A LOOK BACK

THE YEAR IN REVIEW



MOMENTS IN TIME—Above, council members momentarily set aside their di.erences to share smiles during the city’s 50th anniversary celebration Oct. 12. Acornfile photos

MOMENTS IN TIME—Above, council members momentarily set aside their differences to share smiles during the city’s 50th anniversary celebration Oct. 12. Acorn file photos

City Council drama dominated Simi Valley headlines in 2019 

This past year was a momentous one for Simi Valley, with the city celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding on Oct. 10, 1969.

Over the last 12 months, the community has faced myriad challenges—dissension at City Hall brought on by clashing political views, the continued fight to clean up contamination at Santa Susana Field Lab, a fast-moving fire that threatened Reagan Library, and the sudden resignation of Rep. Katie Hill, who became embroiled in a scandal that drew national attention.

But residents also got to see the softer, kinder side of their neighbors. They came together to remember and honor the Borderline 12 and to care for one another in times of need—some with individual acts of kindness and others through programs and fundraisers hosted by the many nonprofit organizations that call Simi Valley home.

Take a look back at some of the more memorable stories of 2019.

City Council Whirlwind

Ventura resident Robert O’Riley, left, a supporter of Councilmember Ruth Luevanos, argues with John Willis, who came to oppose the councilwoman’s views on immigration during a heated council meeting July 29. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/Acorn Newspapers

Ventura resident Robert O’Riley, left, a supporter of Councilmember Ruth Luevanos, argues with John Willis, who came to oppose the councilwoman’s views on immigration during a heated council meeting July 29. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/Acorn Newspapers

With Keith Mashburn’s election to mayor in November 2018, his seat on the dais was left vacant and the newly seated council—which included returning members Dee Dee Cavanaugh and Mike Judge, and newcomer Ruth Luevanos— was tasked with filling the position. In February, Elaine Litster was appointed to finish the remaining two years of Mashburn’s term.

February also brought a time of transition when City Manager Eric Levitt announced he was leaving his position. Brian Gabler, a more than 30-year city employee, was named the interim in March. The council continues its search for a permanent city manager.

Following a six-month vacancy, the role of environmental services director was awarded to Kathleen Mallory in May. But the decision, made by Gabler, came under scrutiny by the City Council, which established new rules for general hiring practices. Mallory ultimately declined to take the job and opted to stay with the City of Oxnard.

Simi resident Wayne Smith, a Vietnam veteran who said he was exposed to Agent Orange, urges the council to stop the construction of 5G wireless towers in residential areas during an April 8 meeting.

Simi resident Wayne Smith, a Vietnam veteran who said he was exposed to Agent Orange, urges the council to stop the construction of 5G wireless towers in residential areas during an April 8 meeting.

Decisions at the dais seemed to be business as usual, until Luevanos posted a video on social media in July to advise people of their rights when it comes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Critics felt the council member violated the city’s code of ethics and encouraged illegal immigrants to break the law. Some also contended she lied about an alleged raid in Simi Valley.

ATTENTIVE — Embattled Simi Valley City Council member Ruth Luevanos listens to public comments during a July 29 council meeting. Acorn file photos

ATTENTIVE — Embattled Simi Valley City Council member Ruth Luevanos listens to public comments during a July 29 council meeting. Acorn file photos

The controversy led to several hours-long and heated meetings where residents on both sides of the issue voiced their thoughts about Luevanos’ statements and actions. A recall effort was launched to remove her from the dais.

Through it all, Luevanos has maintained that she was simply informing residents of their rights. She has declined to apologize for her actions, like many community members called on her to do.

In an effort to move past differences, the council voted 4-1 in September to reaffirm certain items in the code of ethics they each signed when taking office and agreed to adhere to those conditions in particular, moving forward. But Luevanos dissented. She said at a later meeting that the motion was confusing and had it been a vote to reaffirm the entire code, she would’ve voted yes.

Despite the tension at the dais, members have made a number of important decisions this year.

WELCOME—Elaine Litster, left, appointed tofill Keith Mashburn’s vacant seat on the Simi Valley City Council, is congratulated by fellow council members after being sworn in Feb. 11.

WELCOME—Elaine Litster, left, appointed to fill Keith Mashburn’s vacant seat on the Simi Valley City Council, is congratulated by fellow council members after being sworn in Feb. 11.

They approved body cams for police and voted to start the process of looking into a pension obligation bond to help cover the city’s unfunded pension liabilities, a figure that sits around $158 million in total. The first step was to file for judicial validation with the Ventura County Superior Court, which is needed whether or not they decide to pursue a bond.

