It’s probably safe to say that Coral Gables just executed one of the most spontaneous and slapdash appointments of city manager in the history of municipal government.
All I can say in this mess is get out and vote in our local elections. We are paying dearly for this mess due to the abysmal voter turn out. You want change??? Its real simple….VOTE
I've finally taken the time to read and listen twice to the tapes. Yes, I know recordings can be taken out of context. I don't believe that is the case here.
To very honest I was expecting more mature, well-thought-out opinions and ideas. Instead I hear sniping and insulting from the 2 newbies who showed up and immediately gave themselves very nice raises.
Dr. Castro (in what field are you a doctor?) I understand that is how everyone is to address you... stop whining and act and make decisions responsibly and professionally. Ariel, I expected, with how you handled your publication, that you would be more of a team player instead you are clearly staging your own little coup. Kirk, when we met I enjoyed chatting and getting to know you. Back then I saw you as a team player rather than a full on wishy washy disrupter.
How the firing of Iglesias was handled, as well as the new CM hire stinks to high heaven. Obviously it can't be proven but I would love to know exactly how much you all broke the Sunshine Law. This was far too well choreographed.
I am not saying Rojas is a bad choice, however, you gave the residents ZERO chance to have input. You engineered the whole thing very neatly.
Congratulations, now we rank with other cities in the county for questionable behavior and decisions from our elected officials.
I will remind you that you ALL on that dais are paid employees of the City and we, the residents, are who you have to answer to. You have created an unpleasant ambience. I only hope that upcoming commission meetings are less contentious, and yes, less b*tchy. Handling items professionally rather than surprising everyone, including the 2 members of the commission that you have decided are opponents, rather than colleagues is disgraceful. NOTHING is black and white, most is negotiable and this trio has chosen belligerence and unpleasantness.
It does NOT reflect well on the bulk of the residents who had hoped they were getting a functional commission and instead have received dysfunction times three.
Please, make an effort to be more professional. This division does the City no good. Look at the recordings with an objective eye and see if that behavior is really how you want to be seen throughout your tenure.
All 5 on the dais will be watched closely, and, yes, judged. It would be pleasant to have a sea change in attitude rather than the bickering and sniping.
We the residents are hoping so. Drama gets old.
Yes, I OWN this opinion piece. Unlike others I am proud to give my name. I don't expect to need police protection. That drama needs to end.
We, the Coral Gables residents, are the big losers in this charade. We foot the bill ( salary increases for KFC, severance for Iglesias, compensation package for Rojas, and so on), and we have no input in any of these decisions !!! This is a cabal of activist politicians usurping the power from the people to pursue their agendas. Banana Republic politics at its best.
Aesop, you know who this wasn't hidden from? The biggest bully there is in all the land, Maria Cruz! If you watch the video, as the discussion nears the vote, she is pacing like a caged tiger about to be fed a filet mignon. Her chest heaves in anticipation to the extent that I thought a defibrillator might be needed. She knew what was up before any of us did. Glad at least she is in the sunshine! LOL.
I asked Chat GPT what is the principal characteristic of Banana Republic politics. Here is the answer:
"Authoritarianism: Banana republics frequently exhibit authoritarian forms of government, where power is centralized in the hands of a few individuals or a ruling elite. Political opposition may be suppressed, and democratic institutions may be weak or non-existent."
This sounds a lot like Coral Gables under Ariel Fernandez and his cronies.
All I can say in this mess is get out and vote in our local elections. We are paying dearly for this mess due to the abysmal voter turn out. You want change??? Its real simple….VOTE
I've finally taken the time to read and listen twice to the tapes. Yes, I know recordings can be taken out of context. I don't believe that is the case here.
To very honest I was expecting more mature, well-thought-out opinions and ideas. Instead I hear sniping and insulting from the 2 newbies who showed up and immediately gave themselves very nice raises.
Dr. Castro (in what field are you a doctor?) I understand that is how everyone is to address you... stop whining and act and make decisions responsibly and professionally. Ariel, I expected, with how you handled your publication, that you would be more of a team player instead you are clearly staging your own little coup. Kirk, when we met I enjoyed chatting and getting to know you. Back then I saw you as a team player rather than a full on wishy washy disrupter.
How the firing of Iglesias was handled, as well as the new CM hire stinks to high heaven. Obviously it can't be proven but I would love to know exactly how much you all broke the Sunshine Law. This was far too well choreographed.
I am not saying Rojas is a bad choice, however, you gave the residents ZERO chance to have input. You engineered the whole thing very neatly.
Congratulations, now we rank with other cities in the county for questionable behavior and decisions from our elected officials.
I will remind you that you ALL on that dais are paid employees of the City and we, the residents, are who you have to answer to. You have created an unpleasant ambience. I only hope that upcoming commission meetings are less contentious, and yes, less b*tchy. Handling items professionally rather than surprising everyone, including the 2 members of the commission that you have decided are opponents, rather than colleagues is disgraceful. NOTHING is black and white, most is negotiable and this trio has chosen belligerence and unpleasantness.
It does NOT reflect well on the bulk of the residents who had hoped they were getting a functional commission and instead have received dysfunction times three.
Please, make an effort to be more professional. This division does the City no good. Look at the recordings with an objective eye and see if that behavior is really how you want to be seen throughout your tenure.
All 5 on the dais will be watched closely, and, yes, judged. It would be pleasant to have a sea change in attitude rather than the bickering and sniping.
We the residents are hoping so. Drama gets old.
Yes, I OWN this opinion piece. Unlike others I am proud to give my name. I don't expect to need police protection. That drama needs to end.
BRAVO!
We, the Coral Gables residents, are the big losers in this charade. We foot the bill ( salary increases for KFC, severance for Iglesias, compensation package for Rojas, and so on), and we have no input in any of these decisions !!! This is a cabal of activist politicians usurping the power from the people to pursue their agendas. Banana Republic politics at its best.
Aesop, you know who this wasn't hidden from? The biggest bully there is in all the land, Maria Cruz! If you watch the video, as the discussion nears the vote, she is pacing like a caged tiger about to be fed a filet mignon. Her chest heaves in anticipation to the extent that I thought a defibrillator might be needed. She knew what was up before any of us did. Glad at least she is in the sunshine! LOL.
What a colorful analogy🤣🤣🤣 Love it!
I asked Chat GPT what is the principal characteristic of Banana Republic politics. Here is the answer:
"Authoritarianism: Banana republics frequently exhibit authoritarian forms of government, where power is centralized in the hands of a few individuals or a ruling elite. Political opposition may be suppressed, and democratic institutions may be weak or non-existent."
This sounds a lot like Coral Gables under Ariel Fernandez and his cronies.