Council member raises questions on 8 liner support
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Dec 20, 2009
Story Updated:
Dec 21, 2009
Thousands of dollars have been seized and hundreds of machines confiscated and still it's easy to get into the 8-liner business in Laredo.
That’s according to one City Council member who says he doesn’t understand why City staff continues to support 8-liner businesses who want to open up shop in zones they're simply not supposed to be in.
Our Annette Garcia has more details in our top story tonight.
A new 8-liner business may be coming to a neighborhood near you if you reside in the Cuatro Vientos subdivision.
That’s because City Council will begin discussing whether or not to make a change to the zoning ordinance and authorize a conditional use permit for units 21 and 22 in the 33-hundred block of Chacota.
It's been done before and allows for gambling establishments to set up more easily as Mondays' City Council agenda reads.
Dr. Michael Landeck, City Council Member
“We all have a very serious suspicion that some of these establishments most probably operate in an illegal way.”
Back in June City officials said authorizing such permits would help vacant strip centers.
“There’s concern about organized crime but that’s why we have law enforcement entities.” Law enforcement would police the rest.
Back in June Mayor Salinas stated that perhaps there were too many regulations and business owners needed more opportunities.
Annette Garcia, agarcia@pro8news.com
“This north side business which also obtained a conditional use permit was shut down in November 3 months after it opened and Landeck says while some raids are successful not all of them are.”
While most of the responsibility does fall on law enforcement Landeck says the City needs to learn from all the raids at illegal business that have been allowed to open.
And until it becomes legal
“Lets at least be strict in the one area where we can be strict and that’s to limit them to the zones according to our codes where they are allowed to operate.”
Landeck stresses that not all businesses are functioning illegally, but many do and it’s not a secret.
Discussions on authorizing the permit for the south Laredo amusement center will begin at tomorrow's City Council meeting.
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Dr. Landeck said on Monday, Dec 21 at 9:43 AM
Please shut them all down. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, or worse, loses ones life due to underworld activities that thrive on these establishments. Follow the money. It will lead to wrongdoing. Councilman Landeck, for the safety of our seniors, please shut them all down. Clean our city. Maquinitas are nothing more than corruption. Rememeber Chicago.
34078792Big O said on Monday, Dec 21 at 9:49 AM
Mottos for Laredo: Laredo - Maquinita Capital of the World! Laredo - Rediscover the Flavor!
34079422cg said on Monday, Dec 21 at 10:11 AM
Not one of those businesses are legit. They are all fronts to cover up a bigger problem. Just shut them all down.
34081061wait said on Monday, Dec 21 at 12:30 PM
its another case of corruption within the councilman,navarez should have not voted for zone change its illegal its also called finicail gain by voting for the change. also other city officals are doing the same thing just drive around and you will see some 8 liners allow smoking and they are protected by these so called city leadeds
34089012best way said on Monday, Dec 21 at 12:51 PM
the best way to fix the issue the city needs to send these 8 liners to zone b4 period. and limit these to NO more then 75 machines or less this will make them start closing. pro 8 you guys need to start asking question and dont except thier answer. todays market is called RENTERS MARKET!!!!!!!!!! landlords need to start lowering RENT like other cities
34090384Santos said on Monday, Dec 21 at 1:20 PM
I agree with all of the above, shut them down. The problem starts with the City Council who make the rules and regulations. They are the one who made it easier to open more 8 liners. They try to blame the staff for their own ineptness and maybe corruption. Are the maquinita owners friends or contributors to the city council. The media needs to start asking more questions and doing their investigative homework. Viva Laredo!
34092209Landeck for Mayor said on Monday, Dec 21 at 1:43 PM
City staff?? That is the Zoning Department. The same Nazi troops that stole the show with the homeless people. This is proof of the corruption of few councilmen that hide behind and uses the personal ties with the zoning department. Mr. Landeck is right to point with the finger who is wrong in this one.
34093864Gary said on Monday, Dec 21 at 7:56 PM
Now thats an idea, Landeck for mayor! I would vote for him.
34115269Martinez said on Monday, Dec 21 at 10:07 PM
This is nothing but obvious corruption on the part of the City Council. Who are they trying to fool? The kickbacks from the maquinitas comes just in time for Christmas shopping. Is there no one on the council with integrity and honor?
34121359Gato Bonito said on Monday, Dec 21 at 10:11 PM
The conflicts of interest in our city, HOW A COUNCILMAN CAN OWN ONE OR MORE MAQUINITAS BUSINESSES AND VOTE IN THE CITY to change city ordinances. Laredo People is in fault for voting for these unethical Gandallas for city government,
34121569obscene said on Monday, Dec 21 at 10:39 PM
looking at these maqinitas businesses is a sour eye for our city just like babe's few years ago.
34122859Law Enforcement entities ???? said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 9:20 AM
Some Law enforcement in the city are just a bunch of clowns that benefit their friends and are so inept that they dont even have the minimal Law Enforcement education to appliy the city and State and Federal Laws for the benefit of the general public. ( The zoning dpt, The Animal Control dpt, etc..etc)
34141134no book store said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 9:58 AM
we may not have a book store but we sure do have 8 liners all over the city.our city leaders have done a great job in getting more $$$ in thier pockets.the media needs more back bone and start asking tough questions.the mayor is on today at noon ask away.renters market
34143792waste of time said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 10:01 AM
while we B**& here no one listens,LAREDO needs to pull together and vote these clowns out of office.
34144009Outsider said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 11:11 AM
I feel that all 8 liners should be shut down, gambling like that is illegal. I had never heard of that type of setup till i moved to Laredo. I've seen places that carry 1 or so of those machines but they don't have them as a main stay of thier business. CLOSE THEM ALL DOWN. People will stop wasting money on them, most people who use those machines are only doing so to try and make money. GAMBLING IS ILLEGAL!
34149599Shut them all down! said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 9:37 AM
I agree with everyone and shut them all down! They are nothing but a waste of our money and they only bring trouble into the community. We have enough problems with violence already and don't need to add more because someone got upset when they won a restaurant gift card instead of a lump sum of illegal cash! And our councilmen who keep "beating around the bush" on this issue...well, it's obviously why they won't put a stop to them.
34216924Shut them all down! said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 9:39 AM
As long as they are receiving "under the table" cash or they themselves get busted during a random raid, unfortunately these facilities are here to stay. >:-( So sad for Laredo. The hell with lookign for a location to build a new bookstore, which increases knowledge and people's education and keeps people out of trouble, we need more locations for maquinitas!!! Very sad Laredo...very sad!
34217157cg said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 10:12 AM
If we just read betwen the lines,its clear someone is getting paid under the table. Thats why these businesses have not been shut down.
34220054PROMETHEUS said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 12:27 PM
No need to read between the lines, read the archives. Laredo Chief of police and high ranking officers shaking down 8 liners. Of course city officials are profitting, why else would they re-zone? Just a matter of time before the city officials and organized crime are either working together or against each other. Very sad Laredo.
34231777Call Out said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 2:12 PM
I am calling out Councilman Juan Narvaez and the rest of the council to give thier 2-cents to this story? See if he is man enough to speak out which I doubt it he has any balls.
34241027Good luck calling out Narvaez said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 7:02 PM
He is not in it for us, but in it for him. District IV, you made a huge mistake electing Juan.
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