The Times

Thursday, February 23, 1961, page 9 (of 23)

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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

At Last—Some Issues

Coral Gables is about to see something it hasn't seen in a long time — a city election with real issues. At least that's the way things seem to be shaping up for the April 11 contest. For those who don't already know, most elections in Coral Gables are about as exciting as a race for the Board of Deacons. Not that there haven't been issues. There have been, but most of them were quietly swept under the rug and everybody pretended that there was no trouble in paradise. However, there are signs that April 11, 1961, is going to be different. It's pretty certain by now that there are going to be a few new faces in the local political jousts. These newcomers are not going to be willing to operate on the all's-well-that-seems-well basis that has been the vogue in the past. The advent of these newcomers and the fact that certain issues have arisen in Coral Gables that just can't be brushed aside add up to a promise for a lively city election. We can't mention the newcomers until they give official notice of their intentions to be candidates. We can, however, mention a few of the issues that you can bet will be hotly discussed during the campaigning. These issues, unlike so many in the past, have heated up the emotions of Gableites, who want to see something done about them. There are at least six good ones, and there may be others. Here are the six we expect to be hearing a lot about: 1. High Rise Buildings. The proposal to erect a 12-story apartment building in Coral Gables stirred up an intense controversy. Voters will be watching all candidates for their views on this issue. 2. Zoning. This also is an issue that has been the subject of heated discussions in Coral Gables. The proposal to build a service station on LeJeune Rd. between Palermo and Sevilla is just one instance of the heat this issue can generate. Candidates will have to offer leadership in this area. 3. Room Renting. This has been one of the most emotional issues ever to divide Coral Gables. It has never been resolved to the satisfaction of everyone, and it is bound to crop up during the campaign. 4. Recreation. More and more dissatisfaction is being expressed over the recreation facilities and programs of Coral Gables. This is a relatively new interest on the part of local residents, but it is gaining in interest all the time. 5. The Economic Welfare of Local Business. The city has already appropriated $65,000 for advertising and administrative purposes for a program to revitalize Coral Gables as a shopping area, tourist attraction and desirable residential city. This expenditure is bound to be examined during the campaign with questions about its effectiveness and disputes about what should be emphasized in the future. 6. Conflict of Interest. The present City Commission, after considerable soul searching and no little squirming, finally came up with a conflict of interest ordinance which some believe is weak and others believe is adequate. The vacillations of the Commission before it took any step to strengthen the old conflict of interest provisions of the City Charter is bound to be fodder for candidates who will oppose the incumbents, or else we don't know politicians. That's the way the upcoming race looks to us, and we confess that we hope the campaign shapes up somewhat along these lines. Coral Gables could use a good, lively local election. There are plenty of issues that need an airing, and we hope they get a good one.

I Think I Am Going To Enjoy This

HOT ISSUES AND NEW CANDIDATES I Think I Am Going To Enjoy This

Remember The Times

25 Years Ago It appeared that Coral Gables' bonded indebtedness would no longer be a problem. Local officials, such as Robert W. Smith, head of the Gables Real Estate Board, came to bat for the agreement which was reached to speedily end the indebtedness... The 15-round, world featherweight championship fight between Freddie Miller and Petey Sarren was held at the Coral Gables Colisieum... "Babe" Didrikson, the woman athlete who set sport's records spinning, came to Coral Gables to give a golf exhibition on the Biltmore Golf Course. 10 Years Ago The days were dwindling until South Miami's election for mayor. Running for the office were incumbent mayor Clayton W. Acker and John W. G. Fritz... West Miami mayor Peter Palermo announced a beautification plan involving purchase and planting of more than 1000 trees... Funeral services were held for Gableite Tommy Beckwith, 16, who died of skull injuries when an automobile knocked him from his motor scooter. Tommy, 627 Palmarito Ave., was hit while just a block away from his home after delivering papers on his route... Spaghetti helped buy a piano for a school. Proceeds of a spaghetti dinner went toward purchase of the musical instrument for Kendall Elementary School. 1 Year Ago The Coral Gables City Commission clamped down on 67 property owners whose home in the city's Negro section were declared in "a rehabilitation area." The owners, half of them residents and the other half investors, had 10 days in which to make improvements... South Miami police officer Charles Skalaski was chosen "Young Man of the Year" by the South Miami Jaycees. Skalaski was chosen for his untiring efforts as recreation director for South Miami.

