ANABELLE de GALE and FRANCES ROBLES

 From the phone lines to the long Lotto lines, the talk around South Florida was of
 Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas.

 ``Sorry Xavier Suarez, looks like there is a new `Mayor Loco' in town,'' said
 Thomas W. Stritter, a nurse.

 Stritter and many people around Miami-Dade -- particularly non-Cubans -- were
 astonished at Penelas' tough talk Wednesday. Flanked by mayors from
 throughout the county, Penelas said federal officials could not count on Dade
 resources for help if Elian Gonzalez was to be sent back to Cuba.

 But for some, his words backfired: Penelas, they said, was speaking for his
 people -- not all people.

 ``I saw the mayor and thought, `He's not representing me, my friends, or my
 family,' '' said Carrie Maxwell, 66, of Cutler Ridge. ``Everything he said offended
 me -- everything. They're going to tear this town down, and I'd blame the mayors
 for that.''

 Sensing the backlash, Penelas later tamed his comments.

 ``Let me be very clear, my colleagues and I do not condone illegal disturbances or
 protests that infringe on the rights of others,'' he said in a prepared statement.

 His spokesman, Juan Mendieta, acknowledged that 20 to 30 percent of the
 dozens of calls coming into the mayor's office Wednesday were ``concerned.''
 Mendieta said the bulk of the calls backed the mayor. People like Ana Maria
 Lamar.

 ``Excellent!'' Lamar said while protesting outside Elian Gonzalez's house. ``I'm
 proud of the mayor.''

 Hortencia Prado, who closed her Hollywood potpourri factory at noon to come to
 the Gonzalez home, said Penelas was helping the community, because he
 understands the Cuban experience.

 ``He's not going to help them pull this kid out like a criminal,'' Prado said. ``Elian
 is not a criminal.''

 Still others believe if blood spills, the politicians are to blame.

 ``His public comments are irresponsible and likely to incite a riot,'' said Carl
 Snyder, a retired freelance writer from South Miami. ``If there is violence, the first
 one who should be arrested is Alex Penelas. I could not believe my ears. He's
 declaring war against our country's laws.''

 Said Donnamarie Milazzo, a North Miami Beach administrative assistant: ``He is
 supposed to represent and serve all Miami-Dade County citizens, not just the
 Cubans. I will consider him, along with all other politicians who allow exiles to
 threaten and blackmail with violence, responsible and will never forget it -- whether
 it be this coming November, or any other election year.''

 She felt so strongly about it that she fired off an email to Penelas -- and The
 Herald.

 Dafne Menendez, who left Cuba 12 years ago, said Penelas' comments should be
 taken for what they were: vote grabbers.

 ``I won't be a political pawn,'' she said after selecting a video at Blockbuster in
 Miami Beach. ``He's a politician. He's doing this for votes -- what else would he do
 it for?''

 Herald Staff Writers Karen Branch, Marika Lynch and Andrea Robinson
 contributed to this report.

                     Copyright 2000 Miami Herald