The Coral Gables Times

2 CORAL GABLES TIMES Thursday, November 29, 1962

LET THOSE DOLLARS BE Our Ex-City Hallmen Mostly Oppose Change on U.S. Aid

Three of four former commissioners polled by The Times oppose the present Commission's' change in policy in seeking to acquire Federal funds for local projects. The fourth said it would depend on circumstances. "It's kind of got this old fire horse worked up," said former mayor John M. Montgomery. "In a community like ours, we are in a position to do our own (financing)," said Montgomery, who preceded Robert L. Searle as mayor. Montgomery indicated he was amazed at the change in the long standing policy of not seeking Federal money. The former mayor said he was opposed to long term debts and felt the Commission could have held off on the Library, parking garage and sewer programs until later. Except in the Cuban refugee situation, said Montgomery, where the national burden is assumed by a community and the rest of the nation does not share in the problem, he opposes Federal handouts. Another former mayor, W. Keith Phillips, had a different view. "The circumstances alter cases, said Phillips, who has just returned from a six-month stay in the mountains at Pensacola, N.C. "I must assume the Commission knew what they were doing," said Phillips. "I think the boys are doing a good job." Former Commission Frank Kerdyk was adamantly opposed. "I feel as I have before," said Kerdyk. "We always stood on our own two feet." The former vice mayor said he feared this sort of thing would result in wild inflation that would make the dollar worthless. "We're tending toward socialism all the time," said Kerdyk. "Some day this thing has to topple." "I would continue to oppose it... I think it's just a forerunner for using it for urban renewal... I should be in favor, but I'm opposed," said Kerdyk. Winston W. Wynne, a former commissioner now on the Metro Commission, went along with the majority. "I don't think you get anything for free," said Wynne, who described the Federal matching fund program as a 1962 PWA." "What do we need the money for?" asked Wynne. He did not think there was enough local matching money available to use the Federal funds.

No More Money (Editorial on page 4)

(Editorial on page 4) A request for additional funds to help finance the Coral Gables High School Concert Band's proposed trip to Chicago Dec. 20 failed to win the support of the City Commission Tuesday. Mayor Robert L. Searle told C. E. Rodgers, chairman of the Parents Committee of the Band Patrons Association, that there were no funds available. The mayor pointed out that the City had already budgeted $1,000 to the band and the money could be used for any purpose by the band. The Chicago event is the Sixteenth Annual Mid-West Band Clinic.

CG Blaze Big One Saturday

(Continued from page 1) and extinguish small blazes that rekindled among the debris. Injured were Capt E. E. Franzen, who suffered second degree burns of both ears; Jerome Kirk, sprained ankle; Thomas W. Wilkerson, both wrists burned; and C. W Waldon, left hand punctured by a broken sliver of glass. The fire was the most serious since three persons lost their lives after a car struck their home on South Dixie Highway two years ago and set it aflame. Fire Chief Paul Matheson, State Fire Marshall A. M. Willis, Joe Vincente, of the National Board of Underwriters, and Fire Inspector Phil Sistik are continuing the investigation to find the cause. They qestioned the owner of the business, Milton Berg, assistant manager Donato Gigantiello, and the owner of the building, Dr. L. J. Moorefield, about the fire. "We must suspect everything," said Chief Matheson, "But at this point I don't see anything irregular." The fire apparently started in the warehouse loft, Sistik said. It was discovered at 5:20 p.m. almost immediately after Berg and Gigantiello left the building. Two other employes had left earlier, Sistik said. By the time Gables firemen arrived minutes later with all available equipment and men, the interior was already blazing and the roof soon collapsed. "The fire was so hot they couldn't get in the front door." said Sistik. Two nearby homes were exposed, but not threatened seriously, said Sistik. "I think the boys did an excellent job," said Chief Matheson, who said police also did a good job in keeping back the large crowd. Ironically, Berg and Gigantiello told them that they had detected smoke at approximately 4 p.m., checked it out with another employe, Johnny Lanier, but could find no sign of fire. Sistik said it is possible that some mattresses using highly combustible polyethylene ignited, smouldered, but did not flame until later. Once the fire really got going, it would have been a matter of minutes before the whole place went up in flames, Sistik said.

