Monday night. June 20, 2016. the first day of summer.
Text and all photos below by Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
I got to the Great Auditorium as the names of the Class of 2016, Neptune High School, were being read. There was a joyful noise as cheers erupted, one after the other, like a happy chain reaction. Then they all stood for the Star Spangled Banner, and then over 300 Scarlet Fliers were clutching their diplomas as they flowed out into the twilight. I stood there, enveloped by the moving throng. There were hugs, kisses, laughter and yes joy all around me. It was hard to focus the camera.
The crowd was in motion as the grads greeted their families, friends and colleagues. No doubt there will be parties, as there should be, because this is such a momentous accomplishment for these teen-aged students. At this moment, only the here and now seemed important.
I was shooting very quickly, recording motion all around, trying to capture moments of truth. There was little chance for composition.
When the images later popped up on the computer screen, I was surprised to see the faces. Besides excitement and happiness, so many seemed serious. What was in their minds? Was it fear of the future or were they merely overwhelmed by the moment? They can’t control the expressions on their faces, but they will have many chances later to reflect on the meaning of what just occurred.
So congratulations to all the grads of Neptune High School ’16. This is an achievement to be proud of.
Click on the music and then click on a photo for the ultimate multimedia BF experience. Click on one and follow the arrows. Click small X to go back.
Setting: Eileen is looking out our window onto Delaware Avenue. A woman is walking her two dogs on our grassy strip. Eileen steps out onto the porch and speaks to the dog walker.
E.: Could you not let your dogs do their business on our grass?
DW: I’m cleaning it up.
E: The urine kills the grass.
DW: I’m doing the best I can.
E.: That’s why you have the dogs on a leash.
DW: Well, it’s not really your grass–it belongs to the town.
E.: I am responsible for the grass.We grow the grass and we take care of it.
Below is a link to a related article in Blogfinger, 2015.
Editor’s note: The ordinance which governs this matter says, ” No person owning, harboring, keeping, walking or in charge of any dog shall cause, suffer, permit or allow the dog to soil, defile, defecate on or commit any nuisance on any common thoroughfare, street, sidewalk, passageway, road by-pass, play area, park or any place where people congregate or walk or upon any public property whatsoever, or upon any private property without the permission of the owner of the private property.”
Committeeman Randy Bishop recently announced publicly that he would be leaving his posts on the Township Committee and on the Planning Board in order to take a position appointed by the State of New Jersey. But he is still present, and the changeover was supposed to have happened by now. In fact, replacements were being considered for his Committee seat.
But Bishop has not resigned his post on the Committee after all, and he has not, to our knowledge, publicly explained his plans.
Jack Bredin, OG citizen activist and Blogfinger researcher, attends every Committee meeting and he pays attention to such matters. We received this comment from him today,
“Paul, Randy Bishop would like to remain on the Committee. He has stayed on past the time he was expected to leave, and I would hope he would stay on because he is the most knowledgeable on the Committee regarding land use procedures.”
Welcome to the Ocean Grove North End Redevelopment zone. Blogfinger photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net. Jack Bredin, Researcher @Blogfinger.
Since 2007, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and the North End financial backers–WAVE— have been promising to move ahead with the North End Redevelopment Plan. That official NERP was passed by the Neptune Township Committee in 2008.
In order to get the process really moving, beyond the conceptual phase which has been dormant for years, at least 3 affirmative votes by members of the new 2016 Neptune Township Committee would be required to approve a Redevelopers Agreement (contract) with WAVE regarding that 2008 NERP. After that, a resolution approving the contract would be signed by the Mayor and the Township Clerk. Public hearings should be held to announce the new agreement.
If WAVE wants to change the plan from the 2008 concept to something else, then the entire process has to start again from scratch.
At the February 8th meeting of the Township Committee, the Committee’s attorney, Gene Anthony, announced that he had recently received a message from WAVE that WAVE and the OGCMA were completing their private agreement and that, secondly, WAVE has a new investment “partner.” When everything is finalized, they will combine their financials and make a presentation. They will have to disclose everyone involved who has over a 10% interest in the plan.
We don’t know if any of the present members of the Township Committee have attended any of those private meetings along with the Township Attorney. We don’t know if any of the 2016 Committee know much about the NERP and its questionable features.
The agreement announced by Mr. Anthony should be completed by mid-February, so then we’ll see if Sisyphus can push this boulder up the hill.
