The Village Council meeting went well last night at the Abanico Theater, atop the Academy of Arts and Minds School. The 3 am vs. 5 am bar closing time was discussed and everyone had a chance to speak. It basically comes down to the residents present, wanting 3 am to stay and the business owners (not just the bars, but most business owners) want the 5 am bar closing time back.
Ron Nelson, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff's Chief of Staff, called me and the Grapevine out for this story, (Coming out of the Shadows), calling it disgraceful, and I have to say, I have always liked Ron and for what he did last night, I really like Ron even more now. I like and respect people who call me out to my face (not necessarily in front of about 250 people and tv cameras, like last night). But it's nice to be up front and honest rather than hold things in and comment anonymously here.
Elena Carpenter from Miami Monthly said that those who used to party late into the wee hours are growing old now and so they want the Grove to grow old with them, which should not be the case. Rightly so, she said self control and law enforcement are the issue for 5 am bar closings.
John El Masry, owner of Mr. Moe's, gave the analogy of having a house with termites and just tenting one closet to get rid of the problem. So if drunk driving and noise and late 5 am bar closings are the problem (which is the line being sold), why is only one little sliver, Coconut Grove, being closed at 3 am when the rest of the City of Miami's special entertainment districts are open until 5 am, 7 am and even some are open 24 hours now. Why not protect everyone from the nasty old drunk drivers and close everyone down at 3 am.
As Liliana Dones, Village Council member says, "Same am" for the whole City, and maybe even County.
Nathan Kurland spoke for the Village of Center Grove (VOCG). They are against the change back to 5 am and they have a resolution that says so, but Nathan personally spoke out in favor of grandfathering Mr. Moe's and allowing them the 5 am closings. Nathan personally agrees that Mr. Moe's was done wrong. He is for 5 am if the majority of people are for it.
One interesting thing: the Village of Center Grove consists of less than 40 members. It's amazing how this mighty little machine calls so many shots and they really are not very well represented in the scheme of things. Strength without numbers.
Trina Collins, was probably the sweetest speaker last night. She spoke of her niece, a college honor student, who loves Mr. Moe's and misses the 5 am closings. She asked that Mr. Moe's be grandfathered in for 5 am closings because the college students love it and the majority of them are respectable people who are young and like to be out late.
Gary Hecht, Village Council member, spoke of his recent trip to South Miami on a Saturday night, about 8:30 pm, and how it was so lively and jumping, while the Grove was totally dead at the same hour. He now understands the perception issue of 5 am and sees how it affects business all day and night. He said that the Grove has a failing urban core that needs to be saved now. And he agrees that the return to 5 am is a start.
David Collins of the BID says that the BID has made no formal announcement or stand on the 5 am issue, which is strange, since the BID is all about business and you would assume they all would be for more business, which the 5 am change would bring.
Village Council members Michelle Niemeyer is for 5 am, so is Liliana Dones, who talked of her youth in the Grove, staying out late, enjoying life and how the young people today should have the same privilege and choice. Felice Dubin and David Collins were not too clear on their stance, Lottie Person was in favor of the return of 5 am and emphatically loves Mr. Moe's and likes being out late herself. Martin Zilber wondered if Commissioner Sarnoff has the Grove's best interest at heart. And Gary Hecht, of course gave his great story of South Miami and his reasons of why the Grove should be open until 5 am.
Village Council members Adam Weirich was not present because of a family emergency and Alyn Pruett left early for another board meeting elsewhere. We know that Adam is for the change to 5 am and don't know where Alyn stands on the issue.
This sitting Village Council may not revisit the issue and it may be left to the newly seated Village Council in December or January.
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