May 2022 Ocean Pines Progress by Ocean Pines Progress

May 2022

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OCEAN PINES

PROGRESS THE OCEAN PINES JOURNAL OF NEWS & COMMENTARY

COVER STORY

OPVFD estimates cost of Southside station renovation, expansion at $7 million State awards grants totalling $1.6 million By TOM STAUSS Publisher he Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $1.35 million grant from the State of Maryland to renovate and expand the Southside fire station. Another $250,000 is pledged from the state’s capital budget, bringing the total financial package to $1.6 million State Senator Mary Beth Carozza told the Progress that the two grants are not conditional on any particular cost estimate for the project. Should the OPVFD find a way to lower costs, it shouldn’t affect the amount of the grants, she said. “I’m not aware of any reductions in funding of other projects [once pledged],” she said. The OPVFD plans to discuss more details about the project during a town hall, which had been tentatively scheduled for sometime in May. A date for the town hall had not been announced prior to press time for this edition of the Progress. Ocean Pines Director Amy Peck said in late April that May is not assured for a town hall. “It’s TBD (to be determined),” she said. The grant was announced in a recent Ocean Pines

Association press release, which also contained an eye-opening number, an estimated cost of $7 million for the Southside station’s renovation and expansion. While that number has not generated any public opposition by members of the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors, it has prompted questions drafted by one director with the support of other directors. A former OPVFD president, Lee McClaflin, who served in that capacity during the 1980s and 1009s when the last renovation and completion was completed, in an exclusive interview with the Progress has questioned a renovation/expansion costing $7 million. He said he believes $1.6 million in grants should more than cover the cost of what essentially is a new building. [See article on Page 8 for details.] OPA board member questions have been forwarded to the OPFVD, with the expectation that the department will have adequate time to come up with answers prior to a town hall. [See article on Page 6 for details.] The state grant and a similar contribution by the OPVFD would leave the project short of funding somewhere between $4 million and $4.5 million. The OPVFD To Page 3

Trendic named spokesman for petition drive Ocean Pines resident and former Ocean Pines Association Director Slobodan Trendic has agreed to be the official spokesman for a group of county residents who are launching a petition drive in opposition to a $11.1 million county bond issue related to a proposed sports complex on Route 50 adjacent to Stephen Decatur High School. ~ Page 36

Helvey tells why he’s running for county commission

Grant Helvey some months ago was thinking about running for the county commission in District 5, representing a large portion of Ocean Pines. What decided it for him was his involvement in a little known group called United Frank Daly for Freedom Maryland, whose Facebook page declares its intention to recruit like-minded candidates to run for local office under the banner of restoring constitutional norms in government. ~ Page 37

Water taxi to carry customers to and from Yacht Club

Hoping to attract new customers to the Yacht Club restaurant and provide residents with an alternative mode of transportation to Ocean City’s hot spots, the Ocean Pines Association has signed an agreement with OC Bay Hopper to bring a water taxi to Ocean Pines. ~ Page 14

Ocean Pines awaiting results of by-laws referendum ~ Page 26

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COVER STORY Southside fire station

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From Page 1

A display at the April 23 Open House at the Southside fire station shows the proposed two-story replacement building as envisioned by the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. The architect is Manns Woodward Studios of White Marsh, Md. The new building would replace the current building constructed back in 1987.

standing (MOU) that governs the financial relationship between the OPA and the OPVFD doesn’t explicitly address how building construction costs should be addressed. But under OPA founding documents the OPA is explicitly responsible for providing fire projection services to Ocean Pines, a responsibility that was delegated to the

current building, constructed in 1981 and renovated and expanded in 1987, is undersized and does not meet the needs of the department and the community. Among the issues with the current space, VanGasbeck said the kitchen floods during heavy rains, there is mold throughout the buildTo Page 5

OPVFD in the 1970s, initially as a department within the OPA and later as an independent organization, which made it eligible for funding support from local, state and federal agencies. Fire Department Chief Steve Grunewald and President David VanGasbeck said a new Soutside station is necessary because the

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is looking to the OPA to finance the balance. An informed source told the Progress that OPA General Manager John Viola has had very preliminary discussions with the Bank of Ocean City on possible financing for the project. There is precedent for the OPA to cover debt service associated with building fire stations. The 1987 expansion and renovation was paid for by the OPA, after the OPVFD obtained financing from the federal Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), since dissolved. The FmHA didn’t want to or couldn’t do a loan directly with the OPA, but directors of that era agreed to handle the debt service associated with the loan carried by the OPVFD. McClaflin said the OPVFD owns both the building and the land it sits on. The OPVFD also owns the Northside fire station but has a 100year lease on the land on which the building sits. The Memorandum of Under-

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COVER STORY Southside fire station

From Page 3 ing, and the living quarters are “totally inadequate.” He compared the living area to a sardine can. “Two years ago, we had gas lines that literally fell out of the ceiling,” VanGasbeck said, adding the building also does not meet National Fire Protection Association and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. VanGasbeck said the project is part renovation and part new construction. The existing bays, where fire and EMS vehicles are housed, will remain intact. “It is a renovation in the sense that we are retaining the existing three bays,” he said. “We are adding a [new] two-story building … and we are going to add another bay and a work area.” VanGasbeck said the extra bay would house a third EMS vehicle, which currently stays at the northside station. The two-story building would house the rest of the operation, which includes storage, office space, and bunk area, kitchen,

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 5 lounge and meeting space. The OPVFD hosted an open house at the Southside station on April 23, where drawings of the expanded firehouse were on display. The images are part of a 29-page feasibility study conducted by the Manns Woodward Studio of White marsh, Md. The feasibility study contained three options for the project. Option 3, with a bunk area on the first floor as opposed to the second floor as in Option 2, is the alternative preferred by the OPVFD, according the document. It appears to have been the option on display during the open house. Contrary to some early reports that the new two-story building would be built on the footprint of the current building, the floor plans indicate that this isn’t entirely the case. The new building extends further outward toward Ocean Parkway than the existing building. The plans on display did not show square footage, however, and Grunewald told the Progress that such details will await the town hall

for release. Grunewald said that expanded quarters would last the fire department roughly 50 years and allow firefighters and EMS to keep their six-minute response time within the Ocean Pines community. “That’s very important when you’re looking at any type of medical emergency and even any type of fire,” he said. “Time is the essence and, in this business … thirty seconds to a minute makes a huge difference. “If you look at the fires that we’ve had [and] the quick response, if we didn’t have a fire department here [in Ocean Pines], you’re looking at 15-20 minutes,” Grunewald continued. “Instead of burning one house down, you’d burn a block down.” He added, in case of a medical emergency like a cardiac arrest, a patient would have “no chance of survival” with a 15-20-minute response time. “Time is important. We also need to have the appropriate living spaces to actually provide these jobs,” Grunewald said, adding that competition from other agencies is fierce.

“Statistically in the United States, 5% of individuals that join a fire department actually stay with that department until they retire. So, if we’ve got 10 cadets maybe we’ll [keep] one, at best,” he said. Grunewald said the older demographic in Ocean Pines means calls are likely to increase in the future, while the department continues to struggle with workforce issues. Both he and VanGasbeck said a renovated station is essential to help recruit and retain staff. In November, VanGasbeck said Viola recommended that fire department officials meet with local and state representatives. That eventually included Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, Del. Wayne Hartman, County Commissioners Chip Bertino and Jim Bunting, and a representative for U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, along with OPA directors Larry Perrone and Doug Parks and Bank of Ocean City President and CEO Reid Tingle. “The chief and I have been working on this for over a year, getting our feasibility study ready,” VanGasTo Page 7

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COVERY STORY

Southside fire station From Page 5 beck said. “In November, we got to the point where John recommended to us … that we should probably meet with the politicos to start talking about funding. “The whole idea of that was to show them [the state of the facility] … and to talk in terms of how we could get funding,” VanGasbeck added. “The product of that meeting was people going back and looking to see what they could do.” VanGasbeck said Carozza and Hartman reached out to share the news that the fire department would receive $1.35 million through Gov. Larry Hogan’s supplemental budget. “Del. Hartman and Sen. Carozza worked extraordinarily hard to get this money, and they continue to work extraordinarily hard,” VanGasbeck said. “This is not something that the chief or I could do ... that was their effort that did it.” Fire department officials hope to come close to matching that amount with in-house funds, according to the OPA’s pressw release.

OPA board asks OPVFD for detail on Southside fire station project Authority to conduct a referendum, to co-sign a note are among the questions posed by the directors By TOM STAUSS Publisher he Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors so far is neither supportive nor opposed to the $7 million estimated pricetag for the renovation/expansion of the Southside fire station, as well as possible financing that might require the OPA to take out or co-sign a $4.5 million mortgage that could cost property owners $20 to $25 per year for 30 years in debt service. That would be premature.

“We’re trying to match it out of our savings, and we’re going to get very close to that,” VanGasbeck said. They said the rest of the funding could come from the Ocean Pines assessment, spread out over 30 years. “The process from here on in is, we’re going to have a town hall, probably in the May time-frame,” VanGasbeck said. “We have a pre-

The directors are in an information-gathering mindset, open to what the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department is proposing but needing more information. The directors have drafted a series of questions that have been forwarded to the OPVFD to assist it in preparing for a townhall meeting on the proposed expansion/renovation, originally expected for May but perhaps later, the Progress has learned. Some of the questions posed by the board seem to To Page 8

sentation … that the chief and I are working on, as well as our vendor.” “Subsequent to that, there will be a referendum because it’s over $1 million,” VanGasbeck said. “It would be very difficult for me to think that the community would not support that level of funding, when the state government – our delegate and our senator – worked so hard to get that

part of the funding.” “I think we’ve done a real good job planning for the future with this building,” Grunewald said. “It should have been done a while ago, but Dave and I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours planning strategically to make sure that this building, and the community, is setfor the future.”

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8 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022 OPA questions

From Page 6 be better answered by the OPA general counsel, while others seemed more tailored to the OPVFD. “The board doesn’t want to blindside the OPVFD. We want to help them prepare for the townhall with these questions in advance,” a board source told the Progress, adding that all seven directors are in agreement that these are legitimate questions. Even before seeking answers to questions, the board is asking for copies of mechanical drawings of the proposed building, a two-story facility that is to be built on the footprint of the existing building while expanding beyond it, and retaining the bays that house the station’s fire-fighting equipmnt and ambulances. In addition, the project is calling for an additional ambulance bay to house an ambulance that is currently parked at the Northside station. Questions that have been forwarded to the OPVFD include: • Assuming the OPVFD is able to secure a mortgage for the proposed

COVER STORY project, does the OPA have the authority under OPA by-laws to cosign a note? • If the OPA is able to co-sign the note, will the OPA own the building? • Is there authority to conduct a referendum on the proposed project if the OPA doesn’t own the building? • Will the OPVFD solicit at least three bids? • If the OPA doesn’t own the new building, what happens if the OPVFD is no longer viable as an organization [sometime well into the future]? • If the OPVFD uses much or most of its accumulated reserves to help pay down the cost of a new firehouse, what happens if those reserves are depleted and funds are needed for other purposes? • As an alternative to renovating and expanding the Southside station, should the OPVFD and the OPA consider building a single building at another location to serve the entire community? • If the community says no in a referendum to the proposed project and its funding details, what happens then?