In October, news of a human resources complaint allegedly filed by Luevanos surfaced. The complaint supposedly was against Mashburn, Judge and Cavanaugh.

The persisting divisions on the council flared up again in October when Mashburn halted the appointment of Leanna Brand, who was nominated to serve on the Simi Valley Arts Council. After a lengthy discussion, the council voted 4-1—with Luevanos dissenting—to deny Brand’s appointment on account of her behavior at council meetings and on social media.

Then in December, Luevanos was denied the opportunity to serve as mayor pro tem when some council members questioned her experience and actions during the year. She was next in line in the rotation, but Judge was appointed after Luevanos’ attempt to nominate herself for the role failed.

Traffic and Safety

TRAGIC CRASH—A 38-year-old man was killed after the motorcycle he was riding hit a passenger car in the 2900 block of Texas Avenue on April 6 in Simi Valley. The driver of the car was transported to a local hospital after being briefly trapped in the car.

TRAGIC CRASH—A 38-year-old man was killed after the motorcycle he was riding hit a passenger car in the 2900 block of Texas Avenue on April 6 in Simi Valley. The driver of the car was transported to a local hospital after being briefly trapped in the car.

Pedestrian safety was a key concern in 2019, starting in January when Raquel Lantin Asperas was struck and killed by a car while walking through the parking lot near Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center.

In March, Gerald Munyon Jr., a local man without a home, was sleeping in an alleyway behind The Egg House when a vehicle ran over him. Munyon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Then, in May, Kody San Martin, a Simi Valley High School freshman, was gravely injured when he was struck by a car while he was riding his skateboard to school.

The accident near a school followed two incidents in 2018 involving crossing guards: Robert Belanger was seriously hurt in front of Madera Elementary School as he pushed a woman out of the way of an oncoming vehicle in October; and Susan Mary Burk died when she was hit by one of three cars involved in a collision near Arroyo Elementary School.

In an effort to improve pedestrian safety, the City Council, in May, approved $72,000 in upgrades for 12 intersections near schools.

There were also a multitude of collisions on local roads in 2019, some of which resulted in fatalities.

In April, Jason Char was killed when his motorcycle was broadsided by a car in the 2900 block of Texas Avenue.

Two more fatal crashes occurred during the fall.

In October, Joshua Santisteban, 22, was killed when the truck he was driving hit a tree. His front seat passenger, a 15-year-old Simi boy, also died. Two other boys, 17 and 18, and a 16-year-old girl sustained major injuries; a 14-year-old girl suffered minor injuries.

In December, Nicole Segura, 20, of Simi was killed when the car she was riding in crashed into a house. The two passengers, a 22-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were critically injured. The man had been ejected from the car.

Development

More than a dozen proposed residential and commercial developments were reviewed by the planning commission and the City Council, including a single-room occupancy apartment building; a four-story residential complex with retail space; and a handful of senior and assisted living facilities.

In January, the council denied a developer’s plans to build a two-story, 72-bed residential care facility on about 3 acres of a nearly 32-acre parcel at 1066 Country Club Drive. The Wood Ranch property remained zoned for agricultural use.

OPENING DAY—Below, over 250 people camped outside the new Chick-fil-A in Simi Valley on Feb. 20 for a chance to win free food for a year during a grand opening celebration. One hundred people were selected to win 52 free meals. MICHAEL COONS Acorn Newspapers

OPENING DAY—Below, over 250 people camped outside the new Chick-fil-A in Simi Valley on Feb. 20 for a chance to win free food for a year during a grand opening celebration. One hundred people were selected to win 52 free meals. MICHAEL COONS Acorn Newspapers

In May, the council gave the green light to a developer looking to build and operate a 357-unit residential care facility on a roughly 21-acre vacant parcel located at Tapo Canyon Road and Guardian Street. The project for seniors 62 years and older calls for a mix of independent living and memory care units.

Another developer’s proposal to construct a senior townhome complex was later denied in August by the council. The project called for a two-story, 51-unit building on a roughly 12.6-acre vacant site at Lemon Drive and Walnut Street.

Tapo Lofts, a complex comprised of two three-story buildings with 62 small dwellings on two vacant strips of land at 2225 and 2239 Tapo Street, was approved in November by the planning commission. The housing project is the first of its kind in the city.

In December, the council approved plans to raze the 270,000-square-foot building that formerly housed Farmers Insurance at 3041 Cochran St. and replace it with The Enclave, a residential development with 106 single-family homes, 58 town homes and a 6,000-square-feet retail center.

