(Continued from previous page)
About a week after he left, Stantec Consulting told Gables Interim Public Works Director Ernesto Pino that an evaluation 
conducted with Miami-Dade Public Works Traffic Engineering Division Assistant Chief Jeff Cohen had determined that the trees are, in fact, a hazard.
Seems they be too fat.
“After measurements and observations made by Mr. Cohen, he noted that the large-trunked Bismarckia Palms at the northwest and Southwest corners are restricting visibility and should be removed, or replaced with thin-trunked palms, (such as Alexander Palms),” wrote Stantec Vice President Ramon Castella.
Reached about the findings, Lago — who first requested the information and then caught Salerno in a lie — wouldn’t say whether or not he felt vindicated.
Lago didn’t express much surprise either, however.
“Our number one goal is our residents’ safety and we cannot afford to fail our residents by not providing the necessary information or ensuring the safety of the residents and the business community,” Lago told Ladra.
Yeah, I know. It already sounds like he’s running for mayor. And maybe he should (more on that later).
The on-site evaluation with the participation of the county — and one has to wonder why they were not consulted originally — was conducted on April 4, via a “citizen complaint.” That’s four days before Salerno quit. He must have known he was going to get found out, even without Lago. But that’s just the cover up, isn’t it? Why did the Salerno try so hard to hide the problem and then fly so fast when it was found? Ladra will keep sniffing around.
Gables City Attorney Craig Leen told Ladra that the city’s liability was limited because officials acted appropriately as soon as they learned about the issue.
“We are getting them removed as quickly as we can,” Leen said.
Still, I bet it isn’t quickly enough for some unlucky drivers in that zone, where accidents increased by more than 300 percent — numbers fudged by Salerno. Like whoever was in that black SUV along Ponce when the trolley went by.
Pages: 1 2
Coral Gables must remove Ponce palms Salerno lied about added by Ladra on
View all posts by Ladra →
