The Worcester County Planning Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department South Station renovations during its meeting on Oct. 2.
The OPVFD has been advocating for renovations and new construction on the south fire station, located at 911 Ocean Parkway. The project is expected to be approximately 15,000-square-feet and take 65 weeks once started.
During the planning commission meeting, Joe Enste, Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department president, said the number of fire and EMS calls have about doubled since he first joined the department as a cadet in 2003.
“There’s been a dramatic increase in the volume of service we’re having to provide out of this station,” he said.
The new site design includes two new apparatus bays, reconfigured parking with 57 combined spots for both public and staff and a new firefighter memorial with three flag poles and a brick patio. The current site has three apparatus bays and 21 parking spaces, 13 belonging to the public and eight belonging to staff.
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Board readies to approve cell tower
During a Sept. 20 meeting, Verizon Director Paul Plymouth discussed the timeline of the incoming cell tower to the Ocean Pines community.
Police Chief Tim Robinson said Milestone Towers, the developing company behind the cell tower, is looking for board approval so they can proceed with the planning process on their end. ~ Page 19
Board Votes to Eliminate Standing Committees, Opts for Ad Hoc Approach
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
Despite a contentious debate among directors and members over the future of volunteer involvement in the association’s governance, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors voted Sept. 20 to eliminate most of the community’s long-standing advisory committees.
The motion, introduced by Director Jeff Heavner, called for the termination of the aquatics, bylaws and resolutions, communications, environment and natural assets, golf, marine activities, recreation and parks, and strategic planning advisory committees. Heavner said the purpose of the move was to discontinue the existence of those committees as standing Board advisory committees “after due consideration in favor of future ad hoc committees and working groups that are assigned specific and clearly identified task by the Board.”
Heavner argued that while the efforts of volunteers were greatly appreciated, the committees had increasingly become counterproductive. “The background is the above listed committees are purely advisory in nature under OPA’s governing documents existing at the pleasure of the OPA Board. As stated in Board resolution C-01, OPA’s governing documents authorize a Board to
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County investigates
OPSA fund transfer
Questions about how more than $231,000 in escrow funds were taken from the Ocean Pines water and wastewater service area to cover shortfalls in other parts of Worcester County surfaced during a Sept. 16 meeting, with one commissioner demanding answers about oversight. ~ Page 30
LIFESTYLES
Ghost Museum
Spooks Berlin
Are spirits watching as guests climb the steep staircase to Berlin’s Ghost Museum, with its creaking wooden floors and haunting background music? Owner Alyssa Maloof wouldn’t be surprised, especially since a heavy camera on a shelf where gift shop items are sold once toppled down, although nobody was nearby.
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establish advisory committees as may be necessary to or convenient in the association’s discharging of its duties,” Heavner said.
He explained that advisory committees were meant to take direction from the Board and provide advice, but in practice, “in seeking in good faith ways to make contributions to the association [they] have increasingly formulated ideas and plans that are not practical or feasible and or in keeping with the Board and management goals and priorities.”
He said this dynamic has resulted too often in unproductive conflict and disagreement between the committees on the one hand and the Board members or OPA management on the other hand. He said that is not advancing the best interest of the association or its members and the lines of communication between the committees and the Board and or management has become inefficient and strained.
Heavner said Ocean Pines’ professional staff had grown significantly since the association’s founding and that management was wellequipped to handle operations without standing advisory committees generating conflicting initiatives. “The Board itself obviously has an important and required corporate governance role in this HOA which in this Board’s view would be best supported by ad hoc committees and temporary working groups focused on particular identified tasks rather than standing advisory committees that are often in search of initiatives that may or may not be in sync with Board strategy and planning,” he said.
He emphasized that operational issues should be handled directly by management. The general manager and management team have responsibility for the many operational concerns of the association. “And in my judgment, they can fulfill that role most effectively when the Board and its supporting committees focus on policy and corporate governance rather than on operations,” he said. He added that there should be a useful and effective ways for operational concerns to be brought to the attention of the OPA management. He said suggestions, comments, and questions from members sent via email to info@oceanpines.org has become the most effective way to accomplish this. Concerns can also be raised during Board meetings or
via emails to the Board, he added.
Director Stuart Lakernick echoed Heavner’s rationale, stressing that the growth of Ocean Pines had rendered the standing
committee model outdated. “I know this is a contentious issue and we have a lot of very passionate people that want to volunteer, but we’ve
gotten to the point where we’ve grown where we want to put more of this talent to better use,” he said.
Lakernick noted that when the community began in 1968, the general manager relied heavily on committees. Today, with more than 8,500 homes and as many as 24,000 seasonal residents, Ocean Pines has a fully developed management structure.
“We have department heads that report to our GM that have the expertise to run these departments,” he said. He said ad hoc committees or clubs could advise the Board in lieu of standing advisory commit-
tees.
He added examples of community involvement that did not require standing committees. He cited a group that’s maintaining a graveyard and the women’s group that maintains Pintail Park. “These are not committees,” he noted.
Director Elaine Brady also supported the change, though she acknowledged the disappointment of many residents. “I understand that a lot of you are not happy about this,” she said.
“I have been on committees and I know that the time and effort that it
Jeff Heavner
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takes. It’s the process that needs to be changed,” she said.
Brady stressed that efficiency and inclusiveness were at the heart of her support. “It needs to be more efficient and effective for everybody. And so there are ways that we need to look at to do that at this point at least in my view,” she said.
Brady pointed out that about 50 people serve on the OPA advisory committees, but the community has more than 8,500 homes.
“There are an awful lot of people who aren’t participating who do have a lot of expertise, a lot of additional opinions that can also be heard and are welcomed to be heard and I think it’s easier sometimes if they don’t have the constraints of having to attend a monthly meeting. I think there’s other ways that we can look at the process to include everybody and to try to grow those voices,” she said.
Brady added that prolonging the issue by suspending rather than eliminating the committees was not a good solution. “For those reasons I will be supporting this,” she said.
Brady added that the Board does have a responsibility to work with
Fire Station
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Members of the planning commission praised the fire department’s work and presentation while reviewing the site plan.
“I’m amazed. If we don’t need to make any changes to the site plan, this is probably one of the first times since I’ve started working here that we can stamp it right away,” Zoning Administrator Kristen Tremblay said.
The south station was first constructed in 1981 as a 3,220-squarefoot single story structure and got two additions in 1985 and 1987 respectively. There have only been minor interior renovations since then.
Enste said the designs for the renovations have “been a great team effort” and that the South Station Building Committee is satisfied with the progress.
He was also grateful the Ocean Pines Association’s referendum passed with almost an 80% vote authorizing the construction.
“I think the department– as a whole– we’re very proud of the service we’re providing for the community and we’re glad the community is supporting us,” he said. “It’s really
residents.
“I just think going forward that while I know it’s contentious, it’s a very big change. I do think that dragging it out over a longer period of time by just suspending the committees isn’t the way to do it and that we really do want to find a better way to hear everybody’s voices,” she said.
In defending his motion, Heavner emphasized that he had consulted widely before proposing the change.
“I didn’t come to this position without talking and listening to a lot of people over the last probably eight months. I’ve talked to existing chairpeople. I’ve talked to past chairpeople. I’ve talked to existing committee members, past committee members, and I am very visible in this community. And wherever I go, I ask questions. I’m not sitting behind a keyboard. I ask a lot of questions and they’re not baited questions. And the majority answer to that the reason this motion came about was they supported this. It’s where it came from.”
He framed the move as part of the association’s evolution. “Ocean Pines has evolved into a thriving professional association able to ful-
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rewarding for all of us involved. And the fact the community voted on the referendum meant a lot.”
Enste said the renovations will “represent the highest level of care to the community.” He also hopes the fire department can continue to add new recruits as a result of the expansion.
“This will allow us to grow and get better and retain new members. You want to keep the people you already have, but it’ll give us another opportunity to bring in new recruits,” he said. “Not only bring them in but retain everyone here.”
The current building isn’t compliant with the National Fire Protection Association nor the Americans with Disabilities Act, and has storage constraints and safety issues due to its outdated design, he said.
At the Sept. 20 OPA Board of Directors meeting, General Manager John Viola shared the expectations for the current timeframe, with the “shovel entering the ground” in winter 2026. Viola said after the planning commission meeting, the OPVFD will still need to submit plans for construction permits, confirm costs on plumbing and mechanicals and evaluate proposals.
Hazardous Waste Collection
WHAT WILL BE ACCEPTED:
Computers & Laptops (No Other Electronics)
Gasoline • Gas/Oil Mixtures • Fuels • Acids
Cleaners • Solvents • Automotive Fluids • Bleach
Ammonia • Pool Chemicals • Pesticides
Dark Room Supplies • CFL Light Bulbs • Batteries
Insecticides • Herbicides • Oil-Based Paints
Thinners • Turpentine • Wood Preservatives Wood Strippers • Etc.
All of these materials will go to a HAZ MAT disposal site.
Dispose of solidified water based paint in trash. (to solidify – add dirt, sand, kitty litter, mulch, etc.)
WHAT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED:
Explosives • Ammunition • Medical Waste
Radioactive Materials • Picric Acid • Asbestos
Televisions • TV Remotes • Keyboards
Mouse • Printers • Modems • Scanners • Cables
Misc. Computer Parts • VCR’s • CD Player’s
Calculators • Cell Phones • Radios • Stereos
CB Radios • Fax Machines • Misc. items
ELECTRONICS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
For more information on this event, Please call Recycling Manager 410-632-3177 Ext. 2405 or email at @co.worcester.md.us
What They Said
Members Oppose Elimination of Advisory Committees
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
During the public comments section of the Sept. 20 Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting, several members of the community, including multiple committee chairs, spoke in opposition to a proposal put forth by Director Jeff Heavner to eliminate the association’s standing advisory committees.
Speakers emphasized the vital role these committees play in supporting the Board, providing continuity, and serving as a bridge between homeowners and governance. They highlighted that committee members volunteer their time and expertise to maintain and improve the community, often contributing institutional knowledge, historical perspective, and practical insights that would be difficult to replace through staff or ad hoc groups.
Commenters expressed concern that eliminating the committees would weaken homeowner engagement, transparency, and oversight while reducing opportunities for meaningful collaboration. Many noted that committees have been instrumental in implementing initiatives, advising on bylaws and resolutions, coordinating community events, and addressing resident concerns in ways that staff alone cannot replicate. Members argued that standing committees offer continuity and preserve institutional memory, ensuring the community’s priorities and history inform Board decisions even as leadership changes. Overall, the speakers called for a collaborative approach to strength-
ening and modernizing the committees rather than dismantling a system that has long been central to Ocean Pines’ governance and community involvement.
Keith Kaiser
Keith Kaiser spoke during the public comments section, offering reflections drawn from his six years of service on the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee. He emphasized that he was speaking solely for himself, not on behalf of the committee, and began by underscoring that both committee members and Board members serve as unpaid volunteers. He noted that some residents mistakenly believe these roles are compensated, but in fact, they are community members stepping up to serve without financial incentive. They’re just neighbors, sometimes family and friends who volunteer to come forward to work in the community, he said.
Kaiser stressed the importance of open dialogue and participation in community governance, drawing a connection between engagement and the health of a community. He described a homeowners association as one of the purest forms of self-governance, relying on volunteers from within the community. However, he pointed out that many residents remain disengaged, with major community votes often drawing participation from less than half of property owners. This lack of involvement, he warned, can make the community more vulnerable to poor decisions or exploitation, placing greater responsibility on those who do pay attention to remain involved
and vocal.
He cautioned that governance is never easy, predictable, or without conflict, and said those who volunteer should not expect it to be simple. While he acknowledged uncertainty about whether all current committees are essential, he argued that eliminating them entirely is not the right solution.
“Are all of the current committees that we have today necessary? I don’t know. I don’t. But is getting rid of all of them a good idea? I don’t think that’s the answer either,” he said, adding “You may be saying today that you’re not abolishing all of them. That’s only because you’re legally not allowed by our bylaws to abolish all of them. There’s three that are protected by the bylaws.”
He reminded the Board that certain committees exist because of requirements in the bylaws and that decades of member input, lessons learned, and legal experiences shaped the current system of committees, resolutions, and practices.
“I can’t speak to all the other committees, but after six years on the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, I can say confidently that nobody does what we do. Nobody,” he said.
Kaiser concluded by stressing
Advisory Committees
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fill our mission to provide value and quality of way of life for our residents,” he said.
The motion to restructure standing advisory committees, in his viewpoint, marks a way point to safely navigate towards more useful, effective, and flexible ways to solicit ideas and opinions from the individual talents and experience of association members, Heavner said.
He said it’s time to alter course, using ad hoc committees, temporary working groups.
“We know it works. We’ve done it,” he said referencing past ad hoc groups that tackled specific issues and projects for the OPA.
“That focus on specific tasks that will aid in the continued success journey of our association,” he said.
Heavner acknowledged, “This is a bold move.” He said using volunteers working collaboratively “towards a
that committees like Bylaws and Resolutions provide continuity, expertise, and consistency that paid staff or legal reviews alone could not replace, highlighting their value to the community’s governance structure.
