OG pier project as seen in mid-October. Paul Goldfinger photo.
Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. 11/6/22
Now that we are faced with a resurgence of debate regarding the cross shaped pier, Blogfinger brings us up-to-date starting December 2021 to the Neptune United group rattling the church vs state cages again in November, 2022.
Blogfinger post December 2021 about whether religious symbols should appear in OG public spaces:
Blogfinger: Here is an August 2022 post about Piergate in Blogfinger:
We posted parts of the Patch piece below in August 2022 to review where we stood regarding “Piergate” and related matters.
Belmar Manasquan news source on line reports on OG pier issue. 8/2022.
From the Patch.com: (Manasquan and Belmar). August 2022, “Jamie Jackson*, the chief operating officer of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, told News 12 his group makes ‘no apology for that we love the fact that it looks like a cross. This is a religious town founded as such and most people are excited we will be able to have this pier shaped this way for these purposes.”‘
Then Michael Badger told the Patch:
“We did not start out to create a cross-shaped pier to make a statement. What we wanted to do was expand access to the water, expand viewing points to look at the Atlantic Ocean and give more fishing spots than the old pier had, but as we went along, we realized it looked like a cross and that seemed pretty cool to us. We recognize the shape and we are very excited to present it to the community. We do celebrate our faith.”
The Patch also posted what Grover Shane Martins told them: “I am concerned that in Ocean Grove, government and religion are so inextricably intertwined as to be inseparable from one another … violat[ing] both the letter and spirit of the First Amendment. Therefore, I call on our local leaders, those who are actually elected, to get involved and conduct an investigation immediately, before the potential violation of the constitutional rights of thousands of their constituents. I hope our local leaders will be on the right side of history.”
Mayor Williams of Neptune has said nothing about all this.
But Martins, a lawyer, is quoted again by the Patch: “Martins said he has asked the ACLU, operating from their Newark office, to look into the pier. Badger said as far as he knows, there have been no legal filings or injunctions filed against the new pier.”
*An unnamed source tells Blogfinger that Mr. Jackson is no longer with the CMA.
Editors note: Blogfinger.net: 11/6/22
On Blogfinger we have been concerned about possible church vs state issues in a town where the boardwalk and pier are owned by the CMA but where both those thoroughfares are open and recognized for public use.
In America, any place which is recognized as being for public use, such as a municipal building and its grounds, or the OG boardwalk, should separate church and state.
So it seems to us that there should be no cross shape for the pier and no religious symbols on display in public spaces such as the huge cross on the beach, the creche in Firemen’s Park, and the religious services on the boardwalk where anyone just walking by can see and hear and be proselytized . And there should be no baptisms on the beach and no Christian music in the parks or on the boardwalk, especially if amplified.
These potential Constitutional violations, as enunciated by Shane Martins in the Patch news source, seem to be more important than “Piergate” which refers to the controversy about pier design.
And below is the latest article on Blogfinger about this subject dated September 16, 2022.
At Blogfinger we find these topics to be fascinating, so we will keep our oar in the water.
NAT “KING”COLE: “Fascination.”
The length of the pier is supported in part by what is behind it. The arms do not have this and the ocean may have the final say in the matter.
Laura: You have every right to be mixed up, but little of what you say makes sense. On Blogfinger we believe in free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom from religion according to our laws.
The argument here does not make any sense. The OG boardwalk is not a municipal building. Should all churches and synagogues and other houses of worship take off their crosses and religious symbols because they are on PUBLIC streets?
Don’t come to Ocean Grove if its rich Christian heritage offends you. Don’t ruin my town’s unique character. Its such a small town. It is diverse and welcoming but also has a long history with traditions that should not be erased.
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The Pier is, well, in the eye of the beholder.
A cross? or a design used in other locations.
Will it be functional? cThat’s the point!
I’m happy it’s being built . It will be stronger and hold more people.
This controversy won’t deter people from visiting Ocean Grove.
The Religious events are a continuation of our History.
Ocean Grove was a Methodist Camp Site. Probably lots of singing and baptisms all the time. To witness a little of it
is spiritual to me. Bringing me back in time.
Judging by the lack of parking spaces, and the flocks of visitors, I don’t think people will fret much about the Pier.
I am not Methodist but I live in Ocean Grove because it’s unique
for more than Quaint Victorian houses! I happen to like the shape of the new pier! Let’s all be tolerant and not tear our community asunder over a very functional shape that all can enjoy!