Former OPVFD president waves warning flag on $7 million expenditure McClaflin says 1987 expansion was built with support trusses to accommodate a second story By TOM STAUSS Publisher he Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department president who presided over the expansion and renovation of the 1981 fire station into the configuration one sees today is waving a caution flag as the current department leadership seems poised to spend $7 million for another renovation/expansion project. Lee McClaflin, a 36-year Ocean Pines resident who now lives in nearby Whaleyville, was president of the OPVFD for about 12 years spanning parts of the 1980s and 1990s. He was president in 1987, when the original 1981 apparatus bays were converted into meeting, kitchen and office space and new bays, large enough to contain six engines, were built. There’s a plaque in his honor at the Southside station for years of service to the OPVFD. He recalls the bargain struck with the OPA during that era. The OPVFD obtained low-interest financing from the now-defunct Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) because the Ocean Pines AssociaTo Page 10

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10 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022 Lee McClaflin From Page 8 tion was ineligible to deal with that agency. The OPA agreed to pay the debt service on the loan, McClaflin said, still appreciative of that support all these many years later. To clear up any ambiguity which might exist today, he said that the OPVFD owns both the land on which the Southside fire station sits and the building itself. At the Northside station, he said the OPVFD owns the building and controls the land under it in a 99-year lease with the OPA. He said as far as he knows there would be no bar from the OPA and the OPVFD from entering into a similar arrangement as was set up in 1987 to finance construction of a renovated and expanded building. The OPVFD would continue to own the building and the land under it.

COVER STORY There was no referendum held in 1987 to allow the OPA to take on the debt service associated with the project. Because the OPVFD could be asking for OPA funding support of a renovated and expanded Southside fire station in the form of debt service with a principle amount of $4.5 million, the OPVFD has indicated that a referendum of OPA members would be required to approve it. The OPVFD has received a $1.35 million state grant for the project, with another $250,000 pledge from the state’s capital budget, according to State Senator Mary Beth Carozza. The OPVFD is prepared to contribute its own funds to the construction costs, leaving about $4.5 for the OPA to finance. There have been very preliminary discussions with the Bank of Ocean City on a 30-year mortgage. McClaflin makes it very clear: He

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believes it would be a mistake for the OPVFD to ask for any funding or financing support from the OPA and its members for what in effect is a new fire station, albeit with legacy apparatus bays that will be retained. He said he believes the state grants should be sufficient to do what the OPVFD is proposing: renovating and expanding the Southside firehouse on the existing footprint, with some expansion beyond the current footprint, retaining the existing bays and adding a new bay to house the ambulance currently stored at the Northside station. McClaflin said he’s not convinced that the existing one-level space housing a lounge, meeting area, bunkroom, kitchen and office space needs to be completely razed to make way for a new two-story building. He acknowledges issues ranging from mold and kitchen flooding during heavy rains, but says that can be remedied by gutting what’s there now and starting over, perhaps laying a new concrete floor over what’s there to deal with any flooding issues. The exterior walls, he said, probably don’t have to be removed. McClaflin said the 1987 renovation added enough roofing truss support over most of the existing building to accommodate a second floor, which he said reflected recognition back then that eventually the OPVFD would eventually outgrow the one-story facility. “They could gut and renovate the

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first floor and add the second floor, at a cost that should be nowhere close to $7 million, but within the grant funding,” he said. “Perhaps the bunk rooms could be relocated upstairs.” As it turns, that’s one of the options looked at by the department. The preference, however, is for a floor plan that locates the bunk room on the first floor to allow for faster response time by emergency services personnel. He suggested that former active OPVFD members with design experience could be tapped to design a firehouse with all the modern requirements included, such as ADA access. McClaflin said he suspects his suggestion for a much slimmed down cost will not be well received by some department officers, but he said as a former OPA resident and OPVFD president and member he feels duty-bound to make his views and information known to the OPA and OPVFD membership. But he said that even if there is no way to salvage any of the existing space, the cost of starting over still should be within the state grant funding, presuming that the plan is to rebuild on the existing footprint, albeit with a second floor addition, with some expansion beyond the existing footprint, too. A local builder with decades of experience told the Progress that local construction costs, even with recent inflationary pressures, should not be more than $200 a square foot, perhaps $250 under extraordinary circumstances and a second floor addition The Progress has been told that the OPVFD’s feasibility study estimates a new building would be 3,720 square foot in size, not including the new ambulance bay and the existing bays. Fire chief Steve Grunewald declined to confirm the 3,720 square foot number, saying details such as that would be released during the pending town hall. A $7 million project divided roughly by 3,720 square feet works out to $1,882 a square foot, which McClaflin and the local builder said is excessive. The new ambulance bay shouldn’t cost much more than $100,000, the builder said. McClaflin said that to the best of his memory, the existing footprint for the kitchen, bunk room, lounge, meeting, bath, and radio rooms and office add up to about 2,400 square To Page 12

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 11

12 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

COVER STORY

OPVFD president defends lack of activity at Northside fire station Says building will stay active as needed to keep homeowner insurance costs down

By TOM STAUSS Publisher ver wonder why Ocean Pines’ Northside fire station seems deserted, except during the occasional fire response north of Route 90? There’s really a rationale explanation for that, according to Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department President Dave Van Gasbeck, who responded to a recent commentary on oceanpinesforum.com that seemed to make an issue out of it. “Many and most community members have migrated here from locations serviced by paid career fire departments. As a result, they are used to seeing fully staffed fire houses,” he said. Hence some confusion when the Northside station seems like it isn’t staffed or very active at all. “On the other hand many of you (including myself) came from areas serviced by volunteer fire departments and are used to seeing empty or almost empty parking lots at volunteer houses,” Van Gasebeck said. “This [is] because in the event of an emergency, volunteers respond from home to their firehouses, jump on the engines etc ... and go to the incident. When they return and bring the equipment back into service, they go home and the parking lot is empty.” Van Gasbeck said that the OPVFD is defined as a combination department, with career and volunteer working side by side. Many emergency medical technicians, who are paid, are crosstrained in fire-fighting, which in a sense means the OPVFD already has paid firefighters responding to fire calls. “Historically the career staff has always been assigned to the South Station which also has volunteers. North Station is completely volunteer, which is why you usually don’t see a lot of cars in the parking lot until there’s an emergency,” he said. Van Gasbeck also responded to a observation in the forum commentary that seemed to suggest that the OPVFD had been prepared to abandon the Northside station entirely by selling or deeding the To Page 14

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From Page 10 feet in the existing footprint. A new fire station in Ocean City last fall clocked in at $9.1 million, for 18,000 square feet. That works out to about $506 a square foot, a lot less than what seems to be on the table for a new Southside fire station. If it turns out the 3,720 is close to an accurate number for a new building, that still results in a cost of $930,000 at $250 a square foot, along with whatever the new ambulance bay would cost. At $200 a square foot, the cost

would drop to $740,000, probably not realistic. At $506 a square foot the new Ocean Pines fire station would cost $1.882 million, with most of that covered by the two state grants. “It can be done economically while giving the OPVFD everything that a modern fire department needs,” McClaflin said. His successors at the OPVFD might differ on that point, but so far has not released any information justifying or itemizing the components of a $7 million building. Grunewald said that kind of information would be released during the townhall meeting.

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 13

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LUNCH SANDWICHES Served on Bagel, Roll or Bread Includes a Side of Macaroni Salad Ham …………............................….……. $8.95

Taylor Ham ……...........................…….. $8.95 Turkey ………...................................….. $9.45 Roast Beef …..................................…… $9.45 Cappicola …….................................….. $8.95 Genoa Salami …................................… $8.95 Italian Combo …...........................……. $9.45 (Roast Beef, Cappicola, Salami and Provolone) Roast Beef & Turkey ……................….. $7.45 Liverwurst …...............................……… $7.55 Bologna ................................................. $7.55 Egg Salad ….............................………… $7.55 Tuna Salad ………..........................……. $9.25 Whitefish Salad …..................…………. $9.25 PB&J ……………….........................……. $4.50 Grilled Cheese ……........................……. $6.55 Add to any sandwich Cheese 85 cents • Meat $1.65

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11304 Manklin Creek Road, South Gate Ocean Pines (Manklin Creek Road & Ocean Parkway)

OCEAN PINES that they will be coming in,” he said. OC Bay Hopper operates three boats, two based at 118th Street and one based at the West Ocean City harbor. The 27-foot Carolina skiffs are licensed and inspected and currently make stops in Ocean City and West Ocean City. The water taxi service will be incorporating the Yacht Club into its daily stops, which include 118th Street, 48th Street midtown, and downtown on Dorchester Street in Ocean City and the West Ocean City harbor. “So you’ll be able to go to the Yacht Club, have some drinks, do whatever, then go over to Seacrets or Harborside and then come back. And vice versa,” Viola said. The water taxi could provide a means for Ocean Pines residents to get to the Ocean Pines Beach Club on 48th Street via Seacrets. He said the OPA hopes to attract customers from Ocean City to the Yacht Club for a meal and entertainment on weekends. “We will advertise with this company to get people to come to the Yacht Club,” he said. The water taxi will make three stops and three pick-ups for its runs to and from Ocean Pines. Stops are planned for 12:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Beach Club/Seacrets, and 2:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. at the Yacht Club. Stops will last no longer than 15 minutes to load and unload passengers. Viola said installation of new T-dock at the Yacht Club has been delayed until June due to a problem To Page 16

Northside station

From Page 12 building over to the OPA in exchange for the OPA building a single fire station elsewhere to serve all of Ocean Pines. Not so, the OPVFD president said. “We never offered to sell the property to OPA for $3 million. During one of the brainstorming sessions with OPA, an idea was brought up about OPA taking the station and OPVFD building a station to support the entire fire department,” he said. Van Gasbeck said the concept was dismissed “when we talked to our ISO (International Standards Organization) representative who said if the North Station went away, homeowners’ insurance for Northside residents would go up. We obviously would not let this happen”.

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 15

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From Page 14 with availability of materials for the supplier based in Florida. “The supplier that’s building the docks cannot get certain materials,” he said. The OPA is working with the company that will install the T-dock to ensure it will be ready to complete the work when the dock arrives. Until the T-dock is installed, at a cost of $65,000, the water taxi will operate from another existing dock at the Yacht Club. During the early days of Ocean Pines’ development, residents and prospective purchasers could John Viola take a boat from Ocean Pines to the OPA’s bayside property in Ocean City, leased to Seacrets for several decades now.