PROFILE of the week

"It came as quite a surprise winning that award", was the expression used by Robert J. Bradley, when asked about recently being honored as Outstanding Boss of the Year. Bradley, who lives at 6145 SW 102nd St., is commercial manager, Coral Gables district office, Florida Power and Light Company. The popular boss received his award at a recent banquet given by the Coral Gables Jaycees. Bradley, born in 1898 in Birmingham, Ala., was graduated from Auburn University with a degree in electrical engineering. Married in 1923, Bradley and his wife decided to come to Florida and settle in Miami. For the first few years, the automobile business occupied his time, and in 1928 Bradley joined Florida Power & Light as supervisor of merchandise sales. Bradley is also active in many community organizations, being a director of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Mahi Temple Shrine, the Coral Gables Rotary Club and Century Club. Bradley is also the father of two lovely daughters, both of whom are married. When not fulfilling his role as "Boss of the Year," Bradley can usually be found at home in his woodworking shop. His next great love is fishing, but lately there's been no "bite." As for the future, this energetic boss will just keep on trying to live up to the award he so richly deserved. Bn.—Birmingham, Alabama Ch.—Betty Ann Gambrill, Bobbye Louise Coker Ed.—Auburn Univ., Auburn M.—Gladys Bus.—Commercial Mgr., Florida Power & Light (CG office) BRADLEY

South Miami Roundup

By EDWIN KNIGHT KNIGHT THERE WAS A BIG shakeup in the management of Metro last week. The county's numerous commissioners got together at a breakfast meeting and quietly decided to give County Manager O. W. (Hump) Campbell the heave-ho. Thus ended the three-year tenure of Metro's first county manager. WHETHER CAMPBELL will be remembered as a good or merely a fair county manager is a matter for discussion. His was a tough job. He took an unknown and untried charter and put it to work. He answered to a Commission whose interest in Metro seemed of a semi-personal nature. HE HAD TO reorganize nearly every department in the new government and still keep politics out of Metro. He had to make behind-the-scenes moves before he could get up steam. And yet, he reported to the commissioners, the press and the people. It was indeed a tough job. THE REASONS BEHIND the firing are vague. It appears that Campbell got the ax for not stepping on the gas soon enough. He apparently spent to much time getting up steam before he pulled out the throttle. But were these really the reasons behind the ouster? Perhaps, perhaps not. FIRST, CAMPBELL took over as county manager without the vote of confidence expected of a man stepping in such a position. Most of the original five commissioners were holding out for a local man, a politician who could wheel and deal to gain what he wanted. CAMPBELL WAS A MAN of few words. He was quiet, reserved and undemonstrative. He also was an ardent student of municipal government. He was an expert on tax procedures and problems, the solution of which could indicate the rise or fall of Metro. BUT CAMPBELL was not a flamboyant man. He never was an never will be. He was not a grandstander or an extroverted exponent of Metro. He did not spend as much time selling as administering the new government. Lastly, he was not a politician. HE ABHORED POLITICS and politicians. He dealt with them as best he could. In the end, they got the best of him. And now thse politicians are looking for another manager. Will it be another professional manager or a political manager? The difference is a thin line hinging on a man's personality. OUR GUESS IS that the new manager will be a wheeler and dealer, long on handshakes and short on ability. He will be a local man who has gained fame here in one field or another. He may be William D. Singer, Royal Castle czar who was Dade's representative on the State Road Board. IT MIGHT BE General E. A. Evans, who was bounced out not so long ago as Miami's city manager. Or then agin, it might be Melvin Reese, present Miami city manager, who could well take over the reigns of Metro. Others have been mentioned for the job, but they appear to be friends of various county commissioners. ANYONE COULD GET the job. And past performances indicate that Dade Countians couldn't care any less. One of Mr. Campbell's most provocative statements about Dade County was said not while he was in office but after he was fired. ASKED WHAT HE thought was Metro's chief drawback, Campbell retorted promptly, the people. He added that an acute lack of community spirit was inflicting great harm on Metro. And he is right. The people get what they deserve. AND WHAT DADE Countians richly deserve is a politician as a county manager. Time and the lack of it has dealt harshly with Dade County. To most of us living here, Metro is a word, with little meaning and the same amount of interest. IF THE UMPTEEN county commissioners want a politician as county manager, that's fine with most of our citizens. "I'm just here for the winter," they reply as they close their newspapers and extol the virtues of northern municipal governments. THIS LACK of community spirit has been a deteriment to Dade County down through the years because of the number of transients here and our wide and varied cultural backgrounds. Few of us have a feeling of belonging. We have left our allegiances in our former cities. And we are dearly paying the price for this infidelity. WE ARE HERE now, not as fuedal vassals to a lord, but as citizens of a government that is crying for leadership. We have chosen to live here. Our roots are short ones, but some of our economic interests are as wide as they were in our former cities. WITH A WELL-RUN government, our homes will crease, rather than falter, in value. This lack of community interest so apparent to Mr. Campbell is hurting us in other ways, too. The area's annual United Fund, which supports many county-wide projects, has failed to reach its goal for the second time in two years. OUR VOTING PERCENTAGE for the number of eligible voters is one of the lowest in the country. This clearly shows how much we care who is elected to represent us in our local, state or natioanl elections. Our recreation facilities, including our most valuable assets in land and beaches, have been swept away from under our noses because of public apathy.