Spinning it his way; bike wheels and all
I heard this from a couple of very reliable sources on Friday, but didn't believe it until I saw the quotes in his own words. It seems that Commissioner Marc Sarnoff has decided to use the recent tragic accident on Key Biscayne, involving bicyclist Christophe Le Canne and driver Carlos Bertonatti, as a reason for 3 am bar closings and in a quote in Transit Miami, he threw Coconut Grove in the mix, when the driver of the car who caused the accident was coming from Club Space downtown.
On Thursday, January 28, the City Commission will discuss the 3 am/5 am bar closing issue. If Mr. Sarnoff is really concerned about saving bikers' lives, he'll make the 3 am drink cut off city-wide. Let's see how that plays in the rest of District 2 and the whole City. Apparently he can bully the Grove 24/7 and people will roll over and play dead for him. Will the rest of the City?
On another note, he claims that he has received hundreds of emails from bicyclists who are concerned about the bar closing times. Right, do hundreds of bicyclists even have a clue who he is, let alone jump onto their computers and conveniently write him letters about bar closing times, sort of like the Mack Cycle letter.
While Sarnoff plays god in the City of Miami, other cities like South Beach, let the residents and tourists set the trend, and is now offering beer service until 5 am at a new Burger King of all places. With home delivery!
Regarding the tragic accident, two memorial bike rides were planned for this morning. At 8 am there was a meet up at Alice Wainwright Park, near Vizcaya and at 9 am, cycling groups were meeting on Rickenbacker Causeway, near the Seaquarium for a memorial.
Village Council member Stephen Murray responded to Sarnoff's plan here.
On Thursday, January 28, the City Commission will discuss the 3 am/5 am bar closing issue. If Mr. Sarnoff is really concerned about saving bikers' lives, he'll make the 3 am drink cut off city-wide. Let's see how that plays in the rest of District 2 and the whole City. Apparently he can bully the Grove 24/7 and people will roll over and play dead for him. Will the rest of the City?
On another note, he claims that he has received hundreds of emails from bicyclists who are concerned about the bar closing times. Right, do hundreds of bicyclists even have a clue who he is, let alone jump onto their computers and conveniently write him letters about bar closing times, sort of like the Mack Cycle letter.
While Sarnoff plays god in the City of Miami, other cities like South Beach, let the residents and tourists set the trend, and is now offering beer service until 5 am at a new Burger King of all places. With home delivery!
Regarding the tragic accident, two memorial bike rides were planned for this morning. At 8 am there was a meet up at Alice Wainwright Park, near Vizcaya and at 9 am, cycling groups were meeting on Rickenbacker Causeway, near the Seaquarium for a memorial.
Village Council member Stephen Murray responded to Sarnoff's plan here.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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24 Comments:
Papa Sarnoff, as usual, has no idea what he's talking about. As avid cyclists, REAL ones, not like Sarnoff who pretends to bike, the least of out concerns are the 5am closings everywhere in Miami, except for some places in the Grove.
That's not the issue, AT ALL. Those who will drink and drive do it everywhere, at any hour. This accident happened at 8am. People who can't drink in the Grove now, will Drive elsewhere anyway and come back here. Or drink at home, as they often do, then drive. That absolutely not the point at all. Law Enforcement is the issue. And the Freedom to stay outside as late as you want, as long as you obey the Laws. CI
"...do hundreds of bicyclists even have a clue who he is, let alone jump onto their computers and conveniently write him letters about bar closing times..."
So I assume you think bicyclists are complete morons who have no care in the world about politics or even modern technology like emails or computers.... I don't know, but I think some of your writing that I always enjoyed is starting to truly get on my nerves...
No, I think that Bikers actually have a LIFE and don't give a crap what Sarnoff does or says.
I'm confused. Why is it that Commissioner Sarnoff will not bend on this issue? It's only one bar!
I have to agree with Anon@12:35, that line "Right, do hundreds of bicyclists even have a clue who he is, let alone jump onto their computers and conveniently write him letters about bar closing times, sort of like the Mack Cycle letter."
was poorly worded, at best.
