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Archive for the ‘Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove’ Category

Ocean Grove’s Struggle With FEMA Finally Gets the National Exposure That it Deserves.

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy recovery, Ocean Grove controversies, tagged , , , , , , on November 25, 2013| 23 Comments »

WS

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger  (Ocean Grove, New Jersey)

In a thorough and courageous cover story called “The Town FEMA Turned Down,” The Weekly Standard, a widely read political magazine with a print circulation of over 100,000 and 2.1 million visits to its web site each month, is featuring Ocean Grove and its difficulties persuading FEMA to provide funds for our rebuilding post-Sandy.

On Blogfinger we have been following this situation with great interest for over a year and we have considered and debated various reasons as to why FEMA has denied us, including the possibility of religious or political bias. (see BF links below) The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has been avoiding any public speculation on the motives of FEMA.

Soon the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association will be taking its  last shot with FEMA by attending a face to face meeting with officials in Washington, probably next month, to try and persuade  them  to make a favorable ruling on our second appeal for disaster assistance.

The author of the Weekly Standard piece, Jonathan V. Last, a senior editor, explains why he believes that the explanation has to do with government’s current attitude towards religion in our national life. He says, “Yet the story of FEMA’s conflict with Ocean Grove is about more than just Barack Obama. It’s the story of modern America’s rebellion against its religious foundations, rendered in miniature.”

He also considers the history of gay rights in the Grove as a factor in our being singled out by Washington.  About that, Last says, “FEMA’s decision was a remarkably tortured reading of both precedent and fact. So tortured that it suggests some deeper motivation on the part of the federal government. What happened between the storms in 1992 and 2013 to change the government’s mind about Ocean Grove? The answer is simple: gay marriage.”

He makes a strong case for his theories, but there are no smoking guns.  FEMA has been very secretive as to the dynamics of their decision vis a vis Ocean Grove, and the media has been AWOL in reporting our story which is an exceptional David vs Goliath saga worthy of national attention.    Last’s ideas about how gay rights issues in the Grove tie into FEMA’s decisions are highly speculative, but his suspicions are worth discussion.

The author also provides an excellent and  comprehensive review of our town’s history. It is an accurate and well- researched summary.

One thing which he left out is that the OGCMA has raised $1.5 million, some of which is earmarked to help rebuild our beachfront. We are not only the one beach town at the Jersey Shore to not receive FEMA help, but we are the only town to raise this kind of money on our own.

He also didn’t mention the New Jersey political establishment, including the Governor’s office,the state legislators and our Congressional delegation  which have tried to persuade FEMA to reconsider their unfair ruling.  I also question his assertion that Ocean Grove has an “upper class tax base.”  If he checks out the 2010 census report, that is clearly not true, unless he is speculating about the second-homer population which is not counted in the census.

Blogfinger has a search engine on its homepage where anyone can look at our many articles on this subject since October, 2012 when Sandy hit the Jersey Shore.

I encourage all of you to read this provocative Weekly Standard piece.  It will certainly help to get our story known nationally and in Washington.

Here is the link to the article:      FEMA OG article

Here is the Weekly Standard’s home page link      Weekly standard web site

Here is a Blogfinger post about possible FEMA bias:  BF bias link

Here is another  Blogfinger article about possible FEMA bias:    Blogfinger link

Here is a link to Steven Froias’ Asbury Park Pulp:    PULP link

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Show Us the Money. Ocean Grove Feeling Optimistic as the Second Year Post-Sandy Begins.

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy recovery, tagged , on October 29, 2013|

Bill Bailey (l) and Ralph delCampo in the Tabernacle organizing volunteers on Nov. 3, 2012. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

Bill Bailey (l) and Ralph delCampo in the Tabernacle organizing volunteers on Nov. 3, 2012. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Wednesday, October 30, 2013.  Ocean Grove, NJ:    Ralph delCampo, the soon-to-be ex-COO of the OGCMA,  has been working for a year trying to obtain Federal funding for our damaged beach front, with the focus primarily on the Boardwalk which was wiped out except for some intact components at each end.

He and his colleagues, along with consultants who are experts at dealing with FEMA, are now preparing for an in-person conference in Washington, D.C. with FEMA officials regarding our second appeal which will probably be held in December, but could be sooner. Mr. delCampo says, “We need clarity.”

Last night, on the one year anniversary of Sandy, the fourth in a series of meetings was held at the CMA headquarters.  In attendance were representatives of all the major OG organizations who were there to hear the latest news regarding our Sandy recovery, presented by  Dale Whilden, Ralph delCampo, and Bill Bailey of the OGCMA.

