The Times

THE TIMES Coral Gables South Miami the local community newspaper for all South Dade

Vol. 36 No. 2 | Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. | Thursday, February 23, 1961 | Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. | Price 10c

THREE GENERATIONS of Coral Gables gardeners enjoy the results of their efforts in the garden of Mrs. Sydney Craig. With Mrs. Craig are her daughter, Mrs. George M. Wilson, and her granddaughter, Shelley Wilson. More than 300 members of the Coral Gables Garden Club will join forces to present the club's first public flower show on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25.

Doors To Open Friday Coral Gables Is Ready To Burst Into Blooms

The choicest flowers grown by Coral Gables gardeners will be marshalled for all south Florida to see this weekend. The Coral Gables Garden Club, largest in the state, will stage its first public flower show. The colorful event will be held in the Masonic Temple, 41 Valencia Ave., just two blocks south of Miracle Mile. The doors will open on the fragrant exhibits at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, and at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25. They will remain open both nights until 9 p.m. Wide Variety Mrs. S. M. Greene, general chairman, promises something of interest for every flower. "Among our more than 300 members," Mrs. Greene points out, "here is a wide variety of floral accomplishments." This diversity is reflected in the three major divisions into which the exhibits are grouped: Horticulture, Roses and Artistic. The exhibits in the first two groups will stress cultural perfection. The Horticulture Division covers potted plants in bewildering variety and cut flowers which will set the hall ablaze with color. The Rose Division promises to be an eye-opener to northern visitors who are sure that roses cannot be grown to perfection in South Florida. There will be entries in more than 50 classes of this all-time favorite flower, in a great variety of colors. Artistic Division In the Artistic Division, the experience, good taste and designing skill of these enthusiastic flower lovers will find unique expression. Each of the classes in this division has a different Coral Gables theme which establishes the mood and character of the entries. The design is the thing—not the individual flowers which contribute to it. In fact, many other things besides flowers may be used: dried materials, driftwood, fruit and foliage, for example. Aid From City The Garden Club has succeeded in arousing the aid of the whole city in making its first show a memorable one. The City Commission has made available the services of Parks Department personnel. The Retail Merchants Division of the Chamber of Commerce is planning a spring fashion show to be held in the patio garden. Banks, restaurants and other business institutions are cooperating in providing prizes and publicity. All amateur flower growers are invited to enter their blooms and plants in the Horticulture and Rose Divisions. The only requirement is that the flowers have been grown by the exhibitor. For information about schedules or entries call Mrs. Frank Race, MO 6-2697 (Rose Division), or Mrs. Jay Knox, MO 1-8479, (Horticulture Division).

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BUNNY BASKET Contest

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Gableites, You Must Register

Your vote will be forfeited unless you are registered for the April 11 Coral Gables Municipal Election. Deadline for registering is 9 p.m., March 11, at City Hall. You must be registered with the city to vote in this election. County registration will not be accepted. If you have moved, you must reregister also. City Clerk Loretta Sheehy's office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., March 8, 9, 10 and 11.

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Bernard Weksler Files For Commission Seat

By MAURICE LABELLE A frequent critic of Coral Gables City Commission policies announced his candidacy for the Commission today. He is Bernard B. Weksler, 39-year-old Gables attorney, accountant and businessman. Weksler said he will campaign as an independent candidate on the principles of "good, strong, honest city government." He became the second person to announce for the April 11 Municipal election. Charles R. Berry, an automotive parts distributor, filed recently. First Appearance Weksler made his first appearance on the local political scene in July 1959 when he went before the City Commission to urge the reinstatement of Tax Assessor Thomas C. Blount as a department head. This was in support of a move by Commissioner Joe Murphy which ultimately resulted in reinstatement of Blount Feb. 7. Since that time Weksler has appeared before the City and Metro Commissions frequently to protest certain policies or contemplated legislation. These appearances ranged from complaints about alleged tax freeloading by certain institutions, protesting the proposal to turn over operation of the Granada Golf Course to private interests, complaining about the inequity of golf fees at the two municipal courses to lending support to Commissioner Murphy's conflict of interest referendum proposal. The Commission subsequently launched an investigation into tax freeloading, dropped the plan to turn over the Granada Golf Course operation to a private group, "equalized" fees, adopted a conflict of interest ordinance and appointed Weksler to the newly created Recreation Advisory Board. Weksler said in announcing that Coral Gables needs "improved and additional recreational facilities, parks and picnic areas, a new and adequate library building, improved roads and street lighting." "Coral Gables should not only be known as 'The City Beautiful,'" Weksler said, "but it should also be known and eventually achieve the reputation and distinction of being the cultural center of the South." Weksler said that he will announce his campaign platform in the weeks to come and that it will contain "specific programs instead of broad generalities." He indicated he will seek "a strong conflicts of interest provision in the City Charter and strong enforcement of present zoning regulations. Weksler resides with his wife and two daughters, Ronnie Joy, 14, and Marla June, 9, at 435 Luenga. He was born and reared in Chicago and attended public schools there. He was Chicago All-City and Illinois All-State high school basketball player and was awarded a basketball scholarship to DePaul University. DePaul Graduate Weksler was graduated from DePaul in 1942 with a bachelor of science degree with a major in accounting. He entered the U.S. Air Force during World War II, during which time he served as commandant of a prisoner of war camp. After the war, he re-entered DePaul, received a doctor of law degree in 1948 and was admitted to the Illinois Bar. He moved to Miami in 1950, where he was admitted to the Florida Bar, and to Coral Gables in 1955. Weksler is a member of the Dade County Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, and the Public Utility and Municipal Law sections of the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the Mahi Shrine Temple, Scottish Rite Temple and a 32nd Degree Mason; a delegate to the Senior Citizens Division, Dade County Welfare Planning Council and a member of the executive board of the Jewish Family Childrens Service Agency of the United Fund of Dade County.

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Seven Story Hotel Gets Turndown No Parking, South Miami Council Objects

By EDWIN KNIGHT South Miami Council Tuesday night turned down a seven-story, 102 unit hotel in the heart of the business district because no off-street parking was provided. Overriding the city's Planning and Zoning Board, the city fathers unanimously denied an appeal from realtor-investor Norm Kutner to build the hotel on the southwest corner of Sunset Dr. and SW 58th Ct., one block from South Dixie Highway and two blocks from Red Road. Cut Throat "I think the city has cut its own throat," said Kutner, following the denial. "This hotel would have done a lot for the city's business district. Parking is impossible to get. If I did get it, the cost of the hotel rooms would be exorbitant." Kutner said he would abandon the hotel now and concentrate on other ventures. "Whoever heard of a hotel having to provide parking?", Kutner asked following the meeting. "Even if I said I would go out and try to get some parking, the land owners around there would jack up the price way out of proportion." Speaking in behalf of Kutner at the meeting was H. J. Hoodwin, a consulting engineer, who said that the hotel would provide about 200 more people a day for South Miami businesses. Hotel's Size Hoodwin said the hotel would be 70 by 116 feet in size and contain some 17 units per floor from the second through the seventh floor. The ground floor would contain a lobby, service and dining areas and small retail shops. "There is a terrific demand for a hotel in South Miami," Hoodwin told the Council, "especially since most people have moved away from the cities to shopping areas." He added that he believes most of those using the hotel would be people who would not feel the need for a car. Hoodwin said that financing for the hotel is available without parking and for this reason didn't feel the city would require parking. Parking Nearby There are several city-metered parking lots within a block or two of the proposed hotel site. The city's Planning and Zoning Board approved of the hotel after a public hearing before the board Jan. 31.

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