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For whom polls toll

If you were driving on the West Dade extension of the Sunshine State Parkway last Friday, some gentlemen from the state's Department of Transportation may have cornered you at the nearest toll booth and given you a politely mild version of the third degree. "Come here often? Are you coming or going? Where to and why?" Or something to that effect. Purpose of the questioning (a one-day survey), was to determine just who is using the year-old turnpike and why. And the reason DOT wants answers to those questions is that the state is planning to build two more off/on ramps (one at Kendall, another further south) and is trying to figure out where toll booths can be shifted (or created) to squeeze the maximum out of road users. DOT's goal, whenever it constructs a toll road with budgeted funds, is to make the project pay for itself within 10 years. (The older part of the turnpike was financed by bond money and will keep paying its investors well past the break even point.) We welcome the news that two more accesses will be added to our stretch of turnpike. When the system opened last year, criticism of its limited access was strong. True, turnpikes are traditionally roadways with well-spaced places to get on and off, but few run through as heavily congested an area as South Dade. State officials knew this and had originally planned to provide a more-than-usual number of off/on ramps, but during construction they ran out of money. The monetary shortage was due mainly to near-extortion prices paid by the state for land sought through condemnation. Now the money is again at hand and improvements to the system will be made. But Friday's survey tends to temper the good news with the bad. More ramps mean more places to pay, either when you get on or get off. Friday's poll will take its toll on you eventually.

Good sport award

Our Sportsmanship Award of the Month (an honor just conceived for this occasion) goes out to F and R Builders. Pine Acres Civic Association fiercely fought a planned high density F and R development in its single-family neighborhood and recently won the case. F and R had to scrap its plans. But just last week, the company donated 35 gallons of paint to Pine Acres residents, paint that was used to spruce up a cement block wall surrounding the community. That's what being a good loser (and a good neighbor) is all about.

the gables publishing company

serving south dade and coral gables since 1926 | jim storey general manager | bea moss managing editor | gary gibbs news editor | carole myers advertising manager | bill me hugh circulation | address: 4627 ponce de leon blvd coral gables fla 33146 | telephone: 666 7981

reader response

We are aging one year at a time

EDITOR: A serious problem exists in our society which gravely concerns everyone — if not today, then probably tomorrow, or for certain "next year." For we are all aging, one . . . year . . . at . . . a . . . time. As a professional in the field of communication, we feel that you hold one of the keys to the solution of the predicament. As a human being, who will one day face the stark consequence very personally as you also become a discard in our throw-away society, as a concerned citizen facing impending near-disaster we appeal to you. As part of an interagency communications workshop, conducted jointly by Nova University and the Areawide Agency on Aging, our committee promotes improvement of attitudes toward older adults as the answer to the dread and fear of growing old instilled in all of us. Young is beautiful, but old can be even more so. Having been turned into a youth-oriented society by unknowns who have manipulated our minds, we protest and cry enough. We are determined, we demand to be able to regain control of our thoughts and feelings and begin to recognize Robert Browning's words: "Grow old along with me The best is yet to be — The last of life for which The first was made . . ." Rather than looking forward to our future as older adults with fear, we should relish the years ahead, look forward eagerly to that time of life when we expand our horizons and revel in maturity. The power of your newspaper's editorial section is what we hope to harness. Since we recognize that changing people's attitudes could be an insurmountable process without professional help, we come to you. We are inexperienced innocents and we hope that you may see our plight as people's struggle to fulfillment. Will you join our crusade? Will you help us with your expertise? Will you print our letter? Will you accept our challenge? Please remember you have a vital personal interest. Consider it. VELMA K. KELLER Task Force Member

Citizens' day in court shouldn't be shunned

EDITOR: The traffic citation reads "you can plead guilty and waive your right to appear in court by signing the portion of the summons and sending in your $3." Of course, if you do not wish to take that action you are commanded to appear in court under penalty of the law, etc. What the citation doesn't mention is the fact that you may have levied upon you a fine in excess of the $3 you would have paid had you not contested it and pleaded guilty. There is a case on record where a judge actually fined a citizen $10 for which the nominal fine would have been $3. In effect, this method of handling traffic citations can literally penalize the citizen for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed right to his day in court. Coral Gables City Attorney Charles Spooner, who should know better, says that if a citizen would be guaranteed that the worst he could get was a $3 fine, many citizens would appear in court to fight the citation. Knowing that a fine is probable, most citizens merely plead guilty, waiving their right to a court-hearing, even in cases where they might have won their case. His argument that a guarantee of that sort would excessively load the already overloaded court dockets is really a sidestep of the real issue — each citizen effectively having his day in court if he should so desire. Although he might be indirectly penalized by the loss of time off from work to go to court, he should not be penalized further by the possibility of his fine being in excess of what it might have been if he had pleaded guilty. What is at stake is the citizen's constitutionally guaranteed right to his day in court whether the dockets are loaded or not. The problem city fathers should be concerned with is coming up with an effective plan where the citizen is not penalized for exercising his constitutionally guaranteed right to his day in court. Another problem would be to find a way where overloaded court dockets do not delay the time a citizen can be heard. Perhaps a written explanation by the citizen would be an effective means. As elected officials, it is their duty to see that our rights are not infringed upon by the very body of government (the courts) that is sworn to uphold those rights. It should not be sluffed off as "not major enough to warrant consideration" because this would only be further evidence of the slow disregard of our basic rights as citizens. AL NADEAU

$15,000 would be well spent

EDITOR: Having been acquainted with Coral Gables' recreation programs and with the community schools at Carver Junior High, Ponce de Leon Junior High, and Merrick Elementary, I feel that Don Hart, the city's recreation director, should be commended for advocating that the $15,000 needed to cosponsor the three community schools in the Gables area be included in the city's budget, in lieu of the $16,000 for a summer recreation program. It is a good to know that the city and the school system can continue to come to terms, and join efforts for the sake of the people they are supposed to serve, rather than think of each others' programs as a duplication of services. Coordination of community resources and services is important, if people are to get the maximum from their tax dollar. To accomplish such a goal, recreation departments, and schools and all other agencies and institutions should share with one another, and realize their responsibility of "reaching out," and encouraging the public to take advantage of their services, rather than wait for the public to come to them. This is were our community schools play the biggest role, since they are strategically located throughout the city for easy access to the public, and offer a wide variety of facilities, equipment and highly qualified personnel, ready to help serve the educational, recreational and cultural needs of all people, of all ages and at all times. I feel that the $15,000 annual cosponsorship fee to support our three community schools is well worth it, and should remain as part of the city's budget. Thanks for the attention you have given this matter. ALBERTO S. DIAZ 1432 Trillo Ave. Coral Gables

Encourage community school support

EDITOR: I hope to be just one of many to underwrite the approval of Don Hart and his success in rescuing the budget appropriation for the Community School. This evening school has offered to many an opportunity to learn new skills and academic subjects as well, not offered at other places. It should be made a permanent institution with the only problem, not if — but how, to support it, like any other essential school. RUDOLPH KAMP 1534 Ancona Ave. Coral Gables

Letters to the editor on topics of local interest are welcome, but are subject to editing and condensation to meet style and space requirements. Letters must be signed.