Why vote for Tom Wells
Tom is focused on civility, transparency and enhancing the quality of life for residents and protecting against over-development and traffic that is inconsistent with the look and feel of the City Beautiful. He is a 30-year resident and homeowner and a 17-year small business owner (law firm) in Coral Gables. He is the best candidate for Coral Gables Commissioner, Group III for so many reasons, including the following:
Currently Serving the City: Tom is the only candidate that currently serves on a City Committee. He is the Vice-Chair of the Charter Review Committee. It is created every 10 years comprised of prominent residents that considers changes to the rules by which our government operates. He has had 8 meetings, including 2 town hall meetings and 1 joint Commission meeting. In contrast, Mr. Lara’s committee (the City-Wide Anti-Crime Committee) was eliminated in 2022 (one year after he joined) for failing to meet or conduct any business. Ms. Miro was removed from her committee (Planning and Zoning Board) in 2023 for missing 50% of the meetings preceding her removal.
Engaged Resident: In the past 18 months, Tom spoke at 14 Commission or Townhall meetings on different resident-focused issues such as reopening Burger Bob’s, extending the lease to Fritz & Franz and requiring transparency from the City. Again, in contrast, Mr. Lara only spoke once and was against the City paying $41,800 for a ramp allowing wheelchair patrons to go from the first to second floor at the City-owned Miracle Mile Theater and interrupted a Commissioner who had the floor violating our City Code and our Civility Code.
Flexibility to Serve as Commissioner: Tom is the only candidate with flexibility to serve as Commissioner. He owns his own small business (a law firm) located in Coral Gables for the past 17 years allowing for a flexible schedule to attend to the needs of residents. Again, in contrast, Mr. Lara is a senior employee of a public company located in unincorporated Dade County west of Hialeah with extensive operations outside of Florida, and Ms. Miro is an employee of a different company also located outside of Coral Gables.
Accounting and Corporate Law Background: Tom is the only candidate (and will be the only elected official on the Commission) with an accounting background and 36 years of corporate, tax and business law skills which will provide transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility and civility to residents.
Self-Funding His Campaign: Tom is self-funding his own campaign so that you hear his message and not the message of $1,000 campaign contributors.