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Hard-hit Shore town denied money to rebuild boardwalk

Shore towns are rebuilding on federal agency's dime, but Ocean Grove's privately owned beachfront leaves it in legal limbo.

While neighboring Shore towns are likely to receive money from the federal government, Ocean Grove is in a unique situation. Founded as a Methodist retreat, its beachfront is owned and operated by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a private nonprofit organization run by the United Methodist Church. Private nonprofits are not eligible for FEMA funds. While there are exceptions to that rule, FEMA officials did not believe that Ocean Grove made a valid case for such an exception.

"We're extremely disappointed," said Ralph del Campo, interim chief operating officer of the association. "There's no difference between our beachfront and any other on the Jersey Shore. So why wouldn't we be supported by FEMA funds, as compared to other towns."

Ocean Grove lost half of its pier and a fishing club that stood on it, as well as a large portion of its boardwalk. Oddly, the boardwalk had such a strong foundation, that instead of being entirely washed away, the storm surge contorted the walkway, so that in some spots it undulated like a roller coaster. But even those sections could not be salvaged. The boardwalk repairs are estimated to cost about $2.5 million to $3 million, while the pier will likely cost another $750,000, Ocean Grove officials say.


Read the complete story on NJSpotlight (http://s.tt/1zxfp)