He asks, "What has happened to The Miami Herald?"

Activist  and businessman Steve Kneapler sent the following Letter to the Editor to The Miami Herald, regarding their editorial, which was in favor of the Grove Bay waterfront project. I have to admit that when I read the editorial, I too wondered if The Herald editors really looked at the project or are they just in favor of everything that is pro-development? After all, they did sell their own home to Genting, the large casino group who wants to put a casino right there on the water. I suspect the Herald editors wouldn't mind if a casino went in on the water in the Grove either. And remember, the way the lease is set up on the Grove Bay vote, they can flip it overnight if they wish. What if they flip it to Genting? Then what?

From Steve Kneapler:

Re: Your "Opinion" dated 10/21/2013 
“Open Up Miami’s Waterfront on Coconut Grove”

I was one of the five members on the selection committee for the City’s RFP 12-13-001. 

Reflecting on your written opinion, it seems to me that the editorial staff and the two reporters that wrote an article before your opinion was published did not do any real homework and fact checking.

That’s not my opinion, but a statement of fact based on the article, your opinion, and my complete knowledge of the facts.

I ask you, did anyone from the Herald read the published RFP # 12-13-001, cover to cover including all attachments? 

Did anyone from the Herald read all the interim drafts to see the changes made between the first draft and the final RFP and attachments that were issued? 

Did anyone from the Herald read all the attachments to the final RFP and the related addendums and attachments after the RFP was issued but before the two (one subsequently withdrew) proposals were submitted by 2 PM on 5/10/2013? 

Has anyone from the Herald compared the lease and attachments that the city commission voted on 7/25/2013, albeit in direct conflict with the RFP and our city charter (for example the gambling clause in section 2.7 of the lease, regardless of any communications by the district 2 commissioner or the developer) to the final RFP and related attachments and addendums that the selection committee voted on? 

Has anyone from the Herald read the agenda package for the 7/25/2013 commission meeting to see if all required documents necessary by our charter were attached? 

Has anyone from the Herald fact checked the winning (only) proposal against the RFP, its addendums and attachments? 

Has anyone from the Herald compared what is currently being circulated by our District 2 Commissioner to what the winning proposer agreed to do in its submission on 5/10/2013 and voted on by the selection committee on 5/26/2013? 

Is anyone from the Herald aware that the City is actually proposing a charter amendment on this particular subject in the upcoming election in direct violation of the City’s charter, which by its very nature is deceitful, let alone illegal? 

I have been a proud member of this community for almost 74 years, while I have disagreed with some of your opinions ideologically, they, until the past few years, were at least BALANCED, I ask you, ”WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE MIAMI HERALD”?

Steve Kneapler
Coconut Grove, FL