Citizen Feedback...

We recently conducted a random, anonymous mail-in poll in Fillmore. For those who responded - thank you. We had a very high response rate! We want to know what your concerns are. During the next several weeks we will be sharing some of these citizen comments for discussion.

We have not compiled the comments yet in rank order, but when we do will let you know what the most important issues are for the citizens.

What sticks out so far is that residents are starved for communication and an opportunity to be heard. Please feel free to comment on this board or call Gayle Washburn 524-7313 or Patti Walker at 524-2731 to let us know what is on your mind.

Here is a #1 priority for one citizen and their comment; "Job Opportunities: we need industrial jobs...something to keep workers in town!! Do you believe people moving in to town will shop here? Why should they when they work out of town!"

I agree with this writer. Fillmore has the highest commuter rate of any city in Ventura County. We are what they call "housing rich". We have a much higher housing ratio than job ratio. We are the bedroom community for other cities in Ventura County as well as Los Angeles County.

The City is currently planning the Southwest Business Park. I hope it doesn't turn out like Santa Paula's business park which has been struggling for years. We have a decent work force in Fillmore although I would like to see a more higher educated workforce. There have been attempts made to bring Ventura College to Santa Paula/Fillmore.

We hear that the price of housing keeps out high tech, clean businesses but it didn't keep them out of the Bay area.