Voters in Coral Gables who got the robocall from Commissioner Rhonda Anderson agree on one thing: She sounds very unenthusiastic. Ladra is not sure that means anything. Anderson sounds monotone most of the time.
But some insiders think she had to hold her nose to endorse commission candidates Alex Bucelo and Ivette Arango O’Doski, the two development darlings, as a favor to Mayor Vince Lago — or, better said, as a trade to be vice mayor.
Lago endorsed and has been very publicly and privately working to help Bucelo and Arango O’Doski and stack the commission. The deal, las malas lenguas say, is that Anderson will be named vice mayor when the new commission is sworn in if she backs them, too. Not that she would have to do Lago’s bidding. Only Anderson and Commissioner “Father Kirk” Menendez are potential vice mayors, because they both won two years ago; Lago really can’t name one of his puppet newbies. And Anderson is best positioned for the post.
Read related: For independence in Coral Gables, vote Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez
Of course, she denies any quid pro quo.
“I am completely independent,” Anderson told Political Cortadito. “I am by no means a rubber stamp.”
In the robocall she says, “Alex and Ivette are honest and have the experience ad fortitude needed to vote against projects the residents do not want.” Is she insinuating that Ariel Fernandez is not honest? Or Sean Patrick McGrover and Melissa Castro are liars?
“Ivette is the business owner who knows the permitting system in Coral Gables and has valuable experience with state and county government issues,” Anderson says in the robocall. But there’s no way Arango knows permitting better than Castro, who inherited a permit expediting firm from her mom two years ago. And Arango O’Doski’s experience with state and county government is as a lobbyist. Who knows how many favors she owes?
“Both candidates live and work in our city,” she said, but so does every other candidate, “and will represents you with the professionalism needed to get the issues you care about done.
“More importantly, they will work to unite, not divide our community,” she ends it.
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago may have conflict of interest in Little Gables
Ladra thinks that last part is a dig at Fernandez, a polemic individual who was Anderson’s campaign consultant for a short while two years ago, until he found someone who could pay more.
“He pulled the plug. It’s not ethical,” Anderson told Ladra. And, yeah, there’s bad blood there.
“I don’t want a Joe Carollo on this commission,” Anderson said, referring to the polemic Miami city commissioner. “I don’t want the bickering and snickering. I want to get things done.”
But do we really want a completely united commission? Isn’t that dangerous? Just a bunch of bobbleheads to go along with whatever Lago wants?
Rhonda Anderson’s robocall could be quid pro quo for vice mayor post in deal added by Ladra on
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[…] Read related: Rhonda Anderson’s robocall could be quid pro quo for vice mayor post in deal […]
Wait Maria Elena Lopez–did the proud boy’s really endorse Bucelo? Do the proud boys endorse candidates? I’m not joking. I really want to know. To Maria Cruz–I’m only using my first name, but I didn’t really care for my parents.
No joke,
Obviously you also missed the point; anyone who tells the truth does not need to hide behind made up names. They do not need to be afraid to embarrass their parents!That includes you, whoever you are. How do you know who I know? All I know is that Berta is someone who uses a made up name, and jumps into comments about the Commission’s darling. It appears to me that you have the same problem that “she” has; you are very brave as long as you can hide!
Ms. Cruz, you are knocking ‘Berta’ whom you don’t know and pointing unproven blame at Manzano, without trying to debate her points. Just a few weeks ago you were crying in front of the city commission because people told the truth about you. Maybe you should read the Bible more. I would especially recommend the red letters.
Comm Anderson is not warm and fuzzy. That is true. That is why I have a lap dog. She is however honest and accessible. She has done well with the residents of Coral Gables. I do not know the huge perks that come with the vice mayor gig, but it can’t be that much. She sincerely cares about the issues and that is what we need. I rather have effective leadership than warm and fuzzy anytime,
Melissa Castro is the only candidate in that race who is not a lobbyist, understands permitting and development, is heavily invested in the Gables Community, not just serving on organizations, but funding her travel and sponsoring events to promote those organizations–this is not career enhancement for her–but truly public service. Alex Bucelo will bring a sense of decorum and knowledge to the commission, to balance out the panel; he is straight forward,approachable and has shown he is not going over the top to get the position, and is well poised, like Melissa, to not be anyone’s mouthpiece–they will speak their own mind.
Anderson endorsing Proud boy endorsed candidate Bucelo is shameful. And with Arango, Lago will sell the city to the highest biddder
Berta, what a common hispanic name! I guess you are concerned that people would know who you are! That perhaps there would be a knock on your door for the flower delivery man to thank you! Every time the new “darling” of the elected officials gets mentioned you jump in. Could you be a close relative? A paid campaign “volunteer”? A fake person? Someone who doesn’t even live in the City? Or is this Jesse Manzano or one of his cronies? Or perhaps one of the elected officials who is being bought by developers? Or are you one of the elected who have been bullied to tow the line?
I remember my parents and would never deny them. That’s why I always use my full name!
Mira Rhonda, como dice Mr. 305, no es Diciembre, no te hagas la santa.
Does Rubber Stamps have a Price ? The POLITICAL CORRUPTION in Fla. is Going That SOON we Will Elect Lobbyist and save One Job per Commissioners and That Will be a great Saving in the political scene ?And no more LAY AWAY POLITICIANS ! Till that happens Vote for Jackson (RIP) Holmes !!!!!!!!!!!!
This is such an unfair headline. Anderson is the favorite to be appointed Vice Mayor. She works extremely hard and is very well respected by residents. To try to now undermine that likely appointment by linking it to her support for Bucelo in this fashion is really unfair to her, but classic women tearing down women. The implication being that Rhonda wouldn’t have earned it on her own. What a shame, Elaine. Anderson is “all in” on Bucelo, she is even out walking and knocking on doors for him. She even provided you with quotes for your article. You couldn’t just state the facts: that Rhonda is supporting Alex because she thinks Ariel is a Joe Carollo clone (as she told you). You had to try to tie it to something nefarious to undermine the fact that she simply has a difference of opinion on this race. How dare she!
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