By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
In order to be a voting member of the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association, you have to be a deed holder on an OG house. If a couple lives in a home here, but only one has their name on the deed, then they only get one vote. If both are on the deed, you get two votes but you only pay one $10.00 dues. If someone owns more than one house, they still get one vote. Renters cannot belong, but everyone is welcome at the meetings. These rules go way back, and there are no plans to revise them, but the new leaders of the OGHOA do have some fundamental changes in mind for the organization.
In an interview on August 21, 2012, we spoke with the new president Ann Horan and with the new vice president Barbara Burns. Both of these leaders have been members of the OGHOA board, but now that they are in leadership positions, they hope to implement some new ideas.
Ann Horan (r) and Barbara Burns of the OGHOA. PG photo
It turns out that there are 635 voting members of the organization for 2012. According to former president Denis McCarthy, there are about 900 voters with paid dues at least during one of the last two years. Both Ms. Horan and Ms. Burns spoke of their plans to increase membership. They believe that the OGHOA has the potential to be a strong advocate for homeowners in town and these new officials want the group to be as “formidable” as possible. Activism will be their style for the future.
Pres. Horan stressed that they will be more responsive to the membership. She wants to “listen to all opinions.” According to the new president, the group needs to focus on critical issues such as the North End situation, Broadway flooding and derelict housing. She wants current and future committees to get actively involved in their issues and to report back to the membership.
Ms. Horan cited the derelict housing matter which, so far, no OG organization has honed in on. A new committee will be formed to concentrate on certain properties and make sure that problem houses get corrected. Charles Layton of Blogfinger has been a pioneer in this effort, and he will provide this committee with needed information.
Ms. Burns spoke about how she and Ms. Horan will be “regulars” at the Neptune Township Committee meetings and how they will report on local government to the membership. Ms. Burns said that the OGHOA needs to understand how local government operates and how it affects the lives of Ocean Grovers. Educating the members will be one of their goals.
Both women want the organization to become more aggressive in its efforts. They want to overcome “negative perceptions from the past” and to encourage more homeowners to get involved in the group’s activities. New members will find the current leadership to be “open” to their concerns.
Other goals include improving the web site, growing the email list, making Broadway more attractive as a gateway into town (“It’s a first impression.”), and working with other town organizations for common goals.
As for the meetings, they might consider returning to the Paul Dunlap method of doing business first and guest speakers later. Both Ms. Horan and Ms. Burns agreed that they need to educate themselves as they consider the challenges of their new volunteer jobs. Undoubtedly, everyone in the Grove will wish them well.
Reference: Link to BF article about the new officers link to new officers
I remember the OGHOA sat down with the township committee to resolve parking in O.G, and I didn’t see any change.
When the Home Owners attempt to challenge Neptune in order to resolve parking and stop condos from being built, then I will consider joining again.
They need to prove themselves after they faltered on the North End Project and after they approved condos — 88 of them and a 100 room hotel.
Where is their credibility?
In response, I offer the following thoughts…
There are homes in profound need of repair (the so-called bottom 10%) and then there are homes that are in need of significant work (e.g., painting, refinishing porches, rotten sills, loose siding, out-of-control landscape, broken up sidewalk, etc.). In this later category, there are quite a few homes.
This past Sunday at dusk, I did walk around in the four blocks closest to the beach with my significant other — for the purpose of walking our dog and testing this very question — and can say that on the three east/west avenues I was on, there was at least one such house in every block as well as the north/south streets we transversed. We were south of Main but naming the streets will only generate controversy and hurt feelings.
As I stated, I find the worn feeling of the housing stock (excluding the bottom 10%) sort of charming, but I really do think it’s fair to say that there are a lot of houses that need work. I’m happy with Ocean Grove as it is, execpt we do need to fix the really derelict houses. The town is unquestionably improving at a slow but steady rate, so anyone who is unhappy should just chill for another 5 years and we’ll be there!
When we first moved to OG 11 years ago, it was common to find rundown houses all over town. In fact there were ugly blocks where most of the homes looked crummy. But the change has been astonishing, and we need to celebrate all the money spent and caring revealed in this town, because now such houses are the exceptions.
DJ : Good to see you are honest enough to correct yourself. There indeed may be blocks with 2 or 3 rundown houses, but this is the exception not the rule. Sorry if these homes are on your block/in your neighborhood.
