Days. Ocean Grove. June, 2020. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
July 4 barbecue–trying to distance; no masks; it’s all family. Talking to an in-law.
He: How are things in Ocean Grove?
Me: Parking is still a problem, especially for holidays and special events.
He: Don’t you have permit parking?
Me: No. There is no interest among the special interests in town to help the tax-paying residents.
He: But some shore towns have arrangements to help residents. Lavallette has permit parking. Point Pleasant Beach saves best spaces (closer to the beach) for residents.
Me: We had a Better Parking Alliance, but it seems to have been swallowed up by bullies and big shots and it is no longer evident much less “better.”
He: How about the Home Owners Association?
Me: It tried, but got mugged by the Township Committee.
He: How do you like your burger? Or would you prefer a hot dog?
Me: I hope I can find a space when I go home. (Thought: Where else can you go out for fun and then worry about parking when you get back?)
BRIAN WILSON: From Porgy and Bess
LTOGL: I think you are premature in going into the weeds on a permit parking plan. Let’s get to first base before we round third.–Paul
PG: Duly noted on all points.
I was also thinking about the many hotels. Would their 20-25 or more guests with cars be schlepping their luggage etc. from distances as residents get top priority on spaces? Just thinking out loud.
Long Time OG Lady
1. We need a commitment from the Township to be concerned about our demographic: residents of OG
2. Then we need an understanding from our elected officials that there is nothing wrong with giving priority to those who live here and pay taxes.
3. No permit plan would be perfect, and there are different ways to do it, but even a partial edge to residents would be helpful.
With those understandings, a professional could come up with something that could work.
What I don’t understand and haven’t seen a conversation about, is that there are far too many residents/condo owners/double car owners/apartment residents than there is parking space in Ocean Grove. How would permits be assigned fairly and intelligently if there are, say, six 4-floor condos on your block (est. 24 residents) plus private home owners yet only 12-20 parking spaces white lined?