The Times

LeJeune Road Service Station Causes Bitter Words In City Hall

One of the bitterest exchanges in recent Coral Gables City Commission history occurred Tuesday when Commissioner Joe Murphy introduced a resolution to rescind a previous action authorizing a new gas station on LeJeune Rd. between Sevilla and Palermo. The action came unexpectedly after the Commission had held a special meeting with opponents of the station Monday afternoon in a fruitless effort to iron out the heated controversy and another special meeting called by Mayor John M. Montgomery shortly before the regular City Commission meeting Tuesday. Murphy's move failed when he received support only from newly appointed Commissioner James Hess. Three Abstain Mayor Montgomery and Commissioners Robert Searle and Frank Kerdyk all abstained. Kerdyk has abstained on all votes concerning the proposed station because the firm he represents controls reversionary rights on alleys. Both the mayor and Searle indicated that their abstention was based on a desire to give Orange State (Cities Service) an opportunity once more to indicate to the City Commission their position. The Commission finally decided to ask the oil company whether or not they cared to further their efforts and set a date on a future Commission agenda. If the company pursues its quest, the City Commission will have to finally decide the matter which it initially passed unanimously. If the company indicates no further interest in the LeJeune Rd. site, the Commission's position will be an easy one. Murphy's proposal to drop the whole deal Tuesday resulted in a heated clash with Mayor Montgomery. The mayor charged Murphy's resolution was improperly before the Commission because it was not on the agenda and Murphy was responsible for other "improprieties." He cited failure of Murphy to attend the special 2:45 p.m. meeting on the gas station matter and other items. "What other improprieties?" Murphy snapped back angrily. Montgomery cited introduction of last week's resolution to re-instate Tax Assessor Thomas C. Blount to department head status. The mayor labelled these "blue streak items" which the Commission had "no time to evaluate." Murphy quickly snapped back that the mayor had not considered it an "impropriety" or a "blue streak item" when he introduced an item unexpectedly last week affecting the Montgomery Roofing Co. The Commissioner was critical of Montgomery's reversal of his vote which had been favorable to Blount and, if consistent, would have produced a 3-2 vote for his reinstatement. "You had no reason to change your mind," Murphy told the mayor. He said he did not think it fair for the mayor to call his move improper in the light of the mayor's own actions. Murphy then introduced another move to have the matter placed on the agenda for next week, but it failed for lack of a second. At Monday's meeting with representatives from opposing homeowners, Temple Judea, City National Bank and Deerborne School, it soon became evident that they had not come prepared to be swayed. The mayor made an eloquent presentation of the City's position in attempting to remove gas stations off Ponce de Leon Blvd., but the opponents apparently occupied their thoughts framing their own arguments. They gave no ground, but there appeared to be a slight weakening in the unanimous position of the Commission. It was revealed by the mayor at Tuesday's meeting after he and Murphy challenged one another on Orange State's present position, that he had talked to a representative of the firm and that he had tried to get them to withdraw the proposal. The official later informed him that he could not withdraw the request that day (Tuesday), the mayor said. Montgomery indicated that the City's position had become "untenable" and he called the special 2:45 meeting. Murphy said that he had received notice of the special meeting too late to attend. The mayor's criticism of Murphy touched off the rhubarb which followed.

ARMY 1ST LT. Ira I. Lynn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lynn, 6268 SW 57th Dr., South Miami, is scheduled to participate in the Inaugural Parade for President-elect John F. Kennedy in Washington, Jan. 20, as one of the Presidential military escorts. Lieutenant Lynn is assigned to the 1st Battle Group, 3d Infantry (The Old Guard) from Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D. C., a specially selected unit which serves regularly as The President's personal honor guard.

