The Guide

Thursday, March 2, 1961, page 14 (of 24)

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South Miami Roundup

By EDWIN KNIGHT KNIGHT THERE WAS A BIG shakeup in the management of Metro last week. The county's numerous commissioners got together at a breakfast meeting and quietly decided to give County Manager O. W. (Hump) Campbell the heave-ho. Thus ended the three-year tenure of Metro's first county manager. WHETHER CAMPBELL will be remembered as a good or merely a fair county manager is a matter for discussion. His was a tough job. He took an unknown and untried charter and put it to work. He answered to a Commission whose interest in Metro seemed of a semi-personal nature. HE HAD TO reorganize nearly every department in the new government and still keep politics out of Metro. He had to make behind-the-scenes moves before he could get up steam. And yet, he reported to the commissioners, the press and the people. It was indeed a tough job. THE REASONS BEHIND the firing are vague. It appears that Campbell got the ax for not stepping on the gas soon enough. He apparently spent to much time getting up steam before he pulled out the throttle. But were these really the reasons behind the ouster? Perhaps, perhaps not. FIRST, CAMPBELL took over as county manager without the vote of confidence expected of a man stepping into such a position. Most of the original five commissioners were holding out for a local man, a politician who could wheel and deal to gain what he wanted. CAMPBELL WAS A MAN of few words. He was quiet, reserved and undemonstrative. He also was an ardent student of municipal government. He was an expert on tax procedures and problems, the solution of which could indicate the rise or fall of Metro. BUT CAMPBELL was not a flamboyant man. He never was an never will be. He was not a grandstander or an extroverted exponent of Metro. He did not spend as much time selling as administering the new government. Lastly, he was not a politician. HE ABHORED POLITICS and politicians. He dealt with them as best he could. In the end, they got the best of him. And now thse politicians are looking for another manager. Will it be another professioanal manager or a political manager? The difference is a thin line hinging on a man's personality. OUR GUESS IS that the new manager will be a wheeler and dealer, long on handshakes and short on ability. He will be a local man who has gained fame here in one field or another. He may be William D. Singer, Royal Castle czar who was Dade's representative on the State Road Board. IT MIGHT BE General E. A. Evans, who was bounced out not so long ago as Miami's city manager. Or then agin, it might be Melvin Reese, present Miami city manager, who could well take over the reigns of Metro. Others have been mentioned for the job, but they appear to be friends of various county commissioners. ANYONE COULD GET the job. And past performances indicate that Dade Countians couldn't care any less. One of Mr. Campbell's most provocative statements about Dade County was said not while he was in office but after he was fired. ASKED WHAT HE thought was Metro's chief drawback, Campbell retorted promptly, the people. He added that an acute lack of community spirit was inflicting great harm on Metro. And he is right. The people get what they deserve. AND WHAT DADE Countians richly deserve is a politician as a county manager. Time and the lack of it has dealt harshly with Dade County. To most of us living here, Metro is a word, with little meaning and the same amount of interest. IF THE UMPTEEN county commissioners want a politician as county manager, that's fine with most of our citizens. "I'm just here for the winter," they reply as they close their newspapers and extol the virtues of northern municipal governments. THIS LACK of community spirit has been a deteriment to Dade County down through the years because of the number of transients here and our wide and varied cultural backgrounds. Few of us have a feeling of belonging. We have left our allegiances in our former cities. And we are dearly paying the price for this infidelity. WE ARE HERE now, not as fuedal vassals to a lord, but as citizens of a government that is crying for leadership. We have chosen to live here. Our roots are short ones, but some of our economic interests are as wide as they were in our former cities. WITH A WELL-RUN government, our homes will increase, rather than falter, in value. This lack of community interest so apparent to Mr. Campbell is hurting us in other ways, too. The area's annual United Fund, which supports many county-wide projects, has failed to reach its goal for the second time in two years. OUR VOTING PERCENTAGE for the number of eligible voters is one of the lowest in the country. This clearly shows how much we care who is elected to represent us in our local, state or national elections. Our recreation facilities, including our most valuable assets in land and beaches, have been swept away from under our noses because of public apathy.

Gableite Is President Of Insurance Firm

JAMES WHITE James H. White, 6901 Barquera, has been elected president of the Dade Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. White, 36, is the youngest man ever to head what is reported to be Dade County's oldest title insurance company. He was named executive vice president of the firm last year and has been associated with the company since 1953. Dade Commonwealth has become the largest independently owned title insurance company in South Florida through a series of mergers and acquisitions since the original charter was issued in 1903 to the Dade County Abstract Company. Last year its title insurance and escrow department's business totaled more than $33,000,000 in property transactions. White lives in Coral Gables with his wife and children. He is a graduate of the University of Miami Law School and a member of the Florida and the Federal Bar Associations. Dade Commonwealth employ-ees more than 70 persons. In addition to its main offices in downtown Miami, at 139 NE 1st St., it maintains branches in Coral Gables and on upper Biscayne Blvd.

