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Business
on the Edge
Frank’s
Carburetors is fighting a tough battle to stay alive
By
Cheryl Scott
Bulletin Staff Writer
Carlos
Acevedo knows first-hand the perils encountered by small businesses
in a world that has gone bureaucratic and unfriendly to the operators
of family enterprises. He is fighting for his life against changing
traffic patterns, economic downturns – and the city of Compton.
Acevedo took over Frank’s Carburetors, 413 E. Rosecrans Ave.,
in 2002. The business had thrived in the community since 1962, when
it was opened by Frank Funado. When Funado retired, his brother David
took over management of the shop. He is now 73 and semi-retired.
“I am a relative of David’s wife,” he told The Bulletin. “I
had a mechanical background. I worked for Ford for 16 years as a sales
manager and Chevrolet, where I was also a manager. So when David needed
someone to take over so he could travel, I was a logical choice.”
Now Acevedo is facing two issues that, if not resolved, could mean
the end of Frank’s Carburetors. The city has refused to renew
his business license, citing outside storage and a hand painted sign
as reasons. There is also confusion over whether the business license
should be for carburetor repair or general automotive repair.
According to Acevedo, the license has always been for general automotive
repair despite the name Frank’s Carburetors. In May 2008, Patricia
Dees of the city’s Business License Division responded to the
company’s renewal license application, denying his permit and
returning his check for $200.
“I observed that on your renewal notice you had a hand-written
statement saying that ‘since 1962 (the business) has always been
general mechanic license,’” she wrote. “We sent you
a letter dated December 14, 2005, in response to a letter received
from you,
stating that although your original application stated rebuilding carburetors
as the business activity, we would grant your request and change your
business activity from rebuilding carburetors to general auto repair
shop. This change would only be made if you signed and returned the
statement of receipt that was sent with the letter. You never signed
and returned the statement of receipt as requested; therefore, we have
not changed your business activity.”
The statement of receipt is a document stating the Acevedo has received
a copy of the city of Compton Resolution No. 1815 and agrees to all
its stated terms and conditions.
The business has a permit to display its name on a hand-painted pole
sign, said Acevedo. In 1997, the Rosecrans overpass bridge was built
at Alameda, leaving Frank’s Carburetors and other businesses
in the center hidden to passing traffic. “We are still waiting
for those signs,” said Acevedo. “Meanwhile our business,
which at one time had 40 employees, now has four.”
When the bridge was going to be built, Caltrans and the city of Compton
promised that all businesses around the bridge would be given signage
on a tall pole that can be seen by drivers on the bridge, Acevedo said.
Responding to a letter from Acevedo in December 2007, Public Works
Director Charles Bergson said the city is preparing plans for removal
of the bridge and replacement with an at-grade bridge. “The process
for the bridge removal is complex and involves a lengthy review time
period by many other agencies,” Bergson wrote. “Should
the review agencies grant approval in a timely fashion, the bridge
removal will be accomplished by the year 2011.”
Acevedo decided to go to the top of city government and wrote a letter
to Mayor Eric J. Perrodin, who stated in his response that the bridge
was constructed prior to his administration and he had no impact on
its existence.
Perrodin has consistently requested that the city make every effort
toward the removal of this bridge. “My concern for the removal
of the bridge was based on my observation, letters and calls received
on the negative impact caused by the bridge,” he said.
The mayor said that in February 2008 members of the City Council and
city staff would travel to Washington, D. C., to discuss the appropriation
of funds to have the bridge removed. He said that obtaining funding
for the project may take some time. “I can only ask that you
allow my administration sufficient time to seek a financially conducive
way for the removal of this bridge, which has caused such an impact
on so many,” he wrote.
The city recently published a legal notice of its intent to construct
a multi-tenant building and takeout restaurant at 510 E. Rosecrans
Ave. The notice stated that the plan would not directly affect nearby
businesses but would have a positive effect on the neighborhood.
Meanwhile Frank’s Carburetors has approached Big O Tires, a national
chain, for a franchise. “Big O is ready to go,” Acevedo
said. “But they need to know when and if the bridge is going
to be removed. Our franchise depends on the removal of the bridge.”
Acevedo is beginning to wonder if the city is deliberately trying to
squeeze out the businesses in his neighborhood to make way for new
development. “I can’t get my license renewed if I don’t
sign a paper that I believe will take away some of my rights to operate,
I can’t get a tall pole so people passing by can see that we
are there and I can’t expect the bridge to come down for several
years, which will ruin my chance of getting a national franchise that
would revitalize our business,” he said.
The Bulletin’s calls to various city staff members regarding
this story went unreturned. When asked to explain the terms and condition
of Resolution 1815, Patricia Dees would only state, “We are in
the process of reviewing the matter.” Asked to clarify the city’s
position in regards to Frank’s Carburetors, she stated, “We
are in the process of reviewing the matter.”
If the city is attempting to solve the matter, Acevedo remains unaware
of its efforts.
“The city of Compton has done nothing to help this company to
continue its healthy operation, despite knowing the great harm done
for the
last 10 years. We have no visibility because of that bridge, and it
is hard to get to the shop and costumers cannot locate us.”
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