American Medical Response ambulance prepares to transport a male resident to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of burns. The condition of the individual in unknown at this time.

Apartment Fire On Santa Clara Sends One Man To Hospital

Spelling Bee Finalists For Fillmore's Sespe School

Lightning Strikes Two Places In City

February 10, 2010

On February 9, 2010 at approximately 11:15a.m. a severe weather system packing intense periods of rainfall and thunderstorms passed over the City of Fillmore resulting in a period of concentrated rainfall and treacherous lightning conditions rarely experienced in the Santa Clara Valley.  Over a three hour period approximately six lightning strikes touched down in Fillmore, two of which occurred in residential areas.

The two lightning strikes that impacted the city occurred simultaneously striking a 480 Volt Edison power pole located at A Street and First Street and a 50-foot palm tree located in the 1000 block of Sespe Avenue. The strike that occurred in the area of Sespe Avenue was believed to be a “positive” and more powerful strike resulting in both a shockwave and transfer of approximately 1 billion volts through the tree into the ground and surrounding structures. Force from the strike shattered neighborhood windows and damaged a block wall laced with rebar. Palm fronds from the tree were found nearly 150-feet from their origin after being jolted with electricity. No further injuries or damage was reported at the conclusion of the incident. 

The last documented lightning strike to occur within the City of Fillmore was in 2000 when a palm tree located in the 800 block of a street in North Fillmore was struck by lightning and caught fire.

Fillmore residents are reminded to seek refuge during inclement weather and let this serve as a reminder that Californians are susceptible to the same dangerous weather conditions many other states experience on a very regular basis. These conditions are rare; however they are real and are armed with the potential to injure residents and damage property.

Heritage Valley Aquatics Swim Team Had Strong Performances

February 16, 2010

Heritage Valley Aquatics swim team members had strong performances in swim meets in January and February at the practices at the Fillmore Aquatic Center and the Santa Paula High School pool.  

     Three HVA swimmers from Fillmore participated in a swim meet hosted by Rio Mesa Swim Club on January 16th and 17th. Paige McKeown, age 7, dropped almost 7 seconds in her 25 yd. freestyle. Remy Richardson, 8, swam the 100 yard. Free-style for the first time and placed 7^th.   He was 9th in the 25 yard backstroke and he dropped his time by a second in the 25 yard butterfly placing, 5^th.   Kyle Popp, 12, participated in five events and achieved best times in four events including dropping 13.97 seconds in the 100 breaststroke and fifteen seconds in the 100 Individual Medley.

     Thirteen HVA swimmers participated in the Pleasant Valley Swim Team Sprint Pentathlon on February 13 and 14, 2010, including five swimmers from Fillmore. Lizzie Manzano, 11, had best times in all her events, including dropping five seconds in the 50 yard backstroke and almost four seconds in the 50 yard butterfly.   She finished in the top 8 in all four events.  Gabby and Maddy Munoz, 11, swam in their second ever swim meets where they swam in four events each.  Gabby dropped almost six seconds in the 50 yard backstroke and placed 6^th in the 100 yard breaststroke. Maddy improved almost 9 seconds in the 100 yard freestyle and placed 7^th in the 100 yard breaststroke.  Remy Richardson, 8 placed forth in the 50 yard backstroke, 25 yard breaststroke and 25 yard freestyle. His time in the 24 yard freestyle was a personal best by 3.6 seconds.  Kyle Popp, 12 achieved personal best times in six events, placing 6^th in both the 50 yard and 100 yard breaststroke.

Heritage Valley Aquatics is a year-round USA Swimming Club swim team.  If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Cindy Blatt at cindy@swimmingblatts.net  or leave message at 524-3938 for return phone call. 

Smoke Detector Maintenance Days

Fillmore Fire Receives New Rescue Tools

February 2, 2010                                                                                                                                  
       State Route 126 hosts upwards of 100,000 vehicles per day resulting in several fatal traffic collisions each year. City of Fillmore Firefighters are faced with the constant challenge of responding to major traffic collisions and providing citizens top-notch service with aging equipment.
       The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the City of Fillmore Fire Department a grant in the amount of $10,889.00 to purchase additional heavy rescue tools and vehicle stabilization equipment to be used for traffic collision responses.
       “As firefighters, it is imperative we reach traffic accident victims as quickly as possible” said Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros. “This new and improved equipment will add to both the safety of the victim and the firefighters working. Another added benefit is the increased efficiency of which the rescue is performed.”
       The grant package received is part of a State of California Office of Traffic Safety grant made available to all California fire agencies. In 2008, City of Oxnard Fire Department Firefighter Alex Hamilton began orchestrating local agency efforts by compiling the regional application, representing all Ventura County Agencies. Each local entity was responsible for submitting a list of their needs as well as justification supporting those requests. Following a competitive review of applicants, Ventura County was selected to receive upwards of $182,000 in grant funding.
       Grant funding comprises approximately 5 percent of the City of Fillmore Fire Department's annual operating budget making it instrumental in the ongoing fiscal health and stability of the organization.
 

Fillmore Historical Museum Displays

Wedding Dresses From Days Gone By

May 15, 2009

Starting on May 15, 2009, the Fillmore Historical Museum, located at 340 Main Street in Fillmore, will be displaying wedding dresses and photos from 1886 to the 1960’s.  The display includes a century-old hand crocheted wedding dress, a lovely dress made from a silk parachute, a dress worn by a mother and her daughter, and a 70 year old dress that is modern enough to be found on the fashion runways of today.

Courtesy of Mathias Gonzales, we included the Hispanic tradition of the father of the groom writing the father of the bride, asking for the bride’s hand in marriage.  Pictures of the families and a copy of the letter written in Spanish and translated into English are on display.  We invite you to visit the museum and discover the joys of romance and marriage during the time period since Fillmore’s establishment until the mid 20^th century.

The museum has been fortunate that over the years local Fillmore residents have donated numerous items of their family treasures to be displayed for all to enjoy.   This is your hometown museum dedicated to showing how Fillmore and its surrounding communities of Bardsdale, Sespe and Piru grew and developed.

The restored 1887 depot is now home to many railroad related photos and artifacts.  There are tools used by the farming community, photos of the early days and a beautiful mural created by local artist, John Brothers, depicting Central Avenue in about 1910.

The craftsman style Hinckley House is filled with antiques of the kind found in your grandmother’s home.  There is also a display of art by Lawrence Hinckley who, with his wife, established the “Artist’s Barn” in Fillmore.  Lawrence was an early Fillmore High School graduate who became a noted artist in the 1930s and 1940s.

