Coral Gables Riviera

Friday, October 17, 1941, page 8 (of 8)

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Bowen Tries To Hit Fair Tax Basis

Fourth of a Series by the Coral Gables News Bureau "'Tis said there are two inevitable things in this world of ours-death and taxes. To hear some of us talk, one would think that the former was preferable. However, since taxes are here to stay, we think it high time that the public understood a little more about them, specifically about our own municipal taxes. Gerald Bowen, tax assessor for Coral Gables, says there are three chief factors in assessing. One is the reaching of a fair and equitable basis for all, so that each taxpayer is only paying his rightful share of the burden, and, second, is convincing the public that this is true. "'Speaking from my own experience,' says Mr. Bowen, 'I have found, in discussing assessment with different residents, that once they're convinced they are paying only their fair share of the whole, they are willing to pay. Most of the misunderstanding arises out of the belief on the part of Jones that he is carrying too much of the load, while Brown, across the street, is under-assessed.' And for this reason tax assessment is one of the very most important functions of a city. The aim of the assessor is to arrive at an amount that properly may be defined as "fair cash value." This is accomplished through the use of what is commonly described as reproduction cost less depreciation, or the sum of destroyed property. The results, of course, are subject to check by comparison with actual normal sales where these facts are available. Normal land values are more difficult to obtain because occasional sales here and there over a wide area do not always constitute a trend. Gerry Bowen, your tax assessor, spends quite a bit of his time watching trends. He believes, neighborhood where lots go up in cost from $7.50 to $10 a front foot, he waits to see if this is a boom or simply salesmanship on the part of some owners. He watches building costs. It usually takes several years for a changing trend to be established. That is the reason your taxes may remain the same for a number of years, and then gradually, in your case a leap or a drop. It is the cumulative result of a trend. Equalization is paramount. Mr. Bowen explains that it makes no difference, whether assessments on a whole are a little higher or lower than might be justified, provided that every single taxpayer in the town is paying his share and only his share. Said city, for example, may have an estimated budget containing operating costs of $22,000, to take a small figure. That amount must be raised, whether it requires a millage of 2 or 22. If you live in a large home fronting on a golf course, or one of the beautiful boulevards or on an approved waterway, where the better type home is found in quantity, you pay more for the privilege of living in such a home. This is not because of a "tax the rich" notion, but because it takes more city funds to maintain such a neighborhood and values are greater. Coral Gables assesses on 100 per cent valuation now. Prior to a charter change in 1935, when homestead exemption became effective, 50 per cent valuation was used. Now, if your home is valued at $10,000, you are assessed on that valuation. Vacant property is assessed in conformity with recognized principles, such as front foot value, the lot's depth, and its location, etc. Every set of blueprints and specifications for every building erected in Coral Gables eventually find their way to Gerry Bowen's desk. There he studies them carefully, checking each item, such as number of baths, type of floor, number of rooms, roof, walls and foundations, with an assessment appraised value. This year Coral Gables, for the first time, will require that all applicants for homestead exemption be registered voters. The books will be opened January 1. In order to receive exemption, an applicant must prove he has been a resident of Florida for one year and of Coral Gables for six months. In addition to all these problems, Gerry Bowen handles personal property assessment as well. There he is forced to depend upon the honesty of the people, which, he claims, is more than up to par. Mr. Bowen came to Miami from Evanston, Ill., where he had been in the banking business. First, he was associated here with the Bank of the Bay of Biscayne, coming to the old Coral Gables corporation in the sales department in 1925. After serving as assistant tax assessor of the city for a while, he became assessor in 1929. He is married and owns his own home at 1023 Venetia Avenue.

Florida Man Joins Civilian Training Corps

The Florida Regional Office of the C. T. C. in Coral Gables has just received word that among a group of C. T. C. enrollees who wrote a letter of appreciation to the Montreal headquarters who enroute to England, was O. S. Hartsfield of West Palm Beach, Florida. "In behalf of myself and all the boys," wrote Mr. Hartsfield and his companions, "we wish to thank you for the treatment and thoughtfulness which we received while we were with you ... God bless you and carry on." Reports indicate that the C. T. C. is doing everything in its power for the convenience and comfort of the men who sign up for work on the home defense front in England. The drive for enlistments is continuing rapidly in Florida, according to the Regional Office at the University of Miami, which is urging men who may be qualified to obtain complete information about the service at the Florida State Employment Office nearest them or through contacting the regional headquarters at the University of Miami.

Classified Ads..

