They don't like light shed on their shade
Last night, Sue McConnell sent an email out regarding Commissioner Sarnoff's newsletter. She's trying to get him subscribers. Many people took offense to it, so they sent it to me. The email, not the newsletter. Here is the email (in red), the last line is what bothers people. Not me, I know better.
"If you want to be kept accurately informed of Grove issues you can email Will Plasencia wplasencia@miamigov.com in Comm. Sarnoff's office and sign up for the District 2 newsletter. Also remember that Comm. Sarnoff has an open door policy; if you have any questions you can always call his office at 305-250-5333 or contact his Chief of Staff rnelson@miamigov.com.
Probably a better way to be kept informed than local blogs."
I don't think Sue is putting down local blogs for publishing news, I think she is just trying to say that if you want news from Sarnoff's office, then get it from the horse's mouth because she doesn't like the light we shed on the news coming out of his office all the time and they can control their message. At least, I am taking the high road and assuming that. She can't possibly be telling people that there is not another view other then Sarnoff's is she?
But a friend who received her email and was offended himself, did say that Sue's email is "called attempted suppression of the news and the truth." At a meeting two weeks ago Sue kept calling out, "Why don't you let Marc speak? He knows what's going on."
For instance this story about the shutters. I'm sure Sarnoff's newsletter is going to tell you why this is such a great plan and maybe it is. I feel we have the right to ask questions about it. They don't want debate on this. They don't want debate on anything. They want you to read the newsletter, nod your head, agree, and go on with your life. Sort of like the Stepford Wives.
Me, I am not a Stepford Wife so I ask questions and I shed light on the their shade. I hope you aren't a Stepford Wife either. Many are, they operate like robots, never thinking for themselves. There are a handful of Grovites who were such great Coconut Grove supporters and neighbors, but they sold out long ago. Every decision they make now is based on what they are told to do and what they are told to think. They don't do anything for the good of the community anymore. They probably don't see it in themselves, because if they did, I don't know how they could live with themselves. I think they drank the Kook Aid, or even worse, maybe it's just that they are on the payroll.
Woops, did I say Kook Aid? I meant Kool Aid, typo. But then again, maybe Kook Aid fits.
"If you want to be kept accurately informed of Grove issues you can email Will Plasencia wplasencia@miamigov.com in Comm. Sarnoff's office and sign up for the District 2 newsletter. Also remember that Comm. Sarnoff has an open door policy; if you have any questions you can always call his office at 305-250-5333 or contact his Chief of Staff rnelson@miamigov.com.
Probably a better way to be kept informed than local blogs."
I don't think Sue is putting down local blogs for publishing news, I think she is just trying to say that if you want news from Sarnoff's office, then get it from the horse's mouth because she doesn't like the light we shed on the news coming out of his office all the time and they can control their message. At least, I am taking the high road and assuming that. She can't possibly be telling people that there is not another view other then Sarnoff's is she?
But a friend who received her email and was offended himself, did say that Sue's email is "called attempted suppression of the news and the truth." At a meeting two weeks ago Sue kept calling out, "Why don't you let Marc speak? He knows what's going on."
For instance this story about the shutters. I'm sure Sarnoff's newsletter is going to tell you why this is such a great plan and maybe it is. I feel we have the right to ask questions about it. They don't want debate on this. They don't want debate on anything. They want you to read the newsletter, nod your head, agree, and go on with your life. Sort of like the Stepford Wives.
Me, I am not a Stepford Wife so I ask questions and I shed light on the their shade. I hope you aren't a Stepford Wife either. Many are, they operate like robots, never thinking for themselves. There are a handful of Grovites who were such great Coconut Grove supporters and neighbors, but they sold out long ago. Every decision they make now is based on what they are told to do and what they are told to think. They don't do anything for the good of the community anymore. They probably don't see it in themselves, because if they did, I don't know how they could live with themselves. I think they drank the Kook Aid, or even worse, maybe it's just that they are on the payroll.
Woops, did I say Kook Aid? I meant Kool Aid, typo. But then again, maybe Kook Aid fits.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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21 Comments:
She says this sort of stuff all the time, she is masterful at character assassination and an extremist.
Like the Great and Terrible Oz said' ""Ignore that man behind the curtain!"
Considering all the comments on this blog, from the innocently questioning to the insanely accusatory, I dont ever recall Mr Sarnoff ever using the opportunity to address any of the issues with a comment of his own.
The Grapevine is a popular open forum with stories ranging from simple advertising of local events to notices of local meetings and issues of contention among those who live here in the Grove. In the Grapevine Mr Sarnoof has a ready made podium with an already present loyal AND local readership for him to address any current issue or debate either in his own words or by proxy.
Perhaps he either doesn't trust you to cherry pick the comments or subjects for him as he or some underling would for him on his own site or he feels pontificating on high and simply telling us what is going to happen whether we like it or not would be better accomplished under his own banner where he has the final say.
More than likely anything he comes up will be a mixture of PR and spin control with a sprinkling of hand-picked comments sent in by supporter or on-staff lackeys.