I saw the quote you're talking about a day or so ago, and I was pretty disgusted by the opportunism on display there. It was downright sad, and offensive, to use someone's death to push an unrelated and unpopular political move.
That said, Sarnoff is pretty much a cyclist's best friend on this commission. He's shown support for bicycle advocacy groups, and support for the Bike Miami Rides, and Bike Miami Days. If it meant getting more and better bicycle infrastructure here in Miami, I'd probably let go of the whole closing time debate. That said, I personally don't think Sarnoff can deliver things like better bike infrastructure. Hell, he wasn't even able to keep Bike Miami Days going after Diaz left office.
Just wanted to point out that being a cyclist in the Grove makes Sarnoff a complicated issue. You might be more passionate about parking issues and the 5am thing, but for bicycle advocacy, we've gotta work with the people we've got, and right now... we've got Mark Sarnoff. It's lamentable.
What surprises me Grape is that this guy still has the ability to surprise you! You stated "I couldn't believe" Marc said etc, etc. Really ? Grape- he is a con artist and a liar. If you get lost in his words, you can get caught missing the real point. It is what every successfull polititian does- make you focus on anything but his actions. There is nothing in almost all of what the Spin Doctor says when it comes to the 3am subject that is nothing short of hypocritical and flat out egregious. What we should focus on are Marc's actions, not the bile that comes out of his mouth. Anyone who has read anything that has come out of his office in the last 6 months would expect him and his minions to be so offended and outraged by that tragic accident that he would demand a public outcry and be out front of Club Space everday protestesting with cyclist from all over the fact that they sell alcohol 24/7. Oh and by the way, Club Space has the worste crime rate of any club in the country- and it is smack in the middle of his district. He could of used that as a platform to tell all of South Florida what he feels about serving alcohol after 3am. He had his telling moment here- he could have really tried to make people aware of his beliefs on the dangers of drinking and driving and how it relate to the 3am ordinence and announced everywhere that he had had enough and his crusade was now coming to the doorstep of the CROWN JEWEL of late night parties at Space due to another senseless death and actually done something to back up everything he has said for months. What does this cupcake do? He completely shows his ass. He gives a few quotes to an off beat writer and goes to Greenstreet for brunch. This guy doesn't care about anything but himself. If he really cared, he would be going after Club Space and all clubs on the Beach, Brickel etc. that serve till all hours instead of the 2 bars in the Grove.
Eddie Cobelli
Kudos Eddie...you stole my thunder, but I ecko your sentiments. I will also add the way this guy goes about getting Her adjenda completed. I had enough of this two -face when he went down to Vangaurd and prayed on the fears of mothers by warning them their kids would get clipped by a drunk driver waiting for the school bus. I would love Marc-ia to publish the hundreds of emails he recieved from concerned bikers on this tragic accident. Certainly they wouldn't mind people hearing their concerns...and I would like to check the date and time the emails were sent to verify if they were sent before the quote in the article or after he opened his mouth; to ensure he doesn't have friends and staff members writing bogus emails to prove his statements to be accurate. Note: every email has a date and time on it . Why not throw it in the face of the advocates of those who want "Same AM" by posting those emails? Because they haven't been written yet people. -J. Valenza
To Eddie and J. Valenza:
I take offense to your hurtful and snied comments about COMISSIONER Sarnoff. He was elected fairly by the people and deserves respect.Because he does not shere your views in no way shape or form justifies gay -bashing you mongruls!
I thought Eddie raised very good points. If Sarnoff actually holds the views he expouses he would be working feverently for a city-wide ban on alcohol sales after 3 a.m.
4:27 raises an interesting point. I believe s/he believes the Commissioner deserves our respect simply because he was elected. I guess in 4:27's view we all should be rallying around Spence-Jones. She has been exected quite often in the last few months. She must certainly be deserving of our respect by 4:27's logic.
I also didn't know that criticism of Commissioner Sarnoff was gay bashing. It raises interesting questions, I guess, the answers to which I could care less about.
I'd prefer to accord respect to politicians based on their positions and accomplishments.
Though I do not also agree with Chairman Sarnoff on some issues, i.e. the 3AM closing in the long run as Chairman he will be able to clean up the city's financial mess that we are currently experiencing.
