Blogfinger photographer Jean Bredin at the 2014 OG Spring Flea Market where she gazes into the magic mirror to try to find wisdom and truth in Ocean Grove. ©
a. Parking permits: From Michael Badger, President of the CMA: ‘The OGCMA remains committed to working with our neighbors to make Ocean Grove the seaside community where all generations can know and grow in Jesus,’ he said.”
b. Parking permits: “Some Ocean Grove residents have been pushing the governing body to either place a nonbinding referendum on a ballot that would allow permit parking for the first time in the historic district or just officially approve it,”
c. Joyce Klein of the HOA spoke at their meeting about the housing market: “Klein said the housing sales and property values are up, so this is a robust real estate market.” She urged owners who want to appeal their taxes to look on the back of the 2018 card which all owners recently received. The appeal is made to the Monmouth county Board of Taxation.
BERNADETTE PETERS: “Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes.)” This is a 1961 song recorded by Bernadette Peters in 1980.
Mr. Badger of the CMA makes reference to Ocean Grove being a “seaside community where all generations can know and grow in Jesus.” So he must be referring to those who follow the “religious mission” of the CMA.
But the terminology is confusing when he seems to mix up the “community of Ocean Grove” (ie all homeowners and residents and “neighbors”) with the community of CMA followers.
The reality of the seaside community of Ocean Grove is that it is a diverse town including religious diversity, and some residents are not Christians. So isn’t it time for the CMA to stop thinking of the town in the same way that it did from 1869 to 1980?
As far as the parking debate is concerned, the CMA is one among a number of groups in OG, and all should be heard, but somehow the CMA seems to have the loudest voice. The Qoaster interviewed Badger, but did they interview any of the other factions in the Grove such as the secular community of renters and homeowners?
The Qoaster is typical of the press which covers Ocean Grove in that it is always seen as a place dominated by the Camp Meeting Association and its religious life. But the Qoaster is local and should know better.