Coral Gables City Manager Alberto Parjus, whose career spans 35 years at Miami-Dade County and three years as assistant city manager in the city of Miami, resigned Tuesday on the spot at a special city commission meeting where he was likely going to get fired.
Parjus was only on the job for three months, starting after former manager Amos Rojas resigned in February. Parjus had been the deputy city manager since 2022, when he left the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works as deputy director. Rojas was hired in February 2024, after former manager Peter Iglesias was unceremoniously fired by the old majority. Las malas lenguas say that Mayor Vince Lago, who was re-elected with 55% of the vote, wants to bring Iglesias back.
Lago and his supported candidates, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and newly-elected Commissioner Richard Lara, campaigned on the revolving door at the city manager’s office, saying that three city managers in just one year was a sign of dysfunction.
Read related: Coral Gables names Alberto Parjus as new city manager in divided 3-2 vote
Now we have four city managers in four city managers in 15 months, as Deputy City Manager Joe Gomez will be interim city manager until a permanent decision is made. Then it will be five city managers in less than five years.
The effective date of Parjus’ resignation is May 22, but he is on leave until then. Ladra was unable to get his “cooperation and severance agreement” from the city clerk Tuesday or early Wednesday morning, even though it was distributed to the commission at the meeting. But a City Hall source told Ladra it included 20 weeks of Parjus’ salary and all his accrued, untaken sick and vacation time, which would be payable 10 days after the agreement is signed. Parjus’ salary is more than $230,000 a year.
Commissioner Melissa Castro was absent from the meeting as she was undergoing surgery.
“Serving this community, the City Beautiful, has been among the greatest experiences of my professional life,” Parjus said from the dais. Yeah, and the most rewarding, financially.
He thanked his “talented, dedicated” staff and listing the milestones reached, not jut in three months at the top job, but in three years that he has been in the city manager’s office.
“During this time, I am proud of the progress we made together to improve the quality of life for our residents and make our government service efficient,” Parjus said. “We advanced operational transparency, implemented modern project benefit systems and introduced performance indicators and evidenced evaluation tools to support better decision-making.
“We enhanced financial and budget reports to make them  clear and more accessible, and launched a city asset review program to ensure the responsible stewardship of city-owned  property,” Parjus said, and Ladra can’t help but wonder if that happened after the neglect at City Hall was discovered.
“I am proud of the significant investment made in community assets and services. This includes improvements to the Coral Gables Golf and Country Club, the ongoing restoration at the  Venetian Pool, enhanced code enforcement efforts, the installation of temporary speed tables to increase safety, and several projects to elevate the city’s safety aesthetic and public spaces.”
Under his tenure, the city also changed the building and zoning permitting process “to include customer feedback,” Parjus said.
Read related: Coral Gables City Manager Amos Rojas resigns, leaves next month after one year
“This decision was not made lightly,” Parjus told the audience and the commission. “I am confident the city is well positioned for continued success thanks to its leadership and the commitment of its workforce. I leave with immense gratitude for the opportunity serve this remarkable city and the trust you placed in me.
“Thank you for allowing me to contribute to the legacy and future of Coral Gables.
Lago thanked him for his professionalism and “most importantly, being a gentleman,” he said. “You leave here with your head
The Coral Gales Echo Chamber: Rhonda Anderson, Vince Lago, Richard Lara
held high and you served this community and we’re grateful for your hard work and your integrity.”
Head held high means that he didn’t fight to stay because Lago was going to fire him or force him to resign. That’s defacto what happened. Parjus didn’t resign because he doesn’t like his job anymore. He resigned because Lago was going to fire him.
Or because he couldn’t work with the man.
Anderson said “I will echo the mayor’s comments,” which is what she does now. And immediately moved the item. Like she didn’t want anyone else to do it first. Commissioner Lara, who was sworn in April 25 and hasn’t had a chance to work with Parjus, said the manager’s reputation preceded him and that he also would “echo the mayor’s sentiments” about his head being held high.
Read related: Coral Gables Vince Lago may move to bring back City Manager Peter Iglesias
So, this is what we’re going to get now: an echo chamber.
Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who wanted Parjus for city manager from the get-go, was the only one who didn’t seem secretly happy, or at least relieved, about the resignation.