Pintail Pier

A recreational pier and handicap accessible kayak launch in Pintail Park should be available for members to enjoy in the fall of 2023. The project was recommended by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee and endorsed by OPA staff at an estimated construction cost $40,000 to $50,000. OPA staff reviewed other possible locations at the Grand Canal, Swim and Racquet Club marina, and White Horse Boat Ramp but felt Pintail Park will be he best spot. Staff met with representatives from county and state agencies to ensure the project meets their requirements, Viola said.

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18 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022 Pickleball

From Page 16 Meadows Recreation Complex, the OPA is working with the contractor to set a date for commandment of the project. Site work will be done in house for around $40,000 beginning in mid-April. Meanwhile, the board during the April 20 meeting authorized an unbudgeted expenditure of $55,260 to repair existing courts. The project will be funded by year-end surplus, Viola said.

OCEAN PINES “The cracks on the courts have gotten bigger. And they need to be addressed from a safety issue,” Viola said. He said staff contacted several contractors but only received two bids. They recommended awarding the contract to ATC, the same contractor building the new courts. Repairs will be made to two pickleball courts at the rear of the complex as well as two combination tennis/pickleball courts. The courts will have to shut down for several days while the repairs are being made.

Landscaping

Japanese flowering cherry trees with a vibrant display of white pink blossoms, faint almond fragrance, and glossy dark green leaves in summer are dressing up the South Gate pond this spring and are being planted at the North Gate at a cost of $9,275. The trees are among the first to bloom each year and have small dark berries that attract birds and butterflies. They are heat tolerant but require mulch to help prevent moisture from evaporating. The OPA

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is using gator bags to support the trees, which do not require pruning, until they are established. The OPA is also bringing palm trees back to the Beach Club after a COVID-related hiatus for the last two years at a cost of $10,500.

Bulkheads, dredging

The 2022 bulkhead project on Pintail Drive and Crab Cay Court is nearing completion, according to Linda Martin, senior executive office manager. She said the final stage of the project, backfilling behind the bulkheads, is being completed. The 2023 bulkhead project will begin in the fall and includes North Pintail Drive and Pintail Park. Martin said the OPA has received approval from the Maryland Department of the Environment for dredging applications submitted to them in 2020. The OPA has applied to Worcester County for the permits necessary to proceed with the work. If those permits are approved by the end of April, the OPA will conduct dredging on 22 properties in July. If the permitting is delayed, the project will not start until this fall prior to bulkhead replacement.

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An assessment has been completed of all visited 55 mailbox sites located in Ocean Pines and high priority locations for repairs have been determined, Martin said. She said 59 pedestals need to be replaced, with 13 identified as high priority, and 11 mailboxes to be replaced, with three found to be high priority. Additionally, 22 of the mailbox pad areas need stone work or new concrete, with four identified as a high priority. The OPA has ordered 100 pedestals but so far has received only two of them. Staff is trying to obtain bids from a local supplier along with nationwide suppliers for the mailboxes that need to be replaced. Any replacement cluster boxes must conform with USPS regulations and must have flat style mail compartments instead of cube style compartments. Martin said a test cleaning of the mailboxes on Sandyhook Road was a “great success. It did clean off a lot of the debris, tape, dirt. So we’re going to continue with the other mailboxes and should be done I would say in the next few months.” Viola added that he is still trying to get a cost estimate for building a To Page 21

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 19

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Monika Rakowski joins Janasek as announced candidates in this year’s board election May 10 filing deadline looms, with nine OPA members either declarations their intentions to run or reportedly thinking about it

By TOM STAUSS Publisher hile candidates for the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors seem to be holding off making it official by actually filing applications before the May 10 filing deadline, nonetheless there are indications that at least nine and possibly more OPA members could be running for three seats on the board this summer. Most are familiar names, including one former director, two appointed directors, and two who have run for the board twice. A newcomer to Ocean Pines electoral politics who has announced and filed her candidacy is Monika Rakowski, a member of the OPA’s Aquatics Advisory Committee who was encouraged to run by Get Involved Facebook founder Esther Diller. Rakowski is the first candidate to file an application with the OPA.

Mailbox repairs From Page 18 pavilion or overhang at the mailbox sites to provide some protection from the elements. He estimated the cost as between $30,000 and $40,000 but said materials and labor costs continue to increase. “It’s a rough time right now to do something like that,” he said.

NorthStar Software

The online payment portion of the Northstar Software package launched on March 21 and successfully processed 90 web payments totaling $86,095.45 as of the April 20 board meeting. Viola said it is “one of the first times [we] actually see some efficiency and savings” He said the NorthStar installation has been a “rollercoaster” for his team. “This is the best I’ve felt about it. Not without a lot of pain. Not without a lot of phone calls specifically from me. But I believe this team, our team has done a really good job on this.”

In a recent text to the Progress, former OPA Director Tom Janasek confirmed he was running, contrary to recent speculation that he would not be a candidate. Appointed Director Josette Wheatley, currently the board secretary, is universally considered a likely candidate. Her board colleague, Amy Peck, has said she didn’t want to run but more recently said she was actively considering it because she’s disappointed that fresh, new faces with useful community experience have not yet surfaced as candidates. She might not be supportive of Rakowski because of her association with the Get Involved Facebook page, which is supportive of Janasek’s candidacy as well. Two former candidates who are considering a run include Dr. Stuart Lakernick, Diller’s husband, and Paula Gray. Gray told the Progress she is giving another run for the board “serious consideration.” She came very close in one of her two previous bids, coming up short against Diller by eight votes. Lakernick has run for the board the past two summer, falling short by 60 votes in 2021 to incumbent Frank Daly, currently the OPA’s vice-president. Lakernick’s been in the news of late as a board majority has rejected his applications to two advisory committee positions. Three other possible candidates attended a candidate orientation meeting hosted by the Search Committee on April 28. Sherrie Clifford, founder of the Ocean Pines Residents Oversight Committee (ROC), said she is still considering a possible candidacy. Not previously identified as a possible candidate is Steve Jacobs, a member of the By-laws and Resolutions Advisory Committee. A new resident to Ocean Pines, Gary Murray, is also giving consideration to running. In her statement of candidacy provided to the Progress, Rakowski said that she is looking forward “to

working harmoniously with other board members and volunteers as well as the management team to continuously make Ocean Pines a great place to live. “For those of you who don’t know me, I have lived in Ocean Pines for over seven years. My partner and I have been together 25 years. I enjoy being with family and friends spending time outside as much as possible. “Ocean Pines HOA board members must know how to plan and understand the budget, manage the association’s finances, deal with disputes, discuss and carry out ideas, and listen to the membership. I believe my background in consulting

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 21

Monika Rakowski

Tom Janasek

and project management for more than 18 years make me an ideal candidate for the job. I am very enthusiastic and give my all to every job that I am given.” Her goals for the community include: • Promoting transparency on the funds spent, members should have no doubts about how assessments are utilized. • Ensuring a structure is in place where residents feel valued and that their association is making a positive contribution to their community. • Improving the objective and enu

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From Page 21 forcement of maintaining property values. Callable Date: (00/00/00 or your N/A) Think carefully about 07/15/2028 when to start receiving benefits. As a member of the Aquatics Advisory Committee, she checks off one 100 CallYouPrice: (000)your benefits by 39%. could be reducing box that some successful candidates / AAA to the board have used to effect a Rating: Aaa (XXX/XXX) I am here to help make that decision easier for you. promotion to an elected position on Other: Please contact(Obligor) me at 410-208-1704 for a the board. one-on-one complimentary, no obligation * In an interview with the Progress, (0.00%) TAX-FREE 3.25 TAX-FREE* se contact me at 410-208-1704 for a% oneoron one complimentary, consultation attend our seminar.no obligation, consultations or she said if elected she would work attend our seminar. Call for times, and location. Call for times, date anddates location Prince Georges Md (Name of MuniCnty Bond) with her colleagues to “get John Carrie Dupuie, AAMS Viola to stay on” as OPA general 98.500 Price: Dupuie, (00.00) Carrie AAMS® My picture Coupon: (00/00/00) 3.25 (Financial Advisor Name) manager. She said she appreciates Financial Advisor Financial Advisor here Maturity Date: 07/15/2036 (00/00/00) his “data-driven” decision-making (Approved Title) 215 North Main Street 07/15/2028 Callable Date: (00/00/00 N/A) 215 North Mainor Street prowess and the financial results 100 Call Price: (000) Berlin, MD 21811 Berlin, Aaa /MD AAA 21811 Rating: (XXX/XXX) that have been produced by a man(Address) Other:410-208-1704 (Obligor) 410-208-1704 agement team that works effectively (City, ST 00000) Carrie.Dupuie@RaymondJames.com together. (000-000-0000) I (Toll-Free: Carrie Dupuie, AAMS 800-000-0000) Raymond James(Financial Financial Services Inc.,Name) Member FINRA/SIPC Advisor On the proposed by-laws amend(Approved Title) James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Investments advisory services offered Raymond Fax:through (000-000-0000) ments that OPA members are vot(Address) (E-mail (City, STAddress) 00000) ing on in a referendum, she said she (000-000-0000) I (Toll-Free: 800-000-0000) (Website) Fax: (000-000-0000) had initially been inclined to vote (E-mail Address) (Website) against all of them, but she now is inclined to vote for at least one -- a proposed change that would lower Subject to availability and price change. Minimum purchases may apply. The yield is the lesser the percentage from 20 percent to of yield to maturity or yield to call. Interest is generally exempt from federal taxation and may also be free of state and local taxes for investors residing in the state and/or locality where the bonds were issued. However, bonds may be subject to federal alternative tax (AMT), and 10 percent [of annual revenues colprofits and losses on tax-exempt bonds may be subject to capital gains tax treatment. Ratings by Moody’s/Standard & Poor’s. A credit rating of a security is not a recommendation to lected from the lot assessment] for 6/07/2018 buy, sell or hold the security and may be subject to review, revision, suspension, reduction or 00/00. withdrawal at any time by the assigning Rating Agency. Insurance pertains only to the timely transactions to transfer, encumber payment of principal and interest. No representation is made to any insurer’s ability to meet its vailability and price change. Minimum purchases may apply. The yield is the lesser of yield to maturity or yield to call. Interest is generally exempt financial commitments. Ratings and insurance do not remove risk since they do not guarantee or were develop l taxation and may alsothebemarket free ofvalue stateof and local taxes for investors residing in the state and/or locality where the bonds issued. However,OPA property without inthe bond. be subject to federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), and profits and losses on tax-exempt bonds may be subject to capital gains tax treatment. put from the membership. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FNRA/SIPC. Moody’s/Standard & Poor’s. A credit rating of a security is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the security and may be subject to review, (c) 2015 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC 15-MFI-0113 ICD BS 8/15 spension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning Rating Agency. Insurance pertains only to the timely payment ofItprincipal and inter-increases the board vote also When should you07/15/2036 start receiving Social Security? Maturity Date: (00/00/00)

