JP Gradone resigns. 2013 Blogfinger photo.
This announcement was received today by Blogfinger. It was addressed to “all concerned” No other information is available. If any of our readers have opinions or facts about this matter, please comment below:
From Dale Whilden, President of the CMA:
“This is to inform you of a recent change in the staffing of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. Mr. JP Gradone has recently resigned as the COO/Executive Director of the Camp Meeting Association. Should you have questions that would normally have been addressed by Mr. Gradone, please contact Sharyn at the Camp Meeting office who will direct your call to the appropriate person.”
Here is a link to our coverage of Gradone’s arrival in OG:
I found Gradone to be a vast improvement over the prior administrative team. Let’s hope the OGCMA picks another leader who is open to the town’s diversity and is a community healer, not a divider.
Bill: Of course you are right, but your comment is a bit of a straw man since no one has requested “speculation” about Gradone’s reason for leaving and no one has sent in a comment or email opining about that aspect of our topic, and I wouldn’t post such speculation if it occurred.
I asked for “opinions and facts”, but opinions about his performance with respect to the town of Ocean Grove would be valid. Gradone has been a public figure, meeting with major heads of OG organizations, being the spokesman for the CMA, and making or participating in policy decisions that could affect citizens in town, apart from his roll implementing the missions of the CMA.
The CMA cannot go ahead and participate in a major overhaul of our town (ie North End), collaborating with Township officials and with the OGHOA, while acting as if it has nothing to do with the process. It can’t have it both ways, so we should feel free to discuss their actions and even to “speculate” about their policies.
So, as you say, “Change is constant” but it could be a force for good or a force for bad, so change is a valid topic for our discussion of the roll of the CMA in our diverse town. The CMA clearly prefers privacy, and they are quite closed-mouthed about their policies, even when they affect the town writ large. It is not unfair for us Grovers to take an interest in their activities as they relate to all of us and to take issue with them when appropriate.
Thanks, Paul
Since there is no information available it’s unfair to speculate about what happened. In the corporate world a three or two year stint in a COO position like this is not uncommon. People find better jobs. People get fired. Change is constant. Patience.
It’s hard to make salient comments with no info on the circumstances. Openness and clarity are not exactly the CMA’s long suit.
I am not familiar with Mr. Gradone’s influence and impact during his term as executive director of the CMA. I would be interested in hearing other people’s perspective on whether he was a positive or negative force as it applies to OG homeowner concerns.
Given its bumpy track record in terms of execs, wouldn’t it be great as a community outreach for the OGCMA to promulgate the job description and invite comments and amendments from its “tenants.” Considering its past and current lack of transparency on actions that impact all of us, I am not holding my breath.
BF so far has had no comments about the Gradone resignation, but no matter how much it tries to remain in the shadows, the OGCMA is permanently woven into the fabric of Ocean Grove, so what they do has an influence on the lives of everyone who lives in or visits our town.
The CMA is involved with the North End Redevelopment project, the presence of huge events every season and in the off season, property ownership in town (including all the land), political influence carried over for generations, historic relevance, control of the beaches and boardwalk, control over many of our most distinguished historic structures, and more, including the spiritual mood that is in the air and is welcomed by so many.
So Gradone’s resignation could have implications for all of us, and no matter how we all feel about the CMA, there is no denying its importance in Ocean Grove.
Attention must be paid.