At the last Neptune Township Planning Board meeting, Committeeman Randy Bishop made the following announcement:
“I just want to thank the Board for the eleven years I served on the Planning Board.
“I will not be the Committee liaison in 2016.
“It appears that I will be appointed to a State position and I would have to leave the Governing Body.* I would like to stay on, but as the law is, I cannot.
“This will be my last Planing Board meeting.
“I received word today that the appointment that will launch my next mission will take place on January 7, and sent to the floor of the Senate on the 11th.
“I will resign January 26 from the Township Committee. Dr. Michael Brantley will be taking my place on the Planning Board.”
Mayor Mary Beth Jahn of Neptune Township, New Jersey.
We recently reported on an ugly incident at the April 27, 2015 Township Committee meeting where an Ocean Grove resident was forced to sit down during the public session. We posted the exact verbal exchange between Jack Bredin and the Mayor, but when the minutes of that meeting were published on the Township website, this is what it said: “Jack Bredin came up to the microphone to talk about the North End but was asked to sit down by the Mayor. He was escorted to his seat by a Patrolman.”
I think this version of the event makes Jack look bad without revealing the Mayor’s untoward behavior. Those minutes should include everything that is said at those meetings, not a distorted whitewashed version. This revisionist text makes one wonder what else is distorted when those minutes are typed and does nothing to reassure the public about transparency by the Committee.
The conversation can be heard on the recording that was made at the meeting, and we posted the transcription on Blogfinger (see link below)
It’s very interesting to read the minutes of the Neptune Township Committee. Unfortunately, the minutes are not typed and made available in a timely way. For example, on April 25, 2015, two days before the next meeting, the latest minutes posted on the Township web site are from March 9, 2015. You can get your hands on the actual recording of the meeting by going to the Clerk’s Office where, for a nominal charge, they will give you an audio recording on a disc.
Anyone can read the typed minutes by going to Neptunetownship.org. then click on Agendas and Minutes. This is an important service.
One part that is always of interest is the Public Comments section at the end where anyone can go to the mic and say what they wish. They are allowed 5 minutes, and it doesn’t elicit any discussion, but you can find out some interesting information anyhow.
For example, at the March 9 meeting, Ken Buckley of Ocean Grove said a number of things, but these two stood out:
1. “He also discussed the parking problem in Asbury Park and stated their problems could become our problems. He felt the parking problems in Ocean Grove needed to be looked at and solved.”
2. “He stated as far as the North End he had an idea to add a street down the middle of the North End and construct single family homes on either side of the street.”
Jack Bredin of Ocean Grove must have raised some eyebrows when he “stated that the Ocean Grove beach is not owned by the Camp Meeting Association. They have riparian rights.”
Jack also asserted that there are problems with the Township’s land use regarding the north end pavilion and #4 Boardwalk. He said that some of it might be illegal and he asked the Township to get an opinion from the State. Details of his comment can be found in the minutes.
Since very few OG citizens attend those Committee meetings, the minutes and recordings provide a way to know what transpired. You can also read Blogfinger to see our succinct selections.
In our last article, we reported that the Redeveloper for the North End was chosen in 2008 by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and included not only the OGCMA itself, but a mysterious entity called WAVE. (Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises.)
Ordinarily a redeveloper for a “zone in need of redevelopment” would be chosen by the Township, but somehow that was handled differently here. Usually the choice of redeveloper involves sealed bids, public notices, and hearings regarding who the bidders are and how the winner is chosen. We have no information as to how that process was accomplished in this instance and who the members of WAVE are.
A contract ( a “developer’s agreement”) must be signed between the Redeveloper and the Township that would spell out exactly what the Redeveloper’s obligations are. Evidently such a contract was never signed, because it appears that one is to be negotiated now. (see below)
Hill Wallack, a law firm that specializes in such projects said, “A developer’s agreement between the designated redeveloper and the municipality is required, and it must contain a time frame for commencement of development, as well as other statutorily mandated requirements. The agreement specifies the rights and responsibilities of the redeveloper. The terms and flexibility of that agreement can be the difference between a successful project for a developer and a financial disaster.”
It was at a Neptune Township meeting on June 9, 2008, that the choice of Redeveloper was on the agenda as Resolution #292. During the open part of the meeting, the Mayor requested public comments regarding resolutions on the agenda. The quotes below are from the typed minutes of that meeting:
“Former Mayor, the late Joseph Krimko said that he thought that Resolution #292 would be open and transparent and at some time a contract would be prepared detailing what the developer would be doing. He thought there would be several meetings prior to that final hearing.”
