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Dead
Birds Found at Sheills Park Test Positive
for West Nile
On
August 3, 2006 Ventura County Environmental
Health Division received confirmation from
the State of California Department of Health
Services that one of five dead birds
collected at Sheills Park tested positive
for the West Nile Virus. To date, this is
the first bird to be collected within the
City of Fillmore in 2006.
Environmental Health Division vector control
technicians routinely monitor and control
mosquito breeding sources throughout Ventura
County. In response to the positive bird findings, all mosquito breeding
sources near where these birds were
collected will be inspected and treated, if
necessary. Additional mosquito traps will
be deployed in areas where new positives
have been found and trap results will be
used to determine mosquito population
densities and species. If an adequate
number of viable mosquitoes are collected,
samples will be sent to a State laboratory
to determine if they are infected with the
West Nile Virus.
West Nile
Virus is transmitted to humans from the bite
of a mosquito infected with this virus.
Mosquitoes acquire WNV when feeding on
infected wild birds. Fortunately, in
humans, WNV usually causes no symptoms or a
mild illness. Rarely, WNV can cause severe
illness and death.
The public
is advised to take the following precautions
to minimize exposure to West Nile Virus:
1.
Eliminate standing water from their property
to reduce mosquito breeding, including water
in buckets, barrels, old tires, children’s
toys, ornamental ponds, and neglected
swimming pools.
2.
Make
sure exterior doors and windows have
tight-fitting screens. Screens should be
replaced if they are torn or have holes.
3.
Limit outdoor activity when mosquitoes are
most active, especially at dawn and dusk.
4.
When
outdoors, wear long pants and long-sleeved
shirts.
5.
Apply
insect repellent according to label
instructions. DEET-containing repellents
are recommended.
To report
potential mosquito-breeding sources in
Ventura
County created from improperly maintained swimming pools and other similar
water impoundments located on private
property; the public is encouraged to call
the mosquito complaint HOTLINE at
805/658-4310.
To assist in
WNV surveillance efforts, the public is
encouraged to report any crows, ravens, and
birds of prey that have died recently to the
State Department of Health Services at 877/WNV-Bird
(877/968-2473).
2005
Water Quality Report Released
Now
available online is the 2005 Water Quality
Report. The report is available in Microsoft
Word format online, or you can pick-up a
printed copy at Fillmore City Hall. Water
Quality Report
Cover Page
Report Contents.
City Seeking Applicants for Fillmore Film
Commission
Persons interested in serving on the City
of Fillmore Film Commission are invited to
submit an application to the City by May 1.
The Film Commission, which serves an active
role in marketing Fillmore to the film
industry as well as helping to develop
filming policies for the City, generally
meets the first Wednesday of each month at
6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Film Commissioners
also participate in annual film location
expositions, which serve to highlight what
Fillmore has to offer to the film industry.
Monthly meetings of the five-person
commission generally last about one hour.
One seat on the commission is open for
appointment. Residents interested in being
appointed are asked to obtain a Citizens
Advisory Group application and submit it to
Fillmore City Hall, attn: Steve McClary, 250
Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015.
Applications are available at City Hall (at
the front desk) and may also be found on the
City's web site at www.fillmoreca.com/cityhall.
Applicants may wish to include a letter of
interest with their application.
Interested applicants are urged to apply no
later than 5 p.m. on Monday, May 1.
Applicants will be interviewed by the City
Council Interview/Selection Committee, which
will make a recommendation for appointment
to the mayor and city council. The person
chosen will be appointed to a term on the
commission that will expire in January 2010.
For additional information, please contact
Mr. McClary at (805) 524-1500, extension
211, or via email at: smcclary@ci.fillmore.ca.us.
Local Organizations Urged to Submit Meeting
and Event Information for 2006 Community
Calendar
Local organizations are encouraged to
submit information on upcoming meetings and
events for the 2006 Fillmore Community
Calendar.
The Community Calendar, provided as a public
service by the City of Fillmore, includes
information on local government events and
meetings, community meetings, school
functions, local festivals, and activities
and meetings of non-profit organizations
that are of interest to local residents. The
calendar does not announce commercial events
and does not allow for the specific
advertising of businesses. Information on
fundraising events that benefit local
non-profit organizations is welcomed and
encouraged.
The community calendar is generally
published every two weeks on the City’s web
site and can be downloaded at any time.
