The North End OG beach, where the Township nonsense is stored each winter. Paul Goldfinger photo. 2011. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net
Amazingly, the minutes from the Neptune Committee meeting have been posted on-line very quickly—something quite unusual. Why are they in such a hurry to do that?
At the meeting, the Township Comedy passed a bizarre resolution which we have been dissecting here as if it were a cadaver on an anatomy table at the Blogfinger Ocean Grove Off-shore School of Medicine.
That meeting reminds me of the song “Blowing in the Wind” because there are so many loose ends floating around.
For example, in the minutes, the Township’s Revelopment Attorney is quoted thusly, “Mr. Maraziti stated that what is being approved this evening is not a Redevelopment Agreement for an Interim Agreement for the purpose of negotiating a Redevelopment Agreement which will include the items Ms. Venezia mentioned.”
And, “Joyce Klein, 105 Mt. Hermon Way, stated that in section of the Interim Agreement that describes the scope, it stated that the proposal may change. She asked if any changes would have to be in accordance with the 2008 Redevelopment Plan. Mr. Maraziti stated that any proposal must be consistent with the Redevelopment Plan.”
“The Township will ensure that OGNED has the legal right to develop the property before a Redevelopment Agreement is signed.”
Editor’s note: —-So, how does OGNED get a “legal right to develop the North End” before the provisions of a Redevelopment Agreement have been made public??
And the lawyer says, “Any proposal must be consistent with the Redevelopment Plan.” The words “consistent with” are totally unacceptible here because they they leave enough wiggle room for an aircraft carrier to float through. And, in addition, he should have echoed Ms. Klein’s specific question by putting “2008” before his words “Redevelopment Plan.” The twisting of words and imprecise langauge is documented here. Anyone can read those minutes by clicking below.
Click to access NOVEMBER%2026%202018%20Minutes.pdf
So, hello, we must be going. Please read these excerpts aloud (or forward it) to any citizen of the Grove that you know.
DON AZPIAZU and the Havana Casino Orchestra: “African Lament”
@”What the Heck” = You are so right on all counts. Very discouraging.
Patrick Henry. Who knew that this great orator still is on his soapbox or that are still soapboxes to stand on. Thank you for tackling these financials. Paul @Blogfinger.net
The only item in this resolution that relates to how this project could be good for our community is it could create 40 jobs and 100 construction jobs. This is a really weak justification. First, not sure how they came up with these numbers without a fully vetted and approved plan. The number of jobs depends on the businesses that eventually fill those commercial spaces. There’s no way that’s known yet. Also, the benefit only happens if the jobs are occupied by OG or Neptune locals. There’s no way to guarantee that either. The jobs reason always sounds good but almost never comes to fruition.
If they want a real job creator, build a Victorian themed innovation center at the Jersey shore. Provide a space for a young entrepreneur to build a business. Hopefully, he/she sees the benefits of working next to the beach, and maybe they find out how awesome and caring the Community is.
We need more diversity in OG businesses, people and ideas. The North End could be used to stimulate that; but only if it is carefully and thoughtfully designed to do that. More homes, condos, hotels would definitely not…. Ok, I’ll get off my soapbox now.
The Conditional Designation and Interim Cost Agreement with OGNED and referenced as “Attachment A” in the minutes are not included in the minutes. It is actually attached to the meeting agenda at:
http://www.neptunetownship.org/sites/default/files/documents/2018Clerk/Nov%2026%20agenda%20%20-%20amended.pdf
Starts on page 16.
Interesting reimbursement arrangements. If I was OGNED, I’d want to tighten that up. You can drive a truck through the broad expense categories. The Township can pretty much spend on what they want. And there doesn’t appear to be any preapprovals by OGNED needed before it’s spent. And OGNED is required to replenish it when the account is close to empty.
Looking from the outside, the optics around this arrangement look horrible.
This is the most confusing mess I have ever read.
As a home owner of 3 homes here for the past 15 years we need to have a person represent the home owners.
It seems we are voiceless in the process.
Thank you