Jane Killilea at damaged end of pier. Photo by Mary Walton
By Mary Walton
Because of extensive hurricane damage to the Ocean Grove pier, fishing has been severely restricted and the Ocean Grove Fishing Club has been forced to cancel its popular summer youth program.
Hurricane Irene swept away nine pilings and some 20 feet of deck, fishing club president Alan Trembly told Blogfinger. As a result, no more than eight or so members can fish at any given time. “It’s largely a safety issue,” he said.
When member Jane Killilea saw the pier for the first time since the hurricane, “I was really in shock,” she said. “Bottom line: you can’t put as many people out there. You just can’t do it.” Also, fishermen must now cast their lines in shallower water, where the fish are smaller. Nonetheless, the club will still hold its annual fluke and bass contests this year.
When the pier will be repaired is uncertain. Because the pier is privately owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, there is a question of whether it qualifies for federal funds. Moreover, while much of the pier is open to the public, the portion at the eastern end that suffered the damage is leased to the Fishing Club and open only to its members.
The Camp Meeting Association first contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shortly after the August 2011 hurricane, seeking funding for repairs, currently estimated at $150,000, said Bill Bailey, the association’s director of operations.
On January 10, FEMA ruled that the association was ineligible “since they are a religious and private entity,” according to Don Caetano of the FEMA Region II office of external affairs.
That decision is now under review. Bailey told Blogfinger that there had been “a series of supervisory communication issues” within FEMA that “resulted in confusion on the claim status.” Caetano acknowledged that “We had some miscommunication that has since been corrected.”
Bailey said a FEMA representative conducted an on-site evaluation on April 3, and that the Camp Meeting has been told to expect a decision on the claim within several weeks.
Even if FEMA comes through with the money, it will be too late to repair the pier in time for this year’s youth program, which traditionally opens the first Tuesday in July and continues until the end of August. The club provides equipment and coaching for children between the ages of 8 and 14, and awards a certificate and a dollar bill to each child who catches a fish. At season’s end, the children who caught the three largest fish receive prizes. Killilea, who photographs the children and their fish, said she was “just devastated” that the program had to be canceled. “It’s one of the highlights of the summer for me.”
Here is the pier before the damage. Photo by Paul Goldfinger
And after the storm, with its end lopped off. Photo by Mary Walton
Thanks everyone. I didn’t realize that there were more replies; they got buried by all-things-Bamboozled. Anyway, it sounds as if the CMA does not support it (financially).
I was a long time O G Fishing Club member. It has been my understanding that the OGCMA owns the pier (as well as the beach) and leases an end portion to the OGFC. Knowing the CMA, I have to believe any arrangement (lease ?) with the Club would be in a legal contract between the parties.
Last I heard it was $250 annually for membership in fishing club. Which if so is cost prohibitive for many and not practical for a short term visitor. If what Judy Kubliski says is true it is private and they can do so. Then I guess we should be grateful to be allowed on pier at all. However I always thought this pier (including fishing club hut & end portion of pier) was property of OGCMA and that fishing club and OGCMA had some kind of fishy (just had to sneak this in) deal/arrangement between them.
If it turns out that pier is OGCMA property (which this article states) then I vehemently object to any federal/state/municipal funds being used to maintain and/or rebuild fishing club portion of it as they gate it off from and do not allow public access to it. This I feel is very wrong and should be stopped. The entire pier should be open to public without fee.
My hubby was a member of the OG Fishing Club until 2011 and it was always our understanding the Club owned the pier. In fact, the Club recently burned the mortgage on the property. A few years ago, a lesbian couple was unable to get married in the Pavilion on the boardwalk, owned by the OGCMA, but WAS able to marry on the pier, since it was private property and the Club didn’t object. I recall all the publicity and TV network cameras the day of the wedding.
Again, thanks Ken. So the CMA does NOT support it? I just find it so odd that I can’t find *any* information about it.
Nancy, Last time the pier was wiped out the Fishing Club got a long-term $25,000 loan to rebuild its portion of the pier end, the cabin, equipment, fence, etc., that it paid off without any CMA help.
Thanks Ken. Do you know where I can find more information (fees, size, etc.) If the CMA supports it, we should have the info. If it is a privately owned and maintained, then that’s different. But the operative words there are *privately maintained.” We belong to a private swim club in Chatham, NJ. When there is damage, or upgrades, we are assessed.
It is a private club that must limit the number of memberships due to the size of the facility, (think about how many fishermen can fit out there). The OG Fishing Club finances its operation with annual dues, without any funding from the CMA. My grandchildren, now 23 and 25, could not wait to go to the 7 a.m. Tuesday mornings free lessons for any 7 to 14 yr. old boy or girl. What a shame that has been curtailed.
Ok … I’ve googled OG fishing pier with club, dues, membership, waiting list, private, yada, yada, yada. Nothing. Even searched the CMA web site. Can anyone tell me the who/where/why and how much about it?
Just curious; are there dues for “membership?” Or does the CMA carry the entire cost of maintenance and upkeep? I think I agree with Nancy C; seems odd that tax dollars would pay for a private entity. I’d like to know more about how it is operated.
Mary: Were they turned down by FEMA because they are a religious entitity, a private entity, or because not everyone is allowed past the fence? Remember the pavilion controversy where the CMA lost their tax exemption for the pavilion, not because they were private or religious, but because they were found to be practicing discrimination.
Asking the Feds for $$$ ALWAYS leads to strings attached. Beach replenishment on LBI is a prime example. Be careful of what you ask for as you just might get it.
Time to run a donation drive and other such events.
Since the part that is damaged is not open to the public, why would tax dollars be spent to fix it?