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Recent Articles By Francisco Alvarado

National Features

Sarnoff sued Southern Air, the Miami-based aviation company once owned by the CIA, on Hasenfus's behalf. He lost, but the case was publicized around the world — and the young lawyer's profile rose. (On the biography page of his city commission website, Sarnoff boasts he "had the honor" of being the soldier-of-fortune's lawyer.)

In 1993, Sarnoff landed another controversial case when he successfully represented Miamian Bruce Wheeland in a divorce from his wife Lucienne. The husband accused her of engaging in frequent unprotected sex with him — while she had AIDS. The case was publicized far and wide, further bolstering Sarnoff's media profile. Eventually Wheeland won $18 million in compensatory damages from his ex-wife's homeowners' insurance policy.

The next dispute arose in February 1999, when Sarnoff spearheaded a move to create a dog park within Blanche Park, at Shipping Avenue and Virginia Street, directly across from his home. A neighborhood group secured $30,000 from Ralston Purina to put in — among other things — landscaping, a kiosk featuring the company's logo, water fountains, and a three-foot-tall chainlink fence. (Sarnoff owns three Bernese Mountain dogs.)

Frank Rollason, who was an assistant city manager at the time, says Sarnoff did not disclose his home was across from the park when he first inquired about it during a neighborhood meeting. "I found out from someone else," Rollason recalls. "I thought it was odd that he never told me himself."

Adds Jason Walker, who at the time was working for Winton: "None of us had any idea that he lived in front of the park, because he didn't tell us."

Four months after the dog park opened in February 2001, a group of Coconut Grove parents, including Sarnoff's next-door neighbor James Cashion, complained to the city that the pooches' green space had taken up too much of the park, leaving only a small patch for the neighborhood children. Cashion cited a plan for the project that included a 50-50 split.

An incensed Sarnoff posted signs in the Purina kiosks calling Cashion and his wife people "who were trying to ruin the dog park for dog lovers." He also circulated a negative letter about Cashion, his spouse, and their eight-year-old daughter. "The letter was so bad my neighbors didn't want to tell me what it said," Cashion says. "That gives you a good picture of the character next door."

Another neighbor, Melissa Meyer, accused Sarnoff and the city of discriminating against black and Hispanic kids who used the park. "He kicked the black kids out," wrote someone named "Emma on Shipping Avenue" in a recent post on a Miami Herald story, "and told them if they wanted to throw a ball in a park, then their parents could get into their cars and drive them to another park."

Rollason adds that Sarnoff was very upset about a basketball hoop the city was going to purchase for the park's kiddie section. "He was worried about bringing in the wrong element to the park," Rollason says. "When I pressed him about what he meant by that, he never really explained himself."

Sarnoff responds he's no racist. He was simply trying to improve his neighborhood. "I always judge a man by the content of his character, not the color of his skin," he proclaims.

He denies retaliating against the Cashions, attributing their squabble to "just some bad feelings between neighbors that went on for a long time."

In September 2004, Sarnoff received a call from his friend Sue McConnell, a soft-spoken Grove resident who has known him for more than eight years. She said Home Depot planned to convert an old Kmart on South Dixie Highway into a massive retail center. Like many of his neighbors, Sarnoff believed the project would invade the unique character of Miami's wealthiest enclave. "He has always been a take-charge kind of guy," McConnell says. "He gets things done."

Soon Sarnoff mobilized Groveites. To persuade commissioners to nix the project, he formed Grove First, a grassroots organization identified by yard signs depicting two palm trees forming an X over the Home Depot logo. The movement collected signatures from 13,000 residents opposed to the project and filled city hall every time Home Depot came up for a vote.

Grove First even produced a documentary in 2005 called Don't Box Me In, which prominently featured Sarnoff. In one scene, the bushy-bearded activist accused Commissioner Winton of doing nothing to stop Home Depot. "Johnny and the mayor let us down," Sarnoff moped on camera.

Though the Home Depot store eventually opened, Grove First remained intact. It entered a slate of candidates for the Coconut Grove Village Council in 2005. The top vote-getter was Sarnoff, who was named village council chairman. "He didn't give a damn if Home Depot went in or not," complains Jason Walker. "He admitted as much in meetings with Home Depot's lawyers and city officials." (Sarnoff, of course, says he never admitted any such thing and cites success in limiting the project.)

Indeed, soon after Winton was suspended after tussling with two Miami-Dade Police officers, Sarnoff began campaigning for the seat. The immediate favorite was Linda Haskins, the city's former chief financial officer, whom the commission appointed to the position on an interim basis. (She declined comment for this article.)