Insurancemen Honor Stuart Patterson

A local insurance executive, Stuart Patterson, 5815 Maynada, was recently honored by appointment to a committee of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Agents. Patterson is a member of the Dade County Mutual Agents Association, has previously served as its president and has long been active in the mutual fire and casualty field. The appointment was made by the NAMIA president, George R. McKiever of Miami. As a member of the Legislative Committee, Patterson will serve as chairman. Patterson is engaged in the fire and casualty business at 1510A South Dixie Hwy.

BIG RUSTY'S LITTLE GARAGE

CORAL GABLES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Room 308 Merrick Bldg. U.M. Campus, University Drive | BIBLE CLASSES 10 A.M.—WORSHIP 11 A.M.-6 P.M. | RAFORD PETTY, Evangelist, Call MO 6-9864 | "WE BELIEVE THERE IS A NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN FOR ALL WORK AND WORSHIP"

Coffee, Cake On The House

Complimentary coffee and cake will be available for all visitors at University Federal Savings and Loan during a 10-day celebration marking the association's third anniversary. This event will begin March 1 and will terminate Friday evening, March 10. Fred W. Hartnett, president of University Federal, issued an invitation to the public during a press conference held in his offices recently. During its three years existence, University Federal Savings & Loan, located at Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Blvd., has progressed steadily to its present assets of over $9 million, and merits its reputation as one of Dade County's fastest growing financial institutions.

Combs Funeral Home INC.

FLOORS OF PURE VINYL

ALL LEADING BRANDS | EXPERTLY INSTALLED | NE 5-6424 Free Estimates | ROWELL-SOUTHERN FLOORING, Inc.

The Biblical talent, in terms of present-day money, was worth about $6000.

We've Moved (Bunny Item)

VISIT OUR ENLARGED STORE AT... 154 Giralda Ave. FOR GIFTS CARDS CANDIES "FROM ALL THE WORLD THE Gift Questers CORAL GABLES

Hear Good As New!

Investigate modern hearing aids by Telex. There's one for every need and budget: glasses, behind-the-ear, all-in-ear, powerful body-worn, $99.00 to $329.00, all with clear faithful reproduction of sound that you can understand. Convince yourself. Free hearing tests and honest advice. TELEX HEARING CENTER 2849 Coral Way HI 4-4442

EXCITING NEW housewares AND KITCHEN AIDS

FROM CASSEROLES TO COOKIE JARS . . . WE CAN SUPPLY YOUR HOUSEWARES AT PRICES YOU CAN AFFORD. | Jiffy PICTURE HANGERS NO HAMMER NO NAILS SAVES WALLS JUST MOISTEN AND APPLY ON TILE, GLASS, PLASTER, WOOD. HOLDS 15 POUNDS 6 FOR 19¢ | NEW O cedar SWEEP-KING $2.49 | SWING-A-WAY geared can opener It's geared for smooth, easy cutting and extra-long life. from $2.49 | COSCO ELECTRIC UTILITY CART $8.95 Perfect to hold modern kitchen appliances. Twin outlet, 15 amp. supply cord. Chrome frame, enameled shelves. | PAUL'S HARDWARE MO 7-9301 HOURS 8-6 2511 S.W. 67th AVE. "The Friendly Store" (Bunny Item)

Who but a woman?

...knows how to make a home livable... LIVE GRACIOUSLY IN A HOME BY Gigi Reynolds Carrier Offering the area's loveliest moderate-priced residences SUN CORAL ESTATES S.W. 144th St. 87th Ave. 1 Block Off U.S. 1, 2 Min. From Palmetto By-Pass, 17 Min. From Flagler St.

THINK SMART

Think about saving $10, $20, $30 or more on car insurance! Many State Farm policyholders save that much, even more, compared to the rates most folks pay. If you're a careful driver, chances are you can save too, and get claim service so good it's kept us the No. 1 car insurer for 18 straight years. Contact your "Family Insurance Man" today. John H. Leathen INSURANCE LIFE AUTO FIRE Bus. MO 6-0962; Res. CA 6-1353 5790 SW 8th Street STATE FARM INSURANCE The Careful Driver's (and careful buyer's) Car Insurance