Now that I think of it, Grapevine AMA (Ask Me Anything) threads would be awesome. Readers could post requests for local politicians, businesses, celebrity's and the like. The ones who accepted could determine how long a time they would be present so the thread wouldn't be drawn out too long or be too demanding on the subjects schedule.
Unfortunately that would mean a headache for you as moderator. (shrugs)
AMA request: Marc Sarnoff
Commission offices should provide "information" as well as the commissioner's opinion on why s/he is doing things a certain way.
Blogs can also provide information but also include commentary and opinions.
Both should be important for a person to be educated about their community.
Sue is a busybody and a propagator of propaganda. She represents mindless zombies that lack vision, logic, and most importantly empathy for everyone unlike her - that are/have/will destroy the grove.
Is she the Astroturf lady?
I thought this blog was not going to allow anonymous posts? If you're going to call someone a character assassin or an extremist (or laughably, "Astroturf lady")at least have the integrity of leaving your name.
Bryan McFarland
WHY ?????????? anonymous is for a reason bryan mcmuffin go to sleep loser
*smh* this blog is nothing but speculation, innuendo and people whining.
It's all he said, she said. Nothing of substance and no sources. This blog is nothing but gossip from people with nothing better to do with their time.
Remember you came back after your little hiatus Tom. I'm not getting involved in politics, whatever happened to that?
And before you say, well you don't have to read this if you don't want to and your usual puerile retort. I read it because, until something better comes along, it's the only source of events happening in the Grove and I'll just have to tolerate it.
JB
The Crespogram deals in facts about Sarnoff all the time. If you really want to know what Sarnoff is up to, like him and wifey taking that $22,739 junket to China paid for by the Chinese government, or how he's lied from the day he was sworn in about everything from his fake grandfather, to how he operated an illegal law firm in his house in the center grove for over 10 years, to the half million he's spent on his little dog park,to all of the lies having to do with the 1814 Brickell Park, and how he was the one who attacked Reid Welsh, with Sue McConnell being "his witness" that Reid attacked him, then mosey over to the Crespogram once in a while. I publish as many document s to support my claims as I can get my hands on, so I don't deal in gossip, and my facts say that Marc Sarnoff is a classic sociopath who has screwed - and will continue to screw - the residents of Coconut grove until he is removed from office.
Al Crespo
PS:See, it's not so hard to write things and use your name. Those of you who try to hide by claiming that you're too afraid to use your name only succeed in giving power to a guy like Sarnoff. He then uses that power against you.
Welcome back Crespogram! You have been missed!
There is a real fear of retribution why anonymous continues.
Al Crespo <<< Thiiiiis guy is awesome! Falco should let you have a weekly column.
Sarnoff, seriously? Please don't tell me that the turf at Blanche Park cost a cool half-millie! Yikes! Plus, my kid only gets 1/4 of playing space on that land while your dog gets a jogging track? C'mon guy get it together.
No wonder my neighbor calls you a schmuck.
Also, please stop letting people who go over to your house park accross the street on public and private property. If it were anyone else those cars would be towed.
This blog sure has a lot of whining especially that crespo guy. I heard Sarnoff speak a few weeks ago and he answered my tough questions well. There is a vision but some old groveites who don't like the word "change" sure don't help and let us move forward. Lets make this place better.
What tough question did you ask, paper or plastic? Answer must have been: Astroturf all the way.
Shameful whiners and complainers, the lot of us. Yup. We should all just shut up and do as we are told because "there is a vision" (citation please?) and we need to "move foreword" because the old Grovites are against change.
I'm glad Mr Sarnoff helped you with your undefined "tough questions". Care to share with the community of old, whining Grovites what those questions and answers were?
It appears to this whining, old Grovite that parks are not the only thing that Mr Sarnoff likes to AstroTurf.
" Astroturfing refers to political, advertising, public relations campaigns that are designed to mask the sponsers of the message to give the appearance of coming from a disinterested, grassroots participant. " -Wikipedia
I've attended many Coconut Grove Council meetings, I've attended several other community meetings as well. The attendance has more often then not, been poor because they expect other people to get involved. Those who use this blog use ir to shout abuse at players from the sidelines. Knowing full well, the players won't leave the court to interject. They're like that lady who flipped the bird at Joakim Noah, vulgar and without substance.
The GrapeWhine himself allows you to shout hurtful, insulting and damaging accusations at members of the community he lives in. I respect Al Crespo because he backs up his arguments with facts, documents and attributable quotes. The GrapeWhine is all he said, she said.
Has anyone actually ever contacted Commissioner Sarnoff to ask him the rationale behind the decisions? Ask him why he has decided to do stuff. I live on Tigertail and my neighbors use the dog park, I know people who drive to use that dog park. They don't like Kennedy Park, they actually go out of their way to use the dog park which, if I were to believe the commentators of this blog, no one actually wanted when quite simply, I see a demand for it and I don't even own a dog!
I respect the GrapeWhine, it's a great public service, how else am I going to know what is going on in the Grove, what's happening in the Bookstore or on and around Cocowalk and the the Barnacle. However, those who comment on it are borderline conspiracy theorists.
