The Times

THE TIMES

the local community newspaper for all South Dade John T. Watters, President & Publisher William von Maurer, Editor Robert M. Slane, Advertising Manager Subscription: $3.00 year by mail anywhere

By Helping Coral Gables

President Kennedy's call to Americans to examine their consciences to see what they can do for America instead of vice versa, is going to be as popular a reference as was FDR'S comment about fearing nothing but fear. The excerpt from President Kennedy's Inaugural Address popped up last week at the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Retail Merchants Division dinner meeting called to hear the facts about Coral Gables' retail future in view of inroads being made by encircling shopping centers. The Kennedy quote was an appropriate one. A few of the large group of merchants who assembled for the meeting showed a shocking lack of knowledge about civic and governmental affairs in Coral Gables. One of the merchants launched a scathing attack on the advertising program being carried out by the City of Coral Gables with tax money. He protested that the program is not giving a hard pitch for Coral Gables retail sales. Judging from this merchants' comments and the burst of applause which followed, it is clear that some of the merchants are under the impression that this tax money is being spent for only one purpose—to bring revenue into their stores. This ignorance of the spirit behind this expenditure of city tax funds is discouraging. It indicates that the interests of some merchants do not extend beyond the shopping district. Fortunately, Albert Friedman, president of the Retail Merchants Division, was on hand to remind the audience that the city's advertising program has been undertaken to create an atmosphere for all of Coral Gables — homeowners, retired couples, school children and all the men, women and families who make up a city such as ours. Within this atmosphere, Friedman said, the merchants must exert their own efforts to improve their businesses. This is the only way tax money can be spent to aid local business. The group of merchants who displayed their lack of understanding about what is going on in Coral Gables owe it to themselves, the taxpayers and the business community to take an active interest in Coral Gables' affairs, whether they reside here or not. The city, by its decision to spend tax money for advertising, did so because it recognized that something must be done to counteract outside forces which are influencing both the residential and the business character of the city. However, this does not rule out independent action on the part of special interest groups within the city. This initiative, of course, is open to the merchants, many of whom are not well informed about local affairs, but are leaders in them. Those few who do not know the details of local problems and the tax demands of this city owe it to all of us to begin to find out and to share an understanding of these as well as their own economic worries. By helping Coral Gables, they will help themselves.

Master Plan Turnout

South Miamians are to be congratulated on their big turnout last week to hear details about the city's new master plan. Just what the plan means to the city will be debated for years to come. However, the audience which assembled at South Miami City Hall to hear the first details of the plan assure that its many provisions will be enacted only with full consent of the residents. For speculation about the plan's meaning and impact on South Miami, read Ed Knight's South Miami Roundup which appears on this page.

Maybe You'd Better Read This First

Remember The Times

25 Years Ago The Coral Gables City Commission and bondholders protective committee said they had reached a definite agreement on settlement of the city's debt . . . Primo Carnera, the giant Italian heavyweight fighter, stopped off in Coral Gables and stayed at the Casa Loma Hotel . . . Noted baritone Leon Sparks sang at the Coral Gables Congregational Church . . . Coral Gables' hotels overflowed with guests as a severe cold spell gripped the north and sent shivering visitors to sunny South Florida . . . Funeral services were held for Grover C. Morgan, a former salesman with the Coral Gables Corporation. It was this corporation, headed by George Merrick, that spearheaded land development in Coral Gables during the late 20s. 10 Years Ago Coral Gables braced itself for Civil Defense exercises which would test the city's readiness in the event of a crisis . . . Good will was never better between the United States and Cuba as Coral Gables officials got set to take part in a giant international carnival in that Caribbean island city . . . The Rev. E. A. Finn began his pastorate at Coral Terrace Presbyterian Church . . . James G. Leybourne, president of the Coral Gables First National Bank, accepted the chairmanship of the Coral Gables division for the coming Red Cross funds drive.

