May 15, 2025
R C Edition
OCEAN PINES • WEST OCEAN CITY • BERLIN MD
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Candidate shortage delays 2025 election timeline; four file as residents are urged to step up
By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher
The Ocean Pines Association’s 2025 Board of Directors election process has been delayed after the number of candidate applications failed to meet the required minimum by the initial filing deadline of May 12, 2025 at 4:00p.m. The shortfall triggered an automatic extension of the nomination period under the association’s governing documents.
Per Resolution M-06 and the OPA By-Laws, at least two more candidates than the number of available board seats must file to allow the election to proceed on the original timeline. With that threshold unmet, the new deadline for candidate applications is now set for June 20, 2025, the third Friday in June.
As of the original deadline, only four candidates had submitted applications: Steve Jacobs (i),
Monica Rakowski (i), Stuart Lakernick (i) and former Board member Amy Peck, who, returning to the ballot after previously serving on the board, joined the candidate field.
Since the number of candidates does not exceed the number of open seats by at least two, all election-related activities—including the official candidate packet, community forum scheduling and promotional content in Ocean Pines Association publications—must now be postponed until after the extended candidate application deadline of Friday, June 20, 2025, in accordance with Resolution M-06. The delay ensures compliance with association rules and provides equal opportunity for any additional candidates who may file before the new cutoff.
The delay is the latest in a series of complications that have characterized recent election cycles. While some see this development as a
logistical setback, others say it points to deeper issues of engagement and trust in local governance.
Over the past several years, many community members have voiced concern that volunteering or speaking out on association matters can invite backlash. Some have faced public criticism, online hate posts and the spread of misinformation. Others have reported that their businesses were targeted or their involvement quietly undermined. These experiences have prompted a number of otherwise willing residents to withdraw from participating altogether.
In a community of around 8,500 homes, the low number of candidates highlights what many see as a climate of caution where stepping forward feels more like a personal risk than a meaningful opportunity to serve.
CPI crackdown in Ocean Pines; Hundreds
cited
for
A shortage of candidate applications has delayed the start of the 2025 HOA board election, introducing new organizational challenges and renewing concerns about community engagement.
pine
needles, leaves and landscaping choices
By ROC Edition Staff
A sharp increase in property violations issued by Ocean Pines’ Compliance, Permits and Inspections (CPI) department has stirred frustration and concern among homeowners throughout the community. At the center of the controversy is the enforcement of a modification in the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) Guidelines, defining leaves to be “unacceptable ground cover” for lawns.
The volume of citations has escalated rapidly. In March 2025 alone, CPI recorded 435 new violations, the highest monthly total in the association’s history. By comparison, only 20 violations were issued in March 2023. Between January and March 2025, a total of 746 new violations
were issued, more than doubling the 316 recorded during the same period in 2024 and marking a 404% increase over two years.
In several cases, violations were reported for properties where the alleged infraction could not be seen from the street.
Enforcement has become unpredictable. There are violation lists that have run as long as 14 pages in a single month, while other properties with similar conditions are not affected. Some residents have reportedly been told that a Maryland law requires their yards to be raked clear, despite no such statute being cited by the association.
Ocean Pines has long been marketed and valued as a natural, See CPI CRACKDOWN page 3
CPI violations reach record high in Ocean Pines. At the April 2025 board meeting, the CPI dashboard reported a record of 746 violations, marking a 404% increase since 2023.
See ELECTION DELAY page 9
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher
IAFF Local 4916, Worcester County Professional Firefighters, deliver supplies to support Child Advocacy Center
By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher
Members of IAFF Local 4916, Worcester County Professional Firefighters, recently gathered together to deliver a truckload of essential items to the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and to show children and families affected by abuse that their community stands with them.
The donation, organized and collected by local firefighters, included essentials, toys and comfort items designed to help the center meet the day-to-day needs of children undergoing difficult circumstances. But more than the physical items, the delivery carried a powerful message of compassion, care and unity.
Adding to the warmth of the occasion was the presence of Belle, the center’s trained facility dog provided through Hero Dogs. Belle plays a key role in comforting children as they navigate interviews, therapy and other emotionally challenging experiences. Her calm and friendly demeanor helped make the moment even more special for those present.
The Worcester County Child Advocacy Center is a vital resource for children who have experienced physical or sexual abuse, neglect or other forms of trauma. The center offers a coordinated, childfocused approach that includes forensic interviews, therapy, medical evaluations and advocacy services. Its mission is to reduce additional trauma by bringing all necessary services under one roof in a setting designed for safety and healing.
While firefighters are best known for responding to emergencies, this effort revealed another side of their service—one grounded in empathy, compassion and a deep connection to the community. Their donation showed that first responders don’t just arrive when the alarm sounds, they show up for children and families when care and support are essential.
The truckload of donated supplies will directly benefit children receiving services through the CAC, providing comfort and reassurance during an incredibly difficult time in their lives.
Staff at the center expressed deep gratitude for the firefighters’ contribution, calling it a reminder of the strength that exists when
community partners come together for a common cause.
Moments like this underscore the essential role of collaboration in child advocacy. The firefighters’ generosity served not only as a material gift, but also as a powerful message that the children and families served by the center are not alone.
To learn more about the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center or to make a donation, visit https://worcestercac.org or call 410-641-0097.
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher Members of the IAFF Local 4916 Worcester County Professional Firefighters deliver care and compassion to support children affected by abuse.
CPI CRACKDOWN
Continued from page 1
forested environment. The Declaration of Restrictions calls for lots to be kept “neat and attractive,” but, until recently, that did not include fully raked lawns or the elimination of organic groundcover. For over 50 years, leaf litter and pine mulch were accepted components of the local landscape, in keeping with sustainable yard practices.
