Grovers have better things to do than read the Coaster about the pier design. Paul Goldfinger photo. 9/21/22 ©. OG boardwalk.
Today’s Coaster (9/22/22) contains front page breaking news: “Ocean Grove Pier Construction Continues as Scheduled”*
This is the fifth recent Coaster front page story about the pier.
The piece consists of one self serving Badger quote after another with no expressions from whatever other side still exists. And today the headline offers no new news whatsoever.
He and the reporter even took it upon themselves to speak for our State Senator and to report on his mail which, they say, is overwhelmingly in favor of the cross design. Really? Who cares, and can’t he speak for himself?
As for the journalism here, judge for yourself. Here is a paragraph from that front page Coaster pier story written by Carol Gorka Williams regarding whether residents are “concerned” about the cross-shaped design:
“Some residents thought it was ‘too religious’ for this community founded by Methodists and maintained by a Christian leadership. Others thought it may have been insensitive as a conservative symbol disrespecting the gay and transgender communities, for example.”
Is this not Gibberish with a capitol G?
And as for Badger, here is a quote from him in this Coaster article:
“We are a welcoming Community,” Badger said. “Senator Gopal believes it is good for the public to be heard and he is right and we have heard the public. The pier project has secured the appropriate permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees coastal projects, among other responsibilities. It acknowledged the design is consistent with the protection of marine ecology.”
Is this not a bizarre conversation in the press? Is Badger not avoiding the real issues? And why does he continue to bang away at this topic which is currently dead in the water.
Most of the article contains statements by Badger defending the decision of the pier design. He had originally said that the cross shape would have practical usefulness, but in this article Badger says, “While the design is highly functional, the shape of the pier can serve to remind people of the love and forgiveness God has for all people.”
Really? How come the design’s supporters keep saying that you can only see the cross if you are flying above? Which is it?
And is this new pier going to be a large religious icon or not? If it is, then maybe more conversation would be required to further discuss the place of public religion in this largely secular, American democratic town.
All the quotes above are from the Coaster. If you want to read the entire CMA pier-advocacy piece disguised as journalism, you will have to spend $1.00 and read it yourself.
As far as Blogfinger’s opinion, we have said before that we are not interested in debating this matter any longer, but a T shape design (with a capital T) would have been a better design choice.
However, what concerns us now is the process: Biased sloppy word-salad reporting in the Coaster, and contradictory gibberish offered up by President Michael Badger as he struggles to explain why the cross idea is a great idea . His style of trying to twist the public’s arms by recurrent Coaster interviews makes him look desperate to defend his cause and makes the Coaster look like somebody’s mama.
*Actually, no “construction” has occurred as of 9/21/22.
THE KING SISTERS: We could call this conversation “The Jersey Bounce”