Coral Gables Commissioner Rhonda Anderson has booted Claudia Miro, a onetime commission candidate, from the planning and zoning board, saying her attendance, or lack thereof, is the reason.
But the timing and circumstances point to another motive: Miro, who was recently reappointed by Anderson, voted last month against naming former Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers the board-as-a-whole’s appointment. She voted for Javier Salman instead.
Curiously, an item on Tuesday’s commission meeting agenda replaces Miro with Withers, who, sources say, was the pro-development choice of Mayor Vince Lago at that July meeting.
Las malas lenguas say Lago and his developer friends want to control the planning and zoning board. It’s just easier to approve variances and density increases when the application comes with a recommendation from a citizen committee. When independent Commissioners Ariel Fernandez and Melissa Castro were elected in April, they appointed their own members to the P&Z board, and suddenly the votes were more divided. Lago wanted Withers to be his swing vote.
At the July 12 meeting, the board first voted to appoint Venny Torre, of Torre Construction and Development. That failed 3-3. Then they voted to appoint Withers. That also failed 3-3. Salman was then appointed with unanimous approval.
Read related: Coral Gables commission considers moving elections to November
So why is Lago so pissed off at Miro? Maybe he expected her to toe the line like Anderson does.
Anderson, who beat Miro at the polls in 2021, said she had not talked to Lago — of course, that would be a sunshine violation — and that the removal of Miro from the P&Z board was completely unrelated.
“Her attendance record has been dismal,” Anderson told Ladra. “This is a quasi judicial board. This is a critical board. You are representing the residents. If you can’t make it, you resign.
“There wasn’t a death in the family. She wasn’t in the hospital. She just missed the meetings. Actions speak louder than words,” Anderson said. “I had a talk with her. She expressed how she really wanted to serve, how she would improve her attendance, and she didn’t. She chose to still miss meetings. She didn’t clean up her act.”
But that’s not how Miro remembers it. While she wouldn’t return Ladra’s calls and texts — and trust me, I begged — Political Cortadito did get a hold of Miro’s letter of resignation and a series of texts to Anderson that indicate there is more afoot here than just an attendance thing.
“My resignation is tendered,” Miro wrote in an email Monday. “You can now appoint someone to the planning and zoning board who will be in lockstep with your pro-development stance. But let’s be clear. The facts are simple. Your action to have me removed at a public meeting came very quickly after my vote at a P&Z meeting to create a pro-resident majority on the board.
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“We both know my attendance record was within city standards,” Miro wrote, adding that all but one absence was excused. “If attendance was the issue, you could have sent me a letter to put me on notice. This would provide you with an out that you had acted on the matter.
“Instead, you blindsided me with your removal letter and created a public record by sending it to my business email. The email to my place of business can only be characterized as thinly veiled threat to my employer’s contract with the city.”
Miro is director of business development and government affairs at Freebee, which provides urban transit services to many municipalities, including Coral Gables. It certainly could be argued that Anderson wanted Miro’s employer to know about her termination and the why. Anderson said a staffer sent the letter to that email by mistake.
“There’s nothing retaliatory about it,” Anderson said.
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago continues to throw shade post election
Late Monday, Commissioner Fernandez issued a statement.
“I am extremely disappointed in the process undertaken by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson to remove the strongest voice for residents on the planning and zoning board over the last two yeas, in order to appoint the strongest voice for developers in her place.
“The removal of Claudia Miro, just one meeting after her re-appointment to the board, and the appointment of Wayne “Chip” Withers, who orchestrated Miro’s removal is exactly why residents mistrust government… The loss of Miro from the planing and zoning board will once again put residents at a disadvantage and is a win for those in favor of increased development.”
Shake-up, power grab at Coral Gables P&Z board as Claudia Miro is ‘fired’ added by Ladra on
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[…] punish former commissioner candidate Claudia Miro — who has since kissed the ring to make up — for her vote on the board in a particular item, he got Anderson to remove her appointee for some bogus attendance reason. But when Commissioner […]
[…] former commissioner candidate Claudia Miro — who has since kissed the ring to make up — for her vote on the board in a particular item, he got Anderson to remove her appointee for some bogus attendance reason. But when Commissioner […]
[…] Read related: Shake-up, power grab at Coral Gables P&Z board as Claudia Miro is ‘fired’ […]
[…] Read related: Shake-up, power grab at Coral Gables P&Z board as Claudia Miro is ‘fired’ […]
[…] Read related: Shake-up, power grab at Coral Gables P&Z board as Claudia Miro is ‘fired’ […]
No Joke ,
How dare you , how dare you ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2v4NgO2HQ0
Btw , one of the best episodes and in my opinion the top 5 episodes were due to Stiller
Look at how easily you all are distracted with what really happened here.
FOCUS- Nothing will change the fact the Rhonda Anderson immediately took action to
undo the only PRO-Resident Majority the Planning & Zoning Board has ever seen. We were protected for only a minute. She put an end to that protection.
Rhonda Anderson sold her soul to DEVILopers.
Vince Lago is a fool for trusting Anderson. Watch as they both turn on each other, it’s a matter of who stabs who first.
