The Key West Citizen Newspaper, November 1, 1947, Page 7

SATURDAY) NOVEMBER i, 1947 THE KEY WEST CITIZEN EN Key West’s Progress Is Being Impeded!!! Since Septemher, 1946, when Louis Carbonell took office as a City Commissioner, his chief coniribution to the city’s adminis- tration has been confusion. Many leading citizens, resent his attitude as a commissioner and are disgusted with his obstructive tacties when constructive leg- islation is under consideration. -A decided tendency to SHIFT WITH THE WINDS OF OPPORTUNITY and YIELD TO THE LATEST PRESSURE has been manifested throughout Carbonell’s short political “career.” THE PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE MUCH DIS- CUSSED POINCIANA QUESTION. AFTER GOING TO- WASHINGTON AT. THE EXPENSE OF THE TAXPAYERS OF Ky WEST, HE RETURNED WITH GLOWING ACCOUNTS OF “HHS SUCCESS IN DEFEATING, OR, AT LEAST DELAYING THE TRANSFER OF 210 UNITS OF POINCIANA TO THE NAVY. IN LESS TIME THAN IT TAKES TO GET ACCUSTOM- ED TO A SITUATION, HE REVERSED HIMSELF COMPLETE- LY. And now just as loudly advocates giving the property to the Navy. : We are not arguing the merits of either side here. It is the ‘right of every man to change his opinion in the light of evidence. But, a city commissioner, making a trip to the naton’s capital at city expense SHOULD _HAVE HAD HIS EVIDENCE AT HAND IN THE FIRST PLACE. Competent legislators thoroughly analyze any matter before them, then ARRIVE AT A DEFINITE CONCLUSION AND ADHERE TOIT. Carbonell’s ability to change his mind at the slightest whim cannot be too severely condemned. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I believe an improvement as being made to the Central Hotel front should not be given any objections from the City Commission or the Building Inspector; although Edo not An improvement of this type should not be hindered by know that this is within the law. a minor objection. And now, on the very eve of election, Louis Carbonell has shown the true stuff of which he is made. HE IS SEEKING PER- SONAL REVENGE AGAINST POLITICAL OPPONENTS. After construction was well under way on the remodeling of the front of Central Hotel, on Southard St., CARBONELL LODGED A COMPLAINT with City Engineer Robert Dopp and Building In- spector Errol Sawyer, HAVING THE WORK STOPPED. Carbonell’s complaint was that the modern, glass block front being installed protruded over the sidewalk 5 3/4 inches. Dopp and Sawyer were forced to act on the complaint and the work was halted. Joe Siruge, contractor for Dan Navarro, owner of the building in question, displayed a sketch of the improvement to Sawyer, show- ing the exact overhang on the sidewalk. Sawyer approved the sketch and told Sirugo to pick up his permit at City Hall. Dan Navarro has openly stated he would not support Carbonell in Tuesday’s election. JOE SIRUGO HAS COME OUT AGAINST HIM POSITIVELY. It is for this reason, and this reason only, that Carbonell com- plained of the remodeling to Navarro’s building, which would mean an expenditure of $2,000. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER BUILDINGS IN THE CITY WHOSE FRONTS ENCROACH ON THE SIDE- WALK A FEW INCHES OR MORE, BUT CARBONELL DOES NOT COMPLAIN OF THEM. NEITHER DOES ANYBODY ELSE. CARBONELL HAS NOT RAISED HIS VOICE IN PRO- TEST AGAINST TWO PARTICULAR ENCROACHMENTS BE- CAUSE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY ARE INVOLVED. THE PROPERTY OF FELIPE CARBONELL, LOUIS’ FATHER, EX- TENDS OVER THE SIDEWALK 13 INCHES. THE COSMO- POLITAN GRILL, OWNED BY MR. AND MRS. AARON CAR- BONELL BOYER, ENCROACHES ON THE SIDEWALK 13 INCHES. MRS. CLARA CARBONELL BOYER IS LOUIS CAR- BONELL’S SISTER. CARBONELL IS NOT OPPOSED TO THESE ENCROACH- MENTS FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. ? We are not opposed to them, either. But not for family rea- sons. All of those incidents mentioned have added to the desir- ability of the properties in qustion, and therefore we are in favor of them, even if a few inches of sidewalk is lost. ANOTHER EXAMPLE is the Brown property;.on Southard St., which ADJOINS THE CENTRAL HOTEL and other property of Dan Navarre. The new, modern and beautiful front of this building extends over the sidewalk line A FULL THREE INCHES. We have no complaint to make there, because the appearance of Southard St. on that block has been enhanced a thousand percent. AND NEITHER DOES CARBONELL OPPOSE IT, BECAUSE HE IS NOT SEEKING PERSONAL REVENGE ON THE OWNERS. IN THE PAST MONTHS CARBONELL HAS SCREAMED THAT HE IS ONE OF A MINORITY OF TWO ON THE COMMIS. SION. ON THIS ISSUE HE STANDS ALONE IN HIS USUAL DESIRE TO “GET EVEN”. Lae nner eee ee ee NEES ALL THE OTHER CITY COMMISSIONERS HAVE SIGNED STATEMENTS TO THE EFFECT THAT THEY WILL NOT OP. POSE THE IMPROVEMENT BEING CONSTRUCTED AT CEN- TRAL HOTEL, THOSE SIGNED STATEMED APPEAR AS FOLLOWS: nn te ; e Key West, Fla., Oct. 29th, 1947. Key West, Fla., Oct. 29th, 1947, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: (Signed) : Lee er ne Les TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: HUNTER G. HARDEN, City Commissioner. Key West, Fla., Oct. 29th, 1947. I do not believe that the minor objection made to the contemplated improvement to the Central Hotel should be allowed to interfere with the progression of said improve- ment. I believe the improvement to the Central Hotel is to the best interests of the city. (Signed) : JOHN CARBONELL, JR. City Commissioner. Key West, Fla., Oct, 29th, 1947, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Objection has been made to a minor detail in the plans for the improvement of the Central Hotel. It is my belief that no minor objection should be allowed to interfere with any major improvements to business property. This is to certify that I have no personal objections to the improvements being effected at the entrance to Central Hotel. rally much more attractive and the improvement in appearance will far exceed the effect of The change will make the hotel entrance architectu- a few inches encroachment on the sidewalk. (Signed) : ALBERT B. COOPER, a, On the Basis of Three (3) Men---the Ones Who have the Best Interests _ City Commissioner. of Key West at Heart. (Paid Political Adv.) (Signed): WILLIAM W. DEMERITT, Mayor, Key West, Fla. the Above Facts, VOTE for the Best_ Thank You, JOSEPH R. SIRUCO Licensed Contractor.