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This week, Coral Gables officially turned 100 years old—a remarkable milestone for a city that began as the bold dream of George Merrick and has blossomed into a dynamic, international community defined by beauty, innovation, and civic pride.
As your mayor, it is an extraordinary honor to lead Coral Gables at this historic juncture. I am equally humbled by the trust you have placed in me to continue serving as your mayor for a third term. In a runoff election that saw record turnout—rising from 19 to 30 percent—residents overwhelmingly supported a vision rooted in respect, transparency, and long-term planning. That message was clear across nearly every precinct, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build on that mandate.
Over the past century, Coral Gables has preserved its timeless character while embracing progress. From our lush, tree-lined streets and Mediterranean-style architecture to our nationally recognized Smart City infrastructure, we have balanced heritage with innovation. Our city is now home to over 8,000 businesses and more than 140 multinational corporations. Major institutions—from Apple to FIFA—have chosen Coral Gables as a place to grow.
And yet, what makes our city truly special is its people. Residents who care deeply, who stay engaged, and who expect the highest standards of leadership. It’s in that spirit that I will be introducing a series of forward-looking proposals—designed not just to celebrate our past, but to secure a better future.
At a special commission meeting on May 6, I will move to implement procedural changes that bring clarity and decorum back to our public meetings. That includes setting fair time limits for public comment, ensuring remarks remain relevant to our work, and establishing order that respects everyone’s voice.
I will also move for the rescission of a 101% salary increase for commissioners—an action I opposed from the start—because public service must always prioritize the public interest. Beyond process reforms, I am committed to strengthening civic trust. That’s why I support creating an Inspector General position for Coral Gables—an independent watchdog to ensure integrity and accountability in city operations. This is not about politics; it’s about principle.
Fiscal responsibility remains a top priority. Last year, I fought to reduce the millage rate to ease the tax burden on residents. While that effort did not prevail, I will reintroduce the proposal—because our residents deserve meaningful tax relief and a government that respects their hard-earned dollars. I will also propose a new safeguard: that any use of city reserves requires a supermajority vote by the commission. This measure will protect our financial stability and ensure that any major fiscal decisions reflect broad consensus.
Finally, I will continue advocating for moving our municipal elections to November to further expand voter participation. The results of this year’s election prove that when more voices are heard, our democracy thrives. As we begin our city’s second century, let’s carry forward the values that built Coral Gables—civility, community, and vision. Let us reject divisiveness and commit ourselves to respectful, solution-focused governance. Let us honor our history not only with celebration, but with action.
Thank you again for your trust. The next 100 years begin now—and I look forward to building them together.
