Letter from Comm. Marc Sarnoff
Comm. Marc Sarnoff wrote to us. Here is the letter.
I am assuming the bloggers who "do not have to be careful with the facts" are the people who comment here. Because I go out of my way to be careful about the facts I publish.
Start of letter:
I have occasionally viewed the Coconut Grove Grapevine Blog. I am often impressed with the level of discourse. Obviously, blogs have become a factor in American politics. Apparently, some bloggers think they know things that they could not possibly know and some use blogs as a way to voice their opinions as if their opinions were fact. Apparently, bloggers do not have to be careful with the facts and many voice their opinions, couched as fact with the apparent goal to hurt others.
We all have the right of free speech, thus we can equally enjoy the benefit of an opinion and a right to voice that opinion. Please do not mistake opinions for facts.
I have no ulterior motives in the Mercy rezoning issue. Of course, my goal is to make the best decision possible for the neighboring residents in the N. Grove, for the residents of Dist 2 and for the residents of the City of Miami. As I stated at the Commission meeting on January 25th, I just do not see a need to change the GI zoning to R4. I do not think that is good for the Grove. I equally have grave concern for the interpretation of the GI ordinance. My biggest concern is the proposed zoning change to an R4 designation. This is the "camel's nose in the tent" analogy. This designation could spread the development throughout the Mercy site and the LaSalle campus. If a precedent is set here, it could negatively affect every District within the City of Miami.
I love my job and representing the interests of all the residents of District 2. I get up every morning excited to be the Commissioner of this great District.
When I see a specific bloggers' comments, I understand everyone has a right to say what they want, and I realize that not every blogger supported my candidacy. No problem. What does trouble me and my family is when a blogger states things that are untrue as fact. That is wrong -- just plain wrong!
I know that there are others out there that will not support me and that is okay; we are all entitled to our opinions. I will keep working to earn everyone’s trust and respect. I just do not want to see bloggers state as facts items that are not facts. Please state them as your opinion.
Let me close by saying just because you make an accusation in an email or on a blog that does not get a response, do not treat that accusation as fact. Maybe it is not worth a response or maybe the person making the observation is just throwing up something to see what sticks. Maybe the accused is just too busy attempting to solve substantive issues. Some people have a great deal of time on their hands -- they should use it productively.
I will resist responses like this in the future. I have no agenda other than looking out for what is good for all the residents of the City of Miami. I won election in 2006 spending very little money and I may not need much money to run for re-election in 2007. I owe no one. Let me repeat, I owe no one (except my volunteers for their support and they do not want anything in return except for good government). That is one reason why I enjoy this job so much. I realize many developers might be considering raising money for someone to oppose me in 2007. At least I know how that feels as I was outspent in 2006 by 4 to 1.
I have never been a supporter of conspiracies, but they do sell papers and they look fun in print. I am sorry - there is no conspiracy here.
Thank you for listening and enduring my comments. Please keep up the intelligent dialogue.
Sincerely,
Marc Sarnoff
District 2 Commissioner
I am assuming the bloggers who "do not have to be careful with the facts" are the people who comment here. Because I go out of my way to be careful about the facts I publish.
Start of letter:
I have occasionally viewed the Coconut Grove Grapevine Blog. I am often impressed with the level of discourse. Obviously, blogs have become a factor in American politics. Apparently, some bloggers think they know things that they could not possibly know and some use blogs as a way to voice their opinions as if their opinions were fact. Apparently, bloggers do not have to be careful with the facts and many voice their opinions, couched as fact with the apparent goal to hurt others.
We all have the right of free speech, thus we can equally enjoy the benefit of an opinion and a right to voice that opinion. Please do not mistake opinions for facts.
I have no ulterior motives in the Mercy rezoning issue. Of course, my goal is to make the best decision possible for the neighboring residents in the N. Grove, for the residents of Dist 2 and for the residents of the City of Miami. As I stated at the Commission meeting on January 25th, I just do not see a need to change the GI zoning to R4. I do not think that is good for the Grove. I equally have grave concern for the interpretation of the GI ordinance. My biggest concern is the proposed zoning change to an R4 designation. This is the "camel's nose in the tent" analogy. This designation could spread the development throughout the Mercy site and the LaSalle campus. If a precedent is set here, it could negatively affect every District within the City of Miami.
