The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1993 GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS Man pleads guilty to imirder-for-hire scheme By G1NA V. GOMEZ The Daily News GALVESTON A Freeport man who operated a shrimp boat off the Bolivar Penninsula pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he tried to pay an undercover police officer $2,000 to kill one of his employees. Gilberto Traeonis, 42, pleaded guilty in the 122nd District Court to a charge of solicitation to commit capital murder, said First Assistant District Attorney Wayne Mallia. The Galveston County Narcotic Task Force began an investigation of Traeonis after re-, ceiving information from a confidential source that he was trying to hire somebody to kill an employee, Fidel Ayala, Mallia said; The charge is based on a Nov. 1,1995, meeting between Traeonis and an undercover officer.

The differences between Tra- eonis and Ayala stemmed from a suit Ayala filed for an injury he allegedly received while working on Traeonis' shrimp boat, Mallia said. The investigation of that suit allegedly showed Traeonis had not taken out insurance on his employees, as he was legally required to do, Mallia said, "So Traeonis was in danger of losing the shrimp boat, and basically that is what we are alleging was the motive," he said. Traeonis is scheduled for sentencing Monday. going to recommend to the court that he receive 10 years in Texas Department of Corrections," Mallia said. Spending by congressional candidates spans consultants to rounds of golf The Associated Press WASHINGTON Political consultants.

Polls. Campaign travel. Congressional candidates spend much of the money they raise from individual contributors and special interests on the routine services necessary to keep a campaign huinrning. But a review of year-end campaign finance reports filed recently by Texas candidates with the Federal Election Commission shows some also spend their campaign dollars on more unusual items: Bounds of golf with constituents, flowers and meals, trinkets for contributors and volunteers. Those expenditures are well within the bounds of federal election law, which gives candidates wide discretion in making campaign expenditures to assist their election but bars them from converting campaign money to personal use.

Yet they also provide a. glimpse into the differing attitudes and interests of the candidates. While many politicians give a few campaign dollars here and there to curry goodwill with church and civic groups, few do so with the regularity of Rep. Gene Green. The Houston Democrat's campaign filings are studded with reports of contributions to drill teams, youth soccer and Softball leagues, and senior bowling squads.

Rep. Solomon Ortiz, who isn't averse to bitting the links, used campaign funds to play golf three times with constituents in the second half of 1997 and once with his staff. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, used campaign funds to pay for a $250 Ducks Unlimited membership. Rep.

Nick Lampson, D- Beaumont, tapped his account for the $300 fee for his wife's membership in the Congressional Spouses Club. Campaign reports also are dotted with spending on gifts for constituents, contributors and volunteers. Rep. Mac Thornberry, R- Clarendon, spent $433 on books from the American Quarter Horse Museum in Amarillo. A Galveston County Daily News Publisher Doiph TiHotson answers a question Monday evening during a forum at Gatveston College.

(Photo by David Doemland) Race Continued from Page A6 "I hope from this meeting that we won't hasten to rush to judgment. Let the paper not rush to hammer away incessantly about shortcomings." In several instances during the meeting, Daily News Pub- usher Dolph Tillotson apologized for past misunderstandings. Asked by one audience member what he would in retrospect have done differently, Tillotson suggested the newspaper should not have printed all of the letters to the editor about Kappa Weekend or run an offensive Kappa Week cartoon. "Now, let me be clear," Tillotson said in remarks opening the meeting. "It would be dishonest and hypocritical of me to say that I want to turn back the clock, or that the newspaper, the Galveston City Council and the housing au- thority board were all wrong, or that I now feel Walter Norris and Doug Matthews should still be in their old jobs or that we should not have reported the events of last spring's Kappa weekend.

In most respects, I believe we did a good job. Did we make mistakes? Surely." The two-hour meeting closed with Taylor inviting members of the audience to continue the dialogue in a focus group. Taylor said the newspaper recently formed a focus group to obtain feedback on the newspaper's coverage on race issues, and the list from Monday's forum will be used to expand that group. 1 think ifs important for us as a newspaper to be able to withstand the heat of said Taylor, "and to show that we really want to have an open dialogue. We want to be a paper that is open to all yoices in this very diverse community." BUSINESS REVIEW THIS ADVERTISING FEATURE IS SPONSORED AND PAID FOR BY THESE PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS FIRMS OF GALVESTON COUNTY Mario's Seawall celebrates 25 years in business Twenty five years ago Antonio and Nflde Smecca, along with sons Joey and Johnny, opened what has become one of Galveston Island's most celebrated Italian eateries, Mario's Seawall Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Mario's Seawall can boast being the oldest Italian restaurant on the island along with Antonio's brother Giovanni who owns Mario's RLstorante.

