Comm. Sarnoff's response on the traffic circle
This is in response the Herald's front page article:This traffic circle supports Miami's quality-of-life, safety and welfare campaign to improve traffic flow throughout the neighborhoods and to protect them from speeding drivers.
Virginia and Shipping is the epicenter for traffic to and from CocoWalk and Mayfair. There have been several accidents at this intersection. The Grove police commander recommended the construction of this circle.
In 1995, two area residents sought approval for a four-way stop sign. The request was rejected by Pete Hernandez, then Miami-Dade County director of public works. He now is Miami's manager. In 1996, Hernandez reversed himself and approved the sign.
On Jan. 16, 2001, the Center Grove Neighborhood Association requested a traffic circle be located on this intersection. On Jan. 29, 2001, the Association requested approval for the installation. On April 17, 2001, Public Works approved the traffic circle, and on April 18, 2001, the Fire Department granted its approval. In fact, every needed approval was accomplished in 2001.
In 2004, Cesar Gonzalez, who was a part of "The Firm," a group of Miami employees allegedly operating illegally, advised that the city and county had approved the traffic circle. Though there was not unanimity for the approval; however there was overwhelming public support for the circle.
Construction approval remained Gonzalez's desk, until I took office. As part of a campaign to calm traffic, we are addressing many cut-through streets and those visitors use to reach businesses. We have received county approval for two more traffic circles, including at Day Avenue and Matilda Street. We seek concurrence from the county for circles to slow neighborhood traffic.
We have county approval for traffic calming on Tigertail Avenue, a project that will be funded by the county. We also are awaiting a traffic study to establish more substantial traffic control devices in South Grove.
This traffic circle has been in the works for more than seven years. It is part of the city's agenda to safeguard neighborhoods.
MARC D. SARNOFF, Commissioner, District 2, Miami
posted by Tom Falco at 4:25 PM
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44 Comments:
Is it me or what? I have never seen more than one car at a time at that intersection. There's none in the picture here at all. Waste of taxpayer money.
Anon, i agree. there is WAYYY more traffic at the intersection of Mary and Oak/Tigertail. In fact the traffic backs up across 27th during rush hour.
Honestly I think traffic circles are great, but this is bac spot. Its too smal of an interesction. I feel like I am driving an indy road course as i have to twist the wheel just to get around it.
I think it is safe to say that this traffic circle does not calm traffic at all, in fact it makes it much harder to navigate as a pedestrian. The commissioner, who lives right there should know this as well as anyone. A 4-way stop calms traffic far more than a traffic circle.
You can see the tiremarks on the circle made by SUVs and trucks that cannot make it around the small area.
We could save a lot of taxpayer’s money by not creating any more traffic circles (roundabouts) by simply installing large round speed bumps to slow down traffic on busy street. This traffic system reduces speeders and increase safety to pedestrians, kids and pet owners walking their dogs. Soft speed bumps have been most effective in Key Biscayne, gated communities and even on the Virginia Key road to Jimbo’s. Soft speed bumps would be ideal in areas leading up to parks and schools. Soft speed bumps are better for emergency vehicles, appreciated by garbage truck drivers and considerably less expense to all of us taxpayers.
Everyone wins!
Harry Emilio Gottlieb
Does anyone know of anywhere online where all these Grove "traffic calming" plans are listed. It would be great to inform the community of community plans.
What a work of fiction. That Sarnoff "Who's 'Yer Grandaddy" clown continues to re-write the series of events that led to that huge waste of our tax dollars. It's just ridiculous. Good thing nobody takes him seriously anymore.
I can't wait until his term is up!
Commissioner Sarnoff's statement leaves me thinking, "Oh Please!"
Sarnoff Circle was a boondoggle project. The four way stop sign at least had people stopping and left a way for pedestrians to cross the street.
My guess is that it does enhance the value of the Commissioner's McMansion, but like the other commentators, I think it is anything but a good use of taxpayer funds.
(I wonder what happened to the rocks. Hopefully, the City saved them. Maybe they could be used at the Mercy Towers, or whatever they are going to be called.)
Its also BS that there was no construction done prior to him. I recall a few being done on the streets off of main highway near Ransom.
This guy is full of crap. The first 2 comments here are spot on. There is hardly any traffic at that intersection except for when the assholes that use the dog park decide to park their cars IN THE STREET, taking up 1/2 of the road. Even then, the traffic is minimal to 1-2 cars at best. As the 2nd comment points out, the worst traffic in the area is at Mary and Tigertail. Its a 4-way stop and a lot of people coming from 27th as well as on Mary going both ways. That would be ideal for a circle, especially since its large enough to accommodate a useful one.
Harry Gottlieb is also right. A lot of neighborhoods in West Palm, Boca, Miami, etc, use rolling speed bumps to slow traffic. That would be much more useful than a traffic circle on Virginia.
Bottom line is that Marc Sarnoff is a shady, self-serving commissioner who puts HIS best interests before the best interest of the community and thinks he's slick enough that no one will notice. Truth is it couldnt be more obvious.
Next they are gonna put a black info booth right in the center of the roundabout with a security guard to protect the dog park.
Adam-
Are you on DRUGS? Stop signs only work if drivers actually honor them and STOP. This is MIAMI; you've only got a 50/50 shot that they'll stop.
The circles really do exactly what they are supposed to do - they slow cars down to a safe speed. It's not about how much traffic there is, it's about how fast it's going.
And you know what, Wanda? All those "skid marks" from "SUVs and Trucks?" Bullpucky. If they are leaving skid marks, it's because they are going too damned fast, PERIOD. And if they are actually that big, they ought to be taken off the road. Hummers are for the battlefield, not your market trip.
Maybe we can get Eye On Miami to research this and put this fictional tempest to bed once and for all.
Secret Memo Sarnoff says:
"This traffic circle has been in the works for more than seven years"...
....And for all of those seven years the vast majority of the neighborhood made it clear that they do not want the traffic circle.
"It is part of the city's agenda to safeguard neighborhoods"....
Not true! It's part of Marc Sarnoff's agenda to increase his property value. He'll stop at nothing to get his way. He is a miserable person.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Mr. Sarnoff:
Reference the post that you posted to the Miami Herald this morning explaining your involvement in the traffic circle in front of your house titled, 'No special deal for Coconut Grove traffic circle.' you state that the Grove police commander recommended the construction of that circle. Would you provide me with the name of that Commander and also a copy of his/her recommendation? The information that the City of Miami provided me under the Florida State Sunshine Law did not provide that information.
You state that in 1995, two area residents sought approval for a four-way stop sign. Would you provide me with the names of those residents and a copy of their request? The information that the City of Miami provided me under the Florida State Sunshine Law did not provide that information.
In 1996, Pete Hernandez as the Miami-Dade County director of public works rejected that approval but in 1996 reversed and approved the stop signs. Would you provide me with a copy of both the rejection and approval of the four-way stop signs? The information that the City of Miami provided me under the Florida State Sunshine Law did not provide that information.
You state that in 2001 all approvals were accomplished. Would you provide me copies of all those approvals? The information that the City of Miami provided me under the Florida State Sunshine Law did not provide that information.
In 2004 you state that Cesar Gonzalez advised that the City and County had approved the traffic circle. Would you provide me copies of those approvals? The information that the City of Miami provided me under the Florida State Sunshine Law did not provide that information. As an aside you mention that Cesar Gonzalez was a part of "The Firm", a group of Miami employees allegedly operating illegally. My only comment to that statement would be, classy on your part for mentioning.
You have received county approval for two more traffic circles, including at Day Avenue and Matilda Street and seek concurrence from the county for circles to slow neighborhood traffic. How is this being paid for and does it have to go before the whole City of Miami Commission?
You state that you are awaiting a traffic study to establish more substantial traffic control devices in South Grove. How is this traffic study being paid for?
You are showing great interest and concern in traffic controlling devices in Coconut Grove but have not shown that same interest in those same devices in the Upper Eastside, particulary Belle Meade. Why is that?
You further state that it is part of the city's agenda to safeguard neighborhoods. That having been said, what is your agenda?
Thank you for the opportunity to ask these questions.
Brent Cutler
Cc; Miami Herald Editoral Staff
Jgifford thinks that Commissioner Sarnoff is not only an elitist, but also a racist. Is it necessary to wait three more years to get a better representative for District 2?
I hope that the Herald will look into how the dog park across from Sarnoff's house was expedited and did not follow proper procedure - except after it was built, Sarnoff went back and held the required public meeting?.
Petitions from 300 citizens in a 4 block radius of the park - to save 40 feet of additional green space for the neighborhood kids to throw a ball, were thrown in the trash can by Jason Walker, then Commissioner Johnny Winton's assistant.
Why did Jason Walker throw the petitions in the trash?
He thought that by following Sarnoff's instructions he was going to get a few favors from Sarnoff - but those favors never happened so now Jason Walker is bad mouthing Sarnoff....He knows a lot about Sarnoff?s tactics.
Sarnoff lied to the neighborhood about where the fence was going to go.
Sarnoff coerced Jason Walker into throwing the neighbors petitions with 300 signatures in the trash can at city hall.
That is how he got his nickname ? ?The Dog Park Nazi?
Sarnoff got N.E.T. officer Audrey Eckhart to by-pass proper procedure to build the dog park and kick neighborhoods kids out.