Then “Mayor Bishop stated quite frankly he did not remember that.
” Then “Mr. Anthony (the Township attorney) stated you have to negotiate the contract to come up with a plan.”
Then “Mr. Krimko stated he just wanted to make sure that meetings were held prior to the final hearing.”
Mrs. Argyros, a lawyer in the audience, “questioned what type of developer’s agreement would be used in Resolution #292.”
“Mayor Bishop stated it would be a standard agreement.”
Later in that meeting, the actual resolution was read. It said that the CMA “selected Wesley Atlantic Village Enterprises, LLC (WAVE) as the developer of the property, and WAVE is the contract purchaser of the site.” *
Later, the minutes say that the “Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and WAVE have agreed to serve as the Co-Redevelopers of the property.”
Another provision says, “……The Township, the Camp Meeting Association, and WAVE believe that the redevelopment of the zone pursuant to the terms of the Redevelopment Agreement are in the best interests of the Township and will promote the health, safety and welfare of its residents……”
So, we see that the Neptune Township Committee approved the Co-Redevelopers in 2008, but the Camp Meeting Association conducted the actual process of selecting the redevelopers.
Finally, Mayor Bishop announced that a “Negotiating team for the Redevelopment Agreement will be himself, Ms. Jahn, Mr. Bascom and Mr. Huhn.” As it turns out, that Redevelopers Agreement was never consummated. It also appears that the WAVE group was not publically identified and *it seems that they have a contract to buy the property.
This meeting in 2008 marks the formal beginning of a public process which places special obligations on the participants including transparency.
Fast forward to the Neptune Township Committee meeting of Monday, April 13, 2015. The NERP was not on the agenda, but during the public portion, Mr. Jack Bredin asked about negotiating the Redevelopment Agreement. He wondered how the Township Committee could negotiate with people that they do not know. Ann Horan, President of the OGHOA, went to the mic and stated, “We have done a lot of research as to who the principals of WAVE are, and we still have no idea.”
The Township Attorney, Gene Anthony, said , “We know who they are.” But evidently he did not want to name names. Why the privacy on this point?
The negotiation process began today, Wednesday, April 15, 2015. A meeting was held with the Township Engineer, Township Attorney, Committeeman Bishop and W.A.V.E. representatives. The CMA did not attend nor did Committeewoman Mary Beth Jahn who is supposed to be on the negotiating team.
According to Rick Cuttrell, Township Clerk, once an agreement is reached, the finalization has to occur at a public meeting.
The process of redeveloping the North End of Ocean Grove has been starting and stopping since the current plan (NERP) was approved in 2008 and a redeveloper (WAVE) was selected. The next step was to be a signed redevelopment agreement between the redeveloper and Neptune Township.
The last time negotiations re-started was before Sandy in 2012. After that, the process got sidetracked, and there was talk that the Camp Meeting wanted to change the plan to eliminate the underground garage. We have no independent confirmation of that, and the last word from the CMA, per Mr. Gradone, COO, is that they will proceed with the original plan. Mr. Gradone said in 2014 that the project was presently on the “front burner.”
Now there is speculation that the efforts to re-negotiate and sign a redevelopment agreement may soon be underway again. It should be noted that such an agreement must be based on the original 2008 plan. Although small changes could be made, any fundamental change such as substituting single family homes instead of condos, could require trashing the plan and starting the process over, including public meetings.
Because of the huge public interest in Ocean Grove regarding the North End project, it would be helpful if Mayor Jahn would report on the North End Redevelopment Plan’s progress at each Committee meeting. The public should be kept informed regarding this issue.
It is important that all Grovers read the October 12, 2012 editorial on Blogfinger which is linked under Jack Bredin’s comment (click “comments”below.) That piece is very informative as are the 39 comments including some provocative ones by our (now) Mayor Mary Beth Jahn.
BILL WITHERS (in honor of our new mayor who, we hope, will shine some light on the process and update her 2012 Blogfinger remarks:)
January 9, 2015. Neptune High School.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
With all due respect to the organizations that planned this event in a hurry, the two hour session, although well intentioned, failed, for the most part, to confront the real challenges that have recently been causing so much angst among law enforcement.
