The Times

Bank Promotes Three From Gables

H. P. McGOOGAN ROBERT DUNN ANN TURINSKY Merchants Bank of Miami, 950 SW 57th Ave., has named three Coral Gables residents and a University of Miami graduate to new positions. At the same time, Hoke T. Maroon, president, announced that the bank has declared its eighth consecutive quarterly dividend of 15 cents a share and established a profit-sharing plan with the first payment totalling $7200. Joining the bank as vice president is H. P. McGoogan, former president of Coral Gables First National. McGoogan, 61, served with the Reconstruction Finance Corp. for 19 years. Now living at 1301 Campo Sano Ave., McGoogan also has been associated with the Pan American Bank of Miami and the Avon Citrus Bank. Moving up to vice president is Mrs. Ann Turinsky, formerly assistant vice president. Mrs. Turinsky, a member of the National Association of Bank Women, resides at 29 Santillane Ave. Robert H. Dunn has been named to the post vacated by Mrs. Turinsky from his former position as assistant cashier. Dunn is a member of the Tamiami Kiwanis Club and lives with his wife, Brona, and their five children at 1122 Almeria Ave. New assistant cashier is Joseph W. Armaly, who was graduated from the University of Miami in 1958 with a BBA degree. He also attended Sts. Peter and Paul High School and the University of Notre Dame. Merchants Bank was founded in November, 1955. Present assets total $13,505,184.42.

Gables Banker Sees Good Future For 1961

GEORGE CASTER D spite a general business recession in 1960, Coral Gables Federal Savings and Loan Association had a gratifying year of continued growth and activity, with assets increasing to more than $112 million, President George B. Caster reported this week. Writing in that institution's annual report, Caster said the year was marked by substantial gains in savings and first mortgage home loan volume. He listed highlights of the Coral Gables Federal 1960 operation as follows: 1. Assets increased by nearly $12 million. 2. Total savings passed the $100 million mark for the first time. 3. Dividend payments to savers amounted to an all-time high of more than $31⁄2 million. 4. Made mortgage loans in excess of $211⁄2 million. Looking ahead, Caster predicted that economic conditions would continue about as present for a number of months to come. He went on to say that by mid-1961 we can expect to see a revival of new housing construction and a more active real estate market, and that savings would continue the upward evident in the closing months of 1960. President Caster concluded his report by saying that he expects 1961 to be an excellent savings year and a very satisfactory year for mortgage lending.

New Children's Store Features Layettes

"Pepi's" is the name of a new infants' and children's store opening next week at 257 Miracle Mile. The store, finished in gold and white with lavendar carpeting, is divided into two departments, layettes and children's apparel. 20 Years Experience Owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Morris Grossman, the specialty store came about in an unusual manner. The Grossman's together have had 20 years in the children's apparel business, but when their daughter was expecting her first baby the prospective grandparents decided they wanted something special for the layette. To New York The search led them to New York where they found many fine and unusual layette items, many of them handmade and imported from Europe. The Grossmans felt that Miami and particularly Coral Gables needed a shop that specialized in these items and thus "Pepi's" was born. "Pepi", by the way, is French for happy. "Pepi's" will open the week of Jan. 23 and both Mr. and Mrs. Grossman will be on hand with fine items for children from infancy to age 14. The new store will feature the Pan-Am charge plan.

Gables Asks Report On Plumber's License Case

A report on the controversial plumber's license case of South Miami plumber Ralph H. Coker was asked by Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday. City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. was asked to determine the status of the differences between Coker, who was turned down for a license by the City, and the City Commission. The City Commission late last year turned down a direct appeal from Coker after he had refused to take a written exam required by the City. A similar, though not identical case, that of another South Miami plumbing contractor, James Burgin, is pending before the courts. Recently, the City Commission decided to attempt to compromise with Coker by allowing him to take a verbal exam in place of the regular exam. Coker, who lives at 8151 SW 62nd Ave., and his attorney John Ruff agreed to the exam, if the City loses the Burgin case appeal. Not Identical The cases, though similar, are not identical. Burgin, former Metro head of its Plumbing Examining Board, claimed he did not need a Coral Gables exam because he already had a county license. He had previously failed to pass written tests. The South Miami contractor, arrested by the Gables but never tried in Municipal Court, was upheld by the Circuit Court. City Attorney Ted Semple argued the appeal recently in the District Court of Appeals, but no decision has been handed down. Coker is also licensed by Metro under the same "grandfather," or retroactive type clause, which Burgin cited. Other Cases Ruff cited other cases to the Commission Tuesday, including the Burgin case, which he said indicated that the mater had already been litigated and decided in favor of the litigants. Semple argued that the Burgin case is not settled and advised the City Commission to await the final outcome before issuing licenses. Approximately 35 plumbing contractors would be affected by the ruling. Ruff told the Commission that Coker, who he said has a three-year education, does not read well enough to take a written exam, although competent to read plans and handle jobs of up to four stories in height. Coker has been in the business nearly 20 years, 14 of them as a master plumber.

