Who says that the Historical Society of Ocean Grove is all about museum exhibits, doll shows, Sousa fans and the Centennial Cottage? President Gail Shaffer and her board have channeled Paul Revere and sent a cannonball shot across the bow of the Neptune Township Planning Board. Out of nowhere, they rose up on their hind legs and joined two other groups in town in a courageous effort to help protect Ocean Grove’s historic legacy.
On Wednesday night, a group of OG citizens showed up at the Planning Board meeting. Even though they were not allowed to speak (an unspeakable outrage), they hung in there while a three-hour soporific reading of the proposed Master Plan was presented.
Woody Allen once said that the worst thing for him would be to spend an evening with an insurance agent. But sitting through this reading, with words like “di-minimus” being read with a straight face, has got to be even worse than Woody’s example. I wanted to call this editorial “Staying Awake for the Cause” or “Zoning Out at the Board Meeting.”
Those of us who are concerned about our unique historic town have got to recognize the commitment of the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Historical Society of Ocean Grove and thank them for standing strong, shoulder to shoulder, in the interest of historic preservation and quality of life in our wonderful town. They should be an inspiration for the rest of us who enjoy living here and who feel a sense of responsibility in keeping the Grove on track.
So thank you to Gail Shaffer (HSOG) and her board; Joan Venezia, Fran Paladino, Denis McCarthy and their committee (from the OGHOA) ; Deb Osepchuk (HPC), and all the other Grovers such as Norm Goldman,Ted Bell, Ken Buckley and Luisa Pasteur who attended that marathon meeting Wednesday night.
Let’s hope that the entire OGHOA supports their committee and that everyone who wants to speak about this matter will eventually get to do so.
Paul Goldfinger, editor @Blogfinger