A longtime Christmas tree lot on Granada Boulevard in Coral Gables has become the center of a dispute between the city and its operator, and a local commentary says City Hall handled it poorly. The column, published Nov. 4, argues that families who have bought trees there for more than 30 years deserved a clearer resolution before the holiday season.
The lot is run by Paul Boutin, a retired Coral Gables fire captain, through his company, Firefighters Christmas Trees Inc. The business uses the name of the Coral Gables Firefighters Benevolent Association under an agreement. Mayor Vince Lago has raised questions about that arrangement, the money involved and whether the operation meets the city’s charitable requirements, according to the column.
The writer says the operator had already committed about $130,000 to prepare for the season when the concerns surfaced at the end of October. The column also notes that Commissioner Ariel Fernandez proposed letting the operation run for the 2026 season while the issues were addressed. Instead, the permit application was withdrawn.
The piece also points to a political angle. Commissioner Melissa Castro questioned whether the timing was linked to the firefighters’ union backing her over Lago. The mayor denied any political motive. The writer calls for City Hall to release relevant records, explain when the concerns were found and describe efforts to fix them.
For Coral Gables residents, the outcome will decide whether the lot returns for the holidays. The column is an opinion piece, and the city has not yet released the records it is asked to provide.