“You have served this city with distinction. You have elevated our budget process…where we now can understand better what has been spent in the past in certain areas and what is being spent now,” Fernandez said, adding that the quarterly reports are easier to understand and that the weekly data reports on different activities in all city departments keep them up to date.
“The moment you were appointed city manager, I had former city managers of other municipalities and folks you worked with at the county call to say what a great choice you were to lead our city. I appreciate what you have done for us. And don’t be a stranger,” he said, seconding the item “reluctantly.”
There was no discussion, as there has been in the past, about hiring a headhunter and doing a national search.
Commissioner Melissa Castro was not in attendance, as she had previously scheduled surgery on Tuesday. Castro asked for the meeting date to be changed, but Lago refused.
“I made a formal request to postpone this meeting by just a few days, enough time to recover and attend in person,” Castro said in a statement read by City Clerk Billy Urquia. “That request was denied by the mayor, even though this meeting is not part of our originally scheduled calendar and there’s no real urgency that justified moving forward without full commission participation.
She said that her health came first. “But it is equally important that the residents who elected me have a voice at the table. By proceeding today, this body is depriving Coral Gables of a complete discussion and the balanced deliberation our constituents deserve.
“Every decision I make is guided by what is in the city’s best interest. Preventing an elected official from attending does the opposite. Mayor Lago, I hope this statement serves as a reminder that transparency, respect and inclusion are not optional. They are the foundation of good governance,” Castro said through the city clerk.
Lago was unrelentingly uninterested and rude, thinking only of himself, yet again, reminding everyone that the city had an additional budget workshop in August of last year that he could not attend because he was on vacation, out of town.
“It was the first time I missed a meeting in 12 years,” L’Ego said.
So, that’s just more retribution, then? Check. He is so transparent about that, at least.
Read related: Post-election Vince Lago revenge tour in Coral Gables = political retaliation
Fernandez explained that there are stark — stark — differences between Castro’s absence due to medical urgency and Lago taking a sweet vacation after the mayor himself had scheduled the extra budget meeting. “Staff had been asked to change their schedule, cancel their family trips in order to be there for that meeting,” Fernandez said, adding that there were no other dates available before the deadline to submit a ceiling for the tax rate to Miami-Dade County.
He also made a motion to recess the meeting “until Commissioner Castro is not under a knife in an operating room and can be here in person, voicing the residents’ concerns.”
Lago was unmoved and again whined about the August meeting. “The change was not granted to ensure I would not be at the meeting,” he said. But he attended via Zoom anyway.
“It was a difficult situation,” he said.
Welcome to the club.
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It doesn’t seem that Coral Gables City Manger Alberto Parjus, who took over in February from the assistant position when Amos Rojas announced he was leaving, has had a lot of time to communicate with residents via email.
But Parjus made the time Thursday to send his first email message meant to assuage any fears residents may have about public safety and the shortages at the police and fire departments.
Five days before a contentious election, it reads like a political statement. Like a campaign mailer.
Read related: Coral Gables names Alberto Parjus as new city manager in divided 3-2 vote
“As City Manager, I am committed to addressing the challenges and upholding the standards of excellence within both our Police and Fire Departments,” Parjus started.
“The Coral Gables Police Department is currently facing recruitment challenges, a trend common across the nation. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to maintaining high recruitment standards. Currently, we have 29 police vacancies (of which 15 are new positions added over the last 3 years). This includes 18 candidates undergoing rigorous background checks and 11 officers in training at the academy. Since the start of 2025, we have hired 8 new officers, enhancing our capabilities without any increase in tax dollars, thanks to prudent fiscal management.
“Our robust recruitment process has seen 283 applications this year alone, with 45 interviewed and 39 progressing further, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to quality. Despite challenges, our crime rates remain low and response times continue to meet the high standards our community expects. Our dedication is evident in our unchanged case clearance rates and arrest numbers.
“We are proud that more than half our police force has dedicated more than 10 years of service to Coral Gables, with 30% having more than 20 years of service. Last year, the City Commission approved a competitive pay and benefits package that includes a $10,000 hiring bonus, reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent.”
In other words, nothing to see here, folks.
This seems to be in response to the campaign against Mayor Vince Lago’s re-election, which has brought up the terrible track record he has with public safety. Both the police and fire union have endorsed Commissioner Kirk Menendez in the mayoral race. There’s no other reason for the timing of this “message.” Is the new city manager meddling in a political campaign for one of his bosses?