Let the people vote on this! Hold a special election. Everyone's bickering and it should be up to the people to vote not for the government to tell us what to do. Let US VOTE!
Guess you forgot Sarnoff has been a Commissioner while this"financial mess" has been going one.
At the last Village Council meeting I read a list of major cities and the hours that they implement for bar closings.
The only three cities that had 5 am or 24 hour closings were Las Vegas, Jersey Shore (Atlantic City) and New Orleans. All of the other cities were 2 am, 3 am and sometimes 4 am like New York.
I raised a challenge then to the current City Commission to implement a City wide restructuring of bar closings, otherwise reverse what they had done in Coconut Grove.
It is unfortunate what happened to the bicyclist who lost his life due to a drunk driver. The drunk driver also has lost too. Whatever his dreams were they are now lost as well as he will spend a lifetime of regret and incarceration for this very sad and unfortunate incident.
It is also unfortunate we allow a bar in Miami to remain open past 5 am. A bar that continuously is in the news for incidences that cause the loss of life of young and vibrant people.
I challenge the City Commission to investigate and review their City wide bar closings.
In addition I recently had the opportunity to meet and speak with Commander Colina. We discussed the 5am bar closings and I voiced my support but also concerns.
He listened intently and then said that his force is up to whatever tasks that may come.
I wish him the very best of luck in his new position, I think he will do a great job!
Bottom line here, if a club does stay open till 5 am, this obviosly means that more people will wind up driving home impaired, if they want to really help let them stay open till 5 am just do not serve alcohol past 3 am
Unfortunately drunk driving happens at all hours of the day. It can happen after a block party ends at 11 pm, for instance, or after leaving a park or street festival at 6 pm in which beer and rum sales were encouraged all day. It can happen when leaving a private party, and sadly, it most often happens just by leaving home, for those who are determined to drink will do so at any hour of day.
If our City officials truly felt that by limiting the hours of serving alcohol it would help to curtail drunk driving, then they should go beyond limiting it in only Downtown Coconut Grove, and extend the SAME A.M. closing time to all of Miami, and then do everything in their power to convince their colleagues in the County Commission to do the same for the entire Miami-Dade County. It is the fair and just thing to do. To just limit it to downtown Coconut Grove is to continue to kill off our businesses, and even the value of our residential community.
While on the subject of safety to cyclists and pedestrians from irresponsible drivers, the Commission should also look into banning the use of cell phones by drivers, with the same seriousness as if they were drunk drivers, as they have done in the City of Bogota, Colombia (the same city from which Miami borrowed its Bike Miami program). Anyone caught on a cell phone while behind the wheel, is subjected to a stiff fine. -- Liliana Dones
Dear Heather Bettner: I have to disagree with the findings of your research.
The city of Chicago for instance has 24 hour bars as well as many 5 am licenses. In Hawaii, there are varying laws throughout the islands, but on waikiki beach there are a number of 5am clubs. Other cities, counties and districts allowing bars and clubs to operate after 3am include: various counties in Maryland, Washington, DC and some counties and areas in South Carolina.
States like Pennsylvania, arkansas, New York, and many others allows membership clubs, which can serve till 5am or often without restriction - that is the case in many areas where 2 or 3am is the rule. Such clubs, just openly allow membership or don't check membership upon entrance. Thus every italian club, VFW, Irish club, slovak club, etc. becomes a very happening place at 2 or 3 when others close.
The point is that your list is both factually incorrect and deceiving. More importantly, if you look at vacation destinations - cities that have and need tourism - that is where you find the most liberal alcohol sales laws.
I don't think what Miami needs is to make itself more like middle america. It's a vibrant, fun party city that people come to for that reason. To strip it of that, and make it like their home town will drastically reduce our economy, and crash this city further into an economic mess and add to the morass that already defines our local laws.
Regardless, Marc Sarnoff is an ass for cheapening this tragedy by using it as a shield against the obvious will of the people. He does not strive to represent, but rather to rule.
