The Coral Gables Times

2 CORAL GABLES TIMES Thursday, October 4, 1962

Enough of Gas Facts, Says City; Let Us Think It Over

The City Commission Tuesday decided to shut off debate on the series of proposals by City Gas and Florida Gas Utilities Companies to furnish piped natural gas to Coral Gables. "I've run out of gas," quipped attorney Robert M. Haverfield, for Florida Gas Utilities. Which brought the rejoiner: "We never run out of gas," from Sid Langer, president of City Gas, who was represented by attorney Joe Dumond. But the Commission had had enough of week's of correspondence and appearances by the proponents and they asked City Manager L. W. Robinson to get together with City Attorney Ted Semple and resolve the proposals for the Commission. Haverfield Tuesday strongly challenged Dumond's claims that the City Gas offer would present lower rates to customers and higher franchise income to the City. One thing both firms agreed to do—pay the $2,500 cost of a referendum. In return for a 30-year franchise, City Gas agreed to 6% of gross tax which would include licenses and other impositions, but exclude ad valorem taxes. Florida Gas also seeks a 30-year franchise with 6% revenue including taxes, licenses, with a $3,000 minimum guarantee per year the first three years and $5,000 minimum per year thereafter. City Gas would give the City the right of purchase after 15 years; Florida Gas, 30 years. Each guarantees street repairs for five years. City Gas promises no rate increases for five years and Florida Gas challenges this and says that rates must be set by the Florida Railroad and Public Utilities Commission. City Gas proposes to install natural gas pipelines if four or more customers in a block apply. Florida Gas replies that it would be ready to serve the first customer within a year. LISTENING ARE attorneys Joe Dumond and Robert M. Haverfield while Sid Langer, president of City Gas makes a point. Langer and Dumond represented City Gas' natural gas franchise proposal before the City Commission Monday. Haverfield represented Florida Gas Utilities. (Times Photo).

Voting Changeover Can't Move Faster, Manager Tells Us

Joint registration using the County's voting rolls could not have been accomplished this year, City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. said this week. Robinson, in answer to critics (including The Times) who accused him of dragging his feet on the project, said it was City Commission policy not to affect the joint registration until after next April's municipal election. Last week's move by Metro rescinding a resolution permitting the Gables to join sooner was the result of a misunderstanding about the City Commission's intent, Robinson said. The Commission had merely indicated that it wished to accomplish joint registration at that time, the city manager said. Under the state law, Robinson said, the Gables will have between Jan. 1 and July 1, 1963 to ask for joint registration starting in 1964. This is the contention that has been challenged by Metro Attorney Darrey Davis. Davis claims joint registration could have been accomplished legally right away. But regardless of the legal ramifications, Robinson said, the City and the County could not have accomplished the change in time for the Spring election. Main problem, he said, is the County's job in realigning the precincts within the Gables and determining who lives within.

Meterless Gables Planned

A committee to study a free parking plan for Coral Gables is expected to report its findings in "a few more weeks," according to Paul School, president of the Retail Merchants Division of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Sam Miller, manager of Sears Roebuck Coral Gables store, recently resigned from the committee and School said a new chairman will be appointed to replace him. Among other things, the seven-man group will study how Hollywood in Broward County accomplished the feat, School indicated. The group, once its study is completed, plans to meet informally with the City Commission to present their alternatives to the present system of on and off-street metered parking.