Sarnoff also got Audrey Eckhart to kick West Grove kids out of Peacock Park around the same time. She put a lock on their roller hockey practice area and threw all of the hockey equipment that was donated from the Fl. Panthers into the dumpster. Sarnoff said that having the West Grove kids skate through the village to Peacock Park was bad for Grove Businesses.
Sounds like there is enough dirt on Sarnoff to fill the grave that he has dug for himself!
...and you all would be better served by whom?
Just listen to yourselves, going on about traffic circles and arguing about whether a playground or a dog park has a right to be more important than the other-- and who threw out petition signatures a kazillion months ago.
What is this? Mayberry?
And then there is that Brent Cutler guy who who spends about 80 hours a week cc'ing everyone, as if he were doing us some big favor, with all those silly emails to Sarnoff asking for all kinds of quantification and boo-hoo-ing about how the Grove is better served than the Upper East Side. If he were Tommy Smothers it would be funny (Mother always liked you best), but he is not. He is tiresome and boring and I resent that City staff has to spend all this time dealing with him, which takes time away from any requests that ordinary citizens may have. Worse, I resent that now that most of us have succeeded in getting him to stop cc'ing us, he has now found the blog! Heaven help us.
I bet if Angel Gonzales's district had a blog, they wouldn't be whining about dog parks and playgrounds and traffic circles and waterfront plans and fancy walls on US1 and... oh, that's right, they don't have any.
Pull up your socks and move on!
Looks like Marc was up late. I resent that City staff has to spend all this time dealing with HIM! Can't wait to hear Marc's explaintion for the security booths.
Anonymous above Bob W - I agree with you that Brent Cutler is extremely annoying with his emails to city staff and cc'ing everyone this side of the Mississippi. Thats about all I agree with though.
The citizens of the Grove are tired of being crapped on by shady politicians like Sarnoff, so they are vocal about it. You obviously just sit there and take it and are OK with that. Cutler is very annoying with his emails, but at least he gives a crap even if its way over the top.
For those of you who don't actually live on Virginia St., you don't understand that Virginia is a major thru-way into the Grove. The circle has provided safety in addition to beauty on the street and I appreciate it being there. Speed bumps are ugly and stop signs really dont work there. While I may not agree with some of Sarnoff's decisions, this one is a winner.
You are probably correct, it is just the way your Commissioner breaks the rules that the rest of us are required to follow. It is a double standard. Though I can't vote in your district I would think you would want a more honest Commissioner representing you next time you have to make that decision.
I challenge that. I say anyone of us can go out any day of the week, even weekends, lie in the street for long periods of time and not be run over. There is not a traffic problem in that area.
That intersetion does not need a traffic calming device and if traffice calming devices were being handed out, there are 10 locations in the Grove that need them more and should have been considered before this one.
Any time someone wants to meet me there with my camera, we will do a test. We will count the cars that pass within an hour. Any hour -- busy times, quiet times, any time of day. Let me know via email.
There was a traffic study done for that intersection and the results of the study indicated that no calming device was needed. Mr. Cutler is correct in requesting relevant documentation.
Sarnoff is everything thats wrong with politics. When is a good person going to get this job, rather than some lawyer that works the channels to his interest over the needs of the taxpayers and homeowners of this community. Everything he has done in office, besides trees being planted, has been controversial as a result of his back door deals, such as this SARNOFF CIRCLE and self memo. I am a person that voted for him. I am really disapointed.
PS:
To the editor of this blog, please post this comment. I listed my name, its not anonymous.
It is good to hear that the overwhelming majority of us are on the same page.
The fact that Sarnoff believes that multiple circles are a good idea yet chose right in front of his house as the first is telling. He is being blatant which is even more aggrevating.
The traffic problem in the central grove is not volume, it is speed. I think that the speed bump idea is a good one. Far less money, far more effective.
I live just off of Virginia and travel on that road at least 4-6 times a day. There is not a traffic problem there. Like Grapevine said, you can literally lie in the streets for extended periods of time and not be run over. The construction of the circle was in the best interest of Marc Sarnoff and maybe some other dog park visitors that wanted a "prettier" dog park (while they let their dogs shit everywhere).
if you were coming to the grove you'd more than likely be coming in on 27, 32, grand, or main hwy. why would you be coming down virginia? you can't even take a left on virginia off of grand.
It took awhile for people to realize what Sarnoff was all about - but now luckily they get it.
People are slow, but not stupid.
His most avid supporters do not want to be associated with him anymore.
At least now he can never become Mayor. It's classic that once he became commissioner, he quickly dug his own grave.
I predicted that would happen.
The only question for me was, expose him before the election or expose him after the election?
