This is from their website Oceangrove.org
April 26, 2020. Blogfinger.net:
OGCMA has made its policies known via its online “OGCMA COVID-19 RESPONSE”
“The Board of Trustees meet weekly to monitor and respond to the ever-changing COVID-19 crisis. Currently, the summer programs are set to commence as scheduled. We will be updating the website regularly as decisions unfold. Please check back here regularly”.
“Our Program Guide will be mailed out soon.
“Boardwalk and beach open officially as of April 23.
“Giant craft Show as scheduled (as of April 23)
“Tent and Cottage open as scheduled (as of Apri9l 23)
“Online Calendar is being kept current as changes occur.”
They now have a “COVID-19 information page.”
For more information, go to their website.
If any of our readers want to comment about the CMA’s policies, please do so here. We will post all such comments in this location for now.
Also, check their schedule currently posted. They announce the April 23 opening of the beach in OG, and here is the picture which accompanies that announcement:
From the OHOA event schedule on their website.
Lifeguards will sit the same way police officers, emt’s and firefighters sit with there partners.
This quote is from Blaise Pascal’s “Pensees” (1670):
“Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.”
The boardwalk is open while neighboring boardwalks are closed. The beaches are open. The governor has not determined a policy about shore beaches yet. This is the latest quote: “But, let me repeat a basic truth, until we give the public confidence that they should not be fearful, we cannot take further steps,” he said. “A plan that is needlessly rushed is a plan that will needlessly fail. As we travel this road, we will ensure that every community is along with us.”
The CMA is reckless to announce that all programs and facilities will be open as scheduled given the current state of the virus pandemic. We can only hope that any policy will apply uniformly to all beach communities, and that is yet to be determined.
If all other beaches are closed and we’re the only beach open it will be chaos. I would rather lose rental income than to have the hordes coming to OG.
Last Saturday was a mess. Just trying to walk the dogs was a nightmare. The lot was filled with day trippers
Editor’s note: Now, most beaches around us are open, and others will probably soon open. But strict distancing will be required on the beaches. And who will enforce that?
The main problem now are the boardwalks—we are the only one open around us.
What are they thinking? Saturday was an influx of strangers, many NOT wearing masks.
What happens when North Jersey realizes you cannot park in Belmar or Spring Lake? The police will enforce it there.
This past Saturday was eye opening as to what will happen. OGCMA: Are you THAT desperate to expose people to your religious connection to the town? Make your mind up: Religious programming or seasonal tourist attraction?
And by the way OGCMA, let’s hope your policies did not result in infections on Saturday.
Thoughtless, careless, and self centered.
Please CALL Governor Murphy to both alert him of this situation and strongly oppose it, at 609-292-6000.
The more of us from Ocean Grove call, the faster the Governor will respond.
OGCMA is not only putting all of us at risk, their decision to open the town up to events will put an additional strain on our Medical Center.
PLEASE make this call to the Governor!
How does the OGCMA or the Township of Neptune plan to enforce social distancing? How are lifeguards going to sit two to a bench with social distancing.
How can these two groups be so callous about resident safety.
This is a classic case of money over misery, cash before common sense, and dollars over disease. They should be ashamed of themselves!
When decision makers completely defy logic and common sense then the decision isn’t theirs to be made.
Without question this needs to be elevated to the state level for appropriate guidance. It’s so obvious this is all about money over lives which is a recent debate that I find disgusting.
Foregoing seniors safety to make a couple bucks after all the sacrifices seniors have made during their working days is a betrayal that cannot be tolerated.
Also one has to assume that anyone coming to the beach, tents, or crowded affairs, or doesn’t wear a mask isn’t taking social distancing seriously, hence they are a greater danger to those who are doing their part.
The CMA does not care about the residents. They are only concerned about the dollars $$$$. As the only beach and boardwalk open, the crowds will be overwhelming and dangerous. Governor Murphy has been informed of the current situation of the crowds on the open beach and boardwalk, but he does nothing. (Can’t help thinking that if Chris Christie was still Governor, this would not be happening.)
I am appalled that our dual governments of the CMA and Neptune Township have not stepped in or up to intervene and STOP this INVASION of the beach and waterfront of Ocean Grove.
It’s my understanding (and I’m not down there yet but hope to be within two weeks) that none of the neighboring towns have opened their beaches so why are we open? Are there lifeguards there or are we open to a potential lawsuit?
I am planning to arrive not to go sun bathing but to continue social distancing and sheltering in while I clean up my cottage from winter cobwebs and work in my yard. I dread the onslaught of the summer traffic/parking onslaught and was hoping for about a month’s peace.
NOT to mention the elderly population in the town who are now in danger of greater exposure to strangers as they pass through on their way to our beach. I did write to Governor Murphy to express my concern and ask for his intervention.
Do they really think G-d is going to protect them? I thought NJ was locked down.
We have been wanting to come down to our house from PA for our usual spring visit but are concerned that because the CMA has not closed things down, OG could become the next dangerous hotspot with all those people coming in from NYC and Phila.
It is ironic (and sad) that a religious organization would care so little for the health and safety of people that they would ignore common sense guidelines!
We just don’t recite a psalm. God gave us brains! We also need to be compassionate. How awful to think that people can become ill or die because of the attitude and behavior of the Camp Meeting Association.
They are out of their ever-lovin’ minds. On the first sunny weekend after Memorial Day, the parkway will be filled with cars headed down the Shore, and we’re the first open beach after exit 129…We need to go to a higher authority, and I don’t mean the Almighty…
We are appalled at the blatant disregard for the residents of Ocean Grove!
OGCMA has not considered the residents in the town with many of their decisions, however, this latest lack of regard to the health and welfare of Ocean Grove citizens is shocking.
Why would the OGCMA jeopardize the health of our community by holding events that will bring in hordes of people from many places, who will surely be contaminating Ocean Grove with the killer virus. Their decision to expose our town is morally WRONG!
I have already appealed to OGCMA, OGHOA, and Governor Murphy.
We need to STOP this insanity!
If you continue to advance the calendar you will see the Craft Fair, Bridgefest and July 4th parade and festivities scheduled. Yikes!