Read related: Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago has a terrible track record with public safety
Could the Gables be on the way to having a fourth city manager in two years?
The message, emailed to the recipients of the Gables enewsletter, also talks about the coming opening of a new fire station on Sunset Drive, “enhancing emergency response capabilities to the south and west sides of our community, including the University of Miami area. The addition of a fifth Rescue unit to our fleet will help us meet increasing demand and improve service delivery.”
That sounds so much like a press release that Ladra is almost certain it was written by Gables spokeswoman, and Lago’s own personal publicist, Martha Pantin.
“The department is also launching a Technical Response Team to handle complex rescue incidents, ensuring preparedness for any eventuality, from construction accidents to natural disasters. This summer, we will hire nine new firefighters to address both current and anticipated vacancies, ensuring all positions are filled and our readiness is uncompromised.
“The safety and security of our personnel — and of every community member — are paramount. Our firefighters’ dedication, professionalism and courage are the foundation of our capability to serve and protect Coral Gables residents every day.”
Even the conclusion seems to scream that everything is just great under the current administration: “As we celebrate our centennial and move forward, I can assure you that both departments are focused on innovative recruitment strategies and community engagement initiatives to attract qualified candidates who share our values of integrity and service. We thank the community for your continued trust and remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Coral Gables residents.”
Continued trust? Is there a more obvious way to say “Let’s keep things going as they are”?
Parjus — who, by the way, did not get the vote for his job from Lago or Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson — did not return a call to his office. Pantin told Ladra Thursday morning that she was not going to get into who wrote or didn’t write the message (read: she did) and that she would call back with information on the impetus of this first and only city manager’s message. Why now? Why this subject? Has someone complained or raised concerns?
The language about the number of police applicants also mirrors some of the language in Anderson’s campaign materials.
Five hours later, Pantin sends me a statement from the city manager via email: “As Coral Gables City Manager,  my primary responsibility is ensuring the effective administration of city services, including the crucial areas of public safety.  Our commitment to maintaining a responsive and well-equipped police and fire department is unwavering. The communication was to provide our community with the latest information regarding our police and fire departments, including their recruitment and retention efforts.”
So, what? The timing was just a coincidence?
Read related: Coral Gables police, fire union: Lying Vince Lago is no pal of public safety
Ladra suspects the true reason is the recent joint statement made by the police and fire unions “regarding campaign information” in an email from Mayor Lago’s political action committee blasting their endorsement of Commissioner Kirk Menendez to replace him. The email from Lago’s PAC is so egregious that they felt the need to set the record straight.
“Dear Residents of Coral Gables, public safety is the foundation of any strong community.
“Our firefighters and police officers work tirelessly to protect Coral Gables, offering highest in class service to its residents, but they can only do their jobs effectively when they have the proper resources, support and leadership in place. Unfortunately, years of neglect, underfunding, and staffing shortages have placed unnecessary strain on our public safety departments — jeopardizing the well-being of both first responders and residents,” the statement says, adding that Lago is the one misleading the public.
“While recent upgrades to fire stations and emergency services have been promoted by Mayor Lago as major feats of progress, the truth is these were not proactive investments. They were urgent repairs made necessary by long-standing neglect,” the statement reads.
The statement goes on to say that firefighters have had to deal with mold affecting their health, roof leaks, water damage and more. “Beyond infrastructure, our city has faced historic staffing shortages for both firefighters and police officers under Mayor Lago’s tenure,” it says, citing that at one time during Lago’s tenure police had almost 40 vacancies (it was 37), “a historic shortage that strained response times and officer morale. It also cited that the city’s fire department is the only one in the county that does to meet the National Fire Protection Association’s standard of 43 firefighters on duty per shift.
“This means fewer first responders available when you need them most,” the statement said. “Staffing shortfalls have led to excessive workloads, longer response times, and increased burnout among our first responders — all of which make it harder to keep Coral Gables safe.
“For years, our firefighters and police officers have fought for fair contracts and adequate funding, yet time and again, their concerns have been met with resistance by Mayor Lago, mostly due to petty grievances fueled by political retribution efforts.”
The city manager’s message is not sent in a vacuum. It looks like a reaction to this statement by the police and fire unions, an intent to influence voters. And, really, is hat the city manager’s job? At campaign time?
