Just Fillmore Blog Concurs With Arianna Huffington's Stance On Citizen Journalism

Good News For Fillmore While Wealthy Northern California City & Politically Motivated State Politicians Cry Foul

"Although Fillmore officials said the arrangement was a legal and innovative way for them to increase the city’s sales tax revenues by an estimated $800,000 a year, the cities that lost the revenue cried foul.

Because Fillmore has an existing, legal contract in place that cannot be retroactively changed by legislation, the city will continue to collect its 15 percent share of the local portion of the state sales taxes paid by the company for the remaining life of the 20-year contract."

Above quotes taken from Ventura County Star article titled 'State has plugged Fillmore loophole' published June 7, 2009. Click here to read the entire VenturaCountyStar.com article.

***

The following is information on Livermore California's Demographics and forth quarter 2008 Sales Tax Revenue earnings:

Demographics
According to 2008 estimates, there are 90,324 people, 29,144 households, and 21,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,947.7 people per square mile. There were 26,610 housing units at an average density of 1,112.3/sq mi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.30% White, 5.7% African American, 0.70% Native American, 3.80% Asian, 0.34% Pacific Islander, 5.36% from other races, and 4.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.50% of the population.

The median income for a household in the city was $75,322, and the median income for a family was $82,421. Males had a median income of $59,703 versus $38,389 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,062. About 3.8% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Source: Wikipedia.org

City of Livermore Sales Tax Revenue Top 25 Producers
(In alphabetical order)
AMS Net
Arco AM PM Mini Mart
Costco
F Rodgers Corporation
Flow Solutions
Harris Rebar
Hexagram Inc
Home Depot
JA Momaney
Services
Jifco
Kaiser Pharmacy
Kohls
Livermore Audi/Subaru/Honda
Livermore Ford
Lincoln Mercury
Lowes
Mervyns
Mobile Modular Management
Safeway
Safeway Gas Sales
Save Mart
Siemens Metering
Target
US Foodservice
Wal Mart
Waxies

City of Livermore Sales & Use Tax Rate: 9.750%

City of Livermore's Sales Tax revenue receipts for Fiscal Year 2008-09 (not including Q-1) were as follows:
Point-of-Sale: $11,851,815
County pool (Alameda County): $1,451,978
State pool: $5,286

Gross Receipts: $13,309,080

Source: City of Livermore Sales Tax Update Report (pdf file)

Devil in the Details

FILLMORE, CA. (justfillmore.blogspot.com) -- A heated political drama continues to develop and unfold in the small town of Fillmore, Ca. in the midst of what appears to be 'growing interest' from outside audiences. The attention is focused on news of the recent resignation of four top City Hall employees, whose departure is perceived by many in the Fillmore community as an escape from the tyrannic-like, political wrath of the new Fillmore City Council, which has formed a three to five majority rule following the November 2008 municipal election. Fillmore Politics has since become a circus-like, main stage spectacle this side of Twin Peaks.

The town of Fillmore, California is suffering from a "cabal-ish" movement, complete with bold insolence with a touch of delirium. The wolf behind sheep’s clothing has reared its nasty head and has exposed itself to be a tiny yet rambunctious anti-growth citizens group, whose political and personal agenda have aligned nicely with newly elected City Council members Jamey Brooks and Gayle Washburn, as with that of the new (council appointed) Mayor, Patti Walker. Fillmore's befuddled democracy has allowed for a once stubborn "Shadow of Government" to form its power and unleash its fury, in full view of the public, on selected City Hall employees and contractors, perceived by the naysayers as their ideologue opposites. Vigilante Politics is alive and well in the small town of Fillmore.

To Hell in a hand basket and in a matter just a few months, this town has suffered the loss of its City Manager Tom Ristau, Special Projects Manager Roy Payne, Administrative Services Manager Steve McClary and just announced early retirement of City Finance Director Barbara Smith. These top City officials leave behind decade’s worth of institutional knowledge, analytical expertise, historical wealth, and sound leadership at City Hall. These painful departures are being described as an exodus in the likes that many professional journalist's, historian's and blogger's alike have never seen before in Ventura County, ever.

Recent sound bites by Council members Brooks, Washburn and Mayor Walker published in the media these past few months, have all but accounted for the idea that all four City officials “willingly” walked the plank at their own perils with no such sword at their backs; Yet, underlying details behind what appears to be a plot by this tiny group to overthrow a “pro-growth, progressive” City Management staff, has yet to be exposed by the devil himself.

Stay Tuned.

