Saturday, April 7, 2007 --  Discontent is stirring the Coral Gables elections, though not so fiercely as when anti-incumbents in 2001 elected then-newcomers Mayor Don Slesnick and Commissioners Maria Anderson and Ralph Cabrera.

 

For the first time after three terms, Don Slesnick has opposition: George Corrigan, 78, a retired banker and Coral Gables mayor from 1987 to 1993, and Richard Namon, 71, owner of a real-estate firm and a civic activist. The winner will serve the first four-year mayor's term. Voters agreed to double the two-year term in 2005. Mr. Slesnick, 63, has earned the right to serve four more years.

 

Swept into office in 2001 by voters angry at incumbents' arrogance and tin ears on residents' wishes, Mr. Slesnick stays in touch and in tune with his constituents. Although Coral Gables is a manager-council government, meaning the city manager runs daily operations, Mr. Slesnick as mayor has set a professional, responsive tone at City Hall. His low-key leadership style combined with progressive ideas are a winning mix.

 

The third Slesnick opponent is the Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7. The police union opposes Mr. Slesnick because the city and the union can't resolve contract negotiations. The city, to reduce its huge pension costs, has persuaded its other two unions to join the more-thrifty state retirement plan. The police union, which is balking, is at fault here, not city officials who want to cut the budget.

 

To those who say too much development is occurring, Mr. Slesnick responds that most of what has been built was allowable under city rules, meaning builders didn't have to ask the City Commission for permitting requests or variances. Mr. Slesnick also points to the charrette that led to more residential and mixed-use projects downtown, bringing residents to support businesses in the central city. Indeed, downtown Coral Gables is lively these days, even on weekday nights.

 

Mr. Slesnick and the commission can rightly claim that the rewritten city code will prevent any more incompatible McMansions, encourage townhomes instead of boxy apartment buildings and create buffers between residential and commercial development.

 

Mr. Slesnick brings intelligence, commitment and an openness to innovation to Coral Gables City Hall.

 

For Coral Gables mayor The Miami Herald recommends Don Slesnick.