Finally the 1919 Rancho Sespe bunkhouse houses an eclectic mix of Fillmore memorabilia.  This is where the wedding display is located as well as displays of Fillmore’s early schools, Indian artifacts, WWI and II and hundreds of photos of early Fillmore.

People are welcome to visit the museum which is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Tours are offered to groups and day by appointment.

The museum is run by an all volunteer organization and is always looking for additional helpers to guide tours or work in the collection.  Contact the museum office in the bunkhouse or by phone at 524-0948.

Fillmore Noontime Rotary News

The Fillmore Rotary Noon Time Club recently enjoyed programs by Scott Lee, board member on the Bardsdale Cemetery District Board, Tresa Saviers, Art Consultant from Mountain Vista School, and Larry Emrich, a Ventura Rotarian, involved with polio eradication.  The club meets every Thursday, at noon in the dining car of the Fillmore & Western Railroad. 

Three Vehicle Accident Injures One

Three New Veteran's Banners Were Placed In Town

Caitlin McKeown who serves with the Air Force; Jaime Malagon and Nick Casas who both serve in the Army had their Banners hung on the light poles to show the communities recognition for their bravery and dedication to their country.  Four Veteran's of Foreign Wars were present to salute the banners and families before the were put in place.  The ceremony took place on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. 

Fantastic Turn Out For The Business Bash of 2010

Volunteers Clean Up Many Areas Around Town

Fillmore Youth Football League

Fillmore Boy Scout Troop 406 Enjoy  Winter Camp

John Kozar, with his family around him, prepares to enjoy a pit barbecued dinner at a retirement party held in front of Fillmore City Hall, November 18, 2005.

Mayor Ernie Villegas reads a proclamation from the City of Fillmore acknowledging Kozar for his 34 years of dedication to his department and the city.

Public Works Superintendent Retires After 34 Years

With perfect Autumn California weather family, friends, the city staff honored John Kozar by getting together for an outside dinner party on the front patio of the Fillmore City Hall for his retirement party.  After 34 years as an employee with the City of Fillmore, Kozar will officially retire on December 31, 2005.

On Friday, November 18, the evening began at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres by Jesus “Chewy” Ortiz.  Amid the beautifully decorated area, filled with plants and tiny lights wrapped around the tree trunks, gave the surroundings a warm and comfortable illusion. 

A buffet dinner of pit barbecued pork and beef, with many side dishes, was served to the large group of more than 200 people.  The dinner was prepared and served by Steve and Brian Villegas, sons of Mayor Ernie Villegas.  Six special frosted cakes were prepared for desert.  Special music was played by RJ Stump, everyone’s favorite DJ. 

Kozar received several proclamations from dignitaries including Supervisor Kathy Long Office, which was presented by Administrative Assistant Martin Hernandez, Audra Strickland’s Office, Senator Elton Gallelgy, and State Senator George Runner gave him a plaque for his years of service.  Ernie Villegas read a proclamation from the City of Fillmore.  The Soroptimist International of Fillmore gave him certificate for his never ending support, commitment, and awareness for the ongoing projects of their organization.    

The men who had work so many years under John’s supervision gave him a special gift made from some of the tree trunks which had been removed from areas around Fillmore.  The craftsmen made “their boss” a beautiful hand made park type bench he not only can enjoy but also remember them for years to come.  Kozar’s nephew Gilbert Zavala, had all the medals John had earned during his service in the Viet Nam war mounted on a framed dark background and placed under glass.  Kozar served with U.S.Army, 5^th Mechanized Infantry Division was awarded the Purple Heart after an injury.  

Several family members presented John with gifts while many employees enjoyed roasting John now that he was no longer “upper management.”  Retired Fire Chief Pat Askren gave him some books on how to catch fish the right way, while Master of Ceremonies, City Manager Tom Ristau had everyone laughing with his share of remarks.   

Before the evening came to an end a video was shown on his early childhood, married life with Lois and their children along with pictures of the numerous accomplishments as a machine gunner on a tank and many of his war buddies.  

John and his wife Lois will be leaving Fillmore in mid December to live in a new home in an area where there will be streams for John to go fishing and places for hunting.       

Kozar is a graduate of Fillmore High School and besides his love of the outdoors; he enjoyed decorating the city with the beautiful White “Iceberg” Roses.

  

 

John Kozar relaxes on the handmade bench crafted by employees from the Public Works Department while Roger Campbell has a few choice words for John.

 

John and Lois Kozar show off the beautifully decorated dessert table at John's retirement party, November 18, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Medical Response ambulance prepares to transport a male resident to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of burns. The condition of the individual in unknown at this time.

Apartment Fire On Santa Clara Sends One Man To Hospital

Editor,

February 16, 2010                                                                                                           
       Re. Rich McKee’s front page comment in last weeks Gazette concerning the Brown Act:  McKee’s original claim was triggered by a complaint involving an improper email from our interim city manager that was responded to by three council members. The impropriety of the email was quickly spotted and “cured” prier to the complaint and McKee’s original demand; the City rightly claimed that his lawsuit was groundless. McKee dropped that issue and filed on grounds of an improper closed session meeting based on a technicality that the city settled out of court.                                                                                                   
       McKee inferred that last year the City paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees because of the City Attorney’s bad legal advice that gets the city sued. I looked at every dollar for legal fees paid out in 2009 and found McKee to be absolutely wrong in his claim and his denigration of the City Attorney. The biggest part of the money paid for the cost of litigation was around $220,000 (this figure may be reduced to $155,000) for the sales tax issue. It has nothing to do with poor legal advice from the City Attorney and if we don’t pursue it we could lose over $1 million a year for around fifteen years.

Bob Stroh

February 23, 2010

Definition: “Late Fee”

A late fee is a small, State sanctioned fee you may collect as reimbursement for the nuisance of processing a late payment and not meant to be for profit; that fee cannot be excessive but must be equivalent to the expense of collecting the unpaid money. It cannot be for punishment.

I have always been interested in math so the following problem is one that I am having a hard time understanding.

The City has, in my memory, always added a fee to the water/sewer bill if late. They are very prompt in sending these the very next day if you have not made your payment. The additional fee of the amount charged is ten percent of the total bill. In times past (before the latest added sewer taxes) our bills were in the neighborhood of, let us say, thirty-five dollars. Now our bills are closer to one hundred dollars.

10% of $35 calculates to be a $3.50 late fee.

10% of $100 calculates to be a $10 late fee.

We used to grumble about being charged $3.50, but that might (loosely) be considered an added expense equivalent to processing the paperwork to collect the late fees. My question now is: If $3.50 was enough to compensate the city then, why are we being charged $10 now? This looks like a profit of $6.50 to me and yes, punishment. Of course we know that the city is not legally supposed to issue late fees for profit or punishment.

