Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Guide
Thursday, December 28, 1961, page 9 (of 12)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Metro Adopts Laissez-Faire Policy on Gables Bus System
By MAURICE LABELLE Times Reporter The Metro Transit Authority has adopted a laissez-faire policy on the Coral Gables municipal bus system. "We are going to build a unified system around Coral Gables Transit Authority Chairman Raymond W. Butler said Friday. Butler and other members of the authority called a press conference Friday to bring newsmen and the public up to date on the status of the take-over of the Pawley bus lines by the county. That takeover is scheduled to take place after Jan. 1. Actually, the county has already authorized the $7.7 million purchase from William Pawley of his four bus companies. The dispute between the bus drivers union and the authority over bargaining rights and a suit by the city of Miami to block the purchase has held up the takeover. Butler and Transit Authority Director Dave Reynolds said Friday that an agreement is expected to be worked out with Coral Gables. "We are going to cooperate," said Al Jacobson, chairman of the Gables Bus Advisory Committee. "We'll extend our lines and work out a transfer system," said Jacobson. This is basically what Metro Transit Authority officials said they would do when they take over next month. Reynolds said the authority is in no position to extend itself into Coral Gables at this time, but he indicated that some of its lines would cut through the Gables and use its terminal facilities. The tentative transfer price has been set at 10 cents, Reynolds said, but the entire operation is in a very indefinite state at this point and will continue to be until after the professional management firm hired to run the buses takes over. Butler was high in his praise of the Gables system. "Coral Gables has a good system already," said Butler. The Gables system, a Cadillac in its class, uses gas powered buses as opposed to diesel and provides personalized services not provided in other communities. Current deficits are between $60,000 and $100,000 a year. Metro had indicated it would not provide the type of service in existence. Friday, the Transit Authority outlined a step by step five-year plan to bring what it says is cheaper, faster, more comfortable transportation to Dade County. Within 30 to 60 days the authority will seek to unify the four Pawley systems, initiate a transfer system between Miami and Miami Beach, implement express and cross town routes, improve routes and schedules and adopt a zone fare system. The Coral Gables Zone-C will be bound roughly by Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Le Jeune Road, Sunset Drive, Snapper Creek Canal and Tamiami Trail. Another zone is to be set up in the Southwest section, including South Miami, Reynolds said. Other zones are Miami-Hialeah-Miami Springs; Miami Beach and towns north; the Key Biscayne area; and North Dade. Within 90 days to a year, the authority hopes to complete the coordination or integration of all seven transit systems operating in the county, extend the basic core system where feasible, initiate a rapid transit system. Between one and two years from now, the authority plans to develop outlying park-ride lots and new terminal facilities, build new shelters and bus stops at transfer points and analyze the results of the rapid transit system. Two to five years from now, the authority hopes to develop a communiter train system between Homestead and West Palm Beach. Finally, in five years the authority plans to begin the implementation of the rapid transit facilities.
COUNTY LINE with Ed Knight
Good resolutions are a pleasant crop to sow. The seed springs up so readily, and the blossoms open so soon with such a brave show, especially at first. But when the time of flowers has passed, what as to the fruit?—L. Malet. ★ ★ ★ WITH NEXT Monday being Jan. 1, the time is ripe for resolutions — the New Year's variety — and with it comes promises to improve in one form or another, with emphasis on ability or morality. ★ ★ ★ NEW YEAR'S resolutions take many forms. Maybe you will try to give up smoking again. After a nasty hangover on New Year's morning, maybe you'll make a rash resolution to give up booze. ★ ★ ★ YOU COULD resolve to get along better with your mother-in-law or the boss or the fellow at work who gets on your nerves. You could stop nail-biting or try smiling more or eating less or resting more or worrying less. ★ ★ ★ UNCONSCIOUSLY you'll make some resolutions. Maybe they'll stick, maybe they won't. But New Year's resolutions do show two things: a will to improve and an appreciation of a chance to correct previous mistakes. ★ ★ ★ THERE IS something refreshing about the beginning of a new year. It's almost like a rebirth. The year is new, but the habits are old. Maybe we can hide the habits from the new year, you think. I'm going to do better this year, you say. I won't make the same mistakes. ★ ★ ★ BUT HABITS make deep inroads. The inroads become ruts and before the new year is too old, the resolutions fall by the wayside. They are forgotten in the everyday return to the former habits. The incentive is lost. ★ ★ ★ RESIDENTS OF Dade's unincorporated areas, including West and South Dade, are finally being heard on the Metro Commission, that all-powerful body that is dominated by residents of incorporated areas. ★ ★ ★ THIS PAST week spokesmen from the unincorporated areas appealed to the Metro Commission to have at least two representatives of the unincorporated area appointed to the Charter Review Board, a body created to suggest changes in Metro's Charter. The Metro body thought the idea a good one. ★ ★ ★ THE APPEAL WAS prompted by evidence that the unincorporated areas have no representatives on the Metro Commission and, so far, no voice on the newly formed Charter Review Board. ★ ★ ★ IF WE CAN get some representatives on the Review Board, chances are good that a candidate or two could come from West or South Dade as spokesmen for the unincorporated areas. ★ ★ ★ TAXATION without representation is an ugly thought. Our forebearers fought a war because of this. And here we are facing the same dilemma. We strongly need a voice on Metro's Commission. It could come by banding together to promote the needs of the unincorporated areas by representatives on the Metro Charter Review Board and, later, the Metro Commission.
HILLIARD RUG CLEANERS
3165 S.W. 16th Ter. wishes all their many customers a very Happy New Year! Member of National Inst. Rug Cleaning. HI 6-6361
The Gift Questers 1/2 OFF ON ALL Christmas Cards NOW AT The GIFT QUESTERS
154 Giralda Ave. Coral Gables
JOHN BARNHART
extends holiday greetings to his many satisfied customers. White & Brown Sand Driveway Gravel MO 6-2780
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Learn to dance with Dixie Rett Call CA 1-2351 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
TOAST the NEW YEAR in!
Enjoy a FULL COURSE DINNER Your Choice of Filet Mignon or Sirloin Steak plus FLOOR SHOW — FAVORS DANCING 'TIL 4 a.m. $10.00 per person at the beautiful new Fireside formerly the Preview 3622 Coral Way Phone HI 3-2038
FANCY BAKED GOODS Original Berliner Pfannkuchen
Prune Raspberry Jelly or Custard Filled (New Year Doughnuts) Order Early 1962 GIRALDA BAKE SHOP 164 GIRALDA AVE. HI 6-1726
WATER HEATERS
10-Year Warranty—RHEEM WATER HEATERS 20 GAL. Glass Lined $37.95 30 GAL. Glass Lined $43.95 RAY BALL PLUMBING 4251 S.W. 8th St. Tel. HI 5-2461 (EXPERT PLUMBING REPAIR SERVICE)
Kitty's Florist, Inc.
8736 S.W. 24th St. Your Neighborhood Florist Special rates for Students Flowers for all occasions Free deliveries — 226-1541