UPDATED: Former Coral Gables Commissioner Ralph Cabrera killed it at the 
first mayoral debate Monday against the overly-scripted incumbent Mayor Jim Cason, who seemed to fumble around and stammer. Cason could hardly put together a coherent sentence — even though it seemed he was reading the whole time.
It was the best example to date — and in front of a crowd of at least 230 people — of why Cabrera is a better choice to lead the city into the future.
Casonites will tell you that I am a “paid publicist” for Ralph, and I do consult for him. But my content writing and recommendations are limited to his website, media and voter messages. And the best thing is, it was all caught on video anyway. So, you don’t have to believe me. Just watch it for yourself on YouTube or on Coral Gables TV (Channel 77 Comcast, Channel 99 on Uverse) Wednesday at 8 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.
As CBS4 anchor Elliott Rodriguez played referee, the two men sparred about traffic and development and the proliferation of palm trees and the state of the police headquarters building and the growing pension obligation and the city’s debt and the environment and the Miracle Mile “streetscape” project. But crime was probably the central issue as Cason continued to hide behind some numbers that don’t necessarily mean anything — because burglaries were miscategorized as vandalism or larceny — 
and again claim that Cabrera is using “exaggerations” and scare tactics to woo voters.
News flash, Jimbo: Crime is an issue for everybody but you. As Cabrera noted, everybody else, including all the candidates in the forum last week, say its the number one issue that needs to be addressed. You’re the only one ignoring it.
Or, rather, you were ignoring it. On Monday, he said he had a 10-point plan to conquer crime. Yeah, the same crime he says doesn’t exist, so I’m not sure how committed he is to that. I think it’s more like trying to one-up Ralph’s five point plan with a 10-point plan. You know, an “ours goes to eleven” moment.
Read related story: Ralph Cabrera to the rescue in Coral Gables
But that argument and any other became moot after he called the Sept. 11 outpouring of residents who stormed City Hall to complain about crime “a show.”
Heads shook and there was a murmur that sounded like a wave across the church pews.
“Does he think we are all acting,” one voter asked Ladra on the way out, in disbelief at the mayor’s arrogance.
The only one acting is Cason. He is pretending to be a mayor. But being a mayor is about more than going to 5,100 events, as the incumbent proudly stated he had attended since being elected in 2011. That’s 3.5 events each and every day, including weekends. No wonder Cason has no time to address the city’s needs. He’s too busy being the big shot.
The difference between the two men couldn’t be clearer than what more than
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Cason seems disconnected from the community and Cabrerea, albeit ‘rough around the edges’ and even ‘annoying’ really DOES have the taxpayers best interests at heart. Cason should NOT be proud of attending 5,100 events since 2011. That’s called a circus and side-show, not being a community leader.
It would really be interesting to see both candidate’s financial disclosure forms. We could see how much Casons meager federal pension is worth.
Because car moguls and lobbyist aren’t pretenders. They are what they are.
You on the other hand want to have it both ways. Hypocrite.
Hypocrite. You bash people all the time by connecting grey dots, insinuations, guit by association tactics and much more. Yet. You are working for this Cabrera guy and trying to draw distinctions by what work your do. Pathetic.
There is no hypocrisy or conflict of interest here. Ladra’s job is to defend and support the best interest of the people. I think that Ralph Cabrera is in the best interest of the people.
There are plenty of grey dots to connect and insinuations to make about the incumbent, but if I don’t make them about Ralph it’s because they aren’t there. Show me something. You can’t, because it doesn’t exist. Meanwhile, the dots exist in the campaign reports of the other guy.
I do not only consult Ralph on his media/messaging, I support him. He may have his personality, um, quirks, but I don’t want our electeds to be popular and charming. I want them to be hard ass sometimes. And I think he makes a very good public servant. Better than that other guy. And, in fact, I supported him in 2013 before I ever gave him some very valuable professional advice. Why in the world wouldn’t I provide him my mad skills if I want him to win? Where or how is that hypocrisy?
Maybe you are uncomfortable with it but that is because of your own demons and conflicts of interests, not mine.
But let me warn everybody. Get used to it. Because if other people, such as car moguls and lobbyists, can be campaign consultants, why not a blogger? Maybe we can equalize things a little bit.
Love, Ladra
Jim Cason called the September 11, 2014 Public Hearing at City Hall, where scores of Coral Gables residents, many of them crime victims, expressed their concern and frustration with crime in the City as the “911 Show”!!! Show?? Really?? Only someone out of touch with CG residents would call the heartfelt pleas of CG residents a “SHOW”!! Calling CG residents part of a “SHOW” is an insult to anyone who yearns for a safer Coral Gables in which to live and raise their children.
Ralph understood what the city needed now since he is an outsider! he beat Jim in the debate, Jim spoke about planting trees and taking a tour of the city! what in the heck is that. Ralph spoke about what the city needed. He lost big time last time, Hopefully Ralph can pull if off.
Don’t know if Ralph can pull it off, but it’s going to be a heck of a lot closer than last time around.