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==Discontent with Flores' last two years as mayor==​

==Discontent with Flores' last two years as mayor==​

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Despite these accomplishments, Flores left office in a downturn of her personal popularity. In 2005, she told [[Lou Dobbs]], then with the [[Cable News Network]], that virtually all of several dozen Laredoans, who have gone missing in populous and violent-prone [[Nuevo Laredo]], across the river in [[Mexico]], were linked in some way with the illegal [[narcotics]] traffic. Her accusation outraged the families of those who have missing loved ones. The missing Americans were highlighted in several 2006 episodes of [[Fox (television)|Fox]]'s ''America's Most Wanted'', hosted by John Walsh, to highlight the problems of the Americans missing in Mexico. Flores, meanwhile, has defended her allegation of drug connections because she claims to have seen the proof in the victims' records. Nevertheless, Flores said she understood that the families are grieving and need assistance. Unfortunately for the family of the missing, they made wrong choices. The U.S. Marshal issued warrants against one of the missing girls she was accused of falsely connecting to organized crime.​

Despite these accomplishments, Flores left office in a downturn of her personal popularity. In 2005, she told [[Lou Dobbs]], then with the [[Cable News Network]], that virtually all of several dozen Laredoans, who have gone missing in populous and violent-prone Nuevo Laredo, across the river in [[Mexico]], were linked in some way with the illegal [[narcotics]] traffic. Her accusation outraged the families of those who have missing loved ones. The missing Americans were highlighted in several 2006 episodes of [[Fox (television)|Fox]]'s ''America's Most Wanted'', hosted by John Walsh, to highlight the problems of the Americans missing in Mexico. Flores, meanwhile, has defended her allegation of drug connections because she claims to have seen the proof in the victims' records. Nevertheless, Flores said she understood that the families are grieving and need assistance. Unfortunately for the family of the missing, they made wrong choices. The U.S. Marshal issued warrants against one of the missing girls she was accused of falsely connecting to organized crime.​

 

Flores also angered some taxpayers who believed that municipal taxes increased too sharply during her administration. The municipal taxes were increased because property values went down so that the effective tax rate could stay the same.  Many questioned the city having paid for liquor and a mariachi band for the annual Laredo Day celebration in Washington D.C., something all cities do to thank the agency employees for their hard work.  Trips to Washington, D.C. were also criticised by people that who had not worked in the political arena and viewed the trips as "junkets." Others questioned the high salaries of certain appointed city officials. Flores herself received a salary of only $18,000 annually, as the mayoralty is part-time. The salary doubled when Salinas became mayor, but the position is still part-time. Flores said that she worked full-time, beyond what was required.​

Flores also angered some taxpayers who believed that municipal taxes increased too sharply during her administration. The municipal taxes were increased because property values went down so that the effective tax rate could stay the same.  Many questioned the city having paid for liquor and a mariachi band for the annual Laredo Day celebration in Washington D.C., something all cities do to thank the agency employees for their hard work.  Trips to Washington, D.C. were also criticised by people that who had not worked in the political arena and viewed the trips as "junkets." Others questioned the high salaries of certain appointed city officials. Flores herself received a salary of only $18,000 annually, as the mayoralty is part-time. The salary doubled when Salinas became mayor, but the position is still part-time. Flores said that she worked full-time, beyond what was required.

 

Flores argues that the [[United States Border Patrol]] should not be required to pick up [[illegal alien]]s for deportation unless those individuals are carrying guns, drugs, or involved in any known crime. "I think they should just give them a bottle of water and send them on their way," she said. "Let's face it, they are coming here to work and take jobs that no one else wants anyway."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/0615/s1.htm|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=June 15, 1999|title=missing </ref> Still others objected when Flores, despite her emphasis on border security, said that the Minutemen volunteers, which seek to prevent illegal crossings by referring aliens to the Border Patrol, were "not welcome" in Laredo. Salinas also continued the criticism of the the Minutemen.  

Flores argues that the [[Border Patrol]] should not be required to pick up [[illegal alien]]s for deportation unless those individuals are carrying guns, drugs, or involved in any known crime. "I think they should just give them a bottle of water and send them on their way," she said. "Let's face it, they are coming here to work and take jobs that no one else wants anyway."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://madmax.lmtonline.com/textarchives/0615/s1.htm|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=June 15, 1999|title=missing </ref> Still others objected when Flores, despite her emphasis on border security, said that the Minutemen volunteers, which seek to prevent illegal crossings by referring aliens to the Border Patrol, were "not welcome" in Laredo. Salinas also continued the criticism of the the Minutemen.

 

Flores was prominently featured, usually in a positive light, in ''The Laredo Morning Times.'' She once disputed two articles in the paper and withheld two city advertisements to make her point to newspaper executives. The LMT still named her "Laredoan of the Year. The editor found out several years later that the reporter who wrote the story as presented was not even in town at the time.

Nevertheless, Flores' accomplishments, say her admirers, speak for themselves. She has secured many awards, including "Texas Woman of the Century" from the Woman's [[Chamber of Commerce]] of Texas. Because of her emphasis on economic development, Highbeam.com dubbed her the "[[Margaret Thatcher]] of Laredo," a reference to the former [[Great Britain|British]] [[prime minister]] who attempted during the 1980s to turn around her country's sagging economy.​

Nevertheless, Flores' accomplishments, say her admirers, speak for themselves. She has secured many awards, including "Texas Woman of the Century" from the Woman's [[Chamber of Commerce]] of Texas. Because of her emphasis on economic development, Highbeam.com dubbed her the "[[Margaret Thatcher]] of Laredo," a reference to the former [[Great Britain|British]] [[prime minister]] who attempted during the 1980s to turn around her country's sagging economy.​