| More vets try to own businesses
A two-day Gateway to Government Contracting conference at the Antlers Hilton Hotel drew businesses from across Colorado and neighboring states interested in competing for government contracts. Jovita Carranza, deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was the keynote speaker Thursday. Carranza, who spoke about opportunities for veteranowned businesses, talked to The Gazette before her speech. QUESTION: Are you hearing from more and more veterans seeking to start small businesses? ANSWER: Yes. As a matter of fact, each year we speak to about 100,000 veterans who are interested in pursuing a personal-business venture. Weve learned that both veterans and reservists have the same burning entrepreneurial spirit that actually has strengthened our nation's economy. So were hoping to develop this year, in a very focused manner, some robust loan opportunities for them and programs.
Ethics questions follow P'ville BOE dealings
State taxpayers send $65 million a year in school aid to Pleasantville to offset the city's poverty and to improve low student test scores. The financially mismanaged system has burned through 10 superintendents in 10 years. A state monitor has been appointed to oversee the district. But district insurance contracts that benefit school board members, family and friends as well as school employees are the subject that commands much of the board leadership's attention. Insurance contracts are at the heart of what appears to be multiple violations of state ethics laws. A Press of Atlantic City investigation of board insurance contracts reveals a too-cozy relationship between board leaders aligned with corrupt politician Craig Callaway's organization and certain contractors. Former Atlantic City Council President Callaway went to prison last month for a bribery conviction, but family members and supporters remain in positions of power in Pleasantville and Atlantic City.
Can you pass an April Fools' quiz on money knowledge?
Personal-finance writers look forward to April 1. It's a chance to have a little fun with the nation's generally low financial literacy. Could you pass an April Fools' quiz on money matters? Find out a week in advance by responding true or false to the following 20 questions. Then give the quiz to someone else to see how they fare. .
Ashok Amritraj: On top of his game
The question has been doing the rounds for quite a while: who is the most influential Indian personality in the global movie business today? Some of us might be inclined to name an internationally known director in response to that query, but no matter how important Shekhar Kapur, Mira Nair or Deepa Mehtas contribution may have been in bolstering the countrys profile on the world stage, they do not quite wield the sort of power that Ashok Amritraj does. As a Hollywood producer, the former tennis pro has acquired a position of undeniable strength in a fiercely competitive industry where you are as good as your last film. A producer/executive producer of over 80 films in 20-odd years, Amritraj has demonstrated a level of consistency that places him alongside Hollywoods top-notch independent honchos.
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