Sarnoff and his supporters relentlessly hammered Haskins for her ties to Mayor Manny Diaz and for receiving campaign contributions from lawyers, lobbyists, and people working not only for Home Depot but also other controversial developers. At one point, doctored images depicting Haskins wearing a Home Depot apron and carrying barrels of cash found their way into the in-boxes of the district's voters.

Sarnoff even received help from an unexpected ally: Joe Arriola, who had resigned as city manager after a series of scandals. Before his departure, the city manager helped Sarnoff win some brownie points with parents who had been alienated by the dog park dispute. Via e-mail, Sarnoff asked Arriola to replace playground equipment at the park. Arriola replied, "Your wish is my command!!!" Soon the manager ordered the purchase of $26,000 worth of new equipment and replacement of a fence separating the children's area from the dogs' space.

Write Your Comment show comments (58)

  1. I'm embarassed to live in his district! This guy if a FOOL

    Comment by Mary — February 13, 2008 @ 02:56PM

  2. Sarnoff is a slickster - that is the understatement of the year. Ambitious, ruthless, a liar and more. Terrorizing his neighbors along with anyone else who disagrees with him.

    Comment by Disgusted — February 13, 2008 @ 05:26PM

  3. one thing is for sure where there is smoke you can bet there is fire. I commend the commissioner for having the balls to out all the corrupt figures that are like vultures preying on the citizens of the city. To many coincidenecs, bottom line the Hardemons, the jason walkers ,arriloas,freak rollason, rosario Kennedy(ms.Joe Gerstien)all extremly shady back door dealers with a terible track records. I can't wait for the investigation is over and these parasite are put where they belong(UNION prison in Raiford florida behind bars doing fifteen to life).Commisioner Sarnoff kudos to you and i wished all our elected officials had the moral charater so say NO to these thugs that push their greed filled agenda down our throats.
    LM

    Comment by Louis M — February 13, 2008 @ 05:37PM

  4. Commissioner Sarnoff is trying to do the best he can. He is swimming in a sea filled with sharks. Michelle Spence-Jones has already pled quilty to 8 counts of election law violations. And she faces other investigations. Jason Walker did such a lousy job working for fired commissioner Winton that Walker left Miami over two years ago. Billy Hardemon is another has-been who displays the typical sense of entitlement. "I want your money and don't ask me to work." Barbara Carey-Schuler resigned under a very dark cloud. Compared to that bunch Hurricane Katrina would be a breath of fresh air.

    Comment by Tom Dodd — February 13, 2008 @ 06:57PM

  5. I live in Coconut Grove and Marc Sarnoff has been one of the best Commissioners this district has had. In this story Frank and Jason, who both worked for Johnny Winton, Marc Sarnoff's arch-enemy, said negative things about Marc. It's a no brainer that they would try to ruin Commissioner Sarnoff reputation. I know controversy sells advertising but come on, get some creditable sources.

    Sarnoff is an honest guy working in the politically corrupt world of Miami politics. He really cares about his Miami neighbors.

    By playing the role of dog lover, he did NOT make most of Blanche Park off-limits to children and did not look to increase his property value. He found a corporate sponsor to rebuild the park that the City of Miami would not maintain. That park was used to sell drugs and people were mugged at that park before Sarnoff cleaned it up. No parents would even that their kids close to that place. Blame the City of Miami for letting parks decay and be taken over by criminals and drug dealers. He eradicated crime because the City would not. So what if less crime increases property values.

    By leading the Home Depot fight, he may have positioned himself for political office, perhaps as a by-product of saving the Grove our village home. 99.9% of all residents opposed the Home Depot in the Grove. He was the only Grove resident who stepped up to the plate. He may not have stopped Home Depot, but he limited the size of the store. A substantial positive result.

    As Miami area politicians give the County and City away to developers for their own personal and political gain and destroy or quality of life, Marc will be fighting for the residents of his district. Wouldn't it feel nice if your commissioner cared about you in the same way? Commissioner Sarnoff holds the high-ground!

    Comment by David R. — February 13, 2008 @ 08:03PM

  6. well said

    Comment by Louis M — February 13, 2008 @ 08:27PM

  7. The Florida Election Commission is studying whether Spence-Jones improperly paid $24,000 in cash to campaign workers and for other expenses during the 2005 election. Last year the commission found probable cause to further probe the matter.

    • State prosecutors are looking into whether her campaign improperly accepted $18,000 from the now-defunct Black Business Association, a nonprofit group, to organize a concert while she was an urban affairs advisor for Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.

    • The state is also studying whether she was paid to vote for a Coconut Grove condo project sponsored by the Related Group.

