Interview with Edward Trainer

              Special Collections
Public Spaces in Miami: An Oral History Project
Interview with Edward Trainer
Miami, Florida, December 3, 2000
Intervew IPH-0056
Interviewed by Jeff Padgett
Recorded by Jeff Padgett
Summary: This interview with Edward Trainer was conducted in December 2000. He is a World War II veteran and worked as a pilot for Eastern Airlines. Mr. Trainer’s interest in public spaces goes back to the 1980’s when he started an environmental protection group, the Greater Panama Area Conservation Society (G-PACS). He describes his childhood in the small town of Panama City, his flight training in the army, the changes that occurred in Panama City after the war and his efforts to preserve the historical sites and public parks of his native town.
This interview forms part of the Institute for Public History (IPH) Oral History Collection, directed by Professor Greg Bush from the History Department and curated by the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. The interview recordings or transcript may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33124-0320 * 305-284-3580 * 305-284-4901 fax 2
Edward Trainer
December 3, 2000
Jeff Padgett: All right, today is December 3rd, 2000, around 8 o’clock in the evening, my name is Jeff Padgett and I am at the home of Mr. Edward Trainer. Today I am going to do an Oral History of Mr. Trainer and I’d like to get started if that’s ok with you?
Edward Trainer: Sounds good to me.
JP: First of all, could you please tell me when and where were you born?
ET: Well, I was born on July 6th, 1924 in Panama City, Florida. My family lived in a small two room house near the beach, and from what I remember my mother telling me is that I was born right there in that house.
JP: And how many years did you live there?
ET: I believe that we lived there for fifteen years, or at least until I dropped out of high school to get a job to help with our monthly bills. Then we moved to across town to a larger house that had a pond in the front with ducks in it. I am positive that we lived there until I came back from World War II.
JP: How large was your family?
ET: There was my mother and father, until he left. There was me, my older brother James Patrick, and my younger sister Patricia Ann. So together that would make five and that lasted until my father left in ’36.
JP: Why did you feel that keeping your little sister in school was more important than keeping yourself in school?
JP: I don’t mean to digress, but do you remember playing around the area you grew up in as a child?
ET: Of course I do….. My older brother and younger sister and I used to go to the beach and hunt and swim and do everything normal kids should do. We were always outside because we had such a vast unexplored area around us. I honestly believe that the 3
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outdoors were one of the single most important determinants of my passion to keep the environment the way it is so kids in the future can observe it the way I did.
JP: Were there many public parks and open spaces to play in around you?
ET: There were not many public parks that we went to. The only one I can recall was about two miles from my house and it was dedicated to the veterans of the Spanish-American War in the late 1890’s. We only went there because it had a crystal clear lake [where] we would hunt turtles in. In terms of open spaces, I wish you could see the land we had all around us. There was not a house within 1000 feet of us and even then, we were separated by woods. There would be days that would go by where we would not come home because we were out hunting and camping out and just being kids. But, when you look at it here in Miami, it is very disappointing, the public parks are no less than pathetic, but I guess you need to go somewhere and that’s all we’ve got.
JP: Did you like the fact that Panama was a small town at the time?
ET: I love the fact that it was a small town. Everyone knew everyone, and that was the way that it should be. However, we all know that we cannot control growth and things happen that are out of your control. South Miami used to be a small town and that was something that I liked about it. Now it is still somewhat small when you compare it to the surrounding areas. But, Panama City changed after the war and it could never go back to being a small backwoods town again.
JP: Did you know that you wanted to make Miami your home when you first arrived here?
ET: No I didn’t. It wasn’t until I met my first wife, Jane, did I realize that I wanted to live here.
JP: As we have talked before, I am aware that it was around this time that you really started to feel your views about the environment and decided to do something about it. 4
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ET: Yes, well, what had happened was that I returned to Panama City because my mother and her husband were killed in a car accident. They had willed me their home there and all of their possessions. Still no one had heard from my brother at this time and my sister would have rather died than come back to Panama City. I was the only one who kept up contact with my mother and she rewarded my love with their estate. When I took my family to Panama City for the funeral, I was disgusted with the development that had taken place since I left and I decided to do something about it. I went to the next City Hall meeting and voiced my opinion about the development of the open spaces. They did not like what I had to say, they threw me out of the meeting and I thought that was it. While I was walking to my car, a mob of people that were sitting in the meeting rushed up to me and congratulated me on the voicing of my opinion. We all went back to my house and decided something needed to be done about this development. That night we formed the Greater Panama Area Conservation Society, which we coined G-PACS, and we set out to save what was left of our undeveloped town.
