Steve Waddell

If you've ever punched a time clock, you've probably imagined yourself chucking the drudgery of employee life, dreamed of sitting in the boss' chair and running your own show. Steve Waddell has had that dream, too. But instead of building his own entrepreneurial empire, the 44-year-old Huntington Beach resident helps others do just that. Waddell heads the Orange County branch of the U.S. Small Business Administration, which opened in Santa Ana in 1984.

The backbone of Orange County companies--small businesses that often rely on federally backed loans--would get a big jolt under President Clinton's proposal to reduce the overall cost of government by slashing spending $13.1 billion and eliminating nearly 5,000 jobs. One of the biggest cuts--$1.2 billion over the next five years--would come at the expense of the Small Business Administration, which guarantees repayment for 50% to 90% of any commercial loan that banks make to small companies.

The Small Business Administration's office in Santa Ana helps Orange County small companies compete against large corporations. Last year, the office guaranteed $150 million in loans to companies here. The SBA also counsels entrepreneurs trying to start new businesses and links venture capital investors with small businesses. Steve Waddell, 49, has been the office's district director since 1988.

The Small Business Administration's office in Santa Ana helps Orange County small companies compete against large corporations. Last year, the office guaranteed $150 million in loans to companies here. The SBA also counsels entrepreneurs trying to start new businesses and links venture capital investors with small businesses. Steve Waddell, 49, has been the office's district director since 1988.

The backbone of Orange County companies--small businesses that often rely on federally backed loans--would get a big jolt under President Clinton's proposal to reduce the overall cost of government by slashing spending $13.1 billion and eliminating nearly 5,000 jobs. One of the biggest cuts--$1.2 billion over the next five years--would come at the expense of the Small Business Administration, which guarantees repayment for 50% to 90% of any commercial loan that banks make to small companies.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce & Industry kicked off Small Business Week a few days early Thursday at a luncheon applauding nine business people.

It wasn't a typical blueprint for a water polo championship team, but Bell Gardens High used its quickness and strength to defeat Santa Monica, 15-9, in the Southern Section Division III boys' final at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach Tuesday. Joe Gonzalez scored five goals and Jason Sanchez and Ivan Cardenas each added four for the second-seeded Lancers (26-4), who scored the first six goals before coasting to their third section title in four years.

The Small Business Administration, taking the first concrete steps to streamline its operations, said Tuesday that it plans to shut down offices in Santa Ana and Ventura along with about three dozen others around the country as early as this summer. The cutbacks are part of the Clinton Administration's previously announced plan to reduce the size and cost of government by revamping the SBA and other agencies.

Like their neighbors whose homes were destroyed by the firestorm three weeks ago, Barton Long and his wife, Peggy, will have insurance money to cover most of the rebuilding costs for their Skyline Drive house. But insurance may not cover everything, so on Monday the Longs were among the first in Laguna Beach to accept a $10,000 low-interest loan from the federal government. "For us, it's strictly a safety net," said Barton Long, a retired construction company owner. "But it is welcome."

Kay Lewis and her business partners were all ready to buy the historic Wagner House in Placentia and convert it into a "lovely, charming" tearoom and gift shop, when the Small Business Administration dropped a bombshell. The group was counting on a $730,000 loan to buy the graceful Georgian colonial mansion on Yorba Linda Boulevard. The loan had been approved by International City Bank in Long Beach, subject to SBA guarantee.

If you've ever punched a time clock, you've probably imagined yourself chucking the drudgery of employee life, dreamed of sitting in the boss' chair and running your own show. Steve Waddell has had that dream, too. But instead of building his own entrepreneurial empire, the 44-year-old Huntington Beach resident helps others do just that. Waddell heads the Orange County branch of the U.S. Small Business Administration, which opened in Santa Ana in 1984.

Travelers flying in and out of Orange County's John Wayne Airport may find some flights canceled. People dependent on Social Security will get their checks on time, but if there's a problem, they will probably have a long delay finding out what went wrong. Taxpayers fighting the Internal Revenue Service might have to do battle just to see an agent because employees of that federal agency could be required to cut their work hours.

They are the shops where suits are dry-cleaned, frozen yogurt is scooped and bicycle wheels are greased--the proverbial little place down the street. They are Orange County's small retail businesses. In an age of big chain stores, small merchants are holding on by offering specialized service and products. But without powerful, well-financed organizations behind them, the smaller competitors can be vulnerable in an economic downturn.