The Times

Coral Gables THE TIMES South Miami

the local community newspaper for all South Dade Vol. 36 No. 4 Second Class Postage Paid at Miami, Fla. Thursday, March 9, 1961 Published Weekly at 308 Aragon, Coral Gables, Fla. Price 10c

Kerdyk Withdraws From Politics

Coral Gables City Commissioner Frank Kerdyk announced Tuesday that he will not be a candidate for re-election. Kerdyk, vice mayor for the past two years of his four-year tenure, made his decision Monday night after long and careful deliberation, he said. "I've never had any political ambitions," said Kerdyk. The 44-year-old realtor cited the press of personal, civic and private business for his decision not to run. Prior to his announcement, Kerdyk had generated much feeling that he would be a candidate and might even oppose Commissioner Robert L. Searle for mayor. "I think it's time for other people to do their civic duty as I have done mine," Kerdyk said Tuesday. "It has been very interesting and educational... and an honor to serve" said Kerdyk. The real estate broker and vice president of Leslie H. Coombes, indicated three main goals before leaving office next month. Tuesday he introduced a move to abolish the personal property tax in Coral Gables. He recently proposed the idea of hiring a professional planner to help the City solve its high rise building dilemma and backed a plan to build new alleys to service buildings paralleling Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Firemen Save Store On Mile

Prompt arrival of the Coral Gables Fire Department was credited for holding down damage in a fire at Jefferson Stores, 130 Miracle Mile, the night of March 2. Manager Al Magolnick said Friday that damage, estimated at "several thousand dollars", would have run much higher had the fire department not gotten there quickly and extinguish the flames. An automatic alarm system which alerted a downtown agency shortly before 10:30 p.m. also played a part in spreading quick-news of the fire to police. Spotted Quickly The fire was spotted quickly by Peggy Mann an employee at Cookies across the street and they also reported it. Firemen smashed the front door glass to get in, doused the flames and began the messy job of cleaning up. Chief Paul Matheson and Magolnick both cited the probable cause as a short circuit among a group of television sets in the front center of the store.

Ben is back at Ben's Shell Service Sta., 9330 So. Dixie, adv.

City Commission Race Warms Up

AN HOUR OF HONOR came to George and Rebyl Zain in Coral Gables last Friday. The City of Coral Gables unveiled a bronze plaque commemorating the couple's devoted efforts to develop Miracle Mile into a top quality shopping area. Thanking the city in behalf of her husband is Rebyl Zain, left. At right, seated, is George Zain. At the bottom is superimposed a copy of the plaque. It reads "In tribute to George and Rebyl Zain from whose faith, enthusiasm, and leadership emerged The Miracle Mile."

Bronze Plaque Is Lasting Memorial To The Zains

By RAYMOND LANG "This is the moment I wish my heart had a voice of its own so it could speak..." With these words, George and Rebyl Zain thanked the people and officials of Coral Gables for honoring them last Friday. An estimated 500 persons, among them Coral Gables' top city officials, merchants and leading citizens, viewed the unveiling of a bronze plaque commemorating the Zains or came to congratulate them. Taking place at one of the fountains on the west end of Miracle Mile, the ceremony observed the dedicated efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Zain to develop the Mile into a quality shopping street. Mrs. Zain, speaking for her husband, said, "I want to thank each and everyone of you for coming here today to share with Rebyl and me the most historic and the happiest moment of our lives... A Heart To Speak "This is the moment I wish my heart had a voice of its own so it could speak because neither my words nor my tongue can do justice..." "I can only say that it takes very special qualities of greatness for those in public office to recognize the living in the manner Rebyl and I are being recognized today." The talk went on to "publicly thank and commend" various newspapermen and merchants for their cooperation in assisting the Zains to develop Miracle Mile. Deep Appreciation In closing, the Zains expressed the hope that the plaque "will ever serve as a reminder of our deep and grateful thanks" to the City of Coral Gables for the honor. The bronze plaque is 18 by 24 inches and was presented to the Zains by the City of Coral Gables. On hand to unveil the plaque was Thomas C. Mayes, who was mayor of Coral Gables in 1946 when development of Miracle Mile earnestly got underway. Other former mayors who attended the ceremony were W. Keith Phillips and David Hendricks. Mayor John Montgomery gave the opening address, praising the devoted efforts of the Zains. The Rev. John G. Shirley, of St. Phillips Episcopal Church, which the Zains attend, delivered the invocation.