Is Coral Gables Doomed As Retail Center?

What effect will shopping centers, present and proposed, have upon the area from which Coral Gables merchants draw their customers? This question will be discussed before the Retail Merchants Division of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce at a dinner meeting on Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Elk's Lodge. Al Friedman, president of the group, announces that the speaker will be Landon Haynes, vice president and director of market research for the First Research Corporation of Maimi. Haynes subject will be "Is Coral Gables Doomed as a Retail Center?" He will use material taken from the research files of his organization to present the problems faced by Coral Gables merchants in their true perspective. Following Haynes presentation, a possible step in the direction of solving these problems will be outlined by Robert Hurwitz, president of Robert S. Hurwitz Advertising Agency. The general public is welcome. The dinner will be at 7 p.m. The $2.50 tab includes cocktail, tax and tip. Call HI 6-1657 for reservations.

MAURICE R. MARCO, president of Marco Shoe Stores, has been elected president of the Westchester Shopping Plaza Merchant's Association. Marco, an award winner of the National Brands Foundation, is also vice president and member of the board of the Cutler Ridge Regional Shopping Center.

Estimated average yield for Florida peanuts during the 1960 season is 1,150 pounds per acre.

Palms Motel Addition Will Include 12 Units

A two-story, 36 by 114 foot addition slated to cost $55,000 is planned for Palms Motel, 6601 South Dixie Highway. According to owner John W. Mitchell, work began last week on the addition which will include 12 units with baths. In lieu of a contractor, Mitchell is sub-contracting the work himself. Palms Motel includes 40 units with baths now. Architect for the addition is Gerald Pitt, of Miami. Mitchell has owned the motel for a year and a half.

Watrous Completes 30 Years With Beneficial

Donald S. Watrous Jr., field supervisor for Beneficial Finance System's Miami West Division, has joined 114 others in the United States and Canada who can boast 30 consecutive years of service with the company. A native of Lansing, Mich., Watrous and his wife reside at 912 Sistina Ave. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Class of '27. Active in fraternal groups, Watrous is a member of Mahi Temple, A.A. O.N.M.S., Miami. He is also a member of Chi Phi Fraternity and the Coral Gables Country Club. A veteran of World War II, Watrous served as a staff sergeant with the 3rd Air Force. Watrous is one of 183 men who enjoy the distinctiion of being a Quarter Century Club members. To mark his 30th anniversary with Beneficial, Watrous will be presented with a platinum pin.

Tire Station Turned Down By Coral Gables

A proposal to construct a General Tire Co. station on the northeast corner of the Salzedo-Giralda intersection was unanimously turned down by the Coral Gables City Commission last week. R. Ernest Nitzsche, owner of the property, had appealed a unanimous decision of the Zoning Board also turning down the request. Nitzsche pleaded a hardship on the grounds that the General Tire Co. station, located across the street on the northwest corner, was being forced to move out on a lease expiration. The Commission indicated that it would make an exception if the move were in connection with removing gas stations from Ponce de Leon Blvd., but not just to create another station.

New Mortgage Office

Mid-Way Mortgage Co., a newly chartered mortgage banking house, has opened an office at 285 Sevilla Ave. The office will be under the direct supervision of Alan N. Schneider, president, and Marian L. Tomm, secretary of the corporation.

The Merchants Bank

the bank where you feel at home is proud to announce the appointment of these new officers SEATED: Mr. H. P. McGoogan, Vice President and Loan Officer (formerly President of Coral Gables First National Bank); Mrs. Ann Turinsky, Vice President in Commercial Loans Department. STANDING: Mr. Joseph W. Armaly, Assistant Cashier; Mr. Robert H. Dunn, Assistant Vice President. Their recent appointment is another indication of the bank's growth and its desire to render increasingly better service to customers and friends. MERCHANTS BANK OF MIAMI 950 RED ROAD (S.W. 57th Ave. near the Trail) Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation