Well that apparently did not last long. Are contention and confrontation just how things are going to be with the Coral Gables City Commission?

Just 24 hours after the new commission took the oath of office and pledged unity, civility and a fresh start, Mayor Vince Lago allegedly confronting Commissioner Melissa Castro at a public event has exposed the reality behind those high-minded words. What should have been a moment of reconciliation quickly turned into another bitter clash, raising questions about whether the promises of a new era were simply empty rhetoric.

At the April 25 swearing-in ceremony, Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, and newly sworn-in Commissioner Richard Lara all spoke of working together for the good of the city, emphasizing transparency, integrity, and respect. “Let’s move forward not as factions, but as neighbors,” Lara said. Castro expressed hope for a new era of civility despite their rocky past, and Lago, fresh off his resounding mayoral victory, spoke of leading Coral Gables into a new chapter. Yet less than 24 hours later, Castro alleged that the mayor accosted her publicly, calling her “bad news,” a “venomous snake,” and “classless” in front of her son and several witnesses at the El Carnaval de Barranquilla festival. While these claims remain unverified, the incident suggests that the new truce amongst commissioners might have been an aberration.

It’s hard to ignore that the so-called unity at the swearing-in ceremony could have been little more than a performance. The past two years have been fraught with political infighting, heated clashes, and a commission divided by strong ideological differences. From contentious votes to public spats, the relationship between Mayor Lago and Commissioner Castro has rarely been one of cooperation. So, the question now becomes: Will the combative style of governance continue?

The fact is, the tone of the commission, historically and especially in the past two years, has been defined by contention and confrontation. The mayor’s behavior—if Castro’s claims are proven true—would be a clear example of this return to the old ways of governance, rather than the fresh start voters were promised. Mayor Lago is the face of Coral Gables, and it’s his actions and leadership style that will set the tone for the city.

At what point does politics take a backseat to governance? If the mayor continues down a path of personal attacks, retaliation and divisiveness, the promises of cooperation and civility will ring hollow. What happened just a scant 24 hours after the swearing-in may be a harbinger of more contention to come—another chapter in a political saga that many hoped had come to a close.

As the mayor’s third (and possibly last) term progresses, Lago should consider how he will be remembered. Will Lago’s legacy be one of progress, built on persuasion, respect, and compromise? Or will history remember him for his willingness to engage in petty political battles at the expense of the city’s residents? Lago must decide whether he wants to be seen as the leader who brought Coral Gables together or the one who kept it divided.

Castro’s story, though as yet uncorroborated, is plausible in the context of the mayor’s previous confrontations with political foes. The mayor’s silence on the matter is deafening. By refusing to comment on the allegations, Lago risks further damage to his own credibility, and to that of the commission and the city. The investigation is ongoing, but the time has come for the mayor to publicly address the accusations and demonstrate whether he is committed to the unity he promised.

For the people of Coral Gables, the question now is whether their elected officials will put aside politics and focus on governing. If the recent incident is any indication, it seems the old habits may die hard.