a. Winter begins on December 21, 2021. There are still garden specimens that survive in the Grove. Eileen brought in her tropical hibiscus which she has done for 6 years. It is now flowering in our living room.
Eileen’s tropical hibiscus in our living room. 11/28/21. Paul Goldfinger photograph. © M-9
b. “The Halloween Massacre in Ocean Grove” on Halloween night featured a man giving out treats on his porch at Mt.Hermon Way who was mugged by a roving gang from Asbury Park. He was roughed up but not physically hurt.
A block away, a car was hijacked and wound up crashing in A. Park. It nearly crashed as it came roaring down Mt. Hermon Way.
The case has been turned over to the Neptune PD Detective Bureau. They said no specific targets were identified. Those marauders were just out to make trouble. No changes in police presence is planned for next Halloween. New police officers have been hired recently.
c. The CMA is having Christmas festivities on Saturday Dec. 4. Go to Oceangrove.org for details. CMA President Michael Badger says that the 3 pm concert by the World Milal Missionary Choir in the Tabernacle will be spectacular, but it is mostly religious music.
d. Joan Venezia of the HOA North End Committee reported at the Saturday meeting that the North End project has come to a temporary halt. The HPC has not yet granted their approval, and Joan does not know why. As usual, the HPC is silent. Are they hiding under their beds?
The CAFRA approval has not been granted although we thought it was already done by the DEP in Trenton. We will try to find out about that.
Also the Fire Dept. approval has not yet been granted, and there is serious concern about access.
And OGNED needs a parking study and a hotel study before the Planning Board will allow work to begin.
Joan says that the project approvals are still “up in the air.” She looked resigned.
e. Parking. Neptuners will be conducting a survey of OG citizens to see how they feel about parking issues in the Grove. It sounds like another scam instead of actually doing what needs to be done which is mainly to shut down the massive our-of-town tourism in prime season so that OG residents can have some room to enjoy their beautiful town paid for with our tax dollars.
f. A group of south end citizens is trying to push the Neptuners to do something about “Bald Mountain,” ie Boswell Park which looks like the plague has hit it and is where people dump garbage. It’s also dangerous.
David Kennington of Central Avenue spoke at the HOA meeting and said that Boswell, Firemen’s, Greenleaf and Founders’ parks are managed by Neptune. Committeeman Lane was there and promised some action at the parks, but don’t count on it. See David’s comment below. (click on comments)
Some parks are a dangerous mess, and now the creche is crammed behind the concentration camp fencing and risky-business thorn bushes of Firemen’s Park. But have no fear–the colored lights are up again.
How are religious tourists and holiday visitors supposed to safely and comfortably get close? It’s an ugly disgrace!
g. Song of the week by Paul Simon
Under the signature of Mayor Carol Rizzo, the Township approved a plan for the North End that is economically unfeasable to develop, and is collapsing under the weight of political incompetence and greed.
After 11 years and at great cost to the taxpayers, they have failed to develop the most prime location on the Jersey Shore.
The property could have and should have been re-developed eleven years ago with 25 single-family homes pursuant to the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
David: I support worthy OG causes if citizens share them with me. So if you have any more news, or progress, or whatever, just let me know.
Your comment today will be seen by hundreds of people who click the “comments” button. Or you can send med an email and I will find a way to get your message out. Some photos would also help. I will get your name into today’s report.
Paul
Hi, I am Dave Kennington and I was the HOA speaker on the parks. The unnamed park maintained by Neptune is Founders Park.
During my spot another item arose that will be of interest to your readers. The bulkhead on Fletcher Lake is subsiding into the lake. Remedying this is Neptune’s responsibility. They are considering replacement of the bulkhead with a “living shoreline.”
This would be a retrograde step and prevent renewal of the promenade that existed in the past at the side of the lake.
I would appreciate your help in shining a spotlight on this opportunity.