Rhonda- you will never be part of Lago’s in crowd. This is a temporary membership to get you to do the foolish things you are doing. Lago’s followers will never accept you. You look wrong, you dress wrong, you’re visibly insecure and you’re anglo. The only place you found acceptance was the residents but let this serve as your notice, you have been officially kicked out! You have been silent when we expected you to speak and quickly traded public service for a VM title. Your ambition is now revealed.
Don’t come knocking on our doors, riding on your little bicycle next time, because we are gonna turn on the sprinklers, let our dogs out, or let you have a piece of our mind! You will never get our vote or regain our trust again! Let’s REMOVE RHONDA!
NO WAY Jose! You are wrong about a lot more than just that!
Miro “tendered her resignation” before Rusty Rhonda could remove her.
Your research conveniently stops short.
Your entire argument is laughable and based on the FALSELY FILED complaint of a “man” who currently owes child support to 5 children, and has had multiple restraining orders filed against him! Talk about an unreliable source! Great work detective!
Sadly, anyone can open an ethics investigation on anyone and FALSELY claim whatever they want and it becomes public record.
Fired? Try Lay-Offs!
Laid off due to budget issues just like hundreds in the City of Miami during the recession of 2009. Read a newspaper! Look it up. Dig deeper into her employee file. It’s public.
Take note, board VOLUNTEERS are NOT paid $40K -70K? It’s not paid, and not a part time! What a joke! Seriously who are you and how uneducated can you be?
Next—Miro needs to finish school? What? Do you NOT have access to LinkedIn? Miro’s Masters degree not good enough for you Cheito?
Looked at her Facebook page + LinkedIn, and I see a hardworking woman and a dedicated mom with the kind of voting record on P&Z to get her elected. Perfect for all you corrupts to attack.
Guess they’re suddenly afraid she will run for office again—and WIN! Oh we hope she does! My entire block will vote for her! RUN MIRO RUN!!!
Maria, wow. At best you’re delusional. At worst, you’re a self-righteous sociopath. You are a master’s level in smears and bullying. More often than not, the targets have been females. At Tuesday’s commission hearing, you apologized on the record to Jessica Keller who you smeared and bullied out of a job, just because you did not agree with what her job entailed.. What were you apologizing for? You said you had been “duped” by the Mayor into wronging Ms. Keller. Whether you were duped, or not – which I doubt, you led a slanderous campaign of bullying and smears against Ms. Keller, who was just dong her job.
For anyone wishing to see what smears and bullying look like, just send a public records request to the City Clerk’s office for emails from Maria Cruz to City Staff and elected officials regarding Ms. Keller. If you look closer, there are other women that were targeted by Maria. Just request a list of the personnel files she has requested from the Human Resources Department and take it from there.
Very sad. Very sad, indeed, Mrs. Cruz.
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of the CG Commission.
Another reason why you lose residents that are doing a good job are attacks like Jose’s here. He is obviously involved in government and likely a buddy of Lago’s. And so to defend his best bro he pounces with information from 14 years ago that had no bearing on the facts of the Withers reinstatement. The only result is trying to hurt a single mom that is just trying to make this a better community.
Btw I was mistaken she did not resign , she was fired and investigation closed at that point .
”Anido said that Miro did not mention in the E-mail that she had a child by
the complainant Sebastian Martinez, and was acquainted with Martinez’ ex-wife
Madelyne Virani. Anido said he counseled Miro about the matter.
On September 29, 2009, COE Investigators reviewed Ms. Miro’s City of Miami
personnel file. Ms. Miro was let go on September 11, 2009, and in no longer an
employee of the city of Miami.
CONCLUSION:
Because Ms. Miro is no longer employed as Assistant to the Chief of Staff, this
matter is closed per the Advocate Michael Murawski.”
https://ethics.miamidade.gov/library/closed%20investigations/2009/k_09-101_miro.pdf
Part of a larger plan ?
You are prone to conspiracies .
I call Cuban politicos like Lago the Cosa Nostra , criticize developers / special interest .
I looked her up as had no idea who she was and yes when you are in any political position I do not care if it was years ago , public should know, ESPECIALLY those abuse of power allegations . .
Sad that by simply resigning the investigation came to end , pero eso es tipico de Miami .
If I’m innocent of something I’m not resigning I’m seeing it through .
That is the problem here as it is one flunky vs another flunky .
People act like there is no one else who can replace these politicos .
She did it to herself as far as being fired didn’t seem to take the job that seriously going by her attendance .
I looked up the salary and ranges $43,023 and $70,530 for what looks to be a part time job , you get paid by tax payers you show up .
ALL these career politicos are expendable and countless new candidates can run instead of them .
” A politician is much more than policy , they are also character ”
Very sad, very sad! Obviously some of you understand how this shameful event came about, others have chosen to believe what they have been told……incredible that someone who clearly had some personal interest has taken the time to try to smear the name of a hard working woman who should instead be admired for her behavior while being bullied by the powers at be.