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requirement to approve such transactions from a majority to two thirds of the board. “There is an opportunity to take the time to time to study each of the proposed changes,” she said, adding that “I won’t be voting yes across the board. As for the proposed $7 million Southside fire station project, she said that “facts are slim” at present and she doesn’t know enough to be able to support that level of spending. But she said having a reliable, up-to-date fire department that is in “close proximity to homes and condominiums” is a crucial component of Ocean Pines’ success as a community. Regarding her membership on the Aquatics committee, she said she’s been gratified that the committee is being reinvigorated after a few years where it was depleted of members and essentially not functioning. A short-lived chairman who resigned did not get along well with Kathleen Cook, the aquatics director, but Rakowski said that awkward situation has been remedied with the committee’s new chair, Ellen Hench. “Everyone is thrilled with the job Kathleen is doing as aquatics direc-

tor,” Rakowski said. “She’s doing an awesome job.” She added that the biggest challenge facing the department is finding qualified staff, including swimming instructors who can reestablish Ocean Pines’ swim lesson program. She said the committee has been advised that the outdoor pools will open Memorial Day weekend as scheduled. This year, three seats on the board will be up for election, those currently held by directors Larry Perrone, Peck and Wheatley. Ocean Pines’ Resolution M-06 calls for at least two more candidates than open seats, meaning the Association is seeking five or more candidates in 2022. The deadline to file is by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10. “If you’re thinking about applying as a candidate for the Ocean Pines Board of Directors, there’s a wealth of information at www.oceanpines. org,” Elections Committee Chairperson Carol Ludwig said in a recent OPA press release. “We also recommend that you establish contact with the Ocean Pines Search Committee, and educate yourself about the Ocean Pines community and governance through the bylaws and Book of Resolutions. To Page 24

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Horn pushes through changes to board candidate form Certain questions will now be specified as voluntary, not mandatory

By TOM STAUSS Publisher he Board of Directors in a special meeting April 22 approved changes to the board candidate registration form that makes clear that candidates are not required to fill out certain questions posed on the form. At the regular monthly meeting April 20, the board held a first reading to revise Resolution M-09, Attachment B, the board candidate registration form. The second reading and unanimous approval of the changes occurred in the brief special meeting April 22. Ocean Pines Association President Colette Horn in remarks during the April 20 meeting said the changes were necessary to clear up

confusion about the form. “When the By-laws and Resolutions Committee submitted their proposal for revision of the candidate registration form, there was acknowledgment that some of the questions in Section 3 were not directly related to the current requirements for candidate eligibility as set forth in the OPA bylaws,” she said. “Their position was that those questions would be of potential interest to voters, and on that basis were of value. “ Horn said there was never an intention to require candidates to answer certain questions, but the form approved by the board in March did not make this clear. “This proposed motion corrects that and removes any confusion about the necessity for candidates

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to answer the questions in that section,” she said. OPA counsel Jeremy Tucker reportedly told the board that the original version of the form needed to be changed because there was no basis in OPA by-laws currently that would require certain questions to be asked or answered. Questions that will now be labeled optional include: • Are you an incumbent director completing a second consecutive full term in office? • Are you ineligible to vote under Section 3.01(c) of the OPA by-laws? • Are you currently an employee of the OPA? • Have you been convicted of a felony within the past ten years? • Are you currently under investigation by local, state or federal agencies for any alleged crime? • Within the past ten years, have you ever served on any HOA board where you were forcibly removed? • Are any “other” owners of property [listed in the candidate application] currently serving on the board? • If a listed property is a trust, are

OPA election From Page 23 “Pay particular attention to Resolutions C-08 and M-06, as they pertain to candidate activities and elections procedures. Previous Board of Director meeting agendas, meeting materials and minutes are available at oceanpines.org, and videos of pre-

any of the other members of that trust serving on the board? • Is the property owner listed on the deed a corporation, LLC, partnership or agency? Already op- Colette Horn tional on the form are questions about candidate membership in social clubs and OPA advisory committees, chairmanship of advisory committees, service on executive committees of any organization in Ocean Pines, and work experience. The form mandates candidates submit a copy of state-issued identification and proof of ownership of Ocean Pines property. With respect to all the announced or mentioned as possible candidates to the board in the run-up to the May 10 filing deadline, none of the questions that are now labeled voluntary seem like they would be impediments to a board candidacy. Word that the board was working to amend the board candidate form in two back-to-back meetings in a single week, one a special meeting, may have been a factor in the fact that there’s been no rush by potential board candidates to file candidate application forms. vious Board of Director meetings can be viewed via YouTube and www. oceanpines.org,” Ludwig added. Applications are available at the administration building or on the Ocean Pines Association Website. The application was modified by the board in a special meeting April 22, making it explicit that certain questions on the form are voluntary.

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OCEAN PINES

Referendum ballots due back May 19 Board asking for approval of 28 proposed changes in OPA by-laws

he Ocean Pines Association mailed by-laws referendum ballots on or about Tuesday, April 19, to all eligible voters. Those ballots are due back by 4 p.m. on May 19. By the end of the week on Saturday, April 30, ballots had begun arriving in Ocean Pines mailboxes. That property owners eligible to vote will not have a full month to return the ballots by the May 19 deadline seems evident. The referendum asks homeowners to consider 28 revisions to the Ocean Pines Association by-laws. Association President Colette Horn said the proposed changes come after more than a year of re-

view by a board working group, the By-laws and Resolutions Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors. Several public meetings were also held to review the proposals. “We ask that homeowners consider the changes, which were vetted by the Board and by several committees, and discussed in public with the membership. These were also reviewed by Ocean Pines’ attorney,” Horn said. “We believe these changes are necessary to clear up some inconsistencies in the bylaws, and to help protect the Association from future litigation.” Ballots may be returned by mail or to the ballot box inside the Ocean Pines Police Department lobby on

239 Ocean Parkway. All ballots, however returned, must be sealed in the return envelope provided in the mailing. Use of a different envelope or no envelope will void the ballot. Association members are encouraged to use the ballot box, because of current uncertainties with the U.S. Postal Service. The ballot box is accessible 24-hours a day. To be eligible to vote, homeowners must have paid their 2021 assessment by 4 p.m. on April 15. To request a duplicate ballot or to inquire about other issues related to the referendum, email elections@ oceanpines.org or call 410-208-3989. For questions about voter eligibil-

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ity, email member@oceanpines.org. Ballots will be counted on May 20 in the Peach Room of the Ocean Pines Administration Building on 239 Ocean Parkway, starting at 10 a.m. The count will be open to the public and will be recorded and posted to the Association Website, www. oceanpines.org. A summary of all 28 questions follows: Question #1. Article I (New Section – Owner of Record) – This proposed change adds a new section to define the term “owner of record”, as the term is referenced in several other sections of the By-Laws. Question #2. Article I (New Section – Eligible to Vote) – This proposed change defines the term “eligible to vote”, as the term is used in several sections of the By-Laws. Question #3. Section 3.03(a) and Section 3.05 (Confirmation of Eligible to Vote) – This proposed change updates the language to be consistent with the terms “eligible to vote”. Question #4. Section 4.03 (Special Meeting by Petition Requirements) – This proposed change updates the language to reference Section 4.07(c)(3) to clarify the number of signatures required in a petition to call a special meeting. Question #5. Section 4.04 (Notice of Meetings) – This proposed change deals with meeting notification requirements and the responsibility the Association will have to send one notification to the contact information on file, regardless of whether there are multiple owners or multiple mailing addresses. Question #6. Section 4.07(a) (Submission of Certified or Rejected PeTo Page 27

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OCEAN PINES By-laws referendum From Page 26 tition) – This proposed change adds a missing detail to the petition review responsibilities of the OPA Secretary to file a public report with the board when a petition is rejected. Question #7. Section 4.07(c) (Petition Signature Requirements) – This proposed change is meant to better define the number of votes for a petition and adds the term “who are eligible to vote” in subsections 1, 2 and 3. Question #8. Section 4.08(c) and Section 4.08(d) (Referendum Approval Requirements) – This proposed change establishes a minimum number of votes required for a standalone referendum for and against, equal in number to 40 percent of the total votes eligible to be cast. Question #9. Section 5.01 (Board Member Qualification – Owner of Record) – This proposed change specifies that to serve on the board one must be an owner of record and also references that there are additional qualifications for election to the board. Question #10. Section 5.02(a) (Candidate Eligibility – Family Member Serving on the Board) – This proposed change addresses the issue of candidates running for the board if an immediate family member is also serving on the board. Question #11. Section 5.02(a) (Candidate Eligibility – Involved in Litigation with OPA) – This proposed change provides that a candidate for

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 27 election to the board cannot be a plaintiff in an active lawsuit with the Association nor as a defendant in a case where the Association is the plaintiff. Question #12. Section 5.02(a) (Candidate Eligibility – OPA Employee Prohibition) – This proposed change provides that a candidate for election to the board cannot be an employee of the Association. Question #13. Section 5.02(a) (Candidate Eligibility – Corporate Entity Ownership) – This proposed change provides that a candidate for election to the board must be an individual or a trustee of a trust, not a representative of a corporate entity that owns property within OPA. Question #14. Section 5.02(a) (Board Eligibility – Payment of Annual Charges) – This proposed change establishes that a candidate for election to the board must have paid the annual assessment. Question #15. Section 5.02(a) (Board Eligibility – Felony Conviction) – This proposed change would prohibit a person who was convicted of a felony under certain conditions from being eligible to be a candidate for election to the board. Question #16. Section 5.02(b) (Search Committee) – This proposed change alters the Search Committee appointment dates and permitted size of a Search Committee and confirms that an election will still be valid if a Search Committee is not established in that election year. Question #17. Section 5.02(c) (Candidate Ap-

plications) – This proposed change details the requirements for completing the application form that is required to be submitted to run for the board. Question #18. Section 5.02(d) (Candidate Eligibility Determination) – This proposed change defines the responsibilities of the Association Secretary in regard to validating candidate status for election and the requirements for reporting any discrepancies. The proposed changes also define how ballots will be counted if a candidate is found to be ineligible after ballots have been sent to the membership. Question #19. Section 5.04 (Appointed Director Qualification) – This proposed change makes the qualifications of appointed directors the same as those of candidates for the board as set forth in Section 5.02(a) of the By-Laws. Question #20. Section 5.10 (Board Decisions Outside of a Board Meeting) – This proposed change adds a reference to Maryland Code Section 2-408(c) with regard to informal actions by the board without conducting a meeting and adds an additional reporting requirement for such decisions. Question #21. Section 5.11 (Board Compensation – Family Membership) – This proposed change eliminates the reference to specific amenities and replaces it with “family membership to all amenities” to clarify the scope of the family membership each director is entitled to. u

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Paula Gray joins those who urge a delay in by-laws referendum

Asks directors ‘why the rush’ in sending out ballots By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer roperty owner Paula Gray wants to know what’s the rush to conduct a referendum on proposed changes to the Ocean Pines Association’s bylaws. During the Public Comments segment of an April 20 meeting, Gray told the Board of Directors that property owners need more information and input on the proposed changes or the referendum will fail to garner approval. “What’s the ridiculous rush? The current by-laws, however antiquated, have been in place for many years and albeit they are not at all functional. A general consensus however of a lot of the people in the Pines unless there are more details and question and answer times, that there will be an across the board no,” Gray said.

