

Javier Baños
Baños is the Editor of Gables Insider
City Manager Amos Rojas Jr. announced his resignation during the City Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on January 14, 2025. The announcement, delivered just before 7:00 PM, marked the culmination of a transitional tenure that began in February 2024, following the firing of former City Manager Peter Iglesias.
Rojas, who was appointed to stabilize the administration during a turbulent period, reiterated his intention to serve for a single year, a promise he made upon accepting the role. His resignation is effective at the next Commission meeting in February 2025, giving the city time to prepare for his departure and ensure a smooth transition.
During his announcement, Rojas praised city staff for their professionalism and dedication, outlining several accomplishments achieved under his leadership. His tone conveyed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Coral Gables’ residents and oversee a municipal government of over 51,000 residents, and a $220 million operating budget.
A Divided Vote Leads to Parjus’ Appointment
Shortly after Rojas’ announcement, the Commission moved to appoint Assistant City Manager Alberto N. Parjus as his successor. The motion, advanced by Commissioner Melissa Castro, passed with a familiar 3-2 split, with Commissioners Castro, Ariel Fernandez, and Kirk Menendez voting in favor, while Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson opposed.
Parjus, who previously served as Interim City Manager after Iglesias’ termination, brings a wealth of experience in public administration, including over three decades at Miami-Dade County. Notably, he was hired by Iglesias as Assistant City Manager in February 2022 and has since played a significant role in managing several city departments and overseeing special projects.
Contentious Debate Over Process
The appointment process was not without controversy. Mayor Lago and Vice Mayor Anderson strongly advocated for a national search or a city-wide advertisement to fill the position, arguing that it would ensure transparency and allow for the most qualified candidate to emerge. Both officials have consistently expressed a desire to bring back Iglesias and have objected to decisions they perceive as undermining procedural integrity.
Commissioner Castro rebutted these arguments, citing the city’s history of internal appointments for key positions such as City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk. She questioned the value of a national search, pointing to the city’s last such effort, which resulted in the hiring of Jimmie Beard. Beard, who served less than a day before being terminated, has been implicated in criminal activity, is currently serving a federal prison sentence for fraud and related crimes.
The debate took an unusual turn when Mayor Lago demanded an apology for comments referencing Beard, a convicted felon, claiming they unfairly tarnished his reputation. Despite this, the Commission proceeded with the vote, advancing Parjus’ appointment.
Political Implications Loom
The decision is expected to intensify the political landscape in Coral Gables as the city approaches its April elections. Commissioner Menendez, who voted in favor of Parjus, is running against Mayor Lago, and today’s events may serve as a flashpoint in their campaigns. Vice Mayor Anderson, a staunch critic of the appointment process, is also facing a potential challenger, making her opposition a strategic move in an increasingly contentious political environment.
Critics of the decision, including Lago and Anderson, argue that bypassing a national search reflects a lack of transparency and undermines trust in the Commission’s governance. Supporters, however, see the move as pragmatic, ensuring continuity and stability without the expense and uncertainty of a prolonged hiring process.
About Alberto N. Parjus
Parjus, a seasoned administrator, has served Coral Gables since 2022, initially as Assistant City Manager and later as Interim City Manager. His prior roles include Deputy Director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, where he managed an $839 million budget and oversaw a staff of 250. He also has extensive experience in legislative affairs and public administration, making him a logical choice to guide Coral Gables during this critical juncture.
Parjus is a graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Business Administration. His leadership style is characterized by a focus on innovation, efficiency, and community service, attributes that will be essential as he assumes the city’s top administrative role.
.
Before blaming all the elected officials for what is going on I suggest that those who want to know the facts, and not the misinformation, should go to http://WWW.CoralGables.com and take some time to watch the Commission Meeting videos. I would start with the first meetings after the 2023 election, and as many others as feasible. That may be an eyeopener for some and a confirmation for others!
Please become informed voters and take some time to do this.
I no longer trust ANYONE in the Gables government. The constant messaging and “chisme” is a disgrace. I can’t open my email or mail box without finding out about the latest gossip … It’s like having 5 teenage kids who hate each other. Ridiculous.
I am embarrased to live in the city run by clowns ! KfC need to leave!
at least Menendez out will improve this dark comedy
April could not come soon enough. Please, vote these Clowns out or they will destroy the city.
We all love our city, but why do we think we’re attractive enough for a ‘national search’? A community professional from Kansas? A manager from California? No thanks, we need people who know what Coral Gables is all about and what values we hold dear. No transplants please. Alberto is a qualified individual who is caught in the firestorm of the most toxic politicial environments of South Florida. Thank goodness he’s willing to step in and take the reins. The Miami airport CEO saw the mayor’s demeanor and backed out!
We live in one of the most attractive communities in the country. Why are the 3 stooges so set in not conducting a nationwide search? I guarantee that you will find candidates that are very qualified and would LOVE to relocate to Coral Gables. But no, give the jobs to “los socios” so they can can forward your personal agendas without push back. Latin politics, that’s why most of us end up somewhere else besides our own country.
Congratulations to Mr. Parjus, but he should’ve been named interim manager whilst the city did their best to find the BEST candidate. This city deserves nothing but the best people managing it. Right now the city commissioners who are a bit concerning. The’ve infested the city with Miami’s infamous brand of politics. All in just a few short years. Go vote in April… The choice is in YOUR hands.
When the “other side” doesn’t get that WE THE PEOPLE elected Ariel & Melissa for a reason…because we wanted CHANGE, then the “other side” has to be voted out as well. Lago & Anderson live in their fairytale world where they think they’ve done a great job, but few residents concur. When you’re on the side of developers, you’re on the wrong side! Please people, when the time comes, let’s vote them out! Enough with the corruption!
Shocked Commission would choose this route in advance of an election but you made your decision. Both sides made some good points but the Baerd example was irrelevant, given the flawed background process. I don’t think any example was similar because the commission was never this volatile.
I’m probably more shocked that Parjus would accept the position without a 5-0 vote of support. He is set to fail, in my opinion. At the very least, please omit a provision for a golden parachute, should he be removed from the position after the next election.
A real travesty would be $100k+ to a city manager working for the city only a few months. The promise of a golden parachute is the only reason I can imagine anyone would accept the position under these tumultuous conditions.
Yesterday’s meeting was finger licking good, riddled with L’Ego insults, Maria’s wackiness, Gonzo’s whatever it is and Rip surreality. Hopefully Parjus will prevail and we should all support him. The past is the past but April is walking time for our egotistical Mayor.
Thank you for this adult update. It’s exhausting reading the disrespectful barrage of insults from the other side.
Alberto is exactly what Coral Gables needs. Rhonda has been such a disappointment. She’s a self proclaimed expert in just about everything, law enforcement, sewer systems, trees, air quality, noise measurement, construction, dog parks, hurricanes, engineering, traffic calming and most recently kayaking! The one thing she’s not good at is raising money needs Lago to funnel a few checks her way. She said the city needed a succession plan, I agree! The plan is to vote Anderson out in April.