We all are aware that the police have been frustrated lately by unfair allegations that they are out to abuse young African-American males. Those that recently promoted anti-police demonstrations, rhetoric , and even violence would like America to believe that the police are racists and go out of their way to stop, search, arrest and even shoot unarmed black men. Most reasonable people know that those charges are false.
These allegations have been paraded across the country by media and community “leaders” who prefer to divide racial groups rather than to promote harmony. In addition, the problem has been compounded by lack of leadership and support for police at the highest levels of government, including the White House, the Department of Justice, and the New York City mayor’s office.
Today’s event at the Neptune High School Performing Arts Center was lightly attended with about 200 in the audience. It’s interesting that almost all those present were white. Many who came were policemen, families of police and others who work with and support police such as the Police Unity Tour, NJ State PBA , Neptune Township Police Dept., National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (Central Jersey Chapter,) Neptune Township Committee, State Troopers Fraternal Association, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) and about a dozen other similar groups.
There were 15 speakers, many from the sponsoring organizations and they mostly expressed similar themes which the vast majority in the audience already embrace: i.e. police are dedicated and brave; they put their lives on the line every day; they protect us from harm; they protect our communities from chaos; they offer programs to reach out to kids; their work is not a job, it is a calling; police should be treated with “dignity and respect;” police are good, not evil; police treat all citizens equally; and that many police die or are injured in the line of duty.
Yes, all of that is totally accurate, and all of us should commend the police and be grateful for their service, but what was missing today was an attempt to find insights and solutions to the reasons for calling this meeting in the first place.
There were some who stuck their necks out. Chief Kevin Sauter, President of the NJ State PBA said “This is not a happy time to be an officer.” He said, “Horrible things are being said about us around the country.” He wished the public would be more supportive, but “the public doesn’t understand police work.” He said that the “commitment to duty” of police deserves support and understanding from citizens and public officials. If police do something wrong and are to be judged, he said, it must happen in a courtroom and not on the street.
Trooper Chris Borgos, President of the State Troopers Fraternal Association cautioned officers to “remain vigilant and never let your guard down.”
Trooper Andy Mathews, incoming chairman of the National Troopers Coalition said, “We need public support more than ever. We will not be deterred (in performing our duty) even if we die doing it and we will not allow our badges to be tarnished or broken.”
The only speaker who offered ideas about how to fix the current situation was Rev. Greg Boyle, a former policeman who is now Chaplain of the Police Unity Tour. Boyle offered a “benediction,” but it was more than that.
He said, “The tides have been turned in our nation, so something needs to be done.” His first suggestion was that the woman who murdered a NJ state trooper in 1973, Joanne Chesimard, should be returned to the U.S. from Cuba. He also asked that the penalties for non-compliance and refusing arrest should be increased.
In addition, Boyle believes that a significant contributory factor is that kids don’t learn manners and respect at home. In an interview with Blogfinger after the event he said that our education system should introduce curriculum changes to teach kids how to respect police and how to properly conduct themselves. We expressed skepticism that school boards would introduce such measures, but it seemed like a constructive and important idea.
An interesting sidelight for Ocean Grovers was the appearance of Scott Rasmussen who, on March 13, 2010, was awakened by a Neptune policeman at 5:15 am who told him to get his family outside because the Manchester Inn was in flames. Twenty minutes later, his entire house was engulfed. In an emotional recounting of those events, Rasmussen gave credit to that police officer for saving his family that morning. He also complimented the Neptune PD as an outstanding police force and he was effusive in his thanks to the community.
There were bag pipes, many police in uniform, and, as advertised, it was a day to appreciate law enforcement. But all of us there knew that much more needs to be done to deal with the latest tension between police and those who criticize them. The first step needs to openly and truthfully identify the problems and then to seek solutions.
Another step might have been, instead of sending those Neptune High School students home early, to invite those kids to this event.
Blogfinger wanted to have Mr. Bernard Haney, Neptune Township Assessor, take a look at our readers’ issues as they weighed in by commenting at our post called: “Just Wondering: Are we in for a major increase in property taxes?” Here is a link to that post:
He has agreed to participate in this online interview-discussion format, so we are beginning here with our questions and then Mr. Haney’s first comment to be found by clicking on “comments” below.