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OCEAN PINES Gray joined a group of current former and directors and OPA directors in her call for a delay in the referendum. Of the seven directors now serving, directors Doug Parks and Rick Farr have said that conducting the referendum under the current schedule risks their defeat. They urged a delay in sending out ballots. Former directors Martin Clarke, Slobodan Trendic, Esther Diller and Tom Janasek agree. Janasek is an announced candidate for the board this summer. Gray has said she giving serious consideration to Paula Gray running. Gray added that an across-the-board rejection of the proposed by-law changes would be “unfair” because of all the work that has been done to update the governing documents. She thanked the members of the By-laws and Resolutions Advisory Committee for their work on the by-laws update and ensured them that any questions the public has about the referendum is not a reflection of their u

By-laws referendum From Page 27 Question #22. Section 5.12(c) (Removal of a Director for Cause – Felony Conviction) – This proposed change adds that if a director is convicted of a felony under certain conditions it is a basis for their removal from the board for cause. Question #23. Section 5.13(c) (Approval of Sale, Mortgage or Development of Property) – This proposed change lowers the percentage from 20 percent to 10 percent for transactions to transfer, encumber or develop OPA property without input from the membership and increases the board vote requirement to approve such transactions from a majority to two thirds of the board. This change aligns with the change made last year to 5.13(d)(1), which limited the

board’s capital spending amount to $1 million. Question #24. Section 5.14(e) and Section 5.14(f) (Check and Contracting and Fund Withdrawal Authority) – These proposed changes establish the reference to the Financial Policies and Procedures manuals as the source for guidelines regarding contracts, spending and withdraw approval authority. Question #25. Section 5.14(l) (Clarification of the Secretary’s Review of Petitions) – This proposed change adds the language that the board will consider petitions that are “certified as valid by the OPA secretary…” to the existing language, which reflects the cecretary’s existing responsibility to certify a petition. Question #26. Section 6.03 (Secretary Resignation if Running for the Board) – This proposed change clarifies the requirement that if the current secretary of the Association is running in an upcoming election, he/she must resign the position and the board will elect a new secretary to finish out the term. Question #27. Section 8.04 (Transfer of Budget Items Procedure) – This proposed change makes a required reference to the Financial Policy and Procedures manuals and clarifies this as the appropriate reference rather than the inference that the board could establish its own guidelines, which could change from meeting to meeting. Question #28. Section 9.02(c) (Personnel Policy Clarification) – This proposed change updates the language in reference to make lowercase “personnel policy procedures manuals” (note the capitalization), to avoid the possible interpretation that the existing language requires a specific manual so entitled, which is not the case.

OCEAN PINES Paula Gray From Page 28 hard work. “Having to put together something where you can’t tear it down to zero and start over again is one of the most difficult things anyone can do, whether it’s a building or a project,” she said. Gray said there need to be additional meetings with the property owners regarding the proposed bylaws changes. She said the OPA held one 8 a.m. meeting for the public and one town hall meeting that she called “more of a lecture event.” She said that “most people have found that off-putting to say the least.” She called out board members for having canned responses to questions about the referendum, saying the general response is that the materials have been printed and are available for members to read. “That’s that. Move on,” she said. Gray suggested holding additional public meetings while the referendum ballots are out to property owners. She even recommended inviting the By-laws and Resolutions Advisory Committee “so they can

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 29 explain how they ended up there and one or two of the board members could explain why they feel it’s so necessary.” She also took aim at the post office saying delivery of ballots in a timely fashion is unlikely. “Why is the board not giving serious consideration to the nationally known fact that the post office is a mess and postal delivery worse?” she asked. Gray recommended adding language to the referendum materials asking property owners to put the ballots in the OPA drop box if they haven’t mailed them by a certain date in order to ensure they are properly counted. She noted that 258 ballots were received late in the last board election and were not counted. Gray also took issue with the tendency of some board members to interrupt members making public comments at meeting. “The five minutes given is just that, given. Since these statements are never questions and answers are not expected, why do we have to have these interu

Horn discloses costs of Farr litigation By TOM STAUSS Publisher ick Farr has been a duly recognized and participating member of the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors for several months now, and at times it’s even possible to forget it took months and protracted litigation to get to that point. Of course, it also happened that he won more votes than anyone else in the 2021 election. The only unfinished business from the litigation is a disclosure on the cost of that litigation borne by the Ocean Pines Association, many of whose members were Farr supporters and voters and appalled that a board majority had been determined to keep him off the board on what turned out to be a flawed theory that he was not an owner of record. OPA President Collette Horn said in a recent email to the Progress in response to an Maryland Homeowners Act informational request that the litigation cost the OPA $20,531, with additional costs absorbed by the OPA’s insurance company. Horn said that the cost included OPA Counsel Jeremy Tucker’s time handling inquiries by directors on the possibility of appealing the decision by a visiting Worcester County Circuit Court judge backing Farr’s position that he was an owner of record when he filed his candidacy to the board about a year ago. Tucker reportedly advised the board that an appeal was unlikely to succeed.

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30 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022 Paula Gray From Page 29 ruptions by certain board members? It seems like all of the time. We don’t need that,” she said. Finally, she said the board needs to stop the dissension that exists among the members and noted that some people call it “the funny farm.” “You all represent 8,500 homes. What’s happening is you’re only being seen out there by what goes wrong. You’re not being seen by what goes right,” Gray told the board. “Knock it off.” At the beginning of the April 20 meeting, OPA President Colette Horn outlined a new process for the Public Comments portion of the agenda. She said Linda Martin, OPA assistant secretary, will now time speakers and ring a bell when they hit their five-minute limit for Public Comments. “We’ll see how this works. And if that approach works for all I will continue to institute that practice in future meetings,” Horn said. In the case of Gray, it worked perfectly. She literally completed her remarks as the bell sounded.

OCEAN PINES

ROC founder Sherrie Clifford suggests that OPA create new social media site Call for shutting down sites with their own agendas is later modified in recognition that sites aren’t subject to closure by the OPA By TOM STAUSS Publisher he social media “wars” in Ocean Pines migrated to a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee on March 29, when Residents Oversight Community (ROC) founder Sherrie Clifford suggested that there is “a need to shut down [local social media groups] that have their own agendas behind them.” She also suggested that the Ocean Pines Association create a new social media site to combat negativity elsewhere, a suggestion that seemed to overlook that the OPA already maintains a Facebook page and publishes numerous publications, from a quarterly activities to an activities guide, and a Website, along with e-blasts and press releases, all without even a hint of negativity. Joe Reynolds, administrator of another “social” media site active in Ocean Pines, oceanpinesforum.

Sherrie Clifford

Esther Diller

Joe Reynolds

com, weighed in on the comment, calling it draconian, appalling, an early April Foods joke and incredible. Those who responded to his commentary tended to agree with that assessment. Reynolds’ forum is a Website, while Clifford’s u

black and white

OCEAN PINES Social media ‘wars’

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 31

Shades of Spring

Clifford’s idea for an OPA-managed social media site was “absolutely absurd.” She also rejected the narrative promoted by Reynolds that she and Clifford are at “war” with one another. “The Get Involved group is not at war with anyone. The Get Involved group has said nothing negative about [Reynolds’] forum or the ROC page. That can’t be said by other pages about the Get Involved page. Regardless, it doesn’t matter. It’s like a playground, fights, bullying and nastiness happen. So what.” She called the idea that Ocean Pines residents would stop using their favored sites for a “new” OPAFacebook page or newspaper “is comical at best. It [would] be viewed as one-sided by many. I would also Äƃƃé: ZĪ Z|ùêń şļź ùŶ®Ī© Ĝōé ZĒşŒä B|êĉ ZŒĪ© ask who would be running it, but it actually doesn’t matter.” Z|ùêń şļź© B ¼ļùêĉ© B She suggested that no one cares ĦC¼ŹŒ ŒĒ Œä¼ &ļ¼¼÷ TêŒ| Tù| ¼ V¼ńŒ|şļ|ĉŒħ ĦĜ ùĒ ÷ ńĒşŒä ĒÏ Œù|ĉŒê +ĒŒ¼ùħ 0AìÚŖ[ƇŎƠ ŎìÚþ if there are 50 Facebook or Internet groups in Ocean Pines and ĬŮÚiAì that peo ÖĿ¨ Ď¨ÖĚĎÆ ÖĿ¨Ď Ö¨ģĿģĿ ĬŮÚiAì ple are free to join whatever Äƃƃé: ZĪgroup Z|ùêń şļź ùŶ®Ī© Ĝōé ZĒşŒä B|êĉ ZŒĪ© B % ĎéŌ `éqé`+ ĎéÑ¨ŗƃ Z|Œ Ďéŗ B©`©`+ % Ď |ĪăĪ ŒĒ Ô¨ŗƃ ĤĪăĪ Z|ùêń şļź© B ¼ļùêĉ© B or groups they prefer. ĦC¼ŹŒ ŒĒ Œä¼ &ļ¼¼÷ TêŒ| Tù| ¼ V¼ńŒ|şļ|ĉŒħ ĦĜ ùĒ ÷ ńĒşŒä ĒÏ Œù|ĉŒê +ĒŒ¼ùħ Diller said that negativity can ÖĿ¨ Ď¨ÖĚĎÆ ÖĿ¨Ď Ö¨ģĿģĿ surface in every social media B % ĎéŌ group `éqé`+ ĎéÑ¨ŗƃ Z|Œ Ďéŗ B©`©`+ % Ď |ĪăĪ ŒĒ Ô¨ŗƃ ĤĪăĪ active in Ocean Pines. “[The OPA] board has exhibited %V B behavior .C Z`H : not HBT< ` Z HC negative p Vt and hateful qêŒä Tşļ ä|ń¼ ĒÏ VŹ <¼ĉń¼ńĪ .ĉ ùş®¼ń ¼ńêÖĉ¼ļ T .V H% &< ZZ Z representative we should %ļ|ă¼ńĪ of HşŒńê®¼what Tļ¼ń ļêĤŒêĒĉń q¼ù Ēă¼Ī ĒÏ ¼ış|ù Ēļ ù¼ńń¼ļ ĒÏ Ŷ|ùş¼VŹ ŷêŒä <¼ĉń¼ńĪ ń|ă¼ VŹĪ .ĉ ùş®¼ń ¼ńêÖĉ¼ļ qêŒä Tşļ ä|ń¼ ZĒă¼ V¼ńŒļê ŒêĒĉń ĤĤùź ŹĤêļ¼ń ÑéŗĜéĜŝ ZĒă¼ V¼ńŒļê ŒêĒĉń ĤĤùź ŹĤêļ¼ń ÑéŗĜéĜŝ be showing in Ocean Pines. If they ă|÷¼ źĒşļ |ĤĤĒêĉŒă¼ĉŒ |Œ¨ Z|ùêń şļźTļ¼ń ļêĤŒêĒĉń HĤŒê |ù Ēļ ¼ļùêĉ HĤŒê |ùĪ q¼ù Ēă¼Ī q¼ | ¼ĤŒ ă|ĉź ŶêńêĒĉ êĉńşļ|ĉ ¼ Ĥù|ĉńĪ ń÷ şń | ĒşŒ tHeVZĪ`ä¼ĉ %ļ|ă¼ńĪ HşŒńê®¼ ĒÏ ¼ış|ù Ēļ ù¼ńń¼ļ Ŷ|ùş¼ ŷêŒä ń|ă¼ VŹĪ5-31-19 don’t like you, then you can’t even Expires 5-31-19 5/21/22 Some Restrictions Apply Expires Some Restrictions Apply Expires 5/21/22 serve on a committee,” a reference ZĒă¼ V¼ńŒļê ŒêĒĉń ĤĤùź ŹĤêļ¼ń ÑéŗĜéĜŝ ZĒă¼ V¼ńŒļê ŒêĒĉń ĤĤùź ŹĤêļ¼ń ÑéŗĜéĜŝ to the board’s recent rejection of her q¼ | ¼ĤŒ ă|ĉź ŶêńêĒĉ êĉńşļ|ĉ ¼ Ĥù|ĉńĪ ń÷ şń | ĒşŒtHeVZĪ`ä¼ĉ ă|÷¼ źĒşļ |ĤĤĒêĉŒă¼ĉŒ |Œ¨Z|ùêń şļź HĤŒê |ù Ēļ ¼ļùêĉ HĤŒê |ùĪ husband Dr. Stuart Lakernick’s ap u

