Blogfinger

Great Auditorium roof damage after Sandy. OGCMA photo

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

On Saturday July 6, it reached 103 degrees in some parts of Monmouth County, but at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Temple, the AC was working fine for the Town Meeting sponsored by the OGCMA. About 150 people attended along with CMA officials and representatives of major town organizations.

The meeting was run by CMA executives Dale Whilden, Ralph delCampo and Bill Bailey. Their goal was to “combat mis-information”—to review the “situation” in terms of what has been done so far and what has not. They summarized the history of the Sandy damages (“like a war zone,”), the rebuilding accomplishments to date, and some construction and planning details. Mr. Bailey showed impressive aerial photographs that helped us visualize the destruction from a unique perspective.

Early on, the storm came from the southeast–later from the northeast. This is the south end of OG. OGCMA photo. Click left for more detail

This is the middle-north section of OG after Sandy OGCMA photo

But it was not all old news—below are some highlights of new news:

1. Engineering: The CMA has been consulting with engineers who are experienced with storm ravaged beaches. The reasons for the varied damages along our beachfront relate to structural differences. At the north end, starting at the Pavilion, is a rubble wall (a jetty under the sand) which was built in 1953, which protected that area. In the middle, where most of the damage was, they found a vertical imbedded metal wall, but unfortunately, the boardwalk had been built in front of it in 1992. FEMA paid back then but didn’t allow the boardwalk to be rebuilt 25-30 feet to the west. That mistake will be corrected this time. At the south end, there was some protection by metal bulkheads.

2. Pier: The American Fence Company* will close down their operation in Pennsylvania on July 22 and will return for five days with a crew of 22 to complete the lengthening of the pier another 80 feet, with railings. They will also complete some work at the north end.

3. FEMA: The CMA has been working with consultants who are expert at navigating the twists and turns at a large government agency like FEMA. Mr. del Campo says, “The assumption is that FEMA will fund 75% of the cost at the oceanfront and that the TOGETHER campaign will provide the rest. We are more optimistic than in the past.” There also is the possibility that the financing from FEMA will be for 90% of the cost. Here is a link to our recent article about FEMA appeal #2. Appeal #2

It is anticipated that this appeal will be reviewed in Washington, unlike the last two that were assessed at the regional level.

4. Allies: The CMA has met with the Governor’s office. They have been following the situation and they are interested in helping. Neptune Township has “been very supportive and very involved ” in our quest for FEMA help. All local elected officials will be contacted to help. Mr. delCampo specifically mentioned Congressman Chris Smith and State Senator Jennifer Beck. Our allies can help the CMA explain the uniqueness of OG’s boardwalk to FEMA officials. It is much more than just recreational.

5. Q and A. There was one noteworthy moment of holiday verbal fireworks when Hank Savage angrily attacked the CMA for not having a “Plan B” if government funding fails to materialize. He correctly pointed out how the absence of a boardwalk is affecting so many people in so many ways. He said that Ocean Grove “looks like the Dresden of the Jersey Shore.” He refused to accept Mr. delCampo’s explanations and said, “That is not a plan.” Mr. Savage suggested that Plan B should be some type of negotiation with Neptune Township to take over the beachfront.

Mr. delCampo responded by saying that the planning has been extensive and that there were some aspects that could not be discussed publicly at this time.

A woman stood to say that perhaps OG was rejected by FEMA because the CMA had “denied Constitutional rights to gays.” This question materialized after a number of speakers had praised the new cooperative relationship between the CMA and OGU. Mr. delCampo sidestepped the topic by telling her that the CMA has been eligible for funds all along. The denial of funds is about the boardwalk designation as recreational.

6. MISC: The sand on the streets recurs because of the wind and large amounts of uncompacted sand (due to loss of dunes). Neptune Twp is responsible for cleaning the streets. Lighting at the beachfront needs to be improved, but JCP&L is the limiting component, and they are “swamped” with work. The north end building on the boardwalk is privately owned, but the owner is committed to rebuilding. The TOGETHER fund will be co-sponsoring a town picnic in July (OGU is the other sponsor,) and there will be a summer ball in August.

LINKS:

OGCMA press release July 5, 2013

American Fence Company BF article*