The Times

Special election section begins on Page 29

Times Guide

Serving The City Beautiful Since 1926 4627 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables Florida 33146 Florida's Best Suburban Newspaper Phone 665-7981 8 Pages Vol. 50 No. 71 Wednesday, September 1, 1976 ** 10 Cents

Coral Gables commissioners denounce Dade County's proposed 'Bill of Rights' | They regard it as political gimmickry

By ANA MARIA ALVAREZ Staff Writer Labeling it a fraud and an ineffective piece of legislation, the Coral Gables City Commission unanimously approved a resolution opposing the so-called "Citizens' Bill of Rights" amendment that will go before Dade County voters Sept. 7. Coral Gables Mayor Robert Knight and city commissioners voiced opposition to the package of "rights" which, if passed, would amend the Metro Charter. The measure is intended to broaden financial disclosure requirements for county and municipal officials, as well as ostensibly make government less of a red-tape experience for county residents. "I feel we should encourage residents to vote against the 'Bill of Rights' on September 7," said Mayor Knight. "We are already doing all the things that they are asking us to do in the charter amendment." The 16-part amendment was termed redundant by Commissioner William Kerdyk. "I object to it and I'm certainly not going to ap- prove it because it is redundant to state law," Kerdyk said. Those in favor of the amendment, including its chief sponsor, Metro Mayor Steve Clark, say the "bill of rights" would demand public accountability for government officials and increase citizen See related story, Page 50 access to local government. Those against the amendment say the language duplicates state and federal law, discourages good people from running for public office, and drives up the cost of operating local governments. "I imagine the Coral Gables city officials are against the financial disclosure requirements of the charter amendment, which would include every city and county elected official, city and county managers and city and county attorneys," said Mayor Clark. "The city is not doing all the things specified in the amendment. While there are already some ordinances on items such as public records and public meetings, they could easily be changed at any time by the Metro Com- See RIGHTS, Page 9

Lots of lot

Photo by ELIZABETH OWEN Lots of lot Those who have occasion to use the Coral Gables Post Office either gripe about lack of parking or the dismal service once inside the facility. But thanks to that city's Chamber of Commerce, the gripes have been cut in half. See story, Page 14.

inside | How to save bucks going to the flick 15

inside How to save bucks going to the flick | 15 Camera comment | 6 Classified | 63 Deaths | 60 Editorials | 6 Entertainment | 15 Gables news | 11-14 People | 7 Police blotter | 2 SD Living | 17-28 Sports | 58, 59

Mad wood chopper in W. Dade?

Tree vandalism is on the rise in the West District of the county, according to Metro police at the Concord substation. In one day — Sunday, Aug. 30 — four residents called to complain that trees in their yards had been vandalized during the night. Michael Uriarte, 62, who lives at 7519 SW 141st Ave., reported that someone sawed down a tree in his front yard. John Denton, 29, made the same complaint: someone had crept into his yard at 9895 SW 74th St., Sunday night and cut down a tree. But perhaps the most disturbing complaints were those of Caridad Vigil 37, and Harry Pellish, 28. Vigil, who lives at 7400 SW 137th Ct., reported that someone hacked down six palm trees he maintains in front of his home on the county right-of-way. Sawdust — apparently from a power saw — lay in telltale piles. Pellish, who lives at 13861 SW 74th St., got up at 7 a.m., Sunday to let his dog back inside and saw that four trees in his yard — valued at $50 each — had been cut off at the trunks. In all cases, according to Sgt. Sam Stephens, the tree villians leave the trees where they butcher them. "They don't take the trees — it would be too much trouble to cart them away or uproot them — they merely vandalize them," she said. Police have no suspects as yet. — ELIZABETH OWEN