It was Giovanni who convinced Antonio to leave New Jersey for Galveston Island as Galveston reminded him of tfaeir birthplace, Gela, Sicily. The boys were only 12 and eight respectively, when they began flying pizzas and working in this family establishment. Then, the restaurant employed 10 people. Today, Mario's Seawall staffs 75 dedicated, hard workers during the peak season. In its 25 years, Mario's Seawall has had only three chefs, one of them being Richard DePiacencia who is still with the company.

"We have many second generation staff members on board," Johnny Smecca said. National food chains can brag about their billions sold, but Mario's Seawall can revel in its millions flown. "We have flown more than 2 million pizzas since 1973 a distance that spans across the united States if you were to lay them next to each other," Johnny Srnecca said. Mario's Seawall has been voted "Best" in local and state surveys over the years. Last year was especially great for the restaurant as readers of The Galveston County Daily News voted Mario's Seawall for "Best Pizza" and "Best Italian Restaurant" Furthermore, Johnny Smec- ca was named Restaurateur of the Year by the Texas Restaurant Association.

"1997 was a great year for Mario's Seawall," Johnny said. "Not only were we recognized for great food, but we opened a second restaurant at 4112 Seawall Blvd." The Smecca family attributes Mario's Seawall is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Pictured is Mario's during the early days. (Courtesy photo) The pizza at Mario's Seawall was voted "Best" in 1997 by readers of The Gaiveston County Daily News. (Photo by Wendy Jo Smart) their success to tradition and an undving commitment to quality.

"We make the best pizza and Italian food because we have not changed a thing in our pizza recipe in 25 years," he said. "Our dedication to tradition and commitment to quality are essential ingredients to our business. We do not have a secret to success, unless hard work, dedication to quality life and a great community which you call home is a secret" Mario's Seawall proudly involves itself with the Galveston community. "We try to help whenever and wherever possible," Johnny said. Some of the programs in which Mario's Seawall keeps involved include Paint Pals Partnership with the Galveston Historical Foundation; cooking for the graduating class at The Transitional Learning Center; cooking for the Ronald McDonald House guests; Ball High School band; Seaborne group at Texas and the O'Connell and Ball High Project Graduation celebrations.

The restaurant's largest contribution to the ojmmunity is its Thanksgiving Day Bash a project coordinated through Our Sisters of Charities. The Thanksgiving Day Bash is an annual event that has fed and clothed more than 1,000 homeless persons since it began in 1992. These are ways of giving back to the community who gave our family an opportunity," Johnny said. In. honor of its 25th Mario's Seawall will kick off a "Remember When" campaign in March which wffl continue through the end of the year.

"There will be something different every month events and food specials to give you a reason to celebrate with Mario's Seawall this year and every year hereafter," Johnny said. For instance, during March diners can enjoy some of Mario's Seawall's scrumptious lasagna, manicotti, spaghetti and meatbaBs, cannelloni, ravioli and pizza for a mere $5.95 each from 3-6 jm. every weekday the old Early Bird specials, he said. Value is nothing new at Mario's Seawall. For years, diners have enjoyed the $6.95 buffet from 11 a.m.

to 3 p.m., featuring nine entrees, salad bar, pizza, garlic bread and beverage. Full service delivery is available during all hours of operation: 11 a.in. to 10 pjn. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Mario's Seawall also offers catering and will host in-house parties. The upstairs is used exclusively for private functions. Currently in the works is a new banquet room that will hold up to 3OO guests. Mario's Seawall is at 628 Seawall Blvd. The restaurant can be reached by calling (4O9) 763-1693 or via email at piz- Family Owned Operated" 35th Ave 762-3151 Orders Wrfcaae! Hick's U-HAUL Complete Auto Detailing U-HAUL Rentals Headlines Installed State Inspections Hitches installed We sell moving boxes.

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Richly decorated space with over 4,000 square feet, the ballroom is the perfect setting for your special day. The Victorian's associate director of catering, Elenore Bodie, is a. wedding coordinator who will create a unique wedding package and oversee our catering staff to provide a romantic ambiance for your occasion, as well as exceptional food presentation. Your overnight guests will enjoy our newly renovated suites, complete with private balconies overlooking the Gulf. "We pride ourselves in giving personalized and professional service to our clients," said Bodie.

Complete meeting packages are available through our Group Sales and Catering Department. Whatever your meeting needs business seminar, corporate meeting or workshop The Victorian Conference Center facilities can accommodate groups from 10 to 500 people. "We offer a special meeting includes continental breakfast, continuous coffee breaks all day, buffet lunch, selected audio-visual equipment, ergonomic chairs The Victorian Condo-Hotel offers the complete wedding package. VDJ i Isabel Dtai Jr. Head Instructor Peace Officer Certified Instructor Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Filipino Martial Arts (281) 660-9592 Pager (409) 933-9398 Prfi'tzteLessonsj'Groiip and an experienced conference center staff or we can design a package for your special needs," states RoUo Storey, director of sales.

