By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net

In a long summary of the HOA’s January 26 meeting, the Coastericans of Asbury Park present an unsigned report filled with hot air, gibberish and somnolence.

Did anyone really believe that inviting the new CMA Executive Director, James “Jaimie” Jackson, would result in anything but the chance to practice alliteration and to evade insights into matters that really count in the Grove. Let’s consider some of what he had to say:

A hope for the future: “I hope people will experience God’s love before they realize they are experiencing God’s love.”

The CMA will “commemorate” the 150th anniversary of the founding of Ocean Grove. And the first thing he mentions is a “capital campaign that will be launched for the purpose of raising funds to improve the community.” Was there raucous applause for that revelation? Would he like to define “community” for us? The CMA has a history of messing around with the meaning of that word.

And then, up pops the P word as he says that “he wants to rebuild the fishing pier” and he wants to use the money raised for the pier among “other items.” This is from the same group that refused to accept funds to rebuild the pier as offered by the historic OG Fishing Club. That would have cost the “community” nothing 

When asked about an “update” regarding the North End “development project,” he said that “the  project is a long time coming, and the area is in need of development. ” He then passed the buck to Neptune Township for further clarification. Evidently he doesn’t know much about this subject. 

As for not knowing much, the HOA President is quoted as saying, regarding parking at the North End, “I thought the The North End project would not require off-street parking.” Say it isn’t so Barbara. Were you misquoted?

But Joyce Klein, the leader of the HOA Parking Committee said, “The project’s parking must be in compliance with RSIS (New Jersey Resident Site Improvement Standards.”) But doesn’t Joyce know that the original NERP from 2008 already promises that.

And do these two HOA officials really want to press the CMA on this when the CMA has totally given up planning and would prefer to be anywhere else but at the HOA to trying to wrestle with these questions.

And there is more to report, but enough is enough. It’s Howdy Doody Time in the Grove.