Ralph (who always says, “Call me Ralph”) is a man who is used to dealing with big corporate issues and with one large Federal agency—the FDA. He has been supervising the complex FEMA paper work and talking with FEMA officials,  politicians at all levels of government, advisors, CMA trustees, citizens, the press, lawyers and others. He is a careful strategist who is perpetually confident, careful and cheerful. Those of us who know him realize that he will make no promises that he can’t keep, and he never says anything that is out of place.

So it came as a surprise last night when he  and Bill Bailey confidently agreed that their first goal will be achieved, i.e.  to complete the “middle beach” boardwalk  (from the beach office area to the Pavilion),  “one way or another” by Memorial Day.

Ralph also revealed that the CMA is seeking two major non-FEMA sources of Federal funding.  These grants are paid through the State of New Jersey. One is via the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), and there is the potential for receiving about $300,000. He said, “We are optimistic.”

The other application is to the EDA (Economic Development Authority.)  Ralph says that the CMA has applied for a $3 million grant which is currently “moving along.”  Regarding their chances of success, he says, “We feel pretty good.”

Earlier in the process, it was FEMA 24/7, but now Ralph is looking in all directions. He says, “We will apply for all that we can.”

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What does Katrina have to do with our FEMA problem?

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Hurricane legacy, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy recovery on October 27, 2013| 10 Comments »

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor  @Blogfinger

In December 1992, a vicious nor’easter destroyed the Ocean Grove Boardwalk and Fishing Pier. FEMA, understanding that the Ocean Grove boardwalk was owned by a private non-profit group (The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association,) readily agreed to pay for the reconstruction of those beachfront structures.

After that, FEMA regulations were changed, many times, over the ensuing years.  We don’t know exactly which/when regulatory changes affecting PNP’s  (private non-profits) were put in place, but OG ended up being rejected  by FEMA after Sandy, and we don’t know why those changes were made.

Ralph delCampo, interim COO of the OGCMA, in interviews with Blogfinger, said, at least twice, that we were suffering now because of rule changes made after Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. New regulations were published in 2007.

Yet it seems that if we were eligible in 1992, then surely we should be eligible now.  If our boardwalk was understood to be for the public good then, so why is it now written off as a “recreational facility?”  Nothing has changed with respect to the Boardwalk’s functions.  If there were problems after Katrina, how could that have been something that would cause the rejection of  Ocean Grove now?

Consider this quote from the New York Times, last week;  in an article about how the Governor has been recently criticized regarding his failure to rebuild after Sandy in many parts of the Shore and to return thousands of citizens to their homes:

“Mr. Christie has blamed the slowness of federal agencies for delays in getting money to residents, and said that New Jersey was paying for the sins from Hurricane Katrina, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency put up hurdles to prevent fraud.”

Again a reference to Katrina, this time from the Governor, and it is about fraud after Katrina.   So how does Katrina fraud in New Orleans result in making OG ineligible for aid after Sandy?

Is it possible that Ocean Grove is being punished by being swept up in a storm of regulatory changes that weren’t meant to hurt places like the Grove?  Perhaps the issue was also one of cost cutting, but why cut out our boardwalk when it was equally as deserving as all other boardwalks back in 1992?  If cost is the concern, then why pay for every boardwalk except ours?

Here’s a quote from a FEMA regulatory statement dated 2007:

“FEMA policy 2007 ineligible PNP Facilities. ‘ Some PNP facilities that might have been assisted prior to 1993 are no longer eligible under the governing statutes and regulations. Examples include:  recreation facilities, etc.’ “

We have complained on Blogfinger that OG has been treated unfairly. BF is not the only source of such complaints on behalf of the Grove.  Below is a resolution from the NJ Legislature  (the link is below)

The synopsis says:   “…. urges the President and FEMA to ensure funding necessary to repair Ocean Grove’s boardwalk”

 

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 103

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED APRIL 4, 2013

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  MARY PAT ANGELINI

District 11 (Monmouth)

Assemblywoman  CAROLINE CASAGRANDE

District 11 (Monmouth) 

 

njleg resolution

When I appeared on a panel   (BF Link to podcast  ) recently to discuss our situation, Mark DiIonno, a Star Ledger columnist who was nominated for a Pulitzer this year said, referring to our denial by FEMA, “Their reasoning was absurd regarding the designation of the OG boards as  ‘recreational,'”

He noted that every boardwalk in New Jersey was recreational in the same way that ours is.  He referred to the “skewed reasoning of FEMA.”

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TOGETHER Campaign has reached its goal of $1.5 million

Posted in Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, tagged on October 19, 2013| 1 Comment »

The Great Auditorium on Oct. 28, the day before Sandy hit Ocean Grove. Photo by Eileen Goldfinger ©

The Great Auditorium on Oct. 28, 2012, the day before Sandy hit Ocean Grove. Photo by Eileen Goldfinger ©

We have received word from Margaret Cotton, co-Chair of the Together Campaign.

The Together Campaign has reached $1.5 million! 

