News: Commissioners Wolfson & Weithorn Fire Shot Over Mgr. Gonzalez’s Bow, Will He be Out in March?
By Daniel Ricker
A long time observer of Miami Beach politics and the commission predicted long serving Manager Jorge Gonzalez, 45, would be gone in the months ahead and any chance of building a world-class convention center “was over,” he said at the end of the week. Gonzalez’s future came up suddenly at a public non-televised meeting www.miamiherald.com Wednesday and the former Miami-Dade County employee has been at the city’s helm for over a decade. He once told some Russian College students visiting city hall, when he first got involved in public service he learned what that meant after Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. When he was sent to help with the recovery and rebuilding of the devastated South Dade and Homestead area. He told the students when an event like that occurs, the first thing government has to do is stabilize the people with, food, water and shelter and to slowly build up that infrastructure which ultimately took years after the natural disaster.
In his capacity as the Beach manager over the years since he has been seen as a able technocrat with a good relationship with the public and officials but time does take its toll and problems in the city’s building and zoning department, police actions including joy rides on the beach hurting tourists, and other incidents seem to have taken there toll with a couple of the commissioners. Commissioner Jonah Wolfson led the charge and proposed voting on whether Gonzalez should be retained and Commissioner Deede Weithorn seconded the item that was ultimately deferred until March when the manager’s performance will again be addressed. Gonzalez loves the city and even lives there, has the support of Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Commissioner Jerry Libbin but it is clear he has taken a hit, that has critics calling him “arrogant,” and it remains to be seen how this plays out in the future.
Commissioner Michael Gongora newsletter on the subject – Probably the most heated item was the annual performance appraisals of both the City Manager and City Attorney. For the first time in 11 years (that I recall), the Commission opted not to extend the contracts for either of our top administrators. A motion came forward to terminate the City Manager. This motion was eventually tabled and the discussion and evaluation were deferred until March 2012. Although Miami Beach is fortunate to be in solid financial standing compared to many other communities, several Commissioners, myself included, feel the City can do better still. Miami Beach must take action to correct problems across departments and hire the best talent available to lead these departments. Paramount to this discussion are the Building and Police Departments. These discussions are most consequential as I am responsible to you for ensuring that Miami Beach has the best possible administration leading us into a bright, sustainable future. I must also be convinced that our Administration is working diligently to resolve your issues when you reach out for assistance.
I will continue to monitor this carefully, as always, keeping your best interests at heart. As we approach the holidays, may you and yours enjoy a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. I also wish you a Happy and Healthy 2012!
Category: WATCHDOG REPORT
