Thomas Wells, a candidate for the Coral Gables City Commission Group III seat, addressed residents during a virtual forum hosted by Gables Neighbors United on April 16, less than a week before his runoff election against Richard Lara.

The forum, billed as a “Meet and Ask” session, was held via Zoom and drew about 30 participants. Gables Neighbors United, a resident-led political action committee that has endorsed Wells, organized the event and promoted his campaign as free from special interest influence.

“He has not accepted a dime in campaign donations from any developer or special interest group,” the group stated in its event advertisement—a claim supported by a review of Wells’ campaign finance filings.

Wells, an attorney with a private practice in Coral Gables, opened the session by encouraging civic participation. “It’s not just my fight; it’s everyone’s fight,” he said. “This is so residents maintain control of Coral Gables.”

During the hour-long session, Wells answered a broad range of questions, including a rapid-fire round covering some of the most debated topics in the city:

• City Manager: Wells said he supports conducting an independent search process for future vacancies in the city manager role but expressed no intention to replace current City Manager Alberto Parjus.
• Little Gables Annexation: When asked about his position on the annexation, Wells responded emphatically, “Hell no,” repeating the phrase for emphasis.
• Taxes: Wells supports maintaining the city’s current millage rate, which he noted is the fourth lowest in Miami-Dade County.
• Commission Pay Raises: While Wells said he would not vote to rescind the raises passed in 2023, he criticized how they were implemented and said such decisions should be made by residents. He added that the current salaries are now more consistent with those in similar municipalities.
• Overdevelopment: Wells said he opposes granting exceptions or variances to the city’s zoning code, describing a recent conversation with a property owner who sought an exemption because a neighbor had received one. “At some point we have to draw the line,” Wells said. “I’m sorry about that, but I’m going to draw a line for the next four years.”

Wells also addressed political endorsements, stating that he had not sought the backing of current commissioners Ariel Fernandez, Melissa Castro, or Kirk Menendez, who vacated the Group III seat to run for mayor. He added that he believed elected officials should not participate in endorsements, calling out Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson by name. “They should have sat on the sidelines,” he said.

Restoring decorum to City Commission meetings was also a central theme. Wells said he would support adherence to Robert’s Rules of Order—already codified in city regulations—as a way to improve the tone of discussions on the dais, which he said had become increasingly combative over the past two years.

On economic development, Wells was candid when asked how he would address the vacancies on Miracle Mile.

“I don’t have a plan to have those spaces occupied,” he said, though he committed to studying the issue. He added that he favored a mix of shops and restaurants on the corridor, expressing concern that an overconcentration of “world-class” dining and luxury retail was neither productive nor sustainable.

In response to a question about educational improvements for families, Wells said he would need to study the issue before proposing action and expressed reluctance to commit city funds. “I don’t want to invest money only for the school board to use it elsewhere,” he said, referencing concerns that local funding could be diverted to other municipalities.

The meeting, while focused on policy and serious issues, included lighter moments. When asked how he would address the city’s peacock nuisance, Wells jokingly suggested the city might check their passports—a reference to Coral Gables’ recent 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which allows local police to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions.

Asked whether he had safety concerns given recent threats and harassment of public officials, Wells again turned to humor. “I have cameras all over the house,” he said, adding that he parks in the garage while his wife parks outside, “more in the line of any potential attackers.”

The runoff election between Wells and Lara will be held Tuesday, April 22. Early voting is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, at the Coral Gables Branch Library.