RIP: Jeannett Slesnick, former Coral Gables First Lady, commissioner

RIP: Jeannett Slesnick, former Coral Gables First Lady, commissioner

Former Coral Gables Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick, a class act who was involved in many civic organizations and served as First Lady of the City Beautiful for 10 years, died Thursday evening after a long battle with cancer. She was 75. Slesnick, wife of former Mayor Don Slesnick (2001-2010), was first diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014 […]

Coral Gables manager Peter Iglesias beats ouster attempt by commissioner

Coral Gables manager Peter Iglesias beats ouster attempt by commissioner

Coral Gables City Manager Peter Iglesias will live to see another day at City Hall. Iglesias survived an attempt to fire him driven by newly-elected Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who said at Tuesday’s commission meeting that Iglesias was too secretive and rude to residents and was leading the city in the wrong direction. “The residents have […]

New Coral Gables commissioner wants to fire city manager Peter Iglesias

New Coral Gables commissioner wants to fire city manager Peter Iglesias

UPDATED: Well, that didn’t take long. True to his campaign talk, newly-elected Commissioner Ariel Fernandez has moved to dismiss City Manager Peter Iglesias. He has put a discussion on the May 9 commission agenda “regarding the termination of the city manager.” Fernandez, who won with nearly 60% of the vote, has had issues with the […]

New Coral Gables Commissioners Ariel Fernandez, Melissa Castro are sworn in

New Coral Gables Commissioners Ariel Fernandez, Melissa Castro are sworn in

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 […]

In Coral Gables, Melissa Castro wins runoff with huge mandate margin

In Coral Gables, Melissa Castro wins runoff with huge mandate margin

The upset was not a surprise. The margin was. Melissa Castro won the commission runoff race in Coral Gables Tuesday against the better funded, establishment backed Ivette Arango O’Doski by 18 points, 59% to 41%. That’s an even wider margin than the mandate given to Commissioner Elect Ariel Fernandez on April 11. “Residents are tired […]

Residents win in Coral Gables with Ariel Fernandez commission victory

Residents win in Coral Gables with Ariel Fernandez commission victory

Group 4 race heads to runoff between Ivette Arango and Melissa Castro The residents in Coral Gables won Tuesday after longtime activist Ariel Fernandez, publisher of Gables Insider, who ran on a “residents first” platform, was elected in the commission race in Group 5 with a fat, comfy, 16-point margin, 58% to 42%. Mayor Vince […]

Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak calls, pressures voters in commission race

Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak calls, pressures voters in commission race

People can’t believe it. They don’t want to believe it. Ladra has had several people cast doubt on Maria Cruz, who said the police chief called her and urged her not to vote for commission candidate Ariel Fernandez in Group 5. Some suggested that because she supports Fernandez, she would lie for him. Ladra has […]