New & Exciting Blog Feature

(Just Fillmore Blog) -- We are introducing an exciting new feature to this web site today made possible by Geesee.com. The ability to chat live with other bloggers is now an option and available to the general public 24/7. This new feature can be accessed by clicking on the 'Join Chat' button displayed on the blog sidebar. Please be advised that the chat room owner can remove and/or completely ban any user at any time, and also, the true blog owner will appear in the chat room as an exclusive registered user under the screen name (JustFillmoreAdmin). Participating guests and non-registered users can choose a nick-name to join in the chat. The blog owner will appear as a registered user only, at various times and will not always be available to monitor discussions. If you have any suggestions on how to best utilize this exiting new feature and/or have suggestions on how to encourage dialogue from the community, please comment away on this blog thread. It is also recommended that users read, agree and adhere to the Geesee.com Terms of Service before participating.

(NewsWire) -- Geesee is a centralized online chat service that is address-free. Users from all over the world can connect to the service from various entry points. Each user can choose a topic to talk about, search rooms around the world, and get immediate feedback about how many people are communicating about that topic at that moment. Users can join any room and talk to any other user about their favorite topic. Moreover, every user can put Geesee on his or her website instantly, thus creating another access point for the service. This new approach to a centralized community using topic-based communication is what differentiates Geesee from other online chats out there. Together with all of its other innovative features, Geesee offers multi-faceted communication on the Internet, the way it should be.

City Council Meeting

Fillmore City Council
&
Fillmore Senior Center Board
Joint Meeting
250 Central Avenue
Fillmore, CA
6:30pm

Agenda Here (pdf file)

Compliments, Concerns, Complaints?
Blog Comments section below is open to the public & at your service.

Hollywood Was Here

The "La Bamba" house is not easily recognized, illustrious, or even considered a "point of interest" on any destination map. The "La Bamba" house is not part of any tour nor featured on various websites as expected by your everyday T.V. or movie location fanatic, especially when compared to other historic film locations in southern California such as the famous "Brady Bunch" house located in North Hollywood or that scary house on "Elm Street" actually located on Genesee Ave. in West Hollywood. Yet, I can assure you that the "La Bamba" house, located right here in Fillmore, Ca. is just as interesting and carry's with it just as much weight as anything else that Hollywood usually leaves behind; magic and all.

The film "La Bamba" was released on July 24, 1987 and is a biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash. The role of Richie Valens whose real name was Ricardo Valenzuela, was played by Lou Diamond Phillips. The film focuses primarily on Ritchie's fear of flying, and a recurring dream he has on account of a collision of two planes that killed his best friend when he was younger. The drama is based on the real life events that affected the lives of Ritchie Valens, his half-brother Bob Morales played by Esai Morales, and his mother Connie Valenzuela played by Rosanna DeSoto.
In the film, as in real life, Ritchie eventually goes on tour with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper after his hits "La Bamba" and "Donna" reach the top of the Billboard charts. Valens, Holly, and The Bopper take off in an airplane under a snow storm for their fateful flight on February 3, 1959. During the last scene of the film, a news bulletin on the radio alerts the Valenzuela family that Ritchie's plane crashed without any survivors.

Various locations in Fillmore, Ca. were used in the making of this film. The film depicted Fillmore's old metal "Green Bridge" along highway 23 as a gateway into the San Fernando Valley during the 1950's. This "old green bridge" has since been replaced by a modern day Cal-Trans concrete overpass which today links the communities of Fillmore and Bardsdale up and over the Santa Clara River. And today, part of those old metal green bridge structures can be seen at the east entrance of Fillmore along Highway 126 as a themed feature for a new housing development appropriately called "The Bridges."

The "La Bamba" house portrays the home in which the Valenzuela family first move into when relocating to southern California. The true story location of this home is based in Pacoima, Ca., approximately 35 miles southeast of Fillmore.

The actual home used during filming is located at 738 Blaine St, Fillmore Ca. The home has since been seriously remodeled with the addition of a rear garage, a new porch, a brick fence and several square feet of living space to the rear of the home. The vacant land adjacent to the home is now a small apartment complex. Here is a photo of the home taken on 04-07-09. I am told that the basement of the home, used in part during the filming, remains today.



Other notable "La Bamba" filming locations in Fillmore, Ca. include the second home in which the story depicts Ritchie Valens purchasing and presenting to his mom Connie as a gift. That particular home is located at 727 Fine St. Fillmore, Ca. The film also demonstrates the northwest corner of Central Ave. and Santa Clara St. Fillmore, Ca. as a 1950's service station where Ritchie Valens serinates his girlfriend Donna inside a phone booth.