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW—An overhead view of the Simi Valley Town Center mall looking east. PATRICK GARRETT/Acorn Newspapers

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW—An overhead view of the Simi Valley Town Center mall looking east. PATRICK GARRETT/Acorn Newspapers

Also this month, the planning commission recommended denial of a proposed four-story, 278-unit apartment complex, which would take over most of the 7-acre Belwood Center at the corner of Tapo and Alamo streets. The project now goes to the council for a final vote.

Overseeing the design of all these projects, and more, is Stratis Perros, who was named the new environmental services director early this fall.

Business

The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce didn’t have to look far to find a new leader after Rana Ghadban resigned in December 2018.

Longtime Simi Valley resident Kathi Van Etten was named president/CEO for the business advocacy group in January.

Under her leadership, the chamber became the lead agency to host the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, which was formerly run by the Rotary Club.

As for the retail sector, a number of eateries and businesses opened and closed in 2019.

New restaurants include Chickfil-A and Black Bear Diner. German grocer Aldi opened a second location in town at Griffin Plaza at Tapo Canyon Road and Cochran Street, where the whole plaza is undergoing renovations to include an assisted living facility.

Other openings in town include Bombshell Beauty Bar, Abili-Barre, Adjustments Family Services, and Jewel Time.

The final curtain fell on Simi Valley 10 Cinemas, better known as the three-dollar theater, in early December due to leasing disagreements between the landlord and Tristone Cinemas, the theater’s parent company. About 30 people lost their jobs.

The long-awaited Mad Era Brewery is still under construction. There was a temporary setback when the plumbing had to be entirely redone. Another long-anticipated business, Boot Barn, is set to open in mid-January.

Change is also afoot at the Simi Valley Town Center, which faced foreclosure in early 2019, and except for the Macy’s buildings that flank the mall, is now owned by Bayside SVTC, a limited liability firm. Festival Companies manages the property, which is undergoing some upgrades. New tenants in 2019 include NinjaToons and Womack’s Baseball Academy.

CAUTION— Above, warning signs at Santa Susana Field Lab.

CAUTION— Above, warning signs at Santa Susana Field Lab.

Santa Susana Field Lab

The decades-long fight to clean up the field lab in the Simi Hills continued this year, starting with the January release of the U.S. Department of Energy’s plans to address contamination on its portion of the 2,850-acre site. But the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, which oversees the cleanup of the entire property, accused the DOE of reneging on previous promises.

In February, Sen. Henry Stern (D-Agoura Hills) introduced Senate Bill 633 that seeks to have the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment develop and implement a monitoring program by July 2020 to collect data on contaminants from the field lab that could potentially migrate off-site. The bill is currently making its way through the Assembly and, if passed, would need Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature for it to become law.

In March, NASA released a report questioning the feasibility of current requirements that would require soil to be cleaned up to a level before anything was built on the property.

Cleanup questions aside, SSFL reached the 60th anniversary of the partial nuclear meltdown of a sodium reactor there in July 1959. Nearly 200 people gathered to raise awareness about the meltdown and call for action to clean up the site.

Then in September, at the request of Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry toured SSFL to get an update on what’s been going on at the site. The DOE then released the first of possibly three documents outlining proposals to demolish and remove 13 of the remaining structures on its part of the property.

Cleanup activists and the agencies responsible for remediation remain at odds, and it was no different in November when a meeting held by NASA to get community input on a recently released environmental impact study ended with Dan Hirsch being ousted from the event. Hirsch is the president of the nonprofit nuclear policy organization Committee to Bridge the Gap.

In December, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to NASA demanding the agency adhere to previous agreements for full cleanup at SSFL.

CA-25 Scandal

SWIFT EXIT— Democrat Katie Hill, who was elected to represent California’s 25th District in Congress last year, resigned suddenly in October after scandalous photos were published by a local conservative online outlet.

SWIFT EXIT— Democrat Katie Hill, who was elected to represent California’s 25th District in Congress last year, resigned suddenly in October after scandalous photos were published by a local conservative online outlet.

Katie Hill was deemed the Democratic party’s rising star when she was elected to represent the 25th Congressional District in the November 2018 election, unseating Steve Knight, a Republican who had held the position for two terms.

In October, photos and allegations posted on the right-leaning website RedState.com forced Hill’s political career down a path the 32-year-old said she didn’t see coming. The article detailed the freshman representative’s three-way relationship with her estranged husband, Kenny Heslep, and a female member of her campaign team.