           What are the expenses of sending and collecting late fees? If there is no extra staff needed, then this cannot be considered added labor expense. Surely letters and stamps are not over one dollar. Given the fixed dollar nature of out-of-pocket expenses, the late payment charges tied to a percentage of the bill are inappropriate. A collection expense does not vary as a function of the size of the customer's arrears.

If the city must collect, using a percentage, maybe it should be scaled down to about 3% to bring it more in line with what it used to be, needs to be and should be.

All bills should include the phrase “Accounts not paid within terms are subject to a late fee of $_____ or %_____.”

            I would like some feed-back on this from the city and/or citizens like myself. Maybe my math is in error somewhere.

John Heilman….74 year native

Public Works Director Bert Rapp called a special meeting of the Fillmore City Council to discuss violations at the waste water treatment plant during the past twelve months.

Opening the meeting was Kirby Chaney of OMI, which has been the city’s contract maintenance company for the past eight years.  Chaney gave a power point presentation on the problems the city has now and will continue to face until the new water recycling plant is built in September of 2008.

The present facility was built in 1956 and was upgraded in 1962 and 1977 but was never able to handle the demands by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) which is put on the city today.

In the past two years Griffin Industries constructed the levee protecting the River Street homes and the sewer plant. Because of the area needed for the construction of the levee about 50 percent of the drying beds were taken out which caused the processing of solids to be affected.

Council Discusses Violations From Sewer Plant

.The 46 inches of rainfall Fillmore experienced from October 2004 through September 2005 has raised the water table so high the plants discharge, which is primarily done by percolation, was interrupted and another wet winter season the problems are expected to continue.

Improvements which have been made are the installation of the trickling filter, dewatering belt press, the use of Sodium Biosulfite before discharge for de-chlorination.

The major violations were the amounts of chlorine in the water for disinfections.  Chaney noted this conflicts with what is allowed to be discharged even though the biosulfite neutralizes the chlorine the amounts fluctuates and must be monitored all the time.  When the new plant comes on-line the problems will automatically be regulated.

The belt press unit is processing about 28,800 gallons of solids compared to the 53,500 demanded causing further problems.  Again the unit is too small and a fix will not occur until the new plant is up and running.

Toxicity is another violation discussed.  Rapp stated there is no way the present plant can treat for ammonia but the new plant will handle the problem.

Matt Griffin addressed the council in behalf of Griffin Industries stating the company has paid for several systems such as $2,500 for the Sodium Bi-Sulfate de-chlorination system; $400 for the Carbon Dioxide PH control system and $12,000 for the Chlorine residual analyzer.

Griffin expressed his concern over the problems the city is having and wanted the council to be aware of all the improvements his company has paid for and the city’s fines are less now than in the past before the upgrade in the systems.

Councilperson Cecilia Cuevas asked about the total amount of fines the city is facing.  Rapp answered by saying the dollar amount on fines is premature at this time.  It depends on the RWQCB’s demands and the city being successful in asking for forgiveness in areas where our plant has not met compliance and other things we have no control over.

Rapp, along with OMI will be keeping a close analysis on the discharges and functions of the plant until the new plant is built.       

Fillmore's Ebell Club Honors Past Presidents

Fillmore Women's Service Club Hosts Annual Spaghetti Dinner

One Injured In Two Vehicle Accident

February 26, 2010

       On Thursday, February 25, 2010, at approximately 7:45 a.m. Noel Duran Gallardo, 33, of Fillmore was backing out of a driveway 185 feet east Saratoga Avenue, in Fillmore.  Gallardo’s vehicle, a 2007, green Ford Focus received moderate damage when it was hit on the front fender by Yolanda Rodriguez, 35, also of Fillmore.  Rodriguez was backing out of a driveway in a gray 2001 KIA Spectrum and sustained moderate damage to the left front side of her vehicle. Rodriguez was already in the street when her car was struck by Gallardo.  Rodriguez allegedly hit her head on the side window and was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a medical facility for treatment.  Neither vehicle needed to be towed from the scene.  

Robby Munoz Wins Lions Club Student Speaker Contest

Members Of Bardsdale 4-H Learn Art Of Origami

This And That

To the City:

Please don’t kill the old sycamore trees on Old Telegraph Road with your new “kindness” by watering them too much.  They aren’t used to constant water so be careful with the new recycled water and don’t waste it and kill our local “pride and joy.”  I have seen one ancient tree killed in the past few years by changing the climate around it.  Old folks, and old trees, need things to stay the way they’ve been for the past 50 years.

To Senior Citizens:

If you have suggestions for programs and activities at the Senior Center, give them a call and put it on the list. 524-4533  The Board is trying to accommodate all Fillmore seniors and needs your help.

To supporters of Fillmore kids:

What needs to happen to get the Boys and Girls Club extra locations opened again? We all hope their Board can soon come up with a solution to the problem and help the kids in our community.

To nature lovers:

Why not join Sarah Hansen and the seniors when they walk Monday mornings and look at birds, trees and flowers with walks around Fillmore? The lupine are starting to bloom so be the first to spot them.

To drivers over Grimes Grade:

Don’t miss the lovely contrast between the green mountains and the red rock outcrops that you can see from the top of the grade coming back to Fillmore---oh, what a picture!

To local historians:

Time is running out to view the antique rockaway carriage that was used by Senora Ysabel del Valle before 1900 at Rancho Camulos.  It will soon be moved from Wm. L. Morris showroom to the ranch.  If you want to compare transportation from 1900 to 2010, stop by before the end of the month.

To everyone who likes to eat out instead of cooking:

The Fillmore Women’s Service Club will be having their annual spaghetti  feast on Feb. 20th at the Memorial Building.  Tickets are only $13 and proceeds go into their scholarship fund for local youths.  Call Donna Voelker for advance tickets or info, 524-1036.

To “seasons” watchers:

I saw my first blooming Calif. poppy last week, so can Spring be far behind? The lupine is starting to show up along the highway too.    Usually there are some bunches out near Rancho Camulos, so watch for them. I guess this part of the state has the best green velvet mountains of anywhere in the U. S.

To survivors of Los Serenos flood in 1978:

I guess we could give the La Canada folks a few handy hints about digging out mud and rebuilding houses. I can’t believe it has been 32 years since we all worked on that—well, I still send a big THANK YOU to the many friends who came and bailed out the Wrens.