Copies of the calendar are also posted
outside City Hall on the information kiosk
near Central and Main, and are available at
the Chamber of Commerce office. To access
the calendar on line, go to
www.fillmoreca.com/calendar
Entries may be submitted for the calendar at
any time. However, local organizations are
encouraged to submit information on known
events as soon as possible in order to aid
other organizations and individuals in
planning events. Entries may be submitted
directly via the City’s website, or persons
can submit entries by filling out and
returning an application form. The form is
available on the website and at Fillmore
City Hall, and can also be obtained by
calling 524-1500 x269 to have a form faxed
or emailed to you.
For additional information on the Fillmore
Community Calendar, please contact Steve
McClary, City of Fillmore Public Information
Officer, at (805) 524-1500, extension 211 or
at smcclary@ci.fillmore.ca.us
City
Seeking Applicants for Two Seats on Planning
Commission
Persons interested in serving on the City of
Fillmore Planning Commission are invited to
submit an application to the City by Friday,
December 30 at 5 p.m.
The Planning Commission, which serves an
active role in local land-use decisions,
generally meets the second Wednesday
following the second Tuesday of each month
at 6:30 p.m. Local residents interested in
being appointed to the Planning Commission
are invited to submit an application and
letter of interest to Administrative
Assistant Angela Mendez, Fillmore City Hall,
250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA. 93015.
Applications are available in the lobby at
Fillmore City Hall or may be found at the
City's website at www.fillmoreca.com/cityhall/cac-apps.pdf.
Applications must be received by December 30
at 5 p.m.
Two positions on the commission will be
filled. One person will be appointed to a
four-year term ending in January 2010. The
second person appointed will be filling a
vacancy on the commission to complete an
unexpired term. Their term of office would
expire in January 2007. At that time, the
commissioner could re-apply to continue
service on the commission.
Appointments to the Planning Commission will
be made by the mayor following an interview
and recommendation by City Council
Interview/Selection Committee.
For further information on the application
process please call Angela Mendez at
524-1500, extension 269.
City Seeking
Representative for Area Housing Authority
The City of Fillmore is currently
accepting applications from persons
interested in representing Fillmore on the
Ventura County Area Housing Authority
Commission.
The City currently has one vacancy among its
two seats on the Commission. The Authority,
which also includes representatives from the
cities of Camarillo, Moorpark, Simi Valley
and Thousand Oaks and unincorporated Ventura
County, is responsible for providing a
number of services to county residents and
holds as its mandate the provision of
"decent, affordable housing accommodations
for low-income families, elderly,
handicapped and disabled residents."
The Authority's 15-member Commission
meets twice a month, on the second and
fourth Wednesdays, at 3 p.m. at the offices
of the Area Housing Authority, located at
1400 W. Hillcrest Drive in Newbury Park.
Meetings generally last about an hour.
Interested persons are urged to contact
Deputy City Clerk Angela Mendez at the City
of Fillmore (805-524-1500, extension 269)
for further information or to obtain an
application. Applications will be accepted
until 5 p.m. on June 30. Applications (a
'Citizen Advisory Group Applicant
Information Form') are also available at the
front desk at Fillmore City Hall (250
Central Avenue) or on the City's website.
Click here.
The appointment will be made by the mayor
following a simple interview process.
Commissioners are generally appointed to
four-year terms. For more information on the
Area Housing Authority of Ventura County,
please call (805) 480-9991.
Local Man Pleads
Guilty Over Illegal Construction in Fillmore
A local man has pled guilty to charges of
illegal construction brought forward by the
City of Fillmore.
The successful prosecution for illegal
construction was the first such action taken
by the City under a new ordinance adopted
last fall that allows the City Attorney to
prosecute persons who violate building and
safety codes. City officials say they will
continue to seek the prosecution of persons
who blatantly ignore building codes and
build illegal structures on properties.
“This is a public safety matter,” said
Building Official and Fire Chief Pat Askren.
“The reason permits are required is so the
City can ensure new construction meets
current safety standards. This is about
protecting lives and property.”
Cesar Sandoval, 28, of Fillmore, pled
guilty to one count of "Construction Without
a Permit" on April 22, 2005. Ventura County
Superior Court Judge Ken Riley took the
plea. Sandoval was charged by the City of
Fillmore with a total of six counts for
building code violations at the two homes he
owns at 746 Edison Lane and 800 Blaine
Avenue in Fillmore. Mr. Sandoval was
represented by attorney Cynthia Pandolfi of
the Ventura County public defender's office.
The prosecution was handled by Bill Short of
city attorney’s office.
On the Edison property, officials said,
Mr. Sandoval had constructed a two car
garage. At the Blaine address, he had also
built a garage and had modified the
residence. Mr. Sandoval obtained no permits
for any of the construction. When Sandoval
did not respond to numerous communications
from the City's Building and Safety
department, the City charged Sandoval with
multiple misdemeanor violations.
