The Guide

THE GUIDE the local newspaper for all South Dade

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit 742 Miami, Fla. Vol. 2 No. 34 William von Maurer, Editor Thursday, February 2, 1961 Published by TIMES-GUIDE 308 Aragon • Coral Gables, Fla. • HI 3-1661 Combined Circulation 44,095

Gables Will Vote On High Risers Issue To Be Placed On April 11 Ballot

By MAURICE LABELLE The question of high rise apartment buildings in Coral Gables appears to be heading for a referendum in the April 11 municipal election. Commissioners agreed Tuesday to put the highly controversial question to the people after Commissioner Joe Murphy said he intended to introduce a resolution to that affect next week. City Attorney Ted Semple was instructed to get together with Attorney Franklin Parson to put the referendum question in legal form to present to the people. Parson was active in combating a recent high rise proposal. Murphy proposes to amend the City Charter if the people decide to limit or block future high rise apartment structures. The referendum questions, as proposed by Murphy, would ask the voters to indicate: No high rise apartment structures under any circumstances. Permitting unrestricted construction of high rise apartments in all existing areas zoned for apartments. Permitting high rise apartments in areas zoned for apartments only under the following limitations: After a public hearing on the proposal. Notification to neighboring property owners living within a 750 to 1000-foot radius. Upon a four-fifths vote of the City Commission if between 10 and 20 percent of property owners object. On two reading of an ordinance with a 30-day period before it goes into effect. And subject to present and future zoning ordinances governing setbacks, architecture, landscaping. Mayor John M. Montgomery and Commissioner Robert Sear-le, who recently backed construction of a high rise apartment building at 720 Biltmore Way, went along with Murphy on his referendum proposal. "It would clear the air," said Montgomery. "It should not be a campaign issue," he said, adding that he would not be a candidate for re-election. Commissioner Searle, who has not revealed his political plans, said he had "no objections" to Murphy's proposal. Commissioner Frank Kerdyk, who voted with Murphy and Commissioner James Hess to revoke the "skyscraper" apartment resolution permitting A. H. Sakolsky to build, was absent from the meeting. Murphy Tuesday also brought up the permit issued to Sakolsky for construction of the controversial building's foundation. City Attorney Ted Semple told the Commission that the previous action revoking permission to build also nullified the permit. Meanwhile, a new organization, still without a name, was created at the Youth Center Friday when approximately 100 residents met to discuss the high rise problem and zoning restrictions. They named a 17-man board of directors but put off electing a leader until a future meeting. They also called for a referendum on the high rise question. The group met under the auspices of the Committee for the Preservation of Present Zoning Ordinances, active in the fight against the Biltmore high riser.

Coral Gables 'Equalizes' Golf Fees

Golf fees at the Granada and Biltmore Golf Courses were "equalized" by the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday. Henceforth, all residents, whether members of the Coral Gables Country Club or not, will pay the same fees. A disparity will still exist, however, between non-resident members of the Country Club and other non-residents. Commissioner Joe Murphy moved the legislation last week after a group of golfers, led by attorney Bernard Weksler, sued the city, charging that fees at the two municipally operated [?] were discriminatory. Commissioners agreed that the fee structure should be reviewed at the next budget session to determine if any changes should be made. The change will result in a minor loss in revenue to the city between now and the end of the fiscal year. Meanwhile, City Attorney Ted Semple filed a motion in Circuit Court to have the suit dismissed.

A SPECIAL LUNCHEON was held recently to present prizes to winners in the Christmas Home Lighting Contest, sponsored by The TIMES and Coral Gables Board of Realtors. Seated are, clockwise, Mrs. R. J. Hart, 617 University Dr., second place, "Most Beautiful"; Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schaefer, 1535 Trevino Ave., first place, "Most Original"; Omer Renuart, 6640 SW 122nd St., third place, "Most Beautiful"; Lyn Smith, associate director of the Board of Realtors; and Mrs. William Brady, 921 Alava Ave., second place, "Most Original." The first place "Most Beautiful", winner Mrs. W. S. Harrington Jr., 6600 SW 127th St., was not available for the picture.

LUNCHING are Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Bivins Jr., third place winners in the "Most Original" division of the Christmas Home Lighting Contest. The co-sponsors, The TIMES and the Coral Gables Board of Realtors presented the Bivins and other winners with silver plates. The Bivins live at 7030 Almansa St.

