Group 4 race heads to runoff between Ivette Arango and Melissa Castro
The residents in Coral Gables won Tuesday after longtime activist Ariel Fernandez, publisher of Gables Insider, who ran on a “residents first” platform, was elected in the commission race in Group 5 with a fat, comfy, 16-point margin, 58% to 42%.
Mayor Vince Lago, who had endorsed attorney Alex Bucelo, lost. So did the real estate development interests and dark money that funded his campaign. Bucelo was rejected for the second time after losing two years ago to Commissioner Kirk Menendez.
In the other race, Ivette Arango O’Doski and Melissa Castro are headed to a runoff, coming in with 47% and 39%, respectively. Because neither got 50% plus one, they go to a second round April 25. Lago — who also endorsed Arango O’Doski early on in an attempt to stack the commission — could lose again. Too bad he was re-elected without opposition. Because this proves he’s not all that.
The Miami-Dade Elections Department reported that 21% of the city’s 33,000 registered voters participated. Almost twice as many voted by mail (4,233) as Election Day (1,518) and early voting (1,130) combined.
Read related: For independence in Coral Gables, vote Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez
But the Group 5 race, by far the hardest fought, with negative attack messages hitting Fernandez almost daily.
“Coral Gables, we have done it,” Fernandez said at his watch party at Bulla. “Residents will, once again, have a strong voice advocating for them on the City Commission. I am honored and humbled with the great responsibility you have placed upon me.
“To the over 6,500 who took time to cast their votes this election, thank you! Regardless of who you voted for, I am ready to be your voice and am here to represent you,” Fernandez said, thanking his family, his neighbors, his volunteers and supporters. He also had a message for his future colleagues on the commission, all of whom had endorsed Bucelo.
“It is time for the divisive webs you’ve weaved during this election to come down, and for us to unite with a simple and common cause, Residents First,” Fernandez said. “We have been tasked by residents with a mandate — to make them and their interests, our sole priority.
“Residents have been clear. They want us to reduce overdevelopment by enforcing our City’s zoning code and immediately stopping special favors to developers. They want us to fix the broken permitting system and streamline the process,” Fernandez said, basically laying out his priorities. “They want us to fix our broken sidewalks and fill the potholes on our streets. They want us to be better stewards of the City’s finances. They want to be informed and ask that transparency be about the good and also about the bad. And yes, they have been clear, they want us to stop all plans for the $63 million Mobility Hub.”
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago may have conflict of interest in Little Gables
The mobility hub is the name given to the planned redevelopment of a 10-story, super fancy parking garage with wifi and docking stations on Anastasia Avenue. It is Lago’s baby and, obviously, promises to be a contentious matter. There’s likely gonna be some friction between the two men.
“Over the course of this campaign, some said they would ‘destroy’ me. Well, I am still standing,” Fernandez said. Las malas lenguas tell Ladra that is what Lago said he would do.
“But this is not my victory, this is our victory. It has been an effort, years in the making. Fighting to bring awareness to issues that have been plaguing our City for too long. Together, we have taken a stand.”
Fernandez also had a message specifically for longtime activist Maria Cruz, who got a hero’s welcome at Bulla. “You have been there every step of the way, pushing me to work harder and making sure everyone was doing their part, including me,” Fernandez told Cruz. “I just wanted to tell you, just as you have always had my back, I will always have yours, and the days of disrespect towards you from the Commission will no longer be tolerated at City Hall.”
The Fernandez victory also proves that money doesn’t always win elections.
Bucelo raised around $427,700 between his campaign account and his political action committee, Friends of the Gables, as of the last campaign reports through Thursday. If you add what was spent by another PAC, Getting Things Done, on sending negative mailers and text messages to voters, Bucelo’s people spent at least $175 per vote. At least.
In just the last two weeks, Bucelo spent almost $27,000 on direct mail pieces and $19,500 on text messages, voice messages and robocalls. Some political observers believe the negative attacks on Fernandez — what some call the Miamification of Coral Gables — backfired on Bucelo.
He had a chairman’s boardroom of consultants: Alex Miranda, Jesse Manzano, Emiliano Antuñez, Jorge de Cardenas, relatively unknowns like Ryan Fernandez and Raul Diaz and someone named Sarah Manzano, who might or might not be Jesse’s relative, doing Bucelo’s fundraising.
