Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Thursday, March 2, 1961, page 1 (of 26)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Coral Gables THE TIMES South Miami
the local community newspaper for all South Dade Vol 36 No. 3 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, March 2, 1961 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c
BEWITCHED, BOTHERED, BEWILDERED is Bobby Catania. To find out what's puzzling him, turn to Page 2.
7 Candidates In View For Commission Posts
Dressel, Searle Simmonite Are In Ring By MAURICE LABELLE The 1961 Coral Gables Municipal Election to fill four Commission seats and select a new mayor got into gear this week as one commissioner filed for the top post and the number of candidates grew to seven. Commissioner Robert L. Searle, a six-year veteran with two years left to serve of his current term, has filed for mayor. Bernard B. Weksler, an attorney, accountant and businessman, filed this week after announcing last week. C. L. (Jerry) Dressel, immediate past president of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and dairyman, accepted the backing of a group of well known residents, including Metro Commissioner Winston W. Wynne, former mayor Fred Hartnett, former city manager Ira (Dutch) Willard and Metro zoning official, I. Tommy Thomas. Another Candidate The same nameless group is backing another Gables resident whose name was to be made public today. A surprise entry was attorney Henry G. Simmonite, a World War II infantry colonel and life-long resident of the area. Charles M. Powell, 36, an insurance executive and also a life-long resident of the area announced his intention to file as an independent candidate. First to announce and file was Charles R. Berry, automotive parts distributor. Four of the candidates appeared before the Coral Gables Citizens Committee Tuesday, morning to make brief presentations about their platforms. They were Commissioner Searle, Weksler, Simmonite and Berry. Out Of Town Dressel was reportedly out of town and could not be present at the meeting. Of the other incumbents, Mayor John M. Montgomery has said he will not be a candidate. Commissioners Joe Murphy and Frank Kerdyk have made no announcements, although they have acted like candidates in recent weeks. Deadline for filing is March 14 at 5 p.m.
Tahiti Beach Site Large Park Proposed For Coral Gables' Use
A proposal to create a large public park out of the Tahiti Beach area of Coral Gables was made by Bernard B. Weksler, candidate for the City Commission, in a speech before the Citizens Committee Tuesday. Weksler was one of four candidates who addressed the group at the Coral Way Cafeteria. The others were Commissioners Robert L. Searle, Henry G. Simmonite and Charles R. Berry. "We don't have a beach of our own," the newly appointed member of the City Recreational Advisory Committee told the group. "We have to plan now." Ft. Lauderdale Weksler said he had in mind the type of facility found in Fort Lauderdale — a boat basin, beach and picnic area to accommodate the citizens of the community. Fort Lauderdale netted $93,000 from its operation last year, Weksler said. The attorney called for more unity between apartment owners, businessmen and others and the City Commission. The problems arising between the various groups, such as the one which resulted from high rise buildings can be resolved if the various groups sit down and talk their problems over, Weksler said. "A master plan is needed," said Weksler. "In business, when advice is needed you go to a professional man. Unfortunately, we do not have such a plan." Commissioner Searle traced the growth of the city and his own progress since he first came here in 1942. Coral Gables, said Searle, is a city blessed with active service clubs which work with the municipal government. Tax Reduction Searle pointed out that the release of an estimated $800,000 annually from taxes levied for bonded indebtedness will mean perhaps reduction of taxes or capital improvements. The potential release of sales tax money directly to municipalities estimated at $25 million, something he worked for, would be of great benefit to communities, Searle said. "It's a step in the right direction," he added. Simmonite said that he would present his platform later. In a brief statement, he outlined his enthusiasm for Coral Gables — "the finest city in the world." If elected, he said, he would carry on in the best way and tradition which will maintain the city's reputation. Berry, in an equally brief statement, stressed the need for a street improvement program, including paving and lighting.
