Letter to Editor: City Lacks Know-How on Marina and Big Projects
Ocean City resident Michael Hinchman sees similar shortcomings in beaches, bay, boardwalk and roads projects.
To the editor:
The former Dan's Dockside Marina property has long been a defunct operation and in foreclosure, and a white knight — the Gill family — has emerged to purchase the property.
The plans are to construct a marina, restaurant, small shops and a gas filling station on the water. This approval will be accomplished at the Planning Board and eventually City Council.
Let me state my desired result up front: the Gill family gets approved and builds an attractive functioning restaurant/marina.
The " how" is my concern and it reflects what I have continually observe as the failing of the administration and council as they tackle the big issues of the day: 1) roads and drainage; 2) the Ocean City marina deal (at Second and Bay); 3) the lack of sand on south-end beaches; 4) the capital plan; and 5) the replacement of the Ocean City Boardwalk. In each case, the government lacks understanding of key economic or business factors, planning over the long term, and how one factor influences other factors in determining outcome.
- Roads and drainage: We have a two-variable problem: the condition of the roads and drainage issues throughout the city but not an integrated plan dealing with both factors together. In addition, the rating system for the roads is flawed. Why have we fixed alleys in Ocean City first, instead of some roads?
- The Ocean City marina deal: Not understanding the enormous mitigation of risk negotiated by Mr. Scarbourgh while he retained all of the financial upside. Lack of sensitivity analysis of possible revenue streams made the government look like boys playing with men.
- Lack of sand on the south-end beaches: Weighing the option of doing it ourselves versus the likelihood of getting outside funding. I am not advocating either option because I don't know enough, but it hasn't been analyzed yet in public. How to try to change permitting rules that requires change in procedure for Army Corps of Engineers. Critical path analysis of a long-term problem is lacking.
- Capital plan funding: $36 million of capital spending over four years, while funding only approximately $20 million long term while rates were and are at historically lows.
- Boardwalk replacement: First pine, then no pine, because with the preservatives, it still doesn't wear well — only the mayor doesn't know pine has been a maintenance disaster for the city — three years and counting, but we are experimenting with 4' by 4' samples on the boardwalk as if that is a representative sample. We have missed the window of a less expensive replacement as every marine piling company is busy in the wake of Sandy.
The "rub" in the welcomed reconstruction by the Gills of the 10th Street and Palen Avenue waterfront is how the environmental costs and liability of six gas tanks will affect how the property may or may not be financed with private or public (read city) funds.
The Gill's attorney mentioned the possibility of public financing at the last City Council meeting. The environmental clean-up cost may or may not be important, but the environmental impact of the compromised tanks is the fork in the road to pulling the city into the transaction or not.
Please, Ocean City government, determine independently the environmental situation. You haven't thought of the outcome again — HOW ONE FACTOR DETERMINES THE OUTCOME OF ANOTHER.
At the last council meeting, I asked hypothetically how much this project might cost — $3, $5 or $8 million — after Mr. Gill stated that he was an "accountant" and that he understood "costs." I was told by Ms. McCrosson that my comments were "pertinent but premature." That is not true. You work the planning of a project backward and forward.
This exemplifies several deficiencies in the city's management of many projects — lack of transparency and not trying to understand a key component to the outcome ahead of time: in this case cost and therefore a possible public financing role. When I get in a car, I usually know where I am going, how long it may take to get there and the cost. Isn't that simple?
In a later article, I will go into greater detail an explanation of the environmental situation, another way of solving the remediation and a time-frame discussion.
Michael Hinchman
Ocean City
Duffer
6:45 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Not one penny of taxpayers money should be used for this project.
citizen
7:28 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I hope the city can help the Gills move forward ASAP. Only good things will come from that projects completion.
Newell138
8:07 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Hopefully its done with a little more thought than the marina on 2nd and Bay, where the city takes all the risk and a private citizen reaps all the rewards. I guess its the cities responsibility to repair all the docks that were damaged there by Sandy so the private citizen can start earning some profits by summer time? It looks a mess now.
Leo Kogan
1:21 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Siberian Larch is the optimal choice for the Boardwalk and marinas decking.
It is dense, strong, hard wearing and virtually sapwood free/naturally durable
material.It is highly sustainable, "green" choice as well.
Visit www.siberianlarchproducts.com and call me to learn more.
sick of watching wasted tax dollars
5:42 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Concerning the south end beaches, Mr. Hinchman, last fall the administration was offered the possibility of doing an "add on" or "betterment" project by the ACE, adding on to the north end planned beach replenishment in Feb.2013. The administraiton would have had to get plans, call the NJDEP and ask for funds and then get a price fromt he contractor used by the ACE. They didn't do that - they didn't get a price. It was an option that was never investigated at all in spite of the fact that they were presented with a petition by south end homeowners concerned about the badly eroded beaches. Was that lack of a "critical path analysis" or just people not feeling like doing some work? Or - just not important because no business interests in the south end? We don't know that answer but we see the resulting problems - homes at risk for the foreseeable future.
DSA
7:01 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I have heard that opportunity mentioned numerous times about the south end. How do we know that? Is there somewhere that is written or discussed or is it just word of mouth? I would like to see or read about it. I live in the south end and certainly want replenishment but the facts should be accurate and verified. Please guide me. Thx
OCLocal
6:51 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I watched the council meeting and the DEP guy said all of their funding last year was spoken for.