Disclaimer: The above residential locations are private property. They may be viewed from the street or sidewalk. Do not trespass on their land or intrude on their privacy in any way or you can be arrested.

Special City Meeting Tonight

FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

Agenda here (pdf file)
_______________________________________________________________________
Watch or listen to tonight's meeting Live through the following sources:
Live TV: channel 10 (Fillmore, Bardsdale, Piru)
Live Radio: AM 1620
Live Streaming Internet: www.fillmoreca.com/broadcast.asx

Mexico's Dangerous Illegal Economy

The following is courtesy of CBS News

Written by Lara Logan
CBS News
April 3, 2009

(CBS) -- When I first saw the images of bloodied bodies and heard the tales of severed heads coming out of Mexico, I was riveted. It reminded me of Iraq, the shock value of chopping off heads and leaving the bodies on display, as powerful in Mexico as it was on the streets of Baghdad or Mosul or Falluja.

But when I went to Mexico, what I discovered was even more disturbing, as unsettling as the savage nature of the violence is to anyone.

It’s not as dramatic, but just as dangerous. And it was explained to me like this:

Mexico has two economies – the legal economy and the illegal one. The problem is that Mexico’s illegal economy, (fueled by drug trafficking) is worth billions – far more than the legal economy.

And where you have two economies, you have two states, each with a ruling power. Those in charge of Mexico’s legal state, the officially elected government, are not as powerful as those in charge of Mexico’s illegal narco-state – the drug cartels.

Not only do the drug cartels enjoy vastly greater revenues and wealth than the government – they can choose how to spend their money with no regard to civil considerations. They do not have to worry about health care or education or the people that elected them. They spend only to ensure their hold on power continues. They serve only themselves.

Drug-related violence along the U.S.-Mexico border has spiked in recent months.

And one of the main ways in which they serve their own interests is weapons. The drug cartels are better armed, and better equipped than Mexico’s army and police.

So you have an illegal state co-existing with the official state, but it is more powerful, richer and vastly better armed, accountable to no one.

While the Mexican army stands accused of human rights abuses and Mexican police and officials are discredited by corruption, the drug cartels chop off people’s heads, murder and kidnap at will and dissolve people in acid … with no one to hold them to account.

Until Mexican President Felipe Calderon decided he was going to be the one to do this and has been using the army – and U.S. intelligence assets – to some effect against the cartels.

He has taken down some of their most powerful leaders. What remains to be seen is what it will take to bring down an entire cartel – if that is even possible. And how quickly leaders are being replaced, so far appears to limit the effectiveness of the government strategy.

The possibility remains that it will work over time, if the pressure is relentless … and if President Calderon survives.

But the Mexican war on drugs will never be won as long as the focus remains on weapons coming from the U.S. and nothing is done about the weapons flooding into Mexican ports from the black markets of Latin America, China and Russia.

Much is being made of the fact that the U.S. is supposedly responsible for 90 percent of the weapons fuelling Mexico’s drug war.

That is the official statistic being peddled by the Mexican government – their foreign minister, Patricia Espinosa, repeated it when I sat down to interview her the day before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, quoted the same statistic on her first official visit.

Hillary Clinton In Mexico:



The problem with that statistic is that it is only partially true.

There is a word missing – and that word is "traced."

The U.S. is responsible for over 90 percent of the traced firearms found in Mexico, but the vast majority of guns recovered in Mexico are not sent back to the U.S. to be traced because they are obviously made somewhere else.

Mexico is a virtual arms bazaar with weapons, like their illegal drugs, pouring into Mexican ports. And most importantly, the most powerful weapons like rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades and fully automatic assault weapons – are all illegal in the U.S. These are not weapons that can be bought over the counter in Texas and smuggled illegally into Mexico.

Yet these are the weapons being used to the most deadly effect by the drug cartels, these are the weapons that make them more of a force than the Mexican police and army – these are the weapons at the heart of the bloodshed threatening the legitimate state.

So while the U.S. is right to take responsibility for its part in the drug violence, the problem will not be resolved by looking solely to the U.S.

Mexican authorities have to look at their own ports, and the routes from the ports across their country to the U.S. border. The cocaine being smuggled into the U.S. across the Mexican border has often travelled across Mexico to get there. More effort needs to be made to stop it along the way.

And more attention needs to be given to the growing power of the narco-state that is using its influence to undermine the official state. Journalists have been paid (and threatened) to plant stories of human rights abuses by Mexican soldiers in the media. There is obviously a campaign underway to undermine the authority of the Mexican government – but less obvious, the campaign to undermine the government’s credibility.

This is what makes the legitimate Mexican state so vulnerable.