The reasoning behind the ARC guideline modification has shifted over time. Early in 2025, association leaders spoke publicly about a renewed focus on “beautification.” Later, during the April board meeting, a former ARC chair suggested the violations were related to fire safety rather than aesthetics. This pivot has raised questions from residents who recall that in 2018, Ocean Pines permitted the use of wood-burning fire pits, actions that seem at odds with a heightened fire safety campaign.
Compounding the issue is a change in leaf and yard waste services. Ocean Pines discontinued vacuum truck collection and stopped raking ditches several years ago, placing that responsibility solely on homeowners. Additionally,
yard waste drop-off now requires a permit sticker, and access to the Public Works yard has been limited, especially during peak leaf seasons.
Recent actions appear to conflict with Maryland House Bill 322, a state law that protects homeowners who implement low-impact, eco-friendly landscaping. The bill prohibits HOAs from imposing unreasonable restrictions on practices such as mulching, using natural groundcover and supporting pollinators. The application of this law in Ocean Pines remains unclear.
The enforcement trend is raising serious concerns about transparency, consistency and the longterm identity of the community. A development founded in a forest and marketed for its natural setting now faces a growing divide between traditional landscaping values and newly imposed standards that emphasize cosmetic uniformity.
As the number of violations increase and the list of citations expands, homeowners are left to navigate evolving expectations that may have broader implications— not just for property maintenance but also for community trust in Ocean Pines.
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher Gardeners, landscapers and conservationists widely use pine needles and leaf litter as alternatives to commercial mulch, helping retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil structure as they break down.
Memorial Day Ceremony returns May 26 to Worcester County Veterans Memorial
By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher
The region’s largest Memorial Day ceremony will return to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 26, beginning at 11 a.m.
The annual event draws thousands to the memorial grounds and features music, tributes and guest speakers honoring the men and women of the U.S. military who lost their lives in service to the nation.
“Memorial Day honors all who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore. “This year’s ceremony, as those before it, will honor the brave men and women who served our country and lost their lives in doing so.”
This year’s keynote speaker is retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Robert J. Rosales, a Naval Academy graduate who grew up in Seaford, Delaware.
Local Gold Star families will also be honored during the program. The gold star tradition dates back to World War I, when families displayed a blue star for each
loved one serving in the military. If a family member died in service, the blue star was replaced with a gold one.
A wreath will be placed by Walter Webster of the Maryland East Chapter of Ex-POWs to honor all former and current prisoners of war.
Musical tributes will be performed by Randy Lee Ashcraft, The Delmarva Chorus, Patrick Lehnerd and the chorus from Seaside Christian Academy.
The ceremony is expected to last about one hour.
Parking will be available at Veterans Memorial Park, located at Route 589 and Cathell Road. Seating is limited and guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move indoors to the Ocean Pines Community Center. Updates will be posted on www.wocovets.org and shared on social media.
For more information about the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation, visit www.wocovets.org or follow the foundation on Facebook.
Home Improvements
RENOVATIONS
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher Memorial Day ceremony set for May 26 to honor fallen service members at Worcester County Veterans Memorial.
Controversial water and wastewater rate plan considered not viable; County looks towards other rate proposals
By Giovanni Guido Staff Writer
The contentious water and wastewater rate increase plan, which was designed to pay off a deficit accumulated by Worcester County service areas, is no longer being considered a “technically feasible” option.
Although there were many options being considered by the county commissioners, the widely advertised plan to pay off the projected $2,188,530 combined deficit of all 11 service areas proposed dividing the shortfall equally, thereby increasing the quarterly rates by the same amount for each ratepayer.
This option received scrutiny from residents, as well as Worcester County commissioners themselves. Both County Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting voiced their opposition to the proposed increases. They explained that spreading the projected deficit equally would result in certain service areas paying much more than they actually owe. Ocean Pines, for example, has a shortfall of $116,699 it has to pay off in fiscal year 2026. If the advertised rate
increase plan were to be established, Ocean Pines residents would see an increase of approximately $32 in their quarterly bills.
During the May 6 public hearing for the requested FY26 General Fund budget and Enterprise Fund budget, Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young stated that the advertised rate increase plan was “off the table” and no longer being considered.
“We knew spreading the deficit would require a code change and spreading existing debt is a bit trickier and it’s best keeping those with the service areas they’re tied to,” Young explained.
People who attended the public hearing to speak out against the rate increase plan were glad to hear it will not be considered and applauded the decision.
According to Young, with the advertised plan not being considered anymore the county has been working to devise other plans that could cover the deficit.
The county has looked at a plan to cover the deficit by having each service area cover its own shortfall while also taking into account the most recent usage fee rates. This plan, however, would result in
absurdly high rate increases for some of the service areas, since the debt has to be paid back in FY26, not over a few years.
Landings service area would have to increase its quarterly rates to more than $600 in order to cover its own shortfall, which is twice its current amount. Riddle Farm would also need to nearly double its quarterly rates to $500 in order to cover its deficits.
A resident of Landings service area, Richard Engelmann, spoke out against this particular plan.
“The Landings already has the highest water and sewer rates in Worcester County. Our base rate is more than twice that of Ocean Pines and 30% more than Mystic Harbor. And now the new (plan) would still double our base rate and add $1,300 in annual cost to each of our 310 owners … The shortfall for the Enterprise Fund wasn’t caused by our owners … but rather appears to be due to poor oversight in maintenance by past county staff. In fairness, I hope you can all work to find an approach that would avoid such an extreme increase in rates,” Engelmann said.
