A challenger has emerged to run in an April election for Coral Gables City Commission against popular incumbent Maria Anderson: Gonzolo Sanabria. Eyeonmiami has written about Gonzalo Sanabria before. News of his intention to run for public office gives us reason to write again."I will shortly be challenging Maria Anderson to any and all debates. I look forward to analyzing her record in front of the public.'' Bring it on, she said. ''I love the democratic process,'' Anderson said. "Campaigns are a great way to have a great dialogue about the issues of the city. I love debates. So I would say, let's go for it."
Gonzalo Sanabria's career has been tied up in one real estate deal after another, and in his public service has represented Miami's addiction to growth-at-any-cost that helped foment the housing market bubble and now the worst decline in property values in history. Sanabria served on the County Planning Advisory Board as chief barker for serial horrendous development applications; from the Homestead Air Force Base (HABDI) to other developments outside Miami Dade's Urban Development Boundary. Sometimes Gonzalo seemed to be reading from the same script. Gonzalo Sanabria relished his role as the black hat and could always be counted on to deliver the viewpoint of special interests.
Sanabria's viewpoint on growth is like a saw blade cutting through the public interest in two directions: first, the complaint that environmental and planning regulations are excessively burdensome and, second, that regulations adequately protect the environment from development impacts.
While Gonzalo Sanabria was pushing his arguments back and forth on the Planning Advisory Board, his team-mates in the lobbying business were all about neutering, dismantling, or otherwise wrecking those regulations and intimidating those regulators at every opportunity.
We can't wait to hear his defense of the indefensible.
10 comments:
We know what he is and why he does what he does. It is called money.
Because the blogger has restricted what is said about this guy I will stop here.
Never very friendly to the public when he was the head of the Planning Board. has he changed somehow. I hear he is collecting a lot of money.
His running probably has to do with the Ralph Sanchez deal in the Gables. They don't run their own without a reason. It's hard to see what they have to complain about. Maybe Sanabria wants to bring a little of Kendall to the Gables.
Mr. Sanabria led the pro-incorporation fight for Key Biscayne, Pinecrest, Aventura, Doral, The Falls, Miami Gardens, Palmetto Bay, East and West Kendall, Sunny Isles and Miami Lakes, remember that Gonzalo Sanabria?
Gonzalo also, if you want to be fair and honest, led the fight to declare the large USDA tract on Old Cutler Road a future park site going against Pinecrest that wanted to annex it for development but now saved for posterity.
Go ahead and check the records and compare it to the incumbent he's running against who's totally in bed with big developers and cuddled the disgraced city manager who's been a disaster for this city.
Let's incorporate Coral Gables! Sanabria can lead the way!
You say he led the incorporation of all the CHERRY PICKED cities? Is that a feather in his cap, that is something he is proud of? Aventura, Pinecrest, etc. left all their poor neighbor out of their cities. They shouldn't have been allowed to incorporate without taking some disadvantaged areas with them. Of course, that Gonzalo doesn't care about equity.
Speaking of being in bed with big developers, Gonzalo Sanabria IS A DEVELOPER and he goes to bed every night with himself doesn't he?
Gonzalo Sanabria NEVER TURNED AWAY ANY DEVELOPERS. Are you kidding? Anderson is a moderate but when you put her record next to Sanabria's she is anti-development in comparison.
Anderson is not the great crusader she conveys on the political stump. Watch or attend any city commission meeting and you can see where her interests lye; her friends. Sanabria is not a credible candidate; however, he may be what the Gables needs. Too many residents here are anti-development--read anti minority incursion into this anglo enclave. Perhaps with Sanabria more developers will mean more projects and a greater tax base; keep in mind the CBD has not increased in size since Merrick proposed it, its just been filled in. I urge those that are going to vote in April to attend a commission meeting. You may be shocked at the power wielded by a small clan of retro apartheidists who feel they need to circle the Gables with the wagons. From their vantage point high rises=minorities in affordable towers. Never mind that the costs of these “affordable” apartments are way out of reach from the ordinary Miami-Dade COunty resident.
Yep, that is what we need in Coral Gables, growth at any cost. Sanabria will not get my vote.
Anderson was there when an earlier administration was rebuilding City Hall and making bad decisions for Coral Gables and has been there for us since. Do not tarnish her record with lies. She is a Cuban American, like me and I am proud of her.
Thanks Gimleteye for your post. As the only trained architect/true civic activist turned Commissioner, Maria Anderson represents our community well. She is thoughtful, intelligent and ethical. For a few people to imply otherwise is absurd.
I would suggest that folks look at the company her opponent keeps, including his campaign consultant Armando Gutierrez of developer/LBA fame. How interesting her opponent, a builder/developer/power broker, would attempt to appear to be something different. Please look at his donors and ask yourself why those players are there for him. Ask yourself why Ms. Anderson's opponent put $100,000 in his campaign account.
Comm. Anderson has had my vote twice already. This will be the third time I give her my vote--and she deserves it because she is the best prepared commissioner at almost every commission meeting in our fair city.
Sign me Gables born and bred
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