And it’s what makes Mexico’s drug problem even more urgent.

Joint City Council & Fillmore Unified School District Board Meeting Tonight

Fillmore Unified Board Room
627 Sespe Avenue

Fillmore, CA

6:30pm

Agenda Packet here (pdf file)

City Council to Discuss Ill-Effects of Measure 'I' Tonight

FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009
TOWNE THEATRE WALK THROUGH
338 Central Av.
5:30 P.M.
Council will then adjourn to:
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

Agenda here (pdf file)

***

Associated costs and damage control resulting from the passage of Measure ‘I’ this past November by Fillmore voters are expected to be discussed at tonight’s City Council Meeting, considering of course that Councilwoman Washburn comes prepared this time and Councilman Brooks decides not to skirt the issue. An initial estimate, according to last weeks city council meeting packet suggests that passage of Measure ‘I’ could presumably cost the city roughly $300,000 to pay for everything from new engineering studies to additional consulting fees, to say the least. In addition, this figure does not take into account legal ramifications and potential legal disputes from developers in the North Fillmore area that were retrospectively affected. There’s also a possibility that the city could face legal challenges from state housing regulators and low income housing advocates.

Passage of Measure ‘I’ reduced the number of housing units allowed to be developed within the North Fillmore specific plan area from 700 to 350 and greatly affects Fillmore’s current housing element. The original plan and vision for North Fillmore was specifically designed by the community and previous councils not only to comply with state regulatory housing requirements, but also took into account the housing needs of future generations. The original plan for North Fillmore was a product of more than a decade of local public input and numerous city meetings. Passage of Measure ‘I’ will require that our town’s housing element be modified and possibly made inconsistent with state housing requirements; This after Measure 'I' derailed a carefully crafted, not to mention very much compliant vision for the future.

Limiting development anywhere in the city could also potentially stall progression of our new city park at the corner of C and River Street, which is expected to be developed in phases and is highly dependant of developer impact fees for its completion.

It should be noted that Councilman Brooks, Councilwoman Washburn, and newly appointed Mayor Walker were strong supporters and promoters of Measure 'I' during last November's campaign season.

_________________________________________________________________
Watch or listen to tonight's meeting Live through the following sources:
Live TV: channel 10 (Fillmore, Bardsdale, Piru)
Live Radio: AM 1620
Live Streaming Internet: www.fillmoreca.com/broadcast.asx

Good News on Wall Street

TODAY

Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJI: ^DJI)
Index Value: 7,775.86
Trade Time: 4:02pm ET
Change: +497.48 (6.84%)
Prev Close: 7,278.38
Open: 7,279.25

Join The Community For The City Of Fillmore's Official Skate Park Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, March 21, 2009

The following article is made courtesy of Silverfishlongboarding.com
Written by MalakaiKingston
Friday, 13 March 2009

The City of Fillmore Ca will be celebrating the Grand Opening of the recently completed Fillmore Skate Park on March 21 from 11:00 to 4:00 PM. The schedule of events include the official ribbon cutting, introduction of professional riders, pro rider demonstration, swag raffles, live bands, In & Out Truck and recently added to the schedule of events is a special showing of “Lords of Dogtown” at the Towne Theater that evening.

Planned appearances by Tony Alva, Per Welinder, Jeff Tatum, Brad Edwards, Mike York, Sean Murphy, Michael Early, Skatelab, SK8 Mafia and Mary Osborne and the NHSSA Fillmore SK8 Team.

Performing live at the event is Tony Alva’s Band GFP, along with Ellavation taking the stage.

The event is sponsored by the following companies: Alva Skates, Pool King, Honey Skate Boards, Valley SK8, Khiro, Gravity Skateboards, Concrete Wave, Silverfishlongboarding.com, One Way Board Shop, TURF, Navigator Trucks, Deville Wheels, ABEC11, Powell, Grind King, Pacsun, AECOM, Land of Plenty Skateboard Foundation and FUELTV. Download the full flyer here.

Vendors will be present to show off their gear. FUELTV will be present to capture this event for their Weekend Update show.

Fillmore’s skate park was conceptually designed by Jeff “the original longboarder” Tatum, with Community Works Design taking Jeff’s ideas from vision to reality. California Skate Park constructed the park and did an outstanding job. The park is receiving high praise from pro skaters to beginners. Old school features like pool cooping and tile are incorporated into the bowl. First of it’s kind in a mini bowl with a metal rail and for the street addicts the Dominos section offers a multitude of lines.
It’s becoming a very common place to see legendary riders hitting the cooping in the pool or finding a new line in the flow area.

