The Coral Gables Times

THE Coral Gables TIMES

CORAL GABLES TIMES Thursday, April 5, 1962 THE Coral Gables TIMES Established Jan. 15, 1926 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Published at 364 Sevilla Ave., Coral Gables 34, Fla. JOHN T. WATTERS .............................................President ROLFE NEILL ....................................Editor & Publisher Subscriptions: $4.20 year by mail anywhere

The Surprise That Needn't Have Been

Some of the chickens came home to roost Wednesday night of last week. Mayor Searle and others of the City Commission have expressed shock that 43% of the citizens of this community don't know if their elected officials are "making adequate plans for the City's growth and development." That was their answer to a particular question in the Jaycees' recent survey of 520 families here. That survey turned up dozens of useful and interesting pieces of information. This is but one of a series of editorials in which we shall comment on the findings. For now, however, we need to make an important point and make it early: One of the reasons people don't always know about what their government is doing is because their government is sometimes reluctant to tell them. The plans for the library, the Rader study of land use, revaluation of your property, talks about UM-Gables cooperation on a football stadium - the list goes on and on (and is no respecter of administrations). In each of these instances, the city asked for a news blackout "until the proper time." Occasionally - and it is so infrequent as to be rare - official silence is justified on matters affecting the community. In our opinion, most of the requests made by our town fathers for news withholding are unjustified. We fight back when we think so. In fairness to our City Commissioners, it should be pointed out that they have sought to see our viewpoint, have sat and discussed it with us. Yet, more frequently than we like, they ask us to "lay off for now." The residents of Coral Gables are of above average education. They have a good newspaper which seeks to provide the news fairly and in full detail. They don't need to be "protected" from the facts which affect them. The Times believes the current City Hall administration is doing a creditable job in many areas for our town, both for the present and for the future. But as for whether the people always know about it, the town fathers might first look at their own public information policies. It may have been a surprise to them but it was no surprise to us who cover the news.

Advise Only, Not Consent

We take our stand with Bert Burris and the City Commission against the Advertising Advisory Committee relative to the issue which came before the Commission Tuesday. Basically, the matter is this: Shall the Advertising Advisory Committee advise the City's paid advertising man or order him? We think the answer is readily apparent in the name of the committee itself. Beyond that, however, is the role of the staff man and his citizen advisors and the City's entire approach to advertising. Next week we shall have a word about this matter.

On the Other Hand

Recreation is one of the major interests of our citizens. It is to be readily observed and for those who want factual proof, check the just-released survey by the Jaycees on what people who live here want improved. Yet, one of the City's groups seems to us hamstrung in a vital job. We refer to the Recreation Advisory Board, a group which has certainly had its tumultuous moments in recent months, due mainly to some internal personality differences. The group is hamstrung by the very commission which is its parent. On the one hand, the commission asks for its advice. On the other, City Commissioners stem intent on paying it little heed (see today's news story) or in severely limiting its powers (see past news stories). Our City government needs all the intelligent help it can get. Undoubtedly more would be forthcoming if instead of being discouaged it were encouraged.

The Readers Write Us About Metro

EDITOR: The Metro Charter provides Home Rule for the people. Without Home Rule the charter would not be worth the paper it is written on. Home Rule means this: "The right of the people to decide," that is the right of the people to vote on all controversial issues. It does NOT give the right to any chosen few, any group or any newspaper to decide what the people shall or shall not vote for. What the Crandon Committee seeks to accomplish is - "Let the people decide" - at the polls. Let the people vote YES or NO on every separate issue. In the McLeod election 97,000 voters voted against the Charter. Only 105,000 voted for the Charter. One would think the County Commission would pay some attention to that, and not ignore those 97,000 voters. One would think that long before this, the Commission would have studied this situation and long ago presented the people with improvements to the Charter, instead of adopting a policy of "let it alone" and, by so doing endanger the very life of the Charter. However this is exactly what they have done. That is why the Crandon Committee, consisting of 10 members (four of whom were members of the original Charter Board and all highly respected members of this community) decided it was imperative to submit certain amendments to the Charter - every one of which we believe would greatly improve it just as 22 amendments have improved the U.S. Constitution - and "let the people decide." We do NOT agree that some chosen group, some individual, or some newspaper should assume the right to decide what the people should or should not vote on. That right belongs to the people, and the Crandon Committee is determined they shall be permitted to exercise that right. We think the County Commission had an opportunity to create confidence and good will with the people (some things they badly need) by voluntarily placing the proposed amendments on the May ballot. This they refused to do, which forces the Crandon Committee to circulate petitions for signatures and, moreover, the Commission's refusal to do so will now necessitate a special election at a cost of up to $60,000. We regret this and as has been pointed out, the Commission could have saved this cost to the taxpayers, saved thousands of our citizens and the Crandon Committee this work and expense. We invite the help of every citizen who wishes to see the right of Home Rule prevail. You can help directly by signing the petition located in your neighborhood. CHARLES H. CRANDON Chairman, Crandon Committee

