Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Thursday, December 8, 1960, page 2 (of 32)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
THE TIMES Coral Gables, Fla.
Page 2A THE TIMES Coral Gables, Fla. Thursday, December 8, 1960
250 Learn Where Gables Advertising Funds Will Go
Approximately 250 persons turned out Friday morning to hear and see what will be done with the $65,000 appropriated by the City of Coral Gables for advertising and publicity. Held at the Miracle Theater, the half-hour meeting drew men and women from all phases of the community's life, with a heavy concentration of local business and professional leaders. Said Robert Hildreth, chairman of the special supervising committee on publicity and advertising: "The city's aim is to do for business what it can't do for itself." That aim, City Publicity Director Bert Burris, will be pinpointed at persuading people that Coral Gables is the ideal place to spend a day, week or lifetime. Specially prepared slides of newspaper advertisements and recordings of commercials to be presented on radio were shown by Karl Bishopric and Jack Green of Bishopric, Green, Fielden, Inc. The advertisements and commercials are designed for general appeal and to create a desire to shop, work and live in Coral Gables. Another $25,000 appropriated by the City Commission to finance the Coral Gables Open Tournament is being handled directly by the City and will be largely self liquidating, Burris told the group. National Publicity The tournament, arranged in cooperation with the Professional Golf Association, should bring a great deal of national publicity, Burris said. The publicity director pointed out that the $65,000 advertising and publicity budget, stripped of publicity, hard core expenses such as donations to the Orange Bowl Festival, school bands and Junior Orange Bowl, and salaries, leaves approximately $25,000 for paid advertising. This advertising is designed to supplement, not replace, individual efforts, he pointed out. Serving on the Committee headed by Hildreth are Fred Hartnett, former mayor and commissioner; Hamilton Hayes, vice president of Daniel's Department Store; Vernon C. Hill, former chairman of the board for Grand Union; and Albert Jacobson, owner of Rae's stationery store.
Two Shoppers Report Losses From Cars
Two Coral Gables women had valuables estimated at $227.50 stolen from them while shopping in South Miami Friday afternoon, Dec. 2. Evelyn Ren, 931 Placetas, told South Miami Police her car, parked in the Bank of South Miami parking lot, was broken into. She said a transistor radio and a flashlight were taken from the glove compartment. The loss was estimated at $74.50. Loretta Baker, 4820 Renda St., complained to police about the theft of a wallet from her purse which contained $143 in cash and valuable papers. The purse was found in Stevens' Market in a shopping basket.
Students Can't Sell From Door To Door
Door to door sale of magazines by students at Coral Gables High School has been nixed by the City. The fund-raising proposal got thumbs down as have all other similar requests in the recent past.
OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK THE TIMES and The Coral Gables Board of Realtors CHRISTMAS HOME LIGHTING CONTEST
Name ___________________________ Address ________________________ Telephone ______________________ Category (check one) Most Beautiful [ ] Most Original [ ] Enter The Contest
Share Your Home Lighting Display
You can let others share your outdoor home Christmas lighting display this year by entering the contest sponsored by The Times and the Coral Gables Board of Realtors. The Times will run the names of all entries in the contest. In that way, Southwest area residents will have a guide to outstanding displays. Deadline for entries is Midnight, Dec, 21. Enter your home now. The contest rules are simple. Any home in the Southwest area is eligible, except those owned by employees of The Times and the Coral Gables Board of Realtors. Entries will be judged in two categories: Most Beautiful and Most Original. The object of the contest is to encourage Yule lighting exhibits in keeping with the season and to invite residents of the area to view the displays. Originality and ingenuity will be scored heavily by the judges. The amount of money spent on displays will not be the main factor in determining a winner. Sterling silver awards and honorable mentions will be announced for each of the two categories. First, second and third prizes will be awarded. In addition, here are a few more rules. 1. Decisions of the judges are final. Announcement of the winners will be made in The Times on Dec. 29. 2. Entries must be made on official Entry Blanks and mailed to The Times, 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, or to the Coral Gables Board of Realtors, 367 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables. 3. Entries must be lighted between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., Dec. 22 through 29, when judging will be done. Winners and honorable mentions must agree to keep displays lighted for the same period and through Jan. 1 to allow the public to view winning displays. 4. Decorations will be judged on Artistic Merit, Originality, Lighting Techniques and Ingenuity. Only decorations that can be seen frm the street, roof tops or windows are to be entered. 5. The contest is for residential property only.
