The Coral Gables Times

THE CORAL GABLES TIMES

THE CITY BEAUTIFUL Vol. 37, No. 21 24 Pages Thursday, June 28, 1962 Phone HI 3-1661 Price 10c

Flood of Complaints Storm Breaks over Tax Boosts

By BECKY DOYLE QUINN Times Reporter Coral Gables residents, after 15 years of living in a dream world of low taxes, turned City Hall into a nightmare Monday. Switchboards jammed and secretaries gulped aspirin as hundreds of property owners sought out officials demanding explanations for the City's recent tax hike. Put mildly, they left no doubt as to their severe distaste for the increase in property valuation and tax millage. GRIM PROPHESY Finance Director Kenneth Allyn's reaction to the situation came in the form of a grim prophesy: "If this city doesn't wake up and face facts it will wind up like Homestead or South Miami and several other cities in this area — in a position that, for all practical purposes, amounts to bankruptcy." The tax boost was a rude awakening for the 100 residents who phoned Tax Assessor T. C. Blount's office to complain. Another 150 appeared in person to get an explanation from Blount. ANGRY CITIZENS Clerks in his office spent a frantic two days checking billing cards and trying to tell angry citizens how their new valuation was calculated. Blount said he spoke personally with most of those who came into the office, but Tuesday afternoon he gave up try- Continued on page 3 SEE Editorials P-4 Photos P-3 Letters P-4

Property owners awaiting their turn to see tax assessor T. C. Blount — a familiar scene at city hall this week. More pictures inside.

The Hearing was on the Budget, But They Wanted to Talk Taxes

By EDWIN KNIGHT Corespondent Coral Gables City Commissioners Tuesday afternoon learned an old but challenging lesson in government: Citizens dont' like their taxes raised. City fathers listened to about 20 citizens give their opinions on the city's recent reassessment program. But the commissioners did nothing to console the citizenry except to promise that the city's high standards will not be changed. Actually, most of those attending the meeting thought their individual tax problems could be settled there. But, as Mayor Robert L. Searle brought out at the beginning, the meeting was a public hearing on the proposed 1962-63 budget. Main complaint of those attending was that the city's reassessment program had caught most citizens off guard. They besieged the Commission for an explanation. The Commission responded by quoting figures showing that the reassessment was necessary to keep the city on the progressive level it has maintained since its organization. City Finance Director Kenneth Allyn explained that the city must increase ad valorem taxes to compensate for other revenue that would not be coming in during the upcoming fiscal year. At the same time, Allyn pointed out, some city expenses were going up, thus requiring an increase in the property tax rolls. The older homes caught the brunt of the reassessment. Allyn said more than 800 homes were put on the tax rolls for the first time. These homes were not taxed previously because their assessment, about 40 per cent of valuation, was offset by the $5,000 homestead exemption. Average tax bill for these older homes is about $60. But some of the citizens at the public hearing brought out that their assessment was placed far above the market value of their home. One citizen, Herman Garden, 2700 Alhambra Circle, told the Commission that his assessment was placed at $60,000 when he only paid $44,000 for the home some four years ago. The Commission referred Garden, and others who have similar assessment problems to the Board of Equalization. The Commission, acting as the Board of Equalization, will hear tax equality pleas on July 9, 10, and 11 in the Commission chambers. If the meeting Tuesday is any indication, there will be a large attendance at the Board of Equalization meetings. Although the discussions continued on page 2

He Failed to Stop: Now He Is Dead

"Hey Mom, Linda and I are going to go pick up her sister at summer school. We'll see you later," called young John Michael Kirkland to his mother Tuesday morning. "Okay, honey," she answered. The next time Mrs. Joseph Kirkland, 3311 SW 104th Ave., saw her son, he was at Doctor's Hospital, covered with bruises. Linda had a broken rib and multiple scratches . . . and another young man was dead. John and his girl, Linda Badgley, 19940 Gulfstream Rd., were driving south on Galliano Street from Coral Gables on their way to South Miami in her 1961 Sprite sports car. The started past the intersection at Palermoo Avenue. But they never got through it. "I looked to the left and then I started to look to the right. All I saw was a big flash of black coming at us and that was it," said John. "It hit us and our car slid. I jumped out as quick as I could and went over to see how Linda was. It hit her side of the car, the right front side. "Linda was screaming. All I could hear was her screaming . . . everything else was real quiet. It seemed like an hour 'till the first neighbor appeared. I felt like I was completely alone, except for Linda's screaming. "I didn't even look at the other car at first. Then some of the neighbors started coming out and someone screamed that there was a dead man pinned under the car." The man was 26 year old Burr Alan Davey, 131 SW 13th Ave., who was driving a black continued on page 2

They Seek a Change On Library Site

"Change the site of the new library building," petitioners now circulating among Coral Gables residents. Mrs. George H. Christophel, 525 Palermo Ave., is spearheading a group of 12 area residents who don't like the proposed library site behind City Hall. "It would destroy the beauty of City Hall to have a modern structure in back of it," said Mrs. Christophel. "And with Biltmore Way, Coral Way, and Le Jeune Road surrounding it, children couldn't possibly get there safely," she said. "And where would a person park," she asked, "without having to put money in a meter? With the new tax hike you'd at least think they could provide free parking." These are the objections sited in the petition. The group intends to file for a public hearing before the City Commission Meeting July 10. Where would they advocate putting the new library? They offer three suggestions. The vacant lot adjacent to the Youth Center on Le Jeune and Anastasia Avenue. The present library site. Would it be possible to tear down the existing structure and erect the new library on the same land? The new building across from the bus terminal on Aragon continued on page 2

Coral Gables Plumbing

Supplies — Repairs — Alterations HI 3-8684. —Adv.

RESCUERS ATTEMPT TO REVIVE VICTIM OF TUESDAY'S ACCIDENT

"We did it again?"

"Terrific results!" says Mrs. Ruiz.

NEW Sears camping equipment. Used once. Tent 9x11, 4 cots, 3 stools. Coleman gas stove. Car top carrier, $75 comp. HI 4-2102.

Why don't you dial HI 4-6844 or HI 3-3054 to place a classified ad. Spanish spoken.

$25 Auto Seat Covers $18.50

Flagler Custom Auto Interiors 368 Sevilla Ave. —Adv.

Ye Olde Reliable Sharpe's

Spraying Service is still in business. Call MO 7-8878.