Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli disrespects and insults residents — again

Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli disrespects and insults residents — again
  • Sumo

Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli got up on the wrong side of the bed again.

Valdes-Fauli , whose arrogance and discourtesy drips in acrimony, was particularly rude and ungracious Tuesday at the Coral Gables meeting to discuss the zoning code update (read: rewrite). More so than usual.

It all started when someone reminded him how rude he was at the first reading, where he went on a tirade and then stormed out, never to return and listen to the constituents concerns and comments.

“No one, no one objected to the mayor’s infantile behavior,” said Leon Kellner, who was fed up with the “utter disdain city government has shown the residents.”

He accused city staffers and commissioners alike of mischaracterizing the process with terms like “modernizing, updating and streamlining,” when it was a “wholesale rewrite.”

And particularly Commissioner Pat Keon of “continuing the lie.

“This is the same person who wants our vote as mayor.”

Read related: Coral Gables Commission oks zoning shift for Crafts Section, not Miracle Mile

Valdes-Fauli tried to cut him off.

“I am not done,” Kellner yelled.

“You are limited to three minutes,” Valdes-Fauli said.

But he wasn’t that strict or mean with those who supported the zoning changes. And he also didn’t mind hearing from them over and over again while he chided the opponents — including multiple commission candidates — who had spoken at every community meeting.

Or was he trying, and failing, to prove that there had, indeed, been 28 of them?

Next he cut off Sue Kawalerski, president of the Riviera Neighborhood Association and the Gables Neighbors United, who apologized to Kellner for the “abuse” by the mayor and then reiterated how the post-pandemic process for public input was flawed and inadequate.

“The proposal was presented as a fait accompli, to the surprise of residents,” she said, adding that the city should open the debate up and not make any final decisions until after the new commissioners are elected in April.

“Sixty-eight people have spoken,” Valdes-Fauli told her, though Ladra thinks it’s much more than that. “And this is the fourth time you’ve spoken. If that’s not public participation, I don’t know what is.”

Read related: What’s the rush? Residents urge Coral Gables leaders to listen, slow upzoning

But when Brooks Miller, an attorney who had not yet commented, said he felt the arguments were disingenuous, the city had failed to communicate with residents and that the changes were “gifts to developers,” Valdes-Fauli snapped at him for not having appeared before.

“This has been going on for three years. Where have you been?”

O te peinas, o te haces papelillos, Alcalde. Make up your mind.

The faces on some of the zoom screens were priceless. So was every chug that perennial candidate Rip Holmes took from his jug of prune juice. Mayra Joli, one of the commission candidates, had another dramatic breakdown. Valdes-Fauli suggested she check her blood pressure.

Veteran Gables activist Maria Cruz started to give the dates of the meetings and the people who attended — who are not residents — and the mayor interrupted her. “You’re interrupting me,” she told him. “Yes, I am,” he said.

Later she told Ladra that she is used to it.

“I learned from the master. He interrupts me so I’m going to interrupt him.”

She was disappointed none of the commissioners intervened. “I don’t understand why they don’t put their foot down and say ‘Stop. There’s no reason whatsoever to talk that way,” Cruz told Ladra. “I would like to see the commission say something or censure him.”

Yeah, well, don’t hold your breath.

11 Responses to "Coral Gables Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli disrespects and insults residents — again"

  1. There must be two Raul Valdes-Fauli in the city of Coral Gables. The one that I know and have for many years is a gentleman. I have spoken in front of the city dais on many occasions and not always in agreement with the Mayor. He always treated me with respect, affability and allowed me the time to speak. I will miss “mi alcalde”.

    I worked on his first campaign, and proud to have worked on his last, and the rest in between.

  2. Let’s face it, the Mayor is a jerk; the Commissioners are a joke; the city beautiful needs consensus minded políticos rather than Drama Queens and bullfighter Mayors; but most important, a little bit of humility toppled with respect and dignity will be most welcomed.

  3. Concrete canyons, rude politicians … just two of the reasons I moved to Coral Gables 20 years ago.

  4. The Valdez-Fauli pox cannot be exorcized from this City fast enough.
    This is the exact same performance he gave as he was trying to shove the white elephant of the city hall annex project down the citizens throats years ago.
    It amazed me that he was able to get reelected.
    How quickly people forget.

  5. ” Why no story from you, Ladra, about the Commission’s caving to the Governor’s illegal assault on Home Rule by blocking collection of mask fines?”

    I think they can not due to the Governor saying the state could / would not enforce the mask mandate ?

    If the Governor refuses even Mayors can not over ride him so nothing anyone can do.

    Both my sisters live in 2 diff areas of Ca and few wear the masks , though in theory it is mandated it is not enforced .

    Interestingly enough Miami probably has more people wearing masks in public then most places .

  6. Wow this guy Jose has no problem with calling it like it is but most rather not see it .
    What a breath of fresh air he is , lol and think he had only been in Miami 3 years or so at that time yet he immediately saw the insanity in Miami when he moved here .

    ‘—————————————————————

    https://www.politicalcortadito.com/2017/04/12/raul-valdes-fauli-wins-seat-back-in-close-coral-gables-race/

    Jose says:
    April 12, 2017 at 6:07 pm
    ” the city beautiful could be sold out to the highest bidder. ”

    That pretty much sums up the Cuban politicos all through Miami .

    Reply
    Time to move? says:
    April 12, 2017 at 10:02 am
    Traffic? Over development? Greed? Raul Valdes-Fauli and his supporters ran a disgraceful campaign.

    Reply
    Jose says:
    April 12, 2017 at 6:23 pm
    Vote for me porque soy cubano sadly works .

    I am the only one in my large Miami Cuban extended family who see’s through this con job .

    The older members don’t want to hear it .

    It bothers me an assembly line of self serving, inept and/or corrupt politicos use this to stay in power REGARDLESS of party but it is what it is, lol

  7. FYI. I was drinking apple juice.

    People need to try to carefully study the enemy here — how developer money has beaten the voters in taking control of Coral Gables — destroying both democracy and our City at the same time.

    Pulitzer Prize Ms DeValle, I BEG YOU to help us with an article on this.

    Sincerely,

    Jackson Rip Holmes

  8. The pressure is on! Coral Gables blood pressure is high! Yes, we did check our blood pressure! Mayor Valdez-Fauli-Mouth should check his too… is very very low… that is why he can’t stand up to developers and put the residents first!

  9. Coral Gables government meetings are becoming more interesting than SNL. Cannot wait for the drama to come when “Attorney” Mayra Joli takes over as mayor. Lol

  10. Why no story from you, Ladra, about the Commission’s caving to the Governor’s illegal assault on Home Rule by blocking collection of mask fines?

    That’s the Commission causing loss of life—far more important than zoning.

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