April 11, 2024
The Honorable Vince Lago
Mayor
City of Coral Gables
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Dear Mayor Lago,
We, the collective voices of the Coral Gables Fire and Police Departments, feel compelled to confront you directly with our concerns. In a recent letter sent to residents the portrayal of your support for public safety contrasts starkly with the reality we have faced—protracted struggles to secure fair contracts amid a turbulent climate of your personal business entanglements and alleged developer scandals.
In our mission to serve, we have observed with growing unease the unfolding narratives that call into question the integrity of your office. The terminated lease with developer Rishi Kapoor and other transactions indicative of conflicts of interest are more than troubling; they suggest a pattern of using public office to further personal gain.
The repercussions of such actions resonate far beyond the confines of city hall. As we approach a critical juncture, the Coral Gables Police Department is bracing for up to fifty vacancies. This dire predicament will directly affect the very fabric of public safety in our community. For too long, our officers have been striving to secure competitive wages that are essential to retain and recruit the best individuals—the caliber of professionals our residents rightfully deserve.
Your letter states you support public safety but let’s set the record straight. In your eleven years of public office you have NEVER voted in favor of a single firefighter collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Firefighters were without a new CBA just a few months shy of a three year mark disputing fair and competitive wages. The city continues to grow vertically with 130 existing high rises and thirty new high rise developments still to come, and yet, The City Beautiful does not meet the national standard for firefighter high rise staffing and the department remains understaffed.
Placing the only NO vote on this year’s city budget signified you were against funding a new fire station and additional police and firefighter positions. Just recently you and Vice Mayor Anderson declined to be part of the ceremonial groundbreaking picture of Coral Gables Fire Station 4 sending a clear sign of where you both stand on public safety. Your actions are not in line with your statements of public safety support.
These issues are compounded by the overt criticism of commissioners who, in our view, have dutifully executed their responsibilities to the electorate. It is an act that can only be described as punitive for their lack of allegiance to your interests, casting a shadow over the democratic values we hold dear.
We call upon you, Mayor Lago, to reaffirm your dedication to the principles of good governance—transparency, impartiality, and service to the public good. Our role as public servants is sacrosanct, and we must align in support of those who risk their lives for the safety of our community.
We ask that you reflect on the gravity of these concerns and realign your priorities with the needs and expectations of the people of Coral Gables. We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue and to take necessary steps that ensure the continued safety and prosperity of our community.
Sincerely,
Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7
Coral Gables Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1210
Cc:
The Honorable Rhonda Anderson, Vice Mayor
The Honorable Melissa Castro, Commissioner
The Honorable Ariel Fernandez, Commissioner
The Honorable Kirk Menendez, Commissioner
Amos Rojas Jr., City Manager
I don’t think this is surprising to anyone. Lago is a typical sleazy politician. He exudes disrespect out of every pore of his body, unless you agree with him. Commissioner Anderson is a robot. 100% A. I., programmed to follow Lago’s lead.
I am pro-law enforcement and firefighters, but my accounting background concerns me with the current social security system. People are retiring at a certain age and living longer, meaning there are drains on retirement pensions, which lead to higher taxes. For instance, if a police officer can retire after 20 years at age 45 and live to be 100, Coral Gables obligates itself for 55 years.
What percentage of the city’s total budget is currently allocated to the police and fire departments? (I understand the police budget is 27.4 million, and the fire department’s is 14.8 million.)
How have these allocations changed over the past decade?
What is the projected growth in the city’s revenue, and how might this impact the ability to sustain salary increases and pension commitments?
What would be the immediate financial impact of the proposed salary raises for police officers and firefighters?
How would raising salaries affect the long-term financial obligations related to pension plans?
What is the current average salary and benefits package for police officers and firefighters in the city?
How do these packages compare with national averages?
What are the salaries and benefits for similar roles in comparable cities in South Florida and beyond?
Are there regional economic factors that justify differences in compensation?
Does the current pension plan include cost of living adjustments? If so, how are these calculated?
What has been the historical average percentage increase due to COLA?
What type of pension plans are currently in place (defined benefit vs. defined contribution)?
How are pension benefits calculated? Is it based on the number of years of service, final salary, or another formula?
What is the vesting period for the pension plan?
At what age can officers and firefighters retire with full benefits?
Are there early retirement options, and how do they affect pension benefits?
Given current life expectancy rates, what is the expected lifespan of pension payouts?
How does the city plan to fund these pensions over the long term?
Are health benefits included in the retirement packages?
How are these benefits managed and funded?
How do current salary and benefits impact employee satisfaction and retention rates?
What are the recruitment and turnover rates for police and firefighters, and how might changes in compensation affect them?
What is the level of public support or opposition to increasing salaries and pension benefits?
How does the public perceive the effectiveness and efficiency of police and firefighting services?
Are there any existing legal or contractual obligations with unions that would affect changes to salary and pensions?
What are the negotiation points with unions regarding salary increases and changes to pension plans?
What data sources are available to support decision-making in this area?
How can data analytics be used to forecast the impacts of different salary and pension scenarios?
Our national legislators tend to become yes men for votes, rather than developing a strategic plan that benefits communities as well as our people.
Good bye Mr Lago & Ms Anderson! Your lack of leadership has taken its toll. A politician’s duty to the office is to build a safe responsible & respected environment for its residents. You’ve failed us miserably. Thank you firefighters & Police for being honorable & bold. Lago & Anderson you both need to grow up.
A Fundamental reason why we live in and are willing to pay CG taxes is quality of life represented in key services like strong policing and excellence in Fire/Rescue Services. There is no denying the facts presented in the letter to Mayor Lago about his lack of support for these services, especially Fire Rescue. Just read the Minutes of Commission Meetings or Watch the Videos on these subjects. When our residents need help, Fire/Rescue is there 100%. I don’t think we want it any other way especially now with the high-rise boom.
While the letter singles out one member of the commission, it’s time to consider how the commission as a whole has failed to provide basic services to the community. Sidewalks are cracked and broken, hedges and other plantings overgrow those same sidewalks making passage in car free zones difficult and cars speeding through residential neighborhoods to avoid the difficult traffic patterns that have been created by massive developments are antithetical to a safe community. Wasting time with petty name calling is beneath the commission as a whole. I have begun to feel that all commissioners should resign and the city should draft community members who do not want to serve in order to prevent “career” commissioners who have taken their collective eye off the ball.
Mayor Lago needs to respond to the letter from the Fire/Police Unions to clear the air.
This is not a good look for the Mayor or for the City of Coral Gables.
DAVID FAMULARI
Thank you for your letter…for bringing to light such an important topic! It’s unimaginable our Mayor and Vice Mayor care so little about residents and public safety! This affects all of us.
Great and important Letter, helping to expose the corrupt DEVELOPER OCRACY destroying Coral Gables.
Monumental repudiation of run amok profiteering while destroying democracy.
VIVA AMOS ROJAS!
This Police and Fire Union letter is a treasure enable by MR CLEAN, Amos Rojas, and courageous Kirk Menendez.
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
I and many others support the FD and Police of this city. Too bad that those that claim to love and say their priority is the safety of the residents, turn their backs on us.
I have stated before and will say it again like many others, Lago must Go and so is Anderson