Pro 8 Update: Laredo home to 59 eight-liner game rooms and more than 5000 machines
By
Ray Gomez
Story Created:
Nov 3, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 4, 2009
Two new eight-liner establishments were up for approval at yesterday's City Council meeting.
One got re-zoned the other one didn't.
The eight-liner topic is stirring up some controversy and one City Councilman says they have to draw the line.
One City Councilman says they made changes to an amendment to make it easier for these businesses to get their permits, saying City Council wanted to help building owners to fill up the empty spaces.
But that has caught up with Council as the City already has 59 eight liner establishments and more than five thousand machines registered in the City.
Yesterday Councilman Gene Belmares voted against two re-zoning items on the agenda.
One item was to re-zone the nine hundred block of Houston Street so an eight-liner could take the space.
Council denied that because the business didn't have enough parking spaces for potential customers.
The other location is in the 12 hundred block of San Bernardo. Tthat one passed.
"I think we already have enough spaces here they can go. They can be structure in those places. We don't need to make it any easier for them to proliferate and again this will be an enforcement issue." "The fact is we can't bury our heads in the sand. This is an issue that has gotten way out of control." Councilman Gene Belmares told Pro 8 News.
Councilman Belmares says the City should meet with the police chief and get their input first hand on this issue.
Belmares also says the state needs to toughen up the laws since the penalty for paying out more than 5-dollars is only a misdemeanor.
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Gene Belmares said on Tuesday, Nov 3 at 9:04 PM
Gene Belmares says, "its election season...and I must get my name out there".
31547101out of control?? said on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 5:36 AM
If they are the ones responsible for the order in our city, The city government is out of control. estas oyendo inutil??
31559411Santos said on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 8:08 AM
Thank you Councilman Belmares for voting against the zoning for 8 liners, enough is enough. You're the only one on the council with brains and b---s to stand firm. Gracias!
31563891agree said on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 12:31 PM
but think about this before giving Mr.Belmares credit he voted for the zone change now that the room gets raided and the owner had guns and drugs he is switching sides?? what they need to do here is LIMIT games rooms to 75 or less machines!!!!
31581984more said on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 12:39 PM
we have more then 59 pro 8 just get a list and drive around around and compare the list you will see we have more. city workers dont check they just drive aroud town doing nothing some game rooms still allow smoking whats up with that?
31582651Gene Belmares... said on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 1:59 PM
Hi, my name is Gene Belmares, I have been a councilman for over seven years. I have always voted in favor of the maquinitas(until now..elections). You see, current councilman Juan Narvaez was the #2 man for the former councilman of the same seat nsmed Johnny Amaya. This said, I supported everything Amaya voted on because Amaya was Betty's favorite. To add, Amaya supported the crooked and now federal convicted Dovalinas. Its all a scratch my back you scratch mine game....while we pay to watch.
31588129out said on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 5:38 PM
we need to vote these so called councilman out of office. belmares does listen to what we the people want and need. election day he lost my vote
31601284No kick back said on Thursday, Nov 5 at 3:05 PM
Why one but not the other?Oh,come on now,it's Laredo.Gene needs a return investment on his vote.
31651484ant eyes said on Thursday, Nov 5 at 4:10 PM
Let see, at $250/machine the city got one and a quarter million for the year. Hmm, lets bust them cause they pay out more than $5 (viejitas don't go to play for rolls of toilet paper or fabuloso). So the owners can then pay another $250/ machine... wow the city operates just like the mob does; forcing payment over and over for the same license/permit. On one hand they sell the permits and on the other revokes them. Now thats a racket.
31655311ant eyes said on Thursday, Nov 5 at 4:11 PM
Ok what is that one and a quarter million being used for? I wager not for gambling addiction. What do you think?
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