Salary Boost Is Granted Tommy Blount
Coral Gables Tax Assessor Thomas C. Blount was awarded a $437 pay boost by the City Commission Tuesday. Blount was recently restored to department head status by the Commission after serving as tax assessor with the status of clerk since 1954. The raise represents an increment increase retroactive to last July 1. Meanwhile, Blount, whose office is scheduled to be abolished by the end of the current fiscal year due to the Metro takeover of all tax assessing responsibility, has given indication that he may not serve out the full year. Blount has been tax assessor since 1946, but lost his department head rank in 1954 after a squabble with the then City Commission and city manager. After that time he waged a long fight to regain his rank and pay.
Giralda Avenue Up Next For Beautification
A proposal to beautify a section of Giralda between Ponce de Leon Blvd. and Galiano will be aired at a public hearing to be held by the Zoning Board. The Coral Gables City Commission decided Tuesday to send the two alternate plans to the Zoning Board. Estimated cost of the improvement is $20,000, with the property owners and the City sharing approximately equally. One plan entails a five-foot sidewalk with landscaped bins and parallel parking. The second plan would have four-foot sidewalks, landscaped bins, but angle parking on one side. An estimated 17 parking spaces would be lost through adoption of the first plan. If the plan were to be extended to the Giralda section between Galiano and Douglas Rd., the estimated loss in parking space would be 34. This would have to be made up by acquisition of additional offstreet parking facilities, financed by meter revenue funds.
Public Urged To Hear Candidates
You will get an opportunity to meet and hear the candidates for the Coral Gables City Commission at a dinner meeting scheduled for 7 p.m., March 7, at the Elks Club, 22 Giralda. The public meeting is being sponsored by the Coral Gables Apartment Association, according to president Robert L. Brinkman. A panel of newsmen has been invited to submit questions to the candidates to bring out their views, Brinkman said. "The newcomers in the political race are sure to stir up many of the vital issues that have been pushed aside entirely too long," he said. Reservations may be made by calling HI 6-1685; HI 8-0525; HJ 4-2044; HI 4-0568; HI 3-3470; HI 4-6778; HI 8-2794; or HI 8-0729.
Pedestrian Fined $50 For Bus Station Violation
A man who filed a cross charge against the officer who arrested him was fined $50 and costs in Coral Gables Municipal Court Tuesday. Maurice Coulton, 52, of 2200 SW 27th Ave., was found guilty by Judge Charles Spooner of wandering around the unauthorized zone of the Coral Gables Bus Terminal. Charged With Assault Courier Ralph Lichtenberger, charged with assault by Coulton immediately following the arrest, was found not guilty. According to police, Coulton was walking in between and in back of buses at the terminal looking for his daughter in a bus. He was grabbed by Lichtenberger as a bus was backing out. Coulton reportedly had his back to the bus. Lichtenberger arrested Coulton, brought him to the police station across the street and the defendant was tried a short while later Tuesday in the courtroom, which is part of the same building. The city lost a $10,000 law suit last year filed by a 17-year-old girl and her father after she had a foot crushed by a bus backing out of a stall in the bus station. Recently there has been a rash of accidents, involving city buses including the death of a 13-year-old girl.
Clerks And Customers Tied Up By Gunmen
Two clerks and a customer were tied up by robbers who hit the 7-11 store at 3960 SW Eighth St. shortly after 10 p.m. Monday. The two gunmen, who got away with $70, entered the store and told clerks Phil Newkirk and Michael Hernandez and Mrs. C. E. Pitsinger, of 3010 Coral Way to get into the store's back room and tied them up after two cash registers had been emptied of bills.
Here's Schedule For Free X-Rays
The mobile X-ray unit of the Tuberculosis Association of Dade County will be in Coral Gables today and Friday. From 9 to 12 a.m. today (Thursday) it will be located at 285 Aragon alongside the Coral Gables Police Station. In the afternoon, the unit will move to the City Equipment Yard at 340 San Lorenzo, where city employees and others will be examined from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, the unit will return to the Police Station from 7 to 11 a.m. and travel to the city incinerator, 7400 Coral Way, from 1 to 3 p.m.