By Paul Goldfinger,  Editor  Blogfinger.net

The Coastericans from Asbury Park  (Carol Gorga Williams–reporter)  published an   inaccurate and uninformed headline article regarding Ocean Grove ground rents on Nov. 18, 2021.

Let’s consider what a gibberish-laden mess this article is.

We will mention some, but not all of the questionable elements of the piece.  If you are interested, this issue is still on the newsstands.

a. The reporter refers to the ground rent being “fixed at no more than seven percent of the original price of $150.00”   That comes to a familiar number $10.50 per year . But she doesn’t explain the process whereby many property owners in the Grove still pay a rent of $10.50, but others pay much more.

b. She then says that the CMA wants to  “renegotiate ground leases for income-generating properties”  but  she doesn’t offer an explanation of what  an “income generating property” is.

c. She mentions the new organization, “Save Our Values,”  that plans to challenge the  CMA regarding ground rents and its ramifications,  but she doesn’t post their position paper.

The reporter doesn’t explain that many Grovers are concerned that the new  CMA plans may cause financial mayhem in town.

d. Williams quotes Michael Badger (CMA President) who says that such ground rent/lease renegotiating only occurs when a property is sold to a new owner.   He told her, “If you are not selling, this isn’t really applicable.”

But the reporter should have explained the details of the 99 year leases which in the past have passed to a new owner, but that the CMA  now wants 99 year leases to be cancelled when a property is sold to make way for a new lease with yearly rent increases and shorter terms for new owners.

f. She continued her Badger quotes by saying that “policy changes are directed at commercial properties such as offices, hotels and bed and breakfast entities.”

She makes no reference to the concerns of homeowners, especially those who rent apartments in 2, 3 or 4 family houses .  They are possibly the biggest source of income-generating properties.

h. According to the Coaster, quoting Barbara Burns, “The Camp Meeting Association tried to move forward in 2016 with a similar proposal”   But the CMA then denied that they planned to implement any changes, and there was never any sign that they were actually “moving forward” then.

Burns also is quoted as saying that “an opposition coalition hired a lawyer” in 2016 regarding such changes. But there was no “coalition”…it was the HOA with Burns at the helm who wasted money hiring a lawyer, a process which, by the way, also lacked transparency.

Burns was also quoted now as saying that the “CMA has withdrawn significantly from Ocean Grove life outside of its religious interest”

This  contention Badger disputes according to the Coaster.

At Blogfinger we have reported on that religious issue, but what does that have to do with the land lease concerns?  The CMA just needs money…that point was missed by the Coastericans also.  Attributing motives is unethical in journalism

i  The reporter quotes “some realtors” who allegedly accuse the CMA of changing their “religious values” as the population moves to “more secular interests.”  But this is  at present unproven gibberish, and those “realtors” need to be named and quoted properly.

j.,  Realtor Ray Huizenga is also quoted in the piece saying that the proposed  OGCMA plan would have “repercussions” not only in OG but also throughout  Neptune Towhship.  This is unproven speculation.

Huizenga also is quoted as suggesting that the CMA could sell the land lots to homeowners.  This sounds like a creative idea.

He also supposedly suggests that “rents be raised on the tent community.” This sounds like condescension.

In addition Ray is alleged to have brought up the CMA’s “position on gay rights and gay marriage.”

The Coaster also refers  to the 2007  “legal battle about gay marriage”  which was actually not the issue at that time.  Fact checking is a reporter’s ‘job.

Ray Huizenga made a big mistake in letting this cub reporter interview him.

Any one who offers interviews to the Coaster is taking a chance on misunderstandings.

There are other confused and misinformed contentions in that article, but those who are quoted wrong or want to offer differing opinions can defend themselves here  (Blogfinger@verizon.net  or there (Coasterland.)

ATTN COASTER: If you report that the witch is dead, you should verify your facts!