Abbott : I disagree that there is probably at least one run down house per block. That you say this is an undeniable fact does not make it so. I am here to deny/refute your opinion and challenge you to substantiate your so called fact.
Every summer a group called Missions 101 comes to OG and helps paint and repair homes in the area. I think it is pro bono. If you called the CMA I am sure they would get you in contact.
I’m pretty new to town and I find this discussion fascinating. My view on this town is that its sort of like Key West used to be before the 1990’s. Run down a bit and worn on the edges. Yet charming and relaxed.
While there may not be two run down homes per block, there probably is at least one, including in the first two beach blocks. “Rundown” means badly needs painting, has visible warping/rotten wood, and has poorly maintained landscape/sidewalk. This fact is undeniable. The problem gets significantly worse the farther back in town you go towards Rt 71.
Me again. I agree, probably not even close to two houses per block, but I know of at least 3 on Lake Ave. (the Park View and the blue abandoned rooming house and an overgrown private home), plus there is one on northern New York and another on Asbury, which are either abandoned or close to it!!!
The one on Asbury has had parts of it fall off into the sidewalk and the yard; it had a for sale sign for awhile. I think almost everyone can agree that the owner of the Park View should be held accountable and be forced to upgrade to at least a safe level of repair. If that block goes up in flames, or someone gets hit by a piece of debris, the owners and everyone in the township government will be responsible.
Frank S…i don’t know you but I sure agree with what you say. No way there are two run-down houses on every block. Maybe Jason is counting the ones that don’t have mahogany porches or pristine white wicker furniture.
Have to agree with Dreamer too. On my block, there are several homes owned by sixty-year residents and I know they are struggling to pay their taxes — never mind getting the house painted on a regular basis. (They aren’t too good at weeding either because bending over isn’t all that easy.)
I also share a neighborhood with several middle aged couples who are concerned with making sure their children have educational experiences and dental work and access to technology. They have very little left over to keep their houses in perfect condition. All are great neighbors.
Sometimes there are beautiful people behind the peeling paint.
DJ : While harassment of neighbors might not be the goal, it just might end up being an unfortunate consequence. Jason stated earlier that there are two run-down homes on every block. In no way is this so.
Likewise I really do not think there are all that many unoccupied investor-owned run-down homes. Probably less then ten. Of course, if one of these homes is on your block, then you would see it as the main problem.
The problem as I see it is not so much the unoccupied homes but rather the run-down multifamily homes where slumlords rent to problem/trouble tenants.
DJ It would be great if addresses of such unoccupied structures were brought to the attention of the OGHOA at their public agenda meetings.
Frank S and others. I don’t think harassment of neighbors is the goal. The main problem is unoccupied homes owned by investors who are stalling and waiting for the houses to fall down, so they can rebuild at a higher profit— either a condo or a McMansion by the sea.
Meanwhile they are putting everyone else at risk for safety and reduced property values. Very few of us want to put sweet Aunt Martha out on the street, but we do want the slum lords out!!!
Jason: “Let’s get real.” Let’s = let us. Please do not count me among your “us.” Your sense of reality differs greatly from mine. In no way are there “at least two run-down houses on almost every block.” Maybe by your harsh standards but not by mine. Folks should “get with the program”? Whose program? Yours? A program that dictates nice, neat, cute, manicured, homogenous, bland perfection? Do “we”(you) really think you “build community pride” by “shaming those with run down homes”?
To clarify one point regarding OGHOA membership, only one home owner needs to pay dues for a particular home, even if there are, for example, two names on the deed. Both of them can vote and be members, but only one yearly payment ($10.00) is required. So, the membership dues requirement is linked to the address and not the names on the deed.
If the OGHOA is looking for more revenue to operate the organization, and that is evidently the case, then they could reasonably ask each member to pay dues.
If the issue is about numbers of members, then, according to what Denis McCarthy says, if everyone who has paid dues in the last two years were to pay dues this year, the OGHOA could claim to have 900 members even before starting a membership drive. Back in the 1980’s, it was said that the OGHOA had 1000 members. Maybe this year, the membership could be at least that high. PG
Long Member: When did you acquire a middle name? Did someone strike a nerve? But your point is incontrovertible.
Let’s get real. There at least two run-down houses on almost every block. Someone should encourage folks to get with the program. Many homes have out of control landscape. Don’t tell me that they can’t afford to go out and weed their beds.
