‘92 POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE : How Business Views the Election

Name: William Blalark

Company: Exclusive Properties, Los Angeles, real estate brokerage firm in Leimert Park/Crenshaw area.

Position: Broker

Registration: Democrat

Q. Who will get your vote next Tuesday?

A. Unless he really blows it over the next few days, it’ll be Bill Clinton.

Q. Why?

A. Because Democrats tend to be more sensitive to the needs of the inner cities--jobs, education, drug prevention and affordable housing. They’re all linked together, and I think Clinton understands that better than the other candidates.

Q. What are the main issues facing your business?

A. Well, I’m in a tough position. I’m trying to sell homes and lease commercial space in an area that has been crippled by the civil unrest last spring. The (real estate) market was already hurting, and now it’s worse. We have to find ways to bring businesses back to this community and create more jobs. Forming “enterprise zones” and making it easier to get low-interest loans for small businesses would be a step in the right direction.

Q. You already mentioned the creation of enterprise zones, but what else can be done to get the economy moving again?

A. The key is improving the educational system. That means keeping kids in school and teaching them better. If we have to spend more money, that’s OK--but we have to make sure we spend it wisely.