[Trash Can]

At the request of dynimagelv, I'm starting another thread so as not to take away from his.

My chiropractor, who spent his entire life here, says Las Vegas was a much better place to work and live when the Mob ran things. Basically he said that the Mob really treated their employees and out-of-town guests very well. More of a family atmosphere. Of course, if you crossed them, trouble was bound to be had. He went on to say that once the big corporations took over that everything became about the almighty dollar -- fewer benefits and less flexibility for employees and guests were treated more like a number.

For those long-time LV residents who lived here "back in the day", please share how things have changed. I'd love to hear your perspective. Thanks!

[dynimagelv]

BUT....they never killed anyone that didnt need it....
MANY years ago I was hired as the wedding photographer for a......newspaper publishers daughter....said publisher was a tad bit crusty....he told me I want pictures of EVERY one in this place [formal sitdown dinner for 700 of his closest friends in the Grand Ballroom of the Sands Hotel.

FIRST TABLE I walked up to...a big gorilla jumps out in front of me and says "Mr Giancana don want no pichurs tooken."

I told Daddy...daddy said YOU TELL THAT GUI#$% SOB that I SAID I WANTED PICTURES. [he never said anything below a shout]

Back to the table I go ....Gorilla jumps up....I delivered the message to the gorilla...he goes over and whispers in Mr Giancanas ear...[by this time Im SLOWY figuring out that this guy is someone......]

Giancana waves me over with the "one fingered wave"

Asks...."Whay happens to the pictures?"

"I make one photograph for her wedding album and then the negative burns"

Mr. Giancana says "If the negative don't, YOU DO." and slipped a hundred dollar bill into my hand.....

We had a strange fire in the photolab that night.

[macgeek]

[dynimagelv]

YIKES he still makes me wanna go burn something

[dynimagelv]

One time, a long long time ago, I was working at a hotel in town, running the Photo lab for the night club photo concession...the company had the concession in nearly every hotel in town....

We go a new general manager for the company...it became immediately obvious that he knew ABSOF'nLUTELY nothing about the photo business....

He was from Miami...as was the owner of the Concession.

I got to know the new guy really well and we formed a bond of sorts cause he started dating my x-girlfriend.

One day after work we went out for a beer and I asked him...."Elmer, ya know, you dont know CRAP about photography....WHAT DO YOU DO for a living."

Elmer says....."ya really wanna know?" I said YES I do.......Elmer said "I kill people, you want another beer?"


Two weeks later, Elmer came in and said...."I gotta go outta town for a couple of days.....if anyone asks.....we went bowling everynight after work."

3 days later I answered the phone at work....it was Elmer....didnt say HI kiss my grits or anything....just said "Hi, this is Elmer, NO ONE will ask." and hung up....

[CamaroGuy]

Vegas was WAY better when the mob ran things! I so miss that Vegas of the 70s and 80s too. The town has gotten so "plastic" the past 10 to 15 years.:-(

I long for the days when the "goombas" ran the casinos and the "good ole boys" ran the law.:-)

[sheriff]

It has been my experience, from 1970--2011, that the mob didn't mind workers making money, as long as you didn't steal it from them---whereas the corporations want to make ALL the money--the hell with employees.

[Trash Can]

Originally Posted by sheriff

It has been my experience, from 1970--2011, that the mob didn't mind workers making money, as long as you didn't steal it from them---whereas the corporations want to make ALL the money--the hell with employees.

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

then the negative burns"

Mr. Giancana says "If the negative don't, YOU DO." and slipped a hundred dollar bill into my hand.....

So, in other words, the corporations will fire you for stealing, while the mob would simply set you on fire.

Originally Posted by CamaroGuy

Vegas was WAY better when the mob ran things! I so miss that Vegas of the 70s and 80s too. The town has gotten so "plastic" the past 10 to 15 years.:-(

I long for the days when the "goombas" ran the casinos and the "good ole boys" ran the law.:-)

Can you provide some examples of how things have changed over the years? My first visit here was in 1990 and I've only lived here for a little more than two years now, so my perspective is extremely limited.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by sheriff

It has been my experience, from 1970--2011, that the mob didn't mind workers making money, as long as you didn't steal it from them---whereas the corporations want to make ALL the money--the hell with employees.

it was even BETTER before that Sheriff....up til the Spillotros got here....they were the lowest of the low.....which is why they were used to fertilize a cornfield in Indiana or Illinois

[ScoopLV]

One thing about mob-run Las Vegas that I don't think ANYONE touches on:

If a mobster ran a casino into the ground, he'd "go on vacation" and never be seen again. Thus there was a very real motivation with both positive and negative feedback for running things right. If things went well, an unparalleled lifestyle. If things went poorly, a Lake Mead cocktail -- two shots, splash of water.

If the stuffed suits who run the show today run a casino into the ground, what happens? They get a $14 million "golden parachute" severance package.

The mob way was better.