    • Finally investigators are looking at a $75,000 county grant to the Yellow Moon Salon and Day Spa on NW Seventh Avenue, which is owned by the commissioner's brother, Rick. Part of the money was handed out while Spence-Jones was a city commissioner.

    Comment by Louis M — February 13, 2008 @ 08:32PM

  8. Great article. I'm so glad that the truth is finally coming out. It has been very difficult being Marcs neighbor. He goes around looking for building code violations on our property if we have an opposing point view on a neighborhood issue and speak out about it. He tried to intimidate us by threatening to have us fined for a wall that is built 3" into the public of way in front of our house. He has done much worse to my neighbors who wanted to save a small green space in the park for the neighborhood kids to throw or kick a ball. He had them investigated, he harassed them at their jobs, and he wrote nasty letters about them to other neighbors and to the local newspapers. I really think that there is something wrong with him. He is mentally unstable and should not be holding public office. He needs to be baker-acted. Seriously. He needs to get some help. As his neighbor, I am also concerned that he is carrying around a gun. He takes it everywherehe goes. Someone as mentally unstable as him should not be carrying a gun. I am concerned for my safety.

    Comment by Emma on Shipping Ave. — February 14, 2008 @ 12:02AM

  9. CBS TV Channel 4 did a great story on Marc Sarnoff Wednesday night. They reported on his effort to regulate the illegal mural industry in Miami. At least someone is stepping up to make our city look better.

    Comment by Hazel — February 14, 2008 @ 01:04AM

  10. Comments 3-7 were posted by the Sarnoff camp. They are obviously working overtime - on damage control duty!

    I remember when Sarnoff threatened to call the city on us for not getting a permit for our neighborhood annual easter picnic/potluck in the park, if we spoke out against his scheme to turn all of Blanche Park into a dog park. He was always threatening the neighbors. It was very weird. There is something wrong with that guy.

    Let's use this forum to nominate the NEXT commissioner...I know we have to put up with this clown for three and a half more years, unless he is removed by the State Attoney or by Govenor Crist, but we can start thinking about a legitimate candidate now. I nominate Frank Rollason. He is a true public servant and an honest man. That's why the other commisioners don't like him - because he is honest.

    Comment by jack — February 14, 2008 @ 01:17AM

  11. The City of Miami requires a certain number of signatures from the neighborhood in order to get a traffic circle built. Sarnoff circulated a petition for the traffic circle at Shipping Ave. and Virginia Street (right in front of his house) but nobody wanted to sign it. Now I see that the traffic cirle is there. How did it get built without the required number of signatures?

    Comment by emily goldberg — February 14, 2008 @ 01:35AM

  12. Secret Memo Sarnoff must have had a pretty rotten childhood. I wonder if his parents divorce severely scarred him. His mother must feel pretty bad about the way he has turned out.

    Comment by jake weselesky — February 14, 2008 @ 01:47AM

  13. Don't you mean "Secret Memo Metro Sexual Sarnoff"? Have you seen him in his jogging shorts? Now that should be illegal.

    Comment by s.b. — February 14, 2008 @ 01:57AM

  14. Marc Sarnoff was quoted as saying that West Grove kids (i.e.black kids) skating through the Village on their way to hockey practice in Peacock Park was bad for businesses in the Village.

    How racist is that?

    Why was this racist elected?

    Comment by bruno — February 14, 2008 @ 02:08AM

  15. Emma and Jack - please call Frank Alvarado and tell him your stories. I have. The truth needs to get out about Sarnoff. Darvid R. And Luis M. posts are showing up here, on the blog and on the herald story - they are part of the vicious crowd around Sarnoff. Ryan Alexander is the building inspector that Marc has used to strong arm those who disagree. So many things have happened - posting the names of those who disagree with him on the signpost at the park, the circle suddenly appearing. Insisting that the dog park be built, but now not using it for his dogs because it's not sanitary. Our kids needed a place to play. He kicked them out.

    Comment by Pat — February 14, 2008 @ 08:22AM

  16. Let's focus on this article, shall we? Perhaps you should really read the piece first, which I found lacking in substance and follow-through. First, follow the money. Carey-Shuler (no mention of why she's not in office anymore, nothing about her timely resignation after being caught up in scandal at MIA?), and Barbara Hardemon (an experienced lobbyist, no doubt?), each received fifty thousand dollars from Related. Did the writer ask to see the invoices or contracts? Why were they paid so much? Because they were lobbying...whom? And why all the ex-city officials conveniently 'working' for Related? I contend that this is a hit piece, plain and simple. Everyone who slams Sarnoff in this piece either has an axe to grind (Frank Rollason, who, god love him, was fired by Sarnoff, I understand his rancor; Joe Arriola, Jason Walker, whoever the heck that is), or is just crazy (Arriola and Walker), Problems with the blue-eyed guy? I have some too. But where is the reporting? I didn't know the facts before I read the article, and I still don't Lazy piece, my friend.

