That clock that Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago wants to put somewhere downtown was manufactured by a company that held a fundraiser for his BFF Miami Mayor Francis Suarez‘s now-abandoned presidential campaign in June.
Lago brought up the Masion F.P. Journe clock again during a discussion in a commission meeting last month, where he sought direction on where to put it. Where the sun don’t shine was not an option. The mayor liked a corner on Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Commissioner Melissa Castro wondered out loud if it was in front of Crema, which apparently the mayor has some financial interest in (more on that later).
“It’s free. It’s being donated. And it’s by one of the most iconic watch manufacturers in the world,” Lago said.
“If you go to cities like, where I was last summer, Aspen, like Milan, you go to Paris, these clocks are in the main square. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s iconic. People come to take pictures with it.”
Read related: Vince Lago has conflict of interest with High Pines, Little Gables annexations
Commissioner Ariel Fernandez said it was also free publicity. “This is going to be perennial advertising on the streets of the city. Are they going to be paying on an annual basis? If we’re talking about not doing advertising, this is clearly advertising.”
“It’s something beautiful,” Lago said. “The advertisement is very small and I think it’s a very limited price to pay to have such a beautiful, well-respected manufacturer in our downtown.”
He did not mention that it’s a manufacturer who held a fundraiser for his best bud, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, at their wristwatch and cigar lounge and bar at the Epic Hotel in downtown Miami.
Lago seemed surprised by the resistance: “If you don’t want it, we’ll tell them you don’t want it. The previous commission accepted it. They’re not going to pay to have that clock. They are giving us that clock,” the mayor said, estimating the value at between $75,000 and $100K.
“This is something again that provides an added caché to our downtown and its something beautiful. The advertisement is very small,” Lago said, sounding very much like a clock salesman. “It’s a very high end limited brand. And again it’s something that is coming free to the city.”
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Fernandez wondered if the city shouldn’t have an open bid process to allow other clock manufacturers the chance to make an offer. “We’re looking for revenue all the time. Let’s make sure we find the right clock and the right manufacturer that can satisfy all our needs.”
Said Lago: “This is more like a sculpture that is being donated to the city. They’re an exceptional brand.”
As usual, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson provided Lago with some back-up: “This is quite an honor. You wouldn’t go out on RFP on a gift. This is a gift. We’re not buying this. Pardon my French, but we would be fools if we turned it down.”
That’s French?
Said Commissioner Kirk Menendez: “It’s a lot nicer than the Cassio I used to wear in the 80s.”
Fernandez also wondered about the maintenance. Lago said the pole and area around the clock would be maintained by the city. “But the actual clock itself would have to be handled by the manufacturer.
“It is a fragile mechanism. That is to be respected.”
Reward time? Vince Lago promotes clock maker that helped Francis Suarez added by Ladra on
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… the only reason lago wants to talk about a giant watch is so we dont talk about him accepting rent from a developer, being in business with an indicted lobbyist, and raising 700k for a pac for who knows what… East stays with friend de la portilla maybe???
Actually, it’s even worse, Ladra. It is two pieces that have dropped off. This one is even more inconvenient. You have to search on google to track it down.
“3 Coral Gables commissioners want a raise, car allowance, more benefits
By Ladra on September 16, 2023”
Wow, we are talking about a clock? Really? After all that has gone on as of late? Lago has his issues. I am not here to defend him. I am no fan. But, where has the commission compensation raise story gone? I note that it is conspicuously absent from your front page, Ladra? Remember, “Whopping pay raise for commissioners is tucked into Coral Gables budget?” Thats the piece that you published on the same date as other pieces that remain on your home page and after many other pieces one can still find there? I’m curious. Is it that you find the whopping pay raise piece inconvenient because it sheds negative light on three commissioners?
We can’t even maintain the history City Hall clock…which we already have, and that building is a designative landmark.
Fix that one.
If Lago is pushing it, we should all be suspicious. Such a shame that Rhonda Anderson became his boot lick.
The clock is only free if it includes maintenance forever. If not, why bother, when everyone’s cell phone has the time?
What is next in the campaign against Mayor Lago ?. Perhaps he is using Internet access service from Comcast Xfinity, and if Donald Trump is also using Comcast Xfinity, then Mayor Lago is a Trump accomplice. It is just a matter of time for Ladra to advocate to jail Mayor Lago, or perhaps to advocate the Dept of Justice to prosecute him. A standard procedure these days against people not liked by the mainstream media.
” This is not Back to the Future ”
Lol
A little trivia —
The clock is part of a Hollywood studio and has been in a few movies including Gremlins which came out in 1984.
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“But the actual clock itself would have to be handled by the manufacturer.”
A never ending expense and typical of the Cosa Nosra politicos .
They make it look like they are doing it for you but they are in reality doing it for themselves / friends .
This is STANDARD in Miami.
Every single thing they are ALL involved in is to line their pockets and or provide for contributors .
As others have pointed out , The clock is a donation but how much in monthly maintenance and repairs and how long before that surpasses the actual cost of the clock ?
Coral Gables needs removal of EVERY incumbent or you will become like Doral an assembly line of self serving parasites who work only for special interest.
Lago is in so tight with nefarious deep pocked characters. Any guess why he made a show of turning down the salary increase? He doesn’t need it because he isn’t really working for the city. We all know who is paying him.
This is not Back to the Future. We do NOT need a clock in the middle of anywhere in Coral Gables.
We already have a wonderful legacy clock on Ponce de Leon and Calle Ocho. The clock – not a watch – the Mayor is pushing is free, but the installation and maintenance would be paid by the taxpayers, and we don’t know how much that would be. How about providing a reason why we need a clock, a budget for installation and maintenance, a projection of how much advertising revenue the clock would provide the city, and then open it up for bidding?
Winter is Coming, Little Vinny.
Is it time for winter?
It sure looks like a watch. Now do we really need a clock/watch in our downtown? NO. We have enough with knowing the time in our phones. Who will pay for maintaining the huge watch in our city? Lago may need the funds soon for his legal bills
Winter is Coming.