Thumbs down to Debra Bowen, California's Secretary of State. Under her leadership, the office has failed to adapt to the times and still uses a labor-intensive paper-filing system to track business registrations. As a result, the average wait time for all business filings is about 43 days -- although forms delivered over-the-counter in Sacramento are processed faster. Is it any wonder discouraged entrepreneurs are bailing out of California and heading to business friendly states such as Texas and Utah?
Thumbs up to Fresno Adult School Principal Sally Fowler, winner of the Harold Haak Award for educational excellence in building business and education partnerships. She was honored Wednesday at the annual Fresno Compact luncheon. Partnership Award recipients were APPL Labs, Belmont Car Wash and 7-Eleven, Central Community Church, Future Ford of Clovis, Glacier Refrigeration and Air, Inc., Harris Farms, Rollin Valley Farms, Southern California Edison, Wells Fargo and West McKinley Market.
Thumbs up to Jordan Huelskamp of San Joaquin Memorial High School. She was selected as the outstanding student in the Girl of the Year program sponsored by the Exchange Club of Fresno. Jordan received $1,000 toward her education and will represent Fresno in the regional competition leading to the National Youth of the Year finals.


