Camp Meeting schedule on the boardwalk. Where does it say that the OGCMA sponsors all this? Read the small print. Instead it largely says “Ocean Grove” on top. They like to pretend that the name”Ocean Grove” is synonymous with the CMA. Blogfinger photo 8/21/23. Click to enlarge and read it.
The OG boardwalk is a public thoroughfare, and this sign, next to the pavilion, may technically be on CMA property, but everyone is subjected to it as they go by. Monday 8/21/23. Blogfinger photo.
And this public thoroughfare, boardwalk, is partially blocked by CMA ads. Can I post a Blogfinger ad over there? And how about Days Ice Cream ads? Or yoga man ads? Blogfinger photo. 8/21/23 Monday 9 am.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove the town, not the church. 8/21/23.
We have complained before about the mis-use of language by the OG Camp Meeting Association, especially the confusion brought on by their use of “Ocean Grove.”
In this poster attached to the boardwalk pavilion, an acknowledged religious building, you can see what has gone on in the Grove sponsored by the CMA, but you will notice that the poster does not mention the CMA as sponsor. Instead it says on top: “Ocean Grove : Your Christian Seaside Resort.”
If you were a stranger on the “public thoroughfare” Ocean Grove boards, you would think that Ocean Grove is a religious town, which it is not. The CMA has made it clear that they would like to turn the Grove into an actual “Christian Seaside Resort”. But so far—no.
They could call it that now if they were to publicize that sub-title and make clear that they are referring to their properties and practices, but the name Ocean Grove should be reserved for the secular, residential and historic American democratic town which it is, and which the NJ legislature and the courts would verify if this were challenged.
Also, in our post of 8/20, we compared the dominance of CMA events in season compared to what happens in the small shore town of Bradley Beach. The CMA’s volume of activities here exceeds all the other types including the Chamber of Commercials. Neptune Township sponsors essentially no activities in the Grove because they have an understanding with the CMA which goes back to the founding.
And while we are on the subject, Neptune United has announced that they lodged a complaint with the NJDEP about the Sunday morning chains and locks at entrances.
The NU claimed a victory in Next Door, but big deal! Blogfinger has documented what goes at those Sunday entrances, and chain or no chain, anyone who wished can enter the beach. This is like a rooster crowing at the dawn. It has no lasting impact. The real issue is the Sunday beach closure itself.
Note: We received the DEP document below after we posted this article. Obviously the CMA will stop with the locks and chains, but it won’t change anything; just make the CMA be embarrassed.
And there are two sides to the Sunday situation. I recently witnessed a Sunday gate clash in person, and those gate crashers were rude and obnoxious, barging physically and easily across the chains and ignoring the established policy of the CMA.
The CMA has banned their employees from discussing these matters with the press including Blogfinger. I think that sucks and violates the freedom of speech of its workers.
This morning I heard a fragment of a conversation by two CMA beach employees. They were talking about this situation, and one said, “One of them called my son a Nazi.” Do I believe it, yes I do, and Grover complainers need to find a non-violent and more sympathetic way to express their views!
I don’t like the chains and locks either, as you may know from my complaints regarding the chain and lock at Firemen’s Park, another public thoroughfare.
Neptune United should bring a “separation of church and state” suit against the CMA if they want to spend a fortune making a point on principle.
I have learned that the people of this town turn the other cheek regarding such trespasses by the CMA.
DORIS DAY AND DANNY THOMAS: Grovers are having too much fun to worry about these topics.
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