Small businesses are crucial to the economy of US when it comes to wealth and employment. The stats presented by the Small Business Administration reveal that more than 50 percent of private sector employees are covered by the small business sector. Besides, this sector is responsible for generating 65 percent of new job opportunities in the last decade and a half apart from covering 44 percent of total private payroll.

More importantly, the small business owners have been known to serve the American society by doing a host of volunteering activities for municipals, churches, charitable trusts and civic groups. Though, in general, these volunteers do not come under harsh public scrutiny, a recent case begs to differ.

Much hue and cry over Roy Assad’s financial status has been made while re-appointing him as a member of the DDA (Downtown Development Agency). Having loyally served as DDA chairman from 2006-2008, his ethics cannot be questioned. He also handled the chairmanship of Palm Beach County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

A decade back, Assad had successfully opened a restaurant in Palm Beach County but his finances staggered when he opted to open a 2^nd restaurant named L’Opera. Though he tried hard to revive it, the debts and income taxes kept on mounting. Intense public scrutiny of his failure engendered an impression that he shouldn’t have been offered the post of DDA for the 2^nd time.

However, some social activists and experts feel that his loyalty and honest serving should not be judged by his business failure. Such scrutiny, which is chiefly held for a political figure, should not be bestowed upon him who, despite all the criticisms, is still eager to lend his expertise and experience to DDA.