The OGCMA and the OGHOA have a long, shared history that began with the founding of the OGHOA in 1953; first working in partnership to rebuild and restore our then-neglected town, followed by years of comfortable co-existence, and now, it seems, in growing conflict.
Controversy is percolating in Ocean Grove over certain actions by the OGCMA – in service of their religious mission – for example, an increase in the display of religious symbols in town, and a perceived hardening in the CMA’s attitude toward the non-Methodist and secular residents in town.
These issues include the CMA construction of a cross-shaped pier; the CMA assertion that owning the land under our homes gives the CMA license to do as they want and we can leave if we don’t like it here; and a CMA failure to openly support our LGBTQ community. The OGHOA is in a bind, as parties most affected by these CMA actions have demanded that we take aggressive positions critical of the CMA, positions that could conflict with our commitment to represent the full spectrum of our membership. Some of our members are even urging that the OGHOA cease holding meetings in a CMA-owned room.
While the initial goal for this Forum is to consider these issues in more detail, a more important goal is to better understand where our membership truly stands on these issues. That is why we encourage all our members, with all of your diverse points of view, to attend and participate in this Forum.
Those of us who do not live in OG would be interested in seeing the provisions of the ground lease. This would put many things in perspective.