Newly-elected Coral Gables commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez were sworn in Friday during a short investiture ceremony where they repeated their commitment to put residents first.
Oh, yeah, Mayor Vince Lago, who was re-elected without opposition, was also sworn in again. But he didn’t seem to have as happy a day. He seemed pouty and depressed. Maybe it’s because he now has to sit between the two new commissioners, both of whom he worked hard against.
Talk about eating crow. He looked like a crow sandwich.
Before Lago spoke, the lights flickered as lightning struck nearby. Everyone looked at each other. Even God is mad at the mayor.
His speech was part pity party — it’s been such a bear to be the mayor — and part state-of-the-city address, pledging to build 10 parks in the downtown area and bragging of accomplishments that he knows aren’t really his. He needed someone to pat him on the back. So he did it himself.
He also defended the staff and administration and anyone who knows the Gables knows that the comments were directed at Fernandez, his nemesis and a frequent critic of city services.
“We agree or disagree on topics but your ethical leadership and unwavering commitment to the city not only should be complimented but should be admired and respected,” Lago said, directing his words to the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and police chief, among others.
Read related: In Coral Gables, Melissa Castro wins runoff with huge mandate margin
The mayor ended the 17-minute diatribe — it felt like 45 minutes — with what could be viewed as a warning to the two newbies, especially Fernandez, whom he vowed to “destroy” during the campaign.
“Let’s work on accomplishing greatness together. Because a win for the city is a win for all of us,” Lago said, because he wants everyone to forget that he lost big both on April 11 and in Tuesday’s runoff.
“Let’s remember that it is only with shared vision, integrity and respect that we can take our city to the next level. Together, let’s explore what problems unite us, instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”
Doesn’t really sound like an olive branch, does it? In fact, it seems that Lago was playing Bingo Blitz or Candy Crush while Commissioner Castro was sworn in and wiping the sweat from his brow when Fernandez took the oath. He knows a reckonin’ is coming.
Fernandez did extend an olive branch to the whole commission, inviting them to join him and Castro at the new commissioners’ first joint town hall meeting next Monday, May 8. “This will be an opportunity for us as a commission to hear from residents and for residents to have their questions answered by our city’s administration,” Fernandez said.
“It is an honor and a privilege to sit in this room today as a voice for residents,” he started. “I am humbled by the great responsibility you, the residents of our City Beautiful, have placed upon me, to advocate on your behalf and ensure a ‘residents first’ government in our Coral Gables.”
Read related: Residents win in Coral Gables with Ariel Fernandez commission victory
In a four-minute speech — including five interruptions of loud cheering and applause — Fernandez thanked his friends, family members and volunteers who helped with the campaign.
“First and foremost, to our residents, I pledge to always be accessible and to work on the priorities you have entrusted me to address Stopping overdevelopment by strictly enforcing our zoning code, streamlining our permitting process, improving safety, fixing our broken sidewalks, increasing our fiscal responsibility and stopping the construction of the Mobility Hub.”
That last one, which was a big part of the Fernandez platform, got a huge applause. Apparently, the parking garage disguised as some high tech novelty is not popular among Gables residents. At least those in attendance at City Hall Friday. Only the first row, filled mostly with Lago’s family and outgoing Commissioner Mike Mena — who did not clap once during Fernandez’s comments — stayed quiet.
Fernandez, who has been a strong critic of some city administrators and staffers, pledged to “roll up my sleeves and work with you to advance the goals of residents,” he told them. “My sole requests from you are honesty, hard work and respect and commitment to residents.
“To my colleagues, I pledge my respect and commitment to work together on behalf of residents,” he said. “Residents must always be first.”
Read related: Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak calls, pressures voters in commission race
Castro also repeated her commitment to residents during a short speech — less than two minutes — during which her voice cracked as she became emotional thanking her family, friends and volunteers. “With only two weeks in the runoff and ten percent of what my opponent raised, our community was able to come together and get me elected,” she said. “And for that, I will be forever thankful.
“I can only imagine what we can do in the next four years,” Castro said.
“I am beyond humbled that you placed your trust in me to lead our community forward. I pledge to serve with honestly integrity and transparency. I will work tirelessly to ensure the city remains a city of the residents and that it remains a safe, beautiful and prosperous place to live and raise our children.