Merchants Back New Meter Policy

The Retail Merchants Division Tuesday voted to ask the City to liberalize its parking policies on Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Boulevard with an eye to extending it to other areas later. They acted on several suggestions presented by a special parking committee. Approved were the proposals to: —Boost parking to 11⁄2 hours with the use of the present dime slots on meters. —Adopt a grace period following expiration of time during which time no tickets would be issued. —Place signs on individual meters indicating pertinent information about when they are in force. —Change the present signs indicating where off-street parking lots are located to make them clearer. —Free parking on off street lots from 6 to 9 p.m. during the Christmas shopping season. Merchants were advised to relay all complaints on parking problems to Chamber Manager Lee Smith. Failing to pass was the proposal to issue tokens to customers that would fit meters and pay for parking. "Trying to do away with parking meters at this time is impossible," Frank (Mort) Guilford, chairman of the special committee, told the group in prefacing the committee's findings.

Jury Picking

The suit against the City of Coral Gables involving the drowning of an 11-year-old boy in Venetian Pool more than two years ago, scheduled to be heard in Circuit Court Monday, awaited the selection of jury. City Attorney Ted Semple indicated Tuesday that the suit of Mrs. Nora Shaw, whose son, Theodore M. Shaw drowned 27 months ago would be heard sometime this week.

UM 'Smoker' Turns Into A Triple Threat Program

GINA WILSON . . . special awards Those attending Hurricane Night Tuesday at Kings Bay Country Club for the University of Miami football team have had two more features added to their program: 1. The Florida premiere of the 1962 All-America football team movie. This is the team, announced only today (Thursday), which is picked by more than 500 college coaches for United Press International. The 28-minute film features each first team player making the plays that make him an All-American. Stop-action and slow-motion film techniques are used on this season's key games and their plays. 2. Comedienne Gina Wilson will do a comedy routine. She also will present some unusual awards to UM team members. Miss Wilson, who was on the program at the President's Ball Saturday night at the Gables Country Club and Monday night for the Saints & Sinners Show, has been acclaimed in many cities for her act. H. T. (Dutch) Shulenberger will be master of ceremonies. The team of 41 players along with 12 coaches and assistants will be guests of honor at the dinner which starts at 7 p.m. Tickets, which cost $7, can be bought through the Chamber of Commerce, HI 6-1657. The Chamber is sponsoring the event, expected to be annual hereafter.

"TOO MANY CALORIES!" said Chamber President Al Jacobson (left) when served this extra fancy pastry Tuesday at the opening of Chippy's Restaurant on Miracle Mile. Center is City Commissioner Fred Evans and at right is Mayor Robert Searle. Standing are the new firm's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Chip Diamond. The restaurant is in a building which formerly housed Curlee's. (Times photo.)

Restaurant Partly In Gables Gets No Liquor

A restaurant located partly in Coral Gables, but mostly in Miami lost out in its efforts last week to obtain a liquor license. The Miami City Commission backed up its Planning Board in turning down the request of Juanita's Restaurant, Douglas Road and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. The proposal had been opposed by the City of Coral Gables, the Wesley Methodist Church across the street and a group of neighboring property owners. City Attorney Ted Semple said Tuesday that he had researched the law on sale of liquor in establishments located in more than one community and felt certain the Gables could have blocked the license if Miami had approved the request. Juanita's, formerly Batista's Restaurant, is still permitted to sell beer and wine. The owners had proposed to sell liquor only on the Miami side of the line.

Free Musical Festival Opens Tonight at UM

The Third Festival of Contemporary International Music opens tonight (Thursday) at the University of Miami to the sound of a trumpet fanfare composed for the occasion by Dr. Fabien Sevitzky, festival director. Three concerts open to the public without charge will be held tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 in Beaumont Hall. The initial concert will be a recital with seven compositions programmed, all but one of which are receiving their U.S. premiere. Chamber music will comprise the Friday program. Dr. Sevitzky will conduct a small orchestra composed of members of the UM Symphony Orchestra for the final concert Saturday.