JP: What exactly did G-PACS do in Panama City?
ET: Well, our main focal point was to preserve what was left of our historical buildings and try to get the city to reserve some spaces for public parks that could be dedicated to the many war heroes and other important people from around our area. It sure was a learning experience for me. I never really knew that city government was as corrupt as it was.
JP: What did you see that disturbed you so much?
ET: Well, I don’t feel like going into it that much because it still gets my blood boiling just to talk about it. But, let’s just say that I did not think that the elected officials were playing with a full deck of cards.
JP: Did you ever consider starting a group here in Miami like the G-PACS?
ET: Yes I did, especially when I tried to find areas for my son to play. To see the look of disappointment on his face when I would tell him about my childhood, I knew that he 5
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would never get to see anything like what I saw as a child. Plus, in Miami, it is just not worth it. There are too many bureaucratic bull-shitters that will hold up your progress for the most absurd reasons. I knew that we could accomplish what we did in Panama because there were those there that cared. I just do not see that down here. When I moved to South Miami, Clyde Taylor was the mayor and that man could not tell the difference between a hole and his you know what. Ever since then, I have focused my energies on Panama because that is an area that will change if the people so deem it necessary. G-PACS has worked wonders in its 30 years or so of existence.
JP: Well, it seems that you have a sour taste in your mouth about South Miami and Miami in general when it comes to the environment. But I would like to spend a little time discussing South Miami, the environment around South Miami and the public parks and open spaces there if that is ok with you?
ET: That would be fine with me; I only have a problem with the people in charge, that’s all.
JP: Now you have lived here, I mean in South Miami, for approximately thirty years, correct?
ET: I guess you could say that, but not so much anymore, I usually travel between here and Panama City every other week or so to take care of business up there.
JP: When you first came in, it was around the time of Clyde Taylor as the mayor of South Miami, correct?
ET: Yes, and let me tell you that I thought that every time I went to a city council meeting, I thought I was going to strangle that moron. While the subsequent mayors have done little to help this city, I wouldn’t doubt the fact that this man actually hurt the city.
JP: How is that?
ET: Well, if I recall correctly, I believe there were a few referendums on the commissioners table at the time to refurbish one of our parks, I’m sorry I can’t recall the 6
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name, and there were arguments that we should preserve some historical buildings too. From what I remember, Taylor ignored these issues. For all I know, these places that should have been preserved were torn down and that park, heck there’s probably some shopping center on it today. See, I don’t care to get involved down here because it is an area that is very discouraging for an environmental conservationist; there is simply too much government stalling and not enough action. Take Bicentennial Park, I doubt that they will ever do anything unless the right bidder comes along with the price the county is seeking.
JP: There are a few environmental clubs down here, have you ever considered getting involved down here in one of those?
ET: Son, I believe that those clubs are good at heart and that they have the correct issues targeted. But I think that their actions are a bunch of hot air. I know that I may sound discouraging, but it’s the truth, they can only do so much. When the government steps in, there’s nothing to do that can stop what they want to do. It’s been that way down here for some time.
JP: Are you saying that it’s a lost cause to try and save the environment, i.e. parks, open spaces and historical buildings and homes, down here?
ET: Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that the government has accomplished some good things here in South Miami. See, you have to keep in mind that we are a young city, we really weren’t incorporated until the fifties. But, good things have been done. I recall that parks were purchased; schools were built where we needed them, a library was built, and we still maintained our small town feeling.
JP: Do you like the fact that South Miami has that small town feel?
ET: Yes, I love it, coming from Panama to here is a change, even when I did it in the fifties, but to keep that feeling that you know your neighbors and the people who live around you is important, it gives a sense of community. 7
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JP: now, are you familiar with Ordinance No. 13-81-1107, which is a comprehensive plan for the city of South Miami?