Takes Over March 15 | Publisher-Editor Named For Coral Gables Times

Rolfe Neill, prize-winning North Carolina newspaper editor, has been named publisher of the Coral Gables Times. Times President John T. Watters said Neill would assume overall editorial and business direction as part of a "general expansion program for our readers and advertisers." Von Maurer Resigns Neill, who will join the Times on March 15, succeeds editor William von Maurer who has resigned to join the news staff of The Miami Herald. Before accepting the Times appointment, Neill was business editor of the Charlotte Observer, and president of the North Carolina News and Feature Writers Conference. He is this year's winner of the William T. Polk Award for the most outstanding example of business reporting in North Carolina. From North Carolina Neill, 28, was born in Mt. Airy, N. C., and received his AB degree at the University of North Carolina. He is married to the former Rosemary Boney, of Clinton, N. C., and is the father of three children, Clifford, 4 1/2, Ashley, 2 1/2, and Dana, 1. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan for two years. Neill and his wife have bought a home in Coral Gables at 6911 Capilla Ave.

Where To Put New Library For Gables?

How to get a new library has been a financial problem for Coral Gables for a long time, but the question of location is also proving difficult. While taking no action on a decision to construct the proposed library, the City Commission Tuesday took under consideration a recommendation from City Manager L. W. Robinson Jr. to hire a consultant. Robinson detailed the difficulty in picking a site that was ideal from a theoretical and practical standpoint. A site at the intersection of Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Blvd. would be ideal, Robinson replied in answer to questioning, but other factors enter in making it difficult to establish a library in such a location. Cost of the library may run more than $400,000, it was estimated.

Doctor's Bag Stolen

A black medical bag containing several physicians instruments was stolen from the car of Dr. Norman Nash, parked at 6710 Santona, sometime between Friday and Saturday, according to Coral Gables police. The bag and its contents were valued at $100.

Win A Prize, The Mile Is 15!

Fifteen years ago, Coral Gables' leading shopping street was born. It was a beautiful baby and has been winning praise as one of the country's leading shopping paradises ever since. This year's birthday is going to reflect that leadership. Miracle Mile merchants are going to open up their stores on March 10 with the biggest special sale the street has ever seen. The sale will continue through March 11. There'll be gifts to celebrate the occasion, just as there are on any birthday, but this time the gifts will be for you, the shoppers, instead of for the baby. The gifts will be 75 prizes, including a trip to Paris for two or a 1961 four-door Simca, a one year teenage telephone subscription and 75 $10 gift certificates from Miracle Mile stores. All you have to do to win is to pick up a coupon at any one or all of the participating Miracle Mile stores, fill it out and drop it in one of the convenient boxes. There's nothing to buy. Stores taking part can be identified by a banner in the window. That's birthday gifting in reverse. But that's the Miracle Mile Merchants' way of saying "Happy Birthday!"

Atlantic Receives Gables Contract For Gasoline

Atlantic Refining Co. received the contract award from the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday to furnish 93.5 octane gasoline for one year at the rate of 18.3 cents a gallon or less if the price drops at Port Everglades.

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Four More Candidates File For Seats

By MAURICE LABELLE Four candidates filed Tuesday for a seat on the Coral Gables City Commission, one incumbent announced he would not be a candidate for re-election and another incumbent became ill, indicating that he would not run. The four who filed Tuesday are J. L. (Jerry) Dressel, Harold J. Cram, Leo F. Mahan and Henry Simmonite. The four who filed previously are Commissioner Robert L. Searle, Bernard B. Weksler, Charles Powell and Charles Berry. Commissioner and Vice Mayor Frank Kerdyk announced Tuesday morning that he had decided Monday not to run. Hess Is Ill Ill at Doctors' Hospital from undetermined causes and undergoing examination is Commissioner James Hess. Hess joined the City Commission in January, when he was named by the Commission to replace Winston W. Wynne, who resigned to sit on the Metro Commission. The four newly announced candidates bring to eight the number who have filed, with Commissioner Searle the only one qualified for mayor. Searle is not up for re-election and has two years left of his four-year term. Mayor John M. Montgomery announced several weeks ago that he would not be a candidate. Commissioner Joe Murphy has been sitting on the fence, although he has given indication he will run. All the candidates appeared before the Coral Gables Apartment Association Tuesday night to air their platforms. Before Committee Commissioners Searle, Weksler, Berry and Simmonite appeared before the Coral Gables Citizens Committee last week. The candidates are also scheduled to appear before the Coral Gables Citizens Association in a public meeting to be set after next Tuesday's qualifying dead-line. Some 6500 circulars have been distributed by the group to Gables residents urging them to register and vote in the April 11 election. The deadline for registering is Saturday, 9 p.m. at City Hall. The City Clerk's office will be open nightly tonight, and Friday also to take registrations.

Paving Contract

Williams Paving Co. was awarded a $1954 contract by the Coral Gables City Commission Tuesday for paving the alley running east of LeJeune Rd. between Granello and Greco.

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