Our sincere thanks to all who were a part of the amazing effort

–       those who gave the gift of their time,

–        the gift of encouragement, prayers, and faith,

–         and generous and sacrificial gifts of financial support

This week we received word of a grant from Samaritan’s Purse

 toward the repair of the boardwalk that sent us across the finish line.

 In the beginning we knew that gifts great and small would be necessary to reach this goal.

No words can express our gratitude for such overflowing blessings, but we are going to try.

Help Us Thank Our Donors and Volunteers

At An Ocean Grove “Together” Celebration!

All Are Welcome!

 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

3 pm to 5 pm

Ocean Grove Youth Temple

Congratulations from Blogfinger for the unique fund-raising success engineered by the Together Campaign in partnership with citizens and friends of Ocean Grove.  Nowhere on the Jersey Shore can you find an effort that comes even close to this accomplishment.

Here’s a musical tribute that incorporates sentiments of thanks, love, memories, and dreams come true.  It’s LOUIS ARMSTRONG with “Thanks a Million.”    —-Paul Goldfinger, Editor  @Blogfinger

 

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Need money to rebuild the beachfront? There is a precedent going back to 1885.

Posted in Hurricane legacy, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove history, tagged , on October 13, 2013| 14 Comments »

Image 1

Sent by Estella: 1904 "..was up and down the boardwalk until 9:30 o'clock."

Sent by Estella: 1904 “..was up and down the boardwalk until 9:30 o’clock.”

On June 3, Frank S., a resident of Ocean Grove, commented regarding our failure to obtain FEMA funding. He said,  “Could OGCMA place a special assessment of $250 to $500 on its approximately 3000 homeowners/tenants ??”

No one reacted to his suggestion, even though the idea could have produced $1.5 million.   Now we see that there is a precedent going back to 1885.

Rich Amole, amateur OG history sleuth, found this news item in a long out-of-print book called “The Story of Ocean Grove…1869-1919.” The book was copyright in 1919 by the author Morris Daniels, a trustee of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.

Rich says, “That paragraph is on page 265 and relates to a storm of 11/25/1885.”

November 1885

The book goes on to say that the citizens responded with “spirit” and that “the responses were a great encouragement to the Association.”  The assessments were voluntary. The total expense, including the repairs to the sewer amounted to $6,500.00 with the remaining $1,500.00 paid by the CMA.

J.H. Thornley, one of the members of the Executive Committee and D.H. Brown, Esq, the treasurer, “drove the nails next to the last, and the president the last in the the new boardwalk at 11:40 am, June 18 1885. …..refreshments and general congratulations followed.”

As many of you know, there were quite a few destructive storms that clobbered the Grove over the ensuing years, and there were a number of boardwalks and piers that were rebuilt by the OGCMA and perhaps the citizens as well.

At no time, until 1992, did the Federal government (FEMA)  ever help with rebuilding a boardwalk here.  At that time, the government had decided that it was its responsibility to help communities after bad storms, and that n’oreaster caused horrid damage to the beachfront.

In 1993 the rules were changed, and we have now been excluded by FEMA because of a technicality.  FEMA has focused on the ownership of the boardwalk instead of  focusing on our citizens who deserve to have their very public boardwalk restored by FEMA, so as to provide us with the same economic, safety, emergency, life style and access advantages that other neighboring towns have.

In addition, the CMA, in 1885, recognized that a boardwalk improved the financial value of all the homes in the Grove.  Those of you homeowners in town who cheered FEMA for denying help to the CMA are out of step with history, with fair logic and with your own financial interest.

—Paul Goldfinger, Editor  @Blogfinger

Annette Hanshaw–“It All Depends on You.”

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Ocean Grove is not alone in waiting for FEMA, but we are still different. Why?

Posted in Hurricane legacy, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy in Ocean Grove, tagged , , on October 8, 2013| 8 Comments »

By Paul Goldfinger, editor @Blogfinger

Long Branch boardwalk post-Sandy (Long Branch Patch)

Long Branch boardwalk post-Sandy (Long Branch Patch)

Long Branch not only hasn’t rebuilt its Sandy-damaged boardwalk, it hasn’t even designed the new one. Although it expects to receive money from FEMA, it has no idea how much money it will get.  As a result, the city council there has not given their engineers the go ahead to plan the project. Mayor Adam Schneider is quoted by the Link News  (latest October edition) as saying, “A $10 million boardwalk would be designed differently than a $14 million boardwalk.” He said that he hoped the amount will be disclosed sooner than later.

As in Ocean Grove’s situation, the goal is to build a new boardwalk that is designed to withstand the ravages of another super storm.   There is one cautionary note:  FEMA will pay to rebuild boardwalks as they were before the storm.  They do not pay for newly designed  structural enhancements such as bulkheads.

Interestingly, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has gone ahead with planning for its project so that work can be begun as soon as financing is achieved.

