The real Ocean Grove. The North End will be a huge aberration as a historic site. Paul Goldfinger. Lake Avenue overlooking the detention/retention basin, Ocean Grove NJ. Click once to enlarge.
Will we? Blogfinger.net. Paul Goldfinger photo 2019. Ocean Grove, NJ, USA
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Ocean Grove, NJ, USA. Blogfinger.net:
a. Grovers will not cooperate with the HPC. The Township has chosen hypocrisy, mediocrity, and ill-will.
b. Our historic tradition has been compromised now. Will we retain our historic designations without a functioning HPC?
c. Who will want to serve on a sham HPC?
d. Once again Neptune has proven its indifference to the Grove. More of us will view Neptune governance with increased skepticism.
e. Because the reasons given for the “Yes” vote are irrational and not in the spirit of our community and our history, a movement to secede will bubble to the surface. How about our version of a “Tea Party” How about protests?
f. The concerns in town towards the Camp Meeting Association among secular Grovers will grow, leaving trust further behind.
g. The real estate market and home values will be disrupted. How will realtors deal with this turn of events? Will more Grovers place their homes on the market and move to Florida? Is it time to say goodbye?
h. The OG North End will literally be attached to the Asbury south side. That part of the Grove will become a huge tourist attraction causing noise, dirt, visual chaos and frustration involving parking.
i. How will this affect the demographics in town? We already have shifting demos.
j. How will this affect the ambitions and vision of the Christian Seaside Community?
k. What will happen to those Grovers who live at the North End? Will they try to sell their homes now?
l. Will future developers now be able to do what they want with their projects, and how will this ruling affect the current North End plan?
m. Will the Home Owners Ass. join with their Legal Committee and become activists instead of thumb suckers?
n. Watch for culture shock and change. Will we feel happy walking to the North End? Is not our happiness important to the Neptuners? You know the answer.
What do you think?
SARAH BRIGHTMAN and ANDREA BOCELLI: Is it time to say goodbye?
Paul:
I agree with all of the consequences you have listed regarding the decision to allow the redevelopment to continue in the North End.
I am so angry, disgusted and disillusioned with local government. They have stripped the HPC of power and I believe their decision will have far reaching consequences for our town – lower property values , loss of historic status , loss of the beauty we all treasure.
What struck me from the meeting was how residents admitted how much going through the HPC process was trying, but still had great respect for their contributions. I wish I could feel the same about our local government. They have failed us once again.
I always found the 2019 North End restaurant fire curious as a fire sprinkler system had been installed there in 1967.
David H. Fox
When the White Whale burned down at the North End, fire trucks were lined up and some could not get near the fire, much less manipulate all those vehicles. The fire safety issue has not been clarified. What do those OG firemen have to say?
I know David, but that is unjust and keeps us enslaved to the cynical Neptune voters. It’s not right. Maybe some justice oriented lawyers could free us from this tyranny. Paul
OG secession has come up in the past including early on in 1980. To do this, one needs a majority vote in the district leaving and a majority in the remaining district. Neptune residents fear higher taxes if OG leaves and will vote this down as has happened in the past.
I came across a curious statistic recently. “The buildings within the grounds on October 1st, 1897 number 1,297, of which 87 are hotels.” —OGT (22 Jan. 1898)
David H. Fox
What no one has been able to explain to me is access to this very remote site. There is no direct access! Heavy trucks and equipment coming into town either by Broadway or Main then rumbling along Ocean all day long.