We Rent Biltmore Golf Course For 3 More Years at $1 Each

The Gables Tuesday renewed another three-year contract with the Federal government for operation of the Biltmore Golf Course. Like the original agreement signed 14 years ago the agreement is for $3 — $1 a year — and runs from Nov. 15 to Nov. 14, 1965. The 375-acre, 18-hole course was open officially under City management on Dec. 17, 1947 with Wilber (Umps) Clark as the pro-manager. Clark was succeeded by William Tinder in 1957. The agreement between the Federal government and the City does not cover the Veterans Hospital, scheduled to be moved to Miami at some future unspecified date. What will happen to the hospital and golf course property after Uncle Sam pulls out has never been determined, although the City and University of Miami are among the bidders for the property. Under some of the terms of the agreement, the City agrees to vacate the property on 90-days notice from the federal government. Buildings, including the Pro Shop, 19th Hole Restaurant, shelters, maintenance shed, pumping station, electric cart storage shed and other facilities are maintained by the City with permission required to make changes. The City may not sublease any of the property without permission of the government. Police protection must be provided by the City. A 9 p.m. curfew is imposed. No alcoholic beverages may be sold. Patients at the VA Hospital are granted free use. All uranium, thorium and other materials coming under the control of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 must be turned over to the U.S.

Due Soon

Chip Diamond said this week he expects to open Coral Gables' newest restaurant, Chippy's at 101 Miracle Mile, in about five weeks. Chippy's Restaurant and Pantry will occupy space vacated recently by Curlee's Department Store. Diamond, a Coconut Grove resident, has been in the restaurant and dairy business for 35 years. He's a native of Englewood, N.J.

You Help Pay Bill, Says City

The City has asked the Co-operative Advertising Committee to share the burden of free parking costs during a two-day sale, Oct. 19 and 20 in Coral Gables. The Committee will be asked to pay half the $1,202 estimated loss of revenue from the two day moratorium on parking fees. Merchants, principally those on Miracle Mile recently formed the Committee in the face of growing economic competition, particularly from Dadeland. Commissioners pointed out that the two-day, meter-free set up is strictly temporary and sets no precedents. Said Commissioner Frankling Evans of the cooperative plan: "They're suddenly doing what Zain (George Zain, Miracle Mile Promoted) told them what to do 10 years ago."

Expanding

Coral Gables Federal Savings & Loan Association is asking the U.S. government for permission to establish a branch office near University Shopping Center on U.S. 1. It would be their first Gables branch and sixth office. The home office is on Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The branch would be near the site of the new University National Bank now building. There is no connection between the two.

Don't Ever Say You Weren't Asked for Rader Report Opinion

Citizens of Coral Gables were urged yesterday (Wednesday) by Mayor Robert L. Searle to attend a public meeting next Wednesday evening, Oct. 10, to hear details of the planning study often referred to as the Rader Report. The meeting will be held in the auditorium of the Coral Gables Youth Center at 7:30 p.m. Principal speaker will be Arnold W. Eckhoff, a partner in the Rader firm. The Rader Report has been both maligned and praised by Gableites who have studied it. It was prepared at a cost to the city of $12,000 and took nearly a year in the making. Its purpose was to provide an unbiased survey by an expert but disinterested source against which proposed changes in the city's zoning provisions may be checked. The report has been discussed in meetings of various civic groups and at one previous public meeting. The October 10th gathering is an attempt to make sure that every interested citizen has an opportunity to understand the report and direct his questions to one of the men who researched and wrote it.

Toastmasters Choose Al Farkas

Al Farkas, an insurance agent with Peninsular Insurance Co. here, is the new president of the Miracle Miles Toastmasters Club. He succeeds Fred Matthews. Mr. and Mrs. Farkas live at 5972 SW 42nd Ter. and have two children, the younger of whom, Frank, is a junior at the University of Miami. are educational vice president, Charles Denkert; administrative vice president, Earl Cook; treasurer, Fred Lovell; secretary, George Houlihan; sergeant at arms, Ed Morton. The club is about two years old and has 30 members. President Farkas said it would like about five more members. It meets at noon Thursday at Rocky Graziano's Restaurant. AL FARKAS . . .Toastmaster leader

NAMED TO BOARD

William Compton has been named to the Recreation Advisory Board to replace Mrs. Stanley Fosgate, who resigned recently. Compton will serve her unexpired term which runs out on Jan. 31, 1963.

We're Killing People 7 Times Faster in '62

Coral Gables has had about the same number of accidents as last year through the first eight months, but they have been killers. Seven persons have died compared to only one last year for the same period. The total number of accidents through August was 1,059 in which 410 were injured. Last year at the same time we had experienced 1,057 accidents and 397 injured.