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Sunset Avenue Bridge progress report

Posted in Asbury Connection, Blogfinger News, Blogfinger Presents, Photography: Jersey Shore Gallery, tagged on August 24, 2015|

Sunset AVenue on the west side of the bridge under construction. Blogfinger photo. ©

Sunset Avenue at Deal Lake extension.    Photo taken from the west side of the bridge under construction. Blogfinger photo. ©  click to enlarge

If you like to use Sunset Avenue in Asbury Park as a route to Wegmans and Route 35, you will have to wait until the middle of 2016. The bridge reconstruction is making progress, but they have a long way to go   (see the photo above.)

You can still pick up Sunset Avenue off Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Township. Just take Main Street north in Asbury and then turn left on 4th Avenue. This is a beautiful street in AP.  Turn right at the end onto Wickapecko and then turn left onto Sunset Ave. by the firehouse with the politically incorrect Indian (oops Native American) on the side.

But make sure you follow the 25 mph speed limit on 4th Ave.  And if you get lost, hope that you wind up with Jimmy Buffett  living on sponge cake in Margaritaville.

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MEDICAL: Coffee consumption may be linked to reduced mortality risk.

Posted in Blogfinger News, Healthcare Topics @Blogfinger, tagged on August 19, 2015| 2 Comments »

Coffee time at Nagle’s. By Paul Goldfinger


This article was first published on Blogfinger in 2012. There is an update at the end.: *

NBC Nightly News (5/16/12) reported that a new study suggests that “coffee drinkers are slightly more likely to live longer than non-coffee drinkers.”

The Los Angeles Times (5/17/12) reports that for the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “the National Cancer Institute researchers turned to data on 402,260 adults who were between the ages of 50 and 71 when they joined the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study in 1995 and 1996.

The volunteers were followed through December 2008 or until they died — whichever came first.” The researchers found that, “compared with men who didn’t drink any coffee at all, those who drank just one cup per day had a 6% lower risk of death during the course of the study; those who drank two to three cups per day had a 10% lower risk, and those who had four to five cups had a 12% lower risk.”

Blogfinger Medical Commentary   by Paul Goldfinger, MD, FACC:

This is what we have to say about coffee in our book  “Prevention Does Work:  A Guide to a Healthy Heart” by Eileen and Paul Goldfinger, published 2011, prior to this coffee study:

“Coffee drinking confers no protection (against heart disease,) and some studies in the past have suggested an increased risk with coffee. If coffee is boiled, as in Europe, it can raise cholesterol levels, but if filtered, as in the U.S., it does not. In addition, some studies suggest a health benefit of coffee in lowering the risk of gall bladder disease and colon cancer. A recent trial suggested that coffee can protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Some individuals are sensitive to the caffeine in coffee and can experience heart palpitations, anxiety and insomnia. It is not true that all heart patients need to eliminate caffeine, but you should check with your doctor. Watch for hidden sources of caffeine such as colas and dark chocolate.  One cup of tea has 50 mg., while coffee (brewed) has 135 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. cup. Colas contain 37-45 mg.in 12 oz, while dark chocolate has 30 mg.  in a 1 1/2 oz  bar.”

The trial described above is almost amusing since the relationship between coffee and dying in this study  is a happy one for those of us who like coffee, but it doesn’t give a clue as to how the relationship works.  Research trials in the past have been contradictory in terms of coffee as a risk factor for coronary heart disease.  In one trial, they postulated that the milk we put in coffee accounts for an increased risk. I’ve always been suspicious of that conclusion because the milk we use in coffee doesn’t amount to much.

Skim milk is awful in coffee, and half ‘n half seems to me to be a scary item.  Coffeemate contains high fructose corn syrup.  My own approach is to use skim- plus in my coffee  (that is skim milk with extra milk solids, so it is creamy, but is non-fat and has calcium and protein—a pretty darn good product in my anecdotal opinion).  But if I’m at Wegmans and get coffee, they don’t offer skim-plus, so I use whole milk because I can’t believe that the one ounce of milk will hurt me.

So, now that this New England Journal of Medicine study has been hyped by  the media, what have we learned?  My conclusion is to drink coffee, as long as you know about the addictive and cardio-stimulatory  potential of caffeine, and don’t worry about coffee as a risk factor for heart attacks.

Yet we all need something to worry about, so put coffee drinking on the back burner and worry instead about obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, family history, hypertension, lack of exercise, stress, and diet.

And speaking of the latter, if you can, with your coffee, try to avoid the “and” which often accompanies the Joe.  If you have to fear your food, forget worrying about coffee and instead try being scared to death of Dunkin Donuts, fast food, cheese danish, cream puffs, twinkies, fudge cake, etc etc.  Avoid sugars of all types, bad fats, processed foods, excess calories and big portions.  Have a cucumber with your morning joe and eat more fruit and oatmeal. Then walk around the block.

