It’s not often we see residents beg their elected leaders not to cut taxes. But in Coral Gables this year, it’s a resounding cry. Nobody wants the city to increase taxes, but one after the other, residents who spoke at a town hall on Tuesday said they would rather keep the taxes the same than lose services.

Mayor Vince Lago — who did not attend the town hall — has proposed a 2% millage or tax rate cut that would cut about $2.6 million from the city budget. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson — who did attend the town hall and sorta tried to sabotage it, but failed miserably — is supporting him.

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The Coral Gables commission on Tuesday will consider putting a question on the ballot to establish an Inspector General in the city. The resolution on the meeting agenda is sponsored by Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and co-sponsored by Mayor Vince Lago.

But wasn’t this already decided? Yes.

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It should have been a no-brainer.

Coral Gables Commissioners on Tuesday approved giving $42,000 to the Actor’s Playhouse, which leases the historic Miracle Theater from the city, for a new wheelchair ramp that will accommodate newer, bigger wheelchairs for patrons who need to get to the second floor.

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Three commissioners opposed him on firefighters and tax rate, too

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Critics worry that special interest influence will grow

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Coral Gables Commissioner Rhonda Anderson has booted Claudia Miro, a onetime commission candidate, from the planning and zoning board, saying her attendance, or lack thereof, is the reason.

But the timing and circumstances point to another motive: Miro, who was recently reappointed by Anderson, voted last month against naming former Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers the board-as-a-whole’s appointment. She voted for Javier Salman instead.

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