By  Paul Goldfinger,  Editor Blogfinger.net

In 2019, a design of the new pier was revealed on Blogfinger. It was alarming to see, because  it was in the shape of a cross.  But maybe that was only a trial balloon–a preliminary sketch.

At that time the fund-raising for the pier and other CMA projects had just begun.   Then there was silence.  We wonder if they showed this design during their fund raising publicity.

2019 design posted on Blogfinger.

This past week the CMA released a story to the Coastericans about the dedication of the new pier.  But strangely, the front page article had no picture of the design, and the story did not mention that critical information.

We reviewed the  Coaster piece and stated that their journalism was a joke because there was no picture.  Actually we described their reporting as “pathetic.”

At the dedication yesterday, a picture of the pier was held up, but no one could see it clearly—yet it got a round of applause.

At Blogfinger we were concerned.  Who would hire such an incompetent photographer?  Or was the picture purposely made to be unrecognizable?

Today we received a copy of the design picture from a reader who found it on the Internet. It is a computer generated concept.

It looks a lot like the crappy photo shown at the dedication from afar on the stage.

Proposed OG pier. Internet photo. July 30, 2022.

This is the best we could do with our photo software:

So, there it is:  A pier in the shape of a cross.  You cannot argue that this is primarily a functional design .  If function is the priority then a T shaped pier would do just fine and could enhance the amount of usable space for fishermen, lifeguards, shelter, etc.

And, by the way, did the HPC agree to this design?  After all, the pier is a historic structure in OG, and the original design was not reproduced as is the usual routine for historic architecture.

We have been reporting on the aggressive takeover of our town’s presence and lifestyles towards the goal of creating a “Christian Seaside Resort.”   We are on two historic registers:  state and national, and this important structure is not historic.

The CMA put a happy face on yesterday’s event, but they did not discuss the design of the pier.  They mentioned “extensions.”   The picture they showed was useless–subterfuge!

The CMA is making no secret of their planned takeover of Ocean Grove.

At the dedication, Catherine Harrison, the fund raising chairperson, made their purpose clear.  She said that “Ocean Grove is a vibrant ministry. It’s God’s Square Mile. Our fund raising for the pier has a fundamental belief that God has a vibrant future for the ministry of Ocean Grove and that our best days are yet to come.”

There was no mention of the actual town of Ocean Grove and the people who live here.

Her use of the term “Ocean Grove ministry ” refers to a religious concept not a place where there is diversity and where all sorts of people live.    She did not admit that this “ministry” is promoted by a minority group in town, many of whom  are not from here.  She should have defined the word “ministry” as it applies to the Grove.

And she ignored the fact that we have many new secular residents in town.

When we first moved here we admired the low key balance between secular and religious.  But that balance is no more.  The Camp Meeting is different now.    OG is not the town we discovered 20 years ago

Will the residents of this town stand for this?  Will Neptune Township protect  their “historic district?”  Does Neptune want the Grove to become a Christian enclave?

So far it looks like the CMA will continue its plan unimpeded and without apology.

For those who are seriously upset over what is happening, they will have to organize an opposition, suck it up, or move out of town.

A sociologist would have a field day in Ocean Grove.  Bring it on.

Where is the Monmouth University interest in this fascinating place which was first revealed 20 years ago in a superb historic analysis?

In 2002, Karen Schmelzkopf, a professor at Monmouth University, wrote a paper called “Landscape, Ideology, and Religion: a Geography of Ocean Grove, New Jersey.”  She promised to followup in the Grove, but that never happened.