The Lagoon* at Shell Point, a private contained religious-owned community in Fort Myers, Florida Paul Goldfinger photo. Jan, 2020. “Forever Friends.”
The Arbor at Shell Point. Internet photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor. Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. 2020.
Is the Camp Meeting Association’s unique status in Ocean Grove so unusual that there is no other town exactly like it? We would be interested to find another for historical and comparison purposes.
After all, the OGCMA is a religious organization with its own goals within the larger universe of Neptune Township and Ocean Grove. They own 99% of the land in OG and they have political leverage in Neptune Township even though they no longer have official power. When they governed the town—1869 to 1980, everyone had to follow their rules.
They functioned like a gated community. They would interview prospective residents and explain that all who were accepted had to follow those rules, many of which were religious based, such as the constraints on many activities on Sundays.
But OG is no longer like a gated community. No one can make laws for Ocean Grove except the elected officials in Neptune. Of course the CMA can make rules for its own buildings (like no food in the Great Auditorium and no gay weddings in its chapel.)
Some would say that the CMA can make rules for its public parks and for the beachfront (eg no admittance on Sunday morning.) But that is questionable since the CMA has officially opened such thoroughfares to the public.
We discovered a place similar to the OGCMA within the city of Fort Myers, Florida, called Shell Point. This is a 700 acre community that provides homes and life styles for retirees. Everything within its boundaries is owned by the CMA—the Christian Missionary Alliance.
Unlike the OGCMA, the Alliance owns both the land and all the residences (homes, condos, apartments.) And, unlike with the OGCMA, everyone who lives in Shell Point has signed a contract to follow all the rules. So if they say “no alcohol” within their boundaries, then that is what happens, and rule breakers can be forced out, and the city of Ft. Myers stays out of it.
The OGCMA insists on no alcohol sales in town by convincing Neptune to have an ordinance—an actual law, but only in the OG part of town. So the way that power is exerted, in this regard, is different for these two religious-based communities when compared to each other. In OG people have alcohol in their homes, on their porches and in restaurants if they are BYOB. They just can’t sell it.
Like OG, Shell Point is bordered by water on 3 sides and they have a large central auditorium where religious events are held. They also have parking problems.
Governance is by a board that has a mixture of religious and lay people. Residents do pay some property taxes, but the amount is small and shared with management. Everything is leased.
Unlike Ocean Grove, Shell Point does resemble a gated community but without gates. And it is different in other ways as well.
Geographically, the OGCMA is woven into the fabric of life in the Grove, whereas Shell Point’s properties, physical and otherwise, are clearly demarcated by boundaries and this characteristic reduces the chances of clashes within the community at large, as sometimes occur in Ocean Grove.
Overall, we would be hard pressed to find any towns in New Jersey that are comparable to OG, especially the way we have the CMA which is part and yet not part of our town at the same time. So, unlike Shell Point, we do not have a singular sense of community.
At a person-to-person level, an important difference is that there is considerable overlap of the OGCMA with the secular and diverse residents of Ocean Grove. And that is where conflicts may occur, as we saw in 2007 during the gay civil ceremony angry exchanges and the fight over Kirk Cameron’s appearance in the Great Auditorium. And now we have the Parking Wars.
In Shell Point, the residents are all on the same page and rarely overlap in important ways with those who live outside their invisible borders.
And unlike with many gated communities and unlike Shell Point, our CMA isn’t able to exert its powers of persuasion within a geographically demarcated zone as it did pre-1980, and the demographics in OG are now quite diverse. We are sometimes stepping on each others’ toes, priorities, and life styles.
So Shell Point does resemble Ocean Grove’s CMA in some ways, and that is interesting, but there are differences.
We are still looking for another community where a religious presence like the CMA coexists in a comfortable way with others in town. We have found no nearly identical community to compare with.
So we are on our own in OG, trying to find solutions to certain issues, and sometimes that seems insurmountable as with parking. And that is why parking is about more than parking.
* “Forever Friends” is a 1500 pound stainless steel structure by Douglas Hayes (b. 1968) and donated by a Shell Point benefactor. The birds have a 10 foot wing span. The lagoon features manatees which visit regularly. Shell Point is open to the public and has various races and religions among its residents.
Kids and dogs in Evergreen Park,OG. Paul Goldfinger photo
By Moe Demby, staff reporter/photographer @Blogfinger. 2014 re-post.
