SMALL GROWTH: Seems like every politician is...
SMALL GROWTH: Seems like every politician is rushing to defend small business these days. But since 1987, the number of small companies went up in Ventura County while big firms--those with 500 or more employees--fell from 45 to 23. . . . Even so, small business deserves attention, said Marc L. Charney, president of the Ventura County Economic Development Assn. “More and more of our economy will be based on small business,” he said. “A slight cost increase that could be absorbed by larger companies can be fatal to a small business.”. . . Irony: Many new small businesses were started by people laid off by big firms, he said.
NO PICNIC: The popular image of pool maintenance men has always been a bit glamorous--carefree, sun-bleached guys who routinely find romance on their back-yard rounds. Then there’s real life (E1). . . . “A lot of people think it’s an easy trade, but it’s complicated,” said Jim Reimers of CDS Pools in Newbury Park, who has spent 19 years in the business. “You have chemistry, electricity, plumbing.” And lots of competition: “A kid living at home with his parents can go out and underbid you.”. . . One advantage: With the technical know-how, you can start a pool service without a lot of money.
SEPTEMBER FEST: The Ventura County Fair still has five days to go (B1), but some people are already making plans for the county’s next big festival: Simi Valley Days. “It’s getting hectic,” said parade coordinator Jere Sinclair. . . . Events are scheduled throughout September, but the biggies--including the beauty pageant, carnival, parade and rodeo--occur between Sept. 11 and 19. . . . Eighty entries have signed up for the parade so far. Theme: Community Pride.
PANTHER POWER: Newbury Park’s Panthers won the Marmonte League championship last year on the arm of quarterback Keith Smith and the speed of his favorite target, Leodes Van Buren. This year, they return as the league’s dominant players (C8).
Small Business Grows
Small businesses--those with fewer than 50 employees--have steadily increased in Ventura County (In thousands). 1992: 15,963 Source: Ventura County Statistical Abstract