From Page 30 site is a Facebook page, augmented by Twitter and other platforms. A member of the OPA’s candidate Search Committee, she’s actively considering becoming a candidate for the Board of Directors. Reynolds operates a message board with frequent “pot-stirring” comments designed to promote a conversation. Reynolds in his scathing commentary did not mention the name of Clifford’s site, which could be construed as an alternative, even competitive, site to his forum. She defended her comment at the planning committee meeting in a post on Reynolds’s site, and backed off on her call to shut down social groups active in Ocean Pines. “In my opinion, the Ocean Pines Association definitely needs a social media/marketing committee to keep on top of the negativity, hate and attacks that are out of control against anyone that tries to contribute to the association. If the OPA potentially were to have their own paper and/or social media group, residents might be more likely to read and communicate where centralized factual information is being shared,” she wrote. Clifford said that by attending meetings, listening to residents “and now enduring personal attacks,” she finds it “amazing that anyone would ever want to be a part of working with the association.” She then acknowledged that “no one can shut down other groups,” but added that “if there were an alternative with answers and factual information without the constant attacks, our residents just might be more attracted to join an OPA group. Ideas and suggestions are not meant for crucifying a person but should be used for open discussions. But then again, if it’s drama and chaos that some constantly seek, then nothing anyone can do or say will be of help.” In another comment, she said that Ocean Pines “has a social media crisis” on its hands “right now, and the OPA needs to get this under control vs. always being on defense.” The call for a social media/marketing committee, or for a newspaper or social media group to counter negativity in the community, did not sit well with those who posted on Reynolds’ site. Among those commenting was Esther Diller, founder of the Get Involved Facebook page, who made it abundantly clear she believes

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32 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

Local American Legion post honors Pines police officer, dispatcher Veteran members of OPPD cited for work ethic and leadership skills

wo Ocean Pines Police Department employees received top honors during a March 30 ceremony of the American Legion, Synepuxent Post 166. For 2021, the Legion honored Lt. Shakhan Toppin as Police Officer of the Year and Pco. Cindy Ward as Dispatcher of the Year. Ocean Pines Police Chief Leo Ehrisman said the American Legion has long shown staunch support for local law enforcement. “The American Legion is a big backer of emergency services,” he said. “Any officer, fireman, or veteran, if you walk in and say, ‘I need a meal, I’ve been working on 10 hours and I need a sandwich,’ their doors are open.” Ehrisman said the Legion also hosts annual recognition ceremonies for local police, firefighters, EMS, and Coast Guard workers. “The American Legion calls each organiza-

Social media ‘wars’ From Page 31 plication to serve on two advisory committees. “It’s life. It happens,” she said. According to Diller, her Facebook page now is home for more than 1,000 members, “but like [Reynolds’] forum, the majority of the Get involved page is actually Ocean Pines residents.” That seemed to be a dig at Clifford’s site, which also boasts 1,000plus members but which some of Diller’s supporters have suggested has many members who are not Ocean Pines residents. “Reality check here. There will

tion for a nominee, and then the chief for each gets to make a nomination and they get to present the award with one of the American Legion personnel,” he said. Ehrisman said both Toppin and Ward are long-time members of the Ocean Pines Police Department that have demonstrated their strong work ethic and leadership skills. “I nominated Toppin because he recently moved up into the command staff, with his promotion to lieutenant after many years of experience being a road supervisor,” Ehrisman said. “He’s been on the command staff since I took office here, as police chief, two years ago. “Cindy has many years of experience as a 911 dispatcher, and she’s also our training coordinator for public communications,” he continued. “It was also cool to see the dispatcher awards for the first time this year, because

be no legal way for the board or this potential new social media committee to shut down any other Internet pages or groups. This is nothing more than rhetorical nonsense,” Diller said of Clifford’s since retrcted idea. She suggested that anyone who wants to be involved “in our beautiful community” should run for the board or join one of our existing committees.” Encouraging that degree of involvement in Ocean Pines was a founding purpose of her page, and it’s had some recruitment success. Clifford did not return Progress phone calls for additional comment on the recent kerfuffle.

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those dispatchers are always left out and they’re an important part of our department.” Ehrisman said the awards serve as a significant morale boost. “I think it leaves a big impression, because it’s the American Legion of Ocean City, but they don’t limit their support and their resources to Ocean City. They offer that support to all agencies in the county,” he said. Ehrisman said the Ocean Pines Police Department is currently hiring officers and dispatchers. Police academy candidates are also welcome to apply.

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 33

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OCEAN PINES BRIEFS

Public Works yard to open in May

The Ocean Pines Public Works yard will be open to Ocean Pines residents May 2-28 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Yard debris may be dropped off during this time. Only loose yard debris, such as leaves and limbs, is accepted. Debris may also be placed in paper bags. Plastic bags are not allowed. Republic Services customers may place up to four additional bags of leaves or yard debris curbside for each scheduled pickup. Republic will also pick up branches if they are tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing no more than 50 pounds. Trash collection days for residents south of Route 90 are Tuesday and Friday. For residents north of Route 90, the collection days are Monday and Thursday. The Public Works yard is located at 1 Firehouse Lane, next to the Public Works Department. For more information, contact Public Works at 410-6417425.

Horn promises shorter meetings

In remarks during the April 20 monthly meeting of the Board of Directors, Ocean Pines Association President Colette Horn jokingly apologized for the “punishingly long” Board meeting last month, which clocked in at just over three hours. “My colleague, Doug Parks, tells me that I may have won – or possibly lost – the award for the longest meeting on record,” she said with a laugh. Horn committed to keeping future meetings “within a reasonable timeframe” and to shorten meeting agendas. The new approach paid off, as the April 20 meeting lasted roughly 45 minutes.

Board approves capital purchases

OPA directors at the April 20 board meeting unanimously approved two capital purchase requests: $55,260 for ATC Corporation for pickleball court repairs, and $20,547.68 for The Chiavari Chair Company for banquet chairs. General Manager John Viola said the pickleball court repairs were necessary because of safety issues caused by spreading cracks. Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin said the chairs were part of the approved budget for Yacht Club equipment.

Board OKS bridge lighting change

Also during the April 20 meeting, board secretary Josette Wheatley announced that, because of a change in pricing, the board in an email vote early in April swapped out vendors for installing new lighting on the Northgate bridge, part of an ongoing renovation of the iconic structure initiated by General Manager John Viola last year. In March, the board had approved the low bid of $42,394.70 submitted by Denney Electric of Millsboro, which subsequently informed the OPA that its price had risen to $48,449.78. Because of that, Viola asked the board to award the bid to Capital Tristate, which had submitted a bid of $46,310.65. The directors unanimously agreed to accept the new low bid.

Questions sought for candidate forums

The Ocean Pines Elections Committee will host two forums for Ocean Pines Board of Directors candidates: one at 6 p.m. on June 22 and the other at 10 a.m. on June 25, both in the Golf Clubhouse meeting room on 100 Clubhouse Drive. OPA members may participate by submitting forum questions ahead of time. The Elections Committee will consider all questions sent by Association members. Questions may be emailed to elections@oceanpines.org or left on the Elections Committee voicemail at 410-208-3989.

Yacht Club earns ‘Couples Choice’ award

WeddingWire, a leading wedding vendor marketplace, recently announced the Ocean Pines Yacht Club as a winner of its 2022 WeddingWire

OCEAN PINES

Couples’ Choice Awards recognizing top vendors and venues. The award is based on ratings of quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire. The Yacht Club currently has a 4.7 out of 5 rating. “To determine these distinguished wedding professionals, WeddingWire analyzed reviews within its Vendor Directory across more than 20 service categories – from venues and caterers to florists and photographers – to find the most- and highest-rated vendors of the year. The winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the millions of couples who turn to WeddingWire to help with their wedding planning process each month,” WeddingWire said in a release. “We’re so excited to be a Couple’s Choice award winner. We sincerely appreciate all of our couples’ reviews and truly enjoy being a part of their special day,” Lia Isel, who oversees event bookings in Ocean Pines, said. The Ocean Pines Yacht Club is a waterfront wedding venue that can accommodate up to 225 guests in the three different spaces. Picturesque views are a part of the package. Couples can also book weddings and other functions at the oceanfront Ocean Pines Beach Club in Ocean City, or the Golf Club in Ocean Pines.

Board approves two appointments

At the April 20 monthly meeting, directors approved two appointments to advisory committees. Gary Murray was appointed to the Architectural Review Committee, first term, and Jennifer Cropper-Rines was given a one-year extension to the Communications Committee.

Har-tru court resurfacing set

Annual resurfacing of the eight Har-tru clay courts at the Ocean Pines Racquet Center on Manklin Creek Road was scheduled for the week of April 25, according to Parks and Recreation Director Debbie Donahue. At most only three courts will be closed at a time, and resurfacing should be completed in about a week, weather permitting, she said.

Controlled burn moved to mid-May

A planned controlled burn of the Seasons Plaza commercial building on Route 589 has been moved to mid-May, because of permitting issues. The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department held training sessions at the site last month. Chief Steve Grunewald said the fire department acquired the rights to the commercial building, near the snowball stand and Walgreens on Route 589, between Cathell Road and Racetrack Road. It’s the future site of a Royal Farms store, and Grunewald said the company granted rights to use the property for training. The opportunity was also extended to neighboring agencies. “It is very rare to have an opportunity to train in a commercial structure, so department leadership has offered to share our access with neighboring fire and police departments,” he said. “To ensure the highest level of safety, a representative from the OPVFD will always be on-site while neighboring agencies train.” A controlled burn and demolition of the building was tentatively scheduled for April 9, but Grunewald said requirements related to demolition and removal permits would postpone that activity until the middle of next month. He said the fire department would continue to use the building for training exercises for the next several weeks, until the actual burn.

