OGHOA meeting. June 26, 2010. Photo by Paul @Blogfinger
Motion passes
By Paul Goldfinger
MONDAY—At Saturday’s meeting of the HOA, during a discussion on parking meters in the Grove, some members wanted the group to establish an official policy opposing meters anywhere in town. The president disagreed and suggested that the group not do it; the vice president wanted to shut down the discussion. But the people would not allow the leadership to dissuade them from asserting their power. By a clear majority, the motion passed and, at least for the moment, members made it clear that they were in charge of policy.
Those who are active on the board of the organization say that membership apathy requires that the board establish and execute policy. But apathy may, in part, be due to members who have come to meetings, been discouraged by the insular style of the leadership, and then never to return. The attendance at yesterday’s meeting was about 110-120 out of 640 members. An 18% turnout is not ideal but it is not atypical for many organizations.
It would appear that most of the actions of the board are in synch with the attitudes of most homeowners. But this critique is not about the “ends”— it is about the “means.”
Certainly it is discouraging and worrisome that every office for next month’s election is unopposed. But the mini-insurrection that occurred on Saturday is a cause for celebration. This phenomenon of the membership resisting the wishes of the leadership is not new. It happened over the Regal Homes issue—condos on Lawrence Avenue—and at the time of the boardwalk pavilion/CMA controversy.
Such instances suggest that the OGHOA leadership think about new and creative ways to include the members in policy decisions. Perhaps there are ways to reach out to the 80% of members who do not come to meetings. At Blogfinger we will continue polling our readers regarding issues in town.
Iris Excellent suggestions! Re 1. Most Ocean Grove residents may not be aware that ORDINANCE 07-46 was revised not long ago to amend Section 907 of the Land Use Ordinance “Relative To Demolition Within An Historic District”. Its 15 pages indicate how strictly any Demolition in Ocean Grove is taken by the Township. The entire text is available on the NeptuneTownship website (http://www.neptunetownship.org/page.php?permalink=home. ) Click on “Departments”, select “Land Use”, scroll way down to find the Ordinance.
Specific to your concern is in Sec 18 (a.) Determination of Neglect….any citizen may request the Administrative Official to investigate any claim that a srtucture is being partially demolished by neglect…
This is not just on paper, it has resulted in the rehab and restoration of one of the most interesting old homes in Ocean Grove; visit the north east corner of Central and Atlantic to see what an interested citizenry, code officials, the HPC, and a cooperative homeowner (plus a top notch contractor) can do.
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1. Demolition by neglect of individual homes.
2. Atrocious road surfaces.
3. Resident parking stickers.
4. Traffic signs blocked by shrubs/bushes/trees.
5. Plan summer meetings with guest speakers that are relevant to homeowners who only use their OG homes in the summer (such as code enforcement officials, police, fire, the Monmouth County mosquito commission).
Richard Sounds like a fine idea. Please list
the “critical issues of the day” that you (and any of the membership) would like polled.
The HOA is collecting email addresses. Why not have the HOA take polls of the membership on critical issues of the day ?? This would enhance participation.