Sandoval's sentence of $5,000 was stayed
for one year by the judge. He must apply
for, obtain, and satisfy building permits or
demolition permits for each of his
properties so that all violations are
addressed and cured. He must pay all fees,
late fees and penalties now required for
building permits.
The court will review the completeness of
Sandoval's corrections at a hearing on April
28, 2006. In addition, the court placed Mr.
Sandoval on probation for two years during
which he is to obey all laws.
Fillmore Hires New Chief for
Volunteer Fire Department
Pete Egedi, a 13-year veteran of the
Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, was
announced as the City’s new fire chief at
Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Egedi, currently a captain on the
department, will replace Fire Chief Patrick
Askren, who is retiring in July after 18
years of service as chief of the volunteer
department. The 65-member department is the
last remaining volunteer forces in the
county and is consistently recognized for
its overall excellence and innovation.
Staffed by one paid chief and three paid
captains, the department consistently
delivers top-notch professional services to
the community at a fraction of the cost of
what other communities pay.
Egedi said he is committed to continuing
the strong traditions of the department,
which responds to more than 1,200 medical
and fire emergency calls annually. “I look
forward to meeting the challenges of the
community, and working with the City
Council, City staff, and our firefighters. I
am committed to ensuring a strong future for
the volunteer fire department.”
City Manager Roy Payne said Egedi is the
first fire chief he has hired during his
16-year tenure with the City. He said the
position is a critical one for the City
because it is important that the City
continue its volunteer department. Without
the cost savings the department provides,
the City would have even less money to pay
for other City services. Three fire captains
with the department participated in a
3-month job interview process for the chief
position. All three were well-qualified and
very supportive of the process and the
outcome, Payne stated.
“Pete brings the necessary qualities to
lead the department,” said Payne. “He is
dedicated and knows the history of the
department and its importance to the
community.”
Askren, who has served on the department
since 1976, said Egedi’s promotion has been
welcomed by the members of the fire
department. “Pete will do a great job for
Fillmore,” he said. “He understands the
unique needs of the community as well as the
unique needs of the department. He is easy
to get along with and takes public safety
seriously. The department will be in good
hands.”
Egedi has been a member of the department
since 1992 and has served as captain for the
past seven years. He was responsible for
helping to successfully establish the City’s
paramedic services last year, made necessary
by the closure of Santa Paula Hospital and
its emergency room. Egedi also worked to
create a public access defibrillator program
in Fillmore and has been responsible for
upgrading the department’s computer systems
and automation. He currently serves on the
following local public safety committees:
Ventura County Fire Chief’s Association
(VCFCA) Training committee, VCFCA Emergency
Medical Services committee, VCFCA Operations
committee, and the Ventura County EMS Agency
Pre-Hospital Services and Multi-Casualty
Incident committees.
Egedi’s prior experience includes working
as a dispatcher for Ventura County Fire
Department and as communications manager for
American Medical Response, a local ambulance
service provider. He is a 1987 graduate of
Fillmore High School and a 32-year resident
of Fillmore. Married to Karol, they have two
children, 11-year-old daughter Kalene and
9-year-old son Peter Junior.
Fillmore City Council Targets 23
Goals for '05
Building Pole Creek Debris Basin,
Aggressive Exploration of Grants Set as Top
Goals.
Construction of an enlarged Pole Creek
basin and aggressive exploration of grant
funds topped a list of 23 goals adopted by
the Fillmore City Council for 2005.
The goals, adopted March 8, will be used
by the city council and city staff in
planning priorities for the year ahead, as
well as in developing the city's budget for
the coming fiscal year, beginning July 1.
Two goals were both ranked as the City's
number one goal for 2005. "Seeking immediate
construction of an enlarged Pole Creek
debris basin to protect El Dorado Mobile
Home Park and the proposed Heritage Valley
Parks development" tied as the top goal with
"Aggressively exploring and analyzing grants
available to enhance or offset the cost of
City services."
Both of the top goals reflect current
concerns of the City. This winter, major
storms caused Pole Creek to rapidly fill
with silt, forcing the City to evacuate
mobile home park residents in January when
the creek (which is maintained by the County
of Ventura) threatened to flood its banks.
The search for grants is expected to assist
the city with its
finances, as the city struggles to maintain
a balanced budget in the wake of State
budget cuts, or take-aways, which reduced
traditional city revenue levels.
Click here for a complete listing of the
City Council's 2005 Goals.