Car Moves; Tot Injured
An 11-month-old child was treated for minor injuries at Doctors' Hospital and released Saturday morning after being struck by a City of Coral Gables vehicle. Carlos Falla, of 3704 Anderson Rd., was knocked down when the car he was leaning on in a driveway near the Girl Scout Hut near 3900 Granada Blvd. pulled out. The driver, William Albert Wiggins, 29, of 11700 SW Eighth St., was not charged.
Gables Suit Against Motels Is Delayed
The City of Coral Gables' legal cases against three South Dixie Hwy. apartment house owners, scheduled to be heard in Municipal Court Friday night were postponed. Delay occurred as the city and defendants jockeyed on jurisdiction. Charged with illegal operation of motels in buildings designated for apartment use are C. F. Otto and W. J. Snyder, identified by the city as co-owners of the Dixie Court, Riviera Court and Atlantic Court motels. The defendants were arrested by Coral Gables police on orders from the City Commission to enforce the zoning laws. Policewomen Norweida Barrow and Sara Knight rented a room at the Atlantic Court for $10 on the night of Sept. 14; for $8 at the Riviera Court on Sept. 15, and for $8 at the Dixie Court on Sept. 23, according to police.
Loud Thieves, Not Drunks
Saul Schwartz of 3237 Donegro, heard loud voices during the night Sunday, but discounted them as those of boisterous drunks. The next morning he discovered they were those of loud thieves. A lounge and plain chair were taken as well as a rocker from his home.
LEGAL NOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN CHANCERY. NO. 60C11616 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION VICTOR A. BRANDT, Plaintiff, vs. RUTH A. BRANDT, Defendant TO: RUTH A BRANDT Box 137 Barnegat Light, New Jersey YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a Complaint for Divorce has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your Answer to the Complaint, or other defensive pleadings, on Plaintiff's Attorneys, BATTISTI & PERSANDI, 2319 LeJeune Rd., Coral Gables, Florida, and file the original thereof in the office of the Clerk of the above Circuit Court, on or before the 3rd day of January, 1961, otherwise the said Complaint will be taken as confessed by you. DATED this 30th day of November, 1960. E. B. LEATHERMAN Clerk of the Circuit Court Dade County, Florida By L. S. DePIETRO Deputy Clerk Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22. NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of MIAMI MAN-AGEMENT SERVICES, Riviera Theater Bldg., 1550 So. Dixie Hiway, Miami, Fla., intends to register the said name with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Dade County, Florida. MARVIN M. COBB, Owner. 11-24, 12-1, 8, 15 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA IN CHANCERY. NO. 60C11752 NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION BY PUBLICATION In Re: Adoption of GARY BRUCE BERLANT, A Minor. By: SIGMUND FRANK BERLANT His Step-Father TO FRANK BERLANT: Address Unknown YOU ARE HEREBY notified that a Petition has been filed in the above styled court by SIGMUND FRANK BERLANT, for the above adoption of CARY BRUCE BERLANT, a minor, and you are required to serve a copy of your answer or objections to show cause why said petition should not be granted, on the attorney for petitioner, HYMAN F. GALBUT, ESQ., 240 Fifth Street, Miami Beach, Florida, and file the original in the office of the Circuit Court on or before January 10th, 1961. HEREIN FAIL NOT or a Decree Pro Confesso will be entered against you. WITNESS my hand and seal of said court in Miami, Dade County, Florida, this 2nd day of December, A.D., 1960. E. B. LEATHERMAN As Clerk of said Circuit Court By: E. C. RICE JR. Deputy Clerk Dec. 8, 15, 22, 29
Who Really Owns The Old Gables Youth Center Tract?
