With the countdown running toward the City of Coral Gables’ first-ever general election in November at little over a month away, the Coral Gables Gazette sent a series of questions to the seven candidates for elected office, giving each an opportunity to address recent decisions, current controversies and what they would seek to accomplish if elected. Four candidates chose to respond, while three did not.
Voters will have another opportunity to hear from the candidates Thursday, Oct. 1, when the Gables Good Government Committee hosts a public candidates forum at the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave. All seven candidates are listed for the event, which begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by candidate presentations and questions from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is required by Wednesday, Sept. 30, through the organization’s website or by calling Committee President Susi Davis at 305-582-5827.
The questions touched on several issues currently facing the city, including the proposed Mobility Hub, development decisions, capital projects and the city’s recent history of hiring and replacing city managers. Candidates were also asked broader questions about what they would consider success two years from now and whether there is an issue on which they disagree with the elected official or political ally most strongly supporting their campaign.
The responses reflected some common themes, particularly concerns about development, infrastructure and the way the city approaches major projects. But the candidates differed on how those issues should be addressed. The Mobility Hub drew particularly different responses, with some candidates supporting the project, others calling for a lower-scale alternative and others saying they are not yet convinced it should proceed. Candidates also offered differing views on when the city should look outside Coral Gables for senior management and how aggressively it should pursue changes to existing projects and policies.
Candidates for the Group V commission seat, Gonzalo Sanabria and Nikki Whiting, both responded. Incumbent Commissioner Melissa Castro also submitted answers, while her challenger for the Group IV seat, Nestor Menendez, did not respond to the Gazette’s questions. In the mayoral race, Mayor Vince Lago and challenger Laurean Cancio did not respond, while Jackson “Rip” Holmes provided answers.
The Gazette emailed the questions to all seven candidates, gave each a maximum of 100 words per response and provided a deadline for submissions. The questions were:
- One commission decision you would reverse.
- One capital project you would stop, change or accelerate.
- Should the city run national searches for manager-level posts?
- Should the Mobility Hub proceed as designed?
- One development decision the city got wrong.
- What does success look like in two years?
- What is one issue on which you disagree with the elected official or political ally who most strongly supports your campaign?
Jackson “Rip” Holmes, candidate for mayor
1. One commission decision you would reverse:
The, in my opinion, criminally illegal, Order to criminally investigate Commissioner Ariel Fernandez.
I believe Mayor Lago knew, when he instigated this criminal investigation, that there was no legal basis for it, which action by Mayor Lago is therefore criminally illegal.
MAYOR LAGO USED HIS ILLEGAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OF COMMISSIONER FERNANDEZ TO INTIMIDATE HIM FROM RUNNING FOR RE ELECTION, AND THEREBY HAS ILLEGALLY STACKED THE COMMISSION, AND PLANS TO KILL CORAL GABLES AS A SUBURB!
I am running to stop Mayor Vince Lago’s Plan to murder Coral Gables as a suburb.
I am related to the Man who made the midnight ride with PAUL REVERE.
2. One capital project you would stop, change or accelerate:
No answer
3. Should the city run national searches for manager-level posts?
It depends on the circumstances.
4. Should the Mobility Hub proceed as designed?
YES! Without adequate parking, Miracle Mile will die!
Anyone who opposes the Mobility Hub does not understand the pernicious penetration of City Hall by Developers, or the SURVIVAL NECESSITY OF PARKING FOR LOW RISE RETAIL ON MIRACLE MILE, or both.
5. One development decision the city got wrong:
The overdevelopment along Dixie Highway. The attempts throughout the City to ReZone, and commercialize, residential areas, like
- The Granada Golf Course and Country Club, and like
- trying to ReZone Ponce de Leon — from Ponce Circle to Bird Road, from single family to Townhomes.
6. What success looks like in two years?
Stopping Lago’s Plan to revolutionarily — with his illegally stacked Commission — essentially murder Coral Gables as a suburb, and transform it into:
A. At best, Brickell Avenue
B. At worst, a midrise — 16 stories — ugly downtown Miami!
7. What is one issue on which you disagree with the elected official or political ally who most strongly supports your campaign?
No answer.
Melissa Castro, incumbent commissioner, Group IV
1. One commission decision you would reverse:
I would reverse the Commission’s decision to change our election date without first asking the voters. I believed it took a fundamental decision away from residents, and I fought to give that voice back. I was even censured after seeking an Attorney General opinion while defending residents’ right to decide. Ultimately, the question went to the voters, where it belonged.
2. One capital project you would stop, change or accelerate:
I would change course on the Mobility Hub and prioritize a thoughtfully revamped War Memorial Youth Center. The Youth Center is a treasured community facility serving generations of Coral Gables families. I would rather prioritize investment in spaces that directly serve our children, families and residents while pursuing lower-scale, practical modernization of our aging downtown garages.
3. Should the city run national searches for manager-level posts?
Yes, particularly when there is sufficient time to conduct a thorough search. For senior leadership positions, Coral Gables should cast the widest possible net through a transparent, competitive process. Strong internal candidates should absolutely be considered, but residents deserve confidence that we compared them with the best available talent before making decisions that can shape the city for years.