Colette Horn
Steve Habeger read a statement submitted by former OPA director Colette Horn regarding the proposed motion to disband most of the majority of the association’s advisory committees. Horn expressed disappointment in the proposal and opposed the rationale behind it, which suggested that the growth and expertise of the management team could replace the committees. She argued that this reasoning was flawed, as staff are not intended to advise the Board on governance matters or represent member input.
“To equate the staff with the committees is a false equivalence. It confuses and conflates roles and responsibilities that are fundamentally different,” she said.
Horn emphasized the distinction between management and committees, stating that governance is the responsibility of the Board and reTo Page 7
well-defined goal over short periods of time will enhance the experience of all involved and provide a forum for even more voices.”
Lakernick reinforced that message, telling residents that the move was not intended to diminish volunteer participation. “I just wanted to add this is not eliminating folks. This is restructuring to make better use of your talent,” he told the gathered committee members.
As for using the info@oceanpines. org email to contact the association, he said the management team is very responsive.
The Sept. 20 vote, with Director Steve Jacobs in opposition and Director Monica Rakowski absent, formalized the Board’s decision to abolish the standing advisory committees not required by the association’s governing documents. The Board also needs the repeal enabling resolutions that created the advisory committees.
Public Comments
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quires meaningful input from the membership. She stressed that advisory committees have historically provided a critical link between the Board and property owners, ensuring that community priorities are reflected in decisions, particularly when it comes to spending and resource allocation. “The advisory committees have their fingers on the pulse of the membership’s priorities and have historically served as a conduit for information to the Board about community priorities,” she said.
She also noted that many of the amenities and structures currently in place within Ocean Pines resulted from the work of advisory committees. According to her statement, Board members rarely come into their positions with deep expertise across all areas of the community’s operations. For that reason, the Board has traditionally depended on volunteers who bring specialized knowledge, passion, and on-theground awareness through their service on committees.
Horn acknowledged that the relationship between the Board and committees has not always been smooth and has sometimes required clarification of boundaries. Despite those challenges, she pointed out that important outcomes emerged from the debate, discussion, and persistence of committee members. She praised their dedication and urged recognition of their contributions.
Horn described the proposed motion as both disrespectful to volunteers and a significant loss of human capital. She urged the Board to withdraw or reject the measure in order to preserve the role of committees in Ocean Pines governance.
Gary Miller, chair of the Aquatics Advisory Committee and a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, shared his concerns about the proposal to disband most advisory committees. An active committee volunteer for over 15, he emphasized the important role committees play in bringing forward information, ideas, and improvements to the Board.
Miller acknowledged that frustrations exist between advisory committees, the Board, and management, but attributed these issues primarily to poor communication rather than flaws in the committee system itself. He said that lines of
communication with liaisons and relevant departments have become strained, leading to conflict and inefficiency.
“The main reason for this in my opinion is due to a lack of communication between the committees and their liaison and the particular department the committee was established to help,” he said.
To address this, he said committees have suggested steps such as having department heads attend their meetings quarterly to provide updates, share concerns, and discuss upcoming projects. They also recommended quarterly executive council
meetings to improve overall communication. Despite these repeated suggestions, he noted that none of them have been implemented.
He expressed frustration that committee recommendations often receive little or no feedback, leaving volunteers uncertain whether their input is even considered. Miller also pushed back against the idea that temporary ad hoc groups could replace standing committees, stressing that standing committees serve as a vital link between residents and the Board. He cited the example of the Ocean Pines season kickoff event, which originated from a dis-
cussion in the Aquatics Committee before evolving into a broader community celebration.
“It’s a real shame that instead of bringing the committees together to discuss how to fix this problem that you have decided it is better to just eliminate the voice of the volunteers were trying to improve our community,” he said.
Miller concluded by stating that the real issue lies with the Board’s lack of engagement with committees, not with the committees themselves. He described it as unfortunate that instead of working collaboratively to
Gary Miller
Public Comments
From Page 7
solve communication problems, the Board is considering eliminating the voice of dedicated volunteers.
Donna McElroy
Donna McElroy, a six-year member of the Marine Activities Advisory Committee who has served as both chair and secretary, spoke in opposition to claims that her committee and others are no longer necessary.
She directly addressed allegations made by Heavner suggesting that committees were redundant due to the growth and capabilities of OPA’s management team. McElroy rejected this assertion, stressing that her committee’s work is aligned with Board strategies, prioritized under Resolution C-12, and focused on serving the best interests of the community.
“I disagree that my committee searches for initiatives or projects that may or may not be in sync with the Board’s strategies and planning. The fact is that at the beginning of the year, our committee is often faced with too many projects and we look at the projects. We choose the projects that we think are the best for the community and are in sync with the Board strategies,” she said. She disagreed with the characterization that committees are frustrated or locked in conflict, stating that MAAC has enjoyed positive relationships with other committees and partnerships on initiatives such as environmental expos and outreach at the farmers market. She also dismissed the notion that the association’s general email address was the most effective way for residents to communicate, pointing out that her committee maintains its own email address publicized weekly and actively responds to inquiries related to marine issues.
McElroy highlighted major contributions of the committee, including the oyster project, which now engages 100 participants maintaining 120 cages in partnership with the Friends of the St. Martin River and Maryland Coastal Bays Program. She also cited the water testing initiative, which originated from resident concerns and was supported by Board funding for test kits, with results expected later in October. Additional efforts include marine debris cleanup projects, education on boating laws and safety, securing no-wake buoys, and public outreach
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OCEAN PINES
Public Comments
From Page 8
She concluded by stressing that eliminating MAAC would undermine these ongoing efforts, asking who would continue vital projects and present results without the committee’s work. McElroy urged the Board not to approve the motion to dissolve advisory committees.
Vivian Koroknay
Vivian Koroknay, a three-year member of the Aquatics Advisory Committee, explained that she joined the committee after retiring as part of a personal commitment to volunteerism and giving back to the community, a motivation she believes is shared by all committee members.
Koroknay acknowledged frustrations described in a recent memorandum but said they stem not from the committees themselves, but from the lack of responsiveness and respect shown by the Board.
“…In the three years that I’ve been on the committee, I’ve gone from wondering why almost any suggestions put forward by the committee were declined or ignored to more recently wondering why there seemed to be a palpable disrespect toward the committee and a lack of interest in anything the committee said or recommended,” she said.
During her time on the Aquatics Advisory Committee, she observed that many suggestions were routinely declined, ignored, or incorporated into policies without any acknowledgment to the committee. When responses did come, she noted they were often curt, adversarial in tone, and delivered through email.
She recognized that mistakes had been made by individual commit-
tee members in the past, but pointed out that those were dealt with directly, either through resignation or removal, and did not justify eliminating entire committees. She praised committee chair Gary Miller for his strong leadership in orienting new members and ensuring that committee work adhered to bylaws and resolutions.
“After three years, my takeaway is that the Board or at least some directors on the Board do not see the benefits of resident advisory committees and see no value in the work that the advisory committees do. Sad. Really sad,” she said.
Koroknay argued that advisory committees play an essential role in providing a voice for residents, serving as a conduit between the community and the Board. She expressed concern that replacing standing committees with ad hoc groups would be ineffective, since ad hoc groups are reactive, limited, and potentially subject to bias in selection. She also questioned whether shifting resident concerns to a general email address would achieve the same level of engagement.
She concluded by urging the Board not to rush into dismantling the advisory system but instead to bring Board members, management, and committee volunteers together to find constructive ways to improve communication and collaboration.
Linda Yurche
Linda Yurche, chair of the Communications Advisory Committee, said she has chaired the committee for the past two years and noted that its six members represent a cross-section of the community, each bringing valuable skills and perspectives. Although she has lived in Ocean Pines for only six years, she
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Staff photo
Sunset in Ocean Pines.
Board Moves to Repeal Advisory Committees Resolutions
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors advanced another step in its restructuring process on Sept. 20, following its decision to abolish most standing advisory committees.
Immediately following a Board vote to eliminate most of the standing advisory committees, Director Jeff Heavner introduced the first reading of a motion to repeal the Board resolutions that had established and defined the roles of those committees. Heavner said the action was necessary because the Board had already approved his earlier motion to terminate the Aquatics, Bylaws and Resolutions, Communications, Environment and Natural Assets, Golf, Marine Activities, Recreation and Parks, and Strategic Planning committees.
“This is a first reading as to the proposed repeal in their entirety of those committee associated resolutions,” Heavner said, identifying the affected measures as C15 Aquatics
Advisory Committee, C04 Bylaws and Resolutions Advisory Committee, C06 Communications Advisory Committee, C10 Environment and Natural Assets Advisory Committee, C11 Golf Advisory Committee, C12 Marine Activities Advisory Committee, C13 Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee, and C07 Strategic Planning Advisory Committee.
He explained that “the committees are purely advisory in nature under OPA’s governing documents existing at the pleasure of the OPA Board.” He cited resolution C01, which authorizes the Board to establish advisory committees as may be necessary or convenient in carrying out its duties. Advisory committees, he noted, take direction from the Board and provide requested advice, and under C01 are encouraged to recommend measures that enhance management and operations.
“...the repeal of the associated advisory committee resolutions is a necessary and related step, Heavner said. A second reading is scheduled for the October Board meeting.
Public Comments
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has dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours, while some of her fellow members have given thousands.
Yurche explained that her committee’s role has always been to advise the Board on ways to strengthen Ocean Pines’ identity as a place to live, work, and play, and to celebrate the people and amenities that make it unique. The committee has worked on initiatives that do not duplicate staff functions, such as creating the Good Neighbors program and helping to launch the Ocean Pines season kickoff event, which she cochaired for the past two years. These efforts required extensive volunteer contributions and collaboration.
She acknowledged the association’s efforts to professionalize its operations and said the committee has sought opportunities to align with Board and staff priorities, not compete with them. Despite this, she recounted instances of dismissive treatment, including being scolded for asking to be kept in the loop on relevant topics and hearing negative comments about committees from Board members.
In anticipation of possible changes, her committee had already begun discussing ways to update its charter and adapt to the evolving administrative environment.
“Recognizing the changing landscape for our work, our committee members have spent the last several months brainstorming and drafting ideas we had hoped to share with the Board about revising our charter or revisiting the committee structure. Certainly, none of us want
to continue to give our time and talents where they’re not needed or wanted. And we don’t want to step on the toes of what remains a very lean staff for an enterprise of this size,” she said.
However, instead of a collaborative process, committee chairs were abruptly notified by email of the plan to eliminate most committees. “No discussion, not even advanced warning. I mean, that email was the first I heard,” she said.
Yurche expressed disappointment in this approach, stressing that committees provide an important bridge between residents and the Board, and urged the Board to work with volunteers to improve the structure rather than dismantle it.
Amy Peck
Amy Peck used her public comments to strongly oppose the proposed elimination of association committees. She criticized the Board for failing to engage with committees before moving toward dismantling them, noting the irony that only recently, the same Board had praised volunteerism and the committees’ essential role in the community.
“Boy, time really flies in Ocean Pines because not long ago, this Board was praising volunteerism, saying that the committees were what made Ocean Pines great,” she said.
She highlighted that one Board member had even campaigned on strengthening committees, yet now supported their removal.
Peck argued that the motion to
Staff photo
The Ocean Pines Associaiton recently completed repairs to the pickleball courts.
Public Comments
From Page 10
eliminate committees was far more than a procedural adjustment. In her view, it represented a fundamental threat to homeowner involvement, transparency, oversight, and open governance. She emphasized that committees provide a vital voice for homeowners and a deep reservoir of expertise that benefits the Board, warning that eliminating them would reject collaboration and undermine the founding vision of Ocean Pines.
“This motion is not a procedural tweak. It is a direct threat to homeowner engagement, transparency, oversight, and open governance. A vote for this motion is a vote to silence the homeowners and discard the deep, deep well of expertise that Ocean Pines has. It’s expertise that this Board needs,” she said.
She was critical of the proposed working group model, saying it would limit participation by filtering community voices through fewer individuals. Instead of dismantling the current system, she urged the Board to modernize committees by clarifying scopes, improving communication, and strengthening their effectiveness. She cautioned that removing them would silence homeowners, concentrate power among a few, and shift the community toward a closed, top-down style of governance.
Peck framed the decision as a test of the Board’s commitment to collaboration and inclusivity, stating that directors who supported the motion would be signaling to every homeowner that their voice and expertise no longer mattered. She closed by thanking past, present, and future volunteers for their service and urged them not to retreat if committees were eliminated.
Lora Pangratz
Lora Pangratz, chair of the Bylaws and Resolutions Advisory Committee, expressed disappointment that the Board was considering dissolving that committee, which has long played a central role in maintaining and updating the association’s bylaws and resolutions. She explained that her committee ensures these documents do not conflict with one another or with the Maryland Homeowners Act, and while legal counsel assists with updates, this only occurs at the committee’s request. If the committee were eliminated, responsibili-
ty would fall solely on paid staff or legal counsel, creating additional costs in the budget.