Area Swimmers To Star In Chicago On Saturday

Four youngsters, three from the Coral Gables Swimming Association and one from South Miami, have been selected for the U. S. All-Star Swimming Team which will compete against the Canadian All-Star team in Chicago this Saturday afternoon. From South Miami is 10-year-old Kelly Falloon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Falloon, 6832 SW 68th St., who will be accompanied to the meet by his father. Representing the Coral Gables Swimming Association will be Coach Bill Burrell, 3201 SW 60th Ave.; his son, Billy; Liz White, 5585 SW 64th Ave., and Martha Eney, 7323 SW 63rd Ct. Part of Team The four champions were selected as part of the 50-member U. S. team from over six million swimmers throughout the country. Funds for the Coral Gables representatives to attend the meet are still lacking, according to Coach Burrell, but the team members undoubtedly will make the trip. "We have $125 now," Burrell said, "but we need about $375 more." He added that the City of Coral Gables and the Chamber of Commerce will be approached for the needed funds. The swimming matches will be held beginning at 2 p.m. at the Oak Park High School swimming pool. The Falloon boy will compete in the 50 and 200-yard free style relays, Liz White and Martha Eney are sophomores at Coral Gables High School. 15-16 Years Liz will swim in the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke matches in the 15 and 16 year old division. Martha was chosen to compete in the 100-yard freestyle and the freestyle relay in the same division. Young Billy Burrell, a ninth grader at West Miami Junior High School, will swim the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. He also will anchor the freestyle relay team. Seventh Meet The swimming competition between the two nations will be the seventh annual meeting. The American team has won three times and the Canadian team three times. Coral Gables swimmers have been represented on the American team for the last four years, the years during which the U. S. team has won the matches. Two other South Florida swimmers were selected for the team. They are Cordy Thomp-son and Randy Wilkins, of Hollywood.

Coral Gables May Meet Fee Demands Of Golfers

A move toward elimination of a law suit on municipal golf fees was made Tuesday when the Coral Gables City Commission deferred final action while indicating that demands of a group of resident golfers will be met. Commissioner Joe Murphy Jan. 10 introduced a piece of legislation designed to equalize rates for all residents whether members of the Coral Gables Country Club or not. Club members, whether residents or non-residents, receive lower rates under long standing fee policies for both the Granada and Biltmore Golf Courses. The litigants, led by attorney Bernard B. Weksler, claimed in their suit that the policy of charging resident players more than non-resident members of the Country Club was class legislation and unconstitutional. The suit sought to make the fee identical for all resident players, regardless of club membership. Murphy estimated Tuesday that reduction of fees for residents who are not club members would produce a $1075 loss in income. The Commission discussed the possibility of raising all non-resident fees to make up any loss, but took no definite action. They decided to study the fees before making a final decision.

Eight Area Men Will March At Inauguration

Eight area men will march with the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Conn., in the Presidential Inauguration Parade on Jan. 20. Six of the men were graduated from Coral Gables High School. They are Cadet Third Class John C. Pistorino, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Pistorino, 620 Blue Rd., graduated in 1959; Cadet Fourth Class Eugene E. Franzen Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Franzen of 6131 SW 86th St., graduated in 1960; Cadet Fourth Class Donald G. Fischer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Fischer, 5759 SW 50th St., South Miami, a 1960 graduate. Cadet Third Class Stephen T. Ulmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Esten A. Ulmer, 6341 Sunset Dr., graduated in 1959. Cadet Second Class Carl C. Sorrell Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Sorrell of 3350 SW 25th St., is a 1958 graduate. Cadet Third Class Bradley K. Hanafoude, son of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Hanafourde of 3720 Frantz Rd., is a 1959 graduate. A 1956 graduate of Southwest High School is Cadet First Class Dennis C. Hilliard, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Hilliard of 13801 SW 79th Ct., Kendall. A 1960 Southwest graduate is Cadet Fourth Class Dudley G. Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Anderson, 8140 SW 133rd St. These men will march with the 575 cadets of the Academy. In the capital, they will be entertained at a reception on the evening of the parade honoring all cadets and midshipmen of the armed forces academies, and cadets of the Merchant Marine Academy. The 30-piece Coast Guard Band will also take part in the Inaugural Parade.

Gables Seeks To Tighten Liquor Transfer Laws

Coral Gables is still looking for a way to tighten up the loop-holes through which bar owners and restaurants selling beer and wine operate illegally after change of ownership. Latest case to come to the attention of the City Commission is that of Henri's Restaurant, 3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd., which the city claims operated for several months without a proper transfer of license. The license transfer was denied last week, but approved this week after the new owners shuffled corporation officers around. Mayor Opposed Mayor John M. Montgomery voted against the transfer, which was approved on a 4-1 vote. New owners are Dave H. Walton Jr., and Joan B. Walton, for Duke Walton, Inc. Former owners were George Efststhiou and John N. Tatakis. Conflicts in transfer occur when the State Beverage Department, which the city claims is too liberal, issues licenses without a careful check. Also involved are occupancy licenses, issued by botn the city and county. Too Lax The county is too lax in issuing these licenses, the city feels. City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. said Tuesday after a conference with Zoning Board secretary John Vinsant that he will seek ways to tighten up from a Zoning and Building angle. Many of the beer and wine license transfers in the past several months have involved operation of the business by the new owners before a transfer has been approved by the City. In one case involving the Huddle Bar, the Commision failed to approve the transfer creating a muddle that took several weeks to settle when the previous owner refused to resume operation.

