By the Coral Gables Gazette editorial board

Mayor Vince Lago’s fifth State of the City address was meant to project continuity, confidence, and civic pride. And in many ways, it did. But the words he chose—and those he didn’t—tell a revealing story about what matters most to the mayor and where his blind spots may lie.

Lago invoked the word “city” more than any other term, reinforcing a technocratic focus on process, infrastructure, and institutional delivery. Close behind came “leadership,” “community,” “coral,” and “business.” These are all reassuring terms, and in the abstract, they suggest stability and shared progress. But the emphasis was not evenly distributed. “Business” and “leadership” far outweighed words like “schools,” “students,” “climate,” or even “neighborhoods.”

The mayor opened with praise for the Chamber of Commerce and returned to themes of economic development throughout his remarks. From permitting reform to the reestablishment of a Business Improvement District, downtown revitalization remains central to his agenda. He highlighted strong relationships with commercial property owners and made repeated appeals to “partnership,” “innovation,” and “results.” There was even a detailed section on legacy infrastructure and water main upgrades—critical, if unglamorous, city services.

To an audience of business leaders, it was no surprise that the mayor linked civic success so consistently to private enterprise. But even in that context, the imbalance stood out. He praised the city’s triple-A bond rating, touted progress on long-term capital projects, and described Coral Gables as a “globally recognized destination for enterprise.” These are not just talking points. They reflect a governing philosophy in which public purpose is often aligned with, or measured by, commercial success.

That’s not inherently wrong. But it’s incomplete.

Missing from the mayor’s remarks were urgent terms that speak to the broader human experience of life in Coral Gables today. There was little mention of housing affordability, despite a rise in both rents and home prices. Education and public schools were almost entirely absent—curious in a city where many young families base decisions around school quality. Seniors, children, and working families appeared rarely if at all. The word “parks” made a minor appearance, but there was no robust discussion of green space, tree canopy loss or environmental sustainability.

Equally notable was the absence of more complicated civic realities. The mayor did not address recent tension on the Commission or acknowledge the polarized mood that has sometimes surfaced in public comment and recent elections. To the extent that challenges were mentioned, they were framed in terms of technical fixes—modernization, digitization, concierge-level service. These are important goals, but they don’t replace deeper civic dialogue.

And yet, in his call for residents to support the upcoming April 2026 special election, the mayor made clear that big decisions lie ahead. It’s essential that these issues be debated with candor, inclusiveness, and an eye toward unintended consequences.

The mayor is right to be proud of the city’s achievements. Under his watch, Coral Gables has maintained fiscal discipline, delivered key capital projects, and stayed ahead of the curve on many operational fronts. The tone of the address was upbeat, even celebratory—perhaps deliberately so. It leaned heavily into themes of gratitude, honoring past leaders, and thanking staff for their service.

But governing is about more than performance metrics. It’s about priorities. And in a city as diverse, dynamic, and complex as Coral Gables, priorities should include a broader spectrum of lived experiences.

Words matter. They reveal not only what we value but what we are willing to overlook. In the mayor’s own words, the city is “moving forward”—but to where, and for whom?

As Coral Gables prepares to debate next year’s ballot measures, and as commissioners weigh competing visions of the future, we hope to see a wider conversation. One that includes not only business owners and bondholders, but also renters, parents, students, environmental advocates, and longtime residents who want their neighborhoods to thrive.

Leadership means listening, not just delivering. And community means all of us.