Nicolas- You know that i appreciate your energy and enthusiasm and expertise. I work hard for various non profits and am not in the position to be donating so much time and not receive any compensation. I feel that the commissioners work hard for our community and deserve some fair compensation, so their request for compensation did not bother me as i assume that they spend almost full time focusing on being the best commissioners that they can be.
I am mystified by the whole Fritz and Franz situation as I believe that long ago the Biltmore hotel had trouble staying on top of payments and they were not kicked out. I want to know what the city has in mind to put in the Fritz and Franz spot? another attempt like the country club and/or Burger Bob;s????? I consider you my friend and I would like to hear answers to these questions!
The issue was not a matter of whether the commissioners deserved the compensation or not. The issue stemmed from the manner in which they hid the salary increases within the city budget, an extensive and complex document that is difficult to decipher. I believe it is the responsibility of our elected officials to practice what they preach and maintain a high level of transparency regarding all issues. However, Commissioners Fernandez, Castro, and Menendez were not transparent in the process and residents found out about the salary increases only after Mayor Lago and Vice-Mayor Anderson revealed the line item during commission discussions.
Regarding Fritz & Franz, the owners of the business are welcome to participate in the request for proposal. I highly encourage anyone curious about the subject to watch the City Asset Manager’s comments on the issue from the December Commission meeting. As I stated, I am not taking a stance on the matter and will only focus on my understanding of the issue.
As always, thank you for your community involvement and non-profit participation! I enjoyed co-hosting Ellen Uguccioni’s farewell party with you and hope we can work together again soon. My door is always open to you and to anyone who would enjoy talking about Coral Gables!
Hey neighbor! I appreciate your comments. Please refer to my response to Roberto Pedroso above. There are more factors at play than many of us realize and voting records over the last 24 years reveal the discrepancies in electoral results and participation. This past election had one of the lowest participation rates since at least 2009. I’ve seen numbers on recent wedge issues that would suggest the size of the vocal minority is right where I have placed it.
If your “majority” is silent it probably doesn’t exist. The voters spoke when electing the new commissioners. Seems you only want commissioners you support to control the city, and those pesky voters and involved citizens got in the way.
I don’t follow your logic regarding how a “silent majority” doesn’t exist. A quick analysis of voter turnout over the last 24 years reveals extensive proof regarding the lack of participation in this past election. Even more so, the lack of participation in the run-off with an ever lower voter turnout than the general election at the beginning of April 2023 shows how few registered voters participate when the community lacks a wedge issue, major candidate platforms, or a mayoral candidate. There are a variety of political scientific factors that come into play that demonstrate how the number of votes cast correlate with a vocal minority at play.
Yes Nicolas- all of those elected need to be accountable. Bravo.
Nicolas- You know that i appreciate your energy and enthusiasm and expertise. I work hard for various non profits and am not in the position to be donating so much time and not receive any compensation. I feel that the commissioners work hard for our community and deserve some fair compensation, so their request for compensation did not bother me as i assume that they spend almost full time focusing on being the best commissioners that they can be.
I am mystified by the whole Fritz and Franz situation as I believe that long ago the Biltmore hotel had trouble staying on top of payments and they were not kicked out. I want to know what the city has in mind to put in the Fritz and Franz spot? another attempt like the country club and/or Burger Bob;s????? I consider you my friend and I would like to hear answers to these questions!
Respectfully-Ann Rosalind Goodman
Hi Ann,
The issue was not a matter of whether the commissioners deserved the compensation or not. The issue stemmed from the manner in which they hid the salary increases within the city budget, an extensive and complex document that is difficult to decipher. I believe it is the responsibility of our elected officials to practice what they preach and maintain a high level of transparency regarding all issues. However, Commissioners Fernandez, Castro, and Menendez were not transparent in the process and residents found out about the salary increases only after Mayor Lago and Vice-Mayor Anderson revealed the line item during commission discussions.
Regarding Fritz & Franz, the owners of the business are welcome to participate in the request for proposal. I highly encourage anyone curious about the subject to watch the City Asset Manager’s comments on the issue from the December Commission meeting. As I stated, I am not taking a stance on the matter and will only focus on my understanding of the issue.
As always, thank you for your community involvement and non-profit participation! I enjoyed co-hosting Ellen Uguccioni’s farewell party with you and hope we can work together again soon. My door is always open to you and to anyone who would enjoy talking about Coral Gables!
How does one join the WhatsApp? I am already using it regularly with international friends.
Thank you
Thank you for your clarification! Of course, I am a proponent of TRANSPARENCY!
Thanks! Joined
Nick, You may have underestimated the resident support for the three newer Commissioners. JBerlin
Hey neighbor! I appreciate your comments. Please refer to my response to Roberto Pedroso above. There are more factors at play than many of us realize and voting records over the last 24 years reveal the discrepancies in electoral results and participation. This past election had one of the lowest participation rates since at least 2009. I’ve seen numbers on recent wedge issues that would suggest the size of the vocal minority is right where I have placed it.
If your “majority” is silent it probably doesn’t exist. The voters spoke when electing the new commissioners. Seems you only want commissioners you support to control the city, and those pesky voters and involved citizens got in the way.
Robert,
I don’t follow your logic regarding how a “silent majority” doesn’t exist. A quick analysis of voter turnout over the last 24 years reveals extensive proof regarding the lack of participation in this past election. Even more so, the lack of participation in the run-off with an ever lower voter turnout than the general election at the beginning of April 2023 shows how few registered voters participate when the community lacks a wedge issue, major candidate platforms, or a mayoral candidate. There are a variety of political scientific factors that come into play that demonstrate how the number of votes cast correlate with a vocal minority at play.
So TRUE, Nicolas, thank you for enlightening others. You know how to search, study and be on point.
How does one join the Gables WhatsApp group?
Easy! You can join by clicking this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jt0X9vLWxTFLXgb65QlTTx
Thanks. 😝 now trying to figure out how to delete question