A citizen questioned the Long Branch mayor as to why they are still waiting while Seaside Heights and other towns have already rebuilt.  He said that Long Branch’s situation is technically different because of the loss of sand and “bluffs.”  Long Branch took out a note for $5 million shortly after Sandy, but, as noted, no FEMA funds have arrived.

Unfortunately, 42 shore towns have sold nearly $400 million in short-term debt at a relatively high interest rate in order to get their recovery projects going after Sandy, expecting to be paid back by FEMA, but now some of those towns are sweating because FEMA has been slow to pay, even though Congress approved over $800 million for Jersey in January 2013.

Belmar is one of those towns that took on debt to begin a project that was estimated to cost $20 million.  The town borrowed multiple millions of dollars.  This summer, Belmar did receive $9.2 million from the feds  (Belmar Manasquan Patch July 13, 2013).   Manasquan borrowed over $3 million in August, and they are desperate to get the promised federal help

Long Beach Island borrowed $8 million in March and has only received 9% back from FEMA. Mayor Mancini of Long Beach Township said, “It’s an absolute disgrace that we’re going to have to go out and bond nine months after the money’s been appropriated by Congress.  We can’t self-fund any more. Our pockets aren’t that deep.”  (Bloomberg )

Asbury Park approved an emergency appropriation of $7.1 million that will be allocated over five years.  Their project was initially estimated at $12 million. We don’t know if they received any FEMA checks.

As for Neptune, the Manasquan Patch reported on August 23,   “Neptune Township, which includes hard hit areas of Ocean Grove and Shark River Hills, received …… just more than $1.9 million, according to the figures.

“Lynn Servon, secretary of the Neptune Township Economic Development Corporation, said FEMA estimated the township’s damages at around $7.2 million.”

This is the first we have  heard about FEMA payments to Neptune.  For more information about the Neptune payments, see comments.

FEMA paid $3 million to Seaside Heights for their boardwalk after Sandy, but the final bill will be much higher. Now, after the fire, the two Seasides expect to get $1.4 million more to re-do their boardwalks.  Reuters reported that there will be help for [at least 30]  privately owned businesses at the Seasides including Bubba’s Dog House, Kupper’s French Fries, and Marruca’s Tomato Pies.”

This is from Philly.com (Sept 19):     “The state chapter of Americans for Prosperity, which is affiliated with the tea party, believes the state should not cover fire losses that cannot definitively be tied to Sandy. And left-leaning housing advocacy groups say funds should not be diverted to unrelated needs as long as displaced New Jerseyans are still on waiting lists for housing aid.”   In addition, they asked, “So why is Sandy relief money being earmarked to rebuild burned structures – including, according to Christie, businesses unaffected by the storm?”

Sept. 13, 2013

Sept. 13, 2013

In May, the Point Pleasant Beach had received no money from FEMA for their boardwalk. They complained loudly and got a check for $2.1 million. (Point Pleasant.Patch.com)

When Spring Lake did not get its money, Rep Chris Smith (Monmouth County  4th district-replacing Rep. Pallone for OG) went to bat, and FEMA awarded Spring Lake over $4 million in federal funding in June toward the $5.5 million cost to replace their boardwalk.  Rep Smith said, “Boardwalks are the economic lifeline of beach towns, which would not fully recover unless their boardwalks are rebuilt and open for tourism. I will continue to work to help Spring Lake and other towns recover and rebuild.”  Rep Smith also announced  $2.3 million for Avon-By-the-Sea.

Rep. Chris Smith (r) in Avon.

Rep. Chris Smith (r) in Avon.

However, the people of Ocean Grove have never seen our Rep (Smith) in town. Most of us don’t even know he exists.  We are told that he is working on our behalf, but he really should show his face down by our grassy/sandy middle beach strip and say something to the people of Ocean Grove.

Our Senator Menendez is quoted as saying, when discussing Pt. Pleasant, “I will continue fighting for the federal resources we need to help all New Jersey communities rebuild even better and stronger than before the storm.”  (Pt. Pleasant Patch)  Where is he on Ocean Grove’s unique situation where our citizens are being treated unfairly?

The Governor said that part of the reimbursement slowdown is because some of  the towns did not do their paperwork properly.  (Ouch!)

As a result of the borrowing,  Moody’s gave negative credit ratings to Belmar, Lavallette, Sea Bright and Long Beach Twp.  Seaside Heights was significantly downgraded.

In June, FEMA said that it would reimburse these towns 90% of their expenses.

We may not have all the numbers right , but clearly only a small amount of approved FEMA money has actually been received by the towns around here. This is worrisome and requires our attention along with our chronic concern about the citizens of Ocean Grove’s status at the bottom of the heap.

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Latest News About the Rebuilding Project in Ocean Grove, N.J. —based on an interview with Ralph delCampo of the OGCMA, on August 26, 2013.