The commissioners held a budget
work session on May 13, during which they discussed other possible avenues to tackle this deficit problem. One proposed plan was to have all the service areas cover their own shortfall with help from the General Fund where necessary. Service areas that are able to pay off their own deficit without any help—West Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Lighthouse Sound—will do exactly that. On the other hand, service areas that have a large shortfall and not enough reserves to cover it—Landings, Assateague Pointe, Riddle Farm— will receive support from the General Fund to ensure ratepayers will not be overburdened. A total of $1,478,741 is currently being requested from the General Fund for eight service areas.
During the work session, it was emphasized that the goal for this plan was to eventually have all the service areas be more self-sustaining and able to cover their own shortfalls. The commissioners made a motion to proceed working on a plan for this goal to then review in the future. No date was given for when the strategy will be finished, but it was stated that it will hopefully be ready before the end of the year.
From renovation to rebuild: Ocean Pines Racquet Center over budget, costs double ahead of Memorial Day target
By Sherrie Clifford ROC Edition Publisher
What began as a $140,000 renovation proposal during the Dec. 16, 2024 Board of Directors meeting has evolved into a full-scale rebuild of the Ocean Pines Racquet Center, now projected to exceed $250,000. The scope and cost of the project have shifted multiple times, raising concerns about oversight, transparency and the dismissal of issues raised by a now-disbanded advisory committee.
The initial budget was increased by $50,000 at the Feb. 22 board meeting, then rose again to an estimated range of $275,000 to $300,000 by March 29, before being revised on April 26 to a final estimate between $250,000 to $275,000.
During a recent board meeting, it was revealed that the original building had been constructed atop a concrete sidewalk, an unconventional foundation that led to long-standing water intrusion. Some of the unexpected cost increases have been attributed to the need for a proper foundation. This improvement, now reflected in updated estimates, is expected to resolve the moisture issues and help prevent future problems with potential mold or mildew.
What began as a modest renovation has effectively become new construction. Only the roof and supporting beams from the original structure remain.
Indoor air quality concerns, including suspected mold and mildew, were first raised by the Racquet Sports Advisory Committee. In response, the association shut down the center and spent roughly $10,000 on professional carpet cleaning and environmental testing, which ultimately found no evidence of mold.
After the investigation ended, the committee was dissolved, raising concerns about whether its removal was connected to its persistent focus on maintenance and facility conditions. Meeting records indicate that odor concerns had previously been acknowledged, although later board discussions appeared to shift the narrative against the committee.
With demolition complete and only portions of the original building preserved, the project now reflects a full-scale rebuild. A new foundation has been poured, framing is complete and the project has entered its final phase, with completion expected by Memorial Day.
From initial demolition to structural framing, the Ocean Pines Racquet Center project has transformed significantly since work began. Only the original roof and support beams remain as the new facility takes shape.
As participation continues to grow in racquet sports, particularly pickleball, tennis and platform tennis, the new building will provide a more structurally sound and functional space for recreation and community use. With proper infrastructure now in place, the updated facility is positioned to better serve the Ocean Pines community for years to come.
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher
Berlin resident raises alarm over solicitor permits and slow police response
By Giovanni Guido Staff Writer
After an interaction with a doorto-door salesman which resulted in a call to the police department, Berlin resident Mary Hedlesky addressed the Berlin Town Council at its most recent meeting on May 12 to voice her concerns with certain permits that are issued to solicitors and delays in police response time.
A week earlier, on May 5, she answered a knock on her door from a salesman who introduced himself as Donovan from Renewal by Anderson, a window and door installation company. He explained that he was working not with the Town of Berlin, but with the “City of Berlin,” to help it go green. As someone who lives in Berlin and is familiar with the town, Hedlesky was confused and asked him what department he was working with. The salesman then admitted he was not really with the City of Berlin. When she pressed him further about his affiliations, he handed her a vendor permit which is issued by the Berlin Police Department to peddlers and solicitors. Hedlesky told the man that she would verify the card and, if interested, would give him a call. As she began to close the door, however,
the man placed his hand on it and pushed his body through the gap, preventing her from shutting it.
“This individual grabbed the door, stuck his knee in, stuck his body in and used his other arm and started swinging and started physically wrestling the door with me. So, I’m yelling at him and saying, ‘You’re trespassing. I’ve got cameras up.’ And after, I don’t know, 15, 20 seconds, whatever it was, he let go for a second and I slammed the door and I got it locked,” Hedlesky said.
After the incident, she called the police department and asked for an officer to come by her house. She told the dispatcher that she thinks the man left but was unsure since she did not want to look outside. A little over an hour passed by with no sign of an officer coming by. She then called the department again to cancel her call. Despite her cancellation, an officer eventually showed up, 72 minutes after she made her original call. She explained to the officer what had transpired, showed him a video recording of the interaction and gave him the card she received.
Once Hedlesky finished, Mayor Zack Tyndall thanked her for sharing her experience with the council. He then suggested that she have an “offline conversation” with Lt. Robert
Fischer to get a better understanding of the late response time.
Due to her interaction with the salesman, Hedlesky became concerned about the reasoning behind the town issuing permits such as these.
“Do we have to give permits to people like this? Why are we even doing this? Why are we encouraging this? Because … now my house looks ridiculous. I’ve got ‘no trespassing’ signs up, I’ve got ‘you’re on camera’ and everything else and I’m thinking this is ridiculous, I shouldn’t have to do that,” she said.
According to the Finance Director Natalie Saleh, if somebody wants to receive the permit, an application must be filled out. That application is then sent to the police department who then runs a background check and decides whether or not to issue the permit to the applicant.