To those who enjoy fresh flowers in their homes:

I urge you to support the local chapter of the American Cancer Society who are taking orders for fresh daffodils. Nothing says Spring like daffodils, so call Terri Aguirre before February 26th and place your order.

This And That

Injury Accident In Bardsdale

February 17, 2010

       On Monday, February 15, 2010, several Ventura County Fire Departments, the California Highway Patrol responded to a major injury accident at approximately 5:50 p.m. at the intersection of Bardsdale Avenue and Sespe Street, in Bardsdale.  Guillermo Andrade, 31, of Fillmore was driving his 2000 Honda Accord westbound on Bardsdale Avenue, approaching the intersection of Sespe Street.  At that time Pedro Gomez, 21, of Lancaster was driving his 1996 Honda Civic northbound on Sespe Street, with two passengers in his vehicle, Alex Alverez, 21, of Palmdale and Randolf Pattico, 21, of Lancaster. For unknown reasons Andrade failed to stop, or remain stopped for the stop sign at the entrance to the intersection.  Andrade then drove into the intersection, where the left side of his vehicle was struck by the front of the vehicle driven by Gomez.  Andrade's vehicle ended up on a fence in the front yard of a home and Gomez ended up against a telephone pole which was broken due to the impact. As a result of the traffic collision, all parties were transported to the hospital and Andrade was taken by helicopter to Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and admitted due to his injuries which was head trauma and a fractured cervical spine. He was also arrested for an undisclosed reason.  Injuries to the other three individuals were lacerations and a fractured knee cap and were transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a hospital for treatment.  The cause of the collision is still under investigation. 

    We often talk about the “good old days” when things were all wonderful and great according to our memories.  Well, Harry Kenney’s little book tells about the stagecoach robbers around here.  The stage came through the valley about twice a week and once in awhile it would be robbed.  It nearly always carried money from San Francisco.  There were no banks here and the money was shipped by stage in express boxes.

    Harry says, “On one of these trips a man robbed the stage right next to the Sespe Ranch house.  They caught him up near Newhall, but he did not have any of the money with him.  He had gotten away with $16,000 , but they could not find the money so they shot him.  Before he died, he said that he had buried the loot beside an oak tree near the mouth of the Sespe River.  Of course there were lots of oak trees around that country, and up until 1910 it was nothing to go out on a Monday morning and find a tree that had been dug around.  People were still hunting for that money.  I  have learned since, that there was an Indian that was wise to the thing, and he got the money long years ago.”

    Not long after that, another fellow robbed the stage down east of the Atmore Ranch.  The road crossed the river there and it was all grown up with willows.  He hid in those willows and stopped the stage and robbed it.  Everyone took up their guns and went looking for him.  They kept after him from both directions so he could not get out of the valley but they just couldn’t catch him.  It seems he was a stranger to the valley and did not know about the road through Grimes Canyon.

    A coupe of men riding along the road east of Piru saw horse tracks leading off into some willows so they tied up their horses and went to investigate.  They found the man asleep and captured him.  He was turned over to the sheriff.  The posse and prisoner stopped in Santa Paula for supper on the way back to Ventura.  The robber was  not hungry so they handcuffed the man and put him in a room of the hotel while they went down to eat.  When it was time for them all to head on down the road, they discovered the robber had climbed out the window and dropped down to the street.  The posse could not find him but made a big to-do about him getting away. The next morning his handcuffs were found hanging in the willows, but they looked no farther.

    That was part of the game.  They never intended to take him, they just let him go and a citizen went out and caught him and hung him.  There was no fuss about it at all.  Everyone knew what had become of him and they never found him.  That broke up stagecoach robbing in Ventura County. (There was not a civil rights lawyer in sight.)

    Law enforcement in those days was a good deal different than it is now.  When a sheriff went out after a man and told him to halt, if he did not halt the sheriff halted him right there----funeral.  Yes, we have advanced in our way of thinking!

MARIE’S FLY BY

by Marie Wren

Farm Watch

       Over 400 ranchers, farmers, nurseries, packing/supply houses and oil field sites all watching out for one another…..

Crooks strike at all Hours:

       8 p.m. Attempt Theft of Avocados - Foothill Rd @ N. Kimball Rd, Ventura - The foreman at the ranch reported that he found stacks of avocados freshly picked in piles, clearly ready for someone to come back and pick up.  Deputies responded and investigated.  Major Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez was notified of the attempt theft and we sent out our C.S.I to process the scene for evidence.

C.S.I is more than Television Show:

       Sheriff Brooks and all of us at the Sheriff’s Department are real proud of our C.S.I Unit. They are highly skilled at solving the nearly unsolvable, from homicides to Ag-Theft.  C.S.I responds to crime scenes 24 hours a day. Your responding deputies are trained to process the scenes for fingerprints, tire tracks and such and in addition we bring out C.S.I when we have DNA evidence (yes.. even in Ag Theft), remnant blood trails from crooks and other fragile evidence. These “behind-the-scenes” Sheriff’s Scientist have solved many rural crimes.

The Orange Theft Suspect Caught:

      On January 27, 2010, Deputy Gabe Gonzales was driving on Howe Road and observed a suspicious van parked on along the roadway. Gabe  made a u-turn and got out of his police car to investigate the van. Gabe caught 45 year-old Brian Krasnoff as he stumbled out of the orange orchards on the south side of the road. During his investigation, Gabe found all the stolen fruit. Brian Krasnoff was arrested for 484(a) PC - Petty Theft.

Arrest of the Day…

Santa Paula Police helps wash out Rural Graffiti:

       On January 31^st. Santa Paula Officer Michael Hoppin was on street patrol near Faulkner Road.  Michael observed four suspicious persons at the overpass. If there is one thing Michael, and all cops for that matter hate, are graffiti vandals. They are criminals plain and simple.

       Officer Hoppin is one fast cop and was able to catch Rene Mariscal, Saul Torrez, Martin Torres and Jose Lira (all 20+ year old adults). He arrested them on Felony Conspiracy charges and graffiti vandalism. All four of these crooks were then hosted by the Sheriff’s Department for a stint as lodgers in the main jail. I let you know if we hear that they end up as jail workers on the paint crew.

A big thanks to Officer Hoppin!

Farm Watch Member nabs the bad guys:

      Noon Time – Weekend- Fillmore - Avocado and Produce Theft - W. Guiberson Rd. at Chambersburg Rd. Santa Clara River Valley

      A ranch hand (Farm Watch Member) witnessed four subjects in the process of stealing avocados.  He called both, 911 and my cell phone. He gave a perfect description of the thieves. 911 Dispatchers immediately sent deputies to the farm area and a police dragnet was set up in the Valley.

