By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.
In a letter to prospective members, The Groaners President presented the Annual Report in which the group bragged about all that they have accomplished during the “year just ended.” (This is gibberish for 2018.)
The Groaners would have us believe that they actually accomplished something as they wrestled with a variety of issues:
a. Parking. The Groaners Parking Committee “worked hard” to “resolve the problem.” But, by December 31, 2018, they had accomplished nothing.
b. The North End Redevelopment. The Groaners “continued to monitor the negotiations and to report on its progress.” And, in an outrageous example of fake news, they sought to milk a cow that ran out of gas years ago.
They took credit for “being instrumental in persuading the Township to reduce the density of the project by scaling back the number of condominiums and hotel rooms. and requiring the inclusion of single family homes…”
But that change in the NERP was just talk–it never happened. The only plan still current is the original one from 2007.
The Groaners have supported the commercial development at the North End from day one. They should have opposed the illegal zoning changes and violations of the Master Plan. They still are on the wrong side of this issue.
What did they accomplish in 2018 regarding the North End Redevelopment? Absolutely nothing!
c. They keep busy by going to Township meetings, praying for Certified Local Government preservation grants, having parties, and entertaining political figures who barely know anything about our problems
The Groaners say that they “enjoy and are proud of our work” but what tangible results did they accomplish in 2018? Nothing to write home about or to write a report about.
The Ocean Grove Homeowners Ass. may be well intentioned, but they are not helping the home owners in the Grove with their main problems.
They need to stop worrying about Neptune mid-town, fake antisemitism, and the approval of one-party Committeemen and developers.
Where are they on Airbnb issues, Wesley Lake pollution, condo conversions, lifestyles of residents, excess mega-events, tourism choking the town, excessive street closures, dog beach, ignoring the Master Plan, rising property taxes, relations with the Camp Meeting, downtown business strategies focused on residents, and changing demographics.
And members, don’t forget—-send them money. They may use it to pay lawyers whose opinions have never been released to the public regarding ground rents.
MONKS CHANT: From Monty Python’s Spamalot:
I have long been suspicious of the HOA’s goals, secrecy, and motives. They spent over $7,000 to hire a lawyer regarding ground rents, but they never publicly released the attorney’s report, and it is not on their web site.
Their yearly report contains no information about membership. I want to know how many dues paying members they have and how that number compares with 10 years ago. They put themselves out there as representing the homeowners of Ocean Grove, but how much leverage do they really have? Do they really represent the opinions of the residents? Why don’t they poll their group on critical issues?
Why don’t they change their name to become more inclusive and open the group to renters?
They have never explained their bizarre position regarding the North End Plan. The only position for them should be single family zoning, but why are they so supportive of the Township Committee and the developers whose lawless behavior regarding land use should be opposed by all residents?
Why do they kiss up to the Neptuners, when the Neptuners could care less about Ocean Grove?
This is from their web site: “The mission of the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association is to enhance the quality of life in Ocean Grove.”
But what exactly have they done to accomplish that goal?