    Comment by Danny — February 14, 2008 @ 09:38AM

  17. They call him the "Dog Park Nazi" because he has always tried to control who uses the public park, which he refers to as "his front yard". He went to so much effort to create the dog park and now he doesn’t even use it!

    Late at night he takes his dogs to poop in the toddler area. He created the "toddler area" in an attempt to keep the black youth in the neighborhood out of park. He did this by making the kids area really small and jam packing it with a bunch of toddler play equipment. This guy is a real piece of work. But so are the idiots that supported him. Sue McConnel, Ryan Alexander, Michelle Neimeyer, they are all ignorant, yuppie, elitist. They are all responsible for exacerbating Miami's problems. Sarnoff needs to step down so that someone without such a shadey track record can get some things done.

    Comment by The View from Virginia Street — February 14, 2008 @ 11:48AM

  18. In 2003 I contacted the City of Miami Parks and Rec. Dept. to find out what they were using to control fleas and parasites in the dog park. They told me that they used a chemical called "Diazon" and that Marc Sarnoff specifically requested that this chemical be used.

    It was banned in 2004 but periodically I would walk by the park in 2004 & 2005 and when I saw the park being sprayed and asked what they were using, they said "Diazon". I became concerned because Marc Sarnoff, who directed the landscaping of the dog park, had the dog area regraded so the run-off from the park would slope towards the toddler area.

    I was alarmed when I looked up "Diazon" and it's effects on human beings and animals. Then I realized why Sarnoff never took his dogs in to the dog park. I pasted some information about "Diazon" down below. It is shocking.

    Contact may cause skin and eye irritation.

    If inhaled or touched, can affect the central nervous system, causing headache, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tightness in the chest, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and muscle twitching. In severe cases, may cause death.
    Repeated or long-term exposure may cause headaches, muscle weakness, dizziness, and poor coordination. It may also cause personality changes, depression, anxiety, and irritability.

    Repeated or long-term exposure may cause liver damage.
    Exposure to diazinon and chlorpyrifos during pregnancy may result in smaller birth size for infants, according to a 2004 study. Women with higher diazinon and chlorpyrifos levels in their blood and umbilical-cord blood gave birth to lighter, shorter babies, with birth weights increasing again after government restrictions on the two insecticides, the study found.

    In laboratory experiments, fetal rodents exposed to diazinon suffered from brain damage. Though there is no direct evidence in humans of fetal brain damage, the evidence is of great concern.

    Comment by Rachel — February 14, 2008 @ 12:09PM

  19. Great point danny, zero follow thru, editor should be pissed, that they only got a piece, asked many question but did not inform on truths. did he go see the hardemons, shuler, spence-jones. story left alot of holes that shuold have been pursued. did he ask related group why they felt the need to pay-off, did he ask the crooks who they lobbied for the projects. did they file and disclosed this income to IRS. why would a business would pay these people in cash, maybe to avoid a paper trail. Frank should try investigating all the backdoor deals related group is and has been involed in. i would never buy anything that would have to do with that organized group of related bandits
    LM

    Comment by Louis M — February 14, 2008 @ 04:18PM

  20. I can't imagine how this guy Sarnoff could have been raised to believe that any of his ridiculus behavior is normal or acceptable. Was he raised by wolves?

    Comment by WOW! — February 14, 2008 @ 07:39PM

  21. Saw Sarnoff on TV today. He was leading residents who wanted to get the Grove clubs to stop selling liquor at 3:00 am instead of 5:00 am. Good for him.

    Comment by Polly Ermenia — February 14, 2008 @ 08:42PM

  22. So Sarnoff builds dog parks, but won't go in dog parks.
    He's a Democrat but he was a Republican three months ago?
    He's anit-gun, but he has a gun permit, carries a gun and belongs to the NRA.
    The hypocrisy is in every single thing he says and does. Makes one believe that he
    just loves attention - be it good or bad...

    How sad :(

    Comment by jenny from 'da block — February 14, 2008 @ 09:33PM

  23. The funny thing is that he has made so many enemies over the years that it has gotten difficult for him to keep up with the many investigations and files that he has on people - mainly his own neighbors. I hope he gets the help he so desperately needs.

    Comment by Ex-Sarnoff & Bayer Employee — February 14, 2008 @ 09:56PM

  24. All the New Times in the Coconut Grove area were stolen! Could not find any until I went across Dixie. Please re-deliver. We'll watch and let the New Times know who is stealing the papers.

