New Coral Gables commission faces first development test

New Coral Gables commission faces first development test

Laughable traffic study should be thrown out Anti-development activists against recent upzoning in Coral Gables lost in last month’s elections when every single one of their candidates got beat in their respective races, including former Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick who lost the mayoral bid to former Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli by 187 votes. Now, they may lose […]

Michael Grieco hits $500K, with help from real estate investor

Michael Grieco hits $500K, with help from real estate investor

Even before the next campaign report is due next week, Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco passed the half million dollar mark in his quest to become the city’s next mayor. Last month’s campaign finance report shows $41,575 brought in April for a total warchest of $500,942. But almost 10 percent of that comes from a real […]

The Cortadito Calendar for Memorial Day week

The Cortadito Calendar for Memorial Day week

Did you have a nice, loooong weekend? Well, just because it’s a shorter week doesn’t meant there’s not a lot going on. The cities of Miami and Coral Gables have some controversial items this week sure to pack their respective city halls while South Miami has a dejavu on affordable housing and the county has another […]

Coral Gables cover-up on police ‘spy’ protects managers

Coral Gables cover-up on police ‘spy’ protects managers

Why would Coral Gables administrators go against their own police chief’s recommendation to terminate a major who spied on a resident during a commission meeting — taking a picture of the woman’s text messages and then arguing with her — and try to sweep the whole thing under the rug and let the officer retire […]

Coral Gables residents get mail questioning their safety

Coral Gables residents get mail questioning their safety

Controversial use of security guards under fire The election is over, but Coral Gables residents still got a scary, campaign-style flyer in their mailboxes this week that questions the city’s decision to hire security guards to fill the gap of police shortages in the City Beautiful. “Public safety alert! Your families safety is at stake,” is […]

Few hopefuls line up to replace Jose Felix Diaz in 116

Few hopefuls line up to replace Jose Felix Diaz in 116

The Senate seat in District 40 isn’t the only special election seat on the summer ballot. Voters in House District 116 will also pick a replacement for State Rep. Jose Felix “Pepi” Diaz, who resigned last seek to run for Senate to replace Frank Artiles, his BFF and roommate, who resigned last month after a racist and […]

City uses legal muscle to gag Coral Gables activist

City uses legal muscle to gag Coral Gables activist

The city of Coral Gables wants to silence a North Gables activist who asks too many questions, so it sent him a threatening “cease and desist” letter from an attorney who used to be a county judge. Oh, and it cost taxpayers $5,000. Ariel Fernandez, a vocal North Gables resident who ran for office two […]

Don’t ask, don’t tell! Coral Gables policy is golden silence

Don’t ask, don’t tell! Coral Gables policy is golden silence

Shhhhh. The city of Coral Gables wants you to shut up. If you’re a pesky citizen who asks too many questions, like North Gables activist and onetime commission candidate Ariel Fernandez, you get a weak ‘cease and desist’ letter from a fancy outside attorney (more on that later). If you’re an employee of the City […]

Cynthia Stafford among electeds behind likely replacement

Cynthia Stafford among electeds behind likely replacement

Cedric McMinn kicks campaign off with a bang of backing Longtime Democrat activist Cedric McMinn, chief of staff for Miami-Dade School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, is running for state rep to replace Rep. Cynthia Stafford, who is termed out next year. And he’s got Stafford’s blessing. Stafford is one of the many heavyweight hosts for McMinn’s […]