OK, now if I can only follow my own advice

* Editor”s Note:   This coffee article was originally posted on BF in 2012. Now, in 2015, a new study from the National Institutes of Health shows that patients with stomach cancer experience reduced mortality rates and lowered recurrent cancer with coffee drinking.  The study was reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and studied 1,000 cancer patients.  The benefit was with caffeinated coffee, over 4 cups per day.  The research on coffee has also shown reduced risk of Parkinsonism, type II diabetes, and some cancers.  (August, 2015)

Here is a 2015 link:   www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/coffee-aids-colon-cancer-recovery-study-finds-n411326

FRANK SINATRA    “Coffee Song.”

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Tax rates in Ocean Grove

Posted in Blogfinger News, Blogfinger Poll, tagged on August 3, 2015| 8 Comments »

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BF tax poll 2015

 

When we did our poll in July  (see link above) we found out that 80% of respondents reported an increase in property tax, 14% had a decrease, and 6% were unchanged. But we had no information regarding a breakdown.   In reviewing my own final tax bill for 2015, I find that the overall  tax rate had gone down from 2.66 in 2014 to 2.19 now.  In looking more closely, I have a 38% increase in the land appraisal, but an 11% decrease in the improvements  (i.e. the house) appraisal.

We would be interested in knowing if any of you tried to get your tax bill decreased  (I assume nobody asked for an increase,) and if you did, were you successful?   Anecdotes about this would be of interest on Blogfinger.

Do any of you have information that your fellow Grovers might find of interest regarding the property tax issue?

LEE WILEY

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A phoenix arises from the ashes of its predecessor at 50-54 Main Avenue in Ocean Grove

Posted in Blogfinger News, tagged on July 17, 2015| 1 Comment »

Proposed 3-story commercial building in the National Historic District of Ocean Grove. 50-54 Main Avenue.

Proposed 3-story commercial building in the National Historic District of Ocean Grove. 50-54 Main Avenue.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.

On February 6, 2015, a devastating fire broke out on Main Avenue and destroyed an entire 3- story building at 50-54 Main Avenue.  Lost in that fire were Yvonne’s Restaurant, Smuggler’s Cove, Fusion Jewelry and seven upstairs apartments.   48 Main Ave. was damaged, and that’s where The Barbaric Bean coffee shop was.  The fire was ruled non-suspicious.

On July 15, Kurt Cavano of Ocean Grove, the owner, appeared at the HPC to obtain approval of his plans to rebuild at the site.  The three story building will be called “The Phoenix.”   The plans show a Victorian design for the replacement.  It will have up-to-date construction features and will house Yvonne’s Restaurant on the first and part of the second floors.  Smuggler’s will return as will Fusion.  That leaves room for yet another store.  Unfortunately, another coffee shop is not in the cards.

The HPC approved the project with some minor changes.  It is described as a mixed use commercial building. Two architects are mentioned on the plans:  Mark Alexander Pavliv AIA of Ocean Grove and Brendan T. McHugh of Manasquan.

The Phoenix will have an elevator.  There will be 6 residential units on the second and third floors. The restaurant will occupy about 966 square feet on the first floor in addition to 220 SF on the second.  The three retail stores will be small, averaging about 550 SF each.

Below are two links about the fire:

www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2015/02/ocean_grove_fire_not_suspicious_police_say.html

http://blogfinger.net/2015/02/09/the-fury-of-the-february-friday-fire-blogfinger-interviews-ron-cole-chief-ocean-grove-fire-department-about-the-50-main-avenue-devastation/

BLOSSOM DEARIE:

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A mis-step in the Coaster, and a contentious Ocean Grove issue bubbles to the surface.

Posted in Blogfinger News, Blogfinger opinion, Feature article, North End Redevelopment, Ocean Grove architecture, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Activity, Ocean Grove controversies, Ocean Grove North End Redevelopment Plan, Opinion on Blogfinger, tagged , , , , on February 3, 2015| 33 Comments »

 

The North End Redevelopmane Zone is bordered by the boardwalk, Wesley Lake and Spray Avenue. Photo by Prosper Bellizia, Blogfinger staff. ©

The North End Redevelopment  Zone is bordered by the boardwalk, Wesley Lake, Beach Ave,  and Spray Avenue (foreground).   West to east photo by Prosper Bellizia, Blogfinger staff. ©   This was first posted in 2015.

Northeast aspect of the Redevelopment zone. Prosper Bellizia ©

Northeast aspect of the Redevelopment zone. Prosper Bellizia ©

 

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

In the December 4, 2014 issue of the Coaster is a column called “Did You Know?” by reporter Bonnie Graham. The focus of the piece was to explain the functions of the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association. Ms. Graham interviewed HOA President Ann Horan and wasted no time in bringing up the controversial North End Redevelopment Plan (NERP).

In responding to Graham’s questions about the NERP, Horan made an unforced error and got the facts wrong,*  resulting in a mild tempest at the subsequent Township Committee meeting on December 22, 2014.  The NERP, after all, is a sensitive and critical subject in Ocean Grove.

