Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Saturday, August 28, 1976, page 12 (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.
State attorney investigating SM police complaints
From Page 1 three former officers who could be reached; they were in substantial agreement. The others could not be tracked down by press time. Three of them have left the state and the remaining departed men, as is customary for police officers, do not have their home telephone numbers listed. One former officer, however, said he left because of tension, dissention, a "military" organization and Vizzini's irritability if "his standards weren't met" — plus money. Chief Vizzini provided a full run down on the officers who have left and cited money, career opportunities and a desire for more education as the main reasons for the departures. He feels that money — or more specifically, disputes over collective bargaining for salary and civil service rights — is at the core of dissention in his department, a situation he now feels is limited to "two or three disgruntled people." He agrees his men are not adequately paid and attributes that to current city budget problems. Vizzini also said he regards being told that his department is "military" as a compliment. "Discipline is a function of command," he said. "I impose on myself much more discipline and control than I demand of my men." Vizzini would not name current employes who are, in his opinion, disgruntled. "I don't want to jeopardize the city's position," he said. "Each will be weighed on his own merits. It seems those who are disgruntled and not satisfied are the ones who get into misconduct." Officers who have left since April are: Ray Bullock — Fraternal Order of Police president, Bullock resigned after being turned down on a request for a long weekend. Vaughn Graham — Graham a desk officer, resigned to accept another job at higher pay on May 16. Scott Manning — Also a desk officer, Manning resigned on May 30 to take a job with Randall Eastern Ambulances while regular drivers were on strike. Toni David — Desk officer Davis resigned June 2 when her husband graduated from the University of Miami and the couple moved to Washington, D.C. Louis Terminello — Officer Terminello was hired for a special assignment doing undercover work at the South Miami motor pool, pending a background investigation of his qualifications. The background check turned out to be negative, Vizzini said, and Terminello was fired. Dannie Waller — Waller, a sworn officer with a masters degree in public administration, left in June after giving two months notice. He stated, "Life as a South Miami policeman was miserable. It was either accept the carrot on a stick or be beaten into submission. The chief was inconsistent and that created a disjointed and disorganized department. Vizzini told The Times/Guide Waller left in good standing; Waller said Vizzini had told other officers that he left under adverse conditions. Edward Mees — Officer Mees is listed on the official rundown of departed officers as having left to do "other than police work." Vizzini said, "He was a good officer but had a heavy badge." Eugene Caple — Officer Caple left July 14 to join the North Fort Lauderdale Police Department. He is working with a former Vizzini associate, Chief Jessie Butell. J. Galardi — Galardi joined the department as a desk officer and left after four days. Vizzini said Galardi could not schedule his college classes around police work. Howard Swidler — Desk officer Swidler resigned Aug. 15 to return to private business, out of state. Jim Duarte — Duarte, the central figure in a cake caper, resigned. Vizzini says two trays of cake given to Duarte by a local baker provoked only an off-the-record "training" reprimand. "He said he had been pressured by the Captain (M. Baum)," Vizzini said. "I said he should consider what happened. That's how he left my office. Then he went to the desk and turned in his badge." Two other police employes, Roy Humston and Elaine Faroh, left the department in the last several months, but both have returned. Whether allegations of harrassment, denial of time off for school and violation of employe relations laws are true or not remain to be proven. The Grand Jury turned a letter sent to them by disgruntled officers over to the State Attorney's office and their investigation is now underway.
Scout honored
Eagle Scout Eric Diestelhorst of Coral Gables is presented with a certificate of appreciation by Mayor Robert Knight, in recognition of the young man's recent organizing and conducting of an effort to distribute hurricane preparedness information to boat owners living in the city's bayfront areas.
Poldi's Dance Studio
7024 S.W. 87 Avenue MODERN CREATIVE BALLET SLIMNASTICS Auditions for children's creative dance company on Sat. Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. ENROLLMENT — AUG. 26-28, 10-3 CALL 271-4347 or 226-4539
Gypsy's PUB
264-4661 Gypsy's PUB 264-4661 7400 BIRD RD. Gypsy's Pub goes Seafaring OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK A SIZZLING PLATTER OF FILETS OF DOVER. SOLE, DEEP SEA SCALLOPS, FRIED OYSTERS, FRIED CLAMS, FRIED PINK MEXICAN SHRIMPS, & OODLES OF HUSH PUPPIES (Done up right) SERVED WITH CREAMY COLE SLAW AND HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE, WITH ALL THE GYPSY TRIMMINGS, STAPLES AND A BOTTOMLESS CUP OF SOUP OF THE DAY UNBELIEVABLE AT 6.95 PLEASE CHAT WITH YOUR WAITRESS REGARDING OUR TWO DAILY SUPER SPECIALS ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AT 4.95 COMPLIMENTARY BOTTOMLESS BOWL OF SUPERLATIVE SOUP OF THE DAY ALWAYS STEAKS, CHOPS AND CONTINENTAL SPECIALTIES NIGHTLY "LIVE ENTERTAINMENT" & OLD FASHIONED "SING A-LONGS"