So, recently the Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association sent a letter to its members
notifying them of two events. The first:
"This Saturday, June 1st at noon, the Surf Club will be holding a SAVE THE SURF CLUB RALLY. Joey Harrison's Surf Club may be lost forever because their insurance carrier, headquartered in New Jersey, is disputing damage and coverage following Hurricane Sandy. They are calling on friends and customers to show up at the rally to "Save the Surf Club." OBVTA encourages you to support the Surf Club which has always been a strong supporter of OBVTA and has hosted many gratuitous parties for our membership over the years."
Seriously?? Have people completely lost their senses and their sensitivity?
I'm wondering why the OBVTA didn't suggest that the Surf Club, which is IN Ortley Beach, expand the event to a "SAVE ORTLEY BEACH RALLY" since many homes there already have been lost forever, or may be lost forever (see photo) while homeowners' insurance companies dispute damages, hold up payments, pay half of what the actual damages are, or a dozen other scenarios that could be outlined here. I thought OBVTA was representing all Ortley Beach taxpayers. Guess gratuitous parties for membership trumps rebuilding an entire community.
Sorry we won't be there, though we live down the street and I absolutely loved the Sunrise Cafe. We will be too busy trying to put our own house back together in the few hours we get each weekend when we are not working full time to pay the mortgage on a house we can't live in.
This May photo, above, is of the corner of 7th and what used to be Ocean Ave., directly across the street (diagonally) from Joey Harrisons. The two story house that used to be on the corner is now only one story - the first floor is completely gone and the second floor is lying on property behind the house with the dormers. All three need to be demolished. Do you think those owners, or others like them, will be at a Save the Surf Club rally? Get a grip OBVTA.
