This is part IV of a series of articles reviewing the self -proclaimed “accomplishments” of the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association in 2014. If they are to stand tall and loudly promote their “accomplishments,” then they are fair game for criticism. They are taking on some of the most important issues in town, so they are exposed for scrutiny and complaints.
In her recent congratulatory letter from Pres. Horan to the membership was a portion that related to their achievements regarding the derelict houses situation. This is one of the most difficult and frustrating issues facing Ocean Grove and Neptune Township. A cooperative effort between Grovers and the Neptune Committee is essential for progress to be made, because the problem relates to citizen safety, historic preservation, lifestyle in the Grove, health concerns, fire risk, tax income, legal questions, behavior of the courts, enforcement by the Township, effectiveness of the ordinances, aggressiveness of the Neptune attorney, State laws, and more. But in her letter, all she had to show for her efforts were a walking tour and a list of locations.
We expressed our opinion about that derelict housing tour in a piece dated June, 2014. (link to the June BF tour article) In her recent letter she said,”We urged the{tour} participants to contact the Neptune Township Committee and complain about these hazardous structures.”
But Ms. Horan should tell the whole story about the HOA’s involvement with this issue. She forgot to mention their most important achievement in 2014 regarding derelict housing, and that occurred on April 28 at the Neptune Committee meeting (BF April link) when she went to the microphone at the public session and angrily attacked the Committee for failing to solve the problem of derelict houses and for failing to interfere with the court decisions on the matter. On top of that she berated them for encouraging citizens to offer their own suggestions about the problem. This is from a woman who now wants the citizens to contact the Committee to “complain.”
As a result of her outburst, several Committee members became angry and defensive. They spoke out strongly in response to her combative attitude and accusations. She damaged an important relationship. Her negative performance far outweighs the tour and the list ordinance and leaves a bad impression on our representatives who are working hard to find answers.
The solution to the derelict housing situation is complex, and the Township has done as much as it can to fix it, and they continue to look for answers. Ms. Horan, as representative of the OG Homeowners, showed a lack of diplomatic finesse as she lashed out instead of bringing all sides together. If you walk by 80 Main Avenue, the Parkview or other derelict structures, you might wonder what tangible results have come out of the OGHOA last year to now.
The HOA needs to work with the Township to either make enforcement work better, find ways to demolish those buildings, or offer incentives for buyers to come in.
You can read the conversation at that meeting in our comments below. But missing from the text is the anger demonstrated by the Committee.