Hedlesky told the council that she did some research of her own to see if any cases might have been made against Renewal by Anderson.
“I looked them up. They have 12 cases, seven of which were employee garnishee-type things or whatever … I feel like the Town of Berlin is allowing these people to trespass, to come in, to knock on my door. And the guy that was at my house he’s telling me, ‘I got
permission; I’m good. I’m cleared to be here,’” she said.
Hedlesky was informed that the only thing the police department did was contact the company’s manager, which she said “floored” her, since she considers the man’s actions to be illegal. She was later told, however, that this was not a chargeable offense and that they gave the permit back to the man.
Upon hearing Hedlesky’s story, some of the council members expressed confusion as to why the town issued these permits and showed an interest in getting rid of them.
Councilman Steve Green said he thinks the permit has become irrelevant for today’s needs.
“To me times have changed. There’s no reason to have a solicitation permit in the Town of Berlin … I’d like to see it removed from the code,” Green said.
Tyndall mirrored Green’s opinion on the issuing of these permits.
“The times may have indeed changed enough where this can go by the wayside,” Tyndall said. At the end of the discussion, he suggested the town look into possibly putting an end to these permits.
Berlin property owner discusses the council’s contesting of his approved property tax appeal
By Giovanni Guido Staff Writer
Property owner Wayne Hartman addressed the Berlin Town Council at its recent regular meeting to discuss a letter he received which stated the Town of Berlin was contesting an appeal he filed on his building’s property tax. This appeal led to a reduction of over 20% in property taxes.
Hartman is the landlord of a general store on Decatur Street. The property, which he bought three years ago, cost him nearly $2.5 million. Due to changes in the capitalization rate, Hartman believed the property value had decreased from the original purchase price. Accordingly, he set about filing for an appeal and getting a reassessment of his property. The State Department of Assessments and Taxation received his appeal, eventually approving it after two years, which lowered the property’s assessed value to $1.8 million based on a 7% cap rate.
After the appeal was approved, the state department sent a letter to the Town of Berlin, stating that a property had a reduction of over 20% in property taxes. According to Mayor Zack Tyndall, the town is notified if there is ever a reduction in property tax of over 20%. Tyndall further clarified that this is the first
ELECTION DELAY
Continued from page 1
This year’s election had already come under public scrutiny after the Board of Directors voted to retain MK Elections as the election vendor, despite the Elections Committee’s recommendation to return to ACE Printing, a trusted local provider with more than 20 years of reliable service in Ocean Pines. MK Elections, which managed the 2024 election, drew criticism for unclear communication between the vendor, the Elections Committee chair and the board—particularly involving a board member who was also a candidate at the time. Additional concerns were raised over how much confidential information was shared and who had access to it. These issues, in addition to several coordination missteps, further eroded confidence in the vendor’s performance.
Now, the unexpected extension of the filing period is shifting attention back to the community. Many residents are asking whether more candidates will come forward and
time this has happened during his time in office.
Although this is a unique situation, Tyndall told the town staff to handle this appeal as though it was any other. This led to an appeal being made to contest Hartman’s appeal. The town’s Finance Director Natalie Saleh helped make the appeal, seeing the 20% reduction as a loss of revenue to the town.
“My standpoint of the letter of appeal is reduction in assessed value which is lost revenue for the Town of Berlin. As a finance director, I would advocate to appeal the process because we’re losing the revenue that provides the service to the citizens and residents of the Town of Berlin,” Saleh said.
Councilwoman Shaneka Nichols voiced a similar opinion.
“If an appeal comes, I think everybody has a right to appeal, but if something like that comes across our doorstep … we’d be wrong, we’d be doing this town a disservice by not looking at it and saying, ‘Maybe we should appeal this,’” Nichols said. Hartman was concerned about the reasoning behind the town’s retaliatory appeal.
“If this is the mindset, if there’s no basis for it, why was it? Do you feel that it’s not accurate?” Hartman asked.
To this, Tyndall stated that the town staff was given very little
information on the original appeal he made. The only information they had was contained in the one-page letter that the state department sent to them, which simply stated that a property had a significant reduction. A request was made by the town to receive supplemental documents to better understand the appeal, but they received nothing. Hartman asked if anyone tried to reach out to him for more information, to which Tyndall admitted no one did.
“It’s shocking to me that leadership in the town would go this direction, instead of reaching out to the person saying, ‘Hey, we have questions. It’s a pretty hefty decrease in the property value. Was there a basis (for this)?’ to try to get an understanding or something,” Hartman said.
After the appeal letter was received, Hartman made a few calls to members of the staff and council, including his longtime friend, Councilman Jay Knerr. Knerr spoke about how surprised he was when he received the call.
“I don’t think anybody on the council knew about it, and I think that would have been a nice gesture, when the letter came in from the state, to notify the council and say,
‘Hey, this is the issue we’re facing.’ Being a one-off, I think it’s a very bad look for the town to be fighting this appeal,” Knerr said.
Councilman Jack Orris shared his confusion about why the town would contest Hartman’s appeal.
“I guess I’m just trying to figure out why we would do that. I’m missing something. Why would we appeal an appeal?” Orris said.
Nichols gave an explanation and said “Because it’s a loss of revenue for the town … I’m not saying that any constituent or any property owner or whomever in this town … shouldn’t have a right to appeal, but at the same time, if it comes to the town and it looks like you could possibly lose a revenue that’s coming into the town, we have that same right as well.”
Hartman expressed his hope to have further communication with the town to provide any information needed.