Looking back this has been an incredible project to be part of. In October of 2007 the city pulled out some faded dusty skate park plans. Being the father of a Street Luge and Jr. Downhill Speed boarder I had some association with people that know people. The original plans weren’t up to modern standards due to artificial limitation placed upon the designer. I asked Erik Basil, at the 2007 NorAMs, if he knew of anyone who could give me their opinion on what was being proposed. He referred me to Jeff Tatum. Jeff and I connected and I was able to bring him on board. We toured skate parks, held skater meetings, talked to local skaters and then he began to go to work. Crazy late night phone calls followed; “Steve, you won’t believe this idea I had man, just remember Dominos”. Thanks JT for calling me about pizza, I appreciate it. Little did I know? The city put JT and CWD together and the mind melt worked. In quick order the entire park was revamped into something that looked unique and totally skate able. We went from approximately 10,000 sq/ft to 22,000 sq/ft on the final design. The City Council supported the work and the project went out to bid. California Skate Park was awarded the contract and they got the ball rolling. In a few short months the park was completed. On December 17 Jeff Tatum and Michael Early were invited to skate the virgin park. They brought Tony Alva and a couple of his riders with them. I stood amazed at what these guys could do. After a good session Tony said “This Park is awesome. It’ll take a few trips up here to nail the bowl and learn all the lines in the flow area”. “The super smooth pool cooping and glass tile is a touch you don’t see in city parks anymore”. JT and Early just skated and smiled. We didn’t talk much that day. I took everyone out to dinner and that’s when Tony said “let me know when you’re going to do a grand opening, I’ll come and bring my band”. Under a heavy mist on December 21 2008 we opened the park during Christmas break. Santa came early to the skaters in Fillmore. On March 21 we’ll really get the party started with the Fillmore Skate Park Grand Opening Event.

This was one of the highlights of my public service as Mayor.

Other Fillmore trivia. Fillmore Middle School was the first school in California to introduce Skate Boarding into its Physical Education Program. David MacDonald says this is the only class where he gets 100% participation.
_______________________________________________________________________

Fillmore City Council Meeting, Tuesday Night, March 10, 2009

FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE "SPOOKY HALL episode 2"
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

Agenda (pdf)

Controversial Items include:

Item 4C.
Approving the Joint Powers Agreement for Creation and Operation of Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance.

Commentary: If I'm not mistaken, now former City Manager (Tom Ristau) and now former Special Projects Manager (Roy Payne) ended their nearly 20 year tenure as top Fillmore city officials with a balanced budget and a fiscal year reserve fund surplus of almost $2 million in the midst of the worst global economic crisis since the 1930's, right?. As for the above City of Fillmore Consent Calendar Item (4C), one really needs to ask themselves if we can really afford to be so generous, even when it comes to the most tempting of liberal agendas.
Lo and behold, I blame the Woodstock generation and the so called "green" worshipers of today for the utter disgrace that was the 2008 municipal electorate majority here in Fillmore that doomed this town to impending failure. For the record, I speak only on a local level, let's keep Obama and most modest liberals out of this. As a small community, we simply can't afford the ideologies behind 4C, at the moment. I recommend that we simply let the bigger, wealthier municipalities take charge, at least for now. Thanks.

Part of this agreement reads.. (click on image for larger picture size options)


Item 9A.
Implementation of Measure I - North Fillmore Area Initiative, Including Discussion of Required General Plan Amendments, Zoning Ordinance Amendments and Costs.

(click on image for larger picture size options)



Please visit www.fillmore.ca.com to see details of Table 2 Chart.




SO HOW DID YOU VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008?

FACT: A TOTAL OF 2,372 FILLMORIANS VOTED IN FAVOR (YES) OF MEASURE I

(Note: Measure I was strongly supported by newly elected council members Brooks, Washburn, and newly appointed Mayor Walker)

FACT: A TOTAL OF 1,796 FILLMORIANS VOTED AGAINST (NO) OF MEASURE I.

BTW, Congrats to our newly elected council members Brooks, Washburn, and newly appointed mayor Walker for their win and support of Measure I...

SO WHAT ARE THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR MAJORITY "YES" VOTES?

FISCAL IMPACTS:



God Help Us.

See for yourself by the following means...

Live TV: channel 10 (Fillmore, Bardsdale, Piru)
Live Radio: AM 1620
Live Streaming Internet: www.fillmoreca.com/broadcast.asx
_______________________________________________________________

Above 'photobucket' images copied and available to the public by visiting http://fillmoreca.com/

Hmm, Were Roy Payne and Tom Ristau Victims of "Best Small Town" Opportunistic Special Interests?