In early May several Ocean Grove residents proposed opening a dog park in Ocean Grove to the Neptune Township Committee. The prepared proposal suggested that the park be placed in the open grass area at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Inskip Avenues, behind the sewer maintenance building.
Residents volunteered to care for the park and ensure park rules were followed; including monitoring all residents who utilized the park. The proposal suggested methods in which the park would cost the township little out of pocket expense. The Township Committee members were receptive to the idea of a dog run, including Mayor Brantley who stated that Ocean Grove was long overdue for a dog park. The Committee referred the proposal to the Camp Meeting Association for consideration.
About a week later, the same residents presented the proposal to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association COO J.P. Gradone. Mr. Gradone, a dog owner, was very appreciative of the proposal and stated that he would share the proposal with the CMA board.
On June 14, residents again met with Mr. Gradone to discuss the proposal for an Ocean Grove dog run. Mr. Gradone tinformed residents that after meeting with executive board members, the decision to deny the dog park proposal was unanimous. The reason given by the CMA was, “ It (the dog park) is not compatible with the Camp Meeting Association’s mission.”
It was made clear that the board was firm in its decision; despite the fact that over 175 residents of Ocean Grove backed the concept of a dog park in town. (Blogfinger on-line poll)
If you would like to contact the CMA regarding your disappointment over the decision, below is their contact information:
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger (NOTE: This article was originally posted on Dec 31, 2015, and again in 2020. )
In view of the current signs of life emerging out of the North End Redevelopment Plan’s resting place, here is another chance to read selected quotes by your neighbors and a few others regarding governance in this town and about the North End plan.
Why is it that our local institutions never seem to place the interests of OG’s citizens first? Representative government here has failed. The Neptune Committee makes you wait 3 hours before you get 5 minutes to speak at their meetings, and they show essentially no interest in what the citizens of Ocean Grove think.
They have even threatened a Grover who spoke “out of turn” at their meetings.
Now (2020) they will take advantage of the coronavirus to further distance their governance nonsense from we the people.
Here is a collection of comments, mostly from 2015, but some from 2011 and 2012, repeated now to show the extent of discourse, mostly on the critical side, and to offer a sense of clamor for change leading up to 2016. Note that this is just a mere sprinkling of quotes, chosen arbitrarily from the nearly 17,000 comments made on Blogfinger (except for A.O. Scott) since 2009 to 2015.
A.O. Scott of the New York Times, 2015, talks about “how power operates in the absence of accountability. When institutions convinced of their own greatness work together, what usually happens is that the truth is buried and the innocent suffer.
“Breaking that pattern of collaboration is not easy. Challenging deeply entrenched, widely respected authority can be very scary.” (This quote of A.O. Scott comes from his N.Y.Times movie review of “Spotlight” but it rings true for Neptune Township.)
Jack (Bredin) : The proposed subdivision on Sea View Avenue will result in 4 illegal lots. Whoever purchases them could have big problems in the future, and the Neptune Township Planning Board doesn’t give a flying fig*.
Devo: Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Jack: You would increase your chances of getting a subdivision if you hire a politically connected attorney who can trot out a professional planner who is willing to lie to the Board under oath. You must first make a campaign contribution.
Kevin (Chambers) : As a service to the people of Ocean Grove it would be nice to have that Committee oath of office printed on your site to remind each of the Committee people that their duty is to uphold the laws of the State and to enforce those laws, and that includes zoning laws—–for the protection of all the people in Neptune equally.
Kevin: The attorneys and the planners have the obligation to the public to make sure that testimony is factual, consistent and truthful. In one of these two cases it is anything but that.
Paul Goldfinger: The people of Ocean Grove are being plundered, just as if the Vikings returned from Iceland and landed on the shores of Ocean Grove.
Jack:
What we do know is :
-The Township Committee has no heart.
-The Planning Board has no brain and,
-the OGHOA have no courage.
They all just “go along” with the “Flat Earth Society” opinions from the Township’s professional planners and engineers who most likely were referred to Neptune by the Great Wizard.
The fact is, we have no idea who is running (ruining) our town.