The Readers Write Us About Metro [Continued / Letter 2]

EDITOR: I have seldom seen a more specious argument than that set forth in the last paragraph of the lead editorial of the Miami Herald of March 29. I quote: "If Charter, Commission and Manager need tinkering the job is worth doing well at a special election called for that purpose in response to the aspirations of the people themselves." I fail completely to find the difference between a "yes" or "no" on a ballot at a regular election or a special election, except the cost. It is a sad commentary on our Dade County politics that our elected representatives (?) would rather cravenly squander the public funds than go against the dictates of the daily press. Twice in one year we have been forced into a costly special election by this spineless Metro Commission, and for this last unforgivable action the seven who forced this expensive special election, uselessly, should be retired from public office as soon as possible. I do not know if, and when, these gentlemen are running to succeed themselves, but if they do their record should be remembered. It is to be noted that the names of the costly seven were carefully omitted from all reports in the daily papers so I shall supply them: James H. Allen, Charles F. Hall, Arthur Patten, Frank O. Pruitt, Harold B. Spaet, Milton E. Thompson and Winston W. Wynne. WM. WYATT NOLTING 241 Romano Ave.

JEAN ALEXIS TESLOF AND HIS 'THE VERY LAST SUPPER'

REACTIONS to ART

by ROBERT S. HURWITZ For those who cry for the recognizable subject and find beauty in the substance of nature painted realistically - well, I've located one artist of this rare modern day breed here in our town. From the hand and heart of artist Jean Alexis Teslof, nature, people and things get the classic fine arts approach. Where the pallet of the action painters is the paint can, Teslof's pallet is the pallet. Care and color, pride and precision make his material come alive. Teslof's seascapes, portraits and realistic social commentaries on canvas are a refreshing interlude in art appreciation. But, for these eyes the large, vibrant pulsating painting that smacks me hardest is Teslof's social warning "The Very Last Supper." The words of atomic warning by our President, Popes and people who care seem subtle in the presence of this visual challenge to save humanity. The familiar ominous mushroom cloud rises in billowing bursts of scarlet reds, darkened greens, foreboding whites and purposeful blacks. The fire from the burning buildings is painted in run-away brush strokes of yellow and reds. In contrast, but wholly integrated in composition, Jesus Christ stands heroically with his left hand raised high toward the heights of salvation. His right hand swings down in despair releasing the empty Holy Chalice, now useless forever. If all that is warned of came about there will be no one to partake of the Holy Communion. "The Very Last Supper" combines strong social comment with exciting vibrations of inventive color. The painter's patience is truly a contrast from our contemporary school and displays classic concern for subject matter. It's a good example of the potential might artists have in influencing with art the world around us. Teslof's painting exhibited in a public place would dramatically tell a story in one picture that a thousand words couldn't. He would lend his work of art. The question is, are there personalities untimid enough to arrange exhibit space in an appropriate public domain? Art has a dramatic place in our life and an important part to play in helping the mind to think. Let someone step forth and do something about it. Galleries, city hall, houses of worship, financial institutions could be the winning candidates. Teslof is a superb man whose world wide credentials as an artist are in high standing. His studio is at 5800 SW 27th St.

The Readers Write Us About Metro [Continued / Letter 3]

EDITOR: We were particularly gratified and encouraged to see your editorial in last Thursday's Times regarding the Florida law prohibiting students in public schools from belonging to fraternities and sororities that choose new members by voting of current members. Since its enactment in 1941 this law has been nothing but a source of embarrassment and controversy in the administration of Florida schools - for the principal reason as so ably pointed out in your editorial, that it represents a glaring intrusion on an individual's right to choose his associates. As per your suggestion, we intend writing each of our representatives in the State Legislature regarding this matter, as soon as the results of the upcoming election are known, and hope there will be many other parents sufficiently concerned over the existence of this hypocritical impediment to the education of their children, to do likewise. F. CHANDLER JONES 637 Minorea Ave.