Posted in Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy memories, Music from the Broadway stage., Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Ocean Grove portraits, tagged , on August 27, 2013| 4 Comments »

..and the walls came tumbling down. Auditorium roof pieces on Nov. 3, 2012. All photos © by Paul Goldfinger

“..and the walls came tumbling down.” Auditorium roof pieces on Nov. 3, 2012. All photos © by Paul Goldfinger. Left click all our photos.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

FEMA–REGULAR FUNDING SECTOR: The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has submitted their second appeal to FEMA. Ralph delCampo, interim COO, OGCMA, told Blogfinger that his team has been working with “just about every elected official at multiple levels of government” including Neptune Township, NJ State legislature, Governor’s office, our Representative in Congress—Chris Smith, and our Senator Menendez. He also specifically mentioned Assemblywomen Angelini and Casagrande along with our State Senator Jennifer Beck.

We should have a response about our appeal around Thanksgiving time.

Mr. delCampo says, “We are trying to address every avenue we can and to leave no stone unturned.”

Based upon advice from consultants experienced with FEMA and Katrina, the CMA has been advised to request an oral presentation to FEMA in Washington, D.C. The CMA contacted them, and “FEMA agreed to a face to face.”

That should happen in October or November. Among the consultants who are helping is Ocean Grover Eileen Kean. Mr. delCampo says that she has “a lot of connections to a variety of government agencies.”

Nov 3, 2012. Many volunteers showed up. PG photo ©

Nov 3, 2012. Many volunteers showed up. PG photo ©

FEMA SPECIAL FUNDING SECTOR: It turns out that there is a separate funding section within FEMA that handles grants. A few weeks ago, three officials from that group visited Ocean Grove and met with CMA. The officials were given a tour and a presentation of the CMA re-design plans for the ocean front including bulkheads, boardwalk, sand replenishment, pier reconstruction and dunes. Mr. delCampo said that the visitors were “very helpful and interested.”

NEW JERSEY SOURCES OF FUNDING: The Governor’s office has referred the CMA to the State Department of Transportation which has grants of $200,000-$400,000 that we can apply for. That is being looked into.

TOGETHER FUND: So far this effort has brought in $1.265 million.

Volunteers came from all over.

Volunteers came from all over. © PG photo

GETTING READY FOR CONSTRUCTION: A parallel effort is going on in order to be “ready to go” when financing appears. The CMA met last week with their construction engineering firm in order to revisit the estimates and obtain bids for the Boardwalk. “We want to be proactive,” he said.

WORK PRIORITIES:

1. Middle Beach

2. Area north of Sea View Avenue

3. Rebuild the Fishing Pier (“This has always been part of our plan.”)

–A decision will not be made vis a vis the Fishing Club “until

there is clarity” regarding related issues.

4. Redevelop the North End

EXTEND THE FISHING PIER FURTHER? The CMA may get some “outside funding” to go another 30 feet, but we need some more engineering assessment of pilings out there. Maybe the pier can get over the water soon.

BEACH REPLENISHMENT by the Army Corps of Engineers. They are now in Manasquan and will head north. They should reach this area some time in autumn. The last time the beach was replenished was 2001, and the A.C.E. has engineering plans to use in order to get us back to pre-Sandy levels

AUDITORIUM: The new roof materials will be ordered shortly, and the roof should be done by year end.

Nov 3, 2012. A ray of hope: the first fisherman returns to the OG beach. PG photo ©

Nov 3, 2012. A ray of hope: the first fisherman returns to the OG beach. PG photo ©

Here is a link to another photo of the resolute fisherman, above.   Fisherman photo

From the Broadway show “Mame”

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Republican officials visit downtown Ocean Grove and offer some optimism for a FEMA reversal.

Posted in Blogfinger News, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy recovery, tagged on August 3, 2013|

11th District legislators: Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (L), Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, and Senator Jennifer Beck (R) Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, NJ. August 3, 2013. Photo by Paul Goldfinger

11th District legislators: Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (L), Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, and Senator Jennifer Beck (R) Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, NJ. August 3, 2013. Photo by Paul Goldfinger

Paul Goldfinger,  Editor  @Blogfinger

It was raining lightly today on Main Avenue in the Grove when I noticed a flurry of excitement by the OG bakery.  There was a photo shoot of some elected and aspiring Republican women. So I pedaled Blogmobile, Jr. over there and joined in the media frenzy.

Our district, the 11th (of 40), is represented by one State senator and two members of the Assembly.  Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, who has been in the Assembly since 2008, said that the Governor and his staff are taking an active interest in Ocean Grove’s second appeal to FEMA.  She said that the Governor’s office was  “very upset” when our first appeal was rejected and that there is a good chance for FEMA to reverse its decision.

