The Coral Gables, Florida City Commission voted unanimously this week to make Sept. 11 an official day of remembrance, following a string of dismissive comments from Mayor Vince Lago.
“The hatred and the misguided devotion that drove those murders [on Sept. 11] still exists today. And the answer to that hatred is to never forget the love put on full display by those who sacrificed their lives to save others,” General President Edward Kelly said at the commission’s Sept. 10 meeting. “I ask the Commission to lead the way…ensure that 9/11 is forever remembered in Coral Gables.”
City Commissioner Kirk Menendez introduced the ordinance after Lago chose Sept. 11 to unveil a clock celebrating the city’s centennial. Coral Gables was incorporated on April 25, 1925.
“Stop trying to muddy the waters. You’re all invited to come September 11th and smile,” Lagos told the City Commission on Aug. 27. “And the second point is this: September 11th is not a national holiday. And it’s not a holiday in the city or the state. I asked the clerk for that information. So, it’s not a national holiday at the end of the day.”
Lago’s defiance aggravated city commissioners and residents. Coral Gables Local 1210 urged the mayor to change course, noting that Sept. 11 was a day of mourning – not a day for celebratory clock unveilings. Kelly wrote Lago, urging him to apologize for the insensitive remarks.
While the clock unveiling was ultimately rescheduled, Lago dug in during debate on the Sept. 11 ordinance.
After saying it was “profoundly important that we remember and honor the significance of September 11th,” Lago pivoted and condemned the controversy as “all politics in an effort to smear my name.”
“It’s very easy to smear me and try to destroy me over a comment that’s taken out of context,” he said. “But please don’t come here and tell me that I don’t respect you.”
City Commissioner Melissa Castro pressed Lago to apologize. “I don’t feel like I have to,” he said. “Let’s move on.”
“September 11th is not just a date on the calendar. It’s a day to solemnly remember and honor those we lost,” said 12th District Vice President Walt Dix. “For the mayor to dismiss that significance shows a lack of respect for those who gave everything that day. Politics and ego should not overshadow the importance of September 11th.”
Dix commended union leadership for stepping up.
“I’m proud of how our IAFF, district, state, and Local leadership stood together and urged the city to change course,” he said. “And I’m grateful to the city commissioners in Coral Gables who stood with Local 1210.”
Local 1210 President David Perez agreed.
“Local 1210 thanks Commissioner Menendez for his leadership and political courage to sponsor the item and correct the wrong caused,” he said. “We value the support of his colleagues Commissioners Melissa Castro and Ariel Fernandez for keeping the September 11th ordinance to Coral Gables and not kicking it down the road to other levels of government.”