      Deputy Erica Ragsdale and her beat partners were able to locate and stop the suspects. Had the Farm Watch member not called, theses bad guys simply would have slipped away.  They were miles from the original crime scene. They were from Glendale and had substantial quantities of various fruits and vegetables in the trunk of the car.  I looked at the trunk load, and it was packed to the gills.

      They claimed to have had permission to take the produce from local ranch owners; however, they could not provide the names and contact information for the landowners that supposedly granted them permission. 

     Guess What? Wrong answer…. You see, Erica knows nearly all the farmers and ranchers in the area and was able to identify the owner of the avocado ranch. Erica and her partners ruined the crooks day and arrested all four for theft of produce.

      As a side note: We are real proud of Erica. In 2009, she is listed in the top six cops for the entire Department on proactive quantity of arrests. If you want to giver her a “shout out”, you can email her at Erica.ragsdale@ventura.org

Farm Watch Logo:

      The Department would like to thank Veronica Morris of Bardsdale for her design of the Farm Watch logo. You will see it on our attached reports. Veronica is an original Farm Watch member and has designed many of your produce packing labels. Thanks again Veronica.

Field Worker Burglaries:

      Camarillo Detective Joe Devorick reports an increase of burglaries to field worker’s cars. As we all know, many workers park their cars along the farm roads. Some opportunistic crooks have been hitting the cars along Wood Road in the Oxnard Plains. Make sure you tell your workers about these crimes. Tell them to keep their personal property locked inside the trunks.  Farm Workers can call 911 from their cell phones and report suspicious persons casing out cars during picking season.

Our 911 dispatchers are ready to handle their calls in both Spanish and English. Many field workers may be hesitant to call law enforcement. Help educate them. Make sure they know we are here to help. Remember: Crooks know no boundaries and we need to stick together.

Fertilizer Stolen:

       A farm on Central Avenue in the Oxnard Plains just had 12 lbs if Elevate Fungicide & 40 lbs of Thiram Fungicide stolen. 

Las Posas Valley:

       A local nursery just had 50 flats of "Mondo Grass"  stolen during the night from a nursery on LA Ave. Keep your eyes out for persons pawning cheap fertilizer or products. Sergeant Will Hammer also reports that some crooks have done two separate Avocado thefts off of Los Angeles Avenue just West of the City of Moorpark. 

Farm Vehicle Theft:

      A local row crop farm on the 6000 block of North Rose Avenue, had unknown suspects cut the lock on the front gate at the farm. The suspect(s) cut a hole in the storage facility and stole several containers of pesticides. The suspect(s) also stole a Jeep pickup truck from the location. Ray Dominguez has attached a photo and wanted poster. If you have any information or tips for this crime, email Sergeant Darrell Erickson at Darrell.erickson@ventura.org

Piru Rural Cell Site:

       Richard Jackson advises us that A.T.&T. is still planning on putting up a new cell site in Piru. This will really help out all of us at Farm Watch. Richard said that it is going through the planning process at this time.

Hall Road:

       A local Farm Watch Member reported finding his avocados picked and stacked in the middle of his orchard row ready to be picked up by would be thieves. They had torn the avocados right off the branches and were interrupted by the ranch foreman. We haven’t identified any suspects at this time.

New Ag-Law Changes:

       Ray Dominguez reports that effective January 25, 2010, Penal Code Section 487(b)(1)(A) was amended and now establishes that a value of fruit exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) in wholesale value must be met for a felony violation.  This won’t affect you as a farmer and is simply a technicality for us.

Be safe Farm Watch,

Your friend…

Tim Hagel, Captain.

This And That

To weather watchers:

Did any of you expect the two lightening strikes we had in Fillmore recently?  Wow!  That sure takes many of us back to the good old days growing up in the mid-west.  Some things are just as well forgotten! (And I don’t have a lightening rod on my house either.)

To Fillmore gourmets:

You missed a nice evening if you didn’t attend the spaghetti dinner last week.  Those ladies in the Fillmore Women’s Service Club always do a good job. (Thanks to the support from the husbands.) All the proceeds go into their scholarship fund so local kids get a helping hand for college.

To people who appreciate art:

Fillmore now has an Artists’ Guild and they will be showing their work during the Rail Fest celebration this year.  Be sure and take the time to view their exhibit.  Our local artists are a very talented group and it is wonderful they have formed a guild to promote art in Fillmore.

To Filllmorites:

Have you noticed all the new activities at the Senior Center? If you are in the 55-60 age group (maybe even older) the Center has a daily lunch program and lots of interesting exercise, meditation, yoga, knitting/crochet, morning coffee/treats, income tax help, computers, mature driving classes and a whole bunch of other things.  Wii bowling for both men and women keeps things humming (and often loud) with fun for everyone. YOU’AL COME!

MARIE’S FLY BY

by Marie Wren

IT DOES NOT REQUIRE MANY WORDS TO SPEAK THE TRUTH—Chief Joseph, Nez Perce                                                                                                                                           
       In researching my own family genealogy to write the story of my grandparents, I often found “sayings” like the one above. I discovered that important Indian leaders are still quoted—and their insight into Anglo and Indian culture still holds true.
      Each of us has heard the term “Indian giver” used when someone gives you something and then takes it back. I love finding out where terms came from and how they are used. One explanation to me was it should be used for “white people” because they kept making treaties with the Indians and not living up to any of them. One example: They gave the Indians “Indian Territory” and then soon took it back from them to use as homesteads for the whites. The Anglos were the “Indian givers” by taking back what they had given to the tribes.
      Last night I was reading a new Indian story, and in that book they said the term came from the practice of Indians laying down an item for trade before a white man, then if he did not see anything the white man had to trade that he wanted, the Indian picked up his trade item and left—thus an Indian giver.
      I suppose I will never know how the term developed, but it is still interesting and we all accept the fact that anyone who presents an item and then takes it back is an “Indian giver.”
     This is really too long an explanation but I am not speaking the truth as I do not know the truth so maybe I do need more words—Chief Joseph was a wise man who did not waste words on either Indians or Anglos.
     My thimble of Choctaw Indian bloods seems to draw me to these wise saying. We would do well to remember them and keep them in our hearts as they are true. I have found that when people spend too much time explaining things, they are not being truthful. The people who have cheated me out of money through the years had also taken 20 minutes telling me how upright and honest they were---yes, we do live and learn.
 

