Southeast : CARD CLUB

Despite adamant opposition, the operator of a Hawaiian Gardens bingo parlor has secured the city’s first and perhaps last license to operate a card club.

Irving Moskowitz, who also operates a food bank in the city, beat out two area casino operators who had expressed interest in building a card club but failed to complete a formal application.

City Council members voted 3-2 to grant the license despite claims by an attorney for opponents of the club that two of the council members should have abstained because of potential conflicts of interest.

Before the vote, City Atty. Julia E. Sylva dismissed the conflict of interest charges, one of which involved alleged payments to Mayor Robert Canada and his wife by a group linked to Moskowitz. Canada could not be reached for comment. However, Sylva said Canada informed her that he had returned the money.

As for the other charge, Sylva said Councilman Lupe Cabrera does in fact live far enough from the proposed poker site to vote on the issue.

The proposal has divided the city even before a bitter campaign leading up to the casino’s approval by a majority of city voters last fall. Supporters claim the club will augment scarce city funds, while opponents contend that it will spur crime and moral decay.

Although more licenses could be issued later, officials said it is unlikely since the only available property zoned for card clubs is a small parcel owned by Moskowitz. . . .