Few protesters, Matt Ortt Co. contract extended two years

By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer

(April 20, 2023) Although a protest was announced by members of the “Do it for Gavin” Facebook group for the Saturday Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting, just two women arrived to hold signs.

Their quiet protest was in response to the remarks from Board President Doug Parks last month regarding some of the more aggressive tactics that some members of the “Do it for Gavin” group had taken, including threats to vandalize the Veterans Memorial if the foundation held its fundraiser at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club. Board members and staff working at the Yacht Club also reported receiving threats.

“I want to let the Ocean Pines Association know that the majority, the 99.9 percent of us that are in the “Justice for Gavin” group are not bullies,” Cineva Smith said.

Smith’s boys were friends with Gavin.

Both Vanessa Alban and Smith said Saturday they don’t want people to forget about Gavin.

The reported threats are related to OPA’s association with the Matt Ortt Company, which handles food services at the association-owned Yacht Club, the Golf Club, and the Beach Club.

Ortt’s former partner, Ralph DeAngelus, is suspected of some level of involvement in a hit-and-run crash that killed 14-year-old Gavin Knupp of Ocean Pines last July. No arrests have taken place and the investigation continues.

Ortt ended his partnership with