Grovers want to know: “Why the chaos and where’s the beef?” Paul Goldfinger photograph. 2019. ©Kiss Me Kate:
By Jack Bredin and Paul Goldfinger: Blogfinger.net
In our article about the BPA plan dated December 7, we concluded by saying, “Don’t hold your breath for a joyous reception at the Municipal Building to any idea that would help OG with its parking.”
We were referring to the Committee meeting of last night, December 9, when the Better Parking Alliance made a presentation of its parking plan to the Neptuners during their Workshop Session. The pubic was invited to attend but were not permitted to speak. A large crowd assembled for the Workshop. An eyewitness said that the plan “fell flat.”
The Committee made no comments but they then retired to a private “anteroom” where the group discussed the plan in closed session.
Later, the open session began, but that business meeting was brief in order to have the public portion consisting of 5 minute statements by anyone who wished to speak. The crowd was large in the Committee Room.
Our reporter estimated that about half of the commenters were in favor of the BPA plan while half were opposed. The opposition was mostly about how the plan would not produce a net benefit, because Asburian invaders would simply shift gears and move south. Those who were in favor seemed to be supporters without much to justify their support, other than to think that something is better than nothing.
On December 7, Blogfinger reported on the BPA goal:
“To quote Andy Levine, ‘The stated goal (of the plan) is to pinpoint and implement a parking solution that balances the needs of Ocean Grove’s diverse constituencies.’
Blogfinger’s reaction to that goal was: “But for those who have been here for many years, this sounds less like a doable goal and more like a fatal flaw.”
While quite a few speakers had something to say, the Committee just listened and had nothing to say. Our reporter mentions some specifics:
a. The Home Groaners were not supportive of the plan because they didn’t like the polling method.
b. The Camp Meeting Association, as expected, was opposed. Their President, Michael Badger, stiff armed everyone in the room as he announced that the CMA was designing its own plan. He claimed that the CMA had been ignored during prior attempts to solve the parking issues.
c. The Mayor asserted that the Alliance’s plan was “inconsistent” with their survey results. She suggested that the BPA return to “Andy’s kitchen table” to come up with something else. She said that the group should “get together” with the CMA and the Chamber of Commercials.
But why didn’t she include the residents of Ocean Grove in her suggested round-table? It is typical of the Mayor and her marching band to forget about the largest faction in town–those who live here and pay taxes/rents.
c. Jack Green, a well known OG realtor, long-time citizen, and contractor, rose to speak, and that is very unusual for him at these meetings. He made it clear that he was opposed to the plan, but his reasons weren’t explained other than for him to say that the plan wasn’t the answer.
d. Andy Levine stood to announce that he would remain after the meeting to answer questions, but “he made a hasty exit when the meeting was adjourned,” according to our reporter.
So this is what happens when a presentation like this is made in public without clear planning to achieve a result. The worst of it is that the elected officials on the dais do not allow any dialogue—only brief opinions. Is this democracy and free speech?
Here is a link to the Blogfinger post from Dec 7, where we brought up the crux of the problem: too many cars in too small a space.
THE SPANIELS —It’s time to go; –the parking mess remains unresolved . It’s time for a new paradigm; see the BF post linked above.
I have to agree with Blogfinger. Compare his DETAILED points to general statements in the a”BPA” presentations Just curious. As a 27 year OG homeowner, how many members of the BPA are newbies to town vs. long time home owners.
Veteran homeowners have learned through proposal after proposal, that you just can’t “expect” parking while living in a resort town. There is no “entitlement” experienced by OG long time residents. It is what it is. Or it’s the big city for you ——— Belmar, or Long Branch, or Manasquan…. etc
Editor’s note:
Mr. Kaplan. Here is what you should have provided us:
a. Tell us why the HOA opposes your plan.
b. Tell us why the Mayor dislikes your plan enough to send you back to the drawing board.
c. Michael Badger’s CMA is going to have a “comprehensive study of parking needs and options.” If he is not doing a plan, then what is the point of his study? Do you know the answer? You should.
d. You are planning “public forums” around town. But what do you think those “forums” will accomplish? You need to provide more information.
e. You insist that the Committee did have something to say during the Public Portion, but how about telling all of us what they said.
f. Oh, you received a complement from Michael Brantley. Does that really impress you? Don’t hang your hat on Brantley’s good wishes. Instead get to work on accomplishing something substantial instead of wasting our time by performing micro-surgery on Blogfinger’s article.
g. And thanks for telling us that you are perplexed and optimistic. Is that news? Not on Blogfinger.
h. You make reference to the “Neptune Township Planning Committee” meeting, but evidently you don’t even know what meeting you were attending. You really should get that straight before you decide to criticize us over trivial “inaccuracies.”
As a member of the Better Parking Alliance, I was perplexed at Blogfinger’s account of the Neptune Township Planning Committee meeting on Monday, December 9th. The report was laced with inaccuracies.
Here are the corrections which we are reporting:
The Township Committee had several questions.
The Home Owners never said anything negative about the polling methodology.
Michael Badger said they are spending money on a comprehensive study of parking needs and options in Ocean Grove, not designing a plan.
The Mayor never said the plan was inconsistent with the survey results.
You failed to mention that Andy Levine presented his next steps would be to hold public forums on the North, Central and South side of towns with at least one representative from the Planning Committee in attendance for each meeting.
Lastly, as a resident of Ocean Grove, I was extremely optimistic leaving the meeting that something would be done to improve the parking problems in Ocean Grove to enhance the quality of our lives.
At the end of the meeting, Committeeman Dr. Michael Brantley said that in his many years of trying to address Ocean Grove’s parking issues, that he was impressed with the Better Parking Alliance’s efforts and that this is the closest any of the concerned parties have come in trying to help make the situation better with the Township’s leadership.
Paul:
We will respond separately with a letter to the editor on the Blogfinger article posted on December 10. There are a number of inaccuracies that should be addressed.
But I was completely perplexed by the assertion that Andy Levine “made a hasty exit when the meeting was adjourned.” There were over 100 people at the meeting. When my wife and I departed there were three people left in the room: 1) Mayor Carol Rizzo, 2) a constituent that Carol was speaking with, 3) your reporter Jack Bredin.
Andy Levine
Better Parking Alliance
BPA came up with a reasonable plan to provide some relief for those of us who live in the North End.
Home Groaners had their own plan more than 2 years ago (which NTC shot down), which was not based on as many survey responses.
OGCMA will always oppose any plan that favors residents over visitors who patronize their programs and beach.
Jack Green has been involved with OGCMA (at a high level) for many years, so his opposition is expected.
Bottom line: Nothing will get done, and parking in OG, especially in the North End, will get increasingly worse.