We need to build community pride and shame those with run down-homes into doing something.
Bullets: Although the HOA has no legal authority, they do have the rights of citizens to complain to the township if somebody’s property is endangering the public health and/or safety and if some law/ordinance is being violated. What part of these rights would you object to?
What legal authority does the HOA have if I am deemed deficient in keeping my home as others might like?
Oh, that’s right, they can go pound salt
Bythesea- How do you practice your belief that we should always be nice, especially to the elderly? Do you offer to maybe help fix those falling apart steps, or the porch that that is in danger of collapsing ? Sometimes charity projects are good for the soul and sometimes they help increase the value of the property of the 90 % who do meet your minimal standard of acceptance. Sounds like a win-win to me.
It is time the OGHOA stirred up some controversy. The pro and con comments on derelict houses show a nerve has been struck. Out of curiosity I went to their website, clicked ABOUT, and it states “The mission of the OGHOA is to protect and enhance property values and quality of life in Ocean Grove….the Association provides for members and interested parties to discuss and exchange….about issues of concerns….”
A pretty clear mission to me!
a long time member
Sal. Here’s a little history: In the 1980’s into the 1990’s the OGHOA became an extremely activist organization. If it weren’t for the strenuous efforts of those heroic folks, Ocean Grove, as we see it today, would never have survived.
Who says that an organization like this should not be actively involved in working for the interests of the homeowners? Do you prefer the insular old boys club of the recent past?
No Problem…who said anything about “unoccupied?” No one. That’s interpretation. If you read Bythesea’s comment, we are all under fire. Hope your paint’s not peeling!
These newly elected folks are volunteers and ran UNOPPOSED.
JOIN. (Its really cheap too – 10 bucks for the year, I think?).
ATTEND meetings. (its only 1x a month)
VOICE your concerns there.
HEY – maybe even volunteer for one of their committees.
OTHERWISE, quit whining please!
My neighbors never cease to amaze me. If you own a house you don’t have the right to impose your will upon your neighbors. Perhaps you can help them as a favor.
As for the Association practicing “activism,” I would have to question if that is in the by-laws, or is it the intent of the organization? A Home Owner Association should be like a linesman at a tennis match; by effectively doing their job, all others fail to even notice them at the end of the day. Doesn’t sound like that’s the case for this new “leadership”.
While I always think we should be nice, especially to the elderly, I don’t want to live next to a dump. No one can reasonably argue that there aren’t a number of dilapidated houses in town. A house that is in a tailspin destroys value for the owner, the owners who live nearby and even owners anywhere in town. I did not buy and renovate my house in Ocean Grove as a charity project.
Bythesea- Why the mean spirit? Lots of the houses that don’t meet your high standards are owned by older people who have lived in Ocean Grove for most of their lives, and who are now living on fixed incomes while costs have sky-rocketed. Should they sell their beloved homes, where their families have grown up and their memories created because you are concerned about your house’s appreciation?
There is enough of this “have vs the have-nots” going on in the political agendas today. Can’t you just be nice?
Run down houses hurt everyone. I fully support OGHOA encouraging conformance to a strong standard of upkeep. My view is that at least 10% of the housing stock in OG is in need of substantial improvement simply to bring it up a minimial standard of acceptability.
The community should put polite pressure on these owners to either fix up their houses or sell if they cannot or will not maintain them properly. Yes these are tough times and all, but if you own a home, you have an obligation to maintain it. This town is heading in the right direction and we need to keep up the momentum.
Concentrating on unoccupied derelict structures should not be a problem….eh?
Bullets! LOL!!! Not new, just continually amazed!
Disney: NOW you have to deal with Grovers picking on Grovers?
If I didn’t know better I’d say you must be new here.
“Honing in on derelict housing matters….concentrating on certain properties….” Wonderful. Just when you thought you may have escaped Big Brother by moving to Ocean Grove, now you have to deal with the “all seeing eye” of Grovers picking on Grovers.
I would suggest the OGHOA choose their projects carefully. Otherwise, the OGHOA will find itself the defendant in a lawsuit for intimidation, instigation and harassment.
Just a word of caution. You will not overcome a negative perception by creating one.
OGHOA has 635 paid members for 2012.
900 members on the rolls, meaning they have paid dues in at least one year since 2010, according to the official list. Thanks……… Denis