Blogfinger

Montclair State Univ. studios in Shmitt Hall.

MSU campus

Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

I was invited to participate in a panel discussion at the FM studios of Montclair State University on Monday, October 14. After parking on the fifth floor deck of the Red Hawk parking facility, we (Eileen came along) found ourselves on a busy campus trying to locate Shmitt Hall, a new building, tucked off to the side.

I noticed that most of the students are coeds, and it turns out that 61% are, in fact, female. We don’t know why, but by comparison, at Princeton, 49% are female. We stopped two students to ask directions, but they were a little lost also: one was a freshman and the other was a transfer student. But it seemed like a dynamic and vibrant campus.

Finally we made our way to the elegant Shmitt Hall where we met Mary Mann and Debbie Galant of NJ News Commons at the School of Communications and Media. The studios were modern and impressive. My two fellow panelists were heavy hitters from the world of New Jersey media. I felt like the kid with short pants in the room. Those guys were engaged in “big talk” about issues such as rating the Governor’s performance in the Sandy recovery, the importance of tourism to the NJ economy, the poor people who have not been able to get their homes back, the rising ocean levels, global warming, and media performance. I almost fell out of my chair when they actually spent a while talking about why the barrier islands should be or not be abandoned.

But I did have the opportunity to make some “small talk” about our situation in Ocean Grove, however the conversation was not geared to spending much time on our problems. I irritated the Star Ledger columnist by complaining about imprecise media coverage of the OG FEMA story. I guess I missed his column, but there were quite a few stories in the press that claimed that our FEMA denial was because we are a private, non-profit entity, but the real reason is more complicated than that, and Mark DiLonno of the Star Ledger got it right during this panel, so pay attention to what he says which is the best explanation I have heard so far to describe our problem with FEMA.

I do think that I was able to offer the example of our unusual situation which could be described as part of a tapestry of current New Jersey post-Sandy troubles, many of which will have ramifications for many years beyond now that are economic, personal, environmental, political and social. If you listen to the 30 minute podcast (below) you will hear some interesting discussions about the Jersey Shore post-Sandy.

I did get to make the point that Ocean Grove is unique in our volunteer and fundraising efforts, and that we are not facing some of the daunting financial problems of other towns around here who have borrowed millions, but who have not received much repayment from the Feds so far. But that part was edited out.

However, I am grateful to the fine personnel at MSU and NJ News Commons for allowing me to participate in the discussion. NJ News Commons is a really good and unique source of NJ information on the internet. They are cutting edge for local news.

I was criticized recently by a BF commenter for essentially beating a dead horse with my FEMA exhortations, but repetition of issues that are important to us represent keeping a metaphorical spotlight lit, so that we are not lost in the shuffle. That’s why I went on the radio and why I will continue keeping this subject flying from our town e-flagpole. We will get our boardwalk back, and we all can help by keeping the hope alive.

HERE IS THE PODCAST:

Oct 14 podcast. One year since Sandy

JOHNN PIZZARELLI: “I LIke Jersey Best.”