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In what turned out to be yet another show of political division in the city of Coral Gables, Deputy City Manager Alberto Parjus was named city manager to replace Amos Rojas, who resigned earlier this month. The appointment will be effective at the next commission meeting Jan. 28, at which the salary and benefits package will be discussed and approved.
The vote was 3-2, of course, with the same dissenting folks as always: Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Lackey Rhonda Anderson, who now makes all his arguments for him.
“Everybody should have the opportunity to put their name in the hat,” Anderson said, referring to other city employees and managers from other cities that could also want the job. She also reminded everyone that there is an election in three months. “The faces on this commission may be totally different,” she said. (Fingers crossed.)
To which Commissioner Ariel Fernandez asked if they should just take the next three months off and not make any decision.
Read related: Coral Gables City Manager Amos Rojas resigns, leaves next month after one year
Commissioner Melissa Castro, who made the motion, said Parjus “is the leader we need to ensure continued excellence and growth.” She had a powerpoint prepared with slides that show the city has appointed from within more than not.

In fact, activist Maria Cruz pointed out that former manager Peter Iglesias was appointed at a commission meeting on a non-agenda item with three minutes of discussion and no objections.
Iglesias was fired by the new commission majority almost a year after Castro and Fernandez were elected in 2023 (a prior attempt was thwarted) setting in motion a scramble for a new manager that had Miami International Airport Director Albert Cutié named for a day before the commission, at Fernandez’s suggestion, appointed Rojas, a former U.S. Marshal and special agent at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement who was supposed to root out corruption.
He didn’t talk about that during his brief comments about achievements in the year he’s been manager, which included planning the centennial year celebration, beginning the City Hall renovations, the Minorca parking garage office buildups, the purchase and installation of temporary speed tables for traffic calming, expansion of the citywide broadband and public Wi-Fi, improvements in the financial management and property management systems and lobbying efforts that secured $2.7 million in state and federal grant funding.
Rojas also mentioned the negotiations that resulted in new or renewed lease agreements for Birdie Bistro (the old Burger Bob’s), Le Parc Cafe at the Coral Gables Country Club and Fritz and Franz downtown. He also talked about bringing in “top tier talent” such as Assistant City Manager Joe Gomez and Parking and Mobility Director Monica Beltran.
He made no mention of the hostile work environment he’s had to deal with that included allegations of assault against Lago, which were investigated and ultimately found unable to be proven. Nobody could believe that Lago was actually going to hit him.
Read related: Coral Gables Internal Affairs check out mayor’s ‘assault’ incident at City Hall
There was no real talk about a national search, after the last one ended in disaster. The chosen candidate failed a criminal background check and last year — we know thanks to Castro’s research — he was sentenced to federal prison for public corruption. But both Anderson and Lago wanted to advertise the position and get a larger field to choose from. They also scolded Parjus for comments he allegedly made about resigning after Iglesias was fired.
“Clearly your mind was changed, and that’s your right,” Anderson said.
“Going out and testing the waters is not a bad thing. It’s a good thing,” Lago said, adding that Parjus could be let go after the election and get a five month severance. Apparently, he thinks he and his pocket vote candidates are going to win in April.
Said Fernandez: “You’re hoping to see if you can pick up a majority and bring back Peter Iglesias.”
Fernandez also reminded his colleagues that, two years ago, they appointed City Attorney Christina Suarez on the recommendation of the outgoing city attorney. “There was no application process. We trusted the recommendation of the person who was in that top job,” Fernandez said. “There was no objection from anybody.
“This is not a time for dirty political attacks,” Fernandez added. “This is a time for civility, stability and continuity and for our city to move forward.”
He thanked Rojas for his “leadership as City Manager with utmost integrity and for his tireless work to move our City in the right direction,” and said that Parjus had the experience necessary for the job. That includes 35 years at Miami-Dade County, ending as deputy director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, and a stint as assistant city manager in Miami.
Read related: Ralph Cutié picks Miami-Dade over Coral Gables after PAC text attack
Commissioner Kirk Menendez said what he liked best about Parjus, who was hired by Iglesias, was that his work under both administrations was centered on responding to residents needs. “No matter who it is in the room with you, your focus is public service,” Menendez said.
In a separate 3-2 vote, Menendez was made the negotiator on the Parjus salary and benefits because Castro said she didn’t trust Lago to negotiate in good faith.
Menendez is running against Lago for mayor and this decision will likely become a flash point in the April elections.
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