“If any of you would like to share time and go through what I shared with the State Board of Assessment, … all I want to do is understand why, which we’ve gotten to, and offer to answer the questions and do it in full transparency.”
whether the delay will be used to ensure a fair, transparent election moving forward.
Resolution M-06 also requires that no official promotion, bio publication or public forum take place until the final candidate list is complete. This means the Ocean Pines Association must hold off on publishing printed election materials or scheduling public forums until after the June 20 deadline. Failing to do so would potentially give early filers an unfair advantage over late applicants and put the process out of alignment with OPA’s own rules.
With major decisions on amenities, finances and long-term contracts on the table, the upcoming election could shape the future of Ocean Pines for years to come.
Residents interested in running for the board can obtain the candidate application and filing instructions on the Ocean Pines Association website. The community now has until June 20, by 4:00 p.m., to meet the required candidate minimum and ensure a competitive election.
Time to Rethink Free Amenity Access for HOA Board Members
Sherrie Clifford, Publisher
As another summer season approaches in Ocean Pines, homeowners are once again examining how their dues are spent and whether the benefits and policies in place are equitable. One question gaining momentum: Should Ocean Pines Board of Directors members continue receiving free access to all amenities for themselves and their immediate families?
Currently, sitting board members are granted complimentary use of all community amenities: Golf, racquet sports, aquatics, yacht club pool and more. While many residents appreciate the time and commitment board members invest, others question whether unrestricted access for an entire family is appropriate, particularly when the collective value of these perks is estimated to be in the thousands of dollars per household each year.
This is not about discouraging community service. Serving on the board is voluntary and time-consuming, and few would dispute that it requires dedication. However, when that service comes with substantial financial benefits—benefits that many dues-paying residents cannot afford themselves—it’s fair to ask where the line should be drawn.
Should board members receive a choice of one or two amenities they personally use, rather than unlimited access? Should any use beyond that be paid for out of pocket, as it is for the rest of the community? If the value of
these perks meets the IRS threshold for taxable income, are board members required to declare them? If not, should they be?
These aren’t just hypothetical questions. In many homeowners associations across the country, elected directors are not granted free amenities at all; or, if anything, they receive a modest discount on select services. The rationale is simple: Volunteer service should not create an unequal advantage or perception of special privilege, especially when directors are also voting on amenity budgets, fee increases or vendor contracts tied to those facilities.
The appearance of impartiality matters. Residents expect that decisions are made in the best interest of the community, not influenced—even unconsciously—by personal gain. Providing full family access to all amenities can blur that line.
This discussion is not about punishment or disincentivizing board service. It’s about transparency, consistency and stewardship. Offering a modest, clearly defined amenity benefit—perhaps one or two options—could still acknowledge the work of board members while avoiding the optics and ethical gray areas that come with all-access privileges.
As elections approach and budget discussions continue, this is a good time for the community to revisit this policy. If the goal is to serve, not be served, then asking for fairness isn’t criticism; it’s accountability
Sherrie Clifford Publisher, ROC Edition
The HOA Clique: When loyalty to power breeds bullies COMMENTARY
By all outward appearances, a homeowners association should be a place of neighborly support, shared responsibility and collective pride. But what happens when, beneath the surface, a small group works quietly—and sometimes viciously— to protect its own interests by tearing others down?
Unfortunately, that’s a growing reality in some communities.
This isn’t just about political disagreements or leadership styles. It’s about a culture of adult bullying, fueled by fear, insecurity and the desire to hold onto power at any cost. We’ve seen it happen time and again: Someone volunteers for a committee, speaks up at a meeting or—worse yet—dares to run for a seat on the board. Suddenly, their reputation is under attack, their business targeted and their character dragged through the mud.
This behavior isn’t random. It’s
coordinated. And it often stems from a tight-knit inner circle of sitting board members and their close friends, the ones who drink together, socialize together and strategize together behind the scenes. They work in unison to protect their grip on the system, using intimidation, misinformation and online harassment to discourage any outside voices from entering their sphere.
The tools they use aren’t complicated. A few well-placed rumors. A barrage of hateful Facebook posts. Entire groups created for the sole purpose of mocking, discrediting and shutting down anyone who threatens the status quo. It’s not about open governance; it’s about control.
And the message is crystal clear: Speak out and we’ll come for you. Get involved and we’ll dig up dirt or create it. Try to run for office and we’ll make sure you regret it.
But what are they so afraid of?
That’s the question more and more homeowners are beginning to ask. Why would anyone go to such lengths to smear a neighbor simply for wanting to serve? What secrets are so fragile that they need to be guarded by personal attacks and online smear campaigns? What decisions from the past or agendas for the future are at risk of being exposed if new voices enter the room?
This isn’t high school. These are multimillion-dollar community operations. They deserve professional, transparent and inclusive leadership—not secret alliances, whisper campaigns or retaliatory behavior designed to keep power among the same few people.
And let’s not kid ourselves—this behavior has consequences. It keeps good people from participating. It discourages transparency. It creates a climate of fear, silence
See HOA CLIQUE page 11
The ROC Staff
Sherrie Clifford Publisher/Editor 856-873-6029 sclifford@oceanpinesroc.com
Staff Consultant News Editor editor@oceanpinesroc.com
Giovanni Guido Staff Writer gioguido56@gmail.com
Roger Marino Columnist marino.roger@aol.com
Lara Spaid Advertising Sales 410-443-4717 laraspaid@comcast.net
Continued from page 10
and stagnation. And ultimately, it robs the community of the diverse perspectives and fresh ideas it desperately needs.
The bullies want you to walk away. They want you to believe it’s easier to stay quiet. But now, more than ever, it’s time to speak louder.
