The Times

Saturday, May 15, 1976, page 5 (of 26)

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opinion

| editorials | commentary | letters

Justice for all

Last spring, a sex scandal rocked Coral Gables City Hall. Fallout from that scandal has yet to cease. The city's personnel director at the time, Dwight Small, stood accused of sexual impropriety. He was subsequently dismissed by an administrative action on the part of the city. Small is fighting in county court to regain his job. Now we have learned that an investigation by the state attorney's office into another city employe's actions surrounding the Small incident, resulted in a strongly-worded written recommendation for an administrative action against that employe. He is former Minimum Housing Director Joe Thomas, now working as assistant to Building Director F.B. Marshall. City Manager J. Martin Gainer, who received the letter urging action against Thomas nearly seven months ago, has yet to say he feels there is "insufficient evidence." We wonder if he could also be having second thoughts about his dismissal of Dwight Small. Small is contending that "insufficient evidence" is a trademark of his case as well. We aren't going to suggest that the state attorney should have a hand in how Coral Gables conducts its business, or washes its dirty laundry as the case may be. But it does seem only proper that the city's brand of justice should be applied equally across the board to all within its jurisdiction. No evidence strong enough to warrant criminal prosecution of either man has been brought forth. But they have both stood accused of conduct unbecoming an employe of the City Beautiful. If, as a result, one is fired, why not the other? If one is retained and allowed to continue work, why not the other? These are questions the city must face up to and answer. Perhaps Small's court battle will wring a reply from 405 Biltmore Way.

Safety first

Citizen involvement is what we need more of and the citizens of South Dade are rallying to the need. Public Safety Committee members of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce who have initiated several other crime prevention programs, have still another project ... CRIMP ... Citizen Radio Motor Patrol. It will involve about 300 citizens working in conjunction with the Public Safety Department who will report on suspicious characters, accidents and potential crimes in the making. Our thanks go out to these concerned citizens who will be helping police in their efforts to make South Dade a safer place in which to live.

the gables publishing company

reader response | Throw out government's big spenders

EDITOR: Recently the Gallup Poll asked the following question: "Would you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment that would require Congress to balance the federal budget each year — that is, keep taxes and expenditures in balance?" Results: 78 per cent favor, 13 per cent oppose and eight per cent have no opinion based on the national sample. Republicans favor by 84 per cent, Democrats by 78 per cent and Independents by 77 per cent. Fortunately, all but three states currently have laws requiring a balanced budget, and the legislatures in eight states have called for a constitutional amendment to require a balanced U.S. budget. What has been the President's and Congress' reaction? Mr. Ford proposes a $394 billion budget, and Congress increases it to $420 billion resulting in an estimated deficit of $58 billion. Democratic Senator William Proxmire cites some examples where President Ford can really control costs — the White House budget. There are 54 staffers earning from $37,800 to $44,600 a year, and President Ford has asked Congress for authority to hire an unlimited number of super-grade positions on the White House staff. This is a 76 per cent increase, and this is from our President who tells us that government expenses must be controlled. Who is he trying to kid? The time has arrived for the taxpayers to throw out all big spenders in government. Most federal programs costing a lot of money accomplish little, if anything. In fact, these programs frequently make the problems worse instead of better. It is about time to elect a President and Congress who will represent the 78 per cent of our people who favor a balanced federal budget each year. Why can't we get some candidates to run on a balanced budget platform? If so, they could be elected by huge majorities, be they Democrats or Republicans. WILLIAM R. ANGLE 15600 SW 77th Ct.

He wants pen pal

EDITOR: I am a 33-year-old male inmate, confined at the Nevada State Prison, serving a life-term. I have been confined for the past nine years, and during the course of my confinement, I have devoted much of my time seeking means in which I as an individual, can correct my mistake in life, and add to the social structure of society in a constructive and productive manner. Prison is not my sole confinement, for loneliness is a prison in itself! I do not have a family, therefore I do not receive any letters, and would be most grateful to you, if you could print this in your paper for correspondences with anyone who wants and needs a friend to share their thoughts, hope and dream with true friendship and understanding. I will be more than pleased to write to anyone and shall answer all letters. My interests are in people, life and the transitional philosophies that hopefully shall someday unite the world in harmony and brotherhood. I wish to thank you most kindly for your time and consideration. JESSE BOND, JR. P.O. Box 2247 Carson City, Nevada 89701

people poll | Are there signs of a recovering economy?

Are there signs of a recovering economy? ''No. People are just being brainwashed. They're used to higher prices and now it doesn't seem bad to them.'' Carol Wilcox Perrine ''Sure. There's a lot of money around . . . they're printing it like it's going out of style. People are buying again.'' Gene McCaulay Kendall Drive ''No. Buying potential just isn't what it used to be. All reports on the economy are bull. People are still having a hard time making ends meet.'' Bob Pargament Kendall ''Yes. My husband works for a cement manufacturing plant and he was laid off several months ago. But now, he's working overtime. And I work for an insurance company, and a lot of people are buying cars and paying for them.'' Patti Davis SW 97th Avenue ''Yes. I've been manager of the Keyes office in Kendall over a year, and business has improved 100 per cent. I've only got 20 salesmen, and we've sold $3.5 million worth of houses since January.'' Kay Hays SW 117th Street ''I'm taking economics at Miami-Dade, and my teacher told us that the head of the Federal Reserve said the economy's picking up, so I guess it is.'' D.J. King Coral Gables