SIMI VALLEY : Fees Waived to Benefit Officer’s Trust Fund

Organizers of events to raise money for the family of slain Simi Valley Police Officer Michael F. Clark won a victory Thursday when park officials agreed to waive about $600 in use fees.

The board voted to waive the fees for three events planned to help Clark’s widow, Jenifer, and the couple’s 6-month-old son, Bayley.

Clark was shot last month answering a call about an allegedly armed and suicidal man.

Events planned include a community bake sale at Rancho Tapo Community Park on Sept. 9, which would normally cost $115 in use fees; a picnic and silent auction at the same park on Oct. 14, also costing $115 in use fees; and possibly a country-Western dance at the Santa Susana Community Center, which carries use fees from $228 to $384. Plans for the Western event have not been finalized.

“We want every dollar from the fund-raiser to go to the trust fund,” said Darryl Arnold, who is organizing the picnic and silent auction.

Although he voted in favor of the fee waiver, board Chairman James Meredith said the district has been strapped for funds since 1992 when the state began cutting special district funding to make up its own budget deficits.

“It’s a noble cause,” he said. “But we cannot afford to keep giving these things away because it’s costing the people of our valley money.”

So far, $76,292 has been raised for the Michael Clark Trust Fund at Simi Valley Bank. And more than 100 Simi Valley municipal employees have donated an additional $19,200 worth of vacation and sick pay to the trust fund.