911 Call Results In Arrest

       On February 4, 2010 at 8:27 a.m., CHP officers arrested Kathryn Relis, 59, of Santa Barbara, for driving under the influence of drugs after receiving a 911 call from her daughter.
       At 7:54 a.m., the Ventura Area CHP dispatch center received a 911 call from Sarita Relis, age 31 from the Los Angeles area, who stated her mother, Kathryn Relis, was driving southbound on US-101 in the Santa Barbara area. Relis told a CHP dispatcher that her mother was driving recklessly and was under the influence of medication she was taking for migraines. She also said her eleven year old sister, Mia Relis, was a passenger in the vehicle (a red Kia minivan) and that she was currently in contact with her by cellular phone.
       While talking with Sarita Relis, a CHP dispatcher was able to determine the location of the vehicle as it travelled south on US-101 based on the information relayed from Mia Relis. Mia Relis stated her mother was weaving all over road and was traveling at speed ranging from 70 to 90 mph. Another witness also called 911 and reported the vehicle being driven recklessly as it traveled south on US-101.
       CHP officers made traffic stop on the vehicle southbound US-101 near west Main St. CHP officers contacted the driver, Kathryn Relis, and determined she was under the influence of drugs. Relis was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.
       Relis and her daughter Mia were going from the Santa Barbara area to Los Angeles for a school field trip. After Relis was arrested, a CHP officer drove Mia back to the Santa Barbara area where reunited with her father. There were no injuries from this incident and Mia Relis was the only passenger in the vehicle. The incident is still under investigation. Relis was booked into the Ventura County Jail for driving under the influence of drugs and child endangerment.
 

CHP Arrest DUI Driver After Vehicle Pursuit

       On February 4, 2010 at about 9:30 a.m., CHP officers arrested Larry Bussells, 57, of Jacksonville, Florida for driving under the influence and evading arrest after a vehicle pursuit on the US-101 north of Ventura.
       At 9:20 a.m., a CHP officer was stopped on the right shoulder of southbound US-101 near the Dulah Road undercrossing. The officer saw Bussell’s white Chevrolet pickup truck pass her traveling southbound in the #3 lane at approximately 90 mph. The officer attempted to overtake the vehicle as it used the right shoulder to pass slower traffic. When the officer caught up to the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, Bussell exited the freeway at W. Main St. Bussells made a quick u-turn then accelerated onto northbound US-101. Bussells traveled northbound at a high rate of speed using all three traffic lanes and exited at State Beaches. Bussells made a u-turn and again accelerated to high rate of speed onto southbound US-101.
       Bussells traveled south on US-101 at a high rate of speed and exited at W. Main St. He made another u-turn and once again traveled north on US-101 to State Beaches. Bussells made a u-turn and nearly struck another vehicle before accelerating to a high rate of speed onto southbound US-101. Bussells traveled south on US-101 at 100 mph using all three lanes. Bussell then took the transition road from southbound US-101 to northbound Highway 33. He pulled over to the right shoulder, removed the key from the ignition and threw them onto the ground. He then placed his hands outside the driver side window. CHP officers arrested Bussells with no further incident.
       CHP officers determined Bussells was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for driving under the influence of alochol and evading arrest.
 

Romance At The Rancho

February 8, 2010

Valentine’s weekend bring your special someone to Rancho Camulos Museum National Historic Landmark to experience “Romance at the Rancho.”  Docent-led tours will focus on the love stories of couples associated with Camulos.  Bring a picnic and blanket and spend some quality time with each other enjoying the beautiful setting.  A special tasty treat will also be provided.  The suggested donation for this romantic stimulus package is $14 per couple.  Call 805-521-1501 to make a reservation.  Rancho Camulos is on Highway 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5 at Santa Clarita and will be open for Romance at the Rancho as well as our regular tours, 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday February 13 and Sunday February 14, 2010.

Two Fatalities In Santa Paula Traffic Accident

       On February 7, 2010 at 9:56 am, a two vehicle traffic collision which resulted in two fatalities occurred at the intersection of Briggs Rd. and Santa Paula Street in Santa Paula.  Enrique Ibarra, 56, of Ventura had stopped in his 1999 Chevrolet Blazer at a stop sign on a southbound lane of Briggs Road and Santa Paula St. Ibarra's passenger's were his wife, Maria, 52, his daughter, Juanita Ibarra, 28 of Santa Paula, his 6 year old grand daughter, and Lupe Rivera, unknown age of Ventura.  Rivera was Juanita Ibarra’s boyfriend. The Ibarra family was on their way to the San Fernando Valley to visit the gravesite of a deceased relative. Gabriel Salazar, 26, of Santa Paula, was driving his 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck westbound on Santa Paula Street, approaching Briggs Road while he was on his way to visit a relative in Ventura.                                                                                             
       As Salazar approached the intersection, Ibarra pulled out onto Santa Paula Street directly into Salazar's path of travel. Salazar applied his brakes and attempted to avoid a collision with Ibarra's vehicle. Salazar was unable to avoid the collision and the front end of his vehicle struck the left rear side of Ibarra's vehicle. Ibarra's vehicle rotated through the intersection causing Juanita Ibarra and Lupe Rivera to be ejected from the vehicle into an orchard.  A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was the first emergency personnel to arrive at the scene and removed the six year old girl from the left rear seat of Ibarra vehicle and began administering CPR until the paramedics arrive on scene. 
       The six year girl and her mother, Juanita Ibarra, were both pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics. Rivera was taken by Ventura County Sheriff's helicopter to Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Salazar was taken by ambulance to Santa Paula Hospital. Enrique and Maria Ibarra were taken by ambulance to VCMC.  Juanita Ibarra and Rivera where not wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.  The other occupants in Ibarra's vehicle and Salazar where all wearing seatbelts when the collision occurred.  The intersection of Briggs Road and Santa Paula Street was closed for approximately three hours while the CHP investigated the collision. Alcohol was allegedly not a factor in the collision, but the incident is still under investigation.

 

June 16, 2006

At approximately 4:20 a.m. the Fillmore Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to call for a truck into a ditch near the intersection of Ventura and Santa Clara Street.  Upon arrival deputies found a truck, driven by Fernando Lopez, 33, had traveled across a small park and came to rest just before plunging into Pole Creek.

At 4:45 a.m. deputies requested Fillmore Fire to also be dispatched for hazardous conditions due to the fuel tanks on the truck were leaking.

The Sterling big rig owned by Conway Transportation Services out of Whittier, California, carrying 25,000 pounds of cargo, was traveling west bound when for an undetermined reason Lopez went through a small park, taking out part of the rose bushes, went through the Welcome to Fillmore sign and hit the chain link fencing on the eastside of the concrete wash.  When the rig stopped it was lodged on top of the brick base, which held the sign, and the electrical lines, used to light up the sign during night time hours, was under the cab of the truck.

