TRADE WARRIORS: The talk of a trade...
TRADE WARRIORS: The talk of a trade war and steep tariffs for Japanese auto imports has the folks at the Port of Hueneme feeling a little jittery. After all, auto imports--about two-thirds of them from Mazda and Mitsubishi factories in Japan--account for one-fifth of the cargo passing through the port. In terms of revenue, the cars provide the lion’s share of the money that the port makes. Higher tariffs could mean fewer imports and less revenue, spokesman Kam Quarles explains. “It’s a situation we’re monitoring very closely.”
MAGNETIC PULL: As a special effects executive producer, Robert Galvin can appreciate the Simi Valley school system’s plans for a magnet school combining performing arts and technology (B4). “My belief is kids don’t need a college degree. They need a specialty. They need a computer background” and an understanding of the technology, says Galvin, of Dream Quest Images. But as the father of Simi Valley schoolchildren, he’s worried about the cost “at a time when taxes are tight and budgets are tighter.”
SMOKIN’: Shunned by loved ones and banned by City Hall, cigar smokers in Ventura County are banding together to enjoy their forbidden pastime. The new Ventura Cigar Smokers Society hopes to hold its first event this summer (B1). It is, admittedly, an acquired taste. “We enjoy cigars like other people enjoy tasting fine wines and cognac,” said Larry Muro, who hosts local smoking functions.
THE NAME GAME: San Francisco residents sneer when visitors refer to “Frisco.” So why should anyone shorten the lyrical San Buenaventura to simply Ventura? Leading the charge for change, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has put San Buenaventura back into its name and is urging residents to start calling the city by its historic--and official--name. “With the renaissance downtown . . . this would be a nice way of reaching back to our heritage,” said chamber President Jim Friedman. Plus he hopes that San Buenaventura will appeal to tourists.
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Port Shipments
The Port of Hueneme is expected to ship 690,000 revenue tons of cargo in and out of the port in the fiscal year ending June 30.
Projected totals in revenue tons Exports Citrus: 370,000 Imports Bananas: 110,000 Woodpulp: 60,000 Automobiles: 150,000