Pangratz noted that the motion assumed all committees had communication problems or overstepped their advisory roles. She stated that the bylaws committee has never bypassed proper channels, always working through its Board liaison.
“If there is a problem with the committee overstepping their responsibilities, it is the responsibility of the Board liaison to step in and guide that committee chairperson
and committee members and mediate and discuss a better way to communicate. This is not being done,” she said.
She described the committee’s process as professional and consistent, citing its use of Robert’s Rules of Order, timely agendas, posted minutes, annual reports, and recorded meetings. She emphasized that standing committees provide continuity and institutional knowledge that ad hoc committees or temporary work groups cannot match, since ad hoc bodies dissolve once
their tasks are complete.
She pointed out that her committee has helped ensure Board compliance in the past by identifying when actions were inconsistent with bylaws. Eliminating such committees, she warned, would reduce transparency, communication, and accountability while discarding valuable volunteer expertise. Pangratz urged the Board to partner with committees to explore restructuring rather than abolishment.
“Let us and the other committees To Page 13
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partner and work with the Board of Directors and helping to update and consider restructuring the committees and find ways to make any changes successful,” she said.
She concluded by noting that recent committee applications had been submitted but not included on the meeting agenda, raising further concerns about the handling of volunteers.
Bill Haase
Bill Haase spoke during the public comments section to argue against the proposal to eliminate most advisory committees. He emphasized two primary reasons for keeping them: the value of institutional knowledge and the importance of preserving historical records and documentation.
Haase explained that committees provide a record of past decisions, accomplishments, and guidance that can be referenced over time. Without committees, he warned, future Board members would lose access to this history, making it harder for them to make informed decisions.
Haase also criticized the proposal as shortsighted, noting that it was based on the current strength of the general manager, the Board, and specific individuals, without considering the inevitable changes in leadership that occur over time. He pointed out that when a general manager, Board member, or key staff person leaves, their knowledge goes with them. Committees, by contrast, serve as a stable repository of information and community perspective that outlasts individual turnover.
He acknowledged that the Board and management team are capable, but stressed that running a community requires broad input. Eliminating committees, he argued, may make things easier in the short term but would harm the association’s long-term strength and governance.
Haase also highlighted the irreplaceable contributions of past committee members, citing Joe Reynolds as an example of a volunteer who consistently provided valuable insights and perspectives. He expressed concern that dismantling committees would silence voices like Reynolds and diminish the overall resources available to the community. Concluding his remarks, Haase stated that eliminating committees would weaken Ocean Pines, removing a vital source of historical knowledge, expertise, and account-
ability that has long benefited the association.
Carol Jacobs
Carol Jacobs spoke against the motion to eliminate most standing committees. She expressed shock and disappointment at what she described as an abrupt and unexpected proposal, saying the approach felt like an ambush to both volunteers and homeowners.
“Wow. If you want to get people to show up at a meeting, ambush them with a motion like this one has been presented. I’m gob smacked at what has been proposed here,” she said.
Jacobs explained that she has been a property owner since 2001 and has extensive involvement in Ocean Pines governance, including serving on the Board as vice president and participating on multiple committees. She noted that she currently serves on a committee not slated for elimination but stressed that the committees overall have long been an integral part of the association’s history and culture.
She argued that dismantling them disregards this legacy and undermines the spirit of community participation that has defined Ocean Pines.
She acknowledged that there may have been conflicts or issues with individual committee members but said such problems should be handled through dialogue and resolution rather than eliminating entire committees. She urged the Board to withdraw the motion, or at minimum delay action until a broader discussion could take place, suggesting a town hall meeting as a way to hear from more homeowners and volunteers before making such a drastic decision.
Jacobs also referenced her volunteer experience with major community efforts. She emphasized that residents volunteer because they love the community and want to improve it, and that eliminating committees runs counter to those values.
She called on Board members to reject the motion and preserve the committee system that has long supported Ocean Pines’ growth, tradition, and community spirit.
“But this is not the way to go about this, Jeff,” she said to Heavner. “How could you do this? I mean, I really I don’t I don’t get it at all. And so I’m asking you to withdraw your motion or I’m asking if it remains, everybody vote against it. This is not the right thing to do now. Please.”
Staff photo Halloween decorations abound in Ocean Pines.
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
The Sept. 20 meeting of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors stretched for hours as residents, committee members, and directors weighed in on a controversial proposal to eliminate most standing advisory committees. While the majority of the Board ultimately supported the proposal, Director Steve Jacobs stood alone in opposing the measure, voicing concerns about both substance and process and calling for a more deliberate and inclusive approach.
“An open discussion of how to proceed is the best way to consider this matter. This is not intended to be a delay for the sake of delay. It is meant to give everyone interested a chance to discuss and maybe even agree on the path forward,” Jacobs said of his request to postpone action of the motion made by Director Jeff Heavner to do away with the advisory committees.
Jacobs emphasized that the passion expressed by dozens of community members during the public comments session was evidence of the committees’ value and the
Jacobs Lone Opponent as Board Moves to Eliminate Committees
strong desire of residents to remain engaged in the life of the community. He characterized participatory democracy as a “bumpy road” by nature, noting that disagree-
ments and frustrations were inevitable in an organization as large and diverse as Ocean Pines. To him, that reality did not justify dismantling the existing committee structure outright. Instead, Jacobs argued that committees and other forms of engagement, such as ad hoc task forces, serve different purposes and should be allowed to coexist.
He cited Ocean Pines Day, which was organized by an ad hoc committee, as an example of a successful temporary effort. But he contrasted that with the broader work of the standing committees, many of which
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have operated for years, building expertise and continuity in specific areas of the community. He questioned whether volunteers who led successful one-time efforts would be equally willing to take on long-term advisory roles if the standing committees were dissolved.
Jacobs broke down his objections into two categories. First were the substantive issues—whether the elimination of the committees was the right move at all. Second were procedural concerns—whether the Board had handled the process of evaluating the committees in an open and fair manner. He stressed that he had no problem with reviewing the role of each committee, or even making changes such as consolidation, reorganization, or elimination in cases where it made sense. But he warned that eliminating every standing advisory committee as a first step was too drastic, particularly without a broader plan for how governance should be structured.
He reminded fellow Board members that advisory committees, clubs, and ad hoc groups should not be confused with operations. “We need to recognize however that there’s a difference between operations and governance. The advisory committees and by the way for that matter clubs, ad hoc committees and any other entity you want to create should have nothing to do with operations,” he said.
In his view, the committees exist to advise the Board, not to interfere with day-to-day management. He added that he accepted at face value the testimony of community members and colleagues who spoke to the committees’ contributions, and that those contributions should not be dismissed without serious deliberation.
Jacobs underscored that the people who serve on committees are not abstract entities but residents with professional backgrounds, personal interests, or even hobbies that provide valuable input. He argued that eliminating those avenues of involvement could send the wrong message to volunteers who want to
To Page 15
Steve Jacobs
Jacobs Opposed
From Page 14
make a difference. Outright elimination, he said, should be the last resort or part of a larger plan to improve governance, not the starting point.
“No question. Over the last few years, issues have come up regarding several of our committees. And in fairness, these problems do not just lie at the feet of the committees and the committee members,” he said.
Citing examples from recent years, Jacobs described how communication between committees and the Board had broken down, often to the frustration of both sides. Two years earlier, when the executive council of committee chairs met, several chairs had told the Board president at the time that they were not hearing back from their liaisons. Committees sent documents and recommendations upward, but never received responses. Similar complaints resurfaced this year, reinforcing for Jacobs that the problem was not the committees themselves but a lack of communication and follow-through.
He recalled a specific incident involving the Recreation and Parks Committee, which had raised concerns about the gym floor and possible issues with pipes underneath. The committee spent months researching the matter, only to later learn that the Board had already resolved the issue by approving a contract, without informing the committee. For Jacobs, this was evidence of a structural breakdown, not a justification for eliminating committees altogether.
Jacobs also took issue with the timing of the resolutions. He said that while there had been discussions among some Board members, the two resolutions concerning committees were only made public a few days before the meeting. That did not allow enough time for a full community discussion, he argued. Instead, he proposed tabling the resolution until the November Board meeting. Between now and then, he suggested, the Board president could convene an open meeting of the executive council of committee chairs, and each affected committee could meet to provide input. At the November meeting, the Board
could then revisit the matter, with the benefit of broader feedback and a second reading of the related resolution, he said.
For Jacobs, this approach would not be a delay for the sake of delay, but a way to ensure that all stakeholders had a chance to weigh in. He maintained that the memorandum supporting elimination contained platitudes and claims that had been effectively rebutted by those who spoke earlier in the meeting. A more open and deliberate process, he said, would provide a stronger foundation for any changes.
Jacobs also challenged the notion that committees were hampering staff operations. He noted that Ocean Pines had enjoyed strong financial health and widespread satisfaction with its amenities, thanks to the work of the general manager, department heads, and staff. He argued that the suggestion that committees were interfering with operations was a stretch. In fact, he said, committees often provided useful ideas or raised issues that might otherwise be overlooked. Directing residents to send concerns only to a general email address or through
the general manager’s open-door policy would, in his view, simply add to the workload of already busy staff.
He reminded the Board that committees are chartered to advise the Board, not to manage operations. It is the Board’s role, he said, to act as a buffer between committees, operations, and the membership at large. Sometimes that means handling complaints and frustrations, but it also means recognizing the value of volunteer contributions.
“Part of our job as board members is to act as a buffer between operations, the committees and the general membership. We are the ones to take the complaints, the gripes, the slings and arrows, whether justified or not, with what takes place here in Ocean Pines,” he said.
Drawing on his own experience, Jacobs described his work as liaison to both the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee and the Golf Committee. The bylaws committee, he said, rarely interacts with operations and should be considered separately from any wholesale elimination. The golf committee, by contrast, has an To Page 16
Pines Helicopter Pad Slated for Relocation, Expansion Bulkhead Replacement, Other Maintenance Updates Shared
By DAVID BOHENICK
Contributing Writer
Joe Enste, Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department president, announced at the Sept. 20 Board of Directors meeting that Worcester County has asked the department to move its current helicopter pad to a larger area. This new area is intended to give the county’s medical evaluation helicopter additional access throughout Worcester County.
Enste said the pad is going to be shifted about 20 yards and will be moved out of the middle of the lane where it currently sits.
“One of the new things that has been done in the town of Ocean City is they’ve created an [Instrument Flight Rules] landing zone at North Side Park…. Essentially, it allows the helicopter to come in and just use its instrumentation to land during bad weather events,” Enste said. “Right now they have it on the island but there’s no other spot in the county that has that.”
Director Steve Jacobs asked for
clarification if the current pad is getting expanded or if there will be another landing pad entirely.
Enste explained it’s currently difficult for the pilots to land on the helicopter pad in inclement weather and that an IFR landing pad could help pilots navigate better.
“What we consider inclement weather looks completely different from an aviation standpoint,” he said. “If the ceiling is too low, if there’s too much wind in one direction or another, it can all impact it. It could look like a beautiful day outside but they still might not be able to fly.”
Enste explained over time, the county upgraded the helicopter from being able to carry a two personnel team to a four personnel team, and the current pad isn’t appropriate for the larger aircraft.
“They can still land but it’s a challenge,” he said. “Depending on wind direction and things like that, there have been instances where the helicopter has come down and it has slipped off the side
Pine’eer
Craft Club culminates 50 years with bench donation
The Pine’eer Craft Club is culminating its 50th anniversary with a special gift to the Ocean Pines community of a newly donated bench.
Club President Sharon Puser said this donation is just one of many ways the club has given back to the community through the years. Installed next to the side entrance of the Artisan Gift Shop in White Horse Park, Puser adds that the bench has already become a popular spot for visitors, especially during the weekly Farmers Market.
Established in 1974, the Pine’eer Craft Club is known for creating handmade gifts, home décor, jewelry, and more. These items are sold at the Artisan Gift Shop, with proceeds donated back into the community.
Since its inception, the club has contributed more than $196,000 to local initiatives, including the Ocean Pines Police and Fire departments, Recreation and Parks programs, Summer Concerts in the Park, the Veterans Memorial, and other community projects.
For more information on becoming a member, contact Program Chair Sherry Waskey at 919-291-6566.
of the roadway where they’ve had to come back up and back down.”
The ideal landing pad area recommended by Maryland State Police is 100-by-100-feet and the current pad has a width of about 25 feet. Enste said the new area is estimated to have an area of 40-by-40-feet.
“[It] should give it ample space to land and a much flatter surface to not have to navigate if a wheel accidentally slips off the edge or anything like that. It’s just going to be flat land on either side of it so it’s going to be a big improvement and also allows us a little more comfort with approaching the helicopter.”
The proposed price at the Board meeting was $10,000 to $15,000 but General Manager John Viola said the digital map will show larger costs, as that’s the estimate for relocation alone. The OPVFD is currently working on grants to cover the cost.
