“Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore.” Winning caption by Caesar. Ocean Grove non-fishing pier. September 26, 2015. .Post Sandy. (2012). Photo by Bob Bowné. © Click to enlarge. Special to Blogfinger.
OG beach at sunrise. Pre-Sandy. Paul Goldfinger photo. ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. July 28, 2022.
In an unsigned front page article today, the Coaster presents quotes from CMA officials about the future Ocean Grove Pier.
A “blessing of the site” will be part of a “Pier Restoration Kick-Off Event” to be held on the boardwalk at 6:00 pm, Saturday July 30 in conjunction with a “free concert, a sing-along, and fireworks at 9 PM.”
This project is to be financed by the CMA’s “American Treasure Campaign. (ATC”) and will cost about half a million dollars. The CMA says that these funds came from a 3 year fundraising effort.
After the pier was extensively damaged by Sandy in 2012, some preliminary work was done, mostly by volunteers. FEMA refused to pay for the pier, even though they originally said they would.
The CMA decided not to appeal because they already pushed sufficient political buttons in Washington to pay for the boardwalk and they did not want to do more complaining at FEMA.
Note that Blogfinger published more articles supporting the CMA’s quest for FEMA boardwalk funding than any other news source. Our sources confirmed that the FEMA office handling the requests and appeals were reading Blogfinger.
Below is Blogfinger’s last post on this topic:
In 2019, the CMA put out this possible design. No design was revealed in today’s Coaster front page article. Pathetic reporting! Blogfinger post.
Since FEMA ruled out consideration of the pier as a public thoroughfare, the CMA will feel free to present religious programming such as the blessing for the project, Christian music on or near the pier, and whatever else they plan to do.
CMA President Badger is quoted as saying, “The ‘All In” event is open to everyone. Ocean Grove is God’s masterpiece…” Read the Coaster today for more information. (July 28, 2022)
The ATC Chair and CMA Trustee Catherine Harrison is quoted in the Coaster saying that “the ATC campaign held at its core the fundamental belief that God has a thriving future planned for the ministry of historic Ocean Grove and our best days are ahead of us.”
These announcements via the Coaster fail to mention how the pier will be used and conveniently forgot to mention the historic Fishing Club which has been thrown to the sharks. The CMA has stalled and waffled regarding the Club, but it has been pretty clear that they would not allow a private club any longer on the pier.
It’s interesting that Ms. Harrison referred to Ocean Grove as “historic” but we have pointed out that the CMA uses the name “Ocean Grove” in a variety of ways, and the CMA has shown little interest in the Grove’s secular history since their main focus has been their “mission,” a concept that has never been clarified publicly as it pertains to the residential, secular community of “Ocean Grove.”
So, again, how will they manage the new pier? Will they keep it secular for everyone in town to enjoy? Can these two factions dance cheek to cheek in the future?
EVA CASSIDY Live at Blues Alley (A wonderful jazz club near Dupont Circle in D.C. which I used to frequent during my med school years in Washington.)
Maybe yoga would be allowed if you were a Christian yoga tribe?
Or flew Christian flag whist in warrior pose? I say this as a Christian.
I’ve loved visiting but it’s gotten heavy handed and it’s clear the CMA doesn’t represent the vast majority of folks living in the Grove in 2022.
I’m glad it’s remained dry, aside from that there’s little to be proud of.
The ceremonial emptying of a chamber pot from the end of the pier would revive the structure’s original mission. It was not built for fishing.
Our long withstanding morning yoga group was recently banned from the pier and the boardwalk by the CMA. I am trying to maintain my inner peace but my Namaste has been halted by the CMA.
Of course they won’t keep it secular! They don’t care what the residents think or want. (Also with the fitness path) There used to be 1 cross on the beach for decades, now CMA beach buildings have crosses on them, plus our beach badges.
Now the pier will be a large cross. It’s overkill and unwelcoming to anyone that doesn’t fit into their brand of Christianity. OGCMA makes it clear if you are not one of ‘them’, they don’t want you here.