Fillmore Mayor Patti Walker said her own business, which provides horse-drawn carriages for special events, has benefited.

“It’s getting our name out there,” Walker said “Marketing is so hard and so expensive.”

Please read more regarding above quote as published in a March 3, 2009 Ventura County Star article Here.

At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Fillmore City Council, on a motion by first-term Councilman Jamey Brooks, voted 3-2 to review Ristau’s job performance at the council’s next meeting. Voting with Brooks were fellow first-term Council member Gayle Washburn and Mayor Patti Walker. Walker said the matter was subsequently pulled from the council’s agenda.

Also in January, Ristau clashed with new Fillmore City Clerk Clay Westling, who was elected in November. In a document filed with the council, Ristau said that Westling might be trying to “usurp” some of the city manager’s power.

Payne resigned after Walker, Brooks and Washburn voted to look into renegotiating his contract with the city.

Please read more regarding above quote as published in a March 4, 2009 Ventura County Star article Here.

Brooks and Washburn initially voted to terminate Payne’s contract, but the motion did not carry.
On Wednesday, Washburn said she had been concerned that the city had still been paying Payne a $2,000-a-month retainer even though he had completed the seven tasks outlined in his contract. Most of those tasks concerned management and analytical services for the city’s $32 million water recycling plant.
Payne, though, in his letter, accused Washburn, Walker and Brooks of taking “hypocritical stances.”

“According to Ms. Walker, my $2,000-a-month retainer fee at $125 per hour is exorbitant and a burden to the citizens of Fillmore,” Payne wrote. “Yet on the same agenda Ms. Walker approves two other contracts with consultant fees that range from $160 per hour to $200 per hour.”

Please read more regarding above quote as published in a February 5, 2009 Ventura County Star article Here.

I took a few photos of last night’s city council meeting. I stayed for a while, as long as I could stand it. Our new mayor, Patti Walker, and Councilman Brooks (especially Brooks) set quite a precedent for themselves. If this is the way city business will be conducted for the next 4 years, this city is headed over a cliff.

Thank God former Mayor Steve Conaway was reelected. Without his civility, common sense and experience Fillmore would be in big trouble – maybe it is now anyway.

I urge the residents of Fillmore to view the meeting on Channel 10 and witness the embarrassing pomposity, ignorance and arrogance of our new Councilman, Jamey Brooks. “I want...I want...I want...” he reiterated his demands like a grinning, mischievous three-year-old, or little Caesar. This, after serving in his new position less than an hour!

Conaway was correct in telling Brooks that, being new to the council, and unfamiliar with procedures, “It’s best to get your feet on the ground before you start running.” This, after Brooks demanded reports on “all written and unwritten
[you know, those secret ones] council procedures”. I clearly recall Brooks’ dramatic pre-election warning: “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Seems I’ve heard that before. I guess this was his first swing of the blade.

My advice: Don’t cut yourself with that thing, Jamey.

Fillmore has elected two new members to its council. With now Mayor Walker a true agenda unfolds: fire experienced staff (especially former City Manager Roy Payne), and fool around with successful, on-going projects like the treatment plant and business park.

The Katzenjammer Kids have taken over city hall!

Above Editorial By Martin Farrell — Wednesday, December 10th, 2008, The Fillmore Gazette

The 2009 California Budget Deal: The Basics

Rooted by the subprime mortgage crisis and the economic crisis of 2008; on Thursday, February 19, 2009, California state lawmakers finally passed our state's 2009 - 2010 fiscal budget worth $130 billion which closes a $41 billion deficit through 2010.

On February 21, 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state budget into law.

The 33 bills signed into law include:

• $15 billion in spending cuts. Including schools.
• $11.4 billion in new borrowing.
• $12.8 billion in new taxes.
• $2 billion from federal stimulus funds from President Obama’s stimulus package.
  

The budget calls for temporarily raising the state sales tax, starting April 1, by 1 cent on the dollar. In addition, the budget calls for doubling the state vehicle license fee to 1.15% of the vehicle's value and increasing personal income tax rates by 0.25 of a percentage point. An average family of four with an annual income of $75,000 could pay about $963 more a year in taxes. If that wasn't enough, the amount of Dependent tax credit that taxpayers can claim would be reduced by $210. Schools and community colleges, which account for nearly half of all state spending are among those to take the biggest hits. At state colleges and universities, where tuition has been steadily rising for years, students could see a 9 percent increase in tuition.

The Good News?