Golf Maintenance & Repairs
Viola said during his general manager presentation that new turf was placed on the tee boxes for holes three and seven on the golf course, and he is now looking to replace the turf on other tee boxes.
He also is proceeding with bulkhead replacement on the green and fairway at holes 16 and 18. He said the association plans to enlarge the area of the pond, so they won’t need to take water from the aquifer, and will make the new bulkhead higher.
“With this new irrigation system, and with the aquifer and water down here, that pond out there is a water reservoir for our irrigation
Jacobs Opposed
From Page 15
excellent working relationship with course managers and staff. Jacobs praised the golf committee members for their detailed knowledge of the course. He added that the committee serves as a valuable resource for staff and that its members had made clear their opposition to eliminating the committee.
Jacobs characterized the move to eliminate committees as “earth shattering” and echoed the disbelief expressed by community members who spoke earlier. The Board, he said, had a choice of rush the resolution through and risk diminishing
system,” he said.
He said he’d come to the Board with the bulkhead contract at a later date but the current timeline is likely fall 2026.
Viola also shared the Ocean Pines Public Works Department already performed all major repairs on the Country Club’s overhang after a food truck recently hit it.
General Manager Report
Viola said court repair at the Racquet Center was expected to begin on Sept. 22. The work wrapped up in early October.
Ten courts, including eight lower pickleball courts and courts 9 and 10, are being repaired and restriped for a total cost of $57,875. Delay in these repairs came from a switch in the contractor due to a scheduling issue.
Senior Director of Administration Linda Martin shared the timeline for an upcoming DMA reserves study and said workers will be onsite in mid October
The OPA Board is hoping to develop budget estimates and update strategic planning with the results. The contract was signed months ago and cost $18,480.
Dredging by Fisher Marine began at various locations in Ocean Pines in early September, the result of a three-year permitting process between Maryland Department of the Environment and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Dredging is scheduled at 42-46 Clubhouse Drive, 18 Dove Lane, 48 Drawbridge Road, 13 Driftwood To Page 19
volunteer involvement, or take time to engage stakeholders in open discussions that could lead to a more thoughtful outcome. He recalled that at the annual dinner earlier this year, Board members had celebrated volunteers as the foundation of what makes Ocean Pines great. Eliminating the committees without broader deliberation, he warned, would undermine that sentiment. Ultimately, Jacobs was the only director to oppose the resolution, standing apart from his colleagues but aligning with the residents and committee members who spoke passionately in defense of the advisory committees.
OP Board readies to grant approval for cell tower Verizon Rep Returns to Provide Timeline Update on New Tower
By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer
During the Sept. 20 Ocean Pines Association Board meeting, Verizon Director Paul Plymouth spoke to those in attendance via Zoom to discuss the timeline of the incoming cell tower to the Ocean Pines community.
Police Chief Tim Robinson said Milestone Towers, the developing company behind the cell tower, is looking for Board approval so they can proceed with the planning process on their end.
Director Stuart Lakernick asked if the permitting process could be expedited since the lack of reception is a safety issue. Plymouth said
Board meeting
From Page 16
Lane, 28 Grand Port Road, 3 & 5 Harborview Drive, 4 Ivanhoe Court, 100 and 102 Newport Drive, 320 Ocean Parkway, 90 Teal Circle, 35 & 37 Watergreen Lane, and 33 White Sail Circle.
Fisher Marine was also expected to begin bulkhead replacement in late September on the odd number homes from 49 to 91 Clubhouse Drive once dredging concludes. The Board has already approved the $675,000 cost and are currently awaiting prices for additional bulkhead repairs. Martin clarified it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to remove anything in the water before the bulkhead is replaced.
Viola said mulch was placed at the dog park and the playgrounds at the beginning of September. For other recreation maintenance, pavers for bocce courts are expected in October and will be done in-house according to Viola.
Milestone Towers is working with Verizon to develop a timeline of construction and completion but said some parts of the timeline aren’t negotiable.
“When it comes to some of the permitting, I know Delegate Wayne Hartman is committed to help expedite things from the state and local level as much as possible, which would certainly help out,” Plymouth said. “But some of the elements like ordering steel, unfortunately due to some supply chain issues and just what’s happening in the world with tariffs, the timeline for that is what it is.”
Plymouth also said developers wouldn’t proceed with ordering sup-
Treasurer’s Report
President John Latham, on behalf of Treasurer Monica Rakowski, announced the association had around $17.8 million in cash as of Aug. 31, and that cash has decreased by approximately by $1.1 million from the same time period last year in this month’s treasurer’s report.
Cash decreased $100,000 from July 2025. The OPA has $9 million invested in CDARs, and recognized $58,000 in interest income for the month. The remaining 8.8 million is in insured cash sweep, treasury bills, money market, and other operating accounts diversified between two local banks.
Deeley Insurance
Senior Client Advisor Megan Muller represented Deeley Insurance, a local insurance firm that specializes in coastal property, during a presentation on the OPA’s coverage. Executive Vice President Cindy Hall was also present in the
plies and finalizing the design until they received the approval from the OPA.
President John Latham asked how the Board can further support the project moving forward.
“We need to know what [support from the Board] is because we’re ready to give that consent as soon as possible,” Latham said. “We want to make sure this Board is not holding this project up.”
Latham also asked why a temporary cell tower couldn’t be a possible solution. Plymouth said these towers are appropriate for small areas and special events.
“They would not be the solution for something like Ocean Pines.
audience.
Muller said Deeley Insurance can provide educational materials on home care and winterization for unit owners with individual insurance. She also said residents can contact them for any questions on their personal insurance.
Deeley Insurance services over 500 community associations, and has almost $30 million in insured property, which includes Ocean Pines amenities. Muller said, as an agency, the firm treats associations every year like new clients by assisting with audits and filing necessary claims.
“Thank goodness Ocean Pines has had a minimal amount of claims,” she said. “The most recent, and I think the only one we’ve had in years, was the floor of the community center.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Meagan Smith gave a presentation for Big Brothers Big Sisters
It needs something more holistic,” Plymouth said.
Vice President Rick Farr asked if there was someone at the county level that was capable of expediting the process. He said he understands tariffs and supply chain issues affect the process but he knows there are workarounds and wants the tower up quickly to address his safety concerns.
“There are many instances I’ve seen in the Pines where there are emergency calls to our first responders where the calls are dropped. And that is a big concern for me, that part, but also the part of an 18-month buildout,” Farr said.
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of the Eastern Shore, an organization that helps provide mentoring relationships with youth that are in need. She said the children are matched with volunteer mentors for four hours a month and a minimum of one year.
There is a youth enrollment process to ensure mentors are a good fit for the program.
Other partnership opportunities beside mentoring include sponsoring a family or the organization and volunteering for staff events and communication.
The organization is also hosting the 33rd Annual Santa’s Open Charity Golf Tournament on Dec. 6 at the Ocean City Golf Club. Smith said it’s the group’s biggest fundraiser of the year and includes a raffle, silent auction and breakfast.
Smith said the organization services Ocean Pines, Snow Hill, Pocomoke and Berlin in the immediate area. Interested residents can enroll or refer at www.shorebiglittle.com.
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Board Approves 3 Separate Structure Renovations For Food and Beverage
By DAVID BOHENICK Contributing Writer
At the Sept. 20 meeting, the Board of Directors approved three separate capital requests submitted by General Manager John Viola to enhance food and beverage facilities across the community. The projects, totaling between $275,000 and $325,000, include renovations to the Beach Club, a new shade structure outside the Country Club, and a kitchen addition near the Yacht Club pool.
Viola requested $75,000 to $100,000 to proceed with architectural and engineering plans for suggested renovations to the Beach Club, which includes the elevator, a second floor deck addition, boardwalk replacement and repairs to the basement. He also requested $75,000 to $100,000 to build a shade structure outside the Country Club that would provide food and beverage options, and a kitchen outside the Yacht Club that would cost approximately $125,000.
Viola clarified that Touch of Italy would be responsible for all the kitchen equipment in each structure and additional interior renovations
Cell tower
Plymouth said the 18-month timeline is a hypothetical and that the developers don’t have a “day one” of the process since they were awaiting Board approval.
Plymouth recognized the need for better reception in the area and explained the plans to construct a cell tower that would coalesce with preexisting towers in the area.
“Something serious needs to be done in the form of alleviating the stress of the network and that’s why putting in a tower is going to be best,” he said. “So that way in–terms of some clean-up work that can be done to address other parts of Ocean Pines– we can then look at the surrounding existing towers to see how they can be in supplement to help out those other areas that may need some additional help.”
on both floors of the Beach Club.
“We, as the lessors, are responsible for the structure…. And we will continue to be responsible for the structure,” he said. “[Touch of Italy] would be responsible for the interior. They would develop, enhance and invest in the kitchens, the bathrooms, the bars. That type of nature.”
Viola said it was on the Board members’ radar to fix the boardwalk and the deck surrounding the Beach Club for the last year or two. When Viola emphasized the need to renovate the basement at the Beach Club, Director Steve Jacobs asked for clarification if the price they were approving included the basement. Viola said it does, and the basement alone will cost approximately $25,000.
“I have to do the basement,” Viola said. “I’ve been down there. I need to do it this winter and I need to put a dehumidifier system down there.”
President John Latham agreed with Viola and said the Beach Club is in need of renovations. Latham said it will have to span the next couple of years.
“There’s a fair amount of work
To Page 23
than the map he previously shared at a Town Hall meeting in July.
At the meeting, Plymouth provided an RSRP-Coverage map which he described as more “user-friendly”
“For the average layman, I know there were a lot of questions, and we tried to answer them the best we could. Still, looking at the [old] maps, there was still some information that was left to be desired. So in working with our engineers, we came up with two more maps to illustrate the before and after.”
Plymouth explained the maps appear different from the July meeting because they represent a different frequency which the cell tower would operate.
Director Elaine Brady asked for clarification on if the maps encompass the entirety of Ocean Pines, which Plymouth confirmed they do.
Robinson asked if service would improve if the tower was taller. Plymouth said the developers are currently evaluating that and are looking at heights of 143 feet and 175 feet. Anything taller than 175 feet could impact existing towers, according to Plymouth. From Page 19
Staff photo
The deck at the Ocean Pines Beach Club.
Renovations
From Page 23
that can be done. It’s a beautiful facility. We have great parking and I think it’s time for us to start to make investment in that facility,” Latham said.
In regards to Viola’s request for a shade structure outside the Country Club, Jacobs said he wanted further clarification on what the Board was approving.
“I’m a little unclear as to what we’re approving here. If Touch of Italy is going to come in at some point
and tell us this is what we’re going to do. I’d sort of like to have that information before we’re going to approve some sort of building that may run the risk of sitting there fallow because we don’t agree on what Touch of Italy wants to do.”
Viola said the OPA Board was already interested in building a shade structure for golfers to sit outside. He said Touch of Italy would use the opportunity of the structure to provide additional food and beverage services.
Jacobs said he’d prefer if the project outside the Country Club
wasn’t drawn out, to which Viola said they’d work with Touch of Italy hand-in-hand.
Jacobs abstained from the vote on this shade structure, saying he didn’t have enough information. It was the only vote from a Board member that wasn’t an approval between all three requests.
On Touch of Italy’s behalf, Viola lastly asked to put a kitchen next to the pool and patio at the Yacht Club to enhance the quality of the food and to alleviate stress from the current kitchen. He said the vendor was interested in installing a pizza
oven and a grill at this location.
Touch of Italy believes they could have interior renovations accomplished by next summer, according to Viola. Viola also said food and beverage options at the Yacht Club would still be operational if they didn’t meet the timeline.
Jacobs wanted to ensure the pool and the bocce ball courts wouldn’t be affected by the Yacht Club. Viola said it wouldn’t and that he’s proposing a separate structure that’s approximately 20-by-20-feet.
Director Jeff Heavner was in support of this proposal. “One of my pet peeves is when you go anywhere and get served lukewarm food. It completely ruins the experience. So, if this can alleviate the stress on the existing kitchen [at the Yacht Club] and ensure that everybody around the swimming pool or the tiki bar gets served hot food, it’s a big plus to the experience,” Heavner said.
Viola said all three requests would bring in an estimated increased revenue stream for Touch of Italy, and the OPA would gain a percentage of their non-alcohol sales. He said the revenue from the contract with Touch of Italy is forecasted to cover depreciation and expenses, and all food and beverage revenue will be reinvested to address the needs of food and beverage venues in Ocean Pines.
“I’m forecasting that we’re probably going to be favorable with [non-alcohol sales]. Somewhere around $160,000 or $180,000. And they still have most of the year to go. That’s in addition to your depreciation. That’s extra money. We’ve never seen that,” Viola said.
Before Viola’s third request, Director Stuart Lakernick commented on the Board’s efficiency.
“In addition to the two things that we just approved, plus the construction of the fire department’s new southside firehouse, this is a bold and aggressive move to get stuff done. I just wanted to make sure everyone seated understands what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Lakernick said.
Latham directly responded, saying it was an opportunity for the OPA Board to generate additional profits.
