Shining a light on Ocean Grove. Blogfinger photo. By Moe Demby©
In 2007, during the Pavilion controversy, there was concern in town that Ocean Grove would be seen as an intolerant community. This concern stemmed largely from media coverage which would often confuse the town of Ocean Grove with the Camp Meeting Association. The inaccurate reporting just made a bad situation worse.
In recent years, the question of discrimination has occasionally arisen, usually brought up by individuals who focus their attention on the CMA. The town of Ocean Grove has not been targeted in that way.
However, in today’s Coaster, two Ocean Grove citizens sent a Letter to the Editor which you can read below. What do you, our readers, think of that letter?
Letter to the Coaster. October 6, 2016:
As concerned residents of Ocean Grove we attended the QSpot town hall meeting pertaining to their possible eviction at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. For the last 20 years we have watched the town grow into a diverse community. We now have many full and part time homeowners of different religious, ethnic and social backgrounds, and financial status. So many new residents have brought us into the twenty-first century.
We also have a large LGBT community who have contributed immensely to the growth of this town. They have been discriminated against from the streets to the pulpit, and yet they still contribute in a positive manner.
Hopefully the prejudice of 2006 and 2007 does not rear its ugly head again. It is essential QSpot’s lease be renewed for Ocean Grove to progress as a diverse community.
JAN MOORE
EMILY SONNESSA
Ocean Grove, NJ. Oct. 6, 2016.
Theme from “Transparent”:
Why doesn’t Ocean Grove United disavow this divisive accusation against the people of Ocean Grove? Are they about fairness and unity in town or are they not?
Here is a quote from the OGU website: “We are united by our love of Ocean Grove and our desire to maintain the diversity and neighborliness that makes our town so special.”
And where are the citizens, straight or gay, who should be stepping up against the provocative and false statement in the letter regarding discrimination on the “streets” of our town? Is Myra the only one who has enough courage to say something?
Don’t you all see the risks to our community by allowing such outrageous stereotypes to go unchallenged? Do you have any idea of how many people throughout this region got to read that letter?
Where is the Chamber of Commerce on this? If you don’t think that such irresponsible public statements can influence tourism and/or property values in town, you are taking a big chance on the future.
And finally, doesn’t the CMA ever get sick of turning the other cheek?
I have lived In Ocean Grove for more than 10 years and I have never observed the slightest evidence of any discrimination toward the gay and lesbian community. And my many gay friends and neighbors have never discussed this to be a problem.
I can confidently defend Ocean Grove of any discrimination charges.