I realized that it would be much more entertaining to wait until after he was elected to talk.
Boy was I right!
As William Shakespeare would certainly say if he were still around: "The little weasel doth protest too much, methinks"
Posted by: Angela33133
It's too bad that greed corrupts everyone it touches. Sarnoff came into this job with a good reputation and now he shouldn't be throwing stones at anyone from his glass house. It's up to city of miami voters to get rid of him.
Posted by: jmp1
The only accident on that corner is living in the McMansion.
Another good point, Silk. Every time I give someone directions to the Grove Im usually telling them to come in on 27th (if theyre coming from North) or Grand (if from South).
when will 27th be redone anyway?
And does anyone know what At&T has been doing on Day ave the last two weeks. Hopefully upgrading infrastructure but i cannot tell. They are either in from of some box or under ground somewhere.
clj, get real. if you want people to slow down put some speed bumps. the stupid traffic circle doesn't slow anyone down. if they're drunk enough to blow a 4-way, they just go up on the curb, as the tire marks indicate. I walked through this intersection four times a day before and after this circle was installed. Before it felt safe crossing the street as you could reasonably assume that cars turning would at least slow down and look before turning. Now they have a yield and the pedestrian is supposed to watch out. Which exit is the car going to take? do you trust the Miami drivers to yield if there is a pedestrian about to cross. hell no. This thing is lame, waste of money and makes people hate traffic circles, which would be good in some cases, like on tigertail and 27th.
Adam you ask, do you trust the Miami drivers. Another question that you might want to ask is, do you trust Who's your Granddaddy Sarnoff?
Sarnoff = Bread of Shame
Kabbalists use the code word bread of shame to explain what happens when you receive something without earning it. It's that sense of lack you feel when you get something for nothing.
Originally, your soul made a deal with the Light - give me everything I had in the Endless world, on the condition that I earn it. If you are alive and reading this, then you need to know that the only reason you alive and reading this is to remove any possible aspect of bread of shame from your life.
Today, look for examples where you received what you wanted and yet were left unsatisfied. Look for where you didn't earn what you received.
Bread of Shame = Sarnoff
Gotta wonder what’s going on in the psyche of someone who really wanted to be Mayor yet systematically sabotaged himself from the day he was elected to the City Commission.
Sarnoff should try to redeem himself by apologizing to those he has disrespected, harassed, lied to, etc.
Then he should go back and correct all of his wrong doings.
He should publicly apologize to Michelle Spence Jones for his "Secret Memo"
attempt at slander.
He should publicly apologize to Linda Haskins for slandering her by spreading false rumors about a non-existent drinking problem.
He should admit that the security booths were a waste of tax dollars and he should retrofit them and turn them into kiosks and donate them to the Coconut Grove Collaborative for their Grand Avenue entrepreneur program.
He should show us that he does know how to put tax dollars to good use by supporting Saint Alban's and other vital Village West programs.
He should admit that Sarnoff Circle was a self-serving and unnecessary use of tax payer money and vow to be more responsible from now on.
He should show the parents of Center Grove (especially his next door neighbors) that he respects them by moving the fence at the dog park over 40 feet to return a small strip of green space to the Center Grove children (especially the many Center Grove kids that are not toddlers) so that they can have space to run and play ball without getting hit by a car or chased by a dog.
This is the only way that Sarnoff can redeem himself in the eyes of the people that he is supposed to represent. He can begin again with a clear conscience. He can try to learn to be honest and compassionate. He can tell us who his grandfather really is and he can be proud.
Mmmmm...bread of shame.
Sarnof may make deals, but our souls do not make deals.
You need to add about 147 more names to that list of people he owes an apology to.
Will never happen. Those types of personalities ultimately do themselves in. But I'm glad to hear that we still have some forward thinking hippies in the Grove. I hope they will run for public office.
Sarnoff is a good man.
Doris Thompson
Oh my god! This is my first month in Miami and this is what you bleat on about?!
It seems to me that the real story is not the preferential treatment for one intersection, but the utter failure of a metropolis to do it to hundreds. In this state, you're 2.5 times more likely do die in an auto accident than in New York. You've only scratched the surface.
Traffic circle fair
Readers would never know that Miami-Dade County -- rather than the city of Miami -- has jurisdiction over all traffic-control devices, including traffic circles, signals and stop signs. None can be built without county approval.
Readers also are left without knowledge that at least 40 circles have been installed already in the Roads, Coral Gate, Silver Bluff and Shenandoah neighborhoods in which other commissioners live as compared to fewer than 10 in Shorecrest and Coconut Grove. That hardly seems like preferential treatment.
MARY CONWAY, Miami
Miami Herald Editor's note: Mary Conway is a former chief of operations for the city of Miami and was mentioned in the article.
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