ET: Well, I believe, correct me if I’m wrong, that that designated the north as office and the south as houses and shops.
JP: That’s right, from your standpoint, with your conservationist background, how did this affect the parks?
ET: When I learned that we were switching from a mixed-use area to designated development areas, I felt that it was going to be a good thing. Inside I believed that the city was trying to conserve some of that small town feel that we were famous for.
JP: Did this turn out to be something that, over the long run, was good for the city?
ET: Well, I believe that it did some good things, but I feel that it hurt our parks here.
JP: How is that?
ET: In this small city, we have about, oh ten parks or so. There’s Fascell on Red, Brewer on 56th, Willis on 61st, Fuchs on 81st, Palmer on 67th which is mostly just baseball fields, Murray on 58th…..Heck, I can’t remember the rest of them right now. But, this plan, I believe took some funding away from our parks that those parks badly needed for refurbishment. I can recall, because I would go to a different park each week to read and relax, that they began to slowly deteriorate not long after the resolution was passed. This got under my skin so I wrote a letter to the mayor at the time; I believe that it was Jack Block. I vented my frustrations to Mr. Block about how it was important to keep up the quality of our parks and the roles that they played in not only our lives, but our children’s as well. All I got in return was a mass-produced government letter thanking me for the insight as to what to do with our parks. It was at that point in time that I decided, more or less I was frustrated enough to give up on South Miami.
JP: Had you ever been active in government issues that dealt with parks and open spaces here in South Miami? 8
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December 3, 2000
ET: Yes, I attended many city council meetings, but I did not voice my opinion, and I guess that that was my fault for not doing so. But, I observed others that spoke and I watched how the councilmen brushed off other people’s comments like they were nothing important. This amazed me because these people were supposed to be like us. I mean, we did elect them from among us to serve us, but when they get to that upper level position, they seem to just ignore the pleas for action. I will say this though: I think that it is good that Julio Robaina is our mayor. It is about time that we got someone into office that represents the many other races that incorporate South Miami. From what our city council had looked like for the past half century, you would have never known that Blacks or Hispanics live in South Miami.
JP: How will Robaina change the deteriorating conditions that you have seen in the parks?
ET: It’s hard to say. I have had good feelings about past mayors and have been proven wrong by their actions. However, Robaina is a working class guy, and he knows that the people who elected him will not do so again if he does not represent them properly. So far, he has done a good job of this, but there is still time left to do better. As far as parks are concerned, I have not witnessed much change, but that is different from the past. Now the parks are not getting any worse, they are just staying the same. I have noticed though, that many of the Blacks and Hispanics like to use the parks around South Miami. It seems to me that they enjoy family get-togethers there and it seems to be a main focal point of their weekend activities. Now with the population of South Miami which I believe is now a majority minority, why aren’t these people complaining about the conditions at the parks. When I used to attend the council meetings, it was amazing, there were only a handful of minorities in the audience and rarely did they speak up. If they would rally around this issue, perhaps we would see some change.
JP: Did you ever consider that maybe they need a leader to organize this feeling into a group effort? 9
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December 3, 2000
ET: Well, if you are implying that I could lead them, then stop right there. I would have no problem doing so if I were twenty or thirty years younger, but I don’t have the energy to do something like that now. Remember, I still act as a consultant to G-PACS in Panama City and that takes up the majority of my time. However, there are problems that exist in each park that can be solved by a group effort.
JP: What types of problems are you talking about? I mean, if I were to name out a park, could you tell me what the specific problem with that park is?
ET: No I don’t think I could with all of them, but with a few that I had mentioned, I could give it a try.
JP: Alright, say for instance, Dante Fascell Park, what is troubling it?
ET: As I recall, the city got that park through the church here. First, the playground there has dangerous equipment because most of it is rusting. The pavilions that are there are nothing more than huts. Sometimes people cut the grass there, but most of the time the city ignores it as well as the trash cans that are constantly overflowing with trash.
JP: Can you give a historical background on Fascell Park, I mean?
ET: Sure, well, this park was not always called Fascell Park. I believe it was named Red Road Park before they changed it to honor Congressman Fascell. It has always been one of my favorite parks because of its proximity to my house. More so than that, it just has the proper park feel than many other parks do not possess. It just seems that some areas are destined to become parks because of their beauty. Fascell Park is just one of these areas.