    Comment by Grovie — February 15, 2008 @ 10:43AM

  25. All the New Times in the Coconut Grove area were stolen! Could not find any until I went across Dixie. Please re-deliver. We'll watch and let the New Times know who is stealing the papers.

    Comment by Grovie — February 15, 2008 @ 10:43AM

  26. Sarnoff is doing fine. People like Sarnoff will always make enemies as they expose criminals. It appears the people complaining are has-beens or worse.

    Comment by chris — February 15, 2008 @ 11:10AM

  27. Sarnoff has secured his fate as a has-been who is on his way to looney bin!
    I saw Michelle Neimeyer stuffing a bunch of New Times in her car this morning in front
    of the CVS in the Grove.

    Also, I heard that Sarnoff's wife is actually a contract "wife" and she is under contract (for a rather heafty sum) to make all public appearances with Sarnoff and they are not really a couple & that she lives in one of the two houses that he owns across from the dog park & he lives in the other. I also heard that Neil Bayer and Marc Sarnoff are not just law parters but are "partners" that have decided to remain in the closet. This story just keeps getting more & more interesting....

    Comment by Eye Witness — February 15, 2008 @ 12:15PM

  28. I don't have a problem with him being gay or wanting to be in the closet or whatever. What I find most disturbing is the chronic lying. I mean what kind of person makes so many enemies that he has to go out and buy a gun and then turns around and starts pushing for anti-gun legislation? The poor guy is obviously confused and should not be representing Miami's most prominant districts. I hope we can find more level headed leadership in the future.

    Comment by Luis Padron — February 15, 2008 @ 01:22PM

  29. Eye witness. Please, please, please, call Francisco Alvarado at the New Times and tell him your story. This is the sort of thing that the press needs to know. Sarnoff and his people have been on a witch hunt against anyone who disagrees with him for too long. The only way to stop our suffering is for the guy and his cult to be outed.

    Comment by On the case — February 15, 2008 @ 03:36PM

  30. Now the accusations are just silly. It is obvious that there are only 1-2 chronic complainers. Grow up. Get a life. Pick a new hobby.

    Comment by Eric Padowski — February 15, 2008 @ 05:28PM

  31. This is the same guy who harassed his neighbors at their place of employment.
    He also enlisted the police to harass his neighbors and others who disagreed with him. He was also accussed of stalking. This story is accurate, but it's only HALF of the story. I hope those who know "the rest of the story" will come forward and contact the the media and the State Attorneys office.

    Comment by Gary — February 15, 2008 @ 08:00PM

  32. This is the same guy who harassed his neighbors at their place of employment.
    He also enlisted the police to harass his neighbors and others who disagreed with him. He was also accussed of stalking. This story is accurate, but it's only HALF of the story. I hope those who know "the rest of the story" will come forward and contact the the media and the State Attorneys office.

    Comment by Gary — February 15, 2008 @ 08:04PM

  33. To Gary,
    You must be getting tired of whinning. Get a life. Take a walk. Kick your dog. Beat your wife. Take a breath. Time to get a new hobby. There is more to life than Commissioner Sarnoff.

    Comment by Eric — February 16, 2008 @ 02:36AM

  34. Dear "On The Case"

    I just read your comment and you and people like you make me ill! Talking about 'outing' Commissioner Sarnoff and his cult is sick sick sick! Why not leave him and his cult alone. He is doing good for this community that I love. The people he is getting rid of should be gotten rid of. Maybe his methods are draconian, but they work and we are getting a much better community because of those methods. Get off his case and I think that our community that he represents will be so much better after he has served his term and his next term. Why not wait and see before you keep being so nasty to him. After Commissioner Sarnoff leaves office I am sure we will return to the days when this community was a nice place to live. I hope he continues to remove the bad apples and the bad people. People who did not grow up here and people who are not even a part of this country. So 'On-the-Case' for the sake of your Coconut Grove please "GETOFFTHE CASE"! You make me so mad!

    Comment by Doris Thompson — February 16, 2008 @ 08:59AM

  35. Speaking of getting a life, the cult members should try it. They all gathered to make sure the New Times in the Grove were "diappeared." They gather to plot their harrassment strategies. They criticize anyone who disagrees with them and then are shocked that people are disgusted. They cover for Sarnoff every chance they get. The real victims here are the people who disagree with the nazi-like elitists. We need to get the real story out - maybe we can deprogram some of the cultists and get our lives back. Doris, go drink your kool-aid.

