Ocean Grove’s historical heritage: Can we keep it? Paul Goldfinger photo ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
There has been great interest in the Mary’s Place zoning controversy on Blogfinger where over 100 comments have been posted.
Our poll shows that many people are skeptical of how the zoning decision was made. The predominant view is that the Mary’s Place approval process suggests that preferential treatment might be at play in Town Hall.
For years I have heard citizens say that favoritism exists at Neptune Township in decisions having to do with Ocean Grove, especially in the area of development for condos, new construction of single family homes, and changes to existing properties.
So we start off with a baseline cynicism, and now this Main Avenue beach block project just intensifies that concern. Last week I asked a high ranking official at Neptune Township if there might be “double standards” at play in the zoning approval process for Mary’s Place. He said, “No double standards,” and that was the end of that discussion. There was no concern expressed that the citizens might need some explanation.
Once this building is constructed, people will never stop talking about it, but as with the Greek Temple, complaints at that point will be futile.
Kevin Chambers, a well known gadfly (and I use that word as a compliment) has alleged that there is wrong-doing and perhaps even illegal activities going on regarding this topic and others having to do with RSIS State rules. But we won’t post those allegations because everyone is innocent until proven guilty. (You should read the Blogfinger 2011 article about RSIS in the Grove, linked below.)
RSIS article 2011 by Charles Layton
However, there is certainly enough smoke to warrant the Township’s interest. If the Township Committee won’t take the side of the people and obtain an independent assessment before work is allowed to begin on that project, then the citizens of Ocean Grove will have every reason to wonder who does represent them in the Township government “of the people.”
Supposedly it is expensive to hire a lawyer to go to court and obtain a stop work order from a judge who could hold a hearing and decide if there is a problem. But the Township should go ahead anyhow, because suspicion of wrong doing in Ocean Grove will be chronically corrosive without an independent investigation and will cost the Township money in the long run due to unending distrust.
This controversy is about more than Mary’s Place. It is about the future of Ocean Grove.
NOTE: Please continue the comments at this location . The prior comments can be seen by scrolling down to the original article about this issue.