Ocean Grove Fishing Pier, November 1, 2013. Paul Goldfinger photo. Click to enlarge
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net 5/21/2014.
Just when the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) thought that everything was going right, the local FEMA project office notified the CMA that the fishing pier was ruled ineligible for FEMA public assistance because it is entirely recreational (unlike the boardwalk) and it falls under the rules for nonprofit entities. This notification was received on May 16, 2014.
At a meeting tonight with the Community Leaders Group, COO J.P. Gradone announced this disturbing news. He said, “It shocked and disappointed us.”
“However,” he said, “We have a positive working relationship with FEMA and we will appeal.” Once again, the Governor’s office will supply consultants to help the CMA navigate these suddenly stormy waters. He also said, “We plan to pursue available assistance through other federal, state and charitable resources to complement potential FEMA funding.”
The CMA had attended several recent meetings with the local FEMA office regarding the three-phased project (1= middle beach; 2=North End; and 3=fishing pier,) and at those meetings the CMA received verbal commitments for all 3 phases. Mr. Gradone said, “There was no indication that there would be anything but total project approval for the 3 phases.”
However, in March, during the process of expediting the middle beach phase, the fishing pier phase 3 was removed from the project plan. At first this just seemed like routine paper work, but it actually was the beginning of a broken promise. Unfortunately , none of the written communications from FEMA ever formally mentioned the fishing pier. The estimated cost of the fishing pier is $1.1 million.
Attending the meeting this evening, besides the Community Leaders Group and J.P. Gradone, were CMA President Dale Whilden and CMA official Bill Bailey.
The appeal process provides for 60 days to file an appeal to regional FEMA. The appeal will be similar to that for the boardwalk–to try to persuade them that the pier is more than just recreational. Meanwhile, the CMA has continued to place discussions about the private Fishing Club on hold.
Regarding the current status of funding for the boardwalk project (middle beach and North End), the $2.3 million has been allocated by Congress. This is about 90% of the total needed for the Boardwalk. The rest will be provided with funds that were raised through the Ocean Grove Together Fund.
Neptune Township has issued a bond for $1.4 million to get things going at the Middle Beach, and it will be reimbursed by the CMA once the actual payment arrives from FEMA. COO Gradone said, “It’s a very complicated process, and we will work with the State while maintaining a positive attitude.”
Regarding the Together Fund’s $1.6 million, that will be used to pay towards the balance on the boardwalk, the Great Auditorium roof work (which will begin soon), and for a restoration of the Thornley Chapel. A full accounting of all these financial aspects will be presented at the Town Meeting on June 21.
Editor’s note; 3/12/23. At Blogfinger, after Sandy, we were critical of Governor Christy for not visiting the Grove. But it turns out that the Governor’s “people” were instrumental in getting FEMA to reverse its initial decision. And the Governor came to the dedication ceremony.
The CMA was disappointed about the reversal regarding the pier and they could have tried another appeal, but the decision was made that another appeal may ruffle too many federal feathers.
And now (March 12, 2023) 9 years later, we see the pier about to be completed.
When the pier in the shape of a cross discussion kicked in a few years ago, some supporters said that no one could see the cross unless they were in an airplane, and it looks like they were right. It remains to be seen how the Camp Meeting will utilize the pier. Will there be fishing, and what will the rules be? And will there be religious events there?
THE PEARLFISHERS. “Is It Any Wonder?” Album Across the Milky Way.
“Finally, there is one solid promise that was made last year by Interim Camp Meeting COO Ralph delCampo, and he made the promise several times when he said, ‘No matter what, the Fishing Pier will be rebuilt.'”
To have a chance to get public funding from FEMA, the CMA should have said access to the pier will have 100 percent public access. But by leaving open the idea that you have the pier rebuilt the way it was — with private locked gates (and few actual fishermen, mind you) — I think the CMA ruined the application. Again, the CMA want both of best worlds: private where they want it, public when they want it — but all with public funds.
These are ambiguous requests, and that why they lose them. Just write, “100 percent public access without restriction,” and you will clear it up. No conspiracy theories.
That is why the CMA lost the Pavilion case. They took the Green Acres funding promising 100 percent public access without restriction — then broke the promise. The CMA has to really just commit to 100 percent public access, of pay for it themselves.
Bob: The CMA and the Fishing Club were still in discussion in 2012 about the Irene (2011) pier damage, when Sandy hit and changed everything. Here is a relevant article from BF that was written right before Sandy hit: —Paul @Blogfinger
http://blogfinger.net/2012/10/22/cma-og-fishing-club-uncertain-about-repairs-to-pier/
I was under the impression (I could be wrong) that the OG Fishing Club paid for the wider (now destroyed) far end of the pier, which I incorporated in my daily 5K before Sandy.
The wide area open to the public was maybe a third or a half of the far area of the pier.
I don’t fish and I barely have the patience to wait for service at the fish counter at Wegman’s, but I’m grateful if the club members were good enough to pay for building that end of the pier and allowed public access.
If the club building is replaced with a gazebo, wouldn’t Neptune need a law to prevent people from fishing from the gazebo? And then where would Ralph (RIP) fish?
I used to go out on the pier when the Fishing Clubhouse ate up the end of the pier. It was so strange. Like this huge, empty private property with a huge keep-them-out gate. Occasionally you would see someone fishing. In a summer, you may see five or guys. But almost all of the time it was a lifeless place.
I guess if you want to cast a reel or reel something in, you don’t want to twack someone in the head. But it was a Berlin Wall solution to a Miss Manners problem.
I too am enjoying the use of the whole pier-and that view at the end overlooking the ocean! Yes -a gazebo!
A gazebo at the end of the pier….what a nice idea!
Some interesting ideas, love planks for sale and the Gazebo. Great for special events and can be non secular. Good work!
They should rebuild without the fishing club and put a nice victorian gazebo at the end — open to all.
They should, to raise funds, sell planks.
The fishing club was always an ugly eysore. Much better now that it is gone.
The chain link fenced club was really an offensive presence. If the pier is rebuilt — and certainly if it is rebuilt with state, local or federal funds — it seems only fair and appropriate that the pier be fully available for use by the public, and not by a club.
I believe the Fishing Club offered to pay the cost for building their short section at the end of the fishing pier that it leased from the CMA. This was contingent upon working out a new lease; the discussions went nowhere.
A former member, ken.
I don’t have the patience to fish, but I was considering applying for Fishing Club membership so that I could help with the rebuilding.
I incorporated the length of the pier in my daily 5K before Sandy so I have used the Club’s facilities to a limited extent. The OG Fishing Club doesn’t seem to have a website? Or at least I couldn’t find one. (Maybe they could offer “supporter” non-fishing Fishing Club memberships?)
How can FEMA release funds for a structure with gates and restricted access?
I’m not surprised that FEMA declined funds for the fishing pier. As a 10 plus year summer resident of OG, I always felt that the Fishing Pier was in fact a private club. While I have not applied for membership, I was lead to believe that there was a waiting list to join. After Sandy, quite frankly, I have enjoyed very much sitting at the end of the pier with a complete and unobstructed view of the ocean.