    Comment by Harold — February 16, 2008 @ 09:39AM

  36. Hence Sarnoff’s nickname, "The Dog Park Nazi". The people that follow him are sad, not very smart people with no lives or identity of their own, just the type of people that easily get sucked into "cult-like" schemes. Sarnoff fits the dictionary definition of a psychopath. He did not do anything to improve his Grove neighborhood at all. He is simply a disturbed opportunist who happened to move in when gentrification was already well underway. Then he took all the credit for it (as if it were a good thing). If anything, he has made his neighborhood worse by dividing his neighbors and spreading hate in a very Nazi-esque way. Crime in his area is at an all time high. None of his initiatives have succeeded. I am most concerned for his followers who seem blind to the truth yet still march on. It’s so sad to watch.

    Comment by Jim — February 16, 2008 @ 11:42AM

  37. New Times should do a story profiling the Sarnoff "soldiers". Now that would be telling!

    Comment by Jeannie — February 16, 2008 @ 11:51AM

  38. Jim, Jeannie, Emma and other neighbors. The story will not get out unless you talk to a reporter. Francisco Alvarado has taken the first step. If you want the story out, especially about the actions of the cult followers, call the New Times or write an e-mail to Francisco Alvarado. He can't disclose your name if you are a source - only if you give him permission. And Sarnoff and his cult cannot get the information either. Thank god for protections for the press and their sources.

    Comment by Alex — February 16, 2008 @ 12:51PM

  39. Who are the "Sarnoff Soldiers?"

    Comment by Frank — February 16, 2008 @ 02:28PM

  40. Michelle Niemeyer, Sue McConnell, Gary Hecht, Nina West, & Harry Emillio Gotlieb are a few of the most obedient soldiers.

    Comment by Nathan — February 16, 2008 @ 03:16PM

  41. This is another story on the New Times Blog - Sarnoff is disgusting.

    Support Sarnoff, Get Paid
    Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 05:39:16 PM
    Since his election on November 21, 2006, Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff has cast himself as the do-gooder reformer on the commission dais.

    He sponsored legislation that requires outgoing city commissioners to seek approval from their colleagues when doling out last minute bonuses to their staff. He also authored the city’s disclosure law, which requires people who are paid by city vendors or developers to disclose that fact when they appear before the city commission. Then there is the memo he authored last year detailing a conversation with former City Manager Joe Arriola, alleging Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones ordered the developer of the controversial Mercy Hospital condo project to hire two of her close friends in exchange for her vote.

    But Sarnoff may want to keep closer tabs on the questionable dealings of some of his closest supporters. Consider the actions of the commissioner’s Senior Staff Liaison Ryan Alexander, who circumvented the city’s procurement rules by hiring his own company to install a fence at a Coconut Grove park.

    A Grove resident, Alexander is one of Sarnoff’s closest allies, having known the commissioner since the Nineties, when the pair founded the Center Grove Neighborhood Association. In 2006 and last year, Alexander gave $1500 to his friend’s political campaigns. He is also the owner of Berimbau Investments, which last July put up a wrought-iron black fence with gates at a small city-owned park between Margaret Street and Oak Avenue in Coconut Grove.

    According to an invoice – written on Berimbau Investments letterhead – Alexander submitted to the city’s Park and Recreation Department this past November, the commissioner’s aide sought payment for $14,500. In order to get paid, Alexander also provided two quotes for $26,536 and $24,638 from Bachiller Iron Works, a Miami-based fence installation company. He obtained the quotes on October 15 and 25 of last year – almost four months after he had already completed the job.

    During a recent interview, Sarnoff said Alexander, who is not authorized to make purchases on behalf of the city’s park and recreation department, made a mistake and will not be getting paid for the fence.

    “Ryan is a get-things-done-kind-of-guy,” Sarnoff said. “He took it upon himself to do a project that I wanted to get done.”

    Sarnoff said he did not know Alexander decided to put up the fence without going through the proper channels. “He went too far too fast,” Sarnoff admitted. “He expended his own money and unfortunately he won’t be compensated for it.”

    Alexander insists he did nothing wrong. "This issue was languishing on the city's desk for two years," he said. "At the time I was not very familiar with the city's procurement process. Now I am."

    This is not the first time Sarnoff has had a conflict of interest problem in his office. This past September 11, he gave the Coconut Grove Urban Empowerment Corporation a $167,000 grant from his commission district’s community development funds. At the time, the nonprofit agency listed Sarnoff’s Coconut Grove Community Liaison Yvonne McDonald as its president. McDonald contributed $100 to Sarnoff’s reelection campaign and served with him on the Coconut Grove Village Council.