A tow service, capable of handling large trucks, was called in to pull the truck out and Edison Company was called out to cut the live electrical line.

Lopez was traveling alone and was not injured in the incident.          

George Stuart To Speak At Ebell Club

 

February 14, 2010                                                                                                         
       Artist, Historian, Entertainer, Mr. George S. Stuart will speak at the Fillmore Ebell Club, at the Veterans Memorial building, on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
       For more than fifty years George S. Stuart has been capturing the essence of history's most famous and infamous personalities. Rarely have art and history been melded so exactly in works of such breathtaking realism.
       To date, he has created more than four hundred Historical Figures that have been exhibited in the Smithsonian and private collections.
       Viewing a Group of Historical Figures gains special significance when accompanied by Mr. Stuart's informative, entertaining monologs about the personages and their times. Mr. Stuart presents monologs several times each month at the Museum of Ventura County and other venues.
       George Stuart’s magical Historical Figures and entertaining historical monologs have inspired people of all ages for decades. The Historical Figures Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling that interest in history and art by bringing Stuart’s work to the public worldwide.
        In his Ojai, California studio, Mr. Stuart continues to model Historical Figures. He is also very active in preservation and restoration of existing Figures.
       For more about Mr. Stuart and the Historical Figures, go to his website: www.galleryhistoricalfigures.com
       Anyone interested in more information, or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, may call Trisha Armstrong at 524-3471 or 727-1901.
 

Fillmore Police Station Sustains Damage

When Truck Drives Through Front Door

Open House For CEDC

       Often I think modern communication is way too much!  Most people have a cell phone that seems to occupy their every waking minute.  I have one but do not turn it on unless I need to make an emergency call when the car breaks down.  When I am away from home, I want to be away from phone calls.  I enjoy the silence when I am driving or walking.  I am away from people (and the phone) because I want to be. Employers expect too much from their employees if they need to have constant, day and night, phone calls. At the end of a regular workday, people should be away from the job.

        Last month I found a report about Telegraph Road that goes from Fillmore to Ventura.  It runs near the railroad tracks for most of the way from the East to the Coast.  The telegraph lines were used for rail communications and soon were utilized by the citizens too.  It was much faster than the mail at that time. Our Telegraph Road followed the telegraph lines down our valley for most of the way. Samuel Morse really started something when he got the patent on that invention.

        Everyone used a “wire” for special things from one family or business to another.  For a maximum of 10 words you got a really good rate---I don’t remember what it was, but seems to me it was about  25 or 50 cents.  You soon learned to include basic information within the allowable ten words; for example, “Father very ill stop come quickly to see him stop love sis.”  It was all written without punctuation or capitals. After my mother’s death, I found the old telegram/wire announcing the birth of my first baby, her first grandson in 1949.  She had carefully saved it in her book of memories.

        Western Union was the company that was in charge.  In the early days, when you went to their office, often located in the depot, they gave you a half sheet of yellow paper to write your name and address, the name and address of the person who should receive the message and several lines to print out your message.  They immediately sent it by Morse code over the telegraph lines to the office nearest the other address.  As soon as it was received, that office printed it out, on the same yellow paper, and had it personally delivered to the person and address as shown.  Often the Western Union office hired a young man on a bicycle to ride “with the wind” to get that message delivered in a sealed envelope so all correspondence was private except for the people working the lines.  (And they better not be talking about it.)

        The kid on the bicycle hoped for a tip to pay him for the trouble, but when the news was bad, I am sure he often did not make any extra money for his trouble. Frequently the news was about a death in the family so a telegram was opened with dread. Often a delivery boy earned enough to pay his personal expenses and maybe help his widowed mother buy food and support younger siblings. (My mother had a cousin who dropped out of school to work as a delivery boy for Western Union.) During WW2, no one wanted the Western Union boy stopping at their house as it might be a death notice from the military.

        The next step was being able to “wire money” from one spot to another.  In an emergency this was a big help also. Telephone calls were expensive and often people did not have telephones in the early days.  People lived far from town and banks, so one trip to the depot sufficed to send a fast message or money by Western Union.

        In the early days of the system, women were often the telegraph operators. By 1846 they were learning to operate and repair their equipment and do the job. Learning Morse code and using a telegraph key was no harder for them than it was for a man. Recently I found a book about these women and their experiences in tiny isolated stations along the train tracks throughout the West.  They kept trains on schedule and freight sidetracked to permit a passenger train to run through---they were a very important part of the system. This was a better job for most of them than teaching or working as a domestic. (Do you know if Fillmore ever had a lady working the lines?)

        Marconi invented wireless communications so messages could be sent without the telegraph lines.  By the time WW2 came along, the messages could be automatically sent to a teletype machine that printed it out and the man on the receiver did not have to learn Morse code. My husband spent several months in the South Pacific in charge of a machine on Iwo Jima and Saipan.  At the end of the war, he knew before anyone else when his own orders came through to head for home.

        Now the trains are often automatically operated with electronic equipment.  Everyone has a wireless cell phone.  The telegraph is no more!  Well, it certainly provided a service for 170 years.  Long live American inventors!

MARIE’S FLY BY

by Marie Wren

MARIE’S FLY BY

by Marie Wren

The census for 1900 shows Cyrus and Elvira Kenney living in the Sespe area.  He was 66 years old and came here in 1873.  They lived on what is now known as the Hardison Ranch above Kenney’s Grove Park.  His son, Harry, wrote a nice little book he called “Tales of Early Sespe Days” and the Ventura County Historical Society published it in 1962.  If I can get permission, I will get it into print again for the fun of sharing more tall tales about this end of the Santa Clara Valley.  In the meantime, I will repeat some of his stories for you.

    Harry was 23 years old in 1900, so he heard many of these stories from his father while he was growing up.  He remembered them and wrote them down for his little book.

    “The Fourth of July was always a big event in the early days.  Nearly every year they had a big picnic and barbecue in what was called “Kenney’s Grove.”  My father never owned it, but a lot of people today think that he did.  But my father always went to the those who did own it and got permission to have the celebration there.  My father and Mat Atmore always did all the preliminary work: hauled the water, fixed up the grounds, and put in seats for the picnic.  Ari Hopper was always the man to tend to the big barbecue.  He dug a big pit and roasted the meat on top.  They did not cut it up into small  chunks but into pieces about forty pounds. A big fire was built in the pit and kept going for about twelve hours.  When the fire went down, they put the meat over the coals and roasted it.  Old Ari tended to that.  I tell  you that was about the best meat that I ever ate.