By MAURICE LABELLE Actual ownership of the former Coral Gables Youth Center property remains clouded as the principals involved refuse to reveal details about the controversial piece of property used by the city for off street parking. LABELLE The City Commission Tuesday decided to look into the matter following the appearance of attorney Bernard B. Weksler, who charged that the city is being "used" and development of the block-long property is being stymied through a tax forgiveness agreement with the owner. Weksler said Tuesday that the County is also losing valuable taxes through the arrangement. Weksler also questioned the validity of the agreement itself since the owner of record and reported ownership are in conflict. Can't Find Answer "I haven't been able to find an answer to that," Weksler told the Commission. Weksler said he searched city, county and state records—all indicating that Floida National Realty Co., Inc., which purchased the property from the War Memorial Youth Association and the City for $351,600, was and still is the owner of record. But the agreement to use the property for off street parking in lieu of taxes was made with James Sottile Jr., who presented himself as the owner on Nov. 1, 1958. "I feel that the city has been used... and it's time the city not be used," Weksler told the Commission. The 10-year lease in reality is a 30-day lease, since the lease is cancellable on 30-days notice from either party, he said. Mayor John M. Montgomery questioned Weksler on his motives for opposing the lease. Opposes Lease Weksler told Montgomery he opposed the lease because it stopped development of the property and resulted in a tax loss of $5000 to $6000 to the county. The discussion then turned to City Attorney Ted Semple, who negotiated the lease. "The property is owned by James Sottile Jr.," Semple told Weksler emphatically. Semple said he negotiated the off street parking lease with Sottile's attorneys and that he would take their word that Sottile owned the property. "I have never placed the city in jeopardy," Semple said. Weksler and Semple then squared off on the motives for the 10-year lease, with Weksler charging that it was a gimmick to provide tax exemption and Semple countering that it was necessary to make the agreement legal and binding. Semple said that the 40 percent off street parking requirement was blocking development and not speculation. Weksler said he had written to Florida National Realty Co., Inc. to determine if they owned the property. The firm gave him a 'mind your own business' type of answer, and questioned his reason fo wanting to know, Weksler indicated. (Wednesday, Weksler said he received another reply from the Jacksonville DuPont firm telling him that they did not feel free to give out any information without Sottile's consent). What's Bothering You? "I don't understand what is bothering you about the ownership of the property," Commissioner Frank Kerdyk told Weksler at Tuesday's meeting. "I don't think it behooves the city to be engaged in a lease with a person who doesn't own the land," Weksler replied. "Do you think we should spend $200,000 to buy property...?" Montgomery asked Weksler. Montgomery estimated it would cost this much to replace the temporary parking facility being used by the city in exchange for taxes. "I have no objections to the city entering into a bona fide contract with the bona fide owner," Weksler told Montgomery. "Let us take the matter under advisement," the mayor said. Meanwhile, Sottile told the Times Wednesday that he is the owner of the property, but declined to make any other clarifying statement for publication. Fred Hartnett, mayor of Coral Gables at the time the old Youth Center tract was sold to Florida National Realty Co., Inc., had some comment on the TIMES story when questioned about the ownership. Hartnett, who, according to a letter on file with the city from Sottile to former city manager Ira Willard, bought the land from Sottile, charged that last week's TIMES story about the property and ownership was "subjective." "What difference does it make who owns it?" said the former mayor. "What a man does with his property is his business," Hartnett added. "I am not the owner of the property," said Hartnett. Who initiated the proposal that the land be used by the city for off street parking? TIMES Story A TIMES story dated April 4, 1957, reported that a spokesman for Sottile had announced that the property was available to the city for any purpose it cared to use it for. This followed a long controversy over removal of the old Youth Center building. "Since we purchased the land last year, it has been Mr. James Sottile's understanding that the city may use it for any purpose that would not interfere with eventual building on it," the unidentified spokesman was quoted as saying. Willard, who was city manager at the time, said he had no recollection of a formal offer being made by Sottile at that time. It was his recollection, Willard said, that he approached Sottile on the off street parking proposal before the lease agreement was negotiated with Semple in 1958 following a meeting of the Traffic and Parking Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. "No, I'm not interested," Willard quoted 'Sottile as saying when he was contacted about the plan. Later, Willard said, Sottile agreed to go along. "I considered he was the owner. I had no reason to doubt," Willard said. Attorney's Responsibility Determination of ownership is the city attorney's responsibility, Willard pointed out. On Nov. 1, 1958, the agreement was signed between the city and Sottile. The city was to pay "rent" equivalent to the taxes and negotiated to have the county forgive taxes. Has it been and is it a good deal? Weksler, pointing to the tax loss to the county, alleged loss of parking meter revenue, slow up of development and subsequent added tax loss claims it isn't. Those who favor the arrangement point to revenue to the city over the tax loss and provision of parking to employees, employers and others in the downtown area as a plus.