JUNE 28 - JULY 11, 2011
City offering grace period for truck rules compliance BY MARIA ROSA HIGGINS FALLON
T
he City of Coral Gables has prevailed in the legal court case challenging the city’s ordinances restricting the parking of trucks. The city’s truck ordinances seek to preserve the integrity of residential areas and the unique aesthetic qualities of the city of Coral Gables. The Third District Court of Appeal previously upheld the constitutionality of section 4-411 and 4412 of the Coral Gables Zoning Code pertaining to trucks parked in residential and commercial areas. On May 18, the Florida Supreme Court decided not to review this decision, and the city now will enforce the restrictions following a grace period. Based on the provisions that have been upheld, the parking of trucks in residential areas is prohibited unless the truck is parked in an enclosed garage. Likewise, the parking of trucks upon the streets or other public places in the city is prohibited between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of the following day. The city is offering a two-month grace period before intending to enforce these restrictions in order to provide time for individuals owning trucks to come into compliance with the law. Informational notices will be issued until Aug. 8, at which point enforcement will begin with the issuance of warnings and tickets. A public education campaign is being conducted to inform the public about the recent court rulings and the timeline when tickets will begin to be issued if compliance has not been achieved. Fines are $100 for the first violation, and up to $500 for each subsequent violation. For more information, contact Code Enforcement at 305-460-5226.
Former Mayor Slesnick honored, roasted at Biltmore fundraiser
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
MIGDALIA ESCOBAR
ALEJANDRO RUPERTI
Pictured after one hilarious roasting of former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick are (l-r) Gables Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, Slesnick, Gables Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, and former Gables Commissioner Chip Withers. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY GLORIA BURNS
I
n a funfilled evening affair that drew a crowd of more than 300, former Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick was honored for his 10 years in office. Fittingly, this June 8 party at the Biltmore Hotel, also served to raise more than $30,000 for local cultural institutions including the Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables Art Cinema and Actors’ Playhouse
at the Miracle Theatre. After receiving a plaque from the Gables Good Government Committee as well as a state-of-the-art, ultra-thin laptop from Ron and Anita Shuffield and George and Joan Lange, Slesnick was roasted royally. Orchestrated and presented by Commissioners Ralph Cabrera and Bill Kerdyk as well as former Commissioner Chip Withers, the “roast,” with a theme of “What Is Don Going To Do Next?,” filled the packed room with laughter.
MONICA LAZARO This is another in a series of profiles of outstanding students attending schools in Coral Gables. These students excel both inside and outside the classroom. See profiles beginning on page 7.