Between Horan’s embarrassing factual mis-step in the Coaster  and the reaction to it before the Neptune governing body, our interest in revisiting the story of the NERP was aroused.   On top of that, Graham made a  comment in the same article  that “CMA COO JP Gradone had asserted last August, 2014, at the  legislative breakfast meeting, that the North End redevelopment project, which had been on the back burner for some time, is now on the front burner.”   Really ?

On January 23, 2015, Blogfinger asked Gradone about that quote, and he said, “We are currently in discussion with the Developer regarding the project.”   So there is  some life in the process after many years of mystery, and therefore it’s time for the public to pay attention once again.  It should be noted that work cannot go ahead on the plan without a signed Redevelopment Agreement between the Township Committee negotiators  (Committee-persons Jahn and Bishop)  and the developers.  

By way of background, in the year 2006, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, owners of the undeveloped 2.37 acre North End property, decided to bring the desolate area back to its previous life where it was a lively place with a hotel, a cinema, attractions and shopping.  But one thing stood in the way—-zoning;  it was zoned for 13 single family homes.

So the developers of the property, including the CMA and others involved, created an end-run and convinced the Township Planning Board to redefine the area as a zone “in need of redevelopment,”  in accordance with the State Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.    This meant that the property was so “blighted,” that local government had to take over its management.  That new designation would allow a mixed use community to be built.

The design of a redevelopment was turned over to professional  planners in Middletown to come up with a ” framework” for a mixed use community at the OG North End. Ultimately, a much more detailed plan would have to be done before any construction could begin. Two planners signed the NERP, but no engineers did.

The developers of the plan include the OGCMA and a partnership called WAVE  (see below.)

In early 2008, the HPC, the CMA, and the OG Homeowners Association provided input which resulted in some changes in the NERP, and that was the last time that there were any changes made. The Planning Board approved the proposal, and in March, 2008, the Township Committee wrote the NERP into law.  A lawsuit was filed in opposition, and that held things up for awhile, but in 2010, Neptune Township won the suit.

The Plan includes a hotel with 80 rooms, 85 residential units consisting mostly of condos, some single family homes,  a “below grade” parking deck and  about 20  surface parking spaces. Parking is supposed to comply with RSIS State standards.   A 99 year renewable lease was part of the deal. The design was supposed to look Victorian.

You can read the  official NERP document at the Clerk’s office in the Neptune Township Municipal Building. It is no longer available on the Township web site, but we have located a link  (below) where you can read the entire planning report. **

For a variety of undisclosed reasons, the project has been dormant. Among the theories  are that a bad economy has been inhibitory and/or there have been difficulties getting all the approvals.

In 2011  the HOA passed a resolution asking that the NERP be scaled back. They offered some constructive ideas.  There is a link below reporting on their recommendations.  Unfortunately, nothing came of it.

In 2012  there were objections raised by the soon-to-be-elected Committeewoman Marybeth Jahn  regarding the size, scope and other details of the project.   Ms. Jahn spoke aggressively of changing the NERP in a totally retro direction, and everybody cheered.  It should also be noted that two other Committeemen were sympathetic to downsizing the project—-Eric Houghtaling and Randy Bishop.

Evidently buyers’ remorse was echoing through the town of Ocean Grove.  But not a single change was adopted despite these outcries.      Our October 2012 piece on this subject is linked below and is critically important reading material for every Ocean Grover.

In Sept. 2012, the following was reported in Blogfinger, covering the year-end Labor Day CMA meeting:  “CMA Trustee Douglas E. Arpert responded to a questioner who asked the status of the North End development of condos, homes and a hotel. The CMA and a company called WAVE (Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises run by attorney William Gannon) are co-developers.  Arpert told Blogfinger they hope to conclude a redevelopment agreement with Neptune Township by the end of the year and to break ground in 2013.”    

But, of course, one month later, all of that changed with Sandy, and the developers planned to go back to the drawing board to “reassess” the plan. That made sense, because environmental regulations after the superstorm were going to change how things must be done in environmentally sensitive areas.  That was the last time we heard anything about NERP—until now  (2015).

So, getting back to the aforementioned HOA President Ann Horan’s December, 2014 Coaster interview, she said that the current  “North End Committee (and she listed the current members’ names) have  expressed the HOA’s concerns regarding the project to the Neptune Township Committee,  and their efforts helped to persuade the Committee to revise the redevelopment plan by reducing the number of proposed hotel rooms/condominium units, limiting the size of the structures in the site, providing for single family homes, and including an off street parking facility”

The problem with Horan’s December public statement in the Coaster is that she gave the false impression that the current North End Committee has been “active” in eliciting recent changes in the Redevelopment Plan.  But, as noted, there have been no changes in NERP since 2008—-7 years ago.