Blogfinger: The Home Groaners’ Board has taken the Kool Aid and has jumped on the bandwagon which says that RSIS*** parking standards are no good for Ocean Grove
Rev Janeba: Although I am a Brooklynite, my heart is in Ocean Grove – the Ocean Grove I KNOW, not the cartoon theme park version that so many misguided persons are trying to bring about. Thank you so much for looking out for MY best interests, too.
Radar: I can’t remember any recent meeting that a vote was taken on the Homeowners’ position.
By the Sea: Who does the OGHOA think they serve? Why do they not test their positions with their own membership? I am a member and I can attest to the fact that OGHOA members were never offered an opportunity to review the RSIS issue, vote on or even discuss it.
From the Neptune Application to SIAB**: “This application…seeks relief from RSIS standards in an overall effort to balance the needs of residents, visitors, and public safety with the unique challenges of maintaining a Federal and State Historic Designation coupled with the unique and historic patterns of development that comprise Ocean Grove as a whole.”
“It is estimated that there are approximately 1.38 potential on-street parking spaces per occupied unit (ie house or condo). This potential inventory adequately addresses the parking need, given that the average number of vehicles per household in the 2010 census is 1.5 vehicles.”
“Neptune Township has worked in concert with the OGCMA to continue to ameliorate parking issues within Ocean Grove.”
Blogfinger (re: RISS:) Let’s face it, this has nothing to do with history or even parking, and everything to do with greed.
Blogfinger: The $64,000.00 question: Even if the State turns down the application and leaves the RSIS rules in place, who is going to enforce the law? After all, even today, the RSIS rules are in effect in Ocean Grove and they haven’t prevented condos without parking from being built— single family homes should have been constructed instead.
New Kid in Town Has any thought been given to forming a citizen’s group to formally object to Neptune Township’s dishonest efforts to destroy our historical town for greed and profit? I for one, would be happy to join such a group and support it in anyway I could. I know many others who would do the same.
Upset taxpayer I invite anyone on the Township Committee that thinks we already have adequate parking, to sit on my porch on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday all spring, summer and fall, and watch the frustration among all visitors to Ocean Grove.
Michael Grover (2011) I believe the language in the proposed Master Plan is intended to further develop ratables for the Township in Ocean Grove at the expense of its residents. The Board is attempting to set up a structure that will permit replacement of B and B’s with condominiums and development of larger structures, further adding to our density.
Don’t count on the HPC to protect us, using historic preservation as grounds to prevent conversions. Recent decisions and the North End project demonstrate their weakness against the Planning Board.
As for the Township Committee, don’t look to them for much help either. The town needs money, and this is New Jersey, enough said. We will need to protect ourselves.
Mary Beth Jahn: (2011) I am the sole member of the Township Committee to vote against the North End plan, and I still believe that single-family homes and not condos should be built on that site.
OGrover: 2011 The recent high density project with it’s proposed underground parking is not supposed to add to the parking issues but will do nothing to alleviate them either. (Underground parking next to the ocean and a lake? The Titanic was unsinkable, too!)
Frank: (2011) New Jersey Site Improvement Advisory Board knows the situation of our not owning the property, and their recommendation for parking is that Neptune follow the Municipal Land Use Law’s standards that are used throughout the state. I have a copy of the letter addressed to Neptune from the Sites Board that states that the Township is to follow the standards for parking
Joan C (2012) I was rather surprised to read that Mr. Williams stated so emphatically that he would never read nor respond on Blogfinger. Is Mr. Williams “too good” for the blog? Is he choosing to remain unaware of the concerns of our residents? I frankly had hoped that all members of both parties read Blogfinger, which is the least divisive, non-political posting of relevant information for those of us living in Ocean Grove and Neptune Township
Devo (2012) The North end project, in its current form, will not benefit the Grove. It will generate significant additional traffic, create additional parking issues (despite what they say they are planning), will depress home/condo prices for the existing housing stock, and will add out of character buildings. I wasn’t here when all this went down, but I can’t imagine why folks in OG think this is a good idea.
The longer it is delayed, the better.
Michael Grover (2012) Those of us concerned about noise and congestion, not to mention density and over-development, need to look no farther than the North End project. Want a problem that really happens and lasts forever? Why was this project approved, and where was the HPC to protect the integrity of our beloved historic district? It’s a lot easier to enforce the rules when the issue is the color of a house and other minor cosmetic concerns, or when you have the authority to impose a decision no matter how unjustified on a weak, defenseless homeowner. Take on the town and the developers, that’s another story.
