Ocean Grove beachfront. October 30, 8:30 a.m. By Paul Goldfinger © left click for full view
Middle Beach. Ocean Grove, NJ June, 2013. Blogfinger photo ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Friday, June 5, 2013. 12:30 p.m. — We have learned from the OGCMA interim Administrator, Ralph delCampo, that the CMA will apply for the second FEMA appeal. This decision was made after careful consideration and discussion with government agency consultants who have “strongly advised” the CMA to pursue this strategy.
Evidently, there is a “considerable likelihood” of success this time around because of FEMA’s procedures which are expected to be different with this second appeal. The original denial and that of the first appeal were based on a focused regulatory approach to the Ocean Grove application. But this time, it is expected that FEMA will view the situation with a “more holistic ” assessment that will look at the “bigger picture. ”
Our elected officials in Neptune, Trenton and Washington will be asked to support the second appeal by trying again to explain the importance of our beachfront in providing public works including municipal and emergency services. In addition, the Ocean Grove boardwalk has been legally recognized as a public thoroughfare for the benefit of everyone, and it is hoped that these officials will be able to explain the situation to FEMA.
Unlike the last two go rounds, this time, the CMA will be able to apply for other sources of grants, such as from the State of New Jersey. The FEMA appeal will take about sixty days to prepare and be submitted. After that the CMA can apply for other grant sources. It is expected that the FEMA appeal will require about three months for their consideration, so a decision of approval of funds from them can be expected about end November.
Once the CMA receives funding, they will start reconstruction work at the Middle Beach. After that, they will turn their attention to the North End and the pier.
Mr. delCampo is enthused about the work of the TOGETHER fundraising campaign. “We are so pleased,” he said. So far they have raised $784,000. Of that, $93,000 is designated for the Auditorium roof, $106,000 for the beachfront and $8,000 for Thornley Chapel. The rest is “unrestricted, undesignated” money—paid and pledged.
It is like a chain-link fence. Ocean Grove’s boardwalk simply cannot be permitted to be the break in the chain. The CMA, and Ocean Grove groups, like the gay rights group Ocean Grove United, have all come together through the “TOGETHER” campaign to speak as ONE voice, for the purpose that Ocean Grove be included in public funding to protect and preserve our loved community.
I hope FEMA can see this unity in love and support and cooperation. As one voice, we respectfully request equal treatment for Ocean Grove, in parity with other shore communities.
If the peoples of Ocean Grove can leave the past behind, and sincerely believe what is in the past is in the past, then certainly FEMA can accept our mutual understanding that the future only holds respect and cooperation. We all respectfully request these funds for the well-being of all our futures. Thank you.
Now that beach season is in full gear OGCMA should have the beach badge checkers ask all beachgoers to please sign a petition urging FEMA to support OG beach / boardwalk.