Carpinteria Veteran Relishes Victory of ‘Hot Dog Man’ Bill

Bill Connell fought the state and won to ensure disabled veterans who sell items on the street are exempt from sales tax

Supervisor Salud Carbajal, left, veteran Bill Connell and Assemblyman Pedro Nava gather Thursday in front of Connell's hot dog stand in Carpinteria to celebrate passage of the Hot Dog Man bill.
Supervisor Salud Carbajal, left, veteran Bill Connell and Assemblyman Pedro Nava gather Thursday in front of Connell’s hot dog stand in Carpinteria to celebrate passage of the “Hot Dog Man” bill, which ensures disabled veterans who sell items on the streets are exempt from sales tax. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk photo)

By Lara Cooper, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 10.22.2009

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Just a stone’s throw from the ocean, Bill Connell is known best for serving up hot dogs to passersby at his Surf Dog stand on a sleepy corner in Carpinteria.

But on Thursday, Connell served up a major victory for veterans who are small-business owners — just like him.

For the past 16 years, Connell has been pushing back against the State Board of Equalization to enforce a law that’s been on the books for more than 100 years.

The new Senate bill, recently signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, ensures that disabled veterans without a permanent place of business who peddle on the street are exempt from sales tax.

The history behind Thursday’s celebration began when Connell served in Germany during the Vietnam War, and was scheduled to rotate to Southeast Asia when the Paris peace talks started.

“I was very, very lucky,” he said, adding that some of his friends and classmates never came back. Some of Connell’s personal frustration was channeled into boxing, and he was eventually named heavyweight champion of Europe. But that title came with a cost.

“I got whacked around pretty good in the ears, and had a little hearing loss,” he said. “Nothing major.”

Connell said there are veterans coming home now from combat who are injured — mentally and physically — and many end up unemployed or underemployed.

“This little bill will help all of them so they can start a small business and increase revenue streams,” he said. “It makes a man feel really good if he can go out and make a living.”

It’s known in Sacramento as the “Hot Dog Man” bill, and Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, presented Connell with a framed copy of the resolution.

Denham said it had not only been a legislative battle, but a personal issue.

“We have a debt of gratitude to those who have served our country, especially those who have been disabled in combat. This was an issue that should have been resolved decades ago,” he said. “We had everyone from the tax man to local enforcement trying to follow what their interpretation of the law was. We felt it was very black and white.”

First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal and Carpinteria Mayor Greg Carty also spoke, honoring Connell.

Scores of people lined up after the presentation for free hot dogs from the stand and a cake adorned with an American flag, and to celebrate with Connell, who was surrounded by politicians and supporters.

“What Bill did was remarkable,” said Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara. “Shame on us if we ever turn our back on the men and women who honored their commitments. All he was trying to do was get the law that was enforced on the books. ... He never backed down.”

— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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» Bill Connell for Governor! on 10.22.09 @ 07:33 PM

We need someone who knows how to:

A) Run a hot dog stand.
B) Cut through Bureaucracies.
C) Well known and liked.


» Photo Op? on 10.22.09 @ 07:35 PM

What did Nava and Carbajal have to do with this?


» In the Know on 10.22.09 @ 07:46 PM

Carbajal and Nava in the same photo?  Say it ain’t so Salud!  You are strongly backing Das Williams against Pedro’s wife, Susan Jordan. The two of you barely, if ever, speak to one another.  But,as they say in politics, a photo op is never to be missed.


» Patricia Murdy on 10.23.09 @ 04:30 AM

Welcome Home!  Congratulations to Bill for finally winning this one.  I’m glad to know that perseverance is your middle name. Those of us who have supported you over the years with writing letters to our political leaders know of your efforts in this long-fought battle.

Thank you for flying the flags of the U.S.A., the P.O.W. and of course the NYY.

Thank you for never giving up.

Mrs. Michael Murdy (widow of Vietnam Vet )


» Esteban on 10.23.09 @ 08:47 AM

“Disabled”- after the war, boxing, with slight hearing loss? Pretty thin credentials, kind of devalues the guys who were seriously injured.


» Greg Knowles on 10.23.09 @ 08:55 AM

Billy, you are amazing. Thanks for sticking with this and seeing it through. It restores a little faith back in me for our government.


» What Greg? on 10.23.09 @ 03:58 PM

A 16 year battle to try to get the government to abide by a law on the books, RESTORES YOUR FAITH IN GOVERNMENT? You’re easily pleased. I would say it restores my faith in the average American, and confirms my lack of faith in government. I wonder where Salud and Nava were during this battle? They sure know how to show up after the battle is won.


» greensoftshell on 10.23.09 @ 07:17 PM

“For now, Connell plans to celebrate. On Oct. 22 he’s serving up free hotdogs to his customers and politicians (he especially gave praise to 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal and the staff of Assemblyman Pedro Nava) who helped him along the way.”

http://www.thedailysound.com/101309Hotdog


» Sour Grapes on 10.24.09 @ 08:10 AM

I bet that the ninny belly-aching about Salud and Pedro being in the picture is Tax man Joe Armendariz who either was not invited or was and did not make it into the picture. Congratulations Bill. Sorry Joe.


» Boycott Boy on 10.24.09 @ 11:22 AM

I bet those were some sweet tasting dogs!  Thanks for showing me we can put the system in it’s place from time to time.


» Joe Armendariz on 10.29.09 @ 04:09 PM

Dear Sour Grapes,

Thank you for the plug.

In fact, I was of course invited. Unfortunately, the event took place on the same day as my youngest daughters birthday and so her mother and I took her out for a long day of spoiling.

I am very happy for Bill…he fought for this victory a very long time. As for the photo of Salud and Pedro, I think it is a great example of how in politics we can disagree over policies without hating each other.

Joe Armendariz
Office: 805.684.0678 •Mobile: 805.990.2494


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