Devo (2012) Scuttle the redevelopment plan now, or forever be sorry you did not.
Bythesea (2012) Developing the North End under a State sanctioned redevelopment designation is a terrible idea. I can tell you right now that, based on what has happened most other places in NJ, OG will lose all control and hate the outcome. OG should seek to bring about the collapse of this redevelopment plan. The land and location is valuable/desirable enough that the CMA should be able to manage its own redevelopment.
Despite Mary Beth Jahn’s best intent and all of our wishful thinking, redevelopment areas take on a life of their own and they always gravitate to higher than expected density and insensitivity to quality of life concerns of the town they are occurring in (e.g., traffic impact, parking, etc.).
Gosh: (2012) I have to say for the last time, the approval of the redevelopment of the North End was never legal.
Mary Beth Jahn (2012) Those who are sucking sour lemons and trying to run a smear campaign wouldn’t know or care, because they have no respect for the Grove’s historic designation and would have no problem turning the Grove into Condo City.
Wisher: (2012) There will be no distinguishing OG or Asbury Park in the future. No grand vistas, or public places for shoppers and beach-goers. People won’t come here any more than they will go to any of the myriad of other shore towns. No distinguishing characteristics. Just everything shoved up against the shoreline while developers walk about with their boatload of cash.
Gosh (2012) Condos have been motivated by GREED and REVENUE that they bring into Neptune. There is absolutely no interest in keeping O.G. historic with single family homes; just look at the new Master Plan— there are so many gray areas for interpretation.
Bythesea: (2012) Where is the OGHOA on the North End Development? What stand have they taken relative to the abomination of a plan that now exists for the “redevelopment” of the North End? It is they who should be the champions in the fight against poor planning that will hurt the town. Do they just play a reactive game, or do they try to lead? Where is their position paper? Seems to me that this is by far the biggest issue on their plates for the next year.
Jack The first and only comment from our new year (2016):
OhGee, the reason this special town exists, is to the credit of the OGCMA.
The Township Committee has the exclusive authority to adopt our zoning ordinance.
We cannot blame any property owner for developing what they are permitted to develop under the zoning ordinance adopted by the Committee. With zoning, the buck stops with the Township Committee.
The problem is that the Committee, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment use Municipal Land Use Law in ways that were never intended by the NJ State Legislature.
**SIAB is the State Site Improvement Advisory Board in Trenton. They keep Blogfinger up to date on their agendas so that the Neptune Comedy doesn’t sneak into one of their meetings without the people knowing.
*** RSIS means Residential Site Improvement Standards” regarding required off site parking standards for new construction.
Editor’s note: June, 2020. The OGNED North End Redevelopers applied to the DEP for CAFRA approval to build an underground garage at the North End. But they were rejected, and we are seeking up-dated information as to the current status of that fraudulent plan.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger,net. (Re-post from 2017 and then 2019)
On August 23, 2017,Newsmax published its top 50 religious landmarks in America. They began their coverage with this:
“Christian pastors and Jewish rabbis and leaders have initiated nearly every significant sociopolitical event in America. Their churches and synagogues were catalysts and hubs that made possible the American War of Independence, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and civil rights. They founded schools and hospitals, created architectural wonders, and emphasized the preservation of nature.
“Religious landmarks in most of the original 13 states could easily fill their own top 50 lists, especially the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. However, these sites exemplify the diversity of America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and commitment to religious freedom — the hallmark of American exceptionalism.”
The statement above is extraordinary and true.
Below is what they said about Ocean Grove. (…ranked #1 among the 50 religious landmarks in America.)
1. “God’s Square Mile;” Ocean Grove, New Jersey; 1869 — This popular seaside retreat, concert, and vacation destination for millions is a lasting testament to the Victorian-era revivalist movement that followed the Second Great Awakening.
“Methodist ministers founded Ocean Grove believing ‘religion and recreation should go hand in hand.’ Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this quaint town is crammed with picturesque Victorian homes, antiques, a historic Auditorium, chapel, and tent community, and offers numerous tours and activities on land, sea, and air. Methodists still gather here regularly as well as other Christian groups.”
Editor’s Note:
This Newsmax designation is huge, at least in the eyes of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. It is a great honor for the CMA, but it perpetuates the myth that Ocean Grove is still a religious community and not a small town with multiple factions including the CMA.