*A 12-cent-per-gallon increase in gasoline taxes that was initially part of the package was eliminated. It was replaced with federal economic stimulus money. Thank You Obama. ;)

*$1 billion in tax breaks for businesses. They include tax credits for film companies that keep their productions in California and small businesses that hire new employees.

*A provision allocating state funds for a $10,000 tax credit for home buyers that purchase a new home between March 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010.
(Important Note: After 10,000 new homes are purchased, the credit is gone. In January 2009, an estimated 29,000 new and resale houses were sold statewide; if you want the incentive, you probably won’t want to wait long. Below are some additional details about the tax credit.)

1. The $10,000 tax credit is not a loan and if the home remains your primary residence for 2-years, you do not have to pay any portion of the tax credit back.
2. The tax credit is for new homes only. The construction of a new home generates more tax revenues than the $10,000 tax credit will cost, so the credit is limited to the purchase of new homes. You will not qualify for the state tax credit if you buy an existing home.
   

You Decide

California residents will have their say about approving some of the budget details in a special statewide referendum to be held on May 19, 2009

The special election was authorized as a part of the budget which was signed into law on February 19, 2009. Voters will vote on six ballot propositions as follows:

Proposition 1A
"Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization Fund.
According to the Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Proposition 1A:

"Reforms the budget process. Limits future deficits and overspending by increasing the size of the state "rainy day" fund and requiring above-average revenues to be deposited into it, for use during economic downturns. Fiscal Impact: Higher state tax revenues of roughly $16 billion from 2010-11 through 2012-13. Over time, increased amount of money in state rainy day reserve and potentially less ups and downs in state spending."

Proposition 1B
Education Funding. Payment Plan.
According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1B:

"Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget crisis. Fiscal Impact: Potential state savings of up to several billion dollars in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Potential state costs of billions of dollars annually thereafter."

Proposition 1C
Lottery Modernization Act.
According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1C:

"Allows the state lottery to be modernized to improve its performance with increased payouts, improved marketing, and effective management. Requires the state to maintain ownership of the lottery and authorizes additional accountability measures. Protects funding levels for schools currently provided by lottery revenues. Increased lottery revenues will be used to address current budget deficit and reduce the need for additional tax increases and cuts to state programs. Fiscal Impact: Allows $5 billion of borrowing from future lottery profits to help balance the 2009-10 state budget. Debt-services payments on this borrowing and higher payments to education would likely make it more difficult to balance future state budgets."

Proposition 1D
Children's Services Funding
According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1D:

"Temporarily provides greater flexibility in funding to preserve health and human services for young children while helping balance the state budget in a difficult economy. Fiscal Impact: State General Fund savings of up to $608 million in 2009-10 and $268 million annually from 2010-11 though 2013-14. Corresponding reductions in funding for early childhood development programs provided by the California Children and Families Program."

Proposition 1E
Mental Health Funding Budget.
According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1E:

"Helps balance the state budget and preserve funding for children's mental health services by providing temporary flexibility in the Mental Health Services Act to fund the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program for children. Fiscal Impact: State General Fund savings of about $230 million annually for two years (2009-10 and 2010-11). Corresponding reduction in funding available for Mental Health Services Act programs."

Proposition 1F
Elected Officials' Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years.
According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1F:

"Encourages balanced state budgets by preventing elected Members of the Legislature and statewide constitutional officers, including the Governor, from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit. Directs the Director of Finance to determine whether a given year is a deficit year. Prevents the Citizen Compensation Commission from increasing elected officials' salaries in years when the state Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties is in the negative by an amount equal to or greater than one percent of the General Fund. Fiscal Impact: Minor state savings related to elected officials' salaries in some cases when the state is expected to end the year with a budget deficit."

For additional information, please visit - State of California - Official Voter Information Guide.
More to come. Stay Tuned.

First Annual Fillmore Blog Awards

Fillmore City Council Meeting

FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE "SPOOKY HALL"
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

Agenda (pdf)

Live TV: channel 10 (Fillmore, Bardsdale, Piru)
Live Radio: AM 1620
Live Streaming Internet: www.fillmoreca.com/broadcast.asx

The Beginning of the End

President Barack Obama signed into law today a $787 billion stimulus package which includes funds for infrastructure and school investments, along with tax cuts. The package is also geared towards saving or creating 3.5 million jobs nationwide. President Obama told an audience in Denver Colorado today that part of the plan is to put Americans back to work in such areas as roads and rail infrastructure. President Obama also said today: "I don't want to pretend that today marks the end of our economic problems, nor does it constitute all of what we're going to have to do to turn our economy around, but today does mark the beginning of the end."

The approved version of the plan is split into 36% for tax cuts and 64% percent in spending and money for social programs.