State Senator Jennifer Beck, Senator since 2008,  has been directly involved in discussions about the FEMA situation along with Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, who has been in the Assembly since January, 2012.   Sen. Beck said that she has “high hopes” for a FEMA reversal.

Assemblywoman Casagrande, from Colts Neck,  is considered a rising star.  At the age of 36, she is the youngest woman to ever serve in the NJ Assembly. She is leaving for Israel this month having been selected for the fact finding trip by the American Jewish Council.

The New Jersey legislature currently is dominated by Democrats in both houses.

Also present for this political rendezvous in the Grove were Republican candidates for Neptune Township Committee: Danielle Daly and Alva Flores, who will be campaigning  as a team for two seats at the mother ship’s  big table. That election will be in November.

For you history buffs, the first NJ Senate President from Monmouth County was Anthony Reckless in 1863.  It would be fitting if Anthony Weiner were to adopt that name for his internet travels.

FRANK SINATRA:

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OG Camp Meeting Association More Optimistic About 2nd FEMA Appeal

Posted in Blogfinger News, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy recovery, tagged , on July 22, 2013| 1 Comment »

Ocean Grove boardwalk devastation. October 30, 2012, 8:00 a.m. Paul Goldfinger photo © left click for full view

Ocean Grove boardwalk devastation. October 30, 2012, 8:00 a.m. Paul Goldfinger photo © left click for full view

Mr. Ralph del Campo of the OGCMA has been getting some high powered help lately from consultants in planning the second FEMA appeal.  In addition to the experts who have weighed in since after Sandy, some new heavy hitters have joined the effort.   Thanks to the Governor’s office,  Ocean Grove is benefiting from advisors who have experience dealing with FEMA dating back to the post-Katrina situation including some who are former high level FEMA officials.

This level of expert help added to the assistance provided by the Governor’s staff,  Rep. Chris Smith in Washington, and knowledgeable Neptune Township “professionals”  has given augmented hope to the CMA as it plans to submit its latest appeal “as soon as possible”—perhaps by mid-August and then with an anticipated answer by Thanksgiving.   The CMA continues to engage in a measured strategy: “We’re working away at it and we want to be realistic,” says Mr. delCampo.

The assessment of our appeal will be organized in Washington, D.C., and last week a teleconference was held with FEMA officials to discuss technical aspects of the appeal.  Mr. delCampo says that we are beginning to explain to such officials that our town is unique and that our boardwalk is distinctive when compared to many classic Jersey Shore towns. Ours has no commercial element, and there is a strong argument to explain how our boards serve important public functions involving safety, emergency care and  economic enhancements for all the towns in our region.

He thinks  that FEMA is  beginning to understand our argument. He hopes that this new look in our direction will bring a  “totally fresh understanding” of who we are in Ocean Grove.

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OCEAN GROVE TOWN MEETING: July 6, 2013

Posted in Blogfinger News, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy memories, tagged , on July 7, 2013| 4 Comments »

Great Auditorium roof damage after Sandy. OGCMA photo

Great Auditorium roof damage after Sandy. OGCMA photo

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

On Saturday July 6, it reached 103 degrees in some parts of Monmouth County, but at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Temple, the AC was working fine for the Town Meeting sponsored by the OGCMA. About 150 people attended along with CMA officials and representatives of major town organizations.

The meeting was run by CMA executives Dale Whilden, Ralph delCampo and Bill Bailey. Their goal was to “combat mis-information”—to review the “situation” in terms of what has been done so far and what has not. They summarized the history of the Sandy damages (“like a war zone,”), the rebuilding accomplishments to date, and some construction and planning details. Mr. Bailey showed impressive aerial photographs that helped us visualize the destruction from a unique perspective.

Early on, the storm came from the southeast--later from the northeast. This is the south end of OG. OGCMA photo

Early on, the storm came from the southeast–later from the northeast. This is the south end of OG. OGCMA photo. Click left for more detail

This is the middle-north section of OG after Sandy OGCMA photo

This is the middle-north section of OG after Sandy OGCMA photo

But it was not all old news—below are some highlights of new news:

1. Engineering: The CMA has been consulting with engineers who are experienced with storm ravaged beaches. The reasons for the varied damages along our beachfront relate to structural differences. At the north end, starting at the Pavilion, is a rubble wall (a jetty under the sand) which was built in 1953, which protected that area. In the middle, where most of the damage was, they found a vertical imbedded metal wall, but unfortunately, the boardwalk had been built in front of it in 1992. FEMA paid back then but didn’t allow the boardwalk to be rebuilt 25-30 feet to the west. That mistake will be corrected this time. At the south end, there was some protection by metal bulkheads.

2. Pier: The American Fence Company* will close down their operation in Pennsylvania on July 22 and will return for five days with a crew of 22 to complete the lengthening of the pier another 80 feet, with railings. They will also complete some work at the north end.