While Hill doesn’t deny the relationship with her former staff member, she denied allegations that she had inappropriate relations with Graham Kelly, her legislative director.

Those accusations led to an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. And in the midst of it all, Hill resigned from her post, leaving her seat vacant.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special election, and now 25th District constituents will be tasked with making two votes during the March 3, 2020 primary: one to elect a representative to fill the remainder of Hill’s term; and another to decide the top two vote-getters who will face off for the seat in the general election in November 2020.

The race has so far brought forth at least 20 candidates interested in the seat.

Community, Recovery 

IN THE NEWS— Above, Linda Ordonez moves her horses during the Easyfire on Oct. 30.

IN THE NEWS— Above, Linda Ordonez moves her horses during the Easy fire on Oct. 30.

2019 was a year of recovery and coming together in Simi Valley.

The scars of the 2018 Borderline shooting and Woolsey fire began to heal, and residents came together like never before to support one another.

Three of the 12 Borderline victims were Simi residents: Sean Adler, Kristina Morisette and Noel Sparks. And countless survivors of the horrific shooting at the popular country music nightclub in Thousand Oaks came from here.

Not even a day after the Borderline shooting, the Woolsey fire ignited and burned more than 96,000 acres, including land owned by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and parts of the Santa Susana Field Lab.

The fire started near a power substation owned by Southern California Edison on the SSFL property. In November, SCE agreed to pay more than $360 million to 23 public entities related to recent fires attributed to its equipment, including $4.1 million to RSRPD.

On Oct. 30, the Easy fire broke out in the western end of town and roared toward the Reagan Library.

At one point, the flames came within 50 feet of the Air Force One Pavilion parking lot, damaging a box containing networking equipment and burning some of the banners along Presidential Drive—resulting in about $500,000 in damage—but the library was safe.

Two homes belonging to the Casas Rodriguez family on Tierra Rejada Road were lost to the blaze, which ultimately charred 1,860 acres and injured three firefighters.

Because of the Woolsey fire a year earlier, firefighters said they were more prepared to fight this year’s blaze and had more mutual aid ready to go.

Notable Cases

Two years after Craig Coley was exonerated for a double murder he didn’t commit, the former Simi resident received a $21 million settlement in February from the city for his wrongful conviction.

A similar case was filed against the County of Ventura, which rejected the claim and then filed its own claim against the City of Simi Valley in April seeking equitable indemnity, which is when multiple parties could be held liable for damages or injury caused.

Simi police arrested Coley in November 1978 for beating, raping and strangling Rhonda Hamilton Wicht, 24, and smothering her 4-year-old son, Donnie. In 1980, after two trials, Coley was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

He spent nearly 40 years in jail, until Simi Police Chief David Livingstone reviewed and reopened the investigation into the case. In November 2017, Coley was released from jail and pardoned by then-Gov. Jerry Brown.

Coley now speaks at evidence gathering and handling seminars to ensure what happened to him doesn’t happen to others. To date, no suspect has been apprehended.

In a separate case, a dispute between a mother and son at a home in Wood Ranch in November turned deadly when Michael John Cullen shot and killed his mother, Esperanza Guadalupe Cullen. After that incident, Michael Cullen shot the family dog, then himself.

Cemetery

The El Rancho Simi Pioneer Cemetery District board of trustees has been working to turn around the 128-year-old memorial park’s reputation following allegations of misburied remains and the mishandling of funds by a former cemetery manager.

As part of getting their finances in order, the cemetery district trustees asked the City Council to forgive a 30-year loan that was used to pay for improvements at the memorial grounds. While the council denied the request, they did agree to stop charging interest temporarily to come up with a solution to pay off the principal.

5G and Power Outages

In spring, the City Council approved an urgency ordinance addressing the deployment of fifth-generation, or 5G, wireless communication equipment in town, despite concerns of some residents who felt the new small cell towers were a threat to public health.

Faced with the possibility of having to pay out billions in damages from two massive wildfires started by its equipment, Southern California Edison implemented multiple public safety power shut-offs in Simi Valley, which resulted in school closures and inconveniences for many local residents and businesses.

P-35, a female cougar born in 2010, is suspected to have killed a dog this December in Simi Valley. Acorn file photo

P-35, a female cougar born in 2010, is suspected to have killed a dog this December in Simi Valley. Acorn file photo

Cougars

News about local mountain lions made headlines in July when Alfredo Gonzalez, an employee at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of the American Jewish University in Simi Valley, was arrested for shooting and killing a cougar at the camp. The Simi resident was convicted in October and ordered to spend one month in jail and complete 240 hours of community service at a local animal shelter.