James
9:04 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
OCL you watched the council meeting? You accept outright what was said without any further investigation? DSA you have "heard that opportunity mentioned numerous times" yes - indeed you have. Because it is TRUE. Pick up the phone and verify with the ACE - not difficult. You can try verifying it with the administration, but they do not choose to speak of it, apparently. They do not answer straight forward questions. But if you put in a bit of effort, you will find out all kinds of things. Yes - OC had the opportunity to investigate the option of an add on. They did not investigate that option. Why? too much work? South end not important? Don't know why. But they didn't even give it a shot. That's a fact. If you want absolute verification, try asking them but I doubt you will get a straight forward response. Afterall, they really screwed up here.
Mike DelV
9:50 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
In your opinion - that's what you meant to say, James, right?
I have heard this accusation (unsubstantiated) only on the patch and only from posters that sound very much like James. Exactly like James, in fact. I get the "hair on the back of my neck raised" feeling that it's the same person posting this over and over again under different names. The same person that always makes a personal attack on "Ping and Hartzel". And always referencing the wetlands in the south end. No matter the subbject at hand. The posts have a mean "tone" to them. Anyone know who this ghost poster might be?
DSA
10:11 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
As i understand it the south end is approved but unfunded. Until that happens at the federal level it will be difficult. I dont think asking will change that. That has nothing to do with the state/local possibility of doing it but maintanence is the key and you only get that with federal funding. I find it hard to believe that you can call the ACE and actually have them answer your questions.
Dan Delizio
10:57 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Mike DelV - You are mean and a coward.
Frank
11:01 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Dan - Mike DeIV is not mean or a coward. He comments using facts and common sense.
Dan Delizio
11:35 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Frank - Gotta say this may be the least convincing defense I've seen in some time...Add to that the fact that Mike DelV's comments are right here for everyone to check.
Joseph Peterson - southend
11:08 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Hey Mike DelV - You make a ton of assertions...here and on other stories. I've seen readers ask you for support of them and you never provide anything. Now you vicisously attack someone for doing what you do all of the time. And, here, like in the other cases, all you have to do to see if James is correct is to call the Army Corps and ask. But you would rather slouch in your desk chair, do nothing to substantiate anything, and just type in groundless assertions, stupid conclusions, and insults. Weak, bro. Really really weak.
AJFrankRuchBobHenry
7:50 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Hey Mike DeIV who is whisperingin your ear? No surprise there we all know who we all know what this is about the same whisperer who promises votes (but promises them to your opponents too) a poor loser who promises votes to both sides and yes Mike DeIV why not do some work and make some calls - actually do something besides make baseless accussations and listen to losers who have vendettas (you joining that ugly club?)
Frank/AJ/Stevie
8:19 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
September 16, 2012 Shore News Today - OC Gazette Dwight Pakan, ACE engineer "betterment" "add on" to north end project for the south end. Google it - Read it. I did then I called Mr. Pakan and got the details. Mike DeIV - you are a very foolish guy to listen to a person with a vendetta - and mean? how about writing letters to peoples' neighbors telling them to "stay away" from so and so and calling them "liars." How about writing to ladies telling them that they are "not Christian" because you disagree with them? You should be very careful about who whispers in your ear and check things out before you start making accusations against individuals. It is a sign of weakness to be so gullible. And he loves it when others do his dirty work for him -
Francis Derby
12:05 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
How about the same guy sending a letter to a gay person opposing AJ/Stevie...'s position where AJ/Steve in the midst of slandering some people, says that "I know you lead a strange lifestyle". That's that's the person you are getting your info from, Mike DelV. It is all documented.
Frank/AJ/Stevie
10:21 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
oh Mike DeIV we all thought you were a councilman. Please excuse us as now I understand you advised the Editor that this is not Mike D the councilman. But you might be interested, Mr. Councilman, who is writing these remarks in your name. We pretty much know as it is the same person who has used several names before - AJ, Frank Ruch, Bob Henry and it is the same person who is making false accusations against individuals in OC. So you might want to speak with your friend - I am sure you can guess as I am sure he has spoken to you. He is the Chairman of the Committee to Preserve Narcisism in Ocean City. Guess he isn't getting his name in the paper these days, so he is lashing out. You might want to speak to him about using your name.
Eric Sauder
9:09 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
If you really want to know what is being proposed you only have to read the quotes of Mr. Gill in the ACP, March 9. Said Mr. Gill "I don't expect to make a fortune out of it, but I don't want to lose any money either." He also stated that "if it is deemed in need of rehabilitation the city would be able to help finance the project, which is key ... because ... no bank would provide a loan for a property with such environmental problems." So there it is. Mr. Gill isn't adverse to making a profit, but doesn't want to assume the risk. He'd like the city to finance it (and take the risk.) Also by declaring it an area in need of rehabilitation the property would qualify for a tax abatement. So he wouldn't have to pay taxes on it either. And this whole deal is starting to sound an awful lot like the last marina project the city got involved in. Before I invest another $3 mill I'd like to know that I'm going to get SOME return.
Gonna go read other comments now ...
Eric Sauder
9:17 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
In regard to the south end beaches I got a lot of my information from the administration. Hey if it was wrong that was the source.
bobhenry,aj,stevie,frankruch,crazy
4:26 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mike DeIV we know who you are and mean is not the word - Vile - is more the word and it is all documented in black and white to be pulled out at the appropriate time