Horan’s statement was of sufficient concern that it was brought up at the Dec. 22, 2014 Township Committee meeting where her remarks were discussed publicly, and Committeeman Randy Bishop  found it necessary to make a public statement about it (see below.)   The Township Committee’s minutes are posted at Neptunetownship.org

The following is taken from the Committee minutes of Dec. 22, 2014:

“Jack Breden, 94 1⁄2 Heck Avenue, read a recent Coaster article regarding the Ocean Grove Homeowners Association concerns regarding the North End Redevelopment Plan. The President of the Association, Ann Horan, is quoted that the Redevelopment Plan was changed based on recommendations from the Association. The article goes on to state that the Association got numerous elements of the Plan changed. Mr. Bishop stated changes were made to the Plan based on Association input before the Plan was adopted in 2008. There have been no changes made to the Plan since it was adopted in 2008.”

Because of the importance of the Redevelopment Plan to the town of Ocean Grove, “Horangate” has given us a heads-up to bring the plan’s story out of mothballs and into the public eye once again. Concerned citizens need the background to assess whatever may be coming our way re:  NERP.

Regarding starting work on the project, Committeeman Eric Houghtaling told Blogfinger three weeks ago, “I know that there are many, many things that need to be worked out before anything can be done on the Redevelopment project.”

Township Clerk Rick Cuttrell said earlier this month that he thought that the project had gotten all necessary approvals, including NJDEP, but he wasn’t certain and would find out.  We have not heard back yet on that inquiry.

So, now that the cat is out of the bag once again, and the history of the HOA’s involvement is cleared up, we will consider a series of more  detailed Blogfinger articles about the North End Redevelopment and what the future will bring.

It’s time to pay attention again, because anything new in this story, even just a dorsal fin in the water, must be made public. Currently the NERP is no different in size, scope or specifics than it was in 2008 when there were many misgivings in town about local congestion, environmental impact, parking,  and other quality of life issues. The project will affect the future of Ocean Grove in a major way.

RELEVENT LINKS AND NOTES BELOW:

1.   North end plan from 2008**

Click to access Redevelopment%20Plan_03-06-08_NorthEnd.pdf

2.   Dec 13, 2010:  BF “basic fact guide” about NERP         Link to  2010 BF review

3.   May, 2011:  HOA passes a resolution which results in no changes to the NERP   HOA NERP resolution 2011 BF post link

4.  October 2012:       Very important article which all Grovers should read. Blogfinger was the last OG entity to plead for a reduction in the project.    Link:     BF Oct 12, 2012 North End article

BF quote from the Oct. 2012 article linked above  (a very important piece written shortly before Sandy:)  “If this is built, it will be the most massive construction project in Ocean Grove’s modern history. Its impact on all of us will be substantial, and that impact will begin at the opening gun, with the start of construction. ”  

If you use the BF search engine on the top of our home page, just type in “North end redevelopment plan” for more details.

WANTED:  Experienced researchers to help BF in assessing and investigating  this very important subject in great detail looking back and forward. You won’t get the details unless you, the people, get it yourselves.

 

 

 

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How important is email in the business world?

Posted in Blogfinger editorial, Blogfinger News, Blogfinger Presents, Business news @Blogfinger, tagged on January 10, 2015|

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A recent poll by the Pew Institute indicates that most workers who use the internet  find that email improves their productivity.  In the past, there was concern about threats to email such as spam and phishing.  In addition it was thought that texting and social media would displace email. But now we find out that landline phones are more important than cell phones  to workers who use the internet, and the workers rank social media as being low in importance

Pew email link

In my experience, when I get a business related email from someone, it is usually well crafted in that the writing is proper. I would think that it would have to be if it is used, as described above, in the business world to improve productivity.

But in 2011, I wrote a piece complaining about the more casual uses of email. It relates to how email is used as we write to our friends or relatives about more informal matters. However,  since we now see that emails have stood the test of technology time, I would like to bring that 2011 piece back (below)  for your perusal:

“Communication of the Written Word.”

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger  (March 2011)

Other than speech, words printed on a page were the main way to communicate, going all the way back to the invention of the printing press. But now we have instant messaging, e-mailing, web site posting, blog posting, Tweeting, and social networking.

Undoubtedly you have noticed that these new ways to communicate have had an effect on how we use language. For example with text messaging there is no pretense to sentences or spelling. It is all about speed and abbreviations.

Emails have been a source of concern to those who worry about “proper” use of the written word. It is acceptable in an email to avoid sentences, clarity, spelling, grammar or punctuation. Words go missing, uncapitalized or overcapitalized, and syntax is often “mangled*”. It also is a way to communicate without any evident emotion; so email messages may be misunderstood.

A new generation is emerging that does not know how to properly use commas, hyphens, semi-colons and other little punctuation symbols that give rhythm and meaning to sentences. For those who teach English, their jobs are now tougher and more important than ever.

So what to think about this deterioration in language usage? It can’t be a good thing—-or can it?

