The Times

6 TIMES/GUIDE Weekend of October 16/17, 1976

opinion • editorials • commentary • letters Invisible force

If you're a purse snatcher thinking of mugging that sweet little old lady and there isn't a cop in sight, better think twice. That guy from Southern Bell up there on the telephone pole has a direct line to the police. And so does his buddy down the line from Florida Power and Light. And their other pal in the cab parked at the corner probably has a complete description of you ready to alert the public safety department if you make a wrong move. All of this because a new program for the public safety department has been implemented recently in South Dade. The purpose is to help stop crime. Of course, we would hope that these surrogate arms of the law would not neglect their regular duties, like making certain our phones get repaired, our lights keep lighting and our calls for a cab in a hurry get there fast. It's a good idea, though, and even if one clue to a crime or potential crime is reported that might not have been otherwise, it's certainly worth it.

Poke for a pig

Our front page story on where to get swine flu shots this coming week has a twofold purpose. First, to tell you where the shots are available, and second, to outline who should and should not receive the vaccine. Stories about deaths after innoculations have been proven to have no connection with the swine flu shot and have been determined to be coincidental. We urge our readers to take advantage of the program. Ben Franklin was no dummy when he talked about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.

Up CHI budget

Community Health Incorporated (CHI), in South Dade, is the only medical facility in the south end of the county where indigent, needy people can obtain treatment without having to put money up front before care is delivered. But budget cuts at CHI may well force the facility to curb the extent of its service and may even result in the imposition of a "no money, no treatment" policy that most private hospitals employ. CHI director James Lee says rising costs in all areas, particularly malpractice insurance and medical supplies, have created the need for a bigger budget at the South Dade facility. The county says it can't meet the increased monetary needs of CHI. We think it can. To deny CHI the funds it needs is to again deny South Dade the return of tax dollars it pumps into Metro coffers.

the gables publishing company serving south dade and coral gables since 1926

jim storey general manager bea moss managing editor bill mc hugh circulation gary gibbs news editor address: 4627 ponce de leon blvd. coral gables, fla. 33146 telephone: 666-7981

Those were the days, my friend, and you can relive them Nov. 5

Do you really pine for the "good old days?" Can't wait to break into a good Charleston, Big Apple, jitterbug? Want to croon the words of "real music" with words that made sense, like, "Mairsey Doats," "Boola, Boola," and "Twee Widdle Fiddies?" Long to don your drop waist dress, your sack, roll your hose below the knee, wear an argyle sweater, be a flapper or a sheik, drive your flivver? Tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna tell you that if nostalgia is your bag, you'll be right at home on Nov. 5 at Kings Bay Yacht and Country Club where a University of Miami Homecoming Dinner-Dance wll be held. Called the "Fifty Fabulous Years," the organizers of the event hope that the attending guests and alumni will choose to dress up in outfits representatave of the decade in which they attended the UM starting with 1926 when the UM first opened. No fair wearing 1970 mini-skirts, though, if you graduated in 1931. However, if you care to wear 1929 gym bloomers and you graduated in 1963, that's entirely your problem. To relive yesterday, call the Alumni Office, 284-2872 for your dinner-dance tickets. You can also get tickets for the Homecoming football game in which the Hurricanes will meet Boston College.

eye on south dade . . . bea moss

McKnight believes that he should be as near to his constituents as possible so that he can be responsive to their needs. If you've got a question or a problem, call him at 279-8944.

Grass roots

State Rep. Bob McKnight (District 116), has relocated his legislative district office to 9450 Sunset Drive, suite 202.

And the winner is . . .

Fred Hafner, vice president of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, is the first winner of the President's Committee quarterly award. Hafner, chairman of the Public Safety Committee and a member of the President's Committee, was a top achiever bringing in 14 new investors during the quarter. He was also the third chamber member to bring in over 100 new investors. Hafner won a trip for two to Nassau donated by American Express, a chamber member, in cooperation with the Costa Line. The President's Committee donated the balance.

reader response Investigation was on the up and up

EDITOR: I am writing this letter to clarify some erroneous statements that were made by you in the editorial column of the Wednesday, Oct. 13, issue of The Times/Guide. In that editorial you stated that City Manager J. Martin Gainer had a "sweep it under the carpet" attitude concerning the recently resigned Coral Gables officers Donald Wardy and Richard Fisher. Let me remind you that Mr. Gainer, after a very competent and thorough investigation by Chief Kimbrough and internal review investigators from the Police Department, fired Officers Wardy and Fisher from the Coral Gables Police Department. Because of a procedural technicality, a federal court ordered these officers reinstated, and they were then suspended with pay until they resigned. Upon the completion of the investigation by Coral Gables police investigators, the entire case was turned over to the State Attorney's office for further possible criminal charges. The State Attorney's office as of this date has not yet filed any criminal charges. It is my opinion, having worked closely with this case, that Chief Kimbrough and City Manager Gainer have taken every possible step to "clean their own house." The Chief voluntarily took this case file to the State Attorney's office to insure the fact that there could be no question of any cover-up and to get additional investigations in certain areas. Gentlemen, I can assure you that Chief Kimbrough has dedicated his life to running an open and honest police department, and Mr. Gainer, in his firm support of Chief Kimbrough's investigation into this matter, acted in a very open and "above the carpet" manner. DENNIS KORONKIEWICZ Public Information Officer

Letters welcome

The Times/Guide welcomes letters and commentary on matters of local interest and import. Letters submitted must be signed to be considered for publication, but names will be withheld upon request. Letters may be edited on the basis of space considerations.