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Times Are Hard In Beverly Hills, Too

One of the world's most expensive bracelets of commercial real estate, Rodeo Drive, has had to downsize tourism operations. Because of budget problems, Beverly Hills' visitors bureau has laid off its official ambassador, Gregg Donovan. Donovan has greeted tourists and visitors on Rodeo Drive for 11 years. The top-hat wearing former concierge and former personal valet to Bob Hope, who used to greet visitors with "Welcome to Beverly Hills! You have arrived," was laid off last month.

But an imbroglio is brewing: the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau is demanding he also give up the rights to his images on photos taken by the bureau, and he is supposed to sign a non-disclosure agreement. If he doesn't sign, says Donovan, he doesn't get a $7,000 severance. He won't sign. "Eleven years is a lot of stories," he said.

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