“I’m not quite sure it’s aggressive. I think it was a plan. It’s a revenue generating opportunity that we’re moving forward with,” Latham said. Viola said the money for all three requests would likely be handled from the OPA’s reserves.
August Financials Show $100,000 Positive Variance
By ROTA L. KNOTT
Publisher/Editor
General Manager John Viola delivered his financial update to the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors on Sept. 20, reporting that the community’s finances remain favorable compared to budget projections, though he emphasized that favorable results do not automatically mean a surplus.
“We’re favorable. Again, favorable doesn’t necessarily mean surplus. We were favorable to budget,” he said in presenting the August financial report.
Viola began his presentation by reviewing the monthly operating numbers. He said the results were favorable to budget, with a positive variance of around $100,000 for the month. The gains were driven by the performance of amenities, including golf, recreation and parks programs, and summer camps. He noted that some of the favorability was related to timing, such as police expenses, and that administrative accounts also showed positive variances. Open positions in finance contributed to savings as well.
Viola stressed that these favorable results will ultimately be reinvested into the community, pending final recognition after the year-end audit.
Golf operations continued to be a strong revenue driver, and the marina showed significant improvement compared to the previous year, when activity was limited by repeated small craft advisories. “So the marina really bounced back from last year,” Viola said.
Food and beverage operations were another focus of the report, as the financial structure and budget assumptions made comparisons complex. “To do a comparison the prior year with the food and beverage, the way it’s structured, it really doesn’t work until the end of the year. And that’s why I’m trying to give a forecast every time I come out here,” Viola said.
He explained that when the association structured the food and beverage budget, it included a monthly rental income figure of about $36,000 to $38,000, along with depreciation for each facility. In addition, the budget assumed six-and-
CPI Shifts Approach To Violations
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
Ocean Pines property owners facing compliance issues may notice a change in how the association is handling violations. At a recent meeting, Linda Martin, senior director of business administration, explained that the Compliance, Permits, and Inspections office is shifting its approach in line with Board direction.
Martin said the Board instructed staff to place more emphasis on maintenance issues. She said CPI is clearing out prior violations before starting any new violations.
At the same time, the office continues to prioritize violations involving safety concerns and those that are discovered during property resales.
What has changed, she noted, is the method of communication with homeowners. Instead of automatically issuing violation letters, CPI staff are now reaching out by phone or sending initial notices. The intent is to encourage cooperation and give property owners the opportunity to correct issues before enforcement action is taken. She said CPI wants to work with the owners to resolve issues instead of receiving violation notices, Martin said.
The numbers from August reflect this focus on resolution. The CPI office recorded 27 new violations during the month. Staff were able to close out 196 cases by working directly with homeowners. Despite that progress, 203 violations remain open, and nearly half—95 cases—are still in the hands of legal counsel.
Martin stressed that the office is clearing out past violations before taking up new ones, but is continuing to address both as they arise. By concentrating on safety, maintenance, and resale-related issues while working collaboratively with residents, the association hopes to maintain standards without creating unnecessary conflict.
a-half percent of non-alcohol sales based on the previous year’s numbers. This formula was approved by the Board and implemented during the budget process.
“We did a projection on that based upon what we saw the non-alcohol food sales were last year and we calculated that and we put that as part of the budget. This was all explained during the budget process,” Viola said.
So far this year, gross food and beverage sales are approximately $425,000 higher than at the same point last year. While that increase should have led to favorability, the association identified an omission in the original budget. Insurance costs for the food and beverage structures had not been included.
“At this point in time, if I was just to compare the revenue, the gross revenue, the sales of food and beverage to last year, at this point in time, they’re $425,000 ahead of last year. So I should have had favorability there and I do. However, the insurance on the structures was not included during the budget process,” Viola said.
Viola said the insurance has now been factored in, which created an unfavorable variance on paper. Even with that adjustment, the food and beverage operation is still forecast to end the year between $150,000 and $180,000 above depreciation.
Other contributing factors to the overall financial picture included strong results from recreation programs, especially summer camps, and a $50,000 grant from Worcester County. Open staff positions in finance and marketing departments added temporary budget favorability. On the negative side, the association lost some advertising revenue when one advertiser pulled out. Net year-to-date, the association remained $274,000 favorable to budget.
Viola then turned to the association’s balance sheet and reserves, which he described as a critical part of Ocean Pines’ financial health. The general replacement reserve is projected to close the year at about $3.5 million. With contributions from the next assessment, that balance is expected to rise to approximately $5.5 million. “Everybody seems to be focused on that one and rightfully so. We’re trying to do an estimate of where we’ll be at the end of this year. And you can see the balance
would be $3.5 million,” he said.
Viola said this percentage is evaluated against the overall replacement cost of Ocean Pines’ structures to ensure the association maintains the self-imposed target range of 20 to 22 percent.
The reserve picture also includes funds dedicated to drainage, roads, bulkheads, and new capital projects. Viola pointed out that fire department costs and other capital spending already approved by the Board will draw down some reserves, but the overall position remains solid.
In reviewing the financial update, Viola highlighted the efforts of staff across multiple departments, from golf and marina operations to camps and police. He described the positive variances as a reflection of strong management and operations across the board, even as certain expenses, such as insurance, impacted individual line items.
He concluded by reiterating that Ocean Pines is on track to remain favorable to budget at year’s end, with reserves in a healthy position to support capital needs moving forward.
GM Stresses Boundaries in Staff Relations Under Bylaws
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
At the Sept. 20 Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting, General Manager John Viola zeroed in on the bylaws that spell out how Board members, committees, and staff are expected to interact.
He issued a reminder that the rules are explicit: individual directors are not allowed to give orders directly to employees, and all communication with staff must flow through the general manager. Advisory committees, many of which were terminated at that Board meeting, face similar restrictions.
Bylaws Section 9.03 makes is clear, stating that Board members “shall not give orders to any employee of the Association” and must instead route requests through the general manager, with the Board president serving as the official conduit for information.
Under Section 10.05, which says that committee chairs or members “shall not give orders to the general manager or any other employee of the Association.”
While committees can request basic administrative help or office supplies, it is up to the Board president to provide formal instructions and direction to the general manager on their behalf.
Viola emphasized that these provisions are longstanding and part of the framework established for the association.
“Those are our governing documents. Those are our forefathers. That’s not us,” he said.
He recalled his own experience serving on Ocean Pines committees in earlier years. “I was on committees for years and I chaired a committee several different times, the same committee.”
He said while serving on the Budget and Finance Committee he asked the OPA controller a question and was informed by the Board liaison and general manager that questions were to go through to the general manager.
“Crystal clear,” he said of their approach to his addressing a question to staff..
Viola said it was a similar situation with the Board liaison to that committee when he served on it. “The liaison sat in that committee literally looked into the corner walls
because he or she was just there as a liaison and to take forward to the Board,” he said, adding that’s how he was educated about the process years ago.
He added that his time on committees helped shape his perspective on how staff and volunteers should interact. “I never instructed or insisted on that I had to talk to staff. I never went and sat in the general manager’s office and insisted on talking to staff. If I needed staff to do the job, well then what do you need me for? I’m there to give ideas or whatever. And look, I gave ideas,” he said of his tenure on the Budget and Finance Committee.
Viola recounted an example of his committee team taking issue in the past with a Board proposal regarding the Yacht Club.
“They were upset about it. The
Board still went forward. The Board’s right. I’m not critiquing the Board. But the point is, and like I told that team when we regrouped, we did our job. We told them that’s it. They make a decision, we move on. If you don’t understand that, then maybe this committee is not for you. That’s what I told them,” he said.
Viola noted that a new general manager was brought in after that period and placed blame on him as committee chair when the Yacht Club project later ran into problems. “Look, I had a copy of what that committee sent to the Board telling him, you know, we didn’t agree with that. So anyway, that’s just my experience as just facts,” Viola said.
Viola stressed that his comments were intended as factual context, not personal opinion.
“Everybody has their opinions, their rights, but if anybody’s going to question what I say or what I’ve done, there it is. That’s why I say it. I do listen to everybody. We go from there. But listening, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to do it.”
He said that the persistence of certain issues and debates can be challenging. “And what I experience here is just keeps coming back, come back and coming back and it doesn’t stop,” he said.
Viola closed his remarks by reiterating the importance of following the structure set forth in the bylaws regarding communication and authority between the Board, committees, and staff.
He said the process exists to provide clarity, accountability, and efficiency in how Ocean Pines operates.
General Manager John Viola provided a detailed update on the ongoing maintenance and operations at the Ocean Pines Golf Course and addressed concerns about the course conditions at the Sept. 20 Board of Directors meeting. The discussion highlighted recent improvements, challenges faced over the summer, and plans for infrastructure enhancements in the coming months.
A significant portion of Viola’s report focused on the golf course itself, particularly issues that arose in late August and early September, a period historically affected by seasonal weather conditions. Anyone who was a golfer probably noticed some stress on the course, he said.
“We addressed it is what I want to tell everybody. This has happened in the past,” he said, adding that it used to be an annual occurrence. “We have put more resource on it. We’ve also looked at what are the root causes of this and how can we correct it,” he continued.
According to Viola, some turf issues were concentrated on specific tee boxes, notably the orange tee on hole seven. The OPA tried a different type of turf there a year or two
ago, and it held up well during this stressful period, he said. “I’ve given the go-ahead to start doing other tee boxes identified” as most affected. Three have already been replaced, and the OPA anticipates benefits next season.
Viola noted that hole two also required attention due to excessive foot traffic on the tee, and the new turf there will provide more durability and improved playability.
He acknowledged that some areas of the fairways had been affected but emphasized that recovery was happening faster than in previous years.
Having a new irrigation system is definitely going to help, particularly for the tee boxes, he said. He highlighted the proactive approach his team is taking, including aeration, verticutting, and careful monitoring of turf health to prevent future damage.
During the meeting, Board member Jeff Heavner asked how the turf issues were brought to Viola’s attention and what actions had been taken. Viola acknowledged that members of the Golf Advisory Committee, golfers, and prior communication from board members had all played a role.
This has been a known issue for
years, especially at the end of August when weather patterns can vary dramatically, he said. A combination of dry spells, excessive rain, and airflow challenges affects the turf. Viola said the maintenance team acted immediately to address it.
Heavner noted that several emails had been sent to the Board regarding the condition of the course, and Viola confirmed that these were received and reviewed. Viola pointed out that much of the feedback centered on tee box conditions, fairway consistency, and water availability, which are all being addressed systematically.
Viola began his report with a status update on the golf course’s irrigation system. “Phase one has been completed,” he said, referencing the initial portion of the multi-phase project.
He emphasized that phase one addressed critical issues with the original irrigation system, which had been failing and required emergency intervention.
The next stage of the irrigation project, Phase Two, is scheduled for November through March and will focus on holes four through eight. “We just wanted to summarize ev-
OPVFD Awarded $291K Grant for Life-Saving Equipment
The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) in the amount of $291,428.57. This federal grant will be used to replace the department’s aging inventory of 34 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus units, which are vital for firefighter safety during emergency operations.
The FEMA AFG program provides funding directly to fire departments and EMS organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and first responders. The new SCBA units will bring OPVFD into compliance with the most current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and ensure firefighters are equipped with the latest life-saving technology.
“This award represents a major step forward in ensuring the safety of our members and the community we serve,” said OPVFD President/Captain Joe Enste. “SCBAs are among the most critical pieces of equipment for firefighters. These new units will allow our crews to operate more effectively in dangerous environments and return home safely after every call.”
The grant award was made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of the OPVFD Board of Directors, fire department leadership, and the grant-writing team including Jason Faryniak of FireMed Grant Solutions, LLC who worked diligently to secure the funding after an earlier application was not selected for the 2023 Grant.
“We are extremely grateful to FEMA for recognizing our department’s need and to everyone who played a role in this successful application,” added Enste. “This investment ensures the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department can continue to provide the highest level of service to our residents and visitors.”
The OPVFD responds to thousands of emergency calls each year across Worcester County, providing fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. The new SCBA units are expected to be placed into service in late 2025 or early 2026 following procurement and training.
Staff photo
Halloween decorations outside of an Ocean Pines home.
erything,” Viola said. “This has all been approved and is moving forward as planned.”
He noted that keeping a record of all maintenance work and approvals was essential, adding that transparency helps both Board members and golfers track improvements over
The new system will help address the issues with course conditions during high stress times of the season by ensuring that water reaches all areas efficiently, he said. “
We are evaluating other tee boxes for similar turf replacement to prevent recurring problems.”
eight, which historically experience the highest foot traffic and therefore the greatest wear.
Viola then discussed general maintenance updates, highlighting recent damage to the golf clubhouse building. “A food truck hit the overhang in front,” he said.
He assured the board that the Public Works Department had completed the necessary repairs and that efforts were underway to secure reimbursement from the vendor’s insurance company. It was not as extensive as initially thought, Viola added.
The meeting also covered the course’s bulkhead and water management system.
Viola explained that the golf course pond serves as a reservoir for the amenity’s irrigation system, reducing the need to draw from the local aquifer.
“That pond out there is a water reservoir for our irrigation system.”
He said the OPA does not want to pull from the aquifer for course irrigation, citing sustainability concerns.
Therefore, the OPA plans to replace the bulkhead this year and enlarge the pond to increase water storage capacity.
The pond project will include dredging and removal of a small, unused peninsula to maximize water holding.
Viola explained that this initiative is part of planned infrastructure improvements at the course. Contracts for the bulkhead replacement are expected to come before the board for approval in the near future.
“I having lost a few golf balls in that in that pond over there on my second shot,” Director Steve Jacobs said.
balls were often lost in the pond due to erosion along the left side.
Viola confirmed that this area would be addressed as part of the broader bulkhead project. He also emphasized that the goal is to restore fairways to their original design wherever possible, referencing historical layouts from when the course was first built over 50 years ago.
Board member Elaine Brady praised the team’s approach, emphasizing that the aquifer’s capacity is nearing its allowable limit and that these upgrades will help avoid the expense of drilling new wells in the future.
She said it is a smart, long-term strategy that balances course maintenance with environmental responsibility.
Viola added historical context, noting that muskrat activity had contributed to fairway erosion near the bulkhead.
The team is working to restore the fairway to its original layout, he said.
He also pointed out that the 16th hole restoration will include bank stabilization and additional turf reinforcement to prevent erosion and lost shots during play.
Several Board members asked about the overall impact of these improvements on the golfer experience.
Viola noted that the new turf, improved irrigation, and bulkhead adjustments would not only preserve the integrity of the course but could also enhance play.
“We’re going to put it back to where we believe it was originally 50 years ago or whenever they built the course.
He noted that specific attention will be paid to holes four, five, and
“So that’ll be a part of it. I think then you’ll actually have some fairway there. It might help your game score anyway,” Viola said. time.
He highlighted the bulkhead near the par-three 16th hole, noting that
Golf Course
From Page 27
Staff photo
The patio at the golf clubhouse.
Racquet Sports Shortfall Draws Attention at B&F Meeting
By ROTA L. KNOTT
Publisher/Editor
Ongoing concerns about racquet sports funding dominated discussion at the Ocean Pines Budget and Finance Advisory Committee meeting on Sept. 24, as members reviewed August financial reports and considered how amenity performance will shape budget guidance for next year.
Chairman Doug Parks noted that racquet sports is running 28 percent below budget year-to-date, a shortfall that he said raises questions about whether the trend will continue.
He cautioned that it is too early to declare changes to memberships for the amenity unsuccessful, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the operation over a full fiscal year before drawing conclusions.
Parks said the committee’s role is not to treat such variances as problems, but rather to use them as opportunities to better understand the finance team’s approach and to prepare for budget season.
He explained that by observing areas like racquet sports, members can ask informed questions when the OPA presents its budget recommendations for review. He said these observations will help the committee know which recommendations to make, which figures make sense, and which items may need further discussion.
Despite the shortfall, members pointed to positive developments.
Parks added that the actual variance compared to last year was only about $11,000, and that it was important not to overstate the situation or suggest the new amenity struc-
ture was a failure.
The committee also reviewed Beach Club parking finances.
Salaries, wages, and benefits are running 41 percent over budget, with expenses already ap-
proaching the $27,000 figure set for 2026. Members questioned whether the overage reflects overtime or a need for additional staff but said more information was needed.
At the same time, revenues are about $35,000 higher than last year, despite no policy or operational changes.
Parks attributed the increase to higher demand at the Beach Club parking lot and called the revenue boost an example of how operational environments differ among amenities.
Aquatics results showed both strengths and warning signs. While monthly member dues were down, year-to-date revenue remains well ahead of budget.
Supplies costs, however, are running 20 percent above budget, which members said could push spending over the annual allotment if the trend continues.
Parks said this type of financial detail provides justification for adjusting next year’s budget, particularly if the finance team raises the supplies line item.
He emphasized that these observations are not problems but rather data points that will guide the committee’s future budget recommendations.
Overall, aquatics is $91,000 ahead of last year in revenue, with net operations on budget.
Golf operations also drew attention, with Parks noting $86,000 more in revenue year-to-date than last year. This came despite complaints over course conditions during the summer.
Committee members noted that staff took quick action to address issues. Members agreed that conditions had improved noticeably in recent weeks.
Parks pointed out that revenue gains demonstrate the course’s resilience. “If it was so bad, how come we’re still making money?” he asked, noting that performance should be measured by both financial results and maintenance efforts.
Marina operations continued a positive trend, with net revenue $48,000 higher than last year.
Members suggested favorable weather may have reduced the num-
ber of days boaters were kept off the water.
Parks added that despite fuel costs affecting bottom lines, marinas remain in strong financial condition and represent an amenity where results are consistently favorable.
Throughout the meeting, Parks emphasized the committee’s responsibility to provide budget guidance to the Board of Directors.
He said last year’s guidance document would be circulated among members for review and encouraged them to draw on current financial observations to shape their recommendations.
He stressed the importance of doing a thorough job so that when the Board receives the Budget and Finance Committee’s advice, it reflects both current financial realities and informed expectations for the future.
Parks and others underscored that the committee’s work is about preparing for the upcoming budget season with a clear understanding of where operations are succeeding and where adjustments may be needed.
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Bertino Questions Escrow Transfers to Cover Utility Deficits
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
Questions about how more than $231,000 in escrow funds were taken from the Ocean Pines water and wastewater service area to cover shortfalls in other parts of Worcester County surfaced during a Sept. 16 meeting, with one commissioner demanding answers about oversight, accountability, and whether ratepayers in the Ocean Pines Service Area are being unfairly saddled with costs.
During commissioner comments, District 5 Commissioner Chip Bertino, who represents Ocean Pines, raised concerns after reviewing county records that showed money had been shifted out of the Ocean Pines enterprise fund to make up deficits in escrow accounts created for developers elsewhere in the county’s complex water and wastewater system.
“In our information packets a couple meetings ago, Candice [Savage] shared with us a review of shared facilities escrow fund activity,” Bertino said, referencing the county’s deputy chief administrative officer.
“According to this memo, money was transferred out of the Ocean Pines water and wastewater service area to rectify negative balances in other service areas.” He wanted to know how that was allowed to happen and what’s being done about it.
Savage told the commissioners that the treasurer’s office is still combing through the transactions to reconcile the transfers.
“The treasurer’s office is still reviewing those transactions and trying to reconcile the transfers,” she said.
But Bertino pressed her immediately: “What does that mean?”
Savage explained that the county is reviewing amounts that were due from developers who were required to place funds in escrow accounts to cover the costs of inspections on new utility projects. Those accounts, she said, were depleted in some cases — especially when developers went out of business before paying the full costs.
“They’re reviewing the amounts that were due from developers and trying to collect on those past amounts to replenish the cash in them,” Savage said.
“But we have developers who are no longer in business, correct?” Bertino shot back.
County Transferred $231,000 from OPSA to Cover Holes in Other Escrow Accounts
“Likely,” Savage acknowledged. Bertino expressed frustration that the accounts were not being monitored more closely. “How did this happen to begin with? Why weren’t these balances being watched and monitored on a regular basis?”
County Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young admitted that staff only uncovered the problem while going through the budget process and digging into other transfers made between enterprise funds to cover operating deficits.
“When we were in the budget process and going through the giant knot that is water and wastewater and trying to untangle all the intricacies there, this was not caught,” Young said.
Bertino wasn’t satisfied. “We had a situation where we had developers who should have been on the hook to the county for some things. Nobody was watching these balances and now we’re ending up with the Ocean Pines water and wastewater footing the bill to rectify this oversight? Is that what I’m hearing here?”
“That is how they handled it,” Young responded.
He explained that when developers build subdivisions or projects, they often extend county water or sewer lines.
Developers are required to put money into escrow to pay for inspections to ensure the work meets county standards, he said. But when those escrow funds ran out, and inspectors still needed to be paid, former county staff sometimes pulled money from the Ocean Pines water and wastewater service area to cover the costs.
“They pulled about $231,000,” Bertino said, repeating the figure cited in staff reports. “How much of these escrow accounts are we going to be on the hook for, roughly?”
Savage said the county Treasurer’s Office is still working to update the escrow account balances and would provide an update at the next meeting.
Bertino asked when staff first realized there was a problem. Savage said she first became aware of the issue about two and a half months ago.
“At that time you informed them
of the concern,” Bertino said. “And in two and a half months they don’t have a reckoning of what the heck is going on? Is that what I’m hearing you say?”
Savage responded that the reconciliation process is still underway.
Bertino pressed further: “How is the Ocean Pines water and wastewater enterprise fund going to be compensated for these funds?”
Savage replied that staff is working through to see which of these developer accounts are collectible, try and invoice them for the related costs.
Bertino expressed exasperation. “Why take so long to figure out? I mean this is obviously an issue that has been a hot button issue for the past six, seven months with this body. Why is it taking two and a half months and then for this?”
Young pointed to competing demands, including the ongoing audit process and tax collection responsibilities.
Bertino also asked when the county first became aware of deficits in the escrow accounts.
“People were asleep at the switch,” he said.
Young said the transfers were made by former county employees, not current staff. “When you look at the transfers that have been made, they were past employees.”
That only deepened Bertino’s concern, with him saying Ocean Pines ratepayers are on the hook.
Young responded: “We’re planning to remedy that.”
“But you don’t know how?” Bertino asked.
“Not yet,” Young admitted.
Quinn Dittrich, the county’s enterprise fund controller, said the problem is complicated by the fact that the Ocean Pines water and wastewater service area shares the same bank account with other utility areas, and the transfers were coded under Ocean Pines.
“As we’re all aware — at least I think we are — they share the same bank account. So it just coded to Ocean Pines,” Dittrich said. “Just this morning we recouped River Run. As part of the consent agenda, River Run paid their negative escrow balance of $46,000.”
Dittrich said Public Works staff
are now monitoring escrow balances more closely as new projects come in.
“These problems are heavily in the last four years,” Dittrich explained. He said projects like Windmill Creek, Triple Crown Estates, and Ocean Downs Casino are projects that are tied to the escrow account transfers.
Bertino asked if those developments are still viable.
“Yes,” Dittrich replied. “But when we have a defunct developer with a negative balance, I assume it will have to be written off.” He added though, that “there are also some with positive balances where the developer is no longer in business.”
He said that he is working to update escrow rates ahead of the next billing cycle. “This is a big problem, and everyone is aware of it,” Dittrich said.
Bertino asked if additional resources were needed to ensure better oversight. Dittrich said time is the main constraint.
Bertino acknowledged the difficult position staff are in. “I know a lot of this got dumped on you,” he told Dittrich. “But why was it put on Ocean Pines?”
Dittrich admitted he could not fully explain the past transfers.
“I cannot say that. I wasn’t the one doing it. I’m not entirely sure,” he said.
He added that most of the shared facilities and projects were categorized under the Ocean Pines Service Area because they connected to the service area.
Bertino asked whether the transfers would show up on Ocean Pines ratepayers’ bills.
“No,” Dittrich said. “Because it’s not an income statement item. It was used to cover revenue over expenses.”
Still, the enterprise fund controller cautioned that the coming months will be challenging.
“This next few months is going to be a little more hectic with these bills. It’s the first extensive rate change we’ve done in the past 10 years. I’m going to do a lot of reviewing of bills and testing and all that,” Dittrich said.
In the end, Bertino urged staff to keep the commissioners updated as they untangle the financial issues.
“I know you’ve got a lot on your plate,” he told Dittrich. “Keep us apprised of your progress.”
Submitted photo
Sherry Gamble, Ocean Pines resident, former owner of The Enchanted Tea Room in Berlin and multimedia artist, will have her works on display at the Ocean Pines Library through October. Gamble has spent more than 50 years combing thrift and collectible stores searching for unusual items she combines to create eccentric, humorous assemblages. Children of all ages enjoy finding Peacock Barbie transformed to a Las Vegas Showgirl, the old lady’s 16 cats hiding and others. Stop by the library to see this unique collection.
Harbor Day Returns to the West OC Docks
Celebrate maritime history during Harbor Day at the Docks on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival will take place along Sunset Avenue in the West Ocean City commercial harbor.
Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with the Blessing of the Fleet, followed by live musical performances by the Earth Jam, and Sons of Pirates- Big Buffet Beach Band will be taking the stage at 1 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. a crab cake eating contest sponsored by Hoopers will take place on the main stage, and participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other activities will include local fisherman displays, touch tanks, vendor demonstrations, nautical artisans, educational exhibits, and tons of activities for children.
There will be plenty of vendors selling scrumptious foods and refreshing beverages including a crush bar by Forgotten 50 and local brews from Burley Oak. The Coast Guard will provide on-site water safety information and Coast Guard boat tours.
For those seeking a unique water experience, there will be opportunities to tour the harbor on the Salty Siren and Bay Hopper.