JB
JB, please tell us about one thing that Sarnoff and his gang have done for the Grove and don't start with the dog park if you can.
JB, I am going to politely ask you to stop with the name calling. The name of the blog is the Grapevine, not the GrapeWhine. And my readers are welcome here and are not "Whiners" in my eyes. We are not here to solve world peace, it's just a neighborhood blog for god's sake. If people are upset with the local government, they are entitled to speak out.
As for facts, just because I don't post reams of paperwork like Crespo, that does not mean that I am writing just anything. I do check my facts and I don't post things until I have the facts. Always. I mostly write about events, you really can't get your facts wrong on that.
On past occasions Crespo has called me to ask me facts for a story he is writing, and he also gets many facts and sometimes photos from the Grapevine stories, so you may be reading MY FACTS in the Crespo Gram.
If you see any errors that I may have posted, I would appreciate an email correcting me, because to be honest, in all these 8 years, I don't think I have deliberately or maliciously posted anything in error on purpose. And when I am notified of an error, I correct it right away. Always have.
I know at times in the past that things have gotten heated, I am trying to avoid that now.
As for anonymous comments, 99% of them speak from fact, I know because I just do, as it is a part of my job here, knowing what is going on around town, so when people comment, it is usually something that I knew already, but did not want to post in a story, but the anonymous commenter says it. The other comments I let go through because I try not to censor people and it is their opinion if they want to say they don't like something, which is really not a fact, it is their opinion. Sorry you feel that we are all whiners.
Politicians are put down daily, right or wrong, that is what people do. This is not the only venue where it is done. Again, if people want to call a politician a name, it is childish, but not against the law as far as I know.
If you see facts here that are wrong, doesn't it make sense to point them out to me rather than just say that I have the facts wrong? If the facts are wrong, correct them -- WITH FACTS! Thank you.
JB
you want us to ask Sarnoff about the rationale behind his decisions? Please do so and good luck.
Talk to the folks at Scenic Miami who have tried to get a rationale about Sarnoff's push to proliferate wall murals, Digital billboards, and ads in every possible place in Miami. He'll tell you it generates revenue.
Well most of us think it is eye litter, and cheapens our city. We are selling ourselves cheaply creating ordinances that will stay on the books for a lifetime.
Prostitution generates revenue too. Maybe he will go for that next. Particularly since this commissioner who represented himself years ago as the "green grassroots commissioner" has prostituted himself as the"green money commissioner."
You must not be too involved in the Grove, or you would know.
Grapevine,
First off, thank you for publishing my comments, a lesser blog would have deleted them without consideration. It a credit to yourself and this blog that you allowed me to refer to this website as the Grape**ine. I will respectfully refrain from referring to your blog as that in the future - on this platform. I cannot make any promises that I will no longer call it that when I'm socializing with friends and colleagues in the Grove as it really is an awesome pun.
I would like to point out a few things though. You allowed a comment (scroll up) regarding Ms McConnell: "she is masterful at character assassination and an extremist." That's wrong. I don't know Sue McConnell, I've seen her at a few meetings and I disagree with her on several issues. To facilitate someone on your blog, your platform, under your editorial rules, to call her that. You sir, are wrong.
We live in public, all someone has to do is Google her name and that comment could appear. If she runs a business, that comment could cost her a potential client and you allowed it.
Then you allow someone to say that she wants to "destroy the Grove." Why would Sue McConnell, whom I do not know or have any relationship with in any capacity, want to destroy the Grove? That's conspiracy theory without backup and you facilitated it.
You yourself, referred to her and her interests as "Kook-Aid." Referring to someone's legitimate opinion as Kook. That's wrong. Counter argue by all means, don't insult.
Then you allowed a further comment to call someone a loser! Do you think that was right? Do you agree that Bryan is a loser because he has a differing opinion? You're the editor and published such a comment?
As I have said before, I have a great respect for you and the work you do in relation to keeping this blog going, but please, clean it up for all your readers sake.
Respectfully yours,
JB.
Tom,
I suspect that perhaps your JB is none other than the lovely Teresa, wife of Commissioner "Ethics." Early on, back when I was first writing about the Sarnoff's antics in swapping cars to hide the fact that "Cousin Neil" was still showing up to practice law at Sarnoff's illegal law firm in his house on Shipping Avenue, someone started a blog to challenge me. They gave up after 3-4 posts, when they realized that writing a blog was real work, and that I enjoyed counter-punching.
The language seems similar, and certainly very few people would leap to Sue McConnell's defense other than the Sarnoff's given how she has done so much to further his career, including being Sarnoff's "eye witness" in the Reid Welch assault incident.
Given what happened last time, I wouldn't worry too much about JB, if if is the lovely Teresa she'll soon tire and start packing for the next Sarnoff junket to faraway lands paid for by someone else.
Al Crespo
PS: Commissioner "Ethics" has come up with a scheme to strap folks in the Grove and elsewhere with a nasty deal benefiting a small number of Brickell Avenue folks that everyone should start paying attention too. I hope to have the story up by the end of the week,
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