Golf scholarship announcements pending

Members of the Ocean Pines Golf Club and the Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council will award several scholarships of $2,000 or more to 2022 high school graduates in support of their college plans. The Scholarship Committee of the Golf Members’ Council will begin meeting in early May to review scholarship applications. The committee will announce scholarship awards later in May. “Those who have an application should return it to their school’s college

OCEAN PINES

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 35

guidance office by the April 29 deadline,” Scholarship Committee Chairman Bob Long said. Students seeking an application may download one online, here: https:// oceanpines.org//documents/10184/89280/Scholarship+Application+2022. pdf. “These scholarships are intended for local students who have shown an interest in golf – active participation in competitive golf is not a requirement,” Long said. “Golf team members and recreational golfers, along with those interested in golf management and turf science, are encouraged to apply.” The Ocean Pines Golf Members’ Council has awarded more than $35,000 to local seniors during the last six years. For more information, contact Long at rmlong@aol.com.

Flags for heroes deadline May 11

The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation has joined with the Rotary Club of Ocean City/Berlin to create a display of flags that will fly in Veterans Memorial Park, along Route 589, in Ocean Pines to honor heroes. Individuals and community businesses can be part of this tribute by sponsoring a flag for just $50. The sponsors’ name and their hero’s names will be identified on each flag. Proceeds from this project will benefit Student’s Education Outreach projects, community charities, and the Rotary Scholarship Fund. Cutoff date to sponsor a flag is May 11.

One-mile fun run set for May 14

Families of all ages are invited to enjoy a day of fitness fun as the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department hosts its first one-mile fun run/ walk on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. The event, which will include a 1-mile walk or run around the South Gate Pond and a variety of other fun activities, is designed to encourage families to exercise together, according to event supervisor Katie Goetzinger. The after-walk party at the park will last until 2 p.m. and will feature moon bounces, face painting, music, vendors and giveaways, all of which are included in the registration fee. Food will also be available for purchase. The cost to participate is $10 per person before the event; day-of registration is $15 and begins at 9 a.m. Those who pre-register are guaranteed an event t-shirt, and all participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a new bicycle. “Event vendors will include the Get Baked food trolley and Ray’s Wraps, which offers sand art, hair wraps and airbrush tattoos. Recreation and Parks will also have a concession stand with snacks and drinks for sale,” Goetzinger said. Sponsors are needed for this family-friendly event. Sponsorship levels range from $50-$200 and include race entries, promotion on event t-shirts and recognition in event publicity and banners. Businesses interested in sponsorships should contact Goetzinger at kgoetzinger@oceanpines.org or 410-641-7052. This program is open to the public and pre-registration is suggested. For more information or to register, call 410-641-7052.

Chamber to host flounder tourney

The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce has announced its 15th annual Flounder Tournament and Auction that will take place on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Ocean Pines Association and Gateway Subaru are the corporate event sponsors this year. Last year, despite the rain, more than 280 anglers were registered, with the winning flatty, and its angler, taking home over $5,000. Participants must be registered by Friday, August 5, at noon. Weigh-in and auction will take place at the Ocean Pines Marina and Yacht Club. Lines should be in at 7 a.m., out by 3 p.m., and fish weighed in by 4 p.m. Sponsorships are available. All information and registration can be found on the Chamber’s Website, https://business.oceanpineschamber.org/events/details/15th-annual-flounder-tournament-14722. For more information, call the Ocean Pines Chamber at 410-641-5306 or email info@oceanpineschamber.org.

The Seagulls, Tuesday League champions, are, left to right, John Larue, Larry Sparta, Donna Wildt, and Alan Wildt.

Pines bowling league finishes strong

There was a hard-fought battle going on at the Ocean Lanes Bowling Center on Tuesday, April 19. It was the roll-off of the Monday Champions and the Tuesday Champions of the Ocean Pines Mixed Bowling League. The Monday Champions were the Pintails with team members Blair Snyder, Mitzi Costello, Howard Scholl and Larry Salathe. The Tuesday Champions, the Seagulls, were 2022 League Champions winning a best of three roll-off. The league will begin their next season in late September 2022. A kickoff meeting will be held on Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. in the Ocean Pines Community Center. Current and prospective members are encouraged to attend. The OPMBL has been active for more than 20 years. This year there were 18 teams divided between Monday and Tuesday. The games start at 1 p.m. each day. It is a mixed league with four people on each team. Those needing more information should contact Barbara Harman at 301980-7798.

BJ’s membership offer returns to Ocean Pines

BJ’s Wholesale Club is once again partnering with the Ocean Pines Association to bring a special membership offer, effective April 15-29, to benefit the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines Foundation. With this offer, new members receive a 12-month BJ’s Inner Circle Membership for $25 and $10 in cash awards to be used at the register, or a BJ’s Perks Rewards Membership, which earns 2 percent cash back on most BJ’s purchases, for $75 and $20 in cash awards, with BJ’s Easy Renewal. Existing Inner Circle members can purchase a 12-month renewal for $55 and receive $10 in cash awards to be used at the register. Existing Perks Rewards members can purchase a 12-month renewal for $110 and receive $20 in cash awards, with BJ’s Easy Renewal. Cash awards will be added to the member’s primary membership account 24 hours after enrollment and must be used within 30 days from the membership enrollment date. In addition to offering special membership benefits, BJ’s will donate $5 of each Inner Circle membership fee and $10 of each Perks Rewards membership fee to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines Foundation. This special promotion is only offered through Ocean Pines two times a year. The next promotion will be in October. Current BJ’s members whose memberships will expire before then are encouraged to renew during the spring offer. Members can check their current expiration dates by checking their BJ’s receipts or the BJ’s app, or by calling 1-800-257-2582. BJ’s membership applications are available at the Ocean Pines Association Administration Building at 239 Ocean Parkway and online at oceanpines.org. Applications must be returned with payment by April 29. Check and credit card payments will be accepted. Applications may be placed in the drop box in the administration building outer lobby, dropped off at the administration building front desk or mailed to Ocean Pines Association, Attn: Marketing, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD 21811. For more information, call 410-641-7717 ext. 3014.

36 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

Trendic named spokesman of effort to petition sports complex project Opponents have 40-day window to collect signatures to bring the bond issue bill to referendum

By TOM STAUSS Publisher cean Pines resident and former Ocean Pines Association Director Slobodan Trendic has agreed to be the official spokesman for a group of county residents who are launching a petition drive in opposition to a $11.1 million county bond issue related to a proposed sports complex on Route 50 adjacent to Stephen Decatur High School. The bond issue proceeds would be used for the purchase of the Route 50 parcel and for initial planning and study costs. A bond issue bill was passed 4-3 by the Worcester County Commissioners April 19 following a public hearing, which drew participants that were split roughly 50-50 on the merits of the proposed sports complex. The group of opponents met on the evening of April 25 in a meeting room of the Ocean Pines library and later in the home of Grant Helvey, a Republican candidate for county commissioner from District 5, to explore the ways and means of launching a petition in opposition to the bond issue. Citizen-initiated referendums are rare in Worcester County. It seems unlikely that there’s enough time for this petition drive to gather a sufficient number of signatures for the June primary ballot. The November general election ballot is the more realistic target. Petitioners have 40 days from the date the bond bill was passed, April 19, to gather signatures, with 10 percent of registered voters in the county needed to qualify for the ballot. There are roughly 40,000 registered voters in the county, so about 4,000 signatures would be needed for the petition effort to succeed. Trendic told the Progress that preliminary study indicates that if only five per cent or about 2,000 signatures are collected within the 40-day window, the petitioners can ask for a 40-day extension to collect the other 2,000. “We are in the preliminary stage and our discussions are ongoing. A critical research on the legal aspect of relevant state and local laws as well as the process that governs the petition is now under way,” Trendic said in a statement to the Progress. “We intend to invite representatives from other communities to assist us with this important undertaking. We believe this effort needs to be collaborative and inclusive in order to have a valid petition and successful outcome.” Trendic said he doesn’t oppose a sports complex per se, only the proposed public financing mechanism, which he said depends 100 percent on county taxpayers. He said he personally is

open to a public-private partnership. He also said Berlin officials have not been consulted on infrastructure issues related to the project. Although still early in the process, Trendic invited anyone willing to help with signature collection or who simply want to sign the petition to contact him via email at strendic@yahoo.com. Two county commissioner candidates competing for Districts 5 and 6 commissioner seats were in attendance at the April 25 planning meeting, including Helvey and Richard Addis, the District 6 candidate for county commissioner. Also attending was Katie Addis, Richard Addis’ spouse, a Republican running for a school board seat from District 6. Richard Addis is running as a Republican against Jim Bunting in District 6, which includes a swath of north Ocean Pines. District 5 includes the majority of the Ocean Pines land mass. In a post on oceanpinesforum.com, Katie Addis said the group had invited all three county commissioners who opposed the bond issue to the meeting, a claim that incumbent District 5 commissioner, Chip Bertino of Ocean Pines, said was incorrect about him. Bertino in a post on the forum also made it clear that while he’s supportive of the petition effort, and hopes it succeeds, he did not feel it proper for him to be involved in the petition drive. “If I were to get involved as a sitting commissioner and a candidate for reelection, politics and derisive commentary would overshadow the participation and objectives of citizens to petition this issue to referendum. This referendum petition is an opportunity for the voices of county citizens to be heard. Nothing, especially election-year politics, should get in the way of that,” he said. Bertino said that he had not been invited to the meeting and that “if it hadn’t been for a phone call I received last evening a few minutes before 6 p.m., I would not have known about it at all.” According to Katie Addis, “all the commissioners who voted” against the bond issue earlier in April after a public hearing were invited. “Commissioner Bunting did not answer the phone and his voicemail was full. Commissioner Bertino was invited and talked at great length with one of the “architects” of the petition ... Commissioner Ted Elder was unable to attend but did send a person as a proxy to listen to the information and relay it to him,” she said. The meeting on April 25 was not “secret” but private, she said, and “if you don’t want the county spending roughly $30 million dollars of taxpayer money [on the project], contact one of us and sign the petition and force this to be voted

WORCESTER COUNTY on at the ballot box this November.” The unnanounced library planning meeting was in effect “crashed” by Joe Reynolds, the administrator of the forum site, probably tipped off by Bertino, according to Katie Addis. “It is my belief that instead of doing what he thought was best for the citizens of Worcester Slobodan Trendic County, Chip Bertino gave a last minute phone call to Joe Reynolds and told him about the meeting in an attempt to score political points for himself and long-time political ally Jim Bunting. It’s apparent that Joe was targeting Chip Bertino’s challenger Grant Helvey ...” she said. According to Reynolds, he showed up at the meeting and was repeatedly asked to leave but declined, after which the group decided to leave the library and reconvene at Helvey’s Ocean Pines home. Reynolds contended, and has library policy in his corner, that says no one can be denied attendance at a meeting held in one of the library’s meeting rooms. Reynolds’ apparent pot-stirring did not sit well with Trendic, who called it “truly sad your [Reynolds’] post resulted in casting a dark cloud over an honest effort by a few concerned citizens who decided to take on this challenging initiative.” But he subsequently apologized to Reynolds, conceding that the private strategy meeting should have been held in a private home rather than at the library. But Trendic said the issue over the proper venue for a planning meeting should not overshadow what the group is attempting to pull off in a relatively short period of time. “I hope a [summary of the April 25 meeting] will change the minds of those who prematurely posted their harsh criticism and other members who simply decided to wait for my response,” Trendic continued. “While there may be political differences between the various candidates, the sports complex project is an issue that we all need to get behind and work together for the common good of the county.” Trendic said he was glad that Reynolds and other forum members “share the same concerns we have and plan to support our petition efforts.” He summarized the April 25 meeting as a “group of concerned citizens [who] held a brainstorming session in order to come up with a strategy and an action plan with a single goal, to petition the county to hold off going to the bond market for the sports complex project. “We reached out to all three commissioners who voted No. We succeeded in speaking directly with two of them. Both were made aware of the group’s effort; both were invited to attend yesterday’s meeting,” he concluded. Except for the dispute over whether Bertino was invited to the stragegy session, there doesn’t really seem to be much difference among these Republicans on the merits of the petition drive.

