By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net, Ocean Grove, NJ, USA. We have terrific comments and links below:
You may recall the controversial article in Blogfinger describing the Weekly Standard’s startling conclusions about why FEMA initially said, “No!” Here is a link to that Blogfinger piece: BF Weekly Standard article
Here is a link to our article about the FEMA reversal: BF on FEMA reversal
Then, in a January 27, 2014 follow-up piece, The Weekly Standard describes the recent FEMA reversal regarding our boardwalk called “FEMA Backs Down?” Thanks to Mike O. for alerting us to this item.
Jan 27, 2014, Weekly Standard, Vol. 19, No. 19 —- “The Scrapbook:”
“In our November 25, 2013, issue, Jonathan V. Last chronicled the story of Ocean Grove, the New Jersey shore town which was being denied FEMA relief funds to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy. The problem was that Ocean Grove was originally settled as a Methodist campsite and that the town remains nominally Christian—which is to say that it is governed by a “Camp Meeting Association,” which has roughly the power of a garden-variety homeowner’s association. But which also happens to own all of the land.
“Like many other towns along the Jersey shore, Ocean Grove had its boardwalk swept out to sea. FEMA stepped in to shoulder the cost of rebuilding the boardwalks in those other towns. But not in Ocean Grove. It said that since the boardwalk technically belonged to the Camp Meeting Association, that made it a private religious “recreational facility” and as such ineligible for aid.
“Never mind that FEMA had, after earlier storms, helped rebuild Ocean Grove’s boardwalk. Under the Obama administration, there would be a new precedent.
“The most plausible explanation for the change in government policy was that Ocean Grove had been in 2007 the site of a minor skirmish in the gay marriage wars. And unlike President Obama, the Camp Meeting Association had not sufficiently evolved in its views.
“The town was taken aback by FEMA’s denial. They appealed and were denied again. They then constructed a second appeal, in which they changed the rationale for the boardwalk. Instead of saying that it was a public accommodation (which it is), they claimed that the boardwalk’s essential purpose is to act as “a public thoroughfare in providing emergency access and life-saving operations.”
The boardwalk isn’t there for people to enjoy it—it’s there for safety!
“After months of dithering (and lobbying from New Jersey’s Democratic delegation in Congress), FEMA has relented. Last week FEMA announced that it now deems Ocean Grove “eligible” for aid. Whether it will actually dispense aid, of course, is a separate question. It’s not clear yet if this represents a genuine reversal by the administration, or simply the kind of empty “compromise” that President Obama has become known for.”
Blogfinger 2023 update: You may recall that Gov. Christy never showed up in the Grove after Sandy except for one quick private photo op near the Great Auditorium. At the dedication of the new boardwalk he was there with a big smile and other NJ and CMA officials trailing behind. We have photos.
Somehow, Christy has garnered some credit, along with Rep Smith, for the pressure on FEMA. The exact behind the scenes dynamics are still a secret.
RE: THE PIER: By Blogfinger:
Paul Goldfinger photo 12/24/23
Now we have a new pier in 2023. FEMA said “yes” and then “no” to paying for it, so the CMA raised funds to rebuild. And they deserve immense credit for doing that, but here is our question which no one has asked:
“Why did we have to rebuild the pier in the first place?”
Look at the problems now which have landed in the lap of the CMA. Sure a pier at Embury is historic, but the use of the pier has changed—the CMA hasn’t explained the rules for those who want to actually go fishing there, so currently it is “every man/woman with a fishing pole for theirselves.”
Over the years, many OG historic structures have been destroyed or demolished and never rebuilt in a historic way. There have been quite a few piers destroyed by storms and then rebuilt. On one past occasion the fishing club raised the money to rebuild and they offered to pay for this one–but the CMA said, “No.”
You probably don’t know this, but early in OG history there was not only a pier at the south end (the one we know) but also a pier at the north end near A. Park. That pier was popular: there were locker facilities and shops there. But after a storm demolished it, it was never rebuilt!
Photocards below from a Blogfinger article.
JIMMY BUFFETT: “A Pirate Looks At Forty.”