    Old Ari was one of those loud talking old fellows, and when he got about two drinks of whiskey in him he sure could yell.  He talked loud all the time, but at these picnics they used to get him to get up just to see how loud he could yell.”

    According to Harry, Ari could tell some real whoppers too about the bears and things that happened up Hopper Canyon.  I will save those for a later time.

    Harry says, “I believe it was about 1889 that they had a big Fourth of July celebration in Kenney’s Grove.  A special train come from Ventura and stopped right down south of the grove and let the people off.  There was quite a parade and procession from Fillmore.  They had a boat mounted on a wagon and had been celebrating before they left Fillmore that morning.  A toy cannon was mounted on the boat and they were shooting it as they came.  It was a breech-loader and had brass shells loaded with blanks.  I guess the fellows shooting it were drinking a little too much because a shell got stuck, and they could not get it in the gun.  Bradfield (killer of Joe Dye) took a little horseshoe hammer and tried to tap in the shell.  He accidently hit the cap, and it exploded against his hand.  They took him right over to Dr. Hinkley, who dressed him up.  Bradfield lost three fingers, but anyway they had a big celebration and parade; and Ari Hopper barbecued

five beef for the crowd.”

    About 1908 Harry and Mr. Atmore were talking and decided it would be nice if the County would take over the grove of oaks and make a park out of it. The Sespe Land and Water Company owned the land and had priced it for $150 an acre for about twenty years, but no takers.  It was worthless for oranges.  When Mr. Atmore quietly approached Mr. McNab about buying it, Mr. McNab needed a few days to think about it.  When they went back the next day, the price of the land had suddenly inflated to $300 an acre and the local people could not raise the money.  It was another 10 or 15 years before he finally sold the ten acres  to the County for Kenney’s Grove Park.

    Many of you will remember when Kenney’s Grove was open to the public any time you wanted to go out.  Often we took the kids out to play or have a birthday party.  Several times our family took the tent and stayed overnight in the spring or just cooked our supper.  It was so pretty this time of year. There was no lawn area or assigned spots to park.  We’d find a pretty spot with tall spring grass and set up the camping stuff and have a great weekend near home. Usually we could find miner’s lettuce and make our own salad with a few tiny wild onions added.  Pioneers had nothing on us! Being out-of-doors was the important things for all of us.

    About 1963 the Chamber of Commerce planned a Fourth of July party out there similar to the one Harry talked about.  The barbecue was not as big, but I remember the Boy Scouts sold old-fashioned lemonade for 5 cents a cup (and they made several dollars from that for the troop fund) and Gene planned kids' games.  Our youngest had just started to school but she found several neighborhood kids to enter the contests with her.  We had “tire rolling” and the little kids had lots of fun figuring out how to keep those big black tires going downhill from the starting line.  (And they got as black and dirty as the tires.)  Of course we had 3-legged  and gunny sack races, tug of war and wheelbarrow races and all the old time games we could think of.  No one let a little dirt and heat ruin the day.  Oh, what fun!

    We hated it when they put in regular parking spots and planted the lawns—so much for the long ago ways.  We soon got used to having things cleaner and accepted the modernization of the park—at least we could still go out and use it.  The last big improvement has been “making reservations through the County, paying fees and having to plan ahead.” The park is no longer open for an impromptu cook out or late afternoon play under the big oaks. Most of the time it is reserved and used by people with camping trailers from out-of-town who love the beautiful old trees and isolation. But locals still remember “the good old days” at Kenney’s Grove.

This And That

To all local cooks:

Are you ready for those sweet navel oranges to go into your favorite recipes? I know  people who have moved away from Fillmore who still “yearn” for this time of year and fruit just off the tree.  One year my grandmother visited and we had a tree of navels near the old country house.  When we missed her during the day, she was out there peeling another navel.  She told me she was trying to eat every orange on the tree while she was here--she did not make it but gave it a good try and she did not get hives either!

To snow boarders:

Did you make it to Mt. Pinos for a weekend of fun and boarding this week?  Wow!  What a great time if you like that sport!  When all else fails, try the local skateboard park.

To computer users:

Am I the only one who feels like a printer ink cartridge only holds a thimble full of ink? It seems like I just put in a refill and it is needing another one.  A printer is inexpensive  but the ink will break the bank.

To my favorite “don’t ask, don’t tell” friends:

Long, long ago, my husband was helping our best local cateress at a major social function for his boss’ wife. At the end of the day, he was getting ready to wash the large coffee makers and discovered a dish rag in the bottom of one---after his explosion, he was told, “don’t mention it and they will never know.”  And I guess that is still a good way to go when you can’t do anything about it. He never figured out how that rag got into the coffee pot!

To movie goers:

Why not try our local theater---they have first run movies and even a senior night with lower prices for older people.  Often the movies are suitable for children, so Grandma, grab the kids and attend the movie in Fillmore.  If we want the theater to stay open, we need to support it.

To all Socialites:

Remember to get your tickets for the Episcopal Church prime rib dinner---it is almost time to eat!

Bill Bartels Resigns From City

February 18, 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010, Bill Bartels submitted his resignation from his position as Deputy City Manager to City Manager Yvonne Quiring, who accepted his decision on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.  Bartels plans to end his service as of February 26, 2010.

Bartels stated he is proud to have served the City of Fillmore since 1993, when he first started consulting with the city.  He also hopes his services provided stability and continuity especially during this period of change.

Now that the transition is complete, he feels he has fulfilled his mission.  He also remarked “this is an excellent community and has been my family’s home for more than a century.  It has indeed been an honor to have served Fillmore during this time.”

    Senator George Runner (R-Lancaster) announced today that he will partner with Assemblywoman Audra Strickland (R-Westlake Village) to bring the Community Renewal Regional Conference to Santa Paula on Saturday, October 29, 2005, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    Runner, who is co-hosting the event at Logsdon’s Restaurant in Santa Paula, said the event will provide non-profit groups, faith-based organizations and community leaders with a network of resources to encourage community and economic development in the Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru areas of his district.
    The Santa Paula Community Renewal Regional Conference is a local presentation of a statewide program developed in 1996 by a group of state legislators. The program has empowered and equipped more than 2,000 faith-based and community leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to revitalize and renew their communities and organizations.
    “I am very pleased to co-host this Conference. Our local community leaders have the definite desire to make a positive impact, but they often need help finding the information and tools to build a dynamic organization. 
This is an opportunity for community leaders to build a network of resources and partners that will help them be successful. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the event will be free to those who attend,” Senator Runner said.
     Space is limited, so please contact Senator Runner’s District office, 661-286-1472 or Assemblywoman Strickland’s office, 805-230-9167 for details

regarding attendance.