Lynne Truss* says, “With text messaging and emailing becoming such universal activities, reading and writing are more a fact of everyday life that they have ever been.”

David Crystal** says, “The internet encourages a playful and creative (and continuing) relationship with the written word.”

For myself, I am pledging to write whole sentences in my emails— with proper spelling and punctuation. I have come to realize that ideas may not be taken seriously if you do not maintain some standards in your messaging. On the other hand, language usage always changes over time, but, for now, I will stick to the usual rules, but with flexibility to allow for new trends, such as how to use commas. (How’d I do in that last sentence?).

Lynne Truss* (Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, 2003)
David Crystal** (Language and the Internet, 2001)

MADELEINE PEYROUX:

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Scary trees in the Grove. What to do?

Posted in Blogfinger News, Blogfinger photo news, tagged , on November 18, 2014| 3 Comments »

Professional arborist climbs up a tree on Delaware Avenue. November, 2014. Blogfinger photo ©

Professional arborist climbs up a tree on Delaware Avenue, sawing branches by hand as he went up.  Don’t try this yourself. November, 2014. Blogfinger photo ©

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.  11/18/2014.

Do you have any large scary trees near or on your property?  Many OG residents do.

A few years ago, a large heavy dangerous branch fell onto a walking path in Firemen’s Park.  It was right near the gazebo where children gather for the school bus.  Luckily, no one was there when it fell.

About two years ago, a branch fell off a massive tree next to our neighbor’s house, near our backyard on Delaware Avenue. It knifed through the wires and ripped off some gutters and drain pipes on our house. We lost cable, phone  and electricity, but we were fortunate.

Many OG homeowners are fearful of trees near their houses, but they have no control over trees growing on somebody else’s property.  Sometimes they try to do-it-yourself.

A few years ago I saw a homeowner on the roof of his house, in the rain, reaching out with a chain saw  in one hand to cut a branch off a tree. I stood there mesmerized, but afraid to yell or look away, fearing that I would be needed for CPR.  Fortunately, he managed not to fall.

 

October 29, 2012. This tree came down during Sandy. It was at New Jersey and Main. Paul Goldfinger photo.

October 29, 2012. This tree came down during Sandy. It was at New Jersey Ave. and Main Ave.. Paul Goldfinger photo.

As many of you know, homeowners are responsible for trees on their property, as they are for their sidewalks. Neighbors sometimes get together to pay for tree care safety

Who is responsible if somebody else’s tree falls on your house?  The Township has no budget for routine pruning of trees on land that they manage,  such as in Firemen’s Park.

All parks in town are owned by the CMA, but Neptune manages many of them.

Pruning trees is an expensive proposition, so many homeowners just ignore the problem. Some hire contractors to prune the worrisome dead or weak limbs of large trees as well as branches that can catch the wind. That leaves the tree looking a bit peculiar, but less likely to cause trouble during windy storms.  If a tree is dead or near dead, it should be cut down.

Contractor uses a cherry picker to reach high branches on Delaware Ave. Blogfinger photo. ©

Contractor uses a cherry picker to reach high branches on Delaware Ave. Blogfinger photo.

Today a private contractor (Aspen)  showed up with two trucks to work on a few large trees at Mt. Hermon and Delaware.  The crew of three were pruning branches, seemingly to allow the wind to blow through.   They reached high branches by climbing the trees or using a cherry picker. I saw one of them hold a small chainsaw in one hand while cutting branches from a cherry picker.  The climber used a hand saw.

All the branches were tossed into a huge grinder, converting them into wood chips. Those workers were very professional, wearing all sorts of protective gear, and remaining focused and efficient as they did the work.

 

JAMES NEWTON HOWARD.  This music is called “Snowstorm” and is from the movie Snow Falling on Cedars.

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Snow plowing and temporary parking in the Grove: What’s the story? Part II of a II part article.

Posted in Blogfinger News, Ocean Grove Gallery, Ocean Grove lifestyle, Ocean Grove news, tagged on November 17, 2014| 1 Comment »

Ocean Grove, North End. Dec. 20, 2009. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

Ocean Grove, North End. Dec. 20, 2009. Paul Goldfinger photo ©  Click to enlarge

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

The Neptune Township ordinances that apply during snow storms are 13.2, regarding removal of snow and ice from sidewalks, and 7-7.3 which is about temporary parking prohibitions and snow plowing. You can read the Township ordinances by going to the Neptunetownship.org web site. Use the menu on top to find the Clerk’s Office, and then scroll down for the ordinance link.

We went over to the NTPD today to meet with Sgt. Michael Zarro, the traffic officer. We discussed the ordinances and how they pertain to Ocean Grove.

For streets in OG where there are signs regarding parking during snow emergencies, they advise car owners to move their vehicles to the south or east sides of the streets.   (ie, no parking on the north and west sides where the signs live.) Some streets in the Grove had no signs, but they did receive signs recently.

