By Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Adapted from our recent comment on the subject of permit parking.
Even though we have been promoting permit parking for OG residents, we have never asserted that such a plan would solve the parking problems in the Grove. If you listen to the Home Groaners, you would think that they on the threshold of a major advance—maybe a cure for delusion.
But this permit idea is just a band-aid, albeit one that will help make the situation more comfortable for those who live here. The Neptune Committee has looked at permit parking on a number of occasions in the past, and our reporter tells us that Randy Bishop said publicly that such a plan cannot be successful. Nevertheless, the residents of OG need to demand permit parking. We’re walking here, and we need some recognition too. (Like Ratso Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy.)
The HOA refuses to seriously take up the real underlying issues that threaten the town of Ocean Grove. So while Rome slowly burns, the Committee fiddles around and plays the Home Groaners like a wobbly out-of-tune piano.
While OG residents get excited about permit parking, what is going on in the shadows of local government? Paul Goldfinger photo. Nov. 20, 2017 ©
Below is a brief statement of where we come from and what the situation is really about:
Once Neptune Township took over governance from the CMA in 1980, there was a void. The town was no longer officially a theocracy, but the citizens did not proclaim a new identity for themselves.
Instead things just evolved helter-skelter with Neptune Township, the CMA, and others taking advantage of the vacuum. The CMA may own the land, but they do not own the lifestyles and the minds of those who live here, nor do the commercial interests including the Chamber of Commerce and developers, nor do those private clubs with private agendas, such as the Home Owners and the Historical Society.
And nowhere is it written that we are destined to be a tourist town, beckoning large crowds to buy junk at flea markets and home-made lawn signs at craft shows.
And the CMA has no special mandate anymore to run this town as a religious enclave with giant festivals and religious events. That is why the CMA’s current threat of a law suit is so obnoxious. They are not entitled to free public parking for their visitors. They need another plan for that.
Unfortunately, there is no group in town to represent the interests of the residents. What do we care about besides parking? Parking is just a poster child issue—-code for what should really concern those who actually live in this town. Issues such as throwing the master plan under the bus, development without off street parking, favoritism at Town Hall, especially where zoning is concerned, and more.
On Blogfinger we have tried to enunciate that alternate vision, but so far not much reaction from the people.
We have argued for some time that we do not need more parking spaces, as envisioned by the Groaners; we need less cars and tourists, and more of the historic, culturally rich, family-oriented, and diverse town that Ocean Grove ought to be, at least as some of us see it.
But if the residents don’t organize to define a road map for Ocean Grove’s future, then it will continue to be a free-for-all and a much less desirable place to live. Yes, it will become Belmar, and the “historic thing” will go down the tubes.
We can’t expect much in this realm from Neptune Township, the CMA or the HOA as they are presently constituted.
Here’s a June BF post on this subject:
https://blogfinger.net/2017/06/17/tell-it-like-it-is-a-new-paradigm-for-parking-in-ocean-grove/
GREGORY HINES from his album Essential Gershwin.
Permits are needed. Parking issues are year round here in the North End now with the growing popularity of A P as a destination.
I would add alternate side of the street parking during the ‘off season’ to the discussion. This type of regulation would help with several things. Extended warehousing of vehicles would end. Streets could be cleaned regularly during leaf and debris season. During snow emergencies streets could actually be cleared curb to curb, never been done on my short, narrow little street. Even though I want to sweep the debris and leaves in front of my house, there always seems to be a vehicle parked there. This could be just a once a week thing.
Nice nocturnal shot of a backhoe starting the digging for the underground parking, finally!
Well said. All true.
There is an immediate problem that requires solution: cars with persons destined for Asbury Park –whether employees, restaurant patrons, or day tourists–are denying north end Ocean Grove homeowners of parking spaces. Asbury Park’s excessive parking fees and its inability to accommodate employees intensifies that year-round problem.
Obviously north end residents may feel a parking permit is a remedy.
What Neptune Township has provided is extremely vague.
What Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association threatens is a complete denial of its responsibilities as landlord and creator of mass infusions of cars and drivers 10 weeks of the year.
Blogfinger is right. There is no cohesive force in Ocean Grove that can effectively coalesce numerous organizational stakeholders. Who can bring them to the table ?