The Coral Gables Times

Coral Gables TIMES

Established Jan. 15, 1926 Second Class Postage Published at Paid at Miami, Fla. 364 Sevilla Ave., Coral Gables 34, Fla. JOHN T. WATTERS | President ROLFE NEILL | Editor & Publisher Subscriptions: $4.20 year by mail anywhere in the U.S.A.

We Made an Error

In this space last week we made an error in discussing the financial aspects of our Municipal Court. We said that the City could save the court's annual budget of $11,359 by shutting it down. Our arithmetic was off. Our editorial was prompted not so much by the small saving involved but by the fact that we see no demonstrated need to operate the court. Of course, if we can save some money in each department, in time we have more than a small saving. Interestingly, not a single citizen has spoken up in behalf of continuing our local Municipal Court. Apparently, whatever needs it may fill are of a limited nature. Indeed, the City's own statistics for the past few months show that only 29% of the people appearing in court are Gableites. Now back to the arithmetic. The court has a budget this year of $11,359. We neglected to show that it has an expected income from misdemeanor fines of $6,180. Thus, if we abandoned our Municipal Court, there would be a saving to the city not of $11,359 (total budget) but $5,179 (difference between income and expense). However, this would be trimmed further by the fact that when Metro handles the offense it keeps a third of the fine. Thus, our $5,179 saving would be reduced by a third or finally reduced to $3,453. We're sorry for the arithmetical lapse. However, we don't see where it disturbs the point of the contention.

A Sensible Move

The whole process seemed so reasonable and sensible: The City had a problem about the development of Sunrise Harbour. So last week the City Commissioners turned to their Planning Board for ideas. What should we do? they asked the board, in effect. But behind that seemingly reasonable, sensible process is a radical departure for the City Commission. It is actually asking the opinion of one of the boards it has to advise it. What makes this news is that the Commissioners are not wont to do this. For some reason, they appoint advisory boards and then fail to make little or no use of them. The Planning Board is a natural to come up with a King Solomon's solution in this Sunrise matter. Incidentally, before making its own recommendation it might well consult informally with our Zoning Board. If this decision by City Hall indicates that it intends to delegate more detail to people specially equipped to handle it, we applaud the move.

And a Question Raised

While we're talking (above editorial) about the role of City-spawned creatures such as advisory boards, it seems appropriate to talk about another of them, The Advertising Advisory Board (see story on page 1). Perhaps, rather than giving power to this board, it may well be one we don't even need the board itself. The Times suggests that such a board may be more of a hindrance than a help. After the troubles this spring when the City Commission flatly backed its professional man in a difference of opinion with the board, we had the situation of the Commission confirming the fact that its own appointed board has no powers over the man it advises. Ever since the pregnant question has hung around: Why, then, have a board? It reasserts itself now, as our news story on page 1 implies. While there are not volatile differences between the consultant and the board, there are differences. This time, they've been resolved. But how about next time? The City has a professional advertising agency to assist in its decisions about how to spend money. It hires a professional advertising man to run the program. Does it need a board with no powers? It is a question deserving consideration.

EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS by Rolfe Neill

Topping Out A delightful custom, little used today in the United States, is the celebration that occurs when the highest point is reached in the erection of a new building. I was reminded of the charm of the custom the other day when I saw a little pine tree standing crookedly atop the new Holiday Inn Motel on South Dixie. Some construction worker there apparently still follows the custom. The Japanese, I know, do it; even for a small family home there's quite a celebration when the ridge pole gets into place. Small things mean a lot, we are frequently reminded. * * * People You Know The Hartnett name appears to be headed back for politics. The youngest son, 24-year-old Bob, is said to be considering running for the legislature from Dade County . . . What-ever happened to UM's enfant terrible, Dr. Johns? Since Henry King Stanford arrived I don't believe I've even seen the name in print . . . Keith Phillips Jr. is quoted in The Miami Herald this week with an opinion about the effect of Dadeland: "Holy smokes! Look what this does to downtown Miami. And Coral Gables, too. They've just got to wake up." There's nothing wrong in Coral Gables that can't be solved by a removal of the "they" attitude and a substitution of the "we" one. * * * Money Talks The man who pays the piper . . . The South is in a far deeper bondage than ever it was during slavery. The bondage is to the Federal government and is caused by Federal payments—from research grants to educational institutions to aid to illegitimate children. It's pathetic for self-deluded people, however well meaning they or their convictions may be, to strut up and down the stage fretting over Federal intervention here or there. The U.S. government holds a card even stronger than all its Federal marshals. This is the threat of removing the U.S. dollar. Ironically, it's the same weapon the Negro himself is using so effectively against those who close him out. Few Southerners are willing to send back that light blue check from Uncle Sam, even to preserve segregation. * * * Paging the Mags Harper's has a big come-on in its current issue about the American woman with a half dozen articles devoted to examining her, most of them shallow in my opinion. Perhaps the most informative is an ex-fashion editor's look at the business prostitution that goes on inside many fashion magazines in order to get revenue dollars. What those people haven't learned is that no advertiser is ever appeased or sated. Try to win him with editorial column "giveaways" and his appetite only enlarges. The only thing to "give" an advertiser is results. Clare Booth Luce has a good piece in last week's LIFE about President Kennedy and Cuba. She says he imperils us all by hiding the facts. I think she makes a good case.