3. FEMA: The CMA has been working with consultants who are expert at navigating the twists and turns at a large government agency like FEMA. Mr. del Campo says, “The assumption is that FEMA will fund 75% of the cost at the oceanfront and that the TOGETHER campaign will provide the rest. We are more optimistic than in the past.” There also is the possibility that the financing from FEMA will be for 90% of the cost. Here is a link to our recent article about FEMA appeal #2. Appeal #2

It is anticipated that this appeal will be reviewed in Washington, unlike the last two that were assessed at the regional level.

4. Allies: The CMA has met with the Governor’s office. They have been following the situation and they are interested in helping. Neptune Township has “been very supportive and very involved ” in our quest for FEMA help. All local elected officials will be contacted to help. Mr. delCampo specifically mentioned Congressman Chris Smith and State Senator Jennifer Beck. Our allies can help the CMA explain the uniqueness of OG’s boardwalk to FEMA officials. It is much more than just recreational.

5. Q and A. There was one noteworthy moment of holiday verbal fireworks when Hank Savage angrily attacked the CMA for not having a “Plan B” if government funding fails to materialize. He correctly pointed out how the absence of a boardwalk is affecting so many people in so many ways. He said that Ocean Grove “looks like the Dresden of the Jersey Shore.” He refused to accept Mr. delCampo’s explanations and said, “That is not a plan.” Mr. Savage suggested that Plan B should be some type of negotiation with Neptune Township to take over the beachfront.

Mr. delCampo responded by saying that the planning has been extensive and that there were some aspects that could not be discussed publicly at this time.

A woman stood to say that perhaps OG was rejected by FEMA because the CMA had “denied Constitutional rights to gays.” This question materialized after a number of speakers had praised the new cooperative relationship between the CMA and OGU. Mr. delCampo sidestepped the topic by telling her that the CMA has been eligible for funds all along. The denial of funds is about the boardwalk designation as recreational.

6. MISC: The sand on the streets recurs because of the wind and large amounts of uncompacted sand (due to loss of dunes). Neptune Twp is responsible for cleaning the streets. Lighting at the beachfront needs to be improved, but JCP&L is the limiting component, and they are “swamped” with work. The north end building on the boardwalk is privately owned, but the owner is committed to rebuilding. The TOGETHER fund will be co-sponsoring a town picnic in July (OGU is the other sponsor,) and there will be a summer ball in August.

LINKS:

OGCMA press release July 5, 2013

American Fence Company BF article*

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OCEAN GROVE CAMP MEETING ASSOCIATION DECIDES TO APPLY FOR SECOND FEMA APPEAL

Posted in Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Ocean Grove boardwalk restoration, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, October storm in Ocean Grove, tagged on July 6, 2013| 2 Comments »

Ocean Grove beachfront. October 30, 8:30 a.m. By Paul Goldfinger © left click for full view

Ocean Grove beachfront. October 30, 8:30 a.m. By Paul Goldfinger © left click for full view

MiddlelBeach. Ocean Grove, NJ June, 2013. Blogfinger photo ©

Middle Beach. Ocean Grove, NJ June, 2013. Blogfinger photo ©

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Friday, June 5, 2013. 12:30 p.m. — We have learned from the OGCMA interim Administrator, Ralph delCampo, that the CMA will apply for the second FEMA appeal. This decision was made after careful consideration and discussion with government agency consultants who have “strongly advised” the CMA to pursue this strategy.

Evidently, there is a “considerable likelihood” of success this time around because of FEMA’s procedures which are expected to be different with this second appeal. The original denial and that of the first appeal were based on a focused regulatory approach to the Ocean Grove application. But this time, it is expected that FEMA will view the situation with a “more holistic ” assessment that will look at the “bigger picture. ”

Our elected officials in Neptune, Trenton and Washington will be asked to support the second appeal by trying again to explain the importance of our beachfront in providing public works including municipal and emergency services. In addition, the Ocean Grove boardwalk has been legally recognized as a public thoroughfare for the benefit of everyone, and it is hoped that these officials will be able to explain the situation to FEMA.

Unlike the last two go rounds, this time, the CMA will be able to apply for other sources of grants, such as from the State of New Jersey. The FEMA appeal will take about sixty days to prepare and be submitted. After that the CMA can apply for other grant sources. It is expected that the FEMA appeal will require about three months for their consideration, so a decision of approval of funds from them can be expected about end November.

Once the CMA receives funding, they will start reconstruction work at the Middle Beach. After that, they will turn their attention to the North End and the pier.

Mr. delCampo is enthused about the work of the TOGETHER fundraising campaign. “We are so pleased,” he said. So far they have raised $784,000. Of that, $93,000 is designated for the Auditorium roof, $106,000 for the beachfront and $8,000 for Thornley Chapel. The rest is “unrestricted, undesignated” money—paid and pledged.

