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City opens arms to small businesses
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Brajah Norris, director of the Small Business Assistance Center, right, speaks with Scott Hauge, president of Small Business California, left, and Rob Black at the opening of the Small Business Assistance Center.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Small-business owners burdened with the high costs of doing business in The City have a new aid to help them navigate the famously long and bureaucratic process of starting or expanding a company.
Advocates say The City has been a difficult location for small businesses to function because of its permit process and recent bottom-line additions such as paid sick leave, a higher minimum wage and a employer spending requirement for The City’s universal health care program.
On Monday — the beginning of Small Business Week in The City — Mayor Gavin Newsom, Treasurer Jose Cisneros and small-business community members cut the ribbon on a new one-stop assistance center located in City Hall.
Voters passed Proposition I last fall to create the Small Business Assistance Center and allocate $750,000 for its first year of operations. It will be staffed with case managers to assess individual businesses’ needs and offer one-on-one assistance in fulfilling them.
Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier said it was the beginning of the “reromancing” of small businesses in The City, something that was necessary for a segment of the market that employs 60 percent of employees in The City.
“The last few years have been really hard,” especially on restaurants, Alioto-Pier said. “The City does need to pay attention.”
Newsom said businesses are sometimes sent to a dozen departments and agencies to receive the appropriate permits.
“We have decided to try and get all of those other stops and incorporate them into that first and only, final stop,” he said.
Small-business advocates lauded the new assistance center, but said they are still struggling to have their voices heard in City Hall.
“It will help, but there are still problems that exist in San Francisco,” said Scott Hauge, president of Small Business California.
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Examiner Reader said:
Please do not bring from China contaminate MILK to our CHILDRENS!!!
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Examiner Non Reader said:
I never asked for the examiner, I don't want it and now it is showing up on my doorstep, this does not make me a "customer" or a "reader" all it makes me is annoyed and feeling harassed. Often there are three or more papers on my lawn and in the gutter outside my door. This is neither responsive nor responsible of the examiner, stop delivering it to people who don't sign up for it. Other papers like the washington post have accurate delivery, aggressive over marketing like this is just one more sign that this is a predatory sales circular masquerading as a "news"paper
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Matt said:
Christy Milton is the most beatuiful women I've ever seen in my life.
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Examiner Reader said:
i am a personal friend of roberts,have been for over 12years,this man has a huge heart,andby far isnt involved in drug money,for god sake the man doesnt even drink,he has a wonderful family and also watches over many,many families,and not to forget the endless things that you may see or may not see that he does for many people in need.ihave personally witnessed this man give and do soooooo much for people,and he doesnt even mention half of it.people shouldnt talk crap when this man is absolutely a great man,he has a strong personality and work ethic and if thats so bad i think you need to take a look at yourself and ask your self what have you done for anyone today?i know what his answer would be... j.d.
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Examiner Reader said:
Poeple who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it. Stop believing everything you hear in the US media. Use your minds and do your homework. All the hate spewed by the gop about Obama is bull. They're running scared because finally someone is challenging them on their record. Look at what's right in front of you McCain voted with bush 90% of the time last year and 100% this year.
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Examiner Reader said:
i dont think this is a good idea because where r the people going to go. they r tryin to destrot westport.for someone like me who have lived there and is from there is saddened by the fact that they r just selling us off like slaves. westport is good place i luv westportbut rite now its r.i.p to my hood. my whole family is from there. i hope somebody read this and i hope ms dixon do somethin about this
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Examiner Reader said:
i dont think this is a good idea because where r the people going to go. they r tryin to destrot westport.for someone like me who have lived there and is from there is saddened by the fact that they r just selling us off like slaves. westport is good place i luv westportbut rite now its r.i.p to my hood. my whole family is from there. i hope somebody read this and i hope ms dixon do somethin about this
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Examiner Reader said:
you forgot to mention that eastern motors was involved in money laundering.(dope money being used to buy expensive cars, how nice!! along with select auto imports, and eagle motors. so don't make it out to be a success story, when drug money is used.
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Examiner Reader said:
I work for Eastern motors myself and he has friends that work for him that are fake back stabbers they shake your hand but talk behind your back at the same time. I dont know Robert in person but Iwould hope that he is not this way but his friends that work for him are above the law meaning they can get a person fired any time they want even if they are wrong in a situation but that drives away hard workers maybe Robert should not have friends in top positions it can be mis leading and really not fair right is right wrong is wrong no matter if its Roberts friends or not.
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Examiner Reader said:
add to the list won,t pay his employees.he rude, he lies . he is a cheet and I know this because i worked for him. it seems like the rags.to riches store and it sounds good. but don,t be fooled
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Examiner Reader said:
That guy Robert is a smart mofo. Everyone knows Eastern Motors and they are all over the place! Gotta love that jingle! Go Easterns!
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Examiner Reader said:
Conscientious observer - you are an idiot and deserve what happened to you.
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Examiner Reader said:
Are there flights out of MacArthur Airport on Long Island New York to Washington Dulles
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Examiner Reader said:
I understand that we should not choose a President based on his religious beliefs,but tell me---how can we support a President in defending our country when he doesn"t even believe in pledging allegiance to it!!!!?????
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Examiner Reader said:
The Dewalt system is good for notification but the alarm only sounds for 20 seconds and shuts off. The alarm is not loud at all if it were in the middle of a large job site nobody would hear it.
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Makis said:
Nice!
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Examiner Reader said:
I can't believe Fort Monmouth has a bunch of whinos have they ever heard of commuting on the Acela from New Jersey every morning my guess is no.
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Examiner Reader said:
Ed Hale is a real inspiration. He's the perfect model of the American dream. LL Detroit
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