Corner of Heck and Beach. And, by the way, what about that amazing Victorian reproduction next door, built without parking, giving the neighborhood a double whammy. Blogfinger breaking news photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
If you read the application that Neptune has filed with the State Department of Community Affairs, you would think that the Township really cared about historic preservation, Ocean Grove architecture, the beauty within the historic district, our quality of life, citizens’ opinions and parking concerns. But we all can see the hypocrisy of those claims put into writing in that application to the SIAB. We know how the Township Committee and Township employees ignore us and how they favor developers over the voters/taxpayers in the Grove. We are not fooled, and we would have to be fools to re-elect any of that gang of five.
But, as my mother advised, go by what they do and not by what they say. At the corner of Heck Avenue and Beach Avenue is an empty lot. It is privately owned by one of the developers in town. They are the same people who gave us the Greek Temple and Mary’s Place. That lot is one block from the ocean and it is visible to thousands of people year round, but especially in season. It has been The Brokeback Mountain Dirt Pile and after that it became the home to a Portajohn where anybody can stop and relieve themselves, much to the chagrin of the neighbors. After that we have documented its use a dump. And now you can see today’s photo above.
This place is the epitome of ugliness, permitted by a Township that so loves Ocean Grove’s charm and beauty. Why the Heck Avenue haven’t they forced the owner to deal with this disgusting situation? The answer is that they really don’t give a flying scarlet about the Grove.
AIN’T THAT A SHAME; YOU’RE THE ONE TO BLAME Fats Domino
JCo: How about reviewing those filings and reporting back to us about what you found. We are an information sharing web site. Thanks, —Paul
Paul, thank you for continually reporting on the obvious corruption relating to these issues. If you are interested in examining the public filings of Mary’s Place, you should go to http://www.guidestar.org, which makes available publicly filed documents for organizations with tax exempt 501(c)(3) status. You need to create an account but it is free. The past three years of Mary’s Place IRS filings are there.
-JCo
As of now, the two lots at 22-24 Main still show tax assessments on the county roles. I don’t know if they have applied for a tax exemption.
Regarding the port-a-john — I can’t find any ordinances in Neptune regulating them. Other communities have excellent regulations restricting their placement and the length of time they can be in place. While the two homes on Ocean Pathway were being constructed, a port-a-john was set on the empty lot on Bath Avenue for months on end. It was in the flare and a horrible eyesore. I think it’s high time for Neptune to adopt an ordinance regulating them. For example, Sea Bright has an ordinance that requires a permit and limits them to 7 days max for each permit — see the ordinance: http://ecode360.com/8058711
And in the back you can see the shape of Mary’s Place in its green underwear reaching above the rooftops, also without parking provided. How many bedrooms in that “single family home?” If you count the public toilet and the commercial parking it is at least a triple whammy and perhaps a quadruple, all of it symbolic of how NT thinks of the Grove. Where are the dopey Home Groaners?
Radar: You are asking about a quid pro quo regarding Township decisions having to do with Mary’s Place, the Greek Temple and the North End. I have no information about that, but there has to be a motive to explain the Township’s decisions about these controversial matters.
When I was looking into the zoning decision for Mary’s Place, I interviewed Mr. Vito Gadaleta, the Township Business Administrator. I asked him if there was “favoritism” in the Mary’s Place decision. He gave me a two word answer, “No favoritism.” —Paul
Mary, “cash cow” would be more appropriate than “stepsister.”
And Paul, we all know who built the Greek temple and Mary’s Place. Do you think they contribute campaign funds or is the township just happy to receive the taxes?
By the way, that does raise a question if Mary’s Place is a 501c3 non-profit. Is it tax free? And if it is, will the township ask it for a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes)?
Isn’t it the same everywhere that the rules
do not apply to those with money and influence?
Very sad but true and Ocean Grove unfortunately
is run by that same logic. Ocean Grove is Neptune’s
forgotten stepsister.
Editor’s note: And Kevin Chambers is Neptune’s forgotten stepson. —PG