So where is my tax money going?
(in billions of dollars)

Above graph courtesy of www.recovery.gov

Here are some of the major tax provisions in the bill:

FOR WORKERS, CONSUMERS AND RETIREES

* A "making work pay" refundable tax credit championed by Obama of up to $400 per individual and $800 for couples in 2009 and 2010. It is calculated at a rate of 6.2 percent of earned income and is phased out for individuals with adjusted incomes over $75,000 and couples with incomes over $150,000.

* A one-time payment of $250 to Social Security beneficiaries, railroad retirees and veterans receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. State government retirees not eligible for Social Security would also get the $250 payment.

* Increases the earned income tax credit for low-income workers with three or more children.

* Increases eligibility for the refundable child tax credit to more low-income workers. The bill reduces the income floor to $3,000 in 2009 and 2010 from the current floor of $8,500.

* A new $2,500 tax credit for college education expenses. The credit phases out for individuals earning more than $80,000 and couples with incomes over $160,000.

* An $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers for homes purchased between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2009. The tax credit phases out for individuals earning more than $75,000 and couples earning more than $150,000.

* Temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax for millions of middle-class taxpayers who otherwise would be ensnared by the tax originally meant for the very wealthy.


FOR BUSINESSES

* Small businesses with gross receipts of up to $15 million can write off 2008 losses against five previous tax years. Current laws allows a two-year carryback of losses.

Businesses will also be allowed to immediately write off more of their investments in computers and other equipment.

* Businesses that repurchase debt at a lower amount than when it was issued will be able to defer taxes on it. Usually reduced or canceled debt is treated as income and taxed. The break applies to debt repurchased adjusted after Dec. 31, 2008, and before Jan. 1, 2011.

* A tax break on capital gains from the sale of stock held in a small business for more than five years.

* The bill raises about $7 billion in revenues by repealing a Treasury Department decision last year to liberalize rules that were intended to prevent companies in a merger from taking huge tax breaks on losses of firms they were acquiring.

* Creates a new category of tax-preferred bonds for investment in economic recovery zones for job training, education and economic development.

* Creates a new category of tax-preferred bonds for the construction, and repair of public schools and the purchase of land for schools.

* Creates a federal subsidy for state and local governments offering bonds that give investors credits against their federal taxes in place of interest payments.


FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

* Extends tax breaks for wind facilities and other renewable energy facilities and provides other tax incentives to encourage development of renewable energy facilities.

* Authorizes an additional $1.6 billion of new clean renewable energy bonds as well as $2.4 billion of energy conservation bonds to finance state and local government projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

* Extends tax credits for energy-efficient improvements to existing homes.

* Provides a tax credit for purchase of "plug-in" electric vehicles of at least $2,500. The credit is increased depending on the battery capacity of the car purchased.

* Provides a new 30 percent investment tax credit for facilities engaged in producing renewable energy technology and conservation.


FOR CALIFORNIA SPECIFIC

* Secure or create about 396,000 jobs

* $2.6 billion in emergency highway funds to rebuild roads and bridges. The money also would pay for some rail and port infrastructure projects

* $1.1 billion for mass transit

* $4.6 billion for local school districts and public colleges and universities

* 12.4 million workers and their families get a tax credit of up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples.

Above information under caption "Here are some of the major tax provisions in the bill:" courtesy of flettexchange.com and uk.reuters.com.

Poll Results: Bloggers weigh in on whether or not a public prayer prior to start of City Council meetings is a good idea

Question: Should the City of Fillmore become the 2nd Ventura County City to have a nonsectarian prayer said publicly before every City Council Meeting?

Results:

Yes, enough said -------------- 5 (20%)

No, enough said --------------- 9 (37%)

Yes, but only
to Jesus Christ ----------------- 2 (8%)

No, political and legal
doctrine specify that
government and religious
institutions are to
be kept separate
and independent
from each other ---------------- 8 (33%)

Totals:

• 24 voters
• 7 Yes votes or 28%
• 17 No votes or 70%
  

Public Poll was conducted on www.justfillmore.blogspot.com courtesy of www.blogger.com from 02-09-09 through 02-16-09. Blogger polls were enabled to allow only 1 vote per participant IP address.

Fillmore City Council Meeting, Tuesday February 10, 2009

FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

Full Agenda Here (pdf)

Fillmore City Council Meetings can be followed LIVE through the following sources:

Live TV: channel 10 (Fillmore, Bardsdale, Piru)
Live Radio: AM 1620
Live Streaming Internet: www.fillmoreca.com/broadcast.asx