BIG BUCKS: Several Ventura County cities are...

BIG BUCKS: Several Ventura County cities are finally shaking off the effects of prolonged recession, ringing up some of their best sales in years. . . . Even in communities where sales continue to drag, city leaders say the economy has started to release its stranglehold. . . . Taxable sales in Santa Paula, for example, continue to decline. “But things are looking better,” said Ken Cott, the city’s economic development coordinator. “We have several projects in the fire right now that could very well turn things around for Santa Paula.”

WE’RE NO. 1: Speaking of money: Ventura County has been ranked tops in an audit of California’s 14 most populous counties when it comes to financial health (B1). . . . The audit, prepared by an independent auditor, was released last week. Funny thing is, the county also ranked first last year and didn’t even know it. . . . “I’d like to have a big party, but of course we won’t pay for that with county money,” said Thomas Mahon, the county’s auditor-controller.

CRIME FIGHTERS: Once again, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks have been ranked among the safest big cities in the nation. And Ventura County leaders don’t want that to change. . . . Assemblyman Nao Takasugi on Friday will host a “Youth Crime Summit” in Thousand Oaks. A communitywide crime symposium will be held the next day at Westlake High School. . . . “At his last town hall meeting, the assemblyman said we are real lucky to have the lowest crime rate,” said Jaylene Hobrecht, Takasugi spokeswoman. “And he wants to keep it that way.”

GOOD TIMING: As Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization sign a long-awaited peace accord Wednesday, PLO official Afif Salieh will arrive in Ventura County to discuss the Middle East peace process. . . . Safieh, who will deliver an address to the World Affairs Council of Ventura County, actually was booked weeks before the peace pact was hammered out. . . . “The timing couldn’t get any better,” council spokesman Tom Jolicoeur said.

Taxable Sales

Dollars spent on all taxable items for the third quarter of 1993: Dollars in Millions Thousand Oaks: $302.1 Ventura: $300.3 Oxnard: $260.3 Simi Valley: $157.0 Camarillo: $85.8 Santa Paula: $27.1 Source: State Board of Equalization