“I will listen to your concerns, seek out your input and make decisions that are in the best interests of our residents and community,” Castro said. “I look forward to representing you and being your voice.”
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That Melissa Castro seems like the sweetest woman—I kinda love her already 💕
Albert Santos, you pride yourself in insulting and offending others? Is that your best punch? It lacks consistency and also respect! People like you is what this city needs less of. How about a productive comment instead.
Let see if Ariel Fernandez is really serious about fiscal responsibility. He know that the Finance Director Diana Gomez gave the City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief and herself substantial pay raises not authorized by the City Commission. He needs to place an agenda item to reduce their respective salaries by at least 20%. Afterwards, he needs to inquire on the SEC Investigation involving Diana Gomez when she was Finance Director over in the City of Miami. She cooked the books along with the CFO Larry Springs. She needs to resign or be terminated. If the latter, she should not be allowed to collect her pension, which she oversees on behalf of the City.
She must be fired! The Coral Gables residents are watching and expecting something to happen!
17 minutes – Lago needs a time limit. It’s exhausting to listen to him.
My favorite part of this piece is “ bragging of accomplishments that he knows aren’t really his. He needed someone to pat him on the back. So he did it himself.” – no truer words.
SANTOS , You are obviously wallowing in self pity. The agony of defeat must be excruciating. Lick your wounds for a while and you might lose weight.
There is a lesson learnt with every defeat. The candidates you endorsed harped on innuendo, personal attacks such as your yours. They lost but hopefully learnt something to fight another day. You on the other hand sound like a glutton for punishment.
What a beautiful site seeing Lago between the two people he worked hard against. As for his speech, typical of him – loves to hear himself talk. Let’s hope Menéndez grows a pair now and goes against Lago’s pet project.
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Time to clean house.
It was a wonderful, celebratory environment at City Hall … even with “No Clothes Emperor Lago”, “Sanctimonious Mena”, and “Dour Cason” present. Ariel and Melissa’s excellent speeches reinforced their commitment to the residents. They totally get the moment and the public sentiment. Vinny doesn’t; continue to ignore us at your own peril.
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In view of the heated political disagreements and continuing feuds perhaps the city should be renamed “Quarrel Gables”.
Hey Albert Santos, so are you looking the other way on a no interest, no payment THIRD mortgage from a former commissioner? A guy who could be involved in investor fraud. You are supporting the known and real conflict of interest? Are you seriously comparing an alleged free meal? C’mon, get real.
coral Gsbles has a chance now. hope the entrenched people & processes don’t waste it. Ariel & Melissa will need our support to stay the course.
Uncle Vinny is such a sore loser… Those pictures are such bad optics, but they absolutely reflect the Mayor’s true spirit: partisan, vindictive, and self-serving. Not exactly what our City Beautiful needs right now. This is a big day for our residents, when we showed everyone that we actually own this city. Anderson and Menendez: you better listen and do what you are supposed to do. You’ve been hitched to the Lago bandwagon for way too long. You supported losing candidates, just as he did. At least you didn’t support top notch loser Reiner DLP… As for the Chief of Police: it’s time to put your foot in your mouth and resign, as you promise you’d do if Ariel Fernandez won. Go get a gig as a consultant for Miami-Beach. Rumor has it that you got a shot at it.
p.s. Alberto Santos: your posts have been and will remain a poster for ridiculous, unfounded commentary. Your only argument in this forum against Ariel has been “free meals” but you haven’t provided any proof. Wait… right, because you don’t have any. Is that the best you got?
Dear Friends:
I submit there are 2 items worthy of attention:
The Citizens United enabled Developer Ocracy — we no longer have a democracy — needs to be remedied by AMENDING OUR CITY CHARTER, TO REQUIRE VOTER REFERENDUM DECISION-MAKING ON ALL MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
The Developer Ocracy gave us the parking for Miracle Mile vs no parking for Miracle — i e Death for Miracle Mile — choice of, and SURVIVAL OF MIRACLE MILE NEED TO GO WITH THE MOBILITY HUB.
WAS THERE DISCUSSION OF CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT YESTERDAY?
IF NOT, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ELECTED.
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
Great reporting Elaine
Ariel Fernandez will keep gaining weight with all the free meals he will expect and get from Coral Gables restaurants, now that he is a commissioner. Corruption comes in many ways, and it is always visible.