Meet Richard Lara: Championing Integrity and Transparency in Coral Gables

Note from Aesop: I know many of you were expecting a post about the infamous Lago recall this week, and, hopefully, if all goes well, you’ll still get one. Just not today.

Today, instead, I am doing something that, thanks to the rapid growth of this newsletter, I have been meaning and needing to do for quite some time; something that I have heretofore not gotten around to due to my being stuck in KFC’s endlessly accelerating hamster wheel of stupidity.

Today I introduce to you Aesop’s Gables' first regular contributor: Diana Abreu. Diana is a talented writer with a good ear for local politics. Although no longer a resident, she has worked in Coral Gables almost her entire career and has spent a considerable amount of time in and around many of our city’s grassroots organizations. More importantly, she is smart, insightful, and fair.

You will likely see Diana covering the more newsy items from a more newsy perspective moving forward, though not necessarily exclusively. She has license to write about virtually whatever she wants, so long as it is both relevant and worthwhile to you, the reader.

Finally, to those of you who view this newsletter as an anti-KFC publication, you are absolutely correct—it most definitely is. But it is not anti-KFC because of some kind of mandate or arrangement, as some find it so comforting to believe. It is anti-KFC because that is where my best attempt at candor and intellectual honesty have taken it. It is where those same virtues have taken so many of you. I firmly believe that one can be consistently honest or consistently neutral, but one cannot be consistently both. Diana will do her best to prove me wrong, but never at the expense of insulting your intelligence. I think that’s as honest a promise as anyone can make.

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Richard Lara, a longtime resident of Coral Gables, has stepped into the political arena—in what some may consider dramatic fashion—with an announcement during the February 27 city commission meeting's public comment period. Lara recently sat down with Aesop’s Gables to highlight his concerns about the current state of the City Commission, emphasizing a lack of professionalism, integrity, and transparency in decision-making processes but also to share his vision and commitment to ushering in a new era of city leadership. 

Lara's journey to the political forefront stems from his deep roots in Coral Gables, dating back to 1983, when his family moved to the city to pursue a better life. Growing up with modest means, Lara witnessed his parents' dedication and hard work firsthand, which instilled a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility towards his community.

After graduating from Coral Gables High School with top honors and a Silver Knight nomination in Journalism, Lara pursued higher education, earning a law degree from Boston College and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. He returned to Miami, where he built a successful career as a civil litigator and currently serves as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), a prominent Spanish-language media company. He and his wife were married at the Church of the Little Flower and are the proud parents of three girls. 

Throughout his career, Lara has been actively involved in various community initiatives. He was appointed by then-governor Rick Scott to serve on the judicial nominating commission for the 3rd District Court of Appeals (DCA) and has served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee, the Coral Gables anti-crime committee, and the Easter Seals South Florida board. His dedication to public service and managerial expertise make him a formidable candidate for the City Commission.

Lara says his decision to enter politics was prompted by his observations of the dysfunction within the City Commission. He criticized the commissioners' lack of collaboration, citing instances where decisions were made hastily and without public consultation. The recent controversial vote to raise commissioners' compensation, which he deemed self-serving and lacking transparency or any public input, further exacerbated his concerns.

As a candidate for the City Commission, Lara aims to restore integrity, professionalism, and civility to the governing body. He envisions a commission that prioritizes the interests of Coral Gables residents above all else, fosters open dialogue, and builds consensus. Lara emphasizes listening to citizens' concerns and incorporating feedback into decision-making processes.

"If elected, I know I could draw a consensus among Ariel Fernandez, Melissa Castro, Rhonda Anderson or Vince Lago. There will also be many opportunities to have robust disagreement and civil discourse over things, and we'll agree sometimes and disagree at other times, said Lara. "Still, I hope that we will eliminate what is so obvious right now, which is a destructive faction that is running the city as opposed to the measured and the rational decision-making that should occur between five elected officials as to what matters most to the city."

Despite facing challenges and criticism from some, Lara remains steadfast in his commitment to bring about positive change to Coral Gables. He recognizes the need for thick skin and resilience in the face of political adversity but remains undeterred in pursuing a better future for his community.

"My overarching message is that I want to try to work together with people and reach consensus by listening, by building trust, and not operating in an environment of suspicion so that we can get to the business of the people and what we have been elected in the first place to do," says Lara. "Once we get past the bickering and the lack of trust within the commission, then we can actually get on with the business of advancing the interests of the people that live in the City Beautiful. That's what I want to do."

Looking ahead, Lara is finalizing his platform, which will outline his specific goals and priorities for the city. He emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement with citizens and pledges to be a responsive and accountable representative if elected to the City Commission.