    This past January 10, the city commission rescinded the $167,000 allocation to Urban Empowerment because McDonald’s involvement with the group violated conflict of interest rules established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provided the funding. “When I made the allocation I was not aware that there was a conflict,” Sarnoff explained.

    Then there is Sarnoff’s campaign manager Wilbur Jackson, who is employed as a Miami firefighter and as the executive assistant to the president of Miami Association of Firefighters. Apparently, Jackson found enough free time from his two demanding jobs to run Sarnoff’s campaign from April 10, 2007, the day Sarnoff qualified, to election day this past November 6.

    According to state incorporation records, Jackson formed Southeast Political & Campaign Consulting Inc. on February 26, 2007. Sarnoff’s reelection campaign paid Jackson’s company $271,873.76 to do everything from producing television commercials to mailing out campaign literature to election day logistics. The amount paid to Southeast Political is $91,787 more than the entire amount Sarnoff spent in his first run for commissioner in 2006, when he faced an incumbent who raised twice as much money as he did. Last year, Sarnoff only faced marginal opposition from a socialist candidate and a communist contender.

    So did Jackson obtain permission from City Manager Pete Hernandez to have outside employment doing political activities? Jackson did not return a phone call seeking comment. According to Sarnoff: “As far as I know yes he did.” Francisco Alvarado

    Comment by Alex — February 16, 2008 @ 04:19PM

  42. What? Sarnoff got the endosement of the Miami Firefighters Association and now we see that he PAID $271,873.76 for it?!!! Does the State Attorney's Office know about this?

    Comment by Stan — February 16, 2008 @ 06:43PM

  43. Re who are the Sarnoff cult members - good start with Michelle Niemeyer, Sue McConnell, Gary Hecht, Nina West, & Harry Emillio Gotlieb. Need to add a few - Jack King, Lily Dones, David Collins, Ryan Alexander, Yvonne MacDonald, and the firefighters Elvis Cruz and Wilbur Jackson, and his close and personal favorite Peter Ehrlich who wants his properties upzoned.

    Comment by Alex — February 16, 2008 @ 08:31PM

  44. Didn't Ryan Alexander get suspended for some problems in the past? And where's Little Ricky Arriola?

    Comment by Craig — February 16, 2008 @ 10:26PM

  45. To Gary, Jim, Alex, Nathan, Stan and Craig. It is obvious that you are one person using many fake names. You are making up stories. Try to find something new and real. Otherwise find a legitimate problem to occupy your mind and your busy little fingers. How about politicians giving away taxpayer money to the privately owned Marlins?

    Comment by Christina — February 17, 2008 @ 01:18AM

  46. Christina:

    I am just Craig Cefurn. I am a real person. Don't know about the others and I am not making up stories. Ryan Alexander, Commissioner Sarnoff's right hand man has in fact been suspended in the past for wrong doings. I think it is a legitimate problem when the Commissioner and his staff lie about the fence and how it really went down. As for the Marlins, Commissioner Sarnoff is for that deal also.

    Thank you....

    Craig Cefurn....a real person.


    To Gary, Jim, Alex, Nathan, Stan and Craig. It is obvious that you are one person using many fake names. You are making up stories. Try to find something new and real. Otherwise find a legitimate problem to occupy your mind and your busy little fingers. How about politicians giving away taxpayer money to the privately owned Marlins?

    Comment by Christina — February 17, 2008 @ 01:18AM

    Comment by Craig Cefurn — February 17, 2008 @ 09:10AM

  47. Check this out - it shows what a serial liar Sarnoff is.

    http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2008/02/sarnoffs_hyjacking_agenda.php

    Comment by Don't Believe Sarnoff — February 17, 2008 @ 10:12AM

  48. Check this out - it shows what a serial liar Sarnoff is.

    http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2008/02/sarnoffs_hyjacking_agenda.php

    Comment by Don't Believe Sarnoff — February 17, 2008 @ 10:12AM

  49. Christina:

    I too am real. I have benn Sarnoff's neighbor for many years so I have seen it all. I can assure you that most of the posts here, as sad as they may be, are true - which explains why I won't post my last name. The guy is unstable.

