In Coral Gables election, only a sweep will change the course

In Coral Gables election, only a sweep will change the course
  • Sumo

In the Coral Gables election today, voters are choosing between hitting the gas or election2017putting the brakes on what many have called a recent drive to redevelop much of Coral Gables — going higher and wider and bigger.

And not just in the mayoral contest between Commissioner Jeannett Slesnick, the sole dissenting voice in every single one of the oversized projects recently approved in the City Beautiful, and former Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, who was booted from office in 2001 because he wanted to build a mega City Hall annex building and close Biltmore Way and has been endorsed by the pro development forces.

Read relatred story: Coral Gables mayoral race takes a nasty, ethnic turn

Certainly overdevelopment — or, at the very least, zoning and land use variances that allow higher buildings with more density and less setbacks — has become the biggest issue of this campaign cycle, overshadowing all the rest, even public safety. Every race has been painted with this brush. The Riviera Neighborhood Association, which feels betrayed by the Paseo project approval despite their repeated objections, have gone so far as to recruit candidates in two commission seats.

Because it’s not enough to replace the mayor with someone less willing to bend the city code for developers. If Slesnick wins, but Mike Mena or Commissioner Pat Keon win their respective commission races, she will still be the lone dissenter on many of those votes. If former Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers, who is running against Keon, and anyone else in the other group win but Valdes-Faui gets his seat back, the same thing will happen, gablestriobecause Valdes-Fauli will likelyl join Commissioners Vince Lago and Frank Quesada to create a three-vote majority that will basically allow them to redevelop anything they want.

That’s why it is important for voters to elect a clean sweep Tuesday.

Just like they did in 2001, when they elected a new mayor (coincidentally, Slesnick’s husband) and two new commissioners to stop the City Hall annex and reopen Biltmore Way, voters today must elect Jeannett Slesnick, Withers and either Merlin Ebbert or Randy Hoff to stop the railroading that they have seen from developers.

Read related story: Hoff, Mena stand out in 4-way Gables commission race

This is why the group Gables Neighbors United (which is pretty much the Riviera folks) have endorsed Slesnick, Withers and Ebbert. They’ve come up with a nifty little acronym to help people remember: SEW.

Ladra has made it clear that she supports Slesnick, for the aforementioned reasons and also because the negativity of the Valdes-Fauli campaign should not be rewarded. I’m also hoping that Withers wins, even though he has hardly campaigned, for the aformentioned reason — and maybe also because Keon is supremely arrogant and is only going to be worse if she wins this.

And we’d be happy with Ebbert but we prefer Randy Hoff for that commission seat because, in addition to the fact that Ladra still loves her first responders and that he’s earned it through years of service with the police department, he can give us a good handle on employee issues. It’s good to see an employee on the dais. Especially in Coral Gables, where city employees are part of the fabric. Still, there’s likely to be a runoff in this race. But the anti-development forces win on Tuesday if the runoff is between these two.

Either way, voters need to carefully consider each race, not just one, if theyt really want this election to make a difference at all.

7 Responses to "In Coral Gables election, only a sweep will change the course"

  1. Looks like the Riviera Neighborhood Association’s bark was much greater than their bite.

  2. LAGO IS THE BEST COMMISSIONER THE CITY HAS EVER SEEN !
    He stands up for what is right and gets things done !
    It’s a hard job to have and let me tell you he does it with grace, dignity, honesty, transparency and dedication. What ever happend to respecting those that serve our community and do it with all their heart.

  3. I’m voting for Slesnick, Mena, & Withers!

    They are the most conservative candidates on the ballot, Valdes-fauli is an embarrassment to the Cuban-American community & a Castro apologist who visited the island as part of Obama’s opening of an embassy in the six-decade dictatorship.

  4. Ladra:
    The anonymous voter said: “Lago got rid of Pat Salerno”
    The truth is: It takes more than Lago’s vote to remove the City Manager. Without a majotlrity vote of the Coral Gables Commission, Lago would have been unable to “get rid” of the City Manager.

    The anonymous voter said: Lago supports our current police chief Ed Hudak.
    The truth is: He is not the only commissioner that supports Police Chief Ed Hudak.

    The anonymous voter said: “Lago made it possible to get free solar energy permits in CG”
    The truth is: He was not the only one who advocated for this. .

    The anonymous voter said: “Lago got the county to allow us to reduce speed in residential neighborhoods to 25mph”

    The truth is: The were others to whom we must give credit for the 25 MPH speed zone.
    And now, we need police officers to enforce this law. Otherwise, we will still face this concern.

    The anonymous voter said: “Lago has gone against his own industry to limit construction on weekends to protect neighborhoods”

    The truth is: “Limit construction on weekends” but votes in favor of development that ruins the quality of residential neighborhoods that have made Coral Gables great.
    “His own industry”… When it come to Coral Gables city business, Lago’s only industry must be the Coral Gables City Commission business, to which, he swore under oath to serve. If there is any perception of a conflict of interest on any matter before the commission as it relates to any incumbent public servant, said public servant must recuse himself/herself from voting or taking any action on such a matter.

    The anonymous voter said: “Lago questions the city administration if something is off he does not drink the Kool-Aid”

    The Truth is: He is not the only Commissioner that questions City Administration

    Ladra: I know that you are certainly not going to drink this voter’ Kool-Aid.
    I know I’m not.

  5. Ladra:
    Looks like this voter did drink the Lago the Kool-Aid.
    It appears that this voter did not check Lago’s voting record on big development in Coral Gables.

    It would be nice if the voter, who so vehemently defends, Lago would step out of anonymity and provide his/her name.

    Voter:

    I’m Skip Miller … what’s your name?

  6. Lago decimates the Gables? Are you kidding me!?

    Lago got rid of Pat Salerno.

    Lago supports our current police chief Ed Hudak.

    Lago made it possible to get free solar energy permits in CG.

    Lago got the county to allow us to reduce speed in residential neighborhoods to 25mph.

    Lago has gone against his own industry to limit construction on weekends to protect neighborhoods.

    Lago questions the city administration of something is off he does not drink the Kool-Aid.

    Lago ALWAYS returns EVERY email and PHONE CALL.

    If Mike Mena is going to be like Lago, SIGN ME UP!

  7. Listen to Ladra.
    When Sergio Pino contributes to any candidate’s campaign it’s not because he is benevolent benefactor.
    The coalition of Valdes-Fauli, Quesada, Lago, and Mena (if elected) will certainly perpetuate the influence of Big Developers in Coral Gables. It will pave the way for large development to ruin our quaint neighborhoods of Coral Gables. Take lots of pictures and videos of what remains of Coral Gables, before Valdes-Fauli, Quesada,
    Lago and Mena decimate the Gables.
    It’s Election Day 04-11-2017, in Coral Gables.
    If you haven’t voted yet, think before you vote.

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