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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]]'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.

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, the former HighBeam Research on-line 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, the former HighBeam Research on-line 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.​

As she vacated the office of mayor, Flores said, "I gave some of my best years to this city. It's been a wonderful, wonderful ride. The only thing you can't take away is my love of Laredo." In addition to the entertainment complex and the improved border economy, Flores outlined a dozen accomplishments from her tenure:​

As she vacated the office of mayor, Flores said, "I gave some of my best years to this city. It's been a wonderful, wonderful ride. The only thing you can't take away is my love of Laredo." In addition to the entertainment complex and the improved border economy, Flores outlined a dozen accomplishments from her tenure:​

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Major airport improvements, mostly from $68 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration​

*Major airport improvements, mostly from $68 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration​

Inaugurated a new Laredo police headquarters, opened sixteen police substations, and a new municipal court building adjacent to the police​

*Inaugurated a new Laredo police headquarters, opened sixteen police substations, and a new municipal court building adjacent to the police​

*  Started the secondary water source project, improved the water infrastructure, and began the city's water conservation endeavor​

*  Started the secondary water source project, improved the water infrastructure, and began the city's water conservation endeavor​