You will notice that OG is the only town on the list. They did not name a true “landmark” such as The Great Auditorium. The rest on the list are mostly buildings from all over America, such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral. So does the religious aspect of OG meet the definition of “landmark?”
And, it is wrong to continue characterizing OG as if nothing has changed, and it is wrong to refer to the religious life here as “Ocean Grove” which is a place where there is more going on than the CMA’s activities.
The CMA is a powerful presence here, but the most salient historic emblems of the town are the Victorian homes which are maintained and paid for by a largely secular and diverse community of residents. Without that Victorian architectural renaissance, OG would not be on this list or the National and State Historic Registers.
This award will have practical consequences, and perhaps our readers would like to speculate as to what these consequences will be.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger. Jack Bredin, Blogfinger researcher.
Look south on BF to find our October 24, 2020 post about two condominium associations which sued the CMA. (2/17/17) And don’t miss the comments.
Today’s BF re-post below about ground rents is also from 2017. The subject of ground-rents goes back to the 19th century and is still a source of interest and consternation.
You will also find two letters to the editor–same 2017 vintage on this subject.
The law suit described above is about two OG condominium associations who are suing the Camp Meeting Association regarding ground rents. But we haven’t seen the complaint and we don’t know what the complaint really is and what issues will be considered and explored during the discovery phase if it goes to trial.
Because of all the uncertainty, we have a wide open pathway for discussion, and won’t it be interesting to guess how many different spinoffs will be generated.
Fundamental assumptions will be questioned. Let’s begin with a collection of questions and ideas. Then send in your suggestions about where this suit will lead. Click on comments below or send an email to Blogfinger@verizon.net. If you ask to be anonymous, you will be. If you don’t share your email with us, we can’t talk to you individually.
1. Recently the OGHOA hired a lawyer to look into the ground rent matter. We don’t exactly know what his instructions were, but he cost the HOA $7,000. HOA members: where is your loyalty? You should demand that the identity of that lawyer be revealed and his report made public. (See Kevin Chambers’ inquiry about this.)
2. Will the court find that condo owners should be treated the same as other resident owners and be charged $10.50 per year ground rent? Will the court find that condo owners can be treated on a case to case basis, whereas home owners in town are mostly treated as if they were all the same? Will using home assessments to determine fees be OK for condo owners, but not for regular homeowners?
3. Who really owns the land in Ocean Grove? If the CMA owns the land, then how come we homeowners have to pay property taxes to Neptune Township? Why doesn’t the CMA pay the taxes? (This was questioned in court in the past, and the citizens lost that battle.) If the CMA doesn’t own the land, then will the current homeowners own the land? Will the CMA produce proof that they own the land?
4. If the CMA loses and has to return a ton of money, will it go bankrupt?
5. If the CMA loses, then they may not be able to make much money from condo’s in the future. If that happens, will they still support the construction of up to 165 condos at the North End? Will the North End Redevelopment Plan collapse before it begins?
6. If the CMA cannot make much money from the approval of more condos in the Grove, will they become supporters of single family zoning in town and opponents to more condos?
7. Will the CMA be able to continue raising the leasehold fees whenever it wants to, without providing justification?
8. The CMA is a secretive private organization. Will it have to open its books to the court? Will its officers and trustees have to undergo depositions?
9. Will the condo associations involved in the suit be able to continue paying high legal fees if this suit drags on? Can the CMA afford a long legal process?
10. Will other condominium associations join the suit?
Tell us your ideas. Please read the rules above about commenting on Blogfinger.
MERLE HAGGARD WITH THE PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND:
Editor’s note: On Feb 22, 2017, Blogfinger posted two Letters to the Editor containing discussions of the history of ground rents in Ocean Grove. Here are links:
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor @Blogfinger.net Re-post. From 2018.
In a recent Blogfinger opinion piece, we asked, “Will Ocean Grove be left in the dustbin of history as a place with stifling crowding, insoluble parking concerns, a has-been Victorian success story, condos all over town, a pseudo-Asbury at the North End, self-interested “community” organizations, wealthy 2nd homers instead of year-round residents, and a town devoid of community—– known for no art, culture, schools, or values of its own?”
“And will all that would be left to focus on be the Camp Meeting Association with its specific mission and lifestyle—worthy as part of the community, but less impressive all by itself?”