Attendance? Wow! Why was attendance, yes, poor attendance, not a factor when the same people that have now decided to go after her, supported one of the commission candidates and claimed he was the best for the job, irregardless of his poor attendance and his lackluster performance in the same Board? Take the time and watch the videos so you can see his poor performance. Oh, but that didn’t matter when they were trying to pack the Commission!
Let’s face it, if Claudia had favored one of the elected choices, nothing would have happened yesterday! She would not have received bullying texts from the King and the removal letter would not have been sent to her work email. They wanted her out one way or the other and at the end she had to choose between serving the people or protecting her livelihood!
Shame, shame! Let’s hope the developers are happy because the residents are not!
Well Jose and the other haters, it seems the lady hit a nerve. People don’t bring up 20 year old allegations and rip into a woman unless they are part of a larger plan. Withers has withered on the vine and Anderson has sold herself off for a shiny title. Miro should run again.
Aww are we a little cranky because someone we don’t like got appointed? I think it’s time for a nap grandpa…
” Claudia needs to finish college and then get a real job. ”
As you know get on the pay roll of developers , lobbyist in general and you can earn more then a top Surgeon .
=======================================
“There wasn’t a death in the family. She wasn’t in the hospital. She just missed the meetings. Actions speak louder than words,” Anderson said. “I had a talk with her. She expressed how she really wanted to serve, how she would improve her attendance, and she didn’t. She chose to still miss meetings. She didn’t clean up her act.”
If her statement is true then she did what had to be done . Person gets ONE warning but if ignored after that they want to be fired .
================================
Is this the same woman ? ——
”OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSION ON ETHICS & PUBLIC TRUST REPORT ”
‘This matter was predicated upon the receipt of information from the Miami Dade County State Attorney Office. The complainant Mr. Sebastian Martinez alleged that the Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the City of Miami City Manager Office Claudia Miro had exploited her official position by using the City of Miami e-mail system to falsely report the Mr. Martinez had kidnapped his children. ‘
Mr. Martinez stated that Ms. Miro assisted his ex-wife Madelyne Virani in filing false accusations of child abduction against him using City Manager’s office and City of Miami Police Department resources. Mr. Martinez said that this was not the first time that Ms. Miro has used her position with the City Manager’s office to influence decisions made by police officers. Ms. Miro allegedly falsely accused Mr. Martinez of domestic violence in October 2007. Mr. Martinez stated that the result of that arrest was his using pretrial intervention services.
Mr. Martinez claimed that Ms. Miro has continuously misused her public office. In 2004, Ms. Miro provided party planning services to Florida State Representative Julio Robaina using her private corporation, Winning Edge Consultants.
Ms. Miro worked for Florida State Representative Julio Robaina from November 2002 through February 2005 as Chief of Staff. Mr. Martinez alleged that Ms. Miro steered catering contracts to her close friend Suzanne Chavez owner of Suzanne Michael Catering ‘
https://ethics.miamidade.gov/library/closed%20investigations/2009/k_09-101_miro.pdf
Claudia Miro is a dope. She worked for the disgraced ex-commissioner Marc Sarnoff. Yup, the Sarnoff dude who is now a lobbyist for LED billboard companies. Claudia needs to finish college and then get a real job.
All these Gables hangers-on should adhere to this well-worn phrase: “Stage Left!”
The little lady works, is young ,and is employed in a company that runs an innovative and democratic service to the Miami-Dade County community. We know wherefore we speak, we were employed as a driver in the Kendall-Cat !
Ay Ladrita, either you are being played, or you and your Malas Lenguas are part of the orchestra. Moreover, Miro was a terrible board member, with poor attendance, Your story omits all the backdoor, out of the sunshine, machinations that took place to try to stack this board by the anti-development tribe, namely the appointees of Fernandez, and Castro and their puppeteers, one of whom, Kawalerski, sits on the board. They should all be careful. Their violations of the Sunshine Law are good reason to have them expelled, as well. It’s disingenuous that they all campaigned against “corruption” and for transparency and now partake in the same shenanigans that they railed against.
As it stands now, the board is fairly well structured. To anyone who is paying attention, Withers is no pushover for developers as his voting record proves out. Even though he was blessed by the anti-development tribe, Salman is a seasoned architect and I expect that he will use his knowledge and expertise to call things down the middle. The long winded Professor Pardo is part of the tribe. These meetings will be long . I will be buying extra popcorn
There should be records establishing Ms. Miro’s attendance and documenting excused absences. You can’t do a good job if you miss meetings. That said, Ms. Anderson certainly could have handled it better. Ms. Anderson should be working for the residents’ best interests; instead, however, it appears like she’s doing for residents what the Kool-Aid did for Jonestown. This will be a campaign issue in 2025, so she’ll have to explain herself to voters eventually. If las malas lenguas are correct, our elected officials didn’t get the memo with the results of the last election.
Chip Withers? That’s a name from another era. Where is Ralph Cabrera when you need him?
Follow The CORRUPTION $$$$$$$$$$$?
The developer bought slime oozes out of all the cracks in Coral Gables. Withers and Salman are their lap dogs and Lago is holding the leashes.
Shouldn’t there be some type of time limit on board membership? Those two and several other “perennial lap dogs” have been around far too long.
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