This is whole thing is stupid. Of course the 5am closing is going to mean more drunks on the road for bikers and runners! Its ridiculous to say it won't. Bikers and runners start their workouts at 5AM for the most part. Between 5-9AM you'll see the bikers and runners moving thru the Grove 7 days a week, with weekends being the heaviest days. Hi can you people actually say it won't be a problem? Stupid! AT least say what you feel...that you care more about the business late night than the business the bikers and runners bring during the morning. Because, you will have to choose...one more accident like this one with someone coming from the Grove and its all over for the biking crowd in the Grove....guaranteed!
Hey anon 2:08Pm,
"one more accident like this one with someone coming from the Gove and its all over for the biking crowd in the Grove"
By that logic the "biking crowd" should have already abandoned all of downtown seeing as though the person that slaughtered the bicyclist came from the "colored" part of town.
But I guess that the Commish and a few of his elitest biking buddies will let that one slide.
Right?
If it wasn't so sad I'd laugh out loud.
Where's all the statistics on cyclists being mowed down by any driver coming from the Grove, drunk or otherwise?
You're not being provided the information because it doesn't exhist.
Think about it, if there was one single incident of a person leaving a grove bar and colliding with a cyclist our opportunistic commissioner would have had his staff disseminate the tragedy to fit his agenda.
Marc has THE #1 CLUB IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY ( I didn't say COUNTY ) for police incidents in the heart of his district.
There's thousands of residents that reside there but are apparently not the right complection to warrant the Commissioner to take decisive action like he did in the grove.
Why you might ask?
Because Marc doesn't live there.
Well Anon 2:08 - if what you are saying was true, WHICH IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT, then the obvious economic choice would be the bar patrons between 3 and 5am, which spend thousands per night, as compared to the $5 max per biker in revenue to grove businesses.
You see, bikers don't stop to shop or have food or generally spend money during their rides - they ride. You might get an occassional bottle of water, and those same people certainly spend money at other times of the day, but if they chose not to ride through the grove - no economic effect would be felt.
That said, the problem with your statement is its faulty premise. Bikers don't start at 5am. It's still too dark out. Usually you'll begin to see a few around 7:15 or so, and moving into the and 10 o'clock hour. That's what I've seen living on the most traveled road in the grove by cyclists for several years.
The other major fallacy of your argument is that people drinking till 5am drive or that people out till 5am are drinking/drunk. Those that are actually out drinking till 5am are less likely to drive than happy hour heros, who think they're invincible. In addition, there's no logical basis to think that a 5am drinker is more likely to drive, less likely to take a cab or less likely to have a DD, or any more intoxicated than you are driving home at 9 or 10 or 11 or 1 or 3.
Also, the above lists of cities didn't include the many other 5am cities in Florida outside of Dade county.
To Anon 2:08pm. Good riddens. What do you do for the Grove besides meet here and ride somewhere else. I have worked in the Grove for 9 years and I can count on one hand how many "Bikers" I have seen spending money here. Meet down the road at Mackey Cycle and get S Miami to close early.
"One more incident like this one coming from the Grove and its over for the biking crowd in the Grove"???????
By that logic all cyclists should have already abandoned Downtown where this moron that slaughtered the biker was drinking til 7:30am at Club Space.
The part that really irks me is that people like you and commissioner Sarnoff find it completely acceptable for bars to stay open til the sun comes up in other parts of District 2, (sarnoff's turf). Its more than fine to serve alcohol 24/7 where the colored folk live. I guess you're not to concerned with the people from the hood because there are thousands of residents as well as schools in the downtown area.
But then again you sound just like an elitest asshole like your friend Marc and probably aren't too concerned about their well being. Why don't you ask the commish the same question of whether or not he favors business over safty issues Downtown.
Listen up you jagoff, if your really interested in curbing drunk driving here in South Fla. then get off your soapbox and put commissioner Sarnoff on notice that you're mad as hell and your not going to take it anymore.
Club Space is open 24/7. Club Space is known to look the other way at drug use. One Friday night the Police arrested many of its employees on drug related offenses. Why is Club Space still permitted to stay open?
anon 3:03am,
If I were a beting man I'd say mark's catching.
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