    Comment by Nathan — February 17, 2008 @ 11:08AM

  50. Monday, February 18, 2008

    Listen to Commissioner Sarnoff and then write your representative in Washington, D.C.

    http://www.miamigov.com/District2/videos/Commissioner_Sarnoff512K.wvx

    Brent Cutler

    Comment by Brent — February 18, 2008 @ 10:25AM

  51. Is Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff gay and in an arranged marriage?

    To find out more visit:

    http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/01/sarnoff-im-not.html

    Comment by The REAL Brent Cutler — February 18, 2008 @ 02:32PM

  52. Is Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff gay and in an arranged marriage?

    To find out more visit:

    http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2008/01/sarnoff-im-not.html

    Comment by The REAL Brent Cutler — February 18, 2008 @ 02:32PM

  53. I was e-mailed by a friend of mine in Miami to check out this site. I could not believe the actual article and even more so the comments. I have been away for several years now and can look at this stupidity without bias or a hidden agenda. I am a long time Marc supporter and proud of it. The question is " why aren't you?" If just one of you complainers would ever show proof of your fairy tales I would be shocked. I can tell by your stories who most of you are. You should be ashamed. For example Ms.Emily, trying to start a controversy over a traffic control circle at an intersection and blaming Marc for it is ludicrous. The circle was researched and pursued by me back in the day to control speeding vehicles running parallel to a city park. Comments made by frank and Jason stating they didn't know Marc lived across the street from Blanche park when both of them have been at his home several times. Jason, did you forget the meetings and fund raisers for Johnny's election. Frank, you know that every on site meeting you had with me reference the dog park while it was under construction was in Marc's driveway, usually with him present as the voice of the community. Frank you also know along with your buddy Jim,that all paperwork reference that dog park was on the up and up and any questions could be answered with a paper trail if anyone would ever care to print the truth. And Jack you think Frank is so great, ask him about Suzie. Rachel your ramblings about Diazinon are so stupid I wont even comment. They are almost as stupid as these ramblings about Marc's sexual preference, wives for contract and how someone looks in a jogging suit.All I can say Marc is you must be doing a great job. Only someone who is doing such a great job and long overdue could piss people off this way. If you were really doing a bad job we could discuss the issues instead of picking on you butt in spandex.And finally, If you and Ms T. are not really married, can I get a refund on my wedding gift!

    Comment by Audrey — February 18, 2008 @ 03:06PM

  54. I was e-mailed by a friend of mine in Miami to check out this site. I could not believe the actual article and even more so the comments. I have been away for several years now and can look at this stupidity without bias or a hidden agenda. I am a long time Marc supporter and proud of it. The question is " why aren't you?" If just one of you complainers would ever show proof of your fairy tales I would be shocked. I can tell by your stories who most of you are. You should be ashamed. For example Ms.Emily, trying to start a controversy over a traffic control circle at an intersection and blaming Marc for it is ludicrous. The circle was researched and pursued by me back in the day to control speeding vehicles running parallel to a city park. Comments made by frank and Jason stating they didn't know Marc lived across the street from Blanche park when both of them have been at his home several times. Jason, did you forget the meetings and fund raisers for Johnny's election. Frank, you know that every on site meeting you had with me reference the dog park while it was under construction was in Marc's driveway, usually with him present as the voice of the community. Frank you also know along with your buddy Jim,that all paperwork reference that dog park was on the up and up and any questions could be answered with a paper trail if anyone would ever care to print the truth. And Jack you think Frank is so great, ask him about Suzie. Rachel your ramblings about Diazinon are so stupid I wont even comment. They are almost as stupid as these ramblings about Marc's sexual preference, wives for contract and how someone looks in a jogging suit.All I can say Marc is you must be doing a great job. Only someone who is doing such a great job and long overdue could piss people off this way. If you were really doing a bad job we could discuss the issues instead of picking on you butt in spandex.And finally, If you and Ms T. are not really married, can I get a refund on my wedding gift!

    Comment by Audrey — February 18, 2008 @ 03:07PM

  55. So Audrey, you're a kool-aid drinker too. You seem to know a lot about the City of Miami. You were assigned to the Net when you were still an officer? I don't believe that it is really you writing. The Audrey I knew cared about the Grove and did not like the tactics of Marc and his cult. Pretty low that a cult member would throw Audrey's name around. Don't believe it till you hear from the REAL Audrey.

    Comment by Cult Victim — February 19, 2008 @ 11:11AM

  56. To Cult Victim

    Give it a rest. Unless you have any facts, which you do not, go back to your rat hole.

    Comment by Irked — February 20, 2008 @ 05:51PM

  57. Dear Irked,

    Go drink your koolaid - it is sure to put you out of your misery. The facts are plain to see, but the long-term effects of the kool-aid have burned your brain cells. Mothers.....hold your children...drink the koolaid.....it'll all be okay....

    Comment by Cult Victim — February 20, 2008 @ 09:27PM

  58. Perhaps Francisco Alvarez (or the Herald) could investigate Frank Rollason and his aide Suze Rodriduez? Wasn't Rollason with Suze when she was killed under odd circumstances?

    Comment by Helpful Harry — March 1, 2008 @ 10:49PM

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