OG pier 5/3/24. Blogfinger photo.
Workmen prepare for pier reopening. 5/3/24. 10 am. Paul Goldfinger photo.
The front page of the 5/3/24 Coaster declared that a “report” says a portion of pier is “safe to reopen”, but who’s in charge of this news? Let’s consider some quotes from the Coaster article:
Ok, “Report says…” But since when does a newspaper give credit to a report? Who really is responsible for this worrisome prognosis and decision?
“After months of uncertainty Neptune Business Administrator Gina LaPlaca updated the public on the status of the shuttered ocean feature.”
(“Shuttered ocean feature? “) Someone at the Coaster needs to return to journalism school.
Did you all know that Ms. LaPlaca originally refused to accept any responsibility on behalf of Neptune Township when questioned about pier safety in the past? Now, all of a sudden she’s being interviewed about the latest pier news.
When did the Neptune roll change? ( Scroll down to our post from 5/2 which gets into this point in more detail.)
We know that the press were told in October, 2022 by Michael Badger that approvals were a State function and not local.
A citizen, Shane Martins, was also involved in questioning this point back then.
In fact, the CMA has been out front of the pier story since 2022 by proclaiming that it owns, operates and makes decisions such as hiring the latest consultants about the pier. But evidently the pier engineer, Avakian, was also involved in choosing the latest consultant McLaren who, presumably is now in charge of decisions to reopen.
State officials became part of the news as concerns began to be developed about pier safety, and now we have the McLaren consultants who have been busy looking for dolphins while swimming under the pier, and evidently they are not finished.
But if they are not finished, why would they allow part of the pier to reopen? Are they that good? Let’s see their latest report instead of just unsigned press releases from the CMA.
According to the Coaster, “LaPlaca said McLaren sent a letter to the Township informing them of their findings”. Really? Why is McLaren sending safety and construction reports to the Township? And when did LaPlaca become spokesman for the pier safety concerns? Has the CMA found a place to hide?
If the CMA is no longer in charge of communicating with the public, then who is? The Neptuners? They don’t even know how to deal with safety in Firemen’s Park.
And the next paragraph by the Coastericans says, “The letter confirms their assessment that the upland portion of the pier may be safely reopened as it utilizes previously existing piles that are generally not exposed to normal wave action,” she said.
Anybody willing to venture onto the pier based on this nonsense?
When did this Neptune official become an expert in pier safety? Why doesn’t McLaren speak to the public and the press?
And to refer to “upland portion of the pier may be safely reopened” means that a new spokesman is required to communicate with knowledgeable press like the Coastericans.
Then the reporter, after interviewing LaPlaca, goes on to say, “Township officials have been routinely questioned about their role in overseeing the pier, but have responded that the pier is the property and responsibility of the OGCMA.”
So, who’s on first?
In our opinion at the Blogfinger headquarters, much more must be revealed to the public, and where are the State inspectors, before the public is allowed back on the pier boards?
And the CMA has to reveal what their role will be going forward and taking responsibility for public safety. They own the pier and they hired the consultants, so where are they today?
And when will LaPlaca be returned to her usual job counting beans at the Neptune headquarters.
And who at the Township will take responsibility for going forward? Doesn’t Neptune have lawyers, engineers and construction experts? They are, after all, in charge of approving a massive project at the North End.
And when will the Coaster take responsibility for the gobbledygook put out by its reporters?
Boardwalk flag pole by the pier this morning 5/3/24 Who died? Let’s hope this is not a bad omen. Blogfinger photo.TIM CURRY OF SPAMALOT: