The Times

opinion

editorials commentary letters

Don't call us, we'll call you

Just think. If you didn't accidentally find out that Southern Bell was charging you too much money on your monthly bill, you'd probably keep right on paying and paying and paying. A number of Kendall residents found out recently, that an extra mileage service charge which should have been deleted two years ago, was being added on to their bills. Seems like they got charged extra because they weren't near a switching station. But when a switching station was built to service their area, the padded bills kept coming. Southern Bell claims that most of the residents of the neighborhood, "probably" had their bills changed but they also claim that "when you're dealing with a computer, you never can tell." Tell what? Tell that maybe the telephone company can charge just about anything they want and maybe phone users won't find out they've been getting their bells rung, literally? Blaming everything on computers seems to be the "in" thing to do today. Anyone who has had anything to do with the mechanical marvels of this age, knows that they go on rampages from time to time, but for the phone company to pass off this billing problem with the excuse, "we don't know how many customers are paying the wrong fee," somehow doesn't ring true. It's Southern Bell's business to know how customers are being serviced and billed. For all we know, those people who don't bother to check their monthly bill, could be getting charged whatever pops into the computer's brain when it feels like being ornery. In this particular instance, the amount each person was overcharged wasn't too much, $6 over a period of two years. But multiply this by what MIGHT happen "when dealing with a computer" and thousands of people and you're talking about big money. We suggest that if anyone suspects their phone bill seems a little out of line, they should call a Southern Bell representative. Who knows? You may be paying for something you're not getting or maybe never got. In any event, it might be worthwhile to call just to see if they share a smile with you today.

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

reader response

A saga of 'beautiful blunders'..

EDITOR: Welcome, gentle reader, to another episode in the continuing saga of The City Beautiful Blunders. We last left you as the Alhambra Innovators discovered the difficulty of turning a main traffic artery into a quiet country road. The Obispo Opponents and other residents, were mightily rankled -nay, furious - at the strategically-placed signs that had already re-routed Alhambra traffic onto their narrow streets. And now, as the epitome of unintelligent, uncaring and un-neighborly action, a cul-de-sac was proposed as a solution- ... although obviously it would NOT markedly aid Alhambra, (two separate one-way streets divided by a wide parkway) but would definitely overburden the other (narrow, two-way) side-streets. As we leave you until our next chapter, we see the Coral Gables City Commission proposing another idea. This one involves making a canal out of Alhambra, accessible only by boat. When the heavy rains raise the water level, Alhambra residents need not worry about flooding their own homes... they simply channel the overflow onto the surrounding areas, leaving them to cope as best they can. GLADSY DE BODER ANGELO 1126 Obispo Ave.

Close-Up program support welcome

EDITOR: On behalf of the Coral Gables Senior High School PTSA, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your interest and participation in the Washington, D.C. "Close Up" program. Once again you have correctly demonstrated the fact that our city commission does more than just talk about the necessity of providing for an educated citizenry-it acts. We feel as you do, that such an investment in our community's youth will benefit not only Coral Gables, but our nation as well. Thank you for your courtesy and consideration of the problems faced by students who want to learn more about our country's government but who would have been denied this opportunity without the support of our community. IRENE COLSKY President-PTSA Coral Gables Sr. High

Media, liberals cause of problems

EDITOR: It never ceases to amaze me about the hypocrisy of the media, liberals and blacks. The case of Griffin Bell is a prime example. His civil rights record is better than that of Jimmy Carter in the opinion of many in the South. Griffin Bell is a bad guy in the opinion of the three groups -the media, liberals and blacks-and Jimmy Carter is a good guy. I predict that Carter will be a bad guy before he serves four years unless he says "how high?" on the way up when these groups ask him to jump. I predict he will refuse to jump, and he will be in real trouble. Most of the troubles in this great nation have been caused because this minority-the media, liberals and blacks-imposes its will on the silent majority. WILLIAM R. ANGLE 15600 SW 77th Ct.

Where have all the CG people gone?

EDITOR: What has happened to all the people who have helped to make Coral Gables the City Beautiful? Bill Kimbrough our very efficient and conscientious police chief really made the police department what it is today. He spent 32 years doing this. Then there is John Rosasco who was responsible for our beautiful Venetian Pool and spent 32 years keeping it up and taking care of it. There is also Loretta Sheehey another wonderful person who spent 28 years, the best of her life, being our dependable city others. Were these people suggested to retire or be fired? What right has Mr. Gainer, an outsider, to do all this? I think it's about time we sent him back to Daytona Beach, we sure don't need him here. HELEN MC GRATH Coral Gables

Rotary Club fills critical need

(Editor's note: The following is a copy of a letter sent to the Rotary Club of Coral Gables.) Gentlemen: If you ever doubt for a minute your value, other than social, please be informed you fill a critical need. My son has benefited from his association with Interact-Rotary more than words can express. Lacking a paternal model at home he has gained effective masculine identification from the adult male figures in Rotary. Don't ever sell yourself short. You are more than you will ever be thanked for being. Sincerely, A Young man's Mom.

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.