Marc Sarnoff seems to be a bit of a shitheel to say the least:
http://notnowsilly.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/is-marc-d-sarnoff-corrupt-or-most.htmlHowever, that changed once I started investigating the current state of Coconut Grove. The name "Marc D. Sarnoff" started cropping up with some regularity. The more I uncovered of Gino Falsetto's real estate deals, the more I saw the Sarnoff name. When I started looking into the Coconut Grove Playhouse, I encountered the Sarnoff name again. It didn't matter where I turned, Sarnoff always seemed to be RIGHT THERE. On one level that's not surprising; Sarnoff is the Commissioner for Miami's District 2, which takes in Coconut Grove.
However, it was how his name kept coming up that intrigued the journalist in me. Whenever I read about a new development, I would read about how Marc D. Sarnoff was supporting it, often against neighbours' objections. The Sarnoff name also came up often when interviewing people on deep background about the history of the Grove Gardens Residence Condominiums behind the E.W.F. Stirrup House in Coconut Grove. The prevailing opinion seems to be that if you are a developer, Marc Sarnoff is on your side. If you live in White Coconut Grove, Marc Sarnoff can be your best friend. If you live in Black Coconut Grove, Marc Sarnoff is the invisible man.
Nothing illustrates this better than last week's hastily scheduled Town Hall meeting on Trolleygate. Sarnoff only called for this community meeting once the shit hit the fan, not when this diesel bus garage was still on paper. Trolleygate can be a complicated story if one gets too deeply into the weeds. However, clearing away the clutter -- and narrowing the focus to a single issue -- it is easier to see what's at stake. In a nutshell:
On one hand: Marc Sarnoff claims Astor Development complied with all legal requirements and had every right to build a diesel bus garage in the middle of West Grove.
On the other hand: Lawyers for West Grove say that the Miami21 Plan specifically prohibits a "government vehicle maintenance facility" along Douglas; therefore, building permits never should have been issued.
They both can't be right.
True to form, residents say, Sarnoff couldn't be bothered to look for any reasons to deny a developer, even though West Grove lawyers say many exist. The courts will now sort this mess out, at a cost to all Miami taxpayers (the West Grove lawyers are working pro bono).
Much more at the link, googling the guy brings up a ton of stuff, very little complimentary.
Given the ties to developers, I wouldn't be surprised if he's got links to the private prison industry, the proposed legislation makes more sense in that light.