4. Should the Mobility Hub proceed as designed?
No. Both Garage 1 and Garage 4 are aging and should be thoughtfully redeveloped at a lower scale that keeps convenient public parking downtown. People want practical parking close to where they are going, not an unnecessarily massive 9 story garage. We can modernize both sites, maintain sufficient parking and better serve our downtown businesses and residents without overbuilding.
5. One development decision the city got wrong:
Crystal Residences and the Garden of Our Lord. I voted against rezoning the property for a nine-story project because I did not believe its scale was compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. When serious allegations later arose regarding testimony presented during the process, I also believed the vote should not proceed until those concerns were fully addressed.
6. What does success look like in two years?
Success means residents can see where their tax dollars are going: repaired sidewalks and streets, fewer potholes, improved drainage, effective traffic calming where warranted, strong police and fire services, and infrastructure maintained before problems become emergencies. It means adequately funding our budget and essential services, responsible development, and addressing the everyday quality-of-life issues residents experience outside their front doors.
7. What is one issue on which you disagree with the elected official or political ally who most strongly supports your campaign?
My Budget/Audit Advisory Board appointee, an accountant whose expertise and service I deeply respect, and I disagree on lowering the millage rate. She believes maintaining the current rate is the more prudent approach. I believe we can responsibly lower the millage while fully funding our budget, maintaining services and addressing infrastructure needs. I value having people around me who challenge my thinking. Respectful disagreement makes for better government.
Gonzalo Sanabria, Group V candidate
1. One commission decision you would reverse:
The one wrong move that did get nullified and properly reconstituted was the ambushed firing of City Manager Peter Iglesias and then hiring unqualified and inexperienced Amos Rojas at a whopping salary of $368,000/yr…thankfully that was reversed in re-hiring Mr. Iglesias back
2. One capital project you would stop, change or accelerate:
When it comes to a “capital project per se” the one segment that was undertaken in MIracle Mile Streetscape that I find basically counter-productive is the elimination of angled parking versus parallel parking as it eliminated two critical things
A) 137 angle parking spaces fronting retail stores were eliminated and valet parking also took valuable parking spots in front of stores both on the south side and north sides of The Mile causing issues to various retail owners and leasing tenants whose clientele lost easier access to their facilities
B) parallel parking is a safety and time consuming hazard affecting traffic flow in a more significant manner than angled parking
3. Should the city run national searches for manager-level posts?
Should there be no qualified in-house current known employee who is familiar and experienced with our system and is capable of assuming the position of City Manager I would then fully support an outside search effort
4. Should the Mobility Hub proceed as designed?
At this time I’m not familiar enough to fully embrace the Mobility Hub concept mainly for two reasons; A) How is The City benefitted mostly directed with revenues or otherwise from spending an estimated $70 Million Dollars? B) The Demolition/Construction Phase is optimistically estimated at 2 years which raises doubts in my mind as to its accuracy and this will mean serious traffic, parking and street shutdowns affecting a number of businesses nearby with potentially big losses in revenues so no…….I’m not convinced yet its a good thing
5. One development decision the city got wrong:
I can’t talk about it at this time beyond what the record shows my recent vote was
6. What success looks like in two years?
Success in two years is threefold
- Bring Immediate Collegiality and Decorum at the Dais with no exceptions and cut down on prolonged monologues so we can expedite City items on a timely manner as it will be a widely welcomed improvement……for example….if there’s a 3 minute limit per speaker on public comments there should also be a 3 minute limit at the Dais which not only do I fully embrace but will adhere to
- Prepare early for the sure to be accepted November 3rd ballot item regarding the 2027 homestead assessments reductions of $150,000 and $250,000 in 2028 as a projected revenue loss to the Gables of $6 MIllion ‘27 and close to $12,000,000 in ‘28
- there’s many untapped potential ideas to truly enhance Coral Gables image and it covers a truly wide range of exciting and do-able possibilities in park’s activities, expanding Arts In PUblic Spaces, Music Venues, Partnering in a more engaging way with neighboring institutions like University of Miami, Coral Gables High School, Ponce Middle School
7. What is one issue on which you disagree with the elected official or political ally who most strongly supports your campaign?
Great Question with a Simple Answer. No elected official has come forth and endorsed my candidacy since they all know I’m an Experienced Independent Thinker and they also know I’m not an Adversary To Logic, rather the contrary as that’s my motto to function “if It Makes Sense and Benefits The City and Residents Count On MY Support”
Nikki Whiting, Group V candidate
Whiting provided her answers in one paragraph, so the Gazette parsed them as best it could.
1. One commission decision you would reverse:
I would have opposed COLA and pension changes that put our reserves at risk
2. One capital project you would stop, change or accelerate:
I would prioritize maintaining assets like Granada Golf Course to the highest standard.
3. Should the city run national searches for manager-level posts?
I value institutional knowledge and believe talented professionals who understand the City Beautiful deserve consideration for leadership roles.
4. Should the Mobility Hub proceed as designed?
I support enhancing our existing infrastructure and ensuring it is safe and accessible for residents and visitors
5. One development decision the city got wrong:
Not answered
6. What does success look like in two years?
Success means respecting different ideas and prioritizing residents.
7. What is one issue on which you disagree with the elected official or political ally who most strongly supports your campaign?
And where do I disagree with my former boss, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen? She prefers CasaCuba. I’m Team Tinta y Café.
