CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Just weeks after firing its former City Manager, the Coral Gables Commission picked a new Manager on Tuesday.
The Commission voted three-to-two to hire Amos Rojas, Jr. during its meeting at City Hall.
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Commissioners Kirk Menendez, Ariel Fernandez and Melissa Castro voted to hire Rojas, Jr.
Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson voted against the hire.
During the meeting, Lago argued that there should have been an open search for the next City Manager, but admitted he did not have the votes to stop the quick hiring of Rojas, Jr.
“I am interested in the position, because I believe I could add value to the City of Coral Gables,” Rojas, Jr. told Lago.
Lago said he looked forward to working with Rojas. Jr., but voted no because he said he had just met Rojas, Jr. an hour earlier.
Before voting yes, Castro said, “I am not going to jeopardize this opportunity to hire an overqualified candidate.”
Rojas, Jr. has worked in Law Enforcement for decades in South Florida, most recently as a U.S. Marshal for the United States Marshals Service.
Starting Wednesday, he will oversee the 1,000 people who work for the City of Coral Gables. Earlier this month, the Commission voted to fire the former City Manager Peter Iglesias.
Iglesias had worked in the “City Beautiful” for more than five years.
The same commissioners, who voted to fire Iglesias, voted to hire Rojas, Jr.