If there are no signs, and this pertains to the entire Township, the cars are to be moved to the “side of any street or roadway adjacent to properties with even numbered addresses.”

If you plan to leave your car in the Grove while you are elsewhere, then be sure to park it in a location that is safe during a snow emergency.

It was our intention to find out how the whole process works, because if you do not remove your car to the proper location, it will be towed at a cost of $90.00, and then you will be charged $20.00 per day for storage and you will be ticketed by the police. You will also receive a fine.  (ballpark: $85.00).

The process begins when the police and the public (via “reverse 911”) learn that a significant snow/ice storm is expected and that there is a snow emergency in effect.   This news, coming before the snow, causes the police to call in extra personnel. You should move your car at this point or certainly when the snow begins to fall. Plowing occurs when 2 inches have fallen.

As the storm warnings develop, the police begin driving around town alerting those who need to move their cars.  They find you, if you live here, by “running the plates.” They may turn on their lights and sirens, or they may knock on your door.

The whole point of this exercise is to make room for the snow plows. This is particularly worrisome in Ocean Grove where some streets are too narrow for the plows, sanders and salt trucks to get through without moving cars.

The plowing will begin in two high priority parts of the Grove where the streets are especially narrow—-the north side, especially in the mountains (i.e. Mt. Tabor, etc,) and on the two beach blocks which are between Ocean Avenue and Central Avenue.

After that the plows begin to head south. Plowing is provided by the DPW. Sgt. Zarro expects that for the first big storm, about 40 cars will be towed. For subsequent storms, he estimates about 20 tows each time.

If your street gets plowed, don’t think that the job is done and don’t move your car back. Plows may be returning, and also the sanders and salters will be visiting you later.

If, by some atmospheric magic, no plowing becomes necessary, than no tickets will be issued.

If your car is towed, you need to call the police to find out which towing company took it.

Once the storm subsides and the plowing is complete, you may park your car wherever you please. If you believe that everyone should move their cars again so that the other side is plowed, that idea will not be considered for practical reasons such as how to dispose of the snow.

ANNE MURRAY

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2014 Voting Results* for Neptune Township and Ocean Grove.   Is OG turning purple?

Posted in Blogfinger News, Blogfinger Presents, tagged , on November 6, 2014|

 

 

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By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Although the national political parties generally don’t spend much money in New Jersey, because it is a blue state that reliably votes Democrat (except for Governor,) the microanalysis can sometimes be fascinating.
I spent most of my years in Morris County, a part of New Jersey which is traditionally red, as is Monmouth County . Morris County towns, in general, are affluent, so the demographics determine the politics.

 

Ocean Grove has voted Republican in the past, while Neptune Township usually goes blue.

 

Ocean Grove has districts 1, 2 and 3, and each district has two voting machines. Neptune Township has a total of 20 districts.

 

The overall turnout on Tuesday was 36% of registered voters for Neptune Township, 38% for Ocean Grove, and 34% for Monmouth County. Nationwide it was 33%.

 

OG has 2,362 registered voters, and 896 voted. Neptune Township has nearly 19,000 registered voters, with 6,843 voting in this election.

Sen. Cory Booker received 56% of the NJ vote.

Sen. Cory Booker received 56% of the NJ vote.

 

In the Senate race for New Jersey, Booker (D) received 4,520 votes in Neptune Twp., while Bell (R) received 2,150 votes. In Ocean Grove, Booker got 489 votes while Bell received 372.

 

Rep. Chris Smith, Ocean Grove's Congressman.

Rep. Chris Smith, Ocean Grove’s Congressman.

For the House of Representatives, Rep. Smith Chris , of the NJ 4th Congressional District, a Republican, won again, with 68% of the vote. He has been in office since 1981.

 

In Neptune, Smith received 2, 580 votes vs. 4, 155 for Ruben Scolavino (D.) In Ocean Grove we had a tight race—— Smith received 445 votes vs. 407 for his opponent.

Fro Neptune Township Committee, an opposite trend was seen  in Ocean Grove.   Kevin McMillan (Dem.) and Rick Carlson (Rep)  were competing for one seat on the all Democrat Township Committee.

Overall, in Neptune Township, Carlson got 2,531 votes vs. 4,055 for McMillan.  However, in Ocean Grove, Carlson got 431 vs. 423 for McMillan.  Does this say something about how Grovers feel regarding the current Committee, particularly McMillan?  After all, McMillan got nearly twice as many votes across all of Neptune, but in the Grove, it’s another story.  It’s time for an OG poll.

For County Freeholder, the two Republicans won handily, including in Ocean Grove. But in Neptune Twp, the Democrats received twice the votes of the Republicans.

The sample is small, but in Ocean Grove, the Senate vote went Democratic while the House seat was very close, with the incumbent winning.

Based on the Senate and Cpngressional  vote, perhaps Ocean Grove is changing its political stripes due to a demographic shift. It will be interesting to see how our votes go in the presidential election two years from now.

