Residents, the questions turned lobby pawn shops, payday loan stores

Pawn shops, payday loan stores and gaming videos are the hot issues of the recent City Council meetings, but the national lobby pedestrian Elmhurst resident Jeff Houston is not too thrilled with what he calls the Houston Council legislating morality . Houston, who ran unsuccessfully for 6th Ward alderman this spring, questioned why the city would reject a source of revenue, such as video gaming. "They're trying to appear as that organization just may be right, if they want, but they are going to be fair and broke," Houston said. "And the failure of the city, whether to go ahead with this." Houston said he and neighbors are concerned more with the city turning of revenue, when faced with a deficit of several million dollars. During a September meeting, City Manager Tom Borchert estimated a deficit of cities with more than $ 1.5 million for 2009-10, and more than 4.18 million U.S. dollars for 2010-11. At the same meeting, provides a gap "potential budget of $ 4 million to $ 6 million." Houston told to turn away the revenue created by gambling video, and effective removal funds to regulate and tax the pawn shops and payday loan stores, the town is not showing any options to reduce the deficit to increase taxes. "I would be looking for every little morsel, every nugget to put into the coffers of the city," he said. Borchert report calls for a revision of the 2009 property tax levy, and is aimed at a withdrawal of approval in December. Elmhurst is the second lowest property tax in DuPage County, near Oak Brook, who has none. The city has already unanimously approved a bill that prohibits gambling video within Elmhurst, after Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a bill legalizing video gambling terminals in the month of July. A study conducted at the state level by the Illinois Municipal League reported to each facility that handles up to five gaming terminals would generate $ 11,250 for his city. Houston said he does not see much difference between the terminals video gambling in bars and the sale of lottery tickets in every store in town. But video gaming is not the only source of income of the Council is going after. The Council has shifted its focus to restrict payday loan stores and pawn shops for, among other factors, acting as "catalysts for the decline of neighborhood," as 3rd Ward Alderman Susan Rose put it. If the Council passes the decree, as was written in the development, design and Zoning Board, any future pawn shops would have to meet seven criteria in the eyes of the full Council and committees set up shop in the C3 zoning district. The Council should pass a decree in its next meeting Monday, 5 October. 'Seedy' called a stereotype Fran Bishop, owner of a pawn shop and president of government relations for the National Pawnbrokers Association, said that the city is misleading by negative stereotypes. "The pawn industry has been around since the beginning of time, there is the rumor that the Queen Isabel pledged her jewels to finance Christopher Columbus," he said. "Customers only borrow what they need, they need $ 50 to get a flat tire on their car fixed, these are small loans ... most are regulars, we know these people and we have a relationship with them. " NPA President and pawn store owner Dave Crum said a sleazy pawn shop has not succeeded in Elmhurst, but many luxury shops and a purpose for residents honest try to make ends meet. "Traditionally, clients who come to shop pledge are generally within a radius of two miles, the idea that is going to bring all these people outside the city center is unfounded," he said. "Our customers do not really want to get rid of their stuff, bring in the same voice from time to time, because I know that is something that is worth." NPA spokesman Emmett Murphy said that is not right for a group of highly regulated businesses such as pawn shops with more loosely regulated payday loan stores. "Pawnbroking is regulated by 12 federal laws, at state and local police," he said. "Store payday loan are in the business of selling money, we are in the business of guarantees." Regardless of the differences between payday loan stores and pawn shops, Houston thinks that neither of them would hurt the economy of morals or Elmhurst. "Glen Ellyn had both pawn shops and payday loan stores within city limits are a community as beautiful as ours, I looked in Naperville ... I do not see the social fabric that divides one of the two," he said. Houston has accused the Council to make easy the choice to go against companies who turn to the working class, but dodging like closing the deficit. Sixth Ward Alderman Jim Kennedy, who defeated Houston in the elections this year, said allowing video gambling in the city was not worth the baggage, and has the support of his constituents'. "I think the risks outweigh the reward," he said. "The people I have come across and (citizens) have spoken in public forums have unanimously stated that they do not want in town."