“And will Ocean Grove become a place with no life to it in the winter and few downtown shops that cater to the residents?”
Is it possible that the original 1970’s vision of a historic town, as expressed in the Master Plan, eventually evaporate leaving just another shore town with rising real estate prices, elitist demographics, outrageous taxes, and fancy seasonal shops in our downtown?
An article in yesterday’s New York Times addresses some of these changes which are turning down-home, family-oriented communities such as Avalon, at the South Jersey Shore, into something else, mostly for the wealthy.
Families with modest incomes, some of which have been there for generations are being forced out, and with them go memories, traditions, and a nostalgic atmosphere that that will be lost as the town’s character changes. The author says that some towns at the north Jersey Shore, such as Mantoloking, are also changing.
You can read that article, linked below. But each Shore town is different, and each has its own unique challenges. In OG we have some unusual variations on the theme, such as the role of the CMA and the aggressiveness of developers pushing condo conversions, as well as some home buyers who are promoting tourist rentals.
The second-home phenomenon is very real in Ocean Grove and is a strong driving force towards change. Neptune Township cares little about historic OG. Their actions make it clear what their goals for the town are, and we have written about those issues including illegal zoning and parking decisions, the pollution of Wesley Lake, and taxes which are too high (the “cash cow” effect–you can almost hear the sucking sound of our money heading west.)
Here are some “objectives and goals” taken from the Master Plan of the OG Historic District,–a “plan” which is largely ignored by the movers and shakers in the Grove who care little about historic preservation or the vision of those who were thrilled when OG was given recognition by the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
a. “To integrate historic preservation into the Township’s history, its historical figures and its historic sites and district.” And “encouraging new construction that is compatible in scale and design to the physical character of the surrounding neighborhood.”
b. “To seek to insure compatibility between new development and nearby historic sites and districts, in terms of both use and appearance.” Really?
So how do Mary’s Place and the Greek Temple get built in the heart of our ocean-front Historic District?
c. “To encourage residents to preserve the historic character, livability and property values of historic structures in neighborhoods….”
This subject is not exactly new. Take a look at this 2012 Blogfinger post (and the comments which are very interesting and unique:)
Note Wesley Lake to the right. The North End Hotel has been torn down, but the salt water swimming pool remains. You can see the outlines of the North End area which will be “re-developed” according to the North End Re-development Plan. and imagine where the condos will be along Lake Avenue, Spray Avenue, and the Ocean. Then imagine a hotel there which probably will actually become condos. Oh, and don’t forget the parking garage underground, stores, and new North End boardwalk.
The process is currently moving forward, and that “progress” is being followed here on Blogfinger. Pay close attention to the changes in NERP 2008 which are being slipped into place. See our post later today. —–PG
Thanks to William Heatley for making his photograph available here.
Some Grovers are investing huge sums to create authentic Victorian restorations like this gorgeous newly redone Main Avenue showplace, but that alone does not define us. Paul Goldfinger photo May 2, 2017.
Ocean Grove July 4 parade, 2015. A truly unique community event. Paul Goldfinger photograph
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger–updated and re-posted from 2017.
In 2019, on its 150th birthday, Ocean Grove is a small town without a clear sense of identity. It has a local government that treats us like an appendage to be milked, but otherwise there is no love emanating from Neptune Township. We may be part of Neptune officially, but we are clearly NOT part of Neptune in our hearts. Most towns have a continuous thread of history that has resulted in a strong sense of identity, but not Ocean Grove.
Citizens say that they “love” the town, but the definition of that love remains undefined. Many just like being here at the beach. Is the Grove just a collection of old houses interspersed in another cozy shore town? Or maybe it is the perception of the town as a place with an unusual and special culture that attracts people to live here.
Many like the urban feel, the friendly neighborhoods, the comfortable sidewalks for walking, the porch culture, and the magic of summer evenings on the boards or fun at the beach. And for some it is the closest nicest shore town to NYC.
Those who say they “love the town” often have little knowledge of the town’s history as a religious enclave. They have no interest in it as a historic place recognized by State and Federal historic registries. So, to what extent is OG an authentic and serious historic district—a very special place for that reason?
