After weeks of speculation and guessing about a switcheroo scenario in which he could run for commissioner, Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason — who 
originally said he was only interested in one term, then two when he said he thought one term was four years — has called a press conference this morning to announce, in just a few hours, that he’ll run for re-election after all.
What happened? Two words: Ralph Cabrera.
For months, Cason has been rumored to have entered into a deal with Vice Mayor Billy Kerdyk, who is termed out this year, in which they would switch seats and continue their alliance on the dais. But now, a month after Cabrera announced that he would run for mayor and days after a poll done for either Kerdyk or Councilman Frank Quesada pitted the former 12-year commissioner against each of the three incumbents, the mayor has decided he wants a third term.
Read related story: Ralph Cabrera to the rescue in Coral Gables
Was he the best positioned, in that poll, to beat Cabrera? Stands to reason. Cason beat him by 50 points in 2013. He may think he has the best odds. He would be wrong, of course, since Ladra (who is helping Cabrera with his website and social media) believes that the shine on this former state department official has worn off some.
“I have nothing against Mr. Cason personally. I have thanked him myself for his service to our country when he was head of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana,” Cabrera told Ladra, adding that whatever obligation or debt Cuban-Americans may have felt in voting for Cason has been paid already.
“However, his service in Coral Gables has not been marked by courage. In fact, it has been marked by a lack of leadership and vision. A lack of transparency. A lack of initiative. A lack of responsiveness to our community.”
But the question is not “Why is Cason running?” Rather it is “Why is Cason running?”
Here is a mayor who is so disengaged that he allowed a corrupt city manager to run the city instead of directing him through the commission in the best 
interests of the city. Here is a mayor who looked the other way while crime increased and the quality of life slid in Coral Gables. Here is a man who is absent from the community conversations about the city’s real concerns.
Was Jim Cason at the recent government in the sunshine city meeting with parents who want the school board to expand the enrollment at Westlab Elementary and turn it into a K-8 so that their kids have more public education options? No.
Was Jim Cason at the county meeting last month to discuss plans for a pedestrian bridge across U.S. 1 in the spot where a UM student was run over and killed 10 years ago? Un-uh.
Was Jim Cason at the meeting Tuesday night where residents raised objections to the proposed site for the Coral Gables trolley garage next to the fire station on U.S. 1. Nope.
So why is this man, who is so absent from civic life and out of touch with the people, so intent on remaining in office after the last couple of years he’s had? And without former City Manager Pat Salerno — who helped his re-election efforts in 2012 — there to guide him through it?
It may have something to do with his work in Central and/or South America, where Cason’s business can only benefit from the title of mayor of, any town really, but Coral Gables is a plus.
It may have something to do with the bids coming up for the two giant parking garages downtown.
It may have something to do with his pure hatred of Cabrera, which everyone says is more extreme than it needs to be.
But you know what it won’t have anything to do with: Public service. Because if his track record is any indication, that’s not what interests Jim Cason about the job.
Coral Gables’ Jim Cason will run again after all — but why? added by Ladra on
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As most Coral Gables voters already know, Ralph Cabrera would be a terrible Mayor. For example, his signature issue is Coral Gables crime, but he depends on a slick political consultant that has made false claims on the issue. The consultant, Freddy Balsera, said in September that Coral Gables had a “crime epidemic.” However, an October FBI audit found Coral Gables statistics were accurately reported, and that burglaries in 2013 and 2014 were basically unchanged. Where is the epidemic? Unfazed, Balsera recently called the FBI’s findings “irrelevant.” Any crime is deplorable, and victims suffer greatly. But the facts are that Coral Gables crime is stable, and that people like Balsera (and Cabrera) made false claims to fan a wave of hysteria on Coral Gables crime. Shame on them for hurting the community to promote their selfish political goals.
This guy cason is a pure CROOK, Up the butt of Salerno and scamming with him to get things done out of the public eye. He’s all about self gaundeur and talks crap. Always trying to be the Mr know it all when he’s a JERK..
We all know he is in contact with salerno on a daily basis, maybe a public records request of his cellphone records is in order, just ask their IT dept??
even better an FDLE investigation or FBI to look into his dealings when in Cuba. Several cuban families here have knowledge of his illegal activities..just ask around..
Well well well! We had a corrupt city manager in Salerno, who’s office wrote all of Cason’s speeches, etc. Cabrera, whether you like him or not, is upfront in his positions to benefit the city, period. Think the old “Miami guard” (salerno’s old gang in the city beautiful) is a little nervous about the new manager who starts tomorrow. It is passed time to throw out the rest of the garbage – Cason, Kerdyk, Birdsell, Jaramilo-Velez, Gomez, and any & all of the rest of them who were in bed with Salerno. Cabrera started it, Lago pushed it and Salerno left in disgrace. You want corruption to continue? Then keep the old gang. You want honor, dignity and trust? The replace them and lets start with Cabrera as mayor.
Would of been nice to see Lago run for mayor, he has been instrumental in bringing transparency to the city and driving serious policy.
Lets not continue to recycle politicians…..
Ralph has A LOT of ground to make up … 50 points to be exact. Hard to see that happening. Though one thing about Ralph – he works it.
Ralph Cabrera is the clear choice to win the Mayor ship.
How did Cason obtain such an incredible amount of absentee votes??? More than any other candidate. Could it have been the work of his ex-con campaign manager de cardenas??? He claims to be Mr. Clean but associates with known felons. Thankfully absentee ballot fraud is at an all time low but what tricks does dc have now? What about Casons Oil company in Paraguay destroying the environment?
When the county library system was imperiled in 2013, Mayor Cason did next to nothing. Now our city lost Thursday as an open day at the Coral Gables Library. They are open on Sunday’s but that’s not useful to my family. He’s an agreeable guy who avoids controversy.
Cason??? What a lack of leadership. If you live in Coral Gables you will see first hand that this man has done nothing but hire corruption then take no responsibility for his actions. He is a push over. Just look at his attendance record over the years where we needed our leader. Rather than idiots in his office that (like most Dade politicians) have their own agendas. Ralph Cabrera was a great commissioner and will be an even better Mayor. He fights for the people, is in great relations with police, fire and city unions. Time to vanish Mr. Cason, not that you were visible to begin with.
Cason is a far better choice for mayor, although I hate to lose Kerdyk in the mix. You need to get to know the personalities and not the images and rhetoric. You make some pretty broad accusations here that are not supported by fact.