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Saving memories of Sandy in the Grove. 2013.

Posted in Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, Hurricane Sandy memories, tagged , on June 17, 2013| 2 Comments »

October 30, 2012. Ocean Grove, NJ. The day after Sandy. Paul Goldfinger photo. © Left click for full view

October 30, 2012. Ocean Grove, NJ. The day after Sandy. Paul Goldfinger photos.   Click for full view

 

Ocean Grove. By Carl Swenson

Post Sandy.   Ocean Grove, NJ . By Carl Swenson

 

We are in the midst of still dealing with Sandy. It’s necessary to keep reminding everyone of what we experienced. So far, government has failed us with our situation, so this may help with fundraising.  If you have a memory of Sandy in the Grove, please share, but keep it brief.     Thanks,   Paul

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Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Remains Hopeful of Funding After the Latest FEMA Rejection.

Posted in Blogfinger News, Hurricane Sandy funding in Ocean Grove, tagged on June 5, 2013| 12 Comments »

Ocean Grove, NJ Red flags, rough seas PG Photo

Ocean Grove, NJ.   Red flags, rough seas.     PG Photo

By Paul Goldfinger,  Editor  @Blogfinger

June 4, 2013:      Just three days after learning that the FEMA appeal had been denied, officials of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association  met today  with representatives of major OG organizations to discuss the  current situation.  Dr. Dale Whilden, President of the CMA said , “We were shocked” to receive the news which came to them via the Governor’s office.

Mr. Ralph delCampo, interim administrator, discussed FEMA regulations with the group.  He said that the CMA had been “struggling” with changes in FEMA regs since the rules were first changed in 1993.  Later those rules were changed further due to the tremendous amount of money spent after Katrina (2005) when the government was trying to tighten spending.

Mr. delCampo noted that even though this current appeal was denied, the official letter from FEMA indicated that government officials had a “better understanding of the role our boardwalk plays as a multi-use entity with a variety of systems which involve the entire beachfront and contain significant support for emergency services.”   The letter detailed all the ways our boardwalk works for promoting the health and safety of citizens at the beachfront. But FEMA evidently did not buy the CMA’s application claim that “the Ocean Grove Beachfront has long been recognized as a public facility by the State of New Jersey and that its services are available at all times, making it eligible for FEMA aid.”

The reason this appeal failed is because of a regulation that requires eligible services to be in use more than 50%  of the time.  The CMA argued that their emergency services at the beachfront are available all the time, much like a levee in New Orleans is always ready to turn back a major rise in water levels or like an insurance policy that provides constant background protection.  But FEMA said that since CMA “has not established that the primary function (50% of either space or time used) of the boardwalk facility serves to provide critical emergency services,  FEMA does not consider the boardwalk to be an eligible facility.”

Mr. delCampo pointed out that in 2001 and again in 2013, a Federal agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, will pay 100% for beach replenishment, and yet, here is FEMA turning us down.  “Why this discrepancy?” he asked. “Consistency is missing,”

He said that these FEMA rules are “not as black and white as a lay person would think by reading the regulations.”  Instead he said that these regs are “more grey than black and white, and that they could be interpreted and even modified in different ways.”   As an example, he pointed out that our Representative Chris Smith (4th District) sponsored a bill in Feb, 2013 to correct an “unfairness” and which would require FEMA to  repair damaged houses of worship.  (The Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act.)  That proposed law would not affect us, but it shows that Congress has the power to compel changes in FEMA regulations.

This past weekend, CMA officials met with “experts in dealing with FEMA” to decide on the next steps, including the possibility of a second appeal, perhaps with the chance of having our ideas heard in Washington. They also are contacting all our elected officials about the situation.   The FEMA letter mentions a second appeal mechanism.  All implications of a second appeal must be considered to decide if that approach would be “best for the community.”  Other options are available.

He expressed thanks to all the elected officials in our area: municipal, county, state, and federal who have been supportive. Regarding this political help, he said, “We are very very pleased,” and the names he mentioned included Beck, Smith, Pallone, Menendez,  Houghtaling and Bishop. “We are working with them,” he said. “They can generate or influence legislation.”

The CMA has just begun to figure out what to do next,  but “our goal is to get funded.”  That target will drive all subsequent decisions.  In the process they will be careful to not cause any extra issues.  Mr. delCampo concluded by saying, “I believe, at the end of the day, that the right decision will be made” by those who control public disaster funding.”

Meanwhile, engineers and consultants are working with the CMA to design the rest of the boardwalk project based on the prototype near the beach offices and based on lessons learned from the past. They want a plan that will protect the beachfront with a strong and durable design that will last for many years and for many storms.  They don’t want to rush “like some other beach towns have done.”   Mr. delCampo stressed that “We want to be cautious and responsible with the construction; what we do will set precedents for the future.”

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