Are we becoming a ghost town?

I was looking at the Housing Authority of Ventura County's section 8 rental housing list and was surprised to see that Fillmore has 67 properties listed for rent. More than double any other city.

We all recognize that the housing bubble has finally exploded but why would Fillmore be more affected than other cities?

Sewer Bills?

A year ago Mr. Eduardo Gonzalez told the City Council and Bert Rapp that Fillmore would become a "ghost town" because of the costs of the sewer plant. Many people, including myself, spoke out in opposition of the high cost of the plant as well as the huge increases we would be facing in operating and maintenance costs. We all pleaded for some reconsideration before going down this road. We will soon find out how much of our money we left on the table when Santa Paula's "apples to apples" bids are final.

Mayor Conaway and Mayor Pro-tem Cuevas didn't see it as too much of a problem. After all, we needed more growth and this sewer plant would provide for our future needs. That was the priority. If you couldn't pay your sewer bill, well the City would be able to lien your property for collection. There was also talk of contracting with a collection agency to handle all of the late and defaulted payments. I don't know if that has been implemented or not. Now I don't mean to be critical and have tried to be fair and respectful of their position but where is the accountability?

One of the more creative solutions from Ms. Cuevas was that since interest rates were coming down people would be able to refinance their homes(again). Friends, if you have to refinance your home to pay your sewer bill...I have no words...just sadness.

Overbuilding?

In spite of Vision 2020's stated goals of "slow, controlled growth", the opposite has been occurring. We've overbuilt. Fillmore's General Plan growth for 2020 is 37% higher than SCAG's(Southern California Association of Governments) projections.

I don't think you can just say that Fillmore vacancy rate is high because of the housing bubble. Santa Paula has only two Section 8 rentals. Wouldn't they be similarly affected by the housing bubble? Maybe the Fillmore tenants all moved to Santa Paula.

What is your take on these numbers?