Why does Tom Wells want to be a
Coral Gables Commissioner?

Tom is an engaged resident who has lived with his wife, Diane, in Coral Gables since 1994.  He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Charter Review Committee for the City of Coral Gables considering changes to the City’s Charter. He is a former Senior Warden and member of the Vestry of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. 

Tom regularly speaks at Commission meetings. He has (a) supported continuing local elections in April as has been done for the past 100 years in Coral Gables, (b) urging for completing the City’s renovations of Burger Bob’s which is now Birdie Bistro, (c) supporting the renewal of the City’s lease with Fritz and Franz, (d) firing the former City Manager for failing to follow Commission direction and violating the City Code, the City Charter and the Citizens’ Bill of Rights for Miami-Dade County guaranteeing that all citizens receive truthful information from public servants, and (e) protecting the City’s budget by opposing the 2% ad valorem tax reduction which would have cut the budget by $2,650,000 and been a windfall to property owners who do not reside in Coral Gables but only provide a very small benefit to residents. He is actively promoting the construction of permanent pickleball courts at the Biltmore Tennis Center. He recently won the 50+ 3.5 men’s doubles pickleball tournament held at the Biltmore in October 2024, and regularly plays with other Coral Gables residents on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the Youth Center. He enjoys and promotes community engagement through pickleball.

Tom has been married to Diane for over 32 years. They have 2 daughters (Kaitlyn and Drew) who both attended The Growing Place, St. Philip’s Episcopal School and are graduates of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. As their girls grew up in Coral Gables, the Wells spent much time (A) at the Youth Center in dance, art, after school games, soccer, baseball, softball and more, (B) in girl scouts, and (C) in church and school activities. Drew also got her USSF Soccer E coaching license and helped coach a U10 Coral Gables Storm girls soccer team at the Youth Center while in high school.

Tom wants to move the City forward for everyone to enjoy.  He is an advocate of businesses having represented both large and small and himself operating a law firm with Diane at 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd.  As we celebrate Coral Gables’ centennial, Tom is focused on the next steps for the Commission and the City.  He will work to re-vamp Commission meetings to respect everyone’s time and interest, including with more time-certain matters, by having the Commission consistently apply the City Code and Robert’s Rules of Order during its meetings to reduce toxicity and personal attacks and encouraging the Mayor to rotate the Vice-Mayor position among Commissioners every 6 months as was done by Mayor Don Slesnick and others in order to facilitate engagement and consensus by all Commissioners. Tom is an advocate of individual and collective term limits for the Mayor and Commissioners to encourage participation by more residents in local government and would serve only as a one-term Commissioner. He wants more self-service and is not running for self-promotion or self-enrichment.