I love my job and representing the interests of all the residents of District 2. I get up every morning excited to be the Commissioner of this great District.
When I see a specific bloggers' comments, I understand everyone has a right to say what they want, and I realize that not every blogger supported my candidacy. No problem. What does trouble me and my family is when a blogger states things that are untrue as fact. That is wrong -- just plain wrong!
I know that there are others out there that will not support me and that is okay; we are all entitled to our opinions. I will keep working to earn everyone’s trust and respect. I just do not want to see bloggers state as facts items that are not facts. Please state them as your opinion.
Let me close by saying just because you make an accusation in an email or on a blog that does not get a response, do not treat that accusation as fact. Maybe it is not worth a response or maybe the person making the observation is just throwing up something to see what sticks. Maybe the accused is just too busy attempting to solve substantive issues. Some people have a great deal of time on their hands -- they should use it productively.
I will resist responses like this in the future. I have no agenda other than looking out for what is good for all the residents of the City of Miami. I won election in 2006 spending very little money and I may not need much money to run for re-election in 2007. I owe no one. Let me repeat, I owe no one (except my volunteers for their support and they do not want anything in return except for good government). That is one reason why I enjoy this job so much. I realize many developers might be considering raising money for someone to oppose me in 2007. At least I know how that feels as I was outspent in 2006 by 4 to 1.
I have never been a supporter of conspiracies, but they do sell papers and they look fun in print. I am sorry - there is no conspiracy here.
Thank you for listening and enduring my comments. Please keep up the intelligent dialogue.
Sincerely,
Marc Sarnoff
District 2 Commissioner
posted by Tom Falco at 9:15 PM
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9 Comments:
No one can accuse Commissioner Sarnoff of not working hard. We look forward to his continued efforts to improve the quality of life in Dist 2.
What a weird letter. Not being a Grove inhabitant (live in the gables, play in the grove) I honestly have nothing for or against Sarnoff (except that I fully support his anti-Home depot efforts) but this is a very very weird letter. It goes round and round and round without addressing any issue, addressing any accusation or giving facts.
If this were a novel, you would know that the guy has something to hide. Thankfully, it is not a novel and probably sarnoff is just a bad letter writer.
One of the advantages of the web and blogs is that directness is appreciated. I would say, mark, be more direct.
I have to agree that the letter is pretty opaque. Reading it, I have no idea what sort of innuendo he's addressing.
I think he is responding to comments made about him saying one thing to get into office and then doing another.
People do tend to comment here anonymously without any fact and just accuse people of things.
At least he is responding. Did we ever get a response from Linda Haskins on any of the charges against her?
His letter makes perfect sense to me, that is why I posted it.
I understood the letter. It is crystal clear.
Apparently someone misstated facts (imagine that). Since many comments are anonymous and uncontested, Marc felt the need for a rebuttal.
What I found refreshing is that he did not accept donations from any special interest groups.
I do not know Mr. Sarnoff and never met him. I do know that he has spent years as a concerned citizen fighting for our neighborhood against Home Depot.
Who does that?
If you've ever received one of Brent Cutler's chain emails, you have probably seen good candidates for ill inuendo and bad facts.
TOTALLY REFRESHING –
At long last person in our public service with a conscience. All you critics and naysayers that doubt this man's integrity should probably check yourselves first. (Just a thought.)
I personally appreciate the fact that Marc won't allow misinformation to slide; especially given the potential for it to become truth to the outspoken misinformed. No one can deny that it is a challenging road working amid the morally corrupt. So, I commend him for taking the time, and making a concerted and honest effort to "keep the record straight."
I understood the non-categorical implicitness of his letter. Who really wants to get into the nitty gritty pettiness of specifics if only to fuel pointless opinionated banter amongst ourselves? (Oh, but hat's what blogging is all about though isn't it - hmmm.)
I digress.
We can't be silent no more... Apathy is so passé.
I guess I must have missed something, because I still don't know specifically what Marc is writing about.
I do not know Commissioner Sarnoff well but I think I know exactly what he is saying.
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