When Coral Gables City Manager Amos Rojas took the job last year amid the controversy after the firing of Peter Iglesias, he said he would only want to do it for a year.
Time’s up.
Rojas sent a note to his staff shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday explaining that he would resign, effective Feb. 28.
“Dear Coral Gables Team Members,
On February 27, 2024, I had the privilege of being appointed as your City Manager. At that time, I made a commitment to remain with the city for one year. As the one-year mark approaches it is with a mix of pride and a heavy heart that I announce my decision to step down effective February 28, 2025. My tenure, though brief, will forever remain one of the highlights of my career. I will be stepping back into retirement and am looking forward to spending more time with my family.
Over the past year, I have been privileged to work alongside a remarkable team of dedicated public servants whose expertise, and passion are the foundation of our city’s success. Of all that we have achieved, I am proudest of the team we have built—a group of individuals whose commitment to excellence embodies the innovative spirit of Coral Gables. I have gained a greater understanding and respect for the work of municipal officials.
This decision was not an easy one but after much thought and reflection, I am confident it is the right step for me and my family. While my time here is ending, my belief in the future of Coral Gables remains steadfast.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the City Beautiful and to have played a small part in its continued growth and success. Thanks to all our team members for your support, collaboration, and dedication.
With Gratitude,
Amos”
Sources say that Rojas has suggested Assistant City Manager Albert Parjus step in as his replacement. But Ladra fully expects Mayor Vince Lago to, again, recommend an expensive national search.
It hasn’t been an easy year for Rojas, who has had to battle with the mayor since Day 1. Lago, who was also against the firing of Iglesias, did not agree with his appointment and continued to disparage him as unqualified throughout the entire year.
Read related: Coral Gables skips search, hires new city manager Amos Rojas on the spot
To be sure, the appointment wasn’t ideal. The commission named Rojas, a former U.S. Marshal and special agent at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, on the spot at a regular commission meeting, leading some to speculate that the Sunshine Law was violated. But that isn’t necessarily true. Just a symptom of the commission dynamics.
Commissioner Ariel Fernandez nominated Rojas — who he said approached him about the job — and Commissioners Melissa Castro and Kirk Menendez, who were both sick of the mayor’s theatrical antics, might have just felt it was a good fit. It was also after a previous attempt to name Miami International Airport Director Ralph Cutié was sabotaged by Mayor Lago. The three commissioners who voted for Rojas felt his law enforcement background would help with the corruption and favoritism that they felt was enveloping the city.
Did he do that? Ladra doesn’t think so.
Lago never accepted Rojas, criticized him every chance he got, and there was even a near scuffle in a conference room that was investigated by police. No cause for criminal charges were found, but that’s only because both Rojas and Parjus said that they didn’t really think the mayor was going to hit the manager, after all. I mean, who would?
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago attacs colleagues, manager in citywide email
While L’Ego — who looked last year like he was using steroids — did throw off his jacket, throw it on the floor, roll up his sleeves and got into a fighting stance, investigators could not make a case that an actual threat had taken place.
But we never got a clear explanation of what the fight was about. Sources say it was about an Art in Public Places project that the mayor wanted to get approved without going through the right process.
Coral Gables City Manager Amos Rojas resigns, leaves next month after one year added by Ladra on
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The cost of living has risen, since we were sophomores at Gables , but shenanigans have gone overboard at City Hall .The insider land deal at Greco Ave is fresh on our minds.We ask , ? How long will smart Gables residents tolerate it ? . The City Commission , traditionally is not a profit making private enterprise . It has been entrusted to well known , self sufficient , residents active in civic circles. Something like journalists whose publications are recognizes and receive social acclaim. The cutthroat politics isn’t the City Commission’s main dish .
Ladra, If you could be more balanced and go after the Liberals who waste our money, you would be more believable.
The mess at City Hall starts with the Mayor. Shady business dealings, developer funded PAC advertising lies, threats, attacks on city manager, attacks on commissioner’s family for Christ’s sake! Lago brought Miami mob style tactics with him, and now he needs to go and let a real leader take over.
The day is young and months before the election. L’Ego will be shown for who he is. Give it a minute.
This was predictable and obviously the corruption never materialized. Those who voted themselves a pay raise and ridiculous $800 car allowance are in their way out. Let the Voters decide as they have done at the County. We need qualified business folks that have other work and are dedicated to public service for the right reasons.
Coral Gables the little darling of Miami-Dade is a mess. The incompetence is massive.
It starts with the Mayor and all of the Commissioners. As for the Administration, it is even worse.
You have a bafoon in the City Manager and even more so in some of the Directors/Managers/Supervisors.
City Beautiful needs cleaning let’s start by getting rid of the Police Chief, HR Director, Finance Director, Budget, Procurement, Public Works, etc.
I am so glad he’s out and hopefully the 3 commissioners will soon follow. I have been a resident of Coral Gables now for 20 years. We’ve had wonderful mayor like Don Sleznick and awful ones like Valdez-Fauli and the other guy whose only claim to fame is that he had been head of the “Cuba Desk” for some administration or another.
1. Say what you will, but Vince Lago really cares about Coral Gables, responds promptly to emails, takes action, solves problems, and is absolutely great to deal with.
2. I had many occasions to interact with Peter Iglesias and he was great: always responded, took action, resolved problems and always had a sunny disposition (at least with me)
3. Amos Rojas was a horrible city manager, for him to respond to an email took more than 3 or 4 emails clearly explaining what the problem was and he never ever took any action or resolved any problems.
4. The three city commissioners are a joke.
5. Melissa Castro has never, ever responded to an email, a request for a meeting, resolved any problems, or taking any actions. She is just a speed bump… but voted herself a 105% salary increase.
6. Kirk Menendez is also a speed bump. He does literally nothing. The only time when he has responded to any written communications is when I told Ariel Fernandez that all 3 of them were obstacles on the way, never doing anything. Then I got a lukewarm note from Menendez saying he was glad Ariel responded and half-heartedly saying would you like to meet.
7. Ariel Fernandez was the only commissioner who responded to my complaint, as a city resident, about the multi-million dollar bond that the city had floated. I went to meet him and his explanation was so illogical, incoherent and meandering that I left knowing even less than when I came in.
It’s time for all of them to leave.
Hopefully the customary process for hiring a new city manager is followed. We residents deserve that. It may be “expensive,” but it is the best way to find the best available fit. If Mr. Parjus wants the job, he should apply like anyone else should have to apply. That is fair and allows an open and transparent process residents can support. To repeat what happened with Mr. Rojas’ hiring will make things worse. Most residents are probably tired of the division and those fomenting it. It hurts us all.
Lagos needs to GO AWAY! He does not have the temperament to be a street sweeper much less a mayor. His arrogance and continuous play-for-pay attitude is shameful and corrupts our city and our democracy. The City Beautiful deserves better, much much much better!
Shame on the three Musketeers who wasted $300K on a one year reign. That duration limit was never discussed at meeting those three appointed him!
Let’s hope we now take a more professional approach to selection of a new City Manager, who likely will be an outsider! Who wants someone from Hialeah or Sweetwater?
… lago lied about about amos since day 1… that the commission acted improperly (no)… that amos knows nothing (no)… that a national search always happens (no)… that amos politicized lago’s threats (no, no, no, it was lago that LOST his cool!)… yearning the moment soon when lago will leave… we need a professional mayor for the people… not an unethical hot head from sweetwater….
Good. He should have never gotten the job. About time he resigned. Hopefully he will not get a pension. Bad enough he’s been paid 300k…