Main Avenue, Ocean Grove: Small town America. By Paul Goldfinger ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Viewing the big picture, it is clear that there is no certain set of rules that encompasses how all things work in this town. There are many holes in the fabric that keeps the town functioning, and those holes, as in “nature abhors a vacuum,” are where the most interesting aspects can be found.
Consider a current headline which we have been covering: “South End flooding persists intermittently despite completion of a two year water drainage remediation project by Neptune Township.”
At first it wasn’t clear if the Township was willing to do anything more, except for Band-Aids such as clearing the storm drains during a heavy rain. But a group of neighbors led by Connie Ogden complained to the Township Committee (over 25 people went to the microphone) resulting in the Township’s plan to so some further research into the matter, consult with their engineers, and then come up with an analysis and solutions, which we will hear about at a meeting on Dec. 1, 7:00 pm, at Thornley Chapel.
After the neighborhood group blew some whistles, the Home Owners Association decided to jump into the act, so they produced a questionnaire (requested by the Township) to survey about 35 South End neighbors regarding such things as sump pumps in their basements. The results of that survey have not been made public.
Now, Vito Gadaleta, Township Administrator, has called for that promised meeting to be held in the promised land of Ocean Grove. He was seeking a small venue because he was expecting a small crowd of South End citizens. The HOA sent out an announcement of the meeting which said that Gadaleta “will meet with residents of Broadway” regarding flood issues.
The Thornley Chapel was selected because the Community Room was busy. It holds about 70 people. Gadaleta was unwilling to call this a “public meeting,” but he didn’t think that any citizen who wanted to attend would be told to leave. He did say that no one would be permitted to bring up any subjects other than the flood issues. He also said that the press was welcome.
So, what is this meeting? It’s not private, but it’s not exactly public. If he’s presiding, would he really refuse to answer an unrelated question from the audience?
And what is the role of the Home Owners Association here? This is a Neptune Township meeting being arranged and presented by the Township Administrator. Perhaps a Neptune Committee person or two will show up. (Really, doubtful , or fuhgetaboutit? Let’s do a poll.)
In addition, why wasn’t a larger venue chosen? Why make the assumption that only South End residents care about this flooding problem? J.P. Gradone, COO of the OGCMA said that if a larger crowd were to show up, the meeting could be segued into the Thornley Annex or even the Youth Temple.
As far as the Thornley Chapel is concerned, it seems that a public meeting can be held in that church, giving it the feel of rural town hall meetings which are often held in churches—- something very American. Is this a precedent setting event at the Thornley Chapel, or have there been such meetings before? Gradone said that other secular meetings might be held there in the future, but only if the content of such events pass muster.
I’m sure that some of you, including my wife, who reached this sentence are wondering, “What’s the big deal?” Well, it’s not a big deal——small town news is often just small town talk. I find it interesting.
And finally, Vito Gadaleta of Neptune Township, the OGCMA, the HOA and the citizen activists of the South End all should be congratulated for finding ways to solve one of Ocean Grove’s problems together and to close some openings in that fabric.
To use an expression which I find both annoying and helpful, “Just saying….”
Link to the last Blogfinger article about the flooding problem (September, 2014): flood link BF
CILLA BLACK from the movie:
I think the smaller, not public meetings should be encouraged, not discouraged. They can be efficient, issue-oriented, and the administrator gets parties directly concerned.
There are always show-people at larger public meetings, and their add-on comments and grandstanding are time-consuming and not from a place of either personal knowledge, expertise or particular experience. They just want to be heard. And frankly, it is a form of personal entertainment for them, with a captive audience for us.
Just because a public official serves the public interest means he has to waste time, not have efficient, issue-specific hearings, the the actual people who have a direct stake in the coals. (I’m not a public official).
It is true that flooding has occurred in other parts of the Grove, but not the way it happens around Broadway. Streets around my North End house flood, but we have no storm drains, and the flooding is usually transient and never gets into our houses, at least no one has complained.
The flooding at a the south end, to be precise, is mostly at the southeast end, but flooding has also occurred heading west on Broadway past Beach, Central and Pilgrim Pathway—as well as on Abbott Ave. —–Paul
The HOA note says the meeting is about Broadway flooding. I know that occasionally some folks in the North end experience floods, not often.