Newly-elected Coral Gables commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez were sworn in Friday during a short investiture ceremony where they repeated their commitment to put residents first.

Oh, yeah, Mayor Vince Lago, who was re-elected without opposition, was also sworn in again. But he didn’t seem to have as happy a day. He seemed pouty and depressed. Maybe it’s because he now has to sit between the two new commissioners, both of whom he worked hard against.

Read Full Story

The upset was not a surprise. The margin was.

Melissa Castro won the commission runoff race in Coral Gables Tuesday against the better funded, establishment backed Ivette Arango O’Doski by 18 points, 59% to 41%. That’s an even wider margin than the mandate given to Commissioner Elect Ariel Fernandez on April 11.

Read Full Story

Gables Neighbors United, the political arm of the largest group of active and engaged Coral Gables residents, has endorsed political newcomer Melissa Castro for the commission seat in Group 4.

Gables United already endorsed activist Ariel Fernandez, publisher of Gables Insider, in the Group 5 race against attorney Alex Bucelo, who has the backing of the mayor at least two commissioners and lots of real estate development interests to fund his misinformation and attack campaign.

Read Full Story

This Coral Gables election is not just a contest between like-minded candidates who want to protect and improve the City Beautiful. It’s a referendum on Mayor Vince Lago, who ran unopposed and has campaigned for his two handpicked pocket votes.

If Lago gets his way, and Ivette Arango O’Doski and Alex Bucelo are elected, he will have the three votes to do anything he wants for the next two years. No doubt about it, they will be rubber stampers. Not that he needs them. Commissioners Rhonda Anderson and Kirk Menendez have been very amenable. There is nobody to challenge the mayor on the dais.

Read Full Story