JP: What about Palmer Park?
ET: Now this is the park that has the most promise. It is just a few simple renovations away from being a quality area. I believe that if this park is taken care of first, it will serve as an example for other parks here. But now, the city does not keep it clean with the trash. Many times I have been there and been interrupted by a homeless person begging 10
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for money. When I go to a park, I do not want to see homeless people. I have nothing against them, but that is my relaxation time and I wish they would just leave me alone.
Aside from those issues, I believe that the park is in pretty good shape.
JP: Can you give a historical perspective on Palmer Park?
ET: I do not remember too much about this park, I just really started going here in the last decade. But like I said, it really is an example for parks that South Miami should use for its other parks. I remember that they really started some developments with this park back when I first started going there which was about ten years ago. The baseball fields were done over some time ago and the football fields were added about the time I went there. What I’ve seen with this area is that the African-American community prefers this park to others in the area. I can’t give a great historical perspective on this community since I’ve only been going there for only a decade.
JP: So, generally, these parks suffer from not being kept tidy?
ET: Yes, but that is the case with all parks in Dade County. The parks that do not bring in money for the city are ignored and the ones that do are taken care of. I believe that the majority of the parks that are not kept up have more potential to be beautiful than those that are kept up.
JP: Was this a problem that existed two, three decades ago?
ET: I remember that when I used to bring my son to play at the parks, there was a problem with litter that is something that no matter how much complaining is done, it will never change. But I never remembered seeing the amount of neglect to the building structures and playground areas that exists today. That does not just cover one park, rather, it covers all parks in this area. When I make my trips home to Panama, I believe that they have a good system of upkeep for the parks and historical sites there. The city is very active in the upkeep of their parks. But what I see up there is that there is more public use of the park systems there. It is really difficult to compare to downs here in 11
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Miami because there are simply more people here. But the bottom line is that the parks that pay off for the city are the parks that are taken care of.
JP: How do these parks bring in money for the city?
ET: Parking and parking alone. Look at Key Biscayne and you will see exactly what I am talking about. I went to walk my dog there a month ago and I ended up spending five dollars to park my car. Now imagine this place on the weekends and you can see what I mean.
JP: What needs to be done to fix the problems that we are seeing in South Miami with the parks?
ET: Well, I believe that if a panel discussion were held between the commissioners and concerned citizens, many helpful solutions will [would] surface. However, whether these solutions will be put into play is another question that only the commissioners can answer. I would like to help, but I know that it would become too frustrating for me to do so.
JP: Have there ever been any attempts that you can remember to fix the conditions that exist in the parks around South Miami?
ET: Not that I can recall off the top of my head. But I know that my feelings about the conditions with the parks here [are] shared by many of my neighbors and friends. I have had many conversations with many people about this issue. But no, I have not seen any effective groups that have been successful in their objectives.
JP: Are there any applicable solutions to the problems in Miami that you have witnessed in Panama City?
ET: Well, we’re talking about two completely different areas that I don’t think the same solutions would work in. But what we did in Panama to really combat the problem of litter und upkeep was to agree that all members of G-PACS would volunteer to take one park in the Panama area and [the] leader of the park would go out and find a group of 12
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volunteers that would help keep up that park. This worked very well and for some time I was interested in doing something like that down here, but I never found the time to take care of that down here.
JP: What time frame are we talking about here with the G-PACS volunteer group?
ET: Oh, I would say that this would have been around 1990 or 91 or so, but no later.
JP: Well, we’re getting towards the end of the interview, I do know you said earlier that you needed to cut this a little short, but I am interested to hear [in hearing] any of your final comments on what we have talked about.
ET: I believe that not too many people respect what we have here. South Miami is a quaint little town that needs to stay that way. MY feelings on the government down here are not as sour as they used to be, I believe that Julio Rabaino will lead South Miami in the right direction. Hopefully, someone younger will step up and take the initiative to see what I have seen and realize the beauty potential in public parks, especially down here.
JP: Well, thank you for your time Mr. Trainer
ET: It was my pleasure.
END OF INTERVIEW