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Another study?

Well, here we go again. The Coral Gables Commissioners met on Thursday of this week for the express purpose of voting on an emergency ordinance that would put the burning Biltmore issue up to the people on the April ballot. However, Commissioner Bob Brake's motion to put on the ballot that the renovation work on the Biltmore be financed by general obligation bonds, was defeated. Now we're back to the let's-do-another-study stage, whereby the city will do a best use study to determine what the Tower should be used for. Then they'll have a cost study on how much it will cost to do whatever it is the what-should-we-do-with-it-study says. Now really, haven't we gone through all this before? There have been studies, suggestions, surveys ad nauseam on what to do with the Biltmore. with suggestions ranging from retirement home to let's tear it down. How much longer will precious time be wasted on the Biltmore? Even though we hate to see landmarks done away with, we are inclined to go with the let's tear it down suggestion at this point. But do something. Time is money.

Save that tree

On the other hand, there are some things that shouldn't be torn down without good reason. Ripping out acres and acres of pineland in South Dade, one of the few pine forests left in Dade County, is one of them. The tract's owners want to have the property rezoned so they can grow more tomatoes. Even though we know South Dade could possibly get along without tomatoes, can the wildlife which calls those towering pines home, exist without their sheltering branches? Well, probably some of them can. But as it now stands, only four per cent of Dade's original tree count still exists, according to spokesmen for Dade's Tree Preservation Agency. We guess the wildlife will die out, the sun will no longer filter through the fine needled branches and we'll call it progress.

Meeting in order

We think it's about time that the management of the Coral Gables Country Club made some kind of move to end the strike of the employes who walked out three weeks ago. We can't take sides nor do we even know the full story because management at the club not only refuses to communicate with the strikers but will not answer repeated calls from this newspaper. The fact remains, these strikers are out of work and right or wrong, they should be able to meet with management.

the gables publishing company

serving south dade and coral gables since 1926 leonard h. chusmir publisher 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

Residents appreciate CG police...

EDITOR: On becoming a new resident of Coral Gables, I was impressed by the fine reputation of the Police Department. On two occasions I called the police and was grateful for their prompt response. I also appreciate the fact that I see the police frequently scout the neighborhoods for possible dangers to our residents. I do not object to paying for quality services, especially upon learning of the higher educational background of our police. Such factors are essential to a job which requires a man to risk his life by responding quickly and intelligently to a dangerous situation. I think perhaps the policemen themselves should be assured by the residents that they are indeed appreciated. In addition, they should be asked to evaluate their work situation as to whether or not it needs re-vamping. The Gables is an above average city with few other communities that can compare. In all truth, I wish certain other bureaucracies received such scrutiny. A. GUNDLACH 5711 San Vincente

Why was money spent?

EDITOR: In reference to your editorial concerning "The new chief. . . well, in a way," I am quite puzzled by the fact that J. Martin Gainer, our city manager, a few weeks ago, in the papers, indicated that he had received the results of a recent survey of the Coral Gables police department which, among other things, "ripped the department hither and yon" and would have had us believe that we had no one within the department who was capable of taking over Chief Kimbrough's job. Shortly after receiving this report he appointed Del Edwards, who was assistant chief for 20 odd years to be the new chief. We commend Mr. Gainer for ignoring the obvious erroneous findings of the survey team but we are now wondering as to the prudence of spending $11,800 of the City Beautiful's tax monies for a report which turned out to be erroneous? LOMAINE NOTTOLI 2500 Alhambra

Public should approve county wages

EDITOR: The news story that our Metro Commission is leaving the question of administrators' salaries to County Manager Merrett Stierheim is hardly believable. Is this how little our county commissioners care about how our tax funds are used? Every salary of $25,000 or more should be presented to the Commission for approval at a public meeting. Also any increases in the number of employees with salaries less than $25,000 should be approved at a public meeting. Furthermore, a memorandum should be required explaining the need for additional employes. We also need a local ordinance that will limit the number of county employees to a percentage of the population. All governments have grown too much, and many government agencies compound problems rather than solve them. Unfortunately most federal, state and local administrators are forever expanding their staffs, and our present and past county managers are no exception. Commissioner James Redford has shown his unfitness to be a commissioner by condemning our Grand Jury for investigating the matter, and he would prefer that the County Manager pick our bones clean in secret. Some of our commissioners should be replaced by members of the Grand Jury, and the Grand Jury should be highly commended for probing the matter. One of five persons now works for government (federal, state or local), and this is two times too many. At the state level many legislators are already discussing additional taxes when they should be talking reduced expenditures. The voters, however, have nobody to blame but themselves since they missed their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to limit the size of Florida state government to one percent of the state population by rejecting this in November, 1976. The State of Illinois employs only one half of one percent of its population in state government, and I am sure very few Floridians consider their state government to be twice as good as that of Illinois. Let us elect some politicians who are really interested in stopping inflation and stopping the ever increasing size of governments. There must be a few such individuals around, but they are rather rare in Washington, Tallahassee and Dade County. WILLIAM R. ANGLE 15600 SW 77th Ct.

Story elicited response

EDITOR: I would like to thank you for the fine article by Kay Severinsen, "Now What!" in the Jan. 26 Times/Guide. There are so many people in the community who are looking for help and are having a difficult time finding a program tailored specifically to their needs. The response to the article has been gratifying. Much of this response can be attributed to the creative handling of the subject and of the information from the interview. This service to the community is most appreciated, JOHN A. SELF

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.