Operating surplus jumps by $200,000
If you thought the Ocean Pines Association had a great year financially with the unaudited $1,242,828 operating fund surplus reported at the end of April, think again: The final audited number is even better. OPA General Manager John Viola told the Progress in an early morning telephone conversation July 24 that the OPA’s auditors, TGM of Salisbury, agree with a $200,000 increase in the bottom line over the unaudited April numbers for the 2020-21 fiscal year. ~ Page 36
Fourth year added to Matt Ortt contract
Subject to lawyers reviewing and amending the Matt Ortt Companies’ three-year contract to manage Ocean Pines restaurants, the Board of Directors voted unanimously at its July 21 monthly meeting to tack on an additional year. Technically, MOC fell short by $11,000 of the $130,000 in combined profits in the first year of operation at the three venues it manages for the Ocean Pines Association to have a fourth year contract extension guaranteed. But General Manager John Viola in effect said it was close enough. ~ Page 10
No follow-through on more DR changes
At the Board of Directors’ June 16 monthly meeting, Director Collette Horn had said that she would introduce a motion to expand the properties that might be covered in response to what she heard at a Town Hall on short-term rentals. But at the July 21 board meeting, it was clear she wouldn’t be following through with that pledge. ~ Page 11
AUGUST 2021
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THE OCEAN PINES JOURNAL OF NEWS & COMMENTARY
COVER STORY
Ocean Pines’ commissioners cry foul over potential Rt. 589 athletic complex Bertino, Bunting question land purchase, say it’s being pushed by an Ocean City-based contingent By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer lans for a potential new athletic complex on a rumored site at the intersection of Route 589 and Route 113 near Ocean Pines could include a waterpark, hotel, and RV parking, as well as ballfields and other recreational amenities, if the Worcester County Commissioners opt to purchase the land. While they officially remain mum on the exact location, the commissioners are reportedly considering attempting to purchase the more than 100 acres of property known locally as the Mariner family farm. A private appraisal by the owners of the property has already been done, and the commissioners recently voted 5-2 to contract for another one at public expense. It’s not known whether the owners are willing to sell the land, but the fact that an initial appraisal has been
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done suggests there’s willingness to negotiate. The item wasn’t on the agenda, but Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting, who previously had voted against the county-funded appraisal, during the “commissioners comments” period at the July 20 regular meeting took issue with a perceived effort by an Ocean City-contingent to push the land purchase forward Chip Bertino and begin outlining the project without proper input from the full governing body. Bertino, who with Bunting represents Ocean Pines on the Board of Commissioners, said he is concerned To Page 3
Esther Diller asks for investigation into attack emails that expert says have been traced to OPA Adminstration Building ~ Page 21