Youth organizations strengthen
There is a considerable youth movement happening at United Way organizations up and down the region — and that’s a welcome sign. Until just a few years ago, United Way groups were getting more and more dependent on two groups of supporters — large corporate employers and wealthy individuals, typically retirees who often were the Read More →
Port of Hueneme fee a slam on small business
Here’s something that really TWICs us off. Very soon, the Department of Homeland Security will require all vendors at the Port of Hueneme and all of Southern California’s ports to have a special security pass. This pass, known as a TWIC [Transportation Workers Identification Credential], will be mandatory for truck drivers, vending machine re-fillers and Read More →
Honoring fallen heroes
Security is at the very root of any functioning economic system. And it pains us to see our law enforcement agencies under so much stress. In Oakland, four police officers have died in the line of duty, after a routine traffic stop turned into a shooting spree. In our region, the streets are becoming more Read More →
If everyone bought local, who would buy our stuff?
We’re all in favor of local communities showcasing their products and encouraging chamber of commerce members to do business with each other. But we’d add a strong cautionary note to the proliferation of “buy local” initiatives that are cropping up across the Tri-Counties. Buy local has a nice ring to it. It’s meant to encourage Read More →
Charter: You are the weakest link
Once again, Charter Communications has demonstrated that it remains the weakest of links in a chain of balkanized cable operations in our region. The St. Louis-based company, controlled by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is headed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after skipping a debt payment amid a $1.5 billion loss for the fourth quarter. Charter, which Read More →
Stem cell research advances business
The Obama administration’s decision to open the door to federal funding for embryonic stem cell research has long-term benefits for the region. Already, University of California, Santa Barbara, researchers have indicated they will receive millions of dollars in funding for new therapies. These will give a boost to some early-stage projects that are the direct Read More →
TARP wears out welcome
There’s a range war happening in the West over the government’s draconian demands on local banks in return for TARP funding. Already, large banks such as Northern Trust and Wells Fargo have indicated they would like to give the money back. Smaller banks as well have put the government on notice that restrictions on pay, Read More →
