2012 Ocean Grove United marches in town for what they believe in. Blogfinger photo. 2012. Click to enlarge. ©
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
I have experienced apathy in our democracy before. It happened in 1999 when corporate raiders tried to close a fine community hospital. They had no interest in what was best for the community, and the politicians were on the side of whoever showed them the money.
We went to Trenton where we met a brick wall at the Department of Health. The Governor’s office turned its back. We tried the NJ Medical Society, but they didn’t care. About ten local mayors joined us, but they had no real power.
But what hurt the most was the absence of community support by citizens who were too busy to get behind a hospital that delivered their kids and cared for their relatives and neighbors. In our democracy, the power ultimately resides with the people, but the people often don’t try to assert that power—they depend on elected officials, but they often fail the public.
We put together a community coalition, but only a small group actually turned out. We lost the battle.
In Ocean Grove I am seeing the same sort of thing. Citizens are too busy to do something to save our town. There are no leaders to carry banners, to demonstrate, to come to Committee and Board meetings, to pressure politicians. There are no activists (with a couple of exceptions.)
Did any of you see the footage of activism in the Ukraine when people risked their lives because they wanted freedom? That story is awe inspiring.
So is the story of the OGHOA from 25 years ago which showed courage and determination in the early 1990’s when they marshaled a variety of forces to turn the tide and bring the town back to recovery. Of course now is another story.
On Blogfinger we are trying to provide information and interpretation of what we see. One person is actually putting his personal money on the line to challenge the Township.
But based on the history in this town of elected officials ignoring state laws, favoritism for insiders/developers, marginalizing the taxpayers of Ocean Grove, and community organizations which are failing to address issues that affect the town’s future as a historic place, the slipping and sliding will continue, and this town may be OK in the future, but it will lose its soul.
THE EURYTHMICS— “I Saved the World Today.”
Respectfully Yours: Do you really think that I would know how many of our readers or poll voters are taxpayers in Ocean Grove?
Paul, there are many activists in Ocean Grove. They are the developers and their political friends. They are up late at night, burning the midnight oil, planning on transforming Ocean Grove from a Camp Meeting Association, into a Condominium Asssociation.
And, as ‘Respectfully Yours’ tells us, “they don’t agree with your position”, but as you point out, most of us do.
Thanks for all you are doing.
In your article you refer to “marginalizing the taxpayers of Ocean Grove”. Do we know how many of the readers, or, more importantly, poll responders, are taxpayers in Ocean Grove?
Respectfully Yours: I appreciate your sincerity and your respect, but consider a few facts. Here are the results of the last 3 of our polls which measure opinions of Blogfinger readers:
1. Should the North End Redevelopment Plan be cancelled? 143 readers took part, and 81% said “yes.”
2. Do you prefer single family home zoning for the North End? 273 participated, and 88% said “yes.”
3. Can you trust the Neptune Township Committee to do what’s fair and just for Ocean Grove? 312 responded, and 85% said “No”
So do you have any evidence that the failure of activism in the Grove is because the people are quite content and don’t agree with the Blogfinger positions? Speculation is guesswork—-facts point to the truth.
I say this with sincerity, and all due respect, but it could be that people in town don’t agree with your position.