Code Enforcement discussed at Village Council meeting

Last night at the Cocoanut Grove Village Council meeting, the Code Enforcement issue was brought up again.

Director of Code Enforcement Mariano De Mola was present and he was kind enough to answer all questions thrown at him. He said that Code Enforcement went out to Commodore Plaza restaurants and bars because residents complained. But he wanted to be clear that many complaints came from other businesses -- businesses complaining about other businesses. Jealous business owners reported others.

Mr. De Mola went on to say that Code Enforcement is aggressive with tree cutting, garbage dumping and things like that, but he said that they are not aggressive with restaurant permits and issues regarding that.

Council Member Felice Dubin (right) brought up the subject of rudeness of the code enforcement officials and their nasty attitudes in the middle of the night. Mr. De Mola did not believe that his officers were rude to anyone, but it seems there is not only Code Enforcement out in the middle of the night. There are many forces at play.

There is some group called "Club Safe" that makes random visits to clubs and restaurants. They now are being blamed for the harassment, too. Public Works also came in and inspected and the Fire Department did, too.

So now it is a case of the Police, Code Enforcement, Public Works, the Fire Department and Club Safe all converging on the Grove all coincidentally in a two week period to wreak havoc. Can that be?

Dave Collins, council member asked if "Coconut Grove brought this on itself?" being that businesses complained about other businesses.

John El-Masry owner of Mr. Moe's and Christabelle's Quarter stood before the Council and reiterated what he said at the merchants meeting the day before, that he feels that there is a movement to phase out anybody who sells alcohol. He believes the step up of enforcement has more to do with the "new vision," of Commissioner Marc Sarnoff than with resident and business complaints.

He asked why the inspectors don't check the shoe stores or clothing stores? And why they don't hassle people in other areas of the City? Which doesn't seem to be happening according to other business owners in other parts of the City.

John went on to say how the inspectors come in the middle of the night, week after week, asking for the same licenses. He wondered if that is harassment.

Village Council chair Michelle Niemeyer asked why in this computer age, does Code Enforcement or any of the agencie have to come out to see licenses?

As John was talking at the podium, Comm. Marc Sarnoff surprised everyone by showing up at the meeting. He came up and said that over a dozen restaurants in the Grove have complained about other restaurants in the Grove. He also said, he was not responsible for the 3 am bar closings alone but felt it is a good idea so that the people leaving the bars at 5 am don't collide with those going to work at 5 am or running or bicycling at that early hour. The bars and clubs can actually remain open, they just cannot sell liquor after 3 am.

John wanted to know why the rest of the City is not saddled with the 3 am closings. Aren't they worthy of the same protections? Why just the Grove? Wynwood and other areas have 24 hour licenses to sell liquor. Don't they have people going to work at 5 am or bicyclists or joggers, too at that hour?

Comm. Sarnoff did say his vision includes everyone -- old, young, UM students, etc. But I did find it very telling about the many complaints by restaurant owners against other restaurant owners. If this is the case, and I believe Comm. Sarnoff, then the Grove is killing itself. I can actually see one or two people out there calling in complaints.

Comm. Sarnoff said that the noise issue is the main thing. It always has been, it always will be. And it probably will be the same in seven years, after he leaves office. Yes, he said that, "seven years after I leave office". He believes in The Secret.