A related question is whether this town was conceived as a tourist attraction? The answer to that is an emphatic no. Sure, in the late 1800’s, religious tourists came here in droves, mostly by train, and that identity persists to a lesser extent today, but the CMA community is no longer as central to life in Ocean Grove as it once was. OG evolved into a residential community with cottages and boarding houses. The Victorian buildings were less valued than they are today and many had gone into decline. Its census population was more than it is today.
Forty years ago, the downtown was not a tourist place to have a burger, buy a T shirt, take a tour, go to a massive craft show on the Pathway, or close down Main Avenue to sell Thai food or sell shlocky art or display old British cars.
Instead the downtown had a serious grocery/butcher shop, several doctors’ offices, a video store,a flower shop, a cleaners, a cafeteria, a newsstand, a newspaper, a drug store, a barber shop, a fishing club, a seashell shop, and a town pool. In other words it was a town that was largely for the residents. So many towns at the shore are not primarily for tourists, for example Atlantic Highlands, Avon-by-the Sea, Long Beach Island, Spring Lake, Deal, Avalon, and Allenhurst.
But now Ocean Grove has become a mish-mash—a combination of all of the above; but for those who actually live here (year round or part-time), or want to live here, we need to define our situation more clearly: what is the heart and soul of this town? Or maybe those attributes don’t even exist. Maybe it will never be that sort of town.
Elected officials do not really represent the Grove’s citizens. So democracy doesn’t exist as defined by representative government. The Neptunite governing operation is like a secret foreign occupying power that has undercover agents and contacts who live among us, but has underlying agendas based upon self interest.
A local government is supposed to represent its community of residents and try to make their lives better, but our situation now is the opposite. Witness the efforts to bring large numbers of tourists to town to the consternation of those who live here, and the failure to solve problems like zoning abuses, over-building, and the invasion of the parking snatchers.
The Camp Meeting Association ran the town for 111 years. During that time, until 1980, they had reason to believe that the unique religious culture which prevailed till then, as odd as it was in America, would last forever. They certainly did not envision the town becoming a historic site. They had no problem letting many of the early houses deteriorate. And it is unclear if stores during those years sold T shirts, surf boards, jewelry or pizza.
But when Ocean Grove was handed over to Neptune Township in 1980, and with the CMA giving up governance and most blue laws, it was like a child who lost his parents and was given to someone for foster care—for money.
The town, which was becoming quite diverse by 1980, went forward without a clear sense of who or what it was, and today, what is its character and purpose?
The result is a place with a variety of power centers, all self interested and largely propelled by an active real-estate market; and all without the will to find a framework, a common identity, and direction for the town as a whole.
So the town of Ocean Grove, lacking leadership and a sense of town-wide community, is adrift and thus what goes on here is helter-skelter and out of focus. That is why no progress is made in solidifying the town as a real place with its own sense of being. If it weren’t for the homeowners who have brought to life historic homes that had been on life-support, this would be a pretty disheveled and much less desirable place.
The vision of an authentic historic town, defined by its historic designations, is currently fraudulent because most citizens don’t give a rat’s tail about its history. Even the “Historic Preservation Commission” has gone dark and has seemingly slipped into the shadows, never to be trusted again.
It is rare to find a historical event here such as re-enactments, poetry readings, vintage music concerts, classical street musicians, jazz, and educational programs about the town’s history for those who actually live here. Instead we shut down Main Avenue for car shows and we crowd the town with huge numbers of strangers (ie tourists) to have giant retail events of no value to the town itself while the residents struggle to find a parking place and to share our streets with the free parkers heading to Asbury.
We have had a major Walt Whitman Poetry Festival and a Blogfinger Film Festival (for collegiate film students.) And we had arts in the parks, People’s Garden Tours, classical street musicians, and other community cultural events, but most of them died on the vine.
The Ocean Grove Homeowners Association has no idea what it should be doing, and its leadership has no idea what its mandate is. It is not only essentially worthless in terms of bringing this town together and forward, but it has actually become a force working against the people—a subversive presence.
Jack Bredin is correct that the only workable solution is to become our own town again (it actually happened for one year in 1925, but the church vs state dilemma caused it to collapse on itself.) Perhaps it is possible once again, but not in a place where the citizens are apathetic and don’t seem to care about a vision for the town.