Burglar Flees When Victim Returns Home

A burglar, apparently surprised by the return of the victim, beat a hasty retreat Friday night. Dr. Joseph Manuel Renendo, of 755 University Dr., the victim, told Coral Gables police that the thief took a platinum diamond ring valued at $4000 and another platinum ring for which no value was given. A $500 rosary, believed to have been stolen, was found later. Officer Thomas Quirk, who answered the call, found a pillow case filled with several boxes of perfume hidden in a crack of a banyan tree in the next block as he arrived to investigate. Police theorized that the burglar was in the home when Dr. Renendo arrived, escaped undetected and discarded the pillow case as Quirk neared the scene. Dr. Renendo was to take inventory of his property to determine if anything else had been stolen.

Douglas Park Wall Approved

Douglas Park at Sunrise Harbour will get a new $950 wall as a start toward improvement of the facility, the Coral Gables City Commission indicated Tuesday. The wall, designed by architect Kenneth Treister, will incorporate ideas for make-play and serve as a protective barrier. Treister appeared before the Commission in early December to present a comprehensive and novel way to develop the park which left a favorable impression with the City Commission. As money becomes available, the Commission plans to add play-sculpture benches, landscaping and other facilities. Conventional recreation equipment has already been authorized by the Commission.

Fascell Names 8 To Merchant Marine Training

Congressman Dante B. Fascell has notified the following area men of their nominations to compete in the state-wide examinations for appointment to the Merchant Marine Academy's 1961 entering class. Each member of Congress from the State of Florida is permitted to nominate 10 young men to enter this competition. The Academy will select six candidates from the State of Florida for appointment to the Academy. The selections are based on the results of the statewide tests. The following are Congressman Fascell's area nominees: John F. Self, son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Self, 7065 SW 19th St.; Arthur Rosenkrantz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis R. Rosenkrantz, 5861 SW 76th St.; Sidney Shapiro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph A. Shapiro, 221 SW 52nd Ct.; Robert D. Brennan, son of Major and Mrs. H. J. Brennan, 7515 SW 56th Ave.; Ralph Richard Poston, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Poston, 6282 SW 133rd St., South Miami.

Junior Playground Royalty Is Crowned

Coral Gables Youth Center held its annual Junior Playground Queen and King contest on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Center. The judges chose 8-year-old Patty Lucas, 1981 SW 33rd Ave., as Junior Playground Queen for 1961. Her 6-year-old brother, John, was cr[?]ed Junior Playground King for 1961. John and Patty reigned over the Winter Festival held following the King and Queen contest.

Sorority To Aid Children's Home

The American Children's Home, 809 NW 14 St., a United Fund Agency, is the local project for Alpha Mu chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority. The new board of officers for the Home will take over this month. Mrs. Harry Piepgras, 4424 E. 8th Ct., Hialeah, outgoing president, will be the new teasurer. Mrs. Edmund Hicks, 11450 SW 92nd Ave., president of Alpha Mu, and Mrs. Piepgras are on the board of directors and Mrs. Hicks is first vice president. Members of Alpha Mu taking children from the home for Chistmas Day were Mrs. Hicks; Mrs. Lloyd Rees, 1418 Cecilia Ave., Coral Gables; Mrs. Catherine Little, 6300 SW 4th St.; Miss Catherine Gunning, 6540 SW 16th St.; Mrs. Dick Amat, 1055 SW 65th Ave.; and Ms. Douglas Crawford, 12555 S. Dixie Hwy., chapter welfare chairman.

Ad Brings Results In Counterfeit Bills

A Coral Gables man recently placed an ad in a newspaper to sell an expensive ring. The results were prompt and profitable—until the man discovered that he had been paid with four counterfeit $100 bills. The case was turned over to the FBI by the Coral Gables police.

LeJeune Widening Crowds 2 Homes

Relief for two homes which will be sitting a few feet alongside LeJeune Rd. when it is widened to 60 feet is sought by Commissioner Robert Searle. Searle pointed out to the City Commission Tuesday that the homes, located immediately north of the University of Miami's San Sebastian hall, will create a problem when widening occurs.