Blogfinger

A flag flies at night over the old OG fishing pier. Paul Goldfinger photo. How do we Grovers feel about the pier?

August 22, 2022.  Ocean Grove.  Blogfinger.net

Editorial by Paul Goldfinger

Today a lead article appeared on NJ.com by Jackie Roman about the decision to design the Ocean Grove pier in the shape of a cross.

The reporter was ill-equipped to take on this assignment because he/she  lacks knowledge of our town and of  the Camp Meeting and its effect on the culture of a small community where most residents are secular.

She knows nothing of the tapestry of issues which concern Grovers such as Fran the Yoga Man, the North End fiasco, the aggressive expansion of programs by the CMA, the presence of Christian symbols all over town, and even the history of the pier and what it looked like in the past.

The story was a hodge-podge because instead of focusing on the pier, the piece brings up the 2007 discrimination case against gays as if that has an important part in today’s topic.

The writer also fell off the rails by discussing  “land-lease” agreements, the pier fundraising details, the prior fishing club, and even some connect-the-dots national issues.

But getting back to the cross design, the reporter interviewed Michael Badger, CMA President:  “When asked if the pier was purposely redesigned to resemble a Christian cross, seen as a representation of the crucifixion of Jesus, Badger said the design was ‘highly functional, to be in the shape that it’s been designed to be'”.  

Double talk?

The article also gave Badger credit for asserting  that “the design is practical, functional and an improvement over the prior design.”   Badger also is quoted as saying that the “completed pier will provide a publicly accessible attraction for all to enjoy: new opportunities for our community; future programs; and enjoyment for generations to come.”

Which “community”and which programs  does he have in mind?

And what about fishing?

The NJ.com piece does contain some very interesting information:  Evidently the project “received approvals from the state under the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act” according to Neptune Township Business Administrator Gina LaPlaca.

She also is quoted as saying, “Because it is property owned by the OGCMA and over water, the Township did not have any zoning authority over the pier’s placement or design.”

This is astonishing —is it true?      Where does the HPC fit into this scenario?

A local attorney, Shane Martins, is quoted, “Since the pier project did not have to go through local officials for approval, many residents were surprised by the new cross-shaped pier design.”  He made some other remarks which you can view if you read the entire piece.

You can read the piece on line:  NJ.com but you may have to subscribe.  Newspapers are moving that way because they want to be paid if you read their publications. That’s not unreasonable except for Blogfinger where we proudly function in the red.

I think that any outside reader who is unaware of Ocean Grove’s complex  issues and who reads this NJ.Com piece would be  baffled in trying to understand the dynamics of  the Grove and how the pier topic fits into the tapestry of our town.

Only on Blogfinger will you able to get a sense of our cultural and demographic situation.  When will a media reporter take the time to walk around town and interview we-the-people.?  And that includes big time media such as National Geographic and the recent piece in The NY Times.

CAST OF OLIVER.  “Where is Love?”