CENTRALLY LOCATED private school will take advanced are students for 1 to 2 hours' instruction Saturday afternoons. Call Ken-Castle. Phone 4-6206. 4tc

PERSONAL

WANTED-2 boys to distribute circulars after school. Phone 4-9537. 1tp

TUTOR

COLLEGE graduate and teacher will tutor elementary or high school pupils. Phone 4-6206. 4tc

BRIDGE DAY CHANGED

The regular bridge day at the Country Club of Coral Gables has been changed from Monday to Tuesday beginning next Tuesday, with luncheon at 12 noon. At this time winners of the summer bridge tournament will be announced by Mrs. Charles Oehler, Jr., bridge chairman. The University Hospital, then the Tallman Hospital, first opened in July, 1926.

LANDSCAPING

- A pleasing Landscape makes an attractive house. Call Wallace Tyler at 4-5549 for dependable landscape service. Maintenance; redesigning; new lawns. tf

REPAIRS

HOME REPAIRS - Loans arranged. Plastering, painting, roofing, carpenter work. Floor sanding. JOE POHNL, 3640 S. W. 14th St. 15 years in Gables. Your protection, insured workmen. Phone 4-1064.

AWNINGS - Canopies - Vi-

vatex treated materials-repairs and servicing. Peerless Awning Co. 2333 Le Jeune rd. Phone 4-1898

SWIMMING INSTRUCTIONS

GUARANTEED to teach you to swim $10. Special coaching Pool by Lotty Schoemmell, 127 Alhambra Circle. 4tp

GARDENING

GARDENING: LAWNS fully cared for, resetting, bitterstem grass and soil furnished. Ph. 4-7474. R. M. Poteet. 1tc

Shorthand in 30 Days

Medical Office, Laboratory and X-ray Courses International Business School 2416 Ponce de Leon - Ph. 4-9768

PLANTS FOR SALE

GARDENIA PLANTS, finest stock; 75c and up; 134 Giralda; next door to Coral Gables Garage. Entrance in Alley. 17-24-31-7

FOR SALE

TWO - BURNER blue enamel brand new oil stove (never used), $4.00. Phone 4-1634.

FOR RENT

TWO bedrooms, one with double bed, one with twin beds, innerspring mattresses, hot water, telephone; bus by door; walking distance to shopping district. 613 Navarre. EFFICIENCY apartment, centrally located; yearly or seasonal; adults only. 2327 LeJeune Road. tf BEDROOM, pricato bath, private entrance; awninnged porch; close in; 422 Alcazar. $30.000 monthly up. SINGLE bedroom for young business man. Attractive year-round rate. 2 bus lines near country club; Gentiles; 936 Sorolla. 1tc

COMFORTABLE room, twin

beds, private entrance; business people or students; reasonable. 119 Cadima. 1tp

FASHODA

Efficiency bungalow apartments. 111 Alhambra Circle. Ph. 4-5198. tf

TWIN beds; large closets; bed-

room and bath; private entrance thru patio 21⁄2 blocks shopping and theatre district. 422 Alcazar. 1tc-26

UNFURNISHED rooms - util-

ities furnished. 42 Almeria. Phone 4-2244. tf

TREATMENTS

MASSAGE-GYM-15 treatments $10.00 Lotty Schoemmell's Health Center. Open evenings, Phone 4-4040. 127 Alhambra Circle.

TUTORING

- Spanish and French classes and private lessons for beginners and ad-vanced pupils. Mrs. S. M. Stanbery, 2230 S. W. 60th Ct. Ph-4-0211. 1tc

HOME REPAIRS

Painting - Plastering - Roofing Carpenter Work - Storm Shutters LOANS ARRANGED Fred Acker 44 Almeria Avenue Ph. 4-9591

PERSONAL

DO YOU NEED MONEY? Don't borrow. Proper adjustment of life insurance policies may return cash overpaid in the past, without cancelling or reducing your insurance protection. Policy Holder's Service, 612 Seybold Building. 2-0492. Free pamphlet explaining service. tf

LEGAL NOTICE

To Whom It May Concern: You will please take notice that the undersigned will, on or about October 31, 1941, register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Dade County, the name "Hank's Service Station," as required by Chapter 20953, Acts of Florida, 1941. Henry Higginbotham, doing business as "Hanks Service Station," 2122 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, Florida. Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31, 1941. To Whom It May Concern: You will please take notice that the undersigned will, on or about October 24, 1941, register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Dade County, the name "The Tropic Gardens," as required by Chapter 20953, Acts of Florida, 1941. A. R. and Martha Swearingen, doing business as "The Tropic Gardens," 1600 S. W. Red Road, Coral Gables, Florida. To Whom It May Concern: You will please take notice that the undersigned will, on or about October 17, 1941, register with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Dade County, the name "Riviera Pre-School," as required by Chapter 20953, Acts of Florida, 1941. Claire Ulrich Flannagan, doing business as "Riviera Pre-School," 4307 Segovia Street, Coral Gables, Florida. Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 1941

