ROLL ‘EM: Though many people associate the...

ROLL ‘EM: Though many people associate the movie biz with Hollywood, it’s remarkably big in Ventura County. County residents working in the film and TV industry bring home a whopping $157 million a year. Another $45 million annually is spent while filming on location here or for other services. . . . Fillmore, for one, aggressively markets itself to filmmakers. Look for the town in the newly released “I Love Trouble.”

TESTING THE WATER: Wise politicians often seek honest advice before running for office. A Thousand Oaks City Council gadfly is asking for it in spades. . . . In a questionnaire to about 150 Thousand Oaks insiders, Ekbal (Nick) Quidwai seeks some honest feedback about his 2 1/2-year run of unsolicited speeches and political theater in the council chambers. Respondents can check a box urging him to run for council, or one that says, “You are full of it! Stop wasting our time by being involved!”

VENTURA COUNTRY: If Ventura County were a separate nation, just think of the possibilities. . . . Ojai could get rid of that pesky federal radar tower. The bases at Point Mugu and Port Hueneme could house a formidable navy. And our new currency could hardly be much weaker than the dollar. . . . But customs inspections on the Ventura Freeway would slow things down. . . . If we were a country, we’d rank 35th in output (B1).

Big Spenders

TV and film producers’ spending on payroll and services: County: In Millions Los Angeles: $14,985 Orange: $216 Ventura: $202 San Mateo: $72 San Francisco: $67 Marin: $46 Source: Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers