The Township Comedy needs to shine some light on the current Resolution so OG citizens can see the gobbledygook. Paul Goldfinger photo. OG beach. September, 2018. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
When Jack and I first read the new North End Resolution which was passed on Nov. 26, 2018, we looked at each other and asked, “What is this?” It wasn’t clear what the main point of the Resolution was. It included an itemized list of over 30 important elements of the plan, none of which were explained in detail.
It not only wasn’t clear as to what the Resolution was all about or why it was necessary, but it was impossible to figure out if the Resolution was attempting to actually pass the “new” 2018 North End Redevelopment Plan.
Here is the official title of the Resolution #18 -395 as obtained from the Neptune Comedy agenda:
“Authorize the execution of a conditional designation and interim cost agreement with OG North End Development (OGNED) including provisions for a deposit of project funds to defray costs incurred by the Township of Neptune in connection with the negotiation of a Redevelopment Agreement, pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1, ET Seq.”
Got it?
We thought the language was gobbledygook, and below is a link to Part I of our discussion of the Resolution.
Gobbledygook Part I regarding the North End resolution 11/26/18
The Township Redevelopment Attorney for the “Proposal” did speak to the public at the Comedy meeting, and some of his quotes are mentioned (below) in a Coaster front-page article dated Nov. 29, 2018
Isn’t it interesting that none of our elected officials tried to explain the Resolution to the public–instead the Neptune Comedy brought their hired gun out of the shadows and asked him to explain the Resolution to the citizens.
Below are some Qoaster quotes from the Township Redevelopment Attorney Joseph Maraziti of Short Hills. He said:
“It’s important for the community to understand the project.”
“…this is not a redevelopment agreement but part of negotiations towards a redevelopment agreement with Ocean Grove North End Development LLC.”
“There will be many topics at many levels discussed and resolved (in the agreement.) Nothing is even resolved at this time.”
The Coaster reporter said, “Redevelopment of the long-neglected North End of Ocean Grove took a step forward this week when Neptune officials approved an official agreement that is expected to eventually result in a comprehensive redevelopment plan.”
Mayor Nicholas Williams of Neptune Township. What will his legacy be? By Paul Goldfinger ©
And finally, Mayor Nicholas Williams cleared it up by saying, “This is just the first step and that’s where we are tonight.”
So, Mr. Mayor, you say that ” ‘this’ is just the first step,” and now that we all know what the meaning of “this” is, we can be reassured that we now understand the Resolution.
Last June we posted this Mayor’s photo with the lead-in: “Portrait of a leader who represents the electorate or just one of the boys? What will Nicholas Williams legacy be?”
What do you think?
SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS:
Considering indefinite adjectives, is this saying: ” We are going to have another meeting.”
To entertain such an indefinite proposal on its agenda is illustrative of incompetency of and disrespect toward Ocean Grove taxpayers by
Neptune Township Committee members. To put it succinctly: They don’t know what the hell they are doing !
This is why a lawyer is sometimes referred to as a “mouthpiece.” This attorney is getting paid to promote what the Redevelopers want, even though he is technically working for us, ie the Township.
His explanation of the Resolution is ridiculously simple-minded and lacking in clarity and details. His job is to put out a smokescreen to block the view of we- the- people.
Why doesn’t he admit that he really works for OGNED and that his mission is to get them whatever they want, no matter what loopholes he needs to climb through? Perhaps he can explain how he pulls our elected officials onto the OGNED bandwagon.
If I’m interpreting the legalese correctly, this resolution is establishing a mechanism for OGNED to reimburse the township for money spent and will be spent on the Redevelopment Agreement.
There is potential opportunities for conflicts of interest in this resolution. Since Township money is really our money, I’m wondering if controls and audit measures will be in place to ensure our money is being spent in a way that benefits the long term health of our community and ethically without the influence of OGNED.
Unfortunately, our representatives have been chronically opaque during these community meetings which has deteriorated my confidence in their ability to navigate this agreement.