Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Wednesday, January 12, 1977, page 6 (of 24)
The page
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TIMES/GUIDE
6 TIMES/GUIDE Wednesday, January 12, 1977
opinion • editorials • commentary • letters The pressure's on
You never can tell, but pretty soon we may be able to stop writing editorials on the Biltmore. We've been reading about, listening to comments on and speculating on that Grande Dame of Coral Gables for more time than we care to think about and still no one has done anything concrete on the former VA hospital. Ever since the City Beautiful acquired what some like to call "that white elephant" in 1969, concerned citizens have suggested everything from an old folks home to a recreation center to a museum. And indeed the Biltmore is worth saving . . .for something. However, unless that something is done soon, the people who have been worrying about how to put it to its best use, may not have to fret anymore. The whole complex could burn to the ground for lack of water pressure. So says the Gables Fire Marshall Joseph Atwood. What does this mean? It means no certificates of occupancy. And the question arises, why wasn't this brought to light before? Ah, but it was. The Fire Marshall said that the people involved have been warned for some time about the necessity of bringing the complex up to fire code standards. He indicates that there are so many people wrapped up in what to do with the Biltmore that somehow the word never filtered down about the fire hazard. Even the city manager, for goodness' sake, hadn't heard until this week that the huge complex wasn't safe from the threat of flames. And on the other hand, we have the people who are going ahead with plans anyway and trusting that the city will take care of everything. These well-intentioned, trusting people should sit back for a moment, however, and remember the many previous delays concerning the Biltmore. They may find the fire safety problem unresolved for quite a while if the Gables Commission's track record goes according to form. And they may find the fire marshall barring their way when they get ready to move in. Indeed a burning issue which we hope is resolved before disaster strikes. It could be the last stumbling block in the way of doing right by both the Biltmore and those who have haggled long enough on what should be done with it. Mr. Gainer wants a detailed report on the problem. Try to make it brief, please. We hope that in its detail it doesn't take too long to complete or it may end up on the smoldering embers of something no longer worth fighting over.
the gables publishing company serving south dade and coral gables since 1926
jim storey general manager bea moss managing editor bob levine advertising manager richard linn circulation manager address: 4627 ponce de leon blvd. coral gables, fla. 33146 telephone: 666-7981
camera comment Culture going up
The ground has been broken, the building is on the way up and finally West Dade will have a first rate facility for pursuing matters of the mind without going too far afield. The new regional library will also house a children's learning center. Finally, the people in the West Dade area will be free of the "boondocks" image. Actually, this library will be superior in content to the main library on Biscayne Boulevard. Photo by FRANK TURSI
reader response Where are those promised new faces? ....
EDITOR: President-elect Jimmy Carter promised us that he would give the people new faces in his administration and a new morality in Washington. How well is he keeping these promises? Most of his appointments are presently or were past members of the Washington establishment. Let us take just one appointment, Theodore Sorensen to head up the Central Intelligence Agency(CIA), and put him to the test set forth in the first paragraph of this letter. He was a key aide to President John F. Kennedy, and he is quite definitely not a new face in Washington. How will Mr. Sorensen bring a new "moral" tone to Washington? Mr. Sorensen is the chief architect of Ted Kennedy's post - Chappaquiddick script which most people feel is full of dishonest and misleading statements alibiing Teddy's apparent decision to let Mary Jo Kopechne stay at the bottom of a pond for nine hours before informing the proper authorities. Can this man be trusted to be in charge of our CIA? Nine hours of delay would be all the Communists need to take away our freedoms. It appears that the American people have elected the biggest phony ever as their President. WILLIAM R. ANGLE 15600 SW 77th Ct.
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.