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 CAPE CORAL - It took 2 days of our reports but Cape City Manager John Szerlag's new silver 2012 Infiniti now has a temporary tag from the state of Florida.

We told you beginning Monday evening Szerlag was driving this car with Michigan plates for months.  That's a problem because Florida state law says you have just 10 days to register your car in this state after you move here.  Szerlag has been here for seven months.  Cape Councilman Kevin McGrail says he's disappointed.

"It's really important we do things the right way,"said McGrail.

For two days, We tried to ask about his plates.  But what turned into "wait just a few minutes" never happened after we were told that by the city's public information director Connie Barron.  Then, an appointment with Szerlag was suddenly cancelled and we were told by Barron to submit questions of Szerlag in writing.  Then, an email late Tuesday Szlerag admitting, "I acknowledge that I did not get my plates transferred within the specified timeframe."

We caught up with Szerlag Wednesday morning walking into his office but he refused to talk to us instead disappearing inside his locked office door.

As part of Szerlag's contract agreement with the city, you the taxpayers are giving him 650 dollars a month in a car allowance and some now are saying that should be taken away.

Councilman McGrail says that's not necessary. But he says perhaps Szerlag should offer something else to the people who are providing an allowance for a vehicle that wasn't properly registered in accordance with state law.

"Do you think he owes the public an apology," asked Fox 4 reporter John Rupolo.

"That's between him and his conscience, but I would apologize," said McGrail.

You can contact Szerlag directly if you have a problem with him not registering his car properly for months.  His office number is 574-0451 or email him direct at jszerlag@capecoral.net

JOHN RUPOLO

FOX 4 NEWS