They should all be really embarrassed today.
Fernandez raised a total of $31,785, according to the latest reports. He not only has no PAC, he has no PAC money in his account. He has no developer or real estate interest money. He has no consultants. No professional fundraiser.
What he has are more small $100 checks than any campaign finance report Ladra has ever seen. From residents who then went out and voted for him.
Outside real estate speculators could donate but could not vote for Bucelo.
Read related: Coral Gables race heats up with more attacks, ‘paid’ magazine endorsement
Castro is going the same route. She had only raised $13,425 as of Thursday, according to the reports. Arango O’Doski has a total of $166,500 and many of the same contributors that Bucelo had. And, while Castro already got a few contributions on the wave of Tuesday’s results, she isn’t going to rake it in.
“Coral Gables is not for sale and Melissa Castro cannot be bought,” she said Tuesday night after celebrating at Bulla with Fernandez. “I am not going to accept PAC funds. Don’t even try to approach me. And I am not accepting developer money.
“Even if it’s a runoff, I am standing my ground. I am here for the residents,” Melissa told Ladra, saying she knows that’s what voters liked about her and that’s what she will continue to bank on.
“They see my heart. They know I am there for them and not the special interests.”
Fernandez knows he is only one vote. That is why he is going to endorse Castro and work the next couple of weeks to get the voters who cast ballots for him to do it for her in the runoff.
That’s still just two votes. But maybe Commissioner Rhonda Anderson will remember who she was when she was elected and realize that with these two new commissioners, a new resident-focused, reform-minded majority could prevail.
Lago is going to fight against that, of course. He is going to go tooth and nail in the next two weeks to get Arango O’Doski elected. He has to. The runoff election might as well be between Lago and Fernandez — the first real political arm wrestling match of many anticipated.
Let’s hope that Fernandez wins again.
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We are almost there! One more time to show the power of the ballot. We need to vote for Melissa Castro in order to complete what we set out to do, Stop giving away our City. Not voting or voting for Yvette will allow the status quo to continue. She is after all a self described government consultant, a lobbyist married to a lobbyist! Distancing herself from those that endorsed her is no more, no less than an attempt to pull the proverbial wool over our eyes! Will she say next that she won’t accept developer money, or that she has turned a page and wIll be the voice of the people? We must show that we do not believe in smoke and mirrors. Let’s carry Melissa Castro to the finish line and give us.the people, another real vote in the Commission. We already showed it can be done by electing Ariel, now let’s complete our mission by electing Melissa Castro!
Early Voting is Saturday, April 22 and April 23. Election Day is April 25. Vote by mail ballots will be getting to you soon; vote and either drop them off or mail them immediately. Make this a community effort. Talk to your neighbors. relatives and friends. Don’t let them fall for the new narrative that is sure to come! Vote for Melissa Castro and keep our City from becoming another Brickell!
Congratulations to Mr. Fernandez who ran clean, grassroots campaign. His win is a stab in the heart to Lago. If Arango, loses, he can say goodbye to his lock on the dais and we be in serious peril for re-election in 2025
I’m thrilled with Ariel’s victory! Just what the doctor ordered… The same way someone not long ago put America first, Ariel will put us, the City Beautiful residents, first. It was about time.
Now it’s up to everyone of us who voted for him and Melissa, to double down in our efforts and elect Melissa in the runoff. Let’s give Mayor Lago a run for his money: we know where that is coming from…
Last but not least: Albertico once again trying to throw shade on Ariel with the Bachour nonsense. None of your nasty comments had any effect on the good residents of our City. If that’s all you have to bring to the table, I feel sorry for you. Go to Little Flower and cry some more…
Let’s go, Melissa! We need everyone to show up and vote. Lago is so arrogant that he thinks his defaulting back into office was a win. Then he tried his darnedest by endorsing more brown-nosers. Yvette spent more time with him and developers than she did with residents.
Repeatedly I reached out to her (was quite the effort finding any contact info for her since her incessant flyers and mailings never included any- a real shame considering she obliterated an entire forest printing them- another sign she doesn’t know her audience). I wanted to give her a fair shot- she replied once to an email, actually it was an assistant, this was early March yet she had no opening 2-3 weeks for even just a 15 minute phone call and there was no response after that.