Harbor Day at the Docks is sponsored by Worcester County Recreation and Parks and other area partners. More information is available at www.harbordayoc.com
Yacht Club hosts Bourbon Dinner
The Ocean Pines Yacht Club invites guests to an exclusive evening of legendary bourbon and chef-inspired cuisine on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 6–10 p.m.
The event will feature a fourcourse menu, each dish thoughtfully paired with one of Kentucky’s most celebrated bourbons. The dinner menu features Steakhouse Bacon, Ragu di Manzo, Double Cut Top Chop, and New York Cheesecake for dessert.
Bourbon pairings include Eagle Rare 10 Year, Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch, Blanton’s Single Barrel, and Weller Full Proof.
Tickets are $129 per person and must be purchased in advance. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.opyachtclub.com/ events.
By PROGRESS STAFF
ABerlin’s Ghost Museum Blends History, Mystery, and the Supernatural
re spirits watching as guests climb the steep staircase to Berlin’s Ghost Museum, with its creaking wooden floors and haunting background music?
Owner Alyssa Maloof wouldn’t be surprised, especially since a heavy camera on a shelf where gift shop items are sold once toppled down, although nobody was nearby.
“I haven’t seen a ghost in here yet but I have that camera flying off the shelf on film,” said Maloof, who set the admission cost at $11, not the unlucky $13 she originally had in mind.
On a recent afternoon, Mackenzie Bray and Jessica Feldmann, both from Irvin, Calif., and visiting family in the area, were impressed with the museum.
“I love it,” Feldmann said. “I think it has perfect organization and it offers a little bit of everything. I liked the information about the local ghosts because we just walked about the whole town and now I recognize some of the names. It’s very unique. I like ghosts and paranormal stuff,” she said, calling the piano music playing in the background “very cool.”
“It’s perfectly creepy but in the best possible way. That makes it more interesting. I really like the ghosts on the church pews. It gave me chills. It drew me to it right away,” Bray said.
Maloof asked creative friends from Philadelphia to make those ghosts, leaning forward, heads draped, sitting on old church pews. Her
son, Oscar, posed for the child-sized ghost leaning against the windowsill, shoulders hunched.
“I saw this space in this old building and it dictated the theme. I thought of a way to orga-
tion took place just days after the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, which effectively ended the American Civil War,” the board states.
Near a display of a doll and carriage is a sign explaining, “Dolls have long been linked to the supernatural. Their lifelike features and unblinking eyes can evoke an eerie sense of presence, as if something watches through them. In many cultures, dolls were used in rituals to house spirits, carry out intentions or serve as protective charms. Over time, dolls exposed to grief, loss or trauma, were believed to absorb the energy around them. Some were said to move on their own, change expressions or whisper at night. Far more than toys, they became vessels, silent witnesses to the living and the dead.”
The Atlantic Hotel in downtown Berlin is said to be one of the town’s most haunted sites, with residents, hotel guests and staff reporting doors refuse stay open, towels go missing and blankets are pulled off beds in the middle of the night.
The Lady in White is one of Berlin’s most enduring ghostly legends, captivating both locals and visitors alike, another poster board states. “This spectral figure is often seen late at night along Main Street, particularly near the Calvin B. Taylor Bank. Witnesses describe her as appearing to wait silently on the corner before vanishing without a trace.”
The Civil War, another board explains, “marked
nize the space. Everybody is fascinated with ghosts,” Maloof said, pointing out the interactive haunted doll house guests are invited to play with by moving objects, and the rack of old-time clothing they can wear while looking at items and reading the many informational poster boards, printed with absorbing details, including about President Abraham Lincoln’s prophetic dream about his death.
A few days before his assassination, Lincoln confided in his close friend Ward Hill Lamon that he had a strange dream in which he was wandering through the White House, saw a casket and asked a guard who died. The guard told him the president was killed by an assassin.
“A few days later, John Wilkes Booth carried out his deadly attack at Ford’s Theatre. The assassina-
Ghost Museum
From Page 33
a turning point in both American mourning culture and the supernatural. It fueled the rise of photography, seances and the popularity of ghost stories, which persist to this day. Even now, Civil War ghosts remain some of the most commonly reported apparitions in the U.S. with countless paranormal sightings at battlefields, historic homes and military hospitals … in Gettysburg, the site of a tremendously bloody battle, the Jennie Wade House stands as a chilling reminder of the war’s impact on civilians. Jennie Wade, the only civilian casualty of the battle, is said to still linger there, with visitors reporting cold spots and apparitions as if she’s still trying to finish her baking.”
“And then there’s the enduring legend of Abraham Lincoln’s ghost in the White House. Many have claimed to sense or see his presence, a somber figure still burdened by the war’s weight.”
A black and white photograph of Mary Todd Lincoln, dressed in a black cape and matching hat, with
the opaque ghost of her late husband standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders, is in the Ghost Museum.
Eager to attract ghosts? The museum offers this advice: Use mirrors, spirit boards, bells, chime, haunted objects, candles, incense or divination tools in rituals, seances or haunted places to draw spirits or allow them to manifest.
Anxiously wanting to get rid of them? More advice: traditional tools and charms to cleanse or banish spirits include putting a line of salt by a door or window, to purify and create protective boundaries; burning sage, or smudging, to clear negative energy; using iron objects, such as horseshoes, and placing them over doors; sprinkling holy water to drive out negative entities; wearing amulets and talismans including the evil eye, dreamcatchers and crucifixes; placing brooms by a door or under a bed; using fire and light such as that given off by a lantern.
Maloof hung a chalk board so guests can doodle their versions of ghostly figures and share their own experiences, then study items in glass cases that she found in antique
“It was fun looking for the items,” Maloof said, standing in the museum and welcoming guests one recent afternoon. “And when it flows, things just come to you.”
Staff photo Owner Alyssa Maloof welcomes visitors to The Ghost Museum in Berlin. and other shops in her travels, like a Victorian tear collector described as a glass vial “believed to hold tears shed in mourning – tiny containers of grief.”
Tax Aide Program seeking volunteers
The AARP Foundation Tax Aide Program is currently seeking volunteers for this tax season. Each spring, the program offers free tax preparation at five local sites, including the largest site at the Ocean Pines Library.
COMMUNITY NOTES
To volunteer, contact Maria at 443- 373-2667/ liebig83@gmail.com, or online at AARP.org/taxaide.
Training classes are held November through January, and involve about four hours of class work per week on a flexible schedule. Sever-
Roughly two dozen volunteers make this program work every year. Volunteers train in the late fall and prepare several hundred returns during the winter.
al hours of additional home study and test preparation from November through January should also be expected. Volunteers will also be expected to participate in at least one full day of tax preparation with other volunteers from February through mid-April.
Anglers Club meets at library
The Ocean Pines Anglers Club will meet on Saturday, October 11, 9 a.m. in the Ocean Pines Library. Guests will be Fred Stiehl, comTo Page 36
COMMUNITY NOTES
From Page 26
mander Ocean City Power Squadron and speaker Lino Cresotti, executive officer who will cover the Power Squadrons mission, boater safety, vessel inspection and community service.
There will also be updates on fishing tournaments, regulations and all things fishing. All are welcome.
Farmers & Artisans market this fall
There’s lots to do and see at the Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market this fall season.
The Harvest & Flannel Market kicks off the fall fun on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Wear your favorite flannel and check out festive market stand displays as well as seasonal goodies such as pumpkins, gourds, and mums. Local singer Sara Campbell will take the Market Stage, performing bluegrass and country music that is sure to get everyone in the mood for the autumn season.
The annual Halloween Market is Oct. 25, featuring lots of Halloween fun, along with the usual market-
place goodies and extra treats. Costumes are encouraged.
Turkey Day at the Thanksgiving Festival is happening from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 and Tuesday, Nov. 25. Bakers will be offering a variety of delicious treats, and special orders are welcome. On Tuesday, shoppers can pick up special ordered baked goods, plus grab any last minute items from the green market merchants. Artisans will also be in attendance with unique, handmade hostess gifts, such as candles and florals.
The Hometown Holiday Marketplace takes place Dec. 6, 13 and 20, offering lots of festive fun and oneof-a-kind gifts.
The Farmers & Artisans Market happens every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the offseason from September through March.
More information can be found at https://www.oceanpines.org/web/ pages/farmers-artisans-market
Pine’eer Craft Club to Host Craft Fair
Kick off your holiday shopping at the Pine’eer Craft Club’s 14th annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft
Fair on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Community Center.
Parking and admission are free and open to the public. Local artisans, crafts, and members of the Pine’eer Craft Club will be in attendance with their handmade creations. The Pine’eers will also host their famous bake sale during the fair. Proceeds from the fair will be donated back to the Ocean Pines community.
Weekly football specials and entertainment
The Ocean Pines Clubhouse Bar and Grille is the ultimate destination for football fans this fall, offering weekly events, specials, and entertainment all season long.
Tailgate on the Patio kicks off every Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. weather permitting. Guests can enjoy college football with Bob’s famous grilled sausage and peppers, drink specials, cornhole, and tailgate fun.
On Sundays, the Clubhouse is your destination for the NFL Sunday Ticket, starting at 8 a.m. Enjoy brunch with a build-your-own
Bloody Mary bar, $20 beer buckets, food and drink specials, and all the action on 14 large-screen TVs, including two new 55-inch flatscreens on the patio.
Starting in October, every Friday evening will feature live music, plus food and drink specials.
Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament
The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation held its 18th annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament on Sept. 17 at the Ocean Pines Golf Club.
Funds raised through this tournament benefit the Educational Outreach program for Worcester County fifth graders.
More than 700 students will visit the Veterans Memorial this school year, where they will learn about the sacrifices of veterans, the history of the United States in terms of conflicts, flag history, and protocol.
The annual tournament was a huge success, with breakfast and lunch provided by Touch of Italy. A total of 132 golfers participated.
To learn more about the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines, visit wocovets.org.
Pines Rec Offers Trails of Horrors
By PROGRESS STAFF
Halloween events planned in Ocean Pines this year include the new Trail of Horrors and a free festival with a costume contest.
Planned for the weekends of Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18, and Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25, from 7 to 10 p.m. each day, Trail of Horrors will be at the White Horse Park boat ramp. Tickets cost $8 each.
Advertised with words in shades of black and blood red, with the R’s in the word “horrors” written as 6’s, the event is being organized by the Recreation Department staff with a guarantee that, “Guests can navigate fog-filled paths and encounter eerie sights and spine-chilling surprises around every corner along the haunted trail.”
“It is suitable for all ages and we can tone it down if necessary for younger children,” Director of Recreation and Parks Debbie Donahue told the Ocean Pines Progress, explaining the Trail will replace the popular haunted house in the Community Center “due to the new gym floor and new ideas.”
“We decided to try the walking trail that would give its own type of natural spookiness. We do plan to continue this way but let’s see how the first year goes. We do believe it will be just as successful. We have lots of ideas on how to use the woods to our advantage. Actors and volunteers will have their own sections and there will be walkers.
“We are also working on a hayride that can take people from the White Horse Park area near the community center to the boat ramp and the haunted trail entrance and add a bit more fun to the experience. We are working on snack foods and drinks for sale, baked goods, etc. Of course we are hoping for no rain.
“However, it is a rain-or-shine event We will certainly assess the situation each day and see if we have to cancel,” Donahue told the Progress.
Those attending should use insect repellent because the event is in the woods.
“We are very excited to offer the Trail of Horrors this year. We believe it gives us even more opportunities to put on a creepy forest of natural and unnatural night of fun.
“The benefits of having the trail has really opened more opportunities for this event. We hope the community joins us for more Halloween fun,” Donahue said.
She said the Recreation Department is looking for actors and volunteers 16 and older.
Anyone younger than 18 must have a parent present. Recreation and Parks will also host a free Halloween Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at White Horse Park.
Planned are carnival games, face painting and a costume contest for ages 2 and younger at 11:30 a.m., ages 3 and 4 at noon, ages 5 to 7 at 12:30 p.m., ages 8 to 10 at 1 p.m., ages 11 to 17 at 1:30 p.m. and ages 18 and older at 2 p.m. The Kiwanis Club will sell refreshments.
Call 410-641-7052 or e-mail Donahue at ddonahue@oceanpines.org
PASSINGS
Oostveen
remembered
as unofficial mayor of Ocean Pines
By PROGRESS STAFF
Longtime Ocean Pines resident
Roelof Hubertus Oostveen, widely known throughout the community as Dutch, is being remembered as a proponent of wise spending who, for years, outspokenly made his opinions known to the Board of Directors, biked 4,000 miles each year and made and donated bicycles.
“He had so many stories to tell of his travels, biking, friends and family. I looked up to that man my whole life. He was my everything as a little girl and now as an adult,” his daughter, Mary-Ann Milligan of Easton, said during a tribute to Oostveen at his memorial service. “He was known as the unofficial mayor of Ocean Pines, a friend, biker, Olympian. People even called him a legend, Dad, Opa and Dutch. But most of all he was my dad,” she said.
Oostveen, 93, died on Sept. 7 at the home in Easton he shared with Milligan and her husband, Scott. He left Ocean Pines and moved to Easton last fall.