TAHITI BEACH CORAL GABLES

"Where discriminating people will find their own kind" Fifteenth Season - Rates on Request SELECTED CLIENTELE PHONE 4-9462

CORAL GABLES GROCERY

Quality, Selection Low Price Food & Dept. Store 2012 PONCE DE LEON BLVD. "In the Heart of Coral Gables" Cash and Carry Only - Quantity Rights Reserved OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL 8:30 FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE EXTRA SPECIAL Your Choice of Any One of the Following Items- CAMELS, CHESTERFIELDS, LUCKY STRIKES, OLD GOLDS, RALEIGHS CIGARETTES | 2 pkgs. 2c YOUR CHOICE OF ANY REGULAR LOAF OF BREAD | reg. loaf 2c Carnation Milk | 2 TALL CANS 2c WALDORF TOILET TISSUE | 3 rolls 2c WITH THE PURCHASE OF 1 CARTON OF R. C. COLA AT REG. PRICE PLUS DEPOSIT 25c CTN. TUB BUTTER FINEST QUALITY 93 SCORE LB. 41c CARAMEL - REG. 10c CORN . . package 5c MORGAN'S OLD-FASHIONED Apple Cider GALLON CAN 19c Coffee MORNING BRACER GROUND TO SUIT lb. 19c VALLEY PRIME PEAS or CORN, 2 cans 19c WASHINGTON STATE FRESH Prunes. . . 2 No. 21⁄2 25c McGRATH'S BALTIMORE Tomatoes . . . 2 cans 15c HEINZ, 8-oz., Clam Chowder, Consomme Soups . . . . . small can 9c CALO Dog Food 2 cans 15c For Best Salads-French or Russian DRESSING, Qt. 29c PALMOLIVE . . . 4 Bars 18c PETER PAN Peanut Butter 12-OZ. 21c Spry.. 3-lb. tin 49c CROSSE & BLACKWELL DATE- NUT BREAD 2 CANS 25c SUPER SUDS LARGE SIZE ALL PURPOSE- 16c RAYON SAFE NOTHING BUT THE BEST All of our MEATS are TOP GRADE-The finest we can buy... And if you will compare OUR PRICES with those of other stores you will find in most cases they are ACTUALLY LOWER than inferior grades. Treat yourself to the BEST and SAVE MONEY. STEAKS Sirloin or Club lb. 33c ARMOUR'S STAR-WILSON'S CERTIFIED-PURITAN (TOP QUALITY) FANCY MILK-FED VEAL RUMP ROAST . lb. 29c ROUND BONE CUTLETS . . . lb. 39c PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE. . . . . . . 2 for 15c ARMOUR'S DAIRY BRAND Sliced Bacon THIN lb. 33c STRICTLY FRESH JUMBO SHRIMP... lb. 29c FANCY ROASTING CHICKENS 21⁄2-3 lb. Avar. lb. 33c STRICTLY FRESH PORK LOIN ROAST Half or Whole lb. 29c CALIF. CARROTS . . . . Bunch 6c GEORGIA SWEET Potatoes . 5 lbs. 17c CRISP OREGON Celery Hts. 3 for 15c U. S. NO. 1 YELLOW COOKING ONIONS . . 3 lbs. 11c HUBBARD SQUASH . . . . lb. 5c JUICY PERSIAN LIMES . . . . . doz. 5c CRISP ICEBERG LETTUCE, 2 heads 15c SWEET CALIFORNIA, JUICY ORANGES . . doz. 23c YORK IMPERIAL-FINE FOR COOKING APPLES . . . 5 lbs. 19c 3-Pc. Crockery Mixing Bowl Sets ........... 50c The Hostess Salad Set. Plastic. Set ........ 25c Sanitary Food Cover Sets, Oiled Silk, Washable, Odorless. Pkg. ............ 25c Red Hot Roaster for Frankfurters, and Many Other Picnic Delicacies ................. 10c Jewel Plastic Knife - for Cutting Cakes, Pies, etc. Sanitary-Stainless ... 25c 6 Cannon Miracle Dish Towels ................. 1.00

This New ROYAL Portable Typewriter YOURS FREE!

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