PROFILE of the week

Tully F. Dunlap, who rose from cashier to president in 11 years at Riverside Bank, once dropped the routine of office work to dash out and nab a bandit scampering away with $20,000 of the bank's money. It was in 1954 that Dunlap won nationwide recognition when he captured the bandit. And the saving of the bank's money occurred only two years after Dunlap rose to president and become the youngest man in the United States to hold the office. For it was in 1952 that Dunlap, then 36, was elected president. He had joined the bank as a cashier in 1941. After joining Riverside, Dunlap was promoted to vice president and then executive vice president. And in the winter of '52, he became president. Before going with Riverside, the native of Midland City, Ala., began his banking career with the First National Bank of Miami, where he worked for five years. Dunlap, who lives at 6701 SW 128th St., moved to Miami in 1925. He was graduated from Miami Edison High School and attended night classes at the University of Miami. The World War II U. S. Army veteran is a member of the Board of Deacons at Shenandoah Presbyterian Church. He is chairman of the Dade County Bankers Association, past chairman of Group IV, Florida Bankers Association and vice president of the Independent Bankers of Florida. He is also a charter member and past president of the Southwest Miami Kiwanis Club and past lieutenant governor of Division 11, Florida District, Kiwanis International. Dunlap is a member of Biscayne Bay Lodge Number 124 F and A.M., Scottish Rite and Mahi Shrine Temple. He is a member of the Hospital Advisory Board of Dade County and on the Board of Directors for the Boys Club of Miami. Bn. Midland City, Ala., Oct. 22. 1916 M. Mary Doughton Ch. Betsy, Robert Bus. President of Riverside Bank Ed. Miami Edison High, U. of M. DUNLAP

South Miami Roundup

By EDWIN KNIGHT THE GRATIFICATION of curiosity rather frees us from uneasiness than confers pleasure. We are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction. Curiosity is the thirst of the soul.—JOHNSON. SOUTH MIAMIANS, like others, are a curious lot. The newsletter said an important meeting was being held at City Hall. A master plan for South Miami was to be discussed. So some 400 South Miamians left their television sets and motored down to City Hall. QUESTIONS RAN rampant through their minds — What is a master plan? What will it do for South Miami? How will it affect my piece of property — and me? When will it go into effect? Is South Miami really going to annex everything it can get its hands on? MOST OF THESE questions were answered to the satisfaction of most of those present. The master plan was unveiled as best Council could do it under the circumstances. Many South Miamians are now reading the master plan and forming opinions. OTHERS WILL GET a chance later to digest the plan. But the plan, at best, is just that — a master plan. Most of those who have read the plan have said it was a good one. But then, knocking a master plan like this one is like knocking courage. IT'S GOOD. Sure, it's good. But, it's good only if it is put into use. And that job falls squarely on the shoulders of South Miami's Councils—present and future—and the city's Planning and Zoning Board. If this is the case, another question is brought up. Why should the citizens be so informed on the master plan? IT'S A GOOD question and a logical one. The answer is this: A Council and a planning board can go only so far in the necessary and logical planning of a city without an informed citizenry. Residents also must be informed on the need for bond issues and expenditures if the master plan is to succeed. AS SCOTT BAGBY SO appropriately states in the plan, "This plan is a collection of ideas. People can pretend there are no problems and forget these ideas, or people can study them, work on them and put them into action." This then is the gist of the South Miami master plan. WE CAN PRETEND there are no problems in South Miami — but there are problems. There are problems in every direction. There are questions of boundaries, blighted areas, tax structures, planning, zoning, traffic patterns and South Miami's relationship with Metro. And it's all a part of our community. THIS PLAN IS FOR those South Miamians who care. And we think there are plenty of these South Miamians. If you didn't care, you wouldn't have bought a home in South Miami. If you didn't care, you wouldn't have remained in the city. And if you didn't care you wouldn't have attended the meeting last Tuesday. IN ESSENCE, this plan is one professional planner's opinion of how South Miamians, through proper planning, can have a better community for you and your family. It has a section on everything pertaining to the city. It's not a cure-all by any means. But it does bring the city's ills into focus and points out ways to remedy them. "SOUTH MIAMI is at a crossroads situation," the planner points out. "It can choose the right direction or the wrong direction. The only totally wrong course would be to do nothing to insure the development of a sound future. What the right course is must be determined by what the city and the citizens want to be." MR. BAGBY GIVES numerous pages to the development of South Miami to its present state. "Generally, the city is in excellent position to direct and guide its future developm..." the report states. And guide its future South Miamians must if they wish to maintain boundaries of residential, business and industrial growth. THE CITY'S SLUM section comes into heavy comment in the plan. ". . . below average home areas will create an increasing financial drain upon every sound property in South Miami. The problem of blight, serious as it is in its present stages, has a far more serious implication to the South Miami resident. Blight cannot be contained and its effect on adjacent areas inevitably will be felt." CONTINUING, THE report says, "South Miami has a problem area which extends roughly in an oval shape from 62nd Ave. and 62nd St. to Dixie Highway. Within this area are the poorest homes, apartments and stores plus a very considerable amount of vacant land, with industrial areas along the railroad and the highway. "THE KEY TO A SOUND future for South Miami lies in the proper development and redevelopment of this area." Those of you who haven't read the plan, go down to City Hall this week and take one out. The city has 500 copies to be read by you, the citizens. It's your plan, your city and your incentive to make South Miami an even better city.