The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, February 1, 1962, page 2 (of 16)

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Our Chamber's in Clover, Brings in 168 New Members

(See editorial on page 4) A concerted three-day drive by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce which ended Jan. 25 netted 168 new members—a 38 per cent increase. The drive, led by Chairman Joe Murphy, boosted the Chamber's membership to 618 and far exceeded the goal of 70 new members. Once after World War II, the chamber got about 200 members but dues then were only a fraction of today's rate and the drive was put on by a professional organization. Robert Bradley won first prize—an expense paid trip to Nassau for two — for getting the most memberships. Final figures and new members names will be released later. Robert Hildreth was second. He won a week end for two at the Yankee Clipper in Fort Lauderdale. Third was Delio Cruz. He won a spin rod and reel. Among the team captains, Albert Jacobson was tops. He won a paid week end for two at Grand Bahama. Robert Davidson, second, won an expense paid week end for two at Pompano Beach Ocean Front Hotel. And James Hartnett got a leather utility case for camera and accessories for coming in third among team captains. Seventy-two business and professional leaders contributed to the success of the drive, said Manager Lee Smith. "A vigorous chamber of commerce is the first requisite for economic health in this community, I think we have proved the energy and determination which this chamber can command," said Murphy. A series of recommendations to aid next year's drive are being drafted, Murphy said Tuesday. Included in these will be expanding the drive from three days to five; boosting the number of team members from 12 to 15 for better distribution of the work load; following up on contacts; enlisting service club leaders to aid in developing contacts. Awards were made at a victory dinner held at the Coral Gables Country Club Thursday of last week.

Bill Gale Again Named Head of Junior OB Event

The Junior Orange Bowl Committee has elected officers for the 1962 event. Re-elected president by a unanimous vote was William L. Gale of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company. Other officers re-elected were vice-president, Warren L. Blackmon, radio executive of station WVCG; treasurer, William C. Swain, an officer of the Florida National Bank at Coral Gables. Secretary of the organization is Lee Smith, manager of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. A critique of the 1961 Junior Orange Bowl Festival was held, President Gale announced that committees would be appointed soon to begin preparing for the 1962 activities.

Hi-Fi Robbery On South Dixie

There was no sign of forced entry at Flagler Radio Co., 3550 South Dixie Highway Friday, but the evidence was there—$1,506 in missing hi-fi equipment. Police say the break occurred sometime between Jan. 26-27.

Was Uninsured

Gables tailor, John Pellegrini suffered a $9,500 uninsured loss in the Jan. 14 burglary of his store at 1805 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Pellegrini said this week that the insurance he carried did not cover the loss of more than 150 bolts of cloth. Gables police said they have no new clues in the theft. No entry marks were found.

THE BIG WINNERS!

VICTORY CELEBRATION — Here is the all-star lineup last Thursday night at the Coral Gables Country Club following a successful Chamber of Commerce membership drive. From left to right are Bob Bradley, individual first prize winner; Al Jacobson, team captain first prize; Joe Murphy, chairman of the drive; and Bob Hildreth, individual second prize winner. (Photo for The Times by Flash Smith).

Hearing Set on 5-Story Building on Bird Road

A group of developers who went for broke on a seven-story office building at Bird Road and Estancia Street and were denied are trying it again with five stories. A public hearing before the City Commission on the new height has been scheduled for Feb. 6, next Tuesday. The seven-story proposal was turned by a 3-1 vote of the City Commission when it came up Jan. 9. But the commission left the door open for Frank Solomon, attorney for the group and investor, to re-submit a five-story plan by waiving a one-year waiting period. Only Mayor Robert L. Searle voted for the taller building. The proposed structure would be called the Giffen Building and would be built on a 100 by 100 foot lot on Giffen Industries property.

Noisy AC Must Gets Quieter

One man's battle against noisy air conditioners has led the City Commission to revaluate its noise ordinance with an eye to raising standards. The ordinance, passed on second reading Jan. 23 and scheduled to go into effect 30 days from that date, will be brought up as an emergency next week, tightened up and put into effect immediately. Marcus Morris, who owns a large apartment at 214 Antiquerra Ave., brought about the new move following his complaint about the operation of large air conditioners at the Pancake House on nearby Ponce de Leon Boulevard. He was represented by attorney Bernard B. Weksler who told the commission of Morris' problem staying in the apartment business with tenants moving out because of the noise. "I can afford the taxes, but I can't afford the attorney's fees," Morris said in a lighter vain. Weksler said he didn't know what a decibel (unit of measure for sound) was but that 60 decibels, the limit set by the ordinance, was too high a figure and permitted too much noise. "This ordinance does not help the situation any," Weksler said in asking that it be revoked and that the old noise ordinance be used. But the Commission chose instead to tighten up the air conditioner ordinance to cut the decibel limit at night from 60 to 40. This is expected to be done next week when the Commission reconsiders the ordinance.

Red Road Wreck Claims One Life

One woman was killed and three injured in a head on collision at Red Road and SW 46th Ter. Sunday. Both cars were demolished in the spectacular accident. Mrs. Marie Neylon, 67, of 3770 Douglas Rd., died at Doctors' Hospital a few hours after the accident. She was a passenger in a car driven by Mary S. McManus, 62, of 10545 SW 74th Ave., reported in "critical" condition. Also injured and hospitalized was Charlotte Billy Hiller, 20, of 624 Navarre Ave., a passenger in a car driven by Patricia L. Jaeger, 19, of 6705 SW 25th Ter. Miss Hiller is reported in "good" condition. Miss Jaeger was treated and released later. Miss Jaeger told Officer J. Thomas Charlesworth that she was northbound on Red shortly before 6 p.m. when the oncoming McManus car crossed over into her lane suddenly. She said she applied the brakes immediately, but could not avoid the collision. The impact demolished the cars and debris was strewn about the intersection. AWAITING THE AMBULANCE following an accident at Red Road and SW 46th Ter. which killed one woman is Charlotte Billy Hiller, 20, of 624 Navarre Ave. Miss Hiller is at Doctors' Hospital. (Photo for The Times by Bob Kelley)