May 2017
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THE OCEAN PINES JOURNAL OF NEWS & COMMENTARY COVER STORY
AGING LANDMARK
Planned traffic circle could stimulate OPA action on iconic entrance
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After an orchestrated outcry of opposition to an announced “Family Fun Night” at the Yacht Club “Oasis” pool on Sunday nights this summer, the Ocean Pines Association administration with Board of Directors’ concurrence has returned “family fun” activities to its traditional time on Wednesday nights. County planning and zoning administrators Ed Tudor and Jennifer Keener signed off on a proposed schedule for the Yacht Club pool prior to an April 29 board meeting, during which Acting General Manager Brett Hill asked the board to approve a schedule of family hours at the otherwise adults-only pool.
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North Gate bridge replacement gets flicker of board interest By TOM STAUSS Publisher hile it’s hardly a rush to judgment, stampede or even an emerging consensus, there does seem to be some interest among Ocean Pines Association directors in replacing or perhaps renovating Ocean Pines’ ‘iconic’ North Gate bridge entrance. During a board work session April 24 about the bridge and main entrance into Ocean Pines, not once did any director refer to the North Gate Bridge as iconic, a word often used by those who would hate to see it replaced by something more modern and, dare it be said, more inviting and welcoming. The closest anyone came to invoking iconic status for the aging landmark was Director Cheryl Jacobs, who said that it’s been described in town meetings as “the epitome of Ocean
‘Family Fun’ moved back to Wednesdays
Pines.” She herself didn’t adopt that description as her own. She added that “a lot of people would be distraught if it’s torn down,” acknowledging the reality of a pitched battle that would likely ensue if the directors moved replacement to the front burner. Jacobs began the discussion by suggesting that at the very least the area around the North Gate needed beautification, citing the presence of weeds and the need for “flower replenishment.” As it currently stands, the landmark falls short of living up to the description of a “premier community” in the OPA mission statement, she said. Director Pat Supik piled on, advising her colleagues that “on a good day the bridge needs to be demolished” by a couple To Page 37
Board opens vote to limited transparency
The Board of Directors at its April 29 regular meeting voted 4-3 to open the counting of ballots in annual Ocean Pines Association elections to anyone attending the meeting of the Elections Committee, but stopped short of voting for full transparency by withholding the results of the election until the annual Saturday meeting of property owners in August. The vote in favor of amending Board Resolution M-06, in a version proposed by Director Dave Stevens and based on a draft prepared by the Elections Committee, was unanimous.
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Parks announces board candidacy
With a filing deadline of May 10 and a newly reconstituted Search Committee scrambling to ensure that at least four candidates run for the Board of Directors this summers, only two candidates had filed or announced their candidacies as of the first week of May. Former Director Martin D. “Marty” Clarke was the first to file, and Director Doug Parks confirmed that he will be seeking a full three-year term on the board. Parks chairs the Technology Task Force that has been working to improve high speed Internet connectivity between OPA departments and to upgrade Ocean Pines accounting software.
The iconic North Gate bridge dates back to the 1970’s
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photo by Kyle Hughes
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