Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa met July 12 with a group of business owners in an informal gathering at Brent’s Deli in Northridge to discuss the difficulties of doing business in Los Angeles. Among the topics discussed with Villaraigosa were the gross receipts tax, a streamlined development approval process, and cumbersome city regulations. As an example of what some present at the meeting consider business unfriendly practices Villaraigosa was given a copy of a Daily News story about business owners in Studio City who were cited by city inspectors for having signs in their windows. Among those attending the meeting were Richard Leyner from NAI Capital, Alan Fox, who sells used construction equipment, and Steve Slutzah, of Westside Tile & Stone Inc. in Canoga Park. Mark R. Madler
