Blogfinger

Youth Temple. Ocean Grove, NJ. Nov. 3, 2013. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

The Together Campaign was 
celebrating today at the Youth Temple in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
 The Campaign, sponsored by the OGCMA, had reached a goal of 
$1.5 million, and a large crowd assembled for cake, coffee and 
congratulations all around.

Everyone who played a key roll in the 
effort was thanked by top officials of the CMA. Once again Ralph 
delCampo and Bill Bailey reported on the current state of the Sandy
 recovery.  Ralph told the audience that the $1.5 million would
 only cover 25% of the costs of rebuilding the boardwalk. He
 repeated the promise that the Middle Beach boardwalk would be 
completed by Memorial Day, “one way or another.” He explained that 
there were a number of funding options available if FEMA doesn’t
 work out, but the CMA team is still hopeful that FEMA will come 
through.  However, whether the current appeal to FEMA is
 accepted or rejected, Ralph wants “clarity” so that we can move in
 ernest down another road if needed.

Bill Bailey was ecstatic in reporting 
that, after one year, every single bit of the old boardwalk was now
 gone. All that remains is to build a new beachfront.

Mayor Eric Houghtaling of Neptune Township celebrates with coffee and cake a moment before a Together lady nearly knocks him over. Blogfinger action photos. ©

A number of prominent politicians were
 present including Neptune Committeemen Dr. Michael Brantley, Mayor
 Eric Houghtaling, and Randy Bishop. State Senator Jennifer Beck was 
back with her winning smile. None of the politicians got to speak, 
but they did hear Ralph praise them for their exceptional help in
 our quest for funding.  He also mentioned Assemblywomen
 Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini, Congressman Chris Smith
 and Governor Chris Christie.

State Senator Jennifer Beck takes a break from Trenton to show her support in the Grove. The guy behind her is stealing her cake. Blogfinger action photos ©

Rev. David
 Cotton, the Co-Chair of the Together Campaign and a member of the 
CMA Board of Trustees, indicated that they would appreciate more
 contributions to keep the cash momentum going.

As for the cake, it 
was very good–chocolate or vanilla,  a symbol that the OGCMA
 was keeping its options open.

There were no alcohol, dancing or
 smoking, but there were hymns and prayers including a reading from 
the Old Testament by OGU Co-Chair Luisa Paster.  A few members 
of the audience got to tell the group about how special the town of 
Ocean Grove is.

Clearly, the CMA of 2013 is looking
 for love in all the right places.

“THANKS A MILLION”  by Louis Armstrong and his orchestra.   Album: “There Goes My Attraction—-original recordings 1935-1939

“You made a
 million dreams come true

and so I’m saying thanks a million to you”