Several other incidents involving big wildcats occurred.

Between Dec. 3 and 5, a cougar believed to be the 9-year-old female P-35, was seen near Cottonwood Drive, Evening Sky Drive, and Pawnee Court and Seneca Place. The incidents left one family’s dog wounded and a woman’s pet schnauzer dead.

Then on Dec. 5, a family east of Erringer Road, north of the 118 Freeway was awoken to a mountain lion killing a raccoon in their yard. The male puma was caught, collared, named P-79 and released back into the hills.

Throughout December, big cats continued to make appearances in town, killing several goats on the south side of the city.

On Campus

In January, Kareem Jubran took office as Simi Valley Unified School District’s newest school board trustee. Jubran, 33, was elected to the school district’s board of trustees in November 2018 alongside returning members Dawn Smollen and Scott Blough.

In a world where bullying is rampant and mass shootings have become too frequent, local school leaders endeavored to improve the educational experience through a philosophy called “social emotional learning” which not only seeks to educate kids academically in a nurturing and safe environment, but also strives to teach emotional awareness and confidence building.

The scholastic environment was apparently anything but safe for four students who, their guardians allege, were abused by their special education teacher, Christina Tonkin. The families filed lawsuits in May 2018 and the allegations came to light this past September.

The complaint alleges that Tonkin, who oversaw a moderate to-severe special needs day class for kindergarteners and first graders at Garden Grove Elementary, engaged in a pattern and habit of physical, verbal and emotional abuse. SVUSD officials denied allegations of a cover-up and Tonkin is no longer employed by the district. The former teacher’s attorney said the allegations are unfounded.

In November, more families came forward with the same accusations against Tonkin. The pending civil rights case has expanded to include at least 11 families, according to Ron Bamieh, the attorney who represents the families.

That same month, rumors of a possible threat of violence at Royal High School caused fear and anxiety for parents and students after the word spread on social media. The threat, which authorities determined was not credible, came just a week after a teen killed two students and injured three others during a shooting at Saugus High School.

The incident caused about 18% of the 2,100 Royal High students to stay home that day due to safety concerns.

The school community was rocked again on Dec. 16 when Bijan Nickroo II was arrested on suspicion of committing lewd acts with minors. Nickroo was a head lacrosse coach for boys, an assistant football coach and yard supervisor at Simi Valley High School.

The charges stem from allegations lodged by a 14-year-old SVHS student who told his parents about the interactions he allegedly had with Nickroo. The parents reported the information to police, who began investigating the matter.

Nickroo pleaded not guilty to one count each of oral copulation of a person under the age of 16, committing a lewd act on a child and arranging a meeting place with the intent to expose, all felonies. He is due back in court on Dec. 30.

HANG LOOSE—Simi residents Cyndy and Kalani Kauhi, and their 10- year-old granddaughter, Israella DeLaittre, recall the “flower child” era during the Simi Valley Historical Society’s Time Warp 1969 picnic in April. Acornflle photo

HANG LOOSE—Simi residents Cyndy and Kalani Kauhi, and their 10-year-old granddaughter, Israella DeLaittre, recall the “flower child” era during the Simi Valley Historical Society’s Time Warp 1969 picnic in April. Acorn file photo

Sherman Oaks resident Barbara Wilks tried crawfish for thefirst time at the Cajun and Blues Music Festival in May.

Sherman Oaks resident Barbara Wilks tried crawfish for the first time at the Cajun and Blues Music Festival in May.

Around Town

This year also brought change for several local nonprofit agencies and community events.

In March, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley was given a $450,000 grant—which will be split over three years—to help cover renovation costs for its new multi-services building. The nonprofit also received a $700,000 grant in July as part of the state’s budget to continue their work in the community.

Another longtime nonprofit, the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, had a change in leadership when Betty Eskey resigned as executive director in June after more than a decade at the helm. Chantel Zimmerman was named the new executive director, but left after a month. The position remains vacant.

The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise made the decision in August to put the Cajun & Blues Festival on hold after a 30-year stint. The club felt it was time to reassess the event and possibly refresh it.

In September, several large aquatic fossils were discovered in the local hills. The fossils were likely shaken loose by the earthquakes that rattled Ridgecrest in July. The fossils are now being analyzed at Cal State University, Chico.

WORLD OF COLOR—2019 was an exceptional year for wildflowers. Above poppies bloom in Corriganville Park. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

WORLD OF COLOR—2019 was an exceptional year for wildflowers. Above poppies bloom in Corriganville Park. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers