Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Guide
Thursday, October 12, 1961, page 1 (of 19)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Preachers Convert SM Council
THE GUIDE
WEST DADE WEST MIAMI SOUTH MIAMI WESTCHESTER CHAPMAN FIELD WESTWOOD LAKE Vol. 3, No. 18 20 Pages Thursday, Oct. 12, 1961 Price 10c BULK RATE U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit 742 Miami, Fla.
No License After All For Spirits Store
South Miami Council took an about-face Tuesday night of last week on an ordinance liberalizing its liquor law restrictions. It did so after hearing representatives of practically every church in South Miami plead with Council to maintain its present licensing laws. Council voted 3 to 2 to defeat an ordinance on third and final reading that would have changed the footage a liquor dispensing store may be from a church or a school. Council at the Sept. 25 meeting had passed on first and second readings the ordinance that would have kept a liquor store at a distance of 500 feet of a church or school in South Miami but only up to 300 feet of a church or school outside of the city limits. About 40 objectors were at the meeting protesting the change in the ordinance. Most of them were from South Miami Methodist Church which lies in Coral Gables at Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Red Road. Led by the Rev. Ralph B. Huston, pastor of the church, the group contended that a liquor store could be established directly across Red Road from the church at Stevens Market. Council members brought out, however, that zoning restrictions would have kept the liquor store from going in Stevens Market. Other objectors to the ordinance change included the Rev. Max Morris, pastor of South Miami Baptist Church; John Fleming, a representative of the Greater Miami Council of Churches; and representatives of University Christian Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Hope Lutheran Church. Other speakers against the ordinance were J.H. Matteson, school site director for the Dade County Board of Public Instruction; and attorney George B. Thompson, an attorney for a South Miami liquor store. "This ordinance is certainly not in the best interests of the city," attorney Thompson said. "As a matter of fact there is no valid reason for any change in the city's liquor license ordinance except that it may benefit one store." Rev. Huston termed liquor "a drug" and said that Council should be seeking ways to tighten up its liquor laws rather than seeking means to loosen them. In other action, Council: PASSED a resolution appropriating some $3,000 to the South Miami Chamber of Commerce for advertising, publicity and community effort. AUTHORIZED City Manager C. B. Petry to renew the workman's compensation insurance coverage for the city and designated Tinsley-Hessen, Inc., as agent.
THIS IS SUPPOSED to remind you that Fire Prevention Week ends in a day or so. The lass is Miss Dottie Seipp, current Miss South Miami. And the truck belongs to that city's department. South Miami Jaycees had an active program for the week.
In Open Letter So Ron Says to Jack Paar ...
The following is an open letter to Jack Paar, NBC, New York City: DEAR JACK: It was a problem this week deciding whether to write this column about you or about Metropolitan government. Both topics are of current interest around here. You're a part of the current conversation because of the publicity over your Berlin trip and your remarks over television upon your return. And Metropolitan government is quite current in Our Town because the voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to maintain Metro or accept in its place a document called the McLeod Amendment. Now, most of the time, I enjoy your show. I think for the most part you do an excellent job - the job of entertaining your audience and stimulating them. (I feel the same way about Metro. For the most part it does an excellent job and has become one of the better things to happen to local government). I also realize that when a person or thing is in 'the spotlight, there is often criticism - often unjust criticism. Certainly, after viewing your shows on Berlin, I think the storm of protest over it was unfair. (We have the same thing here with Metro. There has been some extremely unfair criticism. One ridiculous charge by backers of the McLeod Amendment even tried to bring in the old-time slur of "possible communist influence.") Of course, Jack, when you tried to reply to your critics, you made the mistake of going over nationwide TV and went too far. You used a vendetta and went beyond the fair play line when you brought out personal items about some of your critics. (In the campaign against Metro, we have had some of the same. Distortions, things in bad taste, and other unfair means to sway the public has been injected into this campaign.) I don't know who writes your material, Jack, but whoever it was for the show in which you lashed out at the critics, certainly didn't use much sense. (We don't know who wrote the McLeod Amendment either, and it doesn't make much sense for this million-plus community). I realized that none of us are perfect (you're not; Metro isn't) and that one often makes mistakes (you did; Metro has). I also realize that when you're on top (and you are in your field; and Metro is here), it's easy for others to criticize you (the columnists did a job on you without looking into all the facts: the McLeod Amendment backers are doing the same with distortions of the facts). But, I feel it isn't necessary to lash out with vendettas against the critics (nor for Metro to resort to name-calling) for the good reporting of your Berlin trip (and the good work of Metro) can be apparent to the public who saw your shows on Berlin (and for the public who have studied and understand Metro). Therefore, even though I'm still in your corner, Jack, I must VOTE NO for your hasty, unthoughtful reply to your critics. But don't be disheartened, the McLeod Amendment will also get my NO VOTE. In other words, Jack, I'm Continued on Page 6 WEST of the City Limits with Ron Levitt
Air Travel Suspended 12 Hours for Defense Test
All civilian flying will be suspended during operation "Sky Shield" from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday, conducted by the North American Air Defense Command. Operation "Sky Shield" is a large-scale exercise testing the effectiveness of the air defense system as a whole and will contribute to adequate defense readiness. All civilian flying, including scheduled airline flights will be eliminated in an effort to carry through this test of national defense measures. The Air Defense Command will conduct tests involving supersonic aircraft. Sonic booms are likely to occur which are the result of aircraft flying at supersonic speeds. These may be heard sounding like a loud explosion nearby although no aircraft may be seen or heard. These booms, heard from the ground, may cause windows to shake and vibrate.
No Thank You, McLeod, Say West Dade Jaycees
The West Dade Junior Chamber of Commerce officially stated its opposition to the McLeod Amendment this week, according to President Fred Johnson. Johnson clarified the group's position by stating that, after investigating and discussing the controversy over Metro government, its stand against the amendment was not to be considered as an unqualified endorsement of Metro in its present form. In many areas, Metro has far to go before attaining anything approaching perfection, he said. On the other hand, Johnson said, the McLeod amendment contains so many "highly objectionable features that no responsible civic organization can do less than oppose it with every means at their disposal."
Church Offers Course to Public
"Understanding Yourself and Others" is the subject of a 10-week class each Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. at Palmetto Presbyterian Church, 6790 SW 56th St. The course is open to the community. Admission each session is $1.75 per couple or $1.25 per person. A nursery is provided. Dr. Dale Ratliff, director of the Protestant Service Bureau, conducts the adult course.
THE GUIDE
TIMES & GUIDE CIRCULATION 40,095 Published By Gables Publishing Co. 364 Sevilla Ave., P.O. Box 580 Coral Gables 34, Fla. Phone HI 3-1651 ROLFE NEILL ........Editor ROBERT SLANE ......Adv. Mgr. Distributed free by carrier each week to homes. Mail subscription $3 yearly.