Past, present and future at
Homeowners meeting

Those running for president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer have little to fear; they’re all running unopposed. They are as follows: Paul Dunlap for President; Dennis McCarthy for Vice President; Mary Meade for Secretary; and Charles Layton for Treasurer.

The only real drama in the race is the election of two trustees, for which three candidates are in the running. They are: Barbara Burns, Herb Herbst and Len Pugliese

The prevailing conventional wisdom is the election of the trustees is something of a referendum on the association’s future as opposed to its past. Barbara Burns is seen as the choice of those looking for a change, while Herb Herbst is regarded as the standard bearer of the status quo. Len Pugliese is a compromise candidate all can agree on.

Regardless of which wins, all the candidates promised a vigorous – and perhaps more open – Ocean Grove Home Owners Association in the future.

The main issues the group is concerned with, by common consent, are tracking the progress of the North End Redevelopment Project; Guarding Ocean Grove’s interests in the coming revision of Neptune Township’s Master Plan; and, of course, parking.

Additionally, Charles Layton brought up the need for better communication between the leadership of the OGHOA and its members, and spoke about upgrading its website - www.oghoa.com.

Herbst warned that public drinking at eateries on Main Avenue, facilitated by BYOB policies, would lead the quality of Grove life down a slippery slope.

All the candidates had generous praise for each other. Indeed, the collected resumes of all the candidates was quite impressive.

At the OGHOA meeting on Saturday, July 26 the election for the officers and 2 trustees will be held. The meeting is in the community room on Pilgrim Pathway next to Pathway Market. Voting will be open from 8:30a.m. - 11:30a.m.You must be a paid member of OGHOA as of June 2008 to vote in the elections.

“Neptune may be a very partisan town, but there are some things that both parties agree upon…”