of Fillmore residents.

One individual spoke in favor of exempting the Sespe aquifer from Clean Drinking Water protection, a representative from Seneca Resources.

Courtesy Rebecca August, Public Lands Advocate • Los Padres ForestWatch

Fillmore Unified School District

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) Fall 2017 Results
Information presented by Assistant Superintendent Education Services, Micheline G. Miglis

Approve 2017-2018 Comprehensive School Safety Plans for all Fillmore USD Schools
Board approved the Comprehensive School Safety Plans

Approve Resolution Number 17-18-11 to Adopt a Developer Fee Justification Study for the District and an Increase in the Statutory School Facility Fee (Level I Fee) on New Residential and Commercial/Industrial Developments
The Board approved Resolution Number 17-18-11.

Award Bid for Metal Roof Restoration at District Office Room 17 and Sierra High School Rooms 3, 4, and 7
The Board awarded the bid to Western States Roofing, Inc.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, and leaves.

On Wednesday, February 21st 7pm at the Fillmore Library, 502 Second St., Fillmore a community meeting was held to discuss the expansion project for the Fillmore Library. They discussed the goals of the overall project as well as ways the community can help. The expansion plan is to add 2,200 square feet to the library, which is currently 2,900 square feet.

The project is expected to cost between $1.3 million and $1.5 million. A portion of the budget will come from the Lucille Wigley estate, a Fillmore resident who passed away in 1995 and left $425,000 to the county library system, to be used for the Fillmore’s library. The City of Fillmore will also contribute to the project by using fees paid by developers that could total $200,000 or more. They expect the fundraising to take around two years, and the expansion to start in 2020.

Project goals include:
•Reach more people with vital library services and have more positive impact on the community.
•Establish a community gathering space.
•Create a safe and accessible facility for all community members.
•Increase efficiencies and deliver services via modern technology.
•A quiet space for students to study and do homework
Project details:
•2,220 square foot addition
•Community meeting room
•Reading lounge
•Two study rooms
•Two new ADA compliant restrooms

Project partners include: the City of Fillmore, Ventura County Library Foundation, and Friends of the Fillmore Library.
For additional information, contact Ventura County Library Director, Nancy Schram at nancy.schram@ventura.org or (805) 256-8535.

Fillmore Library is located at 502 Second St., Fillmore, CA 93015. Hours of service are Mondays and Tuesdays 2pm – 7pm; Wednesdays 10am – 5pm; Thursdays through Saturdays 12pm – 5pm. Ventura County Library:

Inspiring our community to explore, discover, and connect. The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

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In 1978, the first test tube baby was born, the Susan B. Anthony dollar was minted, and Fillmore High produced a great group of seniors as they began their journey in life marching through the Shasta Daisy arches at graduation. It's been 40 years since that day, and they are ready to celebrate their 40 year class reunion at the 2018 FHS Alumni Dinner on June 9th. The Alumni Association will have a special area just for their class to have their reunion at the Dinner. By having their reunion at the dinner, they will not only be able to see each other, but they will also be able to reunite with friends from other classes. We hope many alumni make it to this year’s 105th Annual Alumni Dinner & Dance. Last year’s dinner was sold out, so get your reservations in early! It's the event of the year in Fillmore and the great class of 1978 will not be left behind. Calling all FHS Alumni to the 105th Alumni Dinner. Reservations are available online now at www.fillmorehighalumni.com/events/2018/1/15/105th-annual-fillmore-high-a...

Bob Crum

In years past, I intended to sail on a tall ship. Didn't happen for various reasons. Upon hearing the tall ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington were in port, again the sea beckoned. I answered with a boarding pass to make intention become reality.

Rrrrrr mate! Greeted at the dock by none other than the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Capt. Jack was accompanied by several pirate fiends...er…friends. One might have thought it was a Key West Mallory Square party with mateys singing the Disney song A Pirate's Life for Me - Yo ho, Yo ho, a pirates life for me.

At 2PM on weekends, the two ships set sail and engage each other in a mock cannon battle. My boarding pass was for the Saturday sailing on the Lady Washington. I preferred the Lady Washington because the Hawaiian Chieftain looked the more photogenic of the two ships.

Photo ops were replete but proved challenging. Ships are in constant motion... rocking to and fro. I wish I had my camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal. My body could have made good use of a stabilizing gimbal... or a flask of rum. As I write this I'm still rocking to and fro... without rum!

It wasn't just the constant motion that proved problematic, every which way I turned to capture a photo, there were ropes... oops... lines. Also had to deal with 42 other passengers. Worse, the center of the ship where the cannons sat was off limits. Crowding passengers to the fore and aft decks limited the already scarce space on the gunwales. But you know I'll find a way... even if it means pulling rank. Out of my WAY mateys... press here! Nah. Instead, I just pushed overboard those that dared to get in the way of my shot!

On the way to the battle ground, staff led passengers singing sea shanties. Sea shanties are work songs that were used on sailing ships. Their rhythms coordinated the efforts of many sailors hauling on lines. Laid end to end, Lady Washington’s 156 lines of running rigging would extend three miles. Hoisting the sails is quite a feat. Afterward, no in-boom furling the mainsails or jib on this ship. Up the masts like monkeys go crew members to secure the sheets. Tally-ho mates!

Watching the Lady Washington crew pull the lines to raise the sails confirmed my suspicion that I might have made a great pirate... as the ship's captain. Hauling lines is too much work.

Photographically speaking, multiple issues. Besides constant motion of the boat affecting my vertical stability, 'twas a bright sunny day. To deal with glare on the water, I installed a circular polarizing filter on the lens. Unfortunately not the total solution. Remember, polarizing filters work most effectively when 45° angle from the sun. The Lady Washington's captain forgot about that as the two ships positioned for battle. C'est la vie.

Challenges aside, it was an exciting and fun-filled three hours aboard the Lady Washington as its cannons blasted holes in the Hawaiian Chieftain. Of course Lady Washington took few hits--fortunately all above the water line. Escaping the battle unscathed was a relief. Returning to port, delighted to see Mermaid Lucy basking on the sea buoy! Muah!

So many photos to choose from!!! The Photo of the Week is the Hawaiian Chieftain firing a rare canon doughnut at the Lady Washington. Boom!!!

The two tall ships are docked at the Ventura Harbor Village through March 5, 2018. Their schedule is here... http://www.historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule/ven...

Happy photoing.

Send comments, questions or suggestions to bob@fillmoregazette.com