THE TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL CHORUS;  “America the Beautiful.”

 

*Data courtesy of Rick Cuttrell, Clerk at Neptune Township

 

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Broadway floods again after sudden downpour—- Sept. 6.

Posted in Blogfinger News, tagged on September 6, 2014| 5 Comments »

Broadway, just west of Pilgrim. 9/6/14 5:45 pm. by Paul Weinstein

Broadway, just west of Pilgrim. 9/6/14 5:45 pm. by Paul Weinstein

DINAH WASHINGTON

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Coaster does an about face in changing its facts regarding the Jersey Shore Arts Center and the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.

Posted in Blogfinger News, Blogfinger opinion, tagged on July 10, 2014| 17 Comments »

 

July 3, 2014 issue. Note the first paragraph. Click to enlarge.

July 3, 2014 issue. Note the first paragraph. Click to enlarge.

 

 

July 10, 2014 edition

July 10, 2014 edition

 

In last week’s July 3 Coaster, they said unequivocally that the CMA wants to take over the JSAC property and that is because the JSAC had violated a prior lease agreement.  (see the first paragraph above.)   However, in that Coaster article they did not interview anyone from the CMA. They based their facts on what the JSAC officials had to say and on what a letter said from the CMA lawyer to Herb Herbst at the JSAC.

Since then, the COO of the Camp Meeting, JP Gradone, has refuted the truth of those allegations, and we posted that denial a few days ago on Blogfinger. Gradone contacted the Coaster and requested that they publish a clarification, which appeared in a headline article in today’s edition (July 10, 2014)

We spoke to JP Gradone last evening. He stood firm on what he said two days ago: i.e., the CMA has no intent to take over the JSAC property and they did not accuse the JSAC of violating an agreement. He said that the lawyer for the CMA had gone overboard when he made those assertions in his letter to JSAC and that no one from the CMA had seen the letter before it went out. H e also said that the CMA board had not even discussed having an interest in the old Neptune High school.

Gradone said that the CMA lawyer was supposed to be sending a letter to the JSAC to clarify  “loose ends” regarding real estate issues.  He said that the CMA does not even  have a land lease agreement with the JSAC.

So it appears that the new facts of life in this situation are what the CMA says they are. Perhaps Herb Herbst and his lawyer should have talked personally to the CMA before flying off the handle.  On the other side, the CMA was slow in providing their point of view after this story first surfaced.

 

Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

 

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Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Will Not Appeal the FEMA Decision to Deny Funding for the Fishing Pier

Posted in Blogfinger News, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Activity, tagged on July 9, 2014| 3 Comments »

Ocean Grove Fishing Pier. November 2013. Paul Goldfinger photo

Ocean Grove Fishing Pier. November, 2013.   ©   Paul Goldfinger photo.   Click on photos enlarge them.  

 

OG pier far end. By Paul Goldfinger. © July 9, 2014

OG pier far end. By Paul Goldfinger. © July 9, 2014

 

OG Fishing Pier near end. Blogfinger photo © July 9, 2014

OG Fishing Pier near end. Blogfinger photo © July 9, 2014

We have learned about this decision in an email from JP Gradone, COO of the Camp Meeting Association.  Here is the press release:

“As you know, we received written notification from FEMA in May that the OGCMA was ineligible for FEMA public assistance for the pier because the facility is a recreational facility owned by a private non-profit. At that time, we expressed our disappointment in the decision and indicated that we would proceed with an appeal within the required 60 days.

After a significant review of documentation and policies with our consultants and the State of New Jersey Public Assistance Office, the Executive Committee met on July 6 in light of the FEMA appeal deadline on July 12 and determined that we do not have the required justification and documentation to support a viable appeal to FEMA.

Therefore, we will not be filing an appeal to FEMA for a re-determination of eligibility for the Ocean Grove Pier.

We are currently focusing our attention on completing the North End Boardwalk in the off-season, as well as completion of the Great Auditorium roof and Thornley Chapel.

The Executive Committee will, in the future, be considering a variety of options for the pier and be in discussion with the Fishing Club. No final decision will be made regarding the Fishing Pier without the full Board’s discussion and approval.

Editor’s Note: After Sandy hit, it was determined early on that rebuilding the pier was not a high priority. It was considered to be Phase 3.  In the interim, volunteers built it out past 250 feet—the original length was 500 feet, and we currently have a place where the public can walk out, sit on benches and enjoy that special view.    But it is not out far enough for any fishing to occur.

There was considerable discussion after Sandy about the ultimate future of the pier.  The OG Fishing Club, a historic group, lost its private end section with the little building that we all recall.  The OGCMA promised with no uncertainty that the pier would eventually be rebuilt, but they would not say what the future of the Fishing Club would be.  The members of the Fishing Club were quite anxious about the situation because their lease is due to expire in a few years.  They even offered to pay for the rebuilding, but the CMA would not consider that offer.  So the CMA has remained noncommittal on the Fishing Club issue.

