The Coral Gables Times

‘Santa Claus Is Dead’ -- CG Taxes to Rise

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THE Coral Gables TIMES THE CITY BEAUTIFUL Vol. 37, No. 18 24 Pages Thursday, June 7, 1962 Phone HI 3-1661 Price 10c

—Times photo by Raymond Lang "YOU'RE GOING TO RUIN THE GABLES!" DECLARES HARRY SKIJUS, 840 ALMERIA AVE.

They Don’t Like Plan For Future

(More pictures on page 2; Editorial comment next week) The main thing wrong with the $12,000 Rader and Associates plan for the future of Coral Gables is that it would convert CG from a City of Beautiful homes to a suburban metropolis. This was the concensus among the more than 85 persons who turned out Monday night to hear for the first time Rader's comprehensive plan. Progress, it turned out, was everybody's business, and there was a lot of difference of opinion on what progress is. To Arnold W. Eckhoff, a Rader partner, it meant nine-story office buildings surrounded by six and four story apartments. But Gableites say progress for them is measured in the peace and quiet of their residential neighborhoods and the casualness and slow pace of the downtown section. George Jahn, an attorney who lives at 2602 Country Club Prado, asked the audience: "Are we going to maintain the character of Coral Gables or are we going to (See RADER, page 2)

Tax Hike This Year

By MAURICE LABELLE Times Reporter A tax raise is in prospect for Gables property owners for the second straight year. Although everybody's levy is likely to be up a bit, hardest hit will be the properties with low valuations. This is because of the recent revaluation program, upping values on many lower priced properties and putting some 800 homes on the tax rolls for the first time. City Manager L. W. Robin- (See TAXES, page 3)

Another Hearing

At least one more public hearing will be held at a time and place to be announced.

5-Story Hotel Turned Down

(Picture of the hotel that might have been, page 2) Plans for the five-story Seven Gables Hotel on Coral Way came down with a crash Tuesday when the City Commission voted 4-0-1 against it. Commissioner Franklin Evans brought a long discussion about the pros and cons of the $1.1 million, 102-room hotel to a halt by moving to deny. The vote was four against with Commissioner Joe Murphy disqualifying himself because his law partner Edmund Russo represented proponents Robert E. Sullivan and Eugene Wilhelm. Extension of commercialization along Coral Way was cited as the main reason for denial. "There can't be any industry cleaner than a first class hotel," Russo had told the Commission earlier. Seven area residents or property owners had written in to agree. Al Jacobson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, appeared to lend his personal support and that of the Board of Directors. But Evans challenged Jacobson's claim that approval had been unanimous. (See related story on the left. The vice mayor pointed out that he abstained when he sat at last week's board meeting. He represents the City Commission. Maurice H. Connell and Associates, the architects, were for the hotel, as was M. Josef, Biltmore Way beauty shop operator. Also in favor was M. S. Hamilton, 658 Almeria Ave., and real estate man Jim Lewy, who (See HOTEL, page 2)

In Past Years

Year | Millage | Budget 1959-60 | 17.70 | $1,883,604 1960-61 | 17.69 | 1,923,481 1961-62 | 19.00 | 1,874,615 1962-63 | 10.00 | 2,163,155 Budget totals here show only the monies brought in by ad valorem taxes, 47.1% of the budget total of $5.9 million.

Liquor Law Liberalization Urged by Chamber Board

Change the liquor law here to permit 100-room motels to acquire licenses, the Gables Chamber of Commerce asks the City Commission. By a vote of 12 to 3 with one abstention, the Chamber Board of Directors passed a resolution containing the request. The action was at the monthly dinner meeting Thursday night of last week at La Pena's Restaurant. The Chamber also endorsed the idea of a five-story hotel for Coral Way, overlooking Granada Golf Course. (The City Commission later rejected the idea at its Tuesday meeting.) For the Chamber, the recommendations were an important step. The new administration, under President Al Jacobs (See LIQUOR, page 2)

Mass Arrests Follow Bus Terminal Sex Ring Broken

Coral Gables police and Judge Charles Spooner have cracked down hard on a group of 40 to 50 alleged perverts operating out of the Municipal Bus Terminal and its men's rest room. None of the men have Gables addresses. There have been complaints about the bus station for many months. Heavy sentences and fines were meted out by Judge Spooner to seven defendents who appeared before him Tuesday night to face charges of loitering and lewd and lascivious conduct. A total of 22 have been arrested. Officers Ralph Lichtenberger, Glenn D. Arp and Robert DeKorte began the series of arrests May 26 after police decided to call a halt to the activities at the Municipal Bus Terminal. There had been periodic cases from time to time, but nothing approaching the scale of (See POLICE, page 3)

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"Quick Action!"

"Sold articles immediately!" commented Mrs. G. A. Davis. 24" DI-ARCO sheet metal break, excellent Cond. $50. Aluminum mail box and stand $5. CA 6-0556. The same fine results can be yours by dialing HI 4-6844 or HI 3-3054.