The three candidates for mayor in Coral Gables’ April 8 election presented their platforms during the final Candidates Forum that the Gables Good Government Committee hosted at the Coral Gables Museum on March 12. The event provided incumbent Mayor Vince Lago, Commissioner Kirk Menendez, and newcomer Michael Abbott an opportunity to address residents and answer questions. The forum remained largely civil, a contrast to the contentious nature of recent campaign ads and flyers.
Lago highlights experience, community engagement
Lago emphasized his 12 years on the commission, pointing to improvements in city infrastructure, burying power lines, and expanding parks. He highlighted his commitment to resident engagement through open office hours and town hall meetings.
“The last two years have been different from the first 10,” Lago said, referencing challenges in advancing priorities such as tax reductions, hiring an inspector general, and the attempt to move municipal elections to November. He acknowledged criticism of his leadership style but emphasized his dedication. “You have to have impeccable bedside manner,” he quipped.
Menendez calls for civility, focus on quality of life
Menendez criticized the current political climate in Coral Gables, arguing that national divisions have influenced local governance. “The tone of our city has deteriorated greatly,” he said, attributing the shift to the influence of special interests.
He addressed campaign allegations, including claims of financial mismanagement during his tenure at the War Memorial Youth Center Foundation, presenting letters from auditors to counter accusations. Menendez also criticized political action committees’ influence on city decisions, particularly regarding development.
If elected, Menendez said he would prioritize quality-of-life issues, including development and green space.
Abbott advocates for efficiency, accountability
Abbott, a political newcomer, focused on policy principles, advocating for fiscal responsibility and efficient government. “Government shouldn’t get in the way; it should provide basic services,” he said.
He expressed support for reducing bureaucracy and cited federal moves to reassess the Department of Education as a positive step for local control. He also emphasized eliminating any perception of corruption and taking a pragmatic approach to issues like the annexation of Little Gables.
For more information on the mayor candidates and their platforms click here.
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“The last two years are difference than the first 10” said Lago. Yep, absolutely! After he campaigned for, publicly supported, and enthusiastically backed the two candidates who lost to Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez, he demonstrated what a sore loser he is.
It was a bad idea all along, to publicly support any candidate, when whoever wins would be the commissioners you’d have to work with, but his behavior on the dais was worse than expected…even from Lago. He not only ignored them, but told them they’d only won because it was such a low turnout.
Nothing like being colegial to your fellow commissioners! He is the exact opposite of colegial. Absolutely disgraceful behavior, and embarrassing to watch. Then, he turns it around and claims the lack of civility comes from the new commissioners??? What a joke. And he quips “You have to have impeccable bedside manner.” He is so far away from an impeccable bedside manner, he wouldn’t recognize it if it hit him in the face. The challenges he faced these past two years were simply due to his bad ideas. A switch to November elections so we have more voter turnout, but less informed voters…bad idea! (And while we are on the topic, his handpicked/untruthful candidate for Group 3, Richard Lara, hasn’t voted in a Coral Gables municipal election since 1999! He can increase voter turnout by getting his buddy to vote.) Another bad idea, lowering the millage rate to make himself look benevolent in an election year, by being able to tell residents he wanted to lower taxes, but leaving out the fact that it would be a huge tax cut windfall for the big corporations and less than $100 for the average homeowner, in our case $30. Not to mention a decrease in the millage rate would result in our residents’ city services substantially cut! Bad idea, again. I could go on…but I’m just hoping our residents really look past what they are hearing from Lago and check the facts before voting.