Rollo was the owner of Rollo's Deli on the Strand and the director of catering for the San Luis Hotel and Conference Center for five years and the Nutrition Centers Health Foods Weight Loss Body Building Weight Gain Herbs 6187 Central City Blvd. Opened Mon. -Sat. 9:30 6:00 740-6949 director of regency catering by- Hyatt Hotels in Houston for the past three years. For information about our conference and catering ser- vices, call (409) 740-3555 Ext.

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Call let us help you today! ZAPP INSURANCE ZAPP REALTY (409)762-8474 (409)762-8476 (409) 762-5713fax (409) 762-8230 fax 910 21st Street Galveston, Texas ZAPP RENTALS (409) 762-8892 (409) 762-5713 fax 77550 A Rescuers direct a fire truck towards the wreckage of a China Airiines.jetliner which crashed and burst into flames just short of Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek airport Monday in this photo taken from videotape. (AP) Plane crashes into Taiwan neighborhood; 205 reported dead The Associated Press "TAIPEI, Taiwan A China Airlines jet trying to land in fog crashed in a country neighborhood Monday, knocking the roofs off houses before skidding into a rice paddy and exploding in flames. Authorities said all 196 aboard and nine people on the ground were Hiled. Firefighters went house to house in the blackened neighborhood, putting out the flames licking doors and windows and searching for survivors. Searchlights illuminated a life raft from the Airbus A-300, wrapped around a broken tree stump.

Seats from the plane were scattered in the dirt, one with a body trapped beneath it, China Airlines said the dead among the 182 passengers and 14 crew members included the governor of Taiwan's Central Bank and other key financial officials; many "Ikiwanese families returning from vacations in Bali; and four Americans. Victims on the ground included a 2-month-old baby. Witnesses said the airliner hit hundreds of yards short of the runway at Chiang Kai-shek airport, 25 miles west of Taipei. It tore through the second floors of homes strung along a highway before sliding to a stop in flames. "I heard a blast, and was scared to death.

Parts of the house started to fall down," said Chen Ah-mei, who had to crawl out of the ruins of her home on her hands and knees. She and her husband were being treated at a hospital. "It happened so fast noise and fire," said an elderly fanner who ran to the scene as soon as he saw the flames. He identified himself only as Chen. The fiery impact scattered charred bodies and body parts along the road and throughout the sparsely populated area, home to fish farms, small factories and warehouses.

The smell of jet fuel and burning rubber lingered hours after the crash. Only the tail of the broken, burned jet was recognizable. Authorities sealed off the neighborhood, leaving families of passengers to congregate at hospitals and the airport. Relatives broke into tears and fell into one another's arms as the extent of the disaster hit them; one woman collapsed to the floor. "They all went to Bah on a trip and they are all dead," said a woman whose four children were on the flight.

Tsai Tiiei, director of the Civil Aeronautics Administration, resigned to take moral responsibility for the crash, which was the worst in the airport's history. It came after Taiwan's flagship carrier embarked on an extensive safety campaign in the wake of a 1994 crash in Japan that claimed 264 lives. Iraq warns Kuwait to keep U.S, out The Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq Iraq warned Kuwait OB Monday it will "bear the consequences" if it lets U.S. forces attack from its soil. Arab envoys and allies spoke out against the threatened American assault to end a standoff over U.N.

weapons inspections and urged Iraq to avert it by backing down. Elsewhere, a team of U.N. cartographers worked for a second day mapping out President Saddam Hussein's palace compounds the symbols of Iraqi sovereignty at the center of Iraq's dispute with the United Nations and Washington. In New York, the Security Council on Monday balked at sending UJsT. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to Iraq to negotiate an end to the crisis.

Annan said the five permanent council members needed "a little more time" and he would meet with them again today. Annan has left the door open to a trip without council endorsement Iraq has barred U.N. inspectors from searching the eight presidential sites for weapons of mass destruction, leading the United States to threaten military strikes. U.N. officials hope to use the maps to determine which areas of the sprawling compounds are legitimate targets for inspections.

The foreign minister of Qatar, Hamad Bin Jassim al-Thani, arrived in Baghdad on Monday to try to defuse the crisis, and a delegation of Arab lawmakers talked with the speaker of Iraq's National Assembly, Sadoun HamrnadL The lawmakers, from Egypt and Libya, later joined in a march to a U.N. office in downtown Baghdad, shouting, "We are with you, SadciamP Seeking to play up Arab backing in the conflict, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz met Qatar's al-Thani upon arrival and expressed hope the Middle East would be "spared any evil." Saddam also met with al- Thani, who delivered a message from Qatar's emir, the Iraqi News Agency said. Saddam also received a-telephone call from King Hassan of Morocco, who pledged his opposition to "aggression against Iraq," the news agency said. In Paris, French President Jacques Chirac said a peaceful solution to the standoff was near. "An acceptable solution respectful of all UN.

resolutions is possible," Chirac said. "We are close.".