What has her 3 generations of deep gable’s roots accomplished? Bragging about birth when never once have I seen her at a single community event nor volunteering, etc. I don’t need to know more. If this is how she treats us during her campaign I can’t imagine what she’d do with more power. She thinks she’s got it “in the bag”. Voters let’s show her she’s “not my commissioner”.
Lago’s lies about his brother the lobbyist are as clear as day in this commission meeting. He makes a political show of signing a document stating no family interests in Little Gables, yet his brother represents interests! Unbelievable sleaziness, and also how other commissioners and city staff standby without a word.
https://gablesbeacon.com/did-mayor-vince-lago-commit-perjury/
I am thrilled by Ariel’s win, which is a triumph of benign democracy over elitist influence.
Sucking Chief Hudak into the fray was both arrogant and stupid, and it shows how thoroughly out of touch the incumbents are.
The victory also proves that politics is not always about money. This was an election in which ordinary people voted for truth and the common good.
Now, Let’s go, Castro!
It is HISTORICALLY BENEFICIAL TO CORAL GABLES THAT ARIEL FERNANDEZ WON!
THANK GOD!
I am hurt and bewildered by my poor showing as a Candidate in the race.
I am not at this time endorsing either of the Candidates who made the Runoff.
I offer my Endorsement to whichever candidate first convincingly — i e publicly with major, irreversible announcement — adopts and embraces THE SOLUTION TO RESTORING VOTER CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT.
I E, AMENDING OUR CITY CHARTER TO REQUIRE VOTER REFERENDUM APPROVAL OF ANY MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENT. (The City of Miami Beach, and the City of Key Biscayne, have done this successfully.)
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
Endorsements didn’t matter. They hurt Bucelo. And Ivette keeps saying She’s Endorsed By Those We Trust and lists them all. Newsflash Ivette, we DONT trust them.
Ariel’s win is only the beginning. he’ll face opposition every day from Lago and all the other commissioners, who endorsed Bucelo. maybe Kirk Menendez will try to steer clear of the B.S. we’ll see. keep the faith Ariel…. it wont be easy! just know we have your back.
Hopefully, Ariel holds the Chief of Police accountable for inappropriately and possibly illegally using his position of authority to try and sway votes away from him. If Ariel doesn’t and/or buys into the Chief’s bologna (or his attempts to cry for forgiveness), then it will show Ariel’s lack of fortitude and commitment in ensuring the City holds its employees to the highest level of ethical and moral behavior. We are all watching!
Thank god Ariel won! His activism has finally paid off. Time to stand up to the mayor and tell him that his crap won’t stand here in the Gables.
Residents First! Congratulations, Ariel. And, way to go, Melissa – just getting into a runoff was a moral victory. Vince, can’t your blessings that you didn’t have an opponent; otherwise, you’d be cleaning your office today. A great election night!
Great reporting Elaine
lagos loss is a win for the gables! lago is the gables branch of the miami suarez machine, and he brought smears, development, miami staff, and his brother’s business to the city…. time to reclaim the commission from Lago to the residents —- go Melissa!
With Ariel as CG Commissioner, I can’t wait until Bachour gets catering contracts with the city.
I voted to break up the strong mayor position Lago assembled for himself. Bucelo and Arango O’Doski were too risky with the endorsements.
It will be interesting to see how Ariel handles the constant unrealistic and unfair demands the Coral Gables Neighborhood Association Board places on him-I do mean the just the board because they do not represent 20,000 residents they claim. They don’t even hold meetings open to “membership”. I personally stopped receiving their emails (kicked out) when I spoke counter to one of their positions. Lago, Fors, Anderson, Mena, Menendez and the City Manager learned that you can not appease them way too late and I hope Ariel and possibly Castro recognize this.
CGNA board demands an inordinate amount of city resources which keeps staff from defined priorities, per the adopted budget each year. If the electeds and City Manager are not capable of managing that demand then the city as a whole suffers.
Congratulations to the winners/movers-on. Now is the time for the first post-election house-cleaning, namely collecting your yard signs from all public property. The Youth Center and Library, the Country Club and around the parks. Pick up your trash, people, and thank you for doing so.