We must stop tolerating this behavior and start calling it what it is: toxic, self-serving and unfit for a community that prides itself on being a great place to live. Serving on the board or simply being involved shouldn’t come with the risk of public shaming or personal loss.
If a handful of people are trying this hard to stay in power, the rest of us should be asking: What are they so determined to hide?
Communities are built by the brave, not by those who hide behind keyboards or cliques. If we want a better community, we must demand better from those who lead it and from those who surround them.
Because the moment we stop standing up to the bullies, they win.
Sherrie Clifford Publisher, ROC Edition
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Fire risk hypocrisy
Dear Editor:
In 2018, Ocean Pines officials chose to waive the Declarations of Restrictions’ (DRs) absolute ban on outdoor burning of wood. This action was taken without a vote by the members, as generally required to change the DRs. The DRs do give the ARC some latitude to provide individual exceptions in order to overcome unnecessary hardships and if not materially detrimental or injurious to other property owners. So relying on that, apparently having an unused fire pit is an unnecessary hardship and noxious smoke and burning embers are not materially detrimental or injurious to other property owners.
Fast forward to spring 2025, where dozens of CPI violations have been issued to association members who are judged not to be maintaining their property to some leaf-free standard. The DRs speak of maintaining lots so as not to become overgrown or to have an accumulation of
debris or rubbish. This accumulation of leaves has never previously been defined as debris and thus was not enforced as a CPI violation. However, the present board apparently thinks that leaves detract from the overall beauty of the (wooded) community we live in. Recently, to reinforce the importance of leaf removal, additional justification has been to stress that leaf removal is a fire prevention measure in support of the DRs emphasis on public safety.
To state the obvious hypocrisy of this new found urgency to protect and promote public safety through fire prevention: Leaves on the ground are a fire risk, but outdoor fires, such as burning wood in fire pits, are not! I guess the leaves can spontaneously combust!
Whether the present actions of the ARC to enforce citations of leaf debris are in keeping with the DRs, I will leave (no pun intended) to others. However, I do believe that the actions in 2018 to permit open burn-
ing of wood in fire pits is in direct contradiction of the new found focus of fire prevention and public safety. The 2018 variance permitting fire pits is not consistent with the specific language contained in the DRs.
At the end of the April board meeting, Director Lakernick stated this is all about fire hazards and taking steps to make sure your house doesn’t burn down. If that is true then this board needs to immediately reverse the unilateral 2018 action (which likely exceeded legal authority) permitting open fires in fire pits. The choice is clear: Walk the talk or continue the hypocrisy.
To be clear, I am not discounting the potential fire risk to the community; I am amplifying the pretense and contradiction between ARC guidelines.
Nate Douty Ocean Pines
STANDING Room Only
By Roger Marino
Friends and neighbors
New in the neighborhood?
Lonely? Shy? Have a desire to meet new friends?
I have a solution for you. No, it’s not in the barroom, and it’s not on the beach. It’s the next best thing to church.
Feel like having watermelon for dinner? How about some fresh peaches? And who knows—those sweet, red strawberries might just make a surprise appearance in your cereal tomorrow morning.
During a nice, comfortable morning stroll, follow the crowd and meet new friends.
I was asked to accompany my visiting family recently as they were on a venture to find some vittles for dinner. And as a favor to my family visitors, I reluctantly agreed to ride with the group.
Before I had even comfortably
heard the click of my seat belt, we came to a stop and all filed out of what used to be called a station wagon and is now termed an oversized six-seat car. I was home. Or close to it.
The trees looked the same. The grass was green. The geese numbered about the same as I remembered.
We marched between a shadowy group of trees and before us was a mass of humanity. All sizes, ages and I don’t remember the shapes.
Our first adventure was to approach a nice lady who was selling fruit—fresh fruit. I liked the idea of this stop, so I nestled up to the counter alone and listened to the woman explain the origin of the fruit she was selling, paying no attention to the person standing next to me, until I heard my name called. “You are Roger Marino?” the voice asked. I turned to look at the person I had never met but whose face I remembered. It was a neighbor who lives across the street from me. In 22 years, I had never met him, although I saw the family almost daily in that period of time. We spoke, and then we spoke some more. He introduced another family, holding a basket of goodies in one hand and a two-year-old child firmly in the other. They also lived down the
street and yet I had never met them. In turn, they politely introduced me to their next-door neighbor.
I gazed across the vibrant display of fruits and vegetables and spotted my daughter-in-law, who had come from out of town. She was engaged in a joyful conversation with other neighbors I had never met. Before long, she introduced me to them. They are now our new friends.
On the other side of the delicious, juicy grounds, my great-grandchildren were unaware of their surroundings as they shared stories about their hometown. Lo and behold, those folks they were talking to came here from the same region of the country.
My son was busy sharing his professional aptitude with another family that lives just a stone’s throw from my house. Sometime later, he called me over to introduce me to someone he had just met. To my surprise, this person turned out to be someone who could solve a homeowner’s problem I’ve been wrestling with for 20 years. Two decades searching for someone with the expertise to solve this problem. Someone who all this time was within a kind word, neighborly handshake and conversation.
All of those years and a couple of hours, it was my privilege to meet at least a dozen people who live among me that I never had the good fortune to meet.
A farmers market is not just for the farmer, nor is it only for the taste of their wares. It’s the deliciously fresh and healthy conversations of the thoughtful, kind and knowledgeable merchants and the wonderful mixture of all our new and settled neighbors, located within arm’s length.
