It’s fair to say that Grovers came, they saw and they vented. And though outrage at the heavy handed tactics employed by the HPC was evident in the packed house, the tone of the meeting remained mostly civil, but not exactly respectful.

The message to the HPC? Don’t eat the daises.

Speaker after speaker denigrated the mythical ‘grass strips’ of preservation lore, referring to them as mud and crab grass strips. And speaker after speaker spoke of the beauty and uniqueness that the cultivation of flowers and other plantings brought to the strips. Indeed, most said that these 'beauty strips' of flora helped stamp the Grove with its identity.

The enforcement authority of the commission was questioned, and their arrogance denounced. Their facts were denigrated, and some past decisions ridiculed. And while the vocal crowd cheered speakers’ defense of leaving well enough alone, as it were, none spoke in defense of the letter.

But one resident, Charles Layton, spoke in defense of the commission as an entity, praising their dedication to preservation – while bemoaning the fact that they had, with this letter, basically shot themselves in the foot.

Finally, Neptune Township Mayor Randy Bishop proposed that the commission and the township committee meet in a workshop meeting to hammer out a compromise.

So the meeting ended with none of the commission members pushing up daisies, but one thing for certain…

Grovers came not to praise the HPC nor bury the hatchet, but flash a warning sign to them:

Stay off the grass!

That’s how we handled the Civil Union and North End controversies. In fact, those two hot button issues signified our best reporting, in our opinion.

And it’s also our opinion that the latest firestorm to break over Ocean Grove, while not as serious or far reaching as the previously referred to, does in fact get to the heart of the matter – and just may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

An e-mail to the editor (link below), from an author who fears that future appearances before the Historic Preservation Commission may be prejudiced against him/her and has asked that their identity remain justifiably anonymous, sent us the following excerpt from a letter mailed to residents last week from the HPC:

“ 'The Ocean Grove Historic District Architectural Guidelines for Residential Structures' reflect the historical, aesthetic, and functional significance of the traditional Ocean Grove grass strips by clearly stating that only grass, low-growing ground cover such as ivy or Bay Harbor Juniper, and trees whose lowest branches are at least 8 feet above grade are allowed in the grass strip. Paving materials, bricks, loose stones, bushes/rose bushes, cornstalks, pumpkins, tomato plants, tall ornamental grasses, vegetable and flowerbeds, etc. are all inappropriate materials and are NOT permitted, under the guideline.”

“To remediate this situation, the Historic Preservation Commission will now issue 'Notice of Violations' to homeowners who do not follow the Design Guidelines in regards to plantings, surfaces, and hard landscape items placed in the grass strips.”

“Failure to address a Notice of Violation will result in the issuance of a Municipal Court Summons. In addition to the Design Guidelines, the Township of Neptune Land Development Ordinance prohibits planting in the grass strip area [504 Curb Design Standard Para 5].”

To take a page from the triCityNews’ stylebook – what bullshit.

Look – the HPC has largely been a net plus for Ocean Grove. Their fight for preservation and aesthetic quality has been admirable. The Record runs a series of guidelines penned by a member of the commission under the pseudonym Anna Victoria that we hope has been helpful to residents.

But let’s be honest. The HPC has also been responsible for approving some absolute horrors, and making some mighty questionable decisions on other projects. They’re well known to Grovers and need not be singled out here. Although, the questions as to “How” and “Why” remain.

But instead of policing themselves, the HPC has decided to make like a bunch of garden variety gangsters and stifle the creativity of Grovers by threatening to force them to uproot the flower if not the fruit of their labor and love.

What a joke.

But not surprising. It’s the latest insult in the assault on individuality that began with Grovers being forced to single out their gay neighbors as second class citizens thanks to the Camp Meeting Association’s disgraceful decision to ban civil union ceremonies in “their” pavilion. (After collecting the dough for upkeep courtesy of some Green Acres funding and the price of your beach badges.)

And the assault continued when a North End scheme was rammed down the throat of residents in violation of the township’s own Master Plan. Some pretty artful language was employed there to stretch the boundary of changing a significant streetscape in the event of an “emergency.”

Now, township legalese language is being used to strip – no pun intended – many Grovers of a beloved pastime, which probably does more to enhance the beauty as well as stature of Ocean Grove than a month’s worth of ordinary HPC rulings.

The simple act of planting a flower. Of gardening. Of bringing color and life for a few months to what is – or should be – a colorful and vibrant town.

Instead, the HPC has chosen to dig up – again no pun – an obscure design guideline that’s as silly and out of date as the ban on interracial marriage.

Unless that’s next on someone’s agenda.

The HPC should get a grip and get a life. And leave Grovers who are enhancing the neighborhood alone.

Ocean Grove has suffered enough obsequious demands during the last year.

The HPC will present their rationale to citizens at a meeting on May 6. We suggest that thoughtful gardeners of the Grove bring the commission a token of their affection.

Perhaps a bag of, um, fertilizer…?

A Special Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission will be held Tuesday May 6 at the Youth Temple, 22 Pilgrim Pathway. It will begin at 7:30 p.m.

(Editor’s note: Read the entire E-Mail to the Editor here. Also, the Record’s Roving Reporter Paul Goldfinger has weighed in on the Grass Strip demand. Read his thoughts here. All photos accompanying these posts are courtesy of the color of Charlotte Pritchard’s lens.)

The award is given in honor of Richard Bormann, who served for many years as both Recreation Director and Public Works Director for Neptune Township. The Neptune Township Recreation Committee will vote on award nominations.

To nominate someone, fill out a nomination form (available at the Recreation Office) and return it by mail by Friday, July 25, 2008. The individual must have volunteered between July 2007 and July 2008 to be eligible for the award; long-time service is not necessary but may be considered.

The nominee shall not have received any compensation for his or her efforts. Board members and employees are not eligible for work done in the respective duties of their positions, however, board members and employees who give service to the department beyond normal responsibilities may be considered. The winner will be notified prior to Neptune Day, and the award will be presented during the Neptune Day festivities.

If you have any questions about the award or the nomination process, please call Neptune Township Recreation at 732-869-1202.

Considering that it’s almost entirely owned by essentially the largest landlord in town, the Camp Meeting Association, opponents to the proposal for redeveloping the site are also vigorously questioning why they have allowed it to become a blighted property.

READ THE FULL STORY BY CLICKING HERE