Milligan said her father and late mother, Maria Fernanda Oostveen, who died in 2015, immigrated to the United States from Holland in 1957. The previous year, Oostveen, born Oct. 16, 1931, worked at a bakery in Canada and picked tobacco “to earn money to move his family over.”
“He loved America as much as he loved Holland, and often said he was living the American dream. My dad traveled the world a few times with his job working at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. He was on the ship for seven to nine months at a time. One time, his ship got stuck in the ice and it made headline news. He was an underwater mechanic on the ship. He wore the big helmet and dive suit with weights in his shoes to stay below. He was fortunate enough to go to the North Pole quite a bit. He had an encounter with polar bears.
“When he went to a bar he would meet people and to get a free beer he would say, ‘When I was in the North Pole I kissed a polar bear’s ass.’ The person would be in disbelief and he would say. ‘I’ll bet you a beer.’ He would pull out his wallet and show them his official card (stating he was a member of the Royal and An-
cient Polar Bear Society.) He would always bring me a doll from every country he went to and I had them all displayed in my bedroom. Years later my daughter Kaitlyn had the same dolls displayed in her room,” Milligan said.
Oostveen, who was often seen biking in Ocean Pines, would take old bikes home if saw them abandoned by the side of the road, fix them and donate them to children whose parents couldn’t afford them. Milligan said he gave away hundreds of bikes to the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club and police department.
“I remember going to his house and the whole back yard was a sea of bikes. He would help every child that came knocking on his door for help,” she said.
After his death, his friend Milt Warren, posting on Facebook, remembered biking with Oostveen in Waves of Fury Triathlon Team.
“He kept us going by swapping and fixing gears, wheels, etc. He was hard to keep up with on his allchrome Fixing Gear Bike. We would also lunch with him and listen to stories of his growing up in German-occupied Netherlands. Shocking tales of village people being shot in the streets, of smuggling foodstuffs by boys between villages … He met his wife, Maria, the prettiest girl he had ever seen, from the next village over. They barely had enough to eat,” Warren wrote.
“It’s sad, but he has been lonely without Maria … and they are together now. We’re going to miss him. We all loved him,” Warren told the Progress.
More than 50 friends commented on his post, writing Oostveen “lived his life giving back” and “was such a gentleman and all-around nice guy.”
Milligan remembered traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with her parents 30
years ago. Oostveen was 63 at the time and rode his bike to Kuwohi Point, the highest point there, with an elevation of 6,643 feet.
“When he got to the top people were saying, ‘Are you the guy we passed?’ They couldn’t believe he made it all the way up. My mom and I followed in a car coming down and we would stop every three or four miles to make sure he made it. He was coming down like a speeding bullet. No fear … We had a cabin in Bendersville, Pa., just north of Gettysburg on Bear Mountain. We spent a lot of summers there. I re-
member one Thanksgiving there was so much ice on the dirt road. We had to load everything on sleds and drag it up the one-mile hike of curvy roads. We had a little Poodle and he sat on top of everything and enjoyed the ride with his ears flapping in the wind,” she said.
Oostveen, she said, who easily made friends, loved to dress nicely and wear turquoise jewelry, as he did on his 92nd birthday. He enjoyed cooking and baking, especially raisin bread.
“When we were little he would
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Submitted photo Dutch Oostveen (far left.)
Facebook photo
A young Dutch Oostveen (far ight) and friends.
The End of Some Committees and the Future of Volunteer Involvement
By ROTA L. KNOTT Publisher/Editor
The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors’ Sept. 20 vote to eliminate most of the community’s standing advisory committees marked the end of a long chapter in Ocean Pines governance. For decades, these committees provided a structured way for residents to contribute their time, skills, and ideas to the improvement of the community. From aquatics to communications, from golf to recreation and parks, committee members represented a wide cross-section of homeowners who wanted to give back to the place they live. Their fingerprints are everywhere in Ocean Pines—on programs, projects, and recommendations that shaped how the community functions today.
The decision to abolish these committees was not made lightly, nor was it received quietly. The Board meeting featured spirited debate, both from directors and from residents who have long viewed advisory committees as one of the most accessible ways to have a voice in Ocean Pines governance. Director Jeff Heavner, who introduced the motion, explained that the committees had become less effective over time, at times generating ideas that conflicted with Board priorities or management operations. He argued that as the professional staff has grown in expertise, standing committees are no longer the best tool for guiding the association. Instead, he advocat-
COMMENTARY
ed for the creation of ad hoc committees and working groups designed to address specific issues with targeted objectives.
It is true that change is hard, especially when it disrupts traditions that have defined community life. For many, serving on a committee was more than just a way to volunteer. It was an opportunity to form friendships, develop projects, and feel connected to the broader governance of Ocean Pines. Eliminating that structure may feel, at first, like closing a door. But the Board’s vote, while bold and controversial, does not necessarily spell the end of volunteer involvement. Instead, it could be the beginning of a new chapter in how residents engage with their association.
Volunteers have always been the lifeblood of Ocean Pines. Long before the association grew into a large and professionally staffed organization, it was residents who built programs, maintained amenities, and offered their expertise. The advisory committees became formalized ways of channeling that energy, providing a framework where people with different talents could come
together for a shared purpose. The Environment and Natural Assets Committee, for example, worked on sustainability issues that benefited everyone. The Recreation and Parks Committee advised on activities and facilities that enriched community life. Each of the now-dissolved committees contributed in visible and meaningful ways.
That history matters. It is important, even as the structure shifts, to acknowledge the dedication of those who served on these committees. Dozens of residents, year after year, invested their time and ideas. They deserve recognition not just for what they accomplished, but for modeling what community involvement looks like. The Board expressed appreciation for the work of volunteers, even as directors argued that the committee model no longer served the association’s needs.
But it is also true that communities evolve. Ocean Pines today is far larger and more complex than it was in its early days. In that sense, the Board’s argument has merit: many of the roles that committees once filled have shifted naturally to staff. That does not mean residents have less to contribute. It means the structure for contributing must adapt.
Ad hoc committees and temporary working groups, as the Board suggested, could offer a new path forward. Unlike standing committees that
To Page 39
PASSINGS
From Page 37
put rock candy in it for the holidays and all the kids in our neighborhood would come over for a slice with butter and sugar on it. When he baked or cooked with me he would wear one of my aprons and I posted a picture on Facebook. Our friend Dwayne saw that and said he needed a manly apron. Next day there was an apron for him that said Mr. Good Lookin’ is Cooking,” his daughter said.
He worked at Fabricator Steel in Bladensburg, Md., taught in a union school and worked as a mechanic at the Naval Research Lab, on submarine warfare tactics and mechanics and frequently traveled to the North Pole, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, England and Scotland, according to his obituary.
Oostveen, born in Eygelshoven, Holland, and who served in the Green Beret of the Netherlands, is also survived by sons, Roelof, known as Rob, and Timothy, several grandchildren and his great-grandson, Myles.
“My dad totally loved his grandchildren, but this past March we
had an additional to our family. Our daughter, Kaitlyn, and daughter-inlaw, Melania, gave us a grandson, Myles, and my dad became a great Opa.
“Myles brought so much happiness to my dad. He looked forward to every time Myles came to the house. He would always say, ‘I don’t know why I love that boy so much.’ He would sit and play with him, sing Dutch songs to him and just love him. He would always say, ‘When is Fritz coming?’ The one thing Opa couldn’t wait to give him was a bike. We got one and he put it together with Scott for Christmas. He will be looking down this Christmas as we present Myles with his first bike from Opa,” she said, remembering her father calling her what sounded like “Scott,” Dutch slang for “my love.”
“Schat” is Dutch slang for “treasure.”
“And, look, I married a Scott,” she said. “He also called me Girl all the time … (not long before he died) when I brought him his nightly ice cream, which made him so happy, he said, ‘Thank you, Mary-Ann.’ I guess that was his final goodbye to his little girl.”
A Sad Day
In Ocean Pines
Editor,
On 20 September 2025, the Ocean Pines Board of Directors majority voted to disband most of the advisory committees in our home owner’s association, which existed for several decades. This day will be one of the saddest in Ocean Pines history when Directors with limited to no experience working in any of these committees decided they knew better now. Reasons included that the Ocean Pines management organization is now larger and has the “capability” to replace committee work, “lines of communication” between the committees and board were “inefficient and strained,” the sitting committees were just “searching” for things to do, and occasional needed tasks could be accomplished by ad-hoc workgroups that the Board creates. In my over 30 years as a project manager in the environmental industry, when there was a communication problem, I worked to resolve the breakdown and learned how to work
Commentary
From Page 38
meet regularly and sometimes search for initiatives to pursue, ad hoc groups are created for a specific purpose, with a defined goal and a clear timeline. Once the task is complete—whether that is planning an event, reviewing a policy, or tackling a community issue—the group disbands. This kind of flexibility could make it easier for more residents to get involved without the longterm commitment of monthly committee meetings. It may also allow the Board to harness volunteer expertise in more targeted ways. Still, for this new model to succeed, residents
COMMUNITY VOICES
with colleagues, not find ways to cut off communication channels. The Board has the luxury of high authority in this association and it is their responsibility to properly lead and communicate with other groups of people. As a former committee member and observing other committees, all of these members come from professional backgrounds with skills, talents, and energy ready to serve. We are not sitting robots waiting to be turned on to act. In my experience, the committees did not insist on or push certain actions, but only made recommendations with the full understanding that most may not be implemented based on further Board consideration. We all accepted that condition. We just wanted clear feedback as that was our experience as professionals.
It is a fallacy that committee work could easily be replaced with a paid staff member in the management organization. The committees provided many beneficial services for free beyond any
must remain engaged. The risk of eliminating standing committees is not just that tradition is lost, but that people may feel disconnected from the governance process. It will be up to the Board to ensure that opportunities for involvement remain visible, accessible, and meaningful. When ad hoc committees are created, calls for volunteers should be widely circulated, and appointments should be made with transparency. Members should not have to guess how to serve; they should see clear pathways to participation.
At the same time, members must take ownership of their role in community governance. Ocean Pines has always thrived when members
The Ocean Pines Progress is a journal of news and lifestyles published monthly throughout the year. It is circulated in Ocean Pines, MD.
PUBLISHER-EDITOR
Rota L. Knott
pinesprogress@gmail.com 443-880-3953
ADVERTISING SALES
Frank Bottone
frankbottone@gmail.com 410-430-3660
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
David Bohenick
dbohenick2003@gmail.com
Send your community news releases, letters to the editor, and upcoming events information to us at:
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stepped up to lend their voices, their skills, and their time. That should not change simply because the structure of participation changes. Whether it is through ad hoc committees, working groups, or less formal clubs and initiatives, there will always be ways to make a difference.
Indeed, some of the most successful efforts in Ocean Pines have been led by groups outside the committee system—the volunteers maintaining local parks, the clubs organizing community events, the neighbors working together on shared projects.
The end of standing advisory committees is not the end of volunteerism in Ocean Pines.
job role in Ocean Pines, which represented what home owners desired in their association. I agree that some past committee actions were awkward, but that behavior is what people do. We are not programmed robots. This situation is when leadership needs to step up and lead, not eliminate. It is another fallacy that intermittent ad-hoc workgroups could operate anything like the past established committees. What will likely happen in the future is that Ocean Pines management will have to outsource at a great expense to business entities to fulfill some of those services, as has occurred in Captain’s Cove. Say good-bye to the low assessment fee and to most of the services we received through the committees.
We can only hope that in the near future we can get new Board members with intelligent insight to repair the severe damage we now suffer. Unfortunately, it will be highly challenging to re-create the strength of the past committees that evolved over several decades.
Tim Peck
Ocean Pines property owner since 2002
It is, perhaps, a shift toward a more project-based model of engagement. While many longtime committee members may feel disappointed—and understandably so—there is also reason for optimism. This change could open the door to broader participation, reaching residents who never joined a committee but still have ideas, skills, and passion to offer.
The Board has a responsibility to make good on its promise to value and use volunteer talent in new ways. It is one thing to say that ad hoc committees will replace standing ones; it is another to ensure they are created thoughtfully, with clear goals and genuine opportunities for input. Residents will need to hold the Board accountable to that commitment.
For those who have served on advisory committees in the past, the best way to honor that legacy is to stay involved. Ocean Pines still needs your expertise. It still needs your ideas. It still needs your voice in shaping the community’s future.
Yes, change is hard. The Sept. 20 vote represented a “bold move,” as even its supporters acknowledged. But change also carries the potential for growth. If the Board and residents work together, this new structure could enhance—not diminish—community engagement. The spirit of volunteerism that has always defined Ocean Pines does not live in bylaws or committee charters. It lives in the people who care enough to show up, to contribute, and to build something better for their neighbors.
The challenge now is to channel that spirit into new forms. Many of the standing committees may be gone, but the need for volunteers is as strong as ever. The future of Ocean Pines will depend not just on the decisions of its Board or the expertise of its staff, but on the willingness of its residents to keep giving their time and energy. That is what has always made this community strong—and what will continue to sustain it in the years to come.
