Future HOA leader. Vote for her.
Ordinarily, the trustees of the OGHOA never comment on Blogfinger.
However today we heard from Ken Buckley, a member of the OGHOA Board of Trustees, who commented about our sidewalk post. He said, “Did you see this one? About time he got on to something besides the North End.”
So, it seems that this OGHOA Trustee wants us to change the subject. Is this what the HOA membership wants? And why does Ken want Blogfinger to move away from the North End issue?
Well, regardless, he doesn’t get to say. Tomorrow we will post the next article in our series which seeks to educate our citizens about the NERP.
Blogfinger considers the North End Redevelopment Plan to be a threat to Ocean Grove. Wouldn’t you expect the Home Owners Association to forcefully get behind a movement to trash the NERP? What are they doing besides sending Ken out to complain about Blogfinger’s topics? Maybe they should start complaining to the Township Committee instead of whining to the Coaster and wasting their time delivering proclamations to the CMA.
Here’s a nice song that they can sing and dance to while the NERP moves along towards the start of construction:
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Wisher: It is a mystery as to why the Ocean Grove Historical Society has not gotten involved in debates such as this. They seem to be stuck in their usual agenda of doing museum shows, tours, historic lectures, etc. In my opinion they are sadly missing in action when it comes to defending the preservation of Ocean Grove history when it comes to derelict housing, North End Redevelopment, zoning, and more.
They almost never comment on Blogfinger. They also were not mentioned as being present when the Planning Commission made their fateful decision in 2007.
Their voice is missed, and that is depressing.
Paul @Blogfinger.
Ms. Burns was also mentioned in the Resolution as being present on the night when the Planning Board was approving the Resolution which would allow the zoning changes at the North End. The official record doesn’t say if she testified or what her position was at that critical moment. See our article about the Planning Board Resolution (April 20, 2015.)
As for the HOA’s position regarding the NERP, they did go along with the NERP when it was approved in 2008. They suggested some changes at the time, but we don’t know which were adopted since others, such as the HPC, also were suggesting changes.
But one thing is sure, they did not oppose the plan. They should have demanded and fought for retaining the historic zoning that called for single family homes. So that failing stands out, regardless of what they have said since then, because 2008 was the last time any changes were made to the NERP.
Like many residents, Dr. G doesn’t think that what’s being proposed for the North End is appropriate for OG at all and will be a net negative. HOA officers are criticizing Dr. G for challenging them on their approach to addressing the North End. Does anybody know what the HOA wants to see done with the North End?
When challenging a similar proposed monstrosity on what is now the empty lot next to the Performing Arts Centers, I found most of the leadership of the HOA to be a hindrance rather than a positive. (Granted, two of them had a vested interest in seeing the proposal approved) Turned me off to the HOA, probably permanently, but I understand the leadership is a lot different now than what it was then.
Given this, I had expected a stronger or more coherent voice on the North End issue. (At the time of the Old Neptune HS lot proposal mentioned above, Ms. Burns was a rank and file member of the HOA, a very vocal opponent and a great asset in our fight against it)
The North End is at the top of the list of improvements to Ocean Grove, or poor planning for Ocean Grove — that we may have to live with for many decades. Decreased breezes, ocean views, clutter, generic Long Branch-type cheap consumer culture; Increased traffic, and congestion?
Damn right it is important. What is more important? Shades of brown on shutter replacements?
Due time for the Historical Society to blast off of planet Victorian spindles and reuturn to the less glamorous work of protecting the town’s big picture.
Blogfinger tells it like it is! We are a town in need of transparency and openness. Thank goodness Blogfinger has begun to open the shade on the North End.