OFF BEAT by Maurice Labelle

Gerard Pucci, member of the Coral Gables Zoning Board, has acquired a new epithet — "The Great Dissenter." The new tag resulted not so much from the fact that Pucci dissents frequently in Zoning Board decisions, but for his minority opinions whenever he turns up on the short side of a vote. Pucci was amused when he learned of his new title and, rather than take offense, became quite proud of the fact. "I'm not afraid to stand up and be counted," said Pucci. This is quite different from many public servants who prefer to operate behind a cloak of anonymity. —ML— One prominent local citizen is reportedly going around saying that our paper is Red. What he means, of course, is that it is well read. —ML— Incorporation of the Southwest Dade will not die as long as there are city makers around. For every Gene Flinn there's a John Brennan ready to give it another go. Flinn dropped the idea before the last Metro Commission election, but Brennan, president of the West Dade Democratic Club, has picked it up. Probably no area has faced incorporation more often than West Hollywood in neighboring Broward County. City fans there have been trying since 1925 and the latest apparent successful effort has been challenged in the courts. Some cities just aren't meant to be. —ML— Schoolrooms are beginning to look more and more like recreation halls with TV, recording machines, movie projectors and teaching machines that remind us of the toy blackboards with the roll up learning aids. It's difficult to see how children could get bored with all those gadgets to play with. These devices cost taxpayers plenty, but are worth it if they help educate. —ML—

Remember The Times

OCTOBER 1961 The Coral Gables City Commission voted 3-1 to sue the City of Miami over fallout and odors from its Coconut Grove incinerator . . . Carolyn Willey, only North American entry in a Lions' Club Beauty Contest in Peru, was chosen queen of queens by her competitors . . . A C. Allyn and Co. was awarded a contract by the Coral Gables City Commission to handle a $500,000 off-street parking bond issue. OCTOBER 1952 Dr. Bowman F. Ashe spoke to the University of Miami Womens' Club . . . Mrs. Frank P. McLain was elected new presiding officer for the Women's Missionary Society of the University Baptist Church . . . Coral Gables members of the Miami Doll Club attended a meeting at Lake Worth. OCTOBER 1937 Mrs. Eloise Barrett suffered a bruised back in an auto accident . . . The University of Miami Hurricane football team took on Spring Hill College of Alabama in the newly-constructed Orange Bowl . . . J. Allen Brown was elected president of the Coral Gables Real Estate Board.

MAILBOX

EDITOR: I have sent the following letter to our City Hall. As a native of Coral Gables, who only returned last Monday as a full-fledged taxpaying resident after living elsewhere in Dade County for the past 10 years, I'd like very much to commend a city bus driver for a gesture which illustrates why Coral Gables is the ideal family city. Because of an unavoidable mixup, our seven-year-old daughter was inadvertently placed on the wrong 2:00 p.m. school bus leaving Merrick Demonstration School Wednesday. Consequently, she went on a grand tour of Coral Gables — miles from where she should have headed. But the municipal driver — whose name I do not know — took time and effort to drive back to our neighborhood and deliver our youngest child to the front door of her home. I think you will agree that this gives us an unusual sense of security about our children and the atmosphere in which they will develop. I hope you will convey my appreciation to this driver and his superiors for making us feel at home so quickly and convincingly. PAT MURPHY 736 Sevilla Ave.

YOU MAY obtain this certificate by boning up on some basic American citizenship as well as seeing a current film and reading a book by J. Edgar Hoover. The program is sponsored by the Coral Gables Bar Association. For details, ask any lawyer or call The Times.