So Ocean Grove, despite some wonderful attributes, is poorly defined, and the citizens are seemingly satisfied to ride the waves, sleep on the beach and enjoy being here, much like so many other Jersey Shore towns, although many of those towns actually have their acts together and know who they are or what they want to be. For example Belmar has only one mega-event each year. Its mayor says that his main concern are the town’s residents. The beach scene is a given in all Shore towns.
Bradley Beach , our neighbor to the south, which lacks the history that we have, knows what it is. Go there to experience a true Jersey Shore town. Forget the architecture, just view it as a fine place to enjoy the shore. Take a deep breath and smell the ocean. Go on Main Street on a summer night and have some Thai food or terrific Italian delicacies. Sit outside at a real coffee shop and watch the young people walking by or heading towards the boardwalk. Bradley Beach has a heart and soul which goes all the way back to its founding. It knows what it is, and that’s a good thing.
And here’s a song for the kids in town, especially the teenagers who breathe life into the town no longer known as “Ocean Grave.”
Two incumbents are up for re-election to the Neptune Township Committee. Their dominance will not be cast aside.
This one-party rule will perpetuate a habit of ignoring the needs of Ocean Grove residents. They are aided and abetted by a number of OG organizations that pursue self interests rather than promoting the OG community of citizens. We have identified them many times in the past. This coupled with public apathy allows our historic town to twist in the wind, blown around without direction.
I guess most people who live here are happy enough with the town to not worry much about its heart, soul, and future.
It looks like nothing positive will come of the November election as far as Ocean Grove is concerned. And that will send a message to that one- party crowd that sits elevated in their Comedy Room that caring about OG is not worth their effort.
Scene: The crowd was entering the great Auditorium prior to the Summer Band concert celebrating their 64th anniversary. Among the visitors to the free concert were some out-of-towners. We sat down on an aisle.
Man overheard speaking to his wife: “Look Betty, they got an organ!”
Another out of towner behind us speaking to his wife:
She: How many seats in this building?
He: About 600
She: Wow
Me: (turning around) The Auditorium seats 6,500.
He: Oh…I just left out a zero.
Another conversation:
We: Let’s sit here on the aisle (Behind us is a couple—they discuss our presence in muffled tones.) Then they get up and move to different seats.
Another couple sits in those seats behind us:
She: These are wonderful seats!
VINCE GIORDANO and THE NIGHTHAWKS from the movie The Aviator “Stardust”
It was the beginning of a beautiful beach weekend. On Friday afternoon, the floodgates of vehicles had already opened for another gridlocked weekend in the Grove. Ironically, both these parking games were being played out within one block of each other, almost on top of the NTPD substation next to Thornley Chapel.
By Saturday, I had to park over 3 blocks from my house, and while walking back, the sloppiness of parking on our streets was evident, with large segments of curb being empty, but not quite large enough to be a parking space. If only some parkers were more considerate and less arrogant.
Some have suggested marking the parking spaces in town, but that would, I am told, take up even more parking spaces given the sizes required. Have you noticed how large each marked handicapped space is?
JULIO IGLESIAS (” The games of love I played with arrogance and pride, including my parking habits.” )
Modern OG history 2018: Ground Rents (Re—Appeals Court ruling)
To the Editor:
Having now read the court decision, its not as interesting as I thought it might be.
Condos can’t avoid their ground lease payments.
Pathway Condos (30 Ocean Pathway) and Dardanelle Condos (40 Ocean Pathway) filed a lawsuit last year trying to avoid paying the annual ground lease to the OCGMA arguing that a provision of the NJ Condominium law did not allow condos to be on leased property.
Last year a trial court ruled against the condos. This week the NJ Appellate Court agreed and ruled that the condos have to pay the land lease to OCGMA.
Bernie the Attorney
The writer is a real attorney who writes under the name Bernie—- special to Blogfinger.
Editor’s Note: So now we can stop kvetching over this, unless someone wants to take the issue of ground rents to the Supreme Court.
And the Home Groaners can stop spending the members’ money on useless lawyers. Why don’t they make public that lawyer’s opinion about ground rents. I think it cost $7,000.00
The HOA members and the public have a right to see it, especially those who are directly concerned with this matter—eg the condo owners and the CMA. Post it on the HOA’s useless web site Muckandgibberish.com
Paul Goldfinger, MD, for the Blogfinger Editorial Board.
And here’s a link about ground rents by Kevin Chambers