BF approached Mr. Haney with these questions:
There seem to be wide variations in the amounts of increased appraised value for different houses, even when expressed by percent increase. Citizens have reported increases ranging from 11.8% up to 50%. One woman told us that her house went up by $200,000. Another went up by $40,000. You can read the comments yourself.
— So the first question is: How do you explain the wide differences in the percent increase from house to house?
People are worried about the tax increase that they anticipate will occur as a result of these appraisals. Can you explain what their reasonable expectations might be regarding the tax implications for homeowners?
—–Please explain the factors that go into the tax determination so that those who don’t know can hear it from an expert?
What effect will these appraisals have on the resale value of their homes. Is there any data on this question?
For those who did not get their appraisal letter, how can they arrange to get one?
Mr. Haney preferred this email approach to a live interview. So he got the ball rolling with a comment this afternoon. Go to the “comments” page by clicking on “comments” below.
The goal here is to help clarify and educate our readers regarding the process, so please go to the comments section to offer opinions and/or questions for Mr. Haney that would further that objective.
We are currently running a poll regarding whether Grovers are pleased with the performance of the Township Committee. It’s only been up for two days, but already 67 people have voted, and most are dissatisfied. It doesn’t matter why they are dissatisfied, because there are probably a variety of reasons, but it is worrisome that so many feel that way.
There are those who say that the citizens have no right to complain, because they don’t go to the Committee meetings, but hardly anyone cares to go. You only get 5 minutes at the end to express an opinion, and there is no discussion. What a deal! Going to a meeting is not a prerequisite for having an opinion or even being irate. Not going doesn’t mean that the citizens don’t care. There must be a better way for these elected officials to communicate with the citizens. Any ideas?
Wouldn’t it be great if, at least, they posted the minutes online within 48 hours, but currently the last set of minutes available is dated October 9.
Blogfinger will not be sending a reporter to those meetings, and the officials do not participate in discussions on Blogfinger. They have no interest in communicating on-line with our citizen readers even though, in less than 48 hours, 67 of you have taken the time to participate in our poll. They can dismiss the OG 67, which will soon be more than that, but 67 is more than they get at 5 of their meetings put together. The Home Groaners Assoc. sends representatives to those meetings, but do they share what they hear there? They sent out a memo to the members today, but there is no mention of what you will see below.
You can request a CD recording of the latest meeting for about 6o cents, but who is going to do that? So what’s the answer?
BF will check the minutes once in a while and share some highlights with you. Below is a portion of the Oct. 9 minutes of the Neptune Township Committee. If any of you attend a meeting, please send us a report from the front lines.
At this Oct. 9 meeting, believe it or not, they were again discussing metered parking in the Grove. This matter is still unsettled, and the natives are still restless, especially after learning that Asbury earns $2 million from their meters and that nothing has been done about the vagabond parkers who flood our extremities north and south.
So here it is, with some minor punctuation and clarification editing (an impossible task) :
“Ken Buckley stated that Asbury Park has raised almost two million dollars in parking fees and expects to raise two and a half million dollars. He stated that he had no idea why the Township would not consider to generate revenue by doing this on the east side of Ocean Grove during beach season. If you are not going to put in the meters then why not limit parking on the ocean side of Ocean Avenue so the free loaders could not stay there all day. He stated they were hurting the residents in Ocean Grove because they could not park.
“Mr. Bishop stated when they talked of doing east side parking {in the past} people pelted the {Commitee} with bottles 16 (??) in the fourth of July parade. He stated it wasn’t worth it because the residents do not want limited parking on Main Avenue. He stated they looked at and can look at it again but people do not want it.
“He stated they were working with it and the residents. Mr. Buckley asked if they were serious in not considering this because you could not make everyone happy. He felt this was pathetic.
“Mr. Bishop stated he heard from him and fifty other people about this and he agreed he could not make everyone one happy. Richard Cuttrell stated when the whole parking meter discussion first came up the thought was let’s do the east side of Ocean Grove, and the folks that got most upset were the ones on the first {beach} block because instead of parking on the eastside of Ocean Avenue they would now park in the front of the homes and the eastside of Ocean Avenue would be the last to be filled. Mayor Brantley stated they would readdress this.”
So, are you citizens still against parking meters in the Grove? Also tell us how to change our form of local government for this new century so that citizens have more of a voice. The old way is broken, and who is responsible? In other words, who’s sorry now?
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
KAREN ELSON from Boardwalk Empire–a story of failed government in New Jersey.
