Today Blogfinger received an email from Rev. John DiGiamberadino, the Executive Director/COO of the OGCMA. He sent us a press release regarding a law suit being brought against the Jersey Shore Arts Center. He says, “The Camp Meeting tries to resolve long-standing dispute with Jersey Shore Arts Center:”
The press release is posted below.
This is the second news story where the JSAC is embroiled in a law suit. The first has to do with a discrimination charge brought against the JSAC by the Q Spot.
May 1, 2017 – The Ocean Grove Camp Association (OGCMA) has filed a civil law suit seeking to resolve a long-standing dispute with the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC). The goal of the suit is to consummate a ground lease for the property. This is an effort that has been ongoing for approximately 18 years, following the return of the property to the OGCMA by the Neptune Board of Education:
“The OGCMA appreciates the many contributions the JSAC has made and continues to make in our shared community,” says John DiGiamberardino, COO. “The Camp Meeting has been extremely reasonable and respectful in trying to reach an agreement that is mutually acceptable. The JSAC lack of response has been disappointing and frustrating given that all property in Ocean Grove is subject to land lease agreements.
“The OGCMA has no desire to involve itself in the ongoing operations of the JSAC or any of its programs. Rather, our intentions are simple and straightforward. In order to meet our fiduciary responsibilities, we must finally bring this issue to closure.
“In conclusion we stand ready and available to meet with the JSAC at any time to discuss this matter of mutual importance.”
The Arts Center is a wonderful addition to this town and they did a beautiful job renovating the old high school
I would not feel sorry for them since they purchased the building for $1 from the board of education and sold a piece of the property to a local construction company Don’t know the selling price.
So don’t feel sorry for them financially. They can pay a few bucks in ground rent to the OG Camp Meeting if they were able to sell a puece of it for big bucks.
I have always thought of the Ground Rent as sort of a zoning restriction by Camp Meeting. The lease is their way of keeping a liquor store, auto parts store or an X rated video store from opening up.
I don’t think it was suppose to be a money maker. That may be changing, I have heard that Camp Meeting is having a cash crunch, so they may see it as a revenue stream now, but if they push it, they might lose it all in court. If they do truly own the land, then someone owes us at least the land portion of our tax dollars!!
If St Paul’s church pays no taxes and no land rent, then following I.M. Radar, if JSAC pays no taxes can OGCMA charge land rent?
Who owns our land in Ocean Grove? My tax bill to Neptune Township lists the tax on land (and separately for improvement).
According to the history on St. Paul’s website the OGCMA donated the land St. Paul’s is on to the church, it was previously a park, I don’t think that they pay ground rent. Another interesting thing in the St. Paul’s history is that the first church building was located on the JSAC site and it says that the church sold the Main Street site to the school district. Sounds like the church has owned the land it’s on now and in the past.
I have heard of two other properties in town where supposedly the OGCMA is not the owner of the land, one of those more recent where they sold the land to a new owner for a good amount I’m sure.
I received the 2017 ogcma program in the mail yesterday, mailed from Sherburne, NY. The JSAC is not even noted on the map. St. Paul’s church is on the map. Does St. Paul’s church pay a land lease?
One assumes the Arts Center is an Internal Revenue Service classification 501c3, a basic non-profit organization not “eligible” for paying real estate taxes.
It is to my limited knowledge the same classification held by the Camp Mtg. Assn. Isn’t pursuing such a case going to expose the absurdity of CMA ground rentals with an owner not liable to township real estate taxes?
OGCMA, Ocean Grove Counting Money Association, wants $$$$$.
What kind of “ground rent” will be charged?