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ROC Life
Life at full gallop; from writing news to presenting orchids, an unforgettable moment at the Kentucky Derby
By Roger Marino ROC Edition Contributor
The first Saturday in May has always been a time to plant the garden, get into summer clothing and tune into the Kentucky Derby.
It brings back a great horse racing memory—an experience that will forever remain in my life.
In 1964, I was working alongside Jean, someone I consider to be one of the best news and feature editors of my journalistic career.
When we were not writing and editing the news and features for eight weekly newspapers, we were laying the page outlines to cut and paste groupings of ads and columns atop long tables. That was standard in those days of hot linotype lead-producing machines, 120-point headlines, and stereotypers who took the cast plates to the printer to run that paper’s 28-page edition on the Goss Suburban press, one of the presses we used to print those papers.
This was a time-sensitive publishing task suited for talented people who kept their skills sharp and were willing to spend sleepless nights with their eyes wide open and feet firmly planted on the floor. Deadlines were the name of the day.
One day, a gentleman came into the shop to ask for Jean. He was visiting his congressman in Washington, D.C. and had a job offer for her to go to the island of Kauai in Hawaii to run his weekly newspaper. After some discussion, the offer came to me to join them on what seemed like a fantastical journey to an island I had never heard of— farther away than I could imagine and too good a deal to turn down.
Jean jumped at the opportunity, but I reneged at this seemingly strange offer.
Within a couple of months, she told me she had settled into a home on this beautiful island and phoned me about the great people who lived among her. She was the editor of the Garden Island Gazette, a newspaper with growing promise on an island paradise. Once again, she offered me the opportunity to help her grow this
After his experience with the Kentucky Derby, Roger was inspired to take up the horse-riding sport of fox hunting. Here he is shown posing with the majestic steed, Poseidon, whom he purchased for activity.
weekly paper into a daily and also a special Sunday edition. Once again, I backed off from her offer—this time reluctantly feeling an opportunity too good to be real.
A little more than a year later, I received a phone call from Jean, now one of the most prominent women on Hawaii’s Garden Island. She told me that a horse named Kauai King was running in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. The horse was Maryland bred and named by his owner, Mike Ford, after the Garden Island he loved so much.
Kauai King won the Kentucky Derby and was on his way to be
ROC Edition • Submitted
Continued from page 13
entered in the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course two weeks later—a Maryland-bred horse entered in the second leg of horse racing’s most prestigious sporting event!
Jean told me excitedly that if Kauai King won the race, the people on the island would like me to present the horse with a lei of Vanda orchids, the flower of the island.
WOW! What an honor.
The race was broadcast nationally on CBS television.
About two hours before the race, I was eagerly waiting on the grounds to receive the huge blanket of beautiful orchids, delivered directly from the plane and encased in a great, cool Marriott box.
You guessed it! On May 21, 1966, Kauai King won the race in record time.
With the help of the family, trainer and others, we stretched the flowers over the majestic, dark-tan horse in the winner’s circle.
Raised in Maryland, where the state flower is the Black-eyed Susan, Kauai King was presented with a garden of beautiful orchids by us. And the second leg of the Triple Crown was in the history books.
Kauai King finished fourth in the Belmont race in New York two weeks later, following a tragic auto accident causing the death of his owner.
The exciting chapter of this horse, its owner, the people who asked me to become a part of their lives and the story behind the stories, introduced me to a part of the world never before known to this city boy. A part of the world known as the Garden Island of Hawaii—later known as the filming location for the Jurassic Park movies and the jungle setting for the action-packed drama King Kong.
Only Hollywood can take the most beautiful setting in the world and turn it into an eye-shielding horror site.
If you follow my writing, you know that I believe life can be more dramatic than a director’s creative filming venture.
Life is a series of crossroads and obstacles. It is laid out without a road map to guide us. The choices made, right or wrong, are ours to navigate.
Shortly after my experience with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, I became fascinated by the beauty and grace of horses on the racetrack, as well as by their graceful dressage competitions. So, I took lessons at an English Saddle riding stable for months, and months, and months, until I felt competent to try my hand at the fox hunting
sport. This decision necessitated my purchase of a strong, beautiful steed whom I named Poseidon—a horse possessing the strength, intelligence and capability to plow through thick standing brush, navigate fallen tree limbs, climb up and down hills and race across a cut corn field in full-gallop pursuit of a fox we hope never to catch.
Riding above a horse with the stamina, agility and ability to last three to four hours in the field, we became one at this risky adventure.
So, what’s the next life adventure for this horseman? Dressage.
I purchased a beautiful, sleek race horse hot off a Maryland race track named “Sir-William”. We trained, and trained and trained.
Dressage is like the game of golf—it goes against all the dynamics of racing, fox hunting and even the natural movements of the human body. It requires skill in the saddle, precise use of the rider’s legs both in and out of the saddle, a light touch on the reins and the dynamics of mind to guide the horse through a symphony of obstacles within a tight area. Up over the mane in style, it all demands perfect mental and physical coordination in conjunction with a strong, sure gallop to the finish.
Life, my friends, is all of the above. A strong-minded horse and rider—like Poseidon and me— capable of going the distance regardless of time, weather or obstacles, with the endurance and determination it takes to complete the task.
And the second half of the life-winning attribute one needs to succeed is what Sir-William
exhibited: The poise, grace, mental and physical agility to complete the dressage course set in the time allotted to become a winner. Making twists and tight turns in a quest to avoid touching a hurdle while racing against the clock.
Life, my friends, is the crossroads set before us at birth. Work at it with diligence, dexterity and intentions to “Do the Right Things,” and at the finish line, you will be presented with a winning blanket of orchids.