Boosters Club Will Dance

Two plus two is four, but what's the sum if you add dining and dancing Feb. 4 by the Southwest High School Booster Club? The answer is funds to equip the school's athletic department. The club is having a dinner-dance Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. at the South Miami Elks Lodge, 6403 SW 78th St. Tickets are $5 a couple and can be obtained by calling Mrs. Howard Green, MO 1-0267. The Buddy Lucas orchestra will play at the fourth annual affair.

Chases Baby, Loses Purse

A purse containing $120 in cash and papers was stolen from Windy's Laundromat, 6021 SW 68th St., Jan. 20 when the owner momentarily left the laundry. Joann Collias, 7240 SW 62nd Pl., told South Miami police she laid her purse down near a washing machine. Her baby started to run out of the building. She gave chase. When she returned her purse was gone. So was a man who roared away on a red motorcycle.

Two Pedestrians Struck By Gables Buses

Two men were struck and hospitalized by buses emerging from the Coral Gables bus terminal within two days. Clifton R. Bottorff, 56, of 3721 SW LeJeune Rd., struck on Aragon Jan. 21, is reported in "fair" condition at Doctors' Hospital. He had been "critical". Giralda Exit Samuel Randall, 72, of 713 Minorca, was struck at the Giralda exit Jan. 23. He is listed in "good" condition at Doctors'. Bottorff suffered head, hand and leg injuries. Randall suffered severe lacerations of the head and other lacerations of the knees and hands. The younger victim was struck or walked into the side of the emerging bus shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday. Driver of the bus was identified as William Austin Leverington, 42, of 10340 SW 35th Ter. He was not charged with the accident. Randall was hit at approximately the same time Monday by a bus driven by William Wright, 38, of 6120 SW 28th St. The bus was emerging from the Giralda end of the terminal. The driver said he stopped the bus at the exit and that the elderly man walked in front of the bus and was hit as the bus started up again.

South Miami Kiwanis Installs

South Miami Kiwanis Club installed its new officers recently during a banquet at the Kings Bay Yacht and Country Club. Installed as president was Ed Grout, 7279 SW 52nd Ave., who was a vice president last year. Vice presidents are Walter Klements, 6891 SW 51st St., and James Stewart, 7506 SW 58th Ave. Secretary-treasurer is Gerry Rose, who lives in Kendall. Master of ceremonies on Jan. 11 at the installation of officers was Kiwanis member Judge Frank Dowling, 7000 SW 72nd Ave.

Gables To Keep School Guards

The Coral Gables City Commission decided last week to keep its school crossing guards—at least until Metro comes through with installation of protective lights. City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. recommended retention of the guards. "It's just another service to Coral Gables residents," Robinson told the Commission. Most Dade County municipalities have abolished the guards after installation of crosswalk lights. Hialeah recently indicated that they were using both. Robinson is to learn from Metro when they plan to install the lights in the Gables.

Home Ransacked

A burglar broke into the home of Albert Herrera, 1224 Medina, Saturday night, ransacked the home, but apparently left without taking anything, Coral Gables police reported.

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Mrs. Roosevelt To Speak At Temple Beth Am

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the world's most beloved personalities, will be guest of honor at the annual Temple Beth Am Israel Bond Dinner on Sunday evening, Feb. 19, in the Temple, 5950 North Kendall Dr., South Miami. In recognition of her many years of devotion to humanitarian causes and her inspiring support of the State of Israel, Mrs. Roosevelt will be presented with a special Israel Bar Mitzvah Award. The presentation of the award highlights the fact that 1961 represents the Bar Mitzvah year (13th anniversary) of Israel's Statehood. The selection of Temple Beth Am's Israel Bond Dinner, for the presentation to Mrs. Roosevelt, was a result of the outstanding Israel Bond effort made by the Temple at its first annual Israel Bond Dinner last year, it was pointed out by the Israel Bond spokesman. Described by many commentators as the greatest woman of our time, Mrs. Roosevelt has for many years been identified with a wide variety of efforts to improve the lot of the under-privileged and the oppressed. Her activities have ranged from social work to alleviate the lot of the unfortunate within the United States, to efforts on a world scale to raise the living standards of backward nations. Additional information can be obtained by calling Temple Beth Am or the Israel Bond office.