However, on May 16, when FEMA denied payment to rebuild the pier, the landscape changed.  FEMA has committed over $2 million for our Middle Beach Boardwalk, the South End is done, the beach replenishment is done, and FEMA will pay to complete the North End.  So now we learn the latest CMA policies re: the fishing pier.

In May, Mr. Gradone said that the CMA would pursue other sources of financial help for rebuilding the pier, including federal, state and charities.

Blogfinger will speak to Mr. Gradone to see if we can clear up some of these murkier questions.

 

Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net

Below is a link to an article about the pier which was quite good  from NJ.com below.

 

http://blogfinger.net/2013/06/12/paul-mulshine-of-nj-com-weighs-in-on-the-og-fishing-pier-and-by-the-way-about-the-boardwalk/

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“Call me Bernie.”   A conversation with Neptune’s Tax Assessor.

Posted in Blogfinger News, tagged , on June 25, 2014| 8 Comments »

Tax Assessor Bernard Haney and the Deputy Tax Assessor A. Dawn Crozier recovering after spending an hour with clueless Blogfinger reporter.

Tax Assessor Bernard Haney and the Deputy Tax Assessor A. Dawn Crozier recovering after spending an hour with clueless Blogfinger reporter.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Bernard C. Haney, CTA, was going to explain to Blogfinger why the new tax calculation system would be better for everyone in Monmouth County, including Ocean Grove. But in order to get there, Bernie had to time travel to 1988 in the Grove, when the town was a disheveled mess (“bad shape”).

There were about 30 rooming houses, plus run down hotels and multi-family dwellings.   Many homes were rented, and there were crime issues including drug sales.   The average house was worth about $60,000, and an ocean front condo could be had for $30,000. As noted in a recent Blogfinger review, there were other issues including the mental patients who comprised about 10% of the population and were sleeping on benches and walking around town mumbling.  (No, those were not Blogfinger reporters.  We weren’t born yet)

https://blogfinger.net/wp-admin/post.php?post=95069&action=edit

Bernie wasn’t here then, but our review (above)  told the story of how a dramatic turnaround developed in the 1990’s, led by the activist OGHOA.  Another “huge” factor was the Historic Register designations achieved by a group led by OG historian Ted Bell.   Also there was the “renaissance” of the Main Avenue commercial district.

Between the late 1990’s and 2003, Bernie said, “The world had shifted.” By 2003, the crappy rooming houses were gone, an average house was now worth about $500,000 based on the latest re-evaluations, the real estate marketplace was much improved (“sky rocketing,”) and many homes were being converted to single family by motivated and optimistic buyers who had pride of ownership. OG houses became “very desirable.”

So the higher valuations were the good news, but there was an unpleasant flip side:

Many of the homeowners had purchased at very low prices and now their valuations were much higher. Bernie says, “It had become an entirely different place to be.” Home owners found themselves living in an “urban township” with big expenses and a high tax rate. As a result of all this, some homeowners found their taxes rising horribly—some tripling or even quadrupling in locations such as Ocean Avenue or on Ocean Pathway.

So now, in 2014, we have a new tax system which, according to Bernie, will prevent such sudden and dramatic tax changes from happening in the future. The new process begins  now  in preparation for 2015  with re-evaluations having begun already.

The current goal  is for the entire county to be at 100% valuation for the 2015 tax calculations. But in Ocean Grove, we are already at 82-85%, so “it won’t be a heavy lift” to reach 100%.  By November, the Township will have a complete but preliminary ratable total, so preliminary tax bills will be ready for 2015.

Tax appeals will be evaluated in the winter before the final tax bills are determined. If someone wins an appeal and gets their taxes lowered, those adjustments will be figured in for the last two quarters of 2015.

For the next 5 years starting 2015, 20% of the houses will be inspected each year, so you can expect a “knock on the door” once every five years. But also, reassessments will be calculated every year by Mr. Haney’s office and adjustments made in valuations according to real estate sales. He doesn’t see any dramatic changes occurring yearly.

Bernie concludes, regarding the new system, that “the benefits outweigh the detriments.” Over the next few years things may get “touchy” as all 52 towns “get up to speed.”

Editor’s note: . You will have a chance to hear Bernie discuss the situation in a month when he appears at the July 26 OGHOA meeting.

Meanwhile make corrections, comments and pose questions here, on Blogfinger.  And thanks to Mr Bernard Haney, a gentleman, who was willing to spell it all out for me, knowing he will have to to go over the same stuff again and again.  Yikes!!

Oh and lets not forget thanks to  the Deputy  Assessor A. Dawn Crozier, CTA, who sat in on our meeting, providing  wisdom and someone to look at besides Bernie.   She and I are on a first initial basis.   —-PG

But I had a ball meeting with Bernie and A. Dawn.  This song is “After the Ball is Over” by the Uri Caine Ensemble.

 

 

 

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