When Coral Gables voters head to the polls on April 22 for the runoff election between Richard Lara and Tom Wells, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the city’s political future. Beyond the battle for Commission Group III, this race represents a critical moment in the balance of power on the five-member Coral Gables Commission—an outcome that could define the direction of the city for years to come.
At stake is a shift in political alliances that will shape the commission’s decisions on crucial issues, including development, zoning, and city governance.
A Divided Commission: Stakes of a Single Vote
The Coral Gables Commission is sharply divided politically, to put it mildly. Newly re-elected Mayor Vince Lago and ally Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson seem to support economic growth. Richard Lara’s policy priorities appear to align with those two.
Lara’s presence on the dais would allow the Lago-Anderson duo to exert its influence. But Lara says also he intends to address issues like affordable housing and maintaining the city’s character, if elected.
Tom Wells’s victory could swing the balance of power away from Lago and Anderson as has been the case for the last two years. While Wells promotes himself as an independent voice, he could caucus with Commissioners Ariel Fernandez and Melissa Castro on issues, forming a coalition that would thwart Lago and Anderson’s agendas. Wells pledges to focus on fiscal responsibility and community engagement.
Why This Runoff Matters
This runoff is not just a choice between two candidates; it’s a decision on the kind of future Coral Gables wants to create. The dynamics at play reflect a broader struggle for political direction, one that pits the city’s historical preservation against the demands of economic growth. As the city continues to grow, questions about affordable housing, traffic congestion, and sustainability will require a commission that can balance growth with quality of life for all residents.
The Larger Political Context
The race also comes at a time when some of elected officials face scrutiny over their close ties with developers and business interests. There is a growing demand for a government that is more responsive to its residents’ concerns—a government that doesn’t prioritize commercial interests over the needs of the people.
What’s at Stake for Coral Gables
At its core, this race is about more than just one commission seat. The outcome of this runoff will resonate far beyond the election day itself. Voters should recognize that their decision on April 22 is a decision about the balance of power, political vision, and the future of Coral Gables itself.
This Post Has 6 Comments
God help us all if the 25 year non-voter Richard Lago wins the runoff. He’s Lago’s plant, there to be his “yes man”, regardless of what Lara says his goals are. He has never been a involved member of our city. He attended the commission meeting where he was allowed by mayor Lago to launch his campaign, but it’s surprising that he even knew where the commission chamber was located. If he really cared for the city, he would have voted in our municipal elections. His last vote cast was in 1999! Maybe he broke that record voting for himself, Lago and Anderson in this election…but residents who are informed and attuned to city issues, don’t vote ONCE EVERY 25 YEARS! What a disgrace.
How can Lara ask for our votes? Don’t count on mine.
We also have no trust in someone who lies about his residency. His campaign materials state that he has made Coral Gables his home since the age of 14. He conveniently leaves out the 18 years when he lived in Westchester from 2003 to 2021. (Somehow his wife voted in the Coral Gables elections in 2005, while living in Westchester…hmmm, there is a name for that, and it’s an arrestable offense.) Adding Richard Lara to our commission would be a huge mistake, disastrous even. We have enough division, disrespect, and dishonesty on the dais already. No need to add any more.
Luckily for us, we have an excellent option.
The choice is clear, and the absolute best choice is a 30 year resident (without an 18 year gap) of Coral Gables, Tom Wells. Wells is a long-time contributing, engaged member of our community, presently serving on the Charter Review Committee, frequently speaking up on local issues at commission meetings (he didn’t announce his candidacy at any of them.) He is a civil, respectful, family man, with a background in accounting and many years of experience in corporate, tax, and business law, which are valuable skills to bring to the dais. His understanding of fiscal responsibility will be crucial for the city. It was sorely lacking when Lago and Anderson wanted to lower our millage rate without considering how that tiny tax break ($30 in my case) would result in a loss of city services across the board. Tom Wells will bring clarity to those muddled ideas. Wells has self-funded his campaign, so he is beholden to no one. That’s a breath of fresh air when compared to the long list of developers on both Lago and Anderson’s campaign contributors. Check out his campaign website, http://www.VoteTomWells.com and see for yourself. Then, please vote in this very important runoff, on April 22. And make the smart choice, the only real choice that helps Coral Gables, vote for Tom Wells.
Lara also appears to have fudged his participation in the Coral Gables Anti-Crime Committee.
His “in your face” pugnacious and lengthy ” candidacy announcement during public comment at Commission meeting is the exact opposite of civility.
The CG Gazette is clearly biased in its reporting, NOT independent & neutral reporting, which is what the citizens need. Stating that Tom Wells “…could caucus with Commissioners Ariel Fernandez and Melissa Castro on issues…” is purely hypothetical, and worse, scare mongering. There is NO factual basis for this claim. I would prefer an independently minded person on the commission, who would put the interests of the City first, rather than a “Yes-man”. And, if we had more independently minded individuals on the commission, there might be more disagreement, but there would also be a greater range of debate as to the merits of any topic before the commission. I think the choice is clear.
Thank you Alex for your thoughtful comment that does add to and advance the dialogue. The Gazette does strive to be unbiased and objective in its reporting. However this is an editorial – our opinion – we stand by out belief that Wells could caucus with the two commissioners you named. It is speculation although with merit.
Please do not read the CG Gazette. They are paid and purchased. It is not what our beloved Coral Gables deserves. You know who is ethical; you know who is moral; you know who is decent. Now go and vote to reclaim our City Beautiful!
Let’s start wondering why someone will begin by stating that “they are paid and purchased.” The fact that there is no basis for that statement may be the reason why they hide behind fake names! Yes, we do know who is ethical, moral and decent. LIARS are NOT. Expanding on Mr. Durana’s comment, how could Lara say on February 27, 2022 that he “currently serve on the Anti-Crime Committee for Coral Gables” when that committee was dissolved by Resolution No. 2022-216 on September 13, 2022, almost 18 months before? Records show that he NEVER attended a meeting, and that’s probably why he was not aware that the Committee did not exist any more! Well, well , well, the latest propaganda from Lara connects to a comment where he now says that “he contributed to the Anti-Crime Committee.” How do you contribute without participating? How can you contribute to a non-existing committee? I guess that’s just ANOTHER LIE!