ROC Edition • Submitted Roger (far right) presents the rider of Kauai King a blanket of Vanda orchids, a tribute from the people of the Hawaiian island that inspired the horse’s name.
By Roger Marino ROC Edition Contributor
As an Italian kid, I would wake up on a Sunday morning to my parents discussing in a more than loud wake-up tone the proper way to cook the late afternoon feast we called supper. “It’s boiling too much.” “It’s too salty.” “It needs more salt.” “Add more ingredients from the backyard garden.” The voices would grow louder, and the drama more intense.
We were sent off to church to get us out of the way of the battle of the pasta sauce—or, as we called the savory sauce in our neighborhood, “gravy”.
In those days, perfecting the tomato sauce, home-made ravioli, lamb, pork and beef was a science— one that culminated in a delicious family feast. It took two days to prepare and cook a Sunday meal, only for it to be devoured by an ungrateful group of hungry kids in the quickness of one hour.
Amid all the bickering, parents took pride in equally sharing their culinary expertise when it came to Sunday dinner.
Church seemed far away when we listened to the priest read the homily, half-hearing the purring of the “gravy” mixing delicately into the pasta my mother labored over for days, hanging and pressing it on my bed.
How little did we appreciate the artistry and patience it took for two parents to prepare a dinner with love. One meal on the Sunday table, crafted over days—imagined, gathered and perfected over the two-burner kitchen stove.
And now, many years later, I truly appreciate the craftsmanship in building a menu for those who value the delicacy and flavor of a good meatball, the mouth-gripping and slurping around a string of spaghetti, the art of a well-formed and fully stuffed cheese ravioli and the meat flavors that engulf the beautiful aroma of a perfectly blended sauce.
When I was informed that we announced the opening of the Touch of Italy at the Yacht Club in Ocean Pines, it felt like Sunday dinner every day—like Thanksgiving. Like expecting Christmas on a daily dinner menu.
I have tasted from the menu of
this chef, and it was like a homecoming to this trooper who longed for the taste and service we had during those youthful, growing years.
The family dinner is on the table,
with many options to choose from. What will it be, my friends? Close your eyes, open your mouths and experience the Taste of Italy right here in your own backyard.
ROC Edition • Sherrie Clifford, Publisher
Downtown Berlin rumbles to life with classic cars at Spring Cruisers event
By Giovanni Guido Staff Writer
Parked along the streets of downtown Berlin, a multitude of classic cars will be out for display on Saturday, May 17, for the town’s annual Berlin Spring Cruisers. The event is expected to have thousands in attendance and will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. In preparation for the event, the streets of downtown will be closed off at 6 a.m.
The Berlin Chamber of Commerce put this event together with the intention of it coinciding with the Cruisin’ Ocean City event. Unfortunately, however, that event was rescheduled to May 1-4. This schedule change brought up concerns about whether the event would still manage to garner the attention it has in the past. There were even some suggestions of rescheduling Berlin’s event to coincide with Ocean City’s new schedule. Nevertheless, when chamber Director Rebecca Patrowicz first announced the town’s 2025 event schedule, she stated that the
chamber did not think it was necessary to reschedule, believing the event would still attract as many people as it has in previous years.
Typically, this event attracts several thousands of people to the streets of Berlin. The number of cars that can participate in the event is limited for space. Somewhere
between 150 to 180 cars will line the streets of downtown Berlin. Attendees can expect to see all types of classic and antique cars, trucks, motorcycles, firetrucks and even tractors.
Later this year, Berlin will have an identical event in the fall, scheduled for Oct. 11, which will once again
feature classic and antique vehicles. Locals and tourists alike can see the different vehicles and hear the rumbling engines as they explore the streets of Berlin during this event. For more information on the event and how to participate, contact the chamber at 410-641-4775.
Berlin’s annual Memorial Day parade to honor U.S. service members past and present
By Giovanni Guido Staff Writer
On Monday, May 26, residents and tourists alike can make their way to Flower Street in downtown Berlin to witness the town’s annual Old Fashioned Memorial Day Parade. In preparation for the 11 a.m. parade, Flower Street will close at approximately 8 a.m., with participants lining up at 9 a.m. at Stephen Decatur Middle School.
This year’s event theme is “Honoring the Past and Embracing the Future.” In choosing this theme, the town will honor members of the United States Armed Forces who died in the line of duty, as well as those who have formerly served or are currently serving this country.
The annual event typically attracts thousands of people to downtown Berlin, not only for the parade but also for other event attractions. Vendors will be set up at Dr. William Henry Park, along with yard sale tables, games, music and food for people to enjoy.
People can participate in the
parade or apply to become a vendor by contacting DJ Lockwood, the president of the Berlin Community Improvement Association, an organization that partnered with the town to organize this event. Lockwood can be reached at 443-497-3242 or djlockwood334@gmail.com.
Parade participants are asked to dress accordingly to fit with the patriotic nature of the event by wearing red, white and blue attire. Note that handing out items is prohibited during the parade, and that each parade entry is limited to a maximum of two vehicles or floats. If the entry is a vehicle club, however, the maximum is six vehicles.
There will be multiple competitions throughout the day. One of them will be a competition to decide which of the parade participants has the best float. The winner of this competition will receive $100. There will also be a dancing competition held after the parade is over at Henry Park.
At the recent Berlin Mayor and Council meeting, Mayor Zack Tyndall stated that the entire council
Mem
ial Day Parade
plans to walk together in the parade, as they did last year, bearing not only the American flag but also the town flag.
With all these festivities planned,
this year’s Memorial Day parade is certain to be a memorable celebration of both patriotism and community.