WORCESTER COUNTY

Helvey makes polite case for why he should succeed Bertino as Ocean Pines commissioner

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 37

Cites recruitment effort by United for Freedom Maryland for decision to compete against eight-year incumbent By TOM STAUSS Publisher rant Helvey some months ago was thinking about running for the county commission in District 5, representing a large portion of Ocean Pines. What decided it for him was his involvement in a little known group called United for Freedom Maryland, whose Facebook page declares its intention to recruit like-minded candidates to run for local office under the banner of restoring constitutional norms in government. He’s particularly interested in property rights and first amendment protections that he feels have been eroded by government at all levels. He was invited to a gathering in Snow Hill of about 25 local members of United for Freedom Maryland and found that his and their views of the U.S. Constitution were in sync. At that point persuading him to run for office, something he has done already, was not too difficult. The local affiliate of the United for Freedom Maryland organization has found county commission and school board candidates to run in some but not all of the Republican primary contests in Worcester County. Richard Addis is running as a Republican in District 6, pitting him against Jim Bunting, a veteran commissioner. District 6 includes a swath of north Ocean Pines and extends northward to the Delaware border. Addis’ wife Katie is running for school board in the same district. Karen Abbott is running as a United for Freedom-endorsed candidate for school board in District 1, and Jamie Marie Rice is running for the school board in District 4. School board elections in Worcester County are non-partisan, but it’s apparent that United for Freedom Maryland is endorsing school board candidates who want to return control of schools to parents. Helvey is running in the Repub-

lican primary in July against Chip Bertino, who was first elected to the commission about eight years ago. Bertino has fashioned what can be described as a conservative record reflecting his community. He often teams up with his ally, Bunting, in opposing the initiatives of his more “progressive” colleagues. Bunting often laments the turning away from conservative principles of his colleagues, all but one Republicans. “I like Jim,” Helvey said, but he is endorsing Addis, Bunting’s opponent, in the primary because Addis, too, was recruited and endorsed by United for Freedom Maryland. Helvey knows he’s got an uphill climb to knock off Bertino in the primary. Case in point on where Bertino has carved a conservative path through county governance: the controversial sports complex adjacent to Stephen Decatur High School on Route 50 in Berlin that has been on an approval fast-track for some months, most recently with a 4-3 vote in favor of proceeding to buy the acreage for $11 million, to be paid for with a county bond issue. Bertino was on the losing side on that vote, with Bunting and Ted Elder from the southern part of the county. Another issue where Bertino joined with Bunting in opposition: county support for purchasing the Black Eyed Susan riverboat by Snow Hill. As if to ratify the perceptiveness of these two dissenters: the Black Eyed Susan recently encountered the need for repairs, after one season of plying the Pocomoke River, estimated at a cost of $600,000. County government won’t be stepping in to help with the cost of repairs. In a recent interview, Helvey steered cleared of a wholesale attack on his opponent -- they’re both Republicans, after all -- but tried to point out nuanced differences. For starters, he reads the U.S.

constitution and applies principles of good governance and concludes that Bertino may have served in office long enough. “The founders never intended for anyone to make a career out of public service,” he said, acknowledging that term limits are not specified in the U.S. Constitution. He also knows that Bertino is a newspaper publisher so isn’t really a “professional” politician. But for Helvey, it’s close enough. “He has a newspaper, I have a Website (granthelvey.com),” he quips, conceding that the publication Bertino publishes doesn’t seem to be promoting Bertino’s re-election campaign. Helvey’s Website, of course, promotes his ideas and ideals. Every politician has one. “I really don’t find his newspaper all that interesting,” Helvey said, suggesting that he finds newspapers with robust views -- either conservative or liberal -- more in keeping with the First Amendment, the one that talks about freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Bertino announced his reelection bid on oceanpinesforum.com, where a link to a PDF version of his publication, the Courier, can be found. Forum administrator Joe Reynolds is a friend of Bertino’s and can be expected to support his reelection and take his side in skirmishes between Bertino and Helvey. That’s already happened, with Reynolds pointing out that Helvey did not attend a lot of meetings that Reynolds attended in which a controversial plan to spray irrigate the Ocean Pines golf course with effluent from the Ocean Pines wastewater treatment plant was discussed. Reynolds claimed he had more to do with the plan’s demise than Helvey did, thereby insulating Bertino from any claims Helvey might make about Bertino coming late to the anti-spray irrigation party. Helvey told the Progress he was out in public opposing the plan, and sending letters to county officials,

Grant Helvey

well before Bertino concluded the idea was a bad one and before Reynolds started working behind the scenes against it. Helvey is mildly critical of both Bertino and Bunting for voting to fund an initial study of plan to build a new irrigation system on the Ocean Pines golf course. “It should have been stopped at the outset,” he said. During the study period he said he contacted both commissioners via email about their views and never heard back from either one. “They were at least open to the idea early on,” he said. The plan carried a $3 million price tag, not including additional cost in bringing treated effluent to the golf course and another $1 million in interest costs. Helvey concedes that both Bertino and Bunting in the end worked against the plan, on the grounds that it was unneeded, given that the Ocean Pines treatment is the best in the state with rare tertiary treatment, resulting in Ocean Pines’ exemption from the state’s flush tax. In addition to his disapproval of career politicians, Helvey said he believes the county commissioners and school board have strayed from the tenets of limited government and have infringed on the free speech rights of citizens. He said citizen comment periods in commissioner and school board meeting have been limited to two minutes, not enough time for many speakers to make their cases. He also said the commissioners are infringing on property rights by adding to the acreage in the county that is owned and therefore controlled by the federal, state and local governments. The sports complex is just the latest example, of that, Helvey said.

38 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

OPA FINANCES

More financial good news in March Year-to-date operating fund positive variance just short of $1.7 million

By TOM STAUSS Publisher he good news financially for the Ocean Pines Association continued in March, with the OPA recording yet another operating surplus relative to budget. The positive operating fund variance for the month was $157,640, with revenues over budget by $123,852 and total expenses under budget by $233,788. Closing in on the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year on April 30, the positive operating fund variance for the first 11 months of the year was $1.68 million, with revenues over budget by $1,536,326 and total expenses under budget by $175,230. New capital expenditures for the year were over budget by $32,307. The results were released and posted on the OPA Website before the April 20 Board of Directors meeting by Controller/Director of Finance Steve Phillips. The positive variance to budget was the result of an actual loss during March of $571,622, compared to a budgeted loss of $729,262. In his report to the board at the April 20 meeting, General Manager Viola did not project the amount of a year-end operating surplus, but if April finishes similarly to results in March, an operating fund surplus exceeding $1.8 million is well within the realm of possibility. All OPA departments except for general administration were in the red for the month, as expected this time of year. Most Assessment-funded departments were ahead of budget, while most amenity departments recorded deficits compared to budget. The exceptions were the Yacht Club, with a positive variance to budget of $35,096, and golf operations and maintenance, with a positive variance of $11,542. Beach parking was slightly ahead of budget (+$513). For the year so far, every OPA department with the exceptions of the Clubhouse Grille and tennis operations were ahead of budget through the end of March. Every amenity was actually in the black for the first 11 months of the year, again with tennis the lone exception. But racquet sports in the aggregate, inclusive of stellar performer pickleball, was in the black and ahead of budget for the year through March. Of the amenities, beach parking is the leader in net earnings of $485,902, followed by golf operations with $304,292. Next is the Yacht Club with net earnings through March of $264,296, marinas (+$241,508), Beach Club (+$141,935), Pickleball (+$53,460), Aquatics (+$50,005), the Clubhouse Grille (+$23,372), and platform tennis (+$2,040). Compared to budget, golf operations led through March with a $328,286 operating fund variance, followed by Aquatics, which is ahead of budget through March by $192,346, the most impressive year-over-year turn-around of all the

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Source: OPA Controller/Director of Finance Steve Phillips

amenity departments. IJKLJMNYacht MM Club is ahead of budget through The March by $131,595, beach parking by $56,970, marinas by 42,275, and the Beach Club by $40,925. Recreation and parks, a hybrid department funded both by program fees and annual lot as-

sessments, is ahead of budget by $83,833 through March. Status of reserves: The OPA carried a reserve balance of $6.48 million through March 30. The replacement reserve balance was $4.84 million, bulkhead and waterways $688,935, roads $4,661, drainage $688,721, and new capital $250,602.

OPA executives report on OPA finances General Manager John Viola: “Ocean Pines, overall, is in one of the best places financially that it’s ever been. “This year, because of the efforts of the entire team and the support of the Board, we were able to cut assessments by $100. to $896 for the 2022/2023 budget year. Along with that we covered a $38 increase for the Fire Department in the name of public safety, and we also covered inflation and wage increases. “We are trending positive, despite headwinds, an example of which is the need to navigate logistical hardships such as the in flated cost and difficulty of getting materials, and the challenges of a COVID environment “However, that’s not to say that infrastructure projects aren’t being done -just the opposite. We have jumpstarted the bulkhead program after several years of inactivity, we’re spending more money on roads, and we’re spending more money and getting better results on drainage projects. Pipes that were 30 years old or more are getting replaced, and a major drainage and water filtration project at Bainbridge Park was undertaken. “We have also invested in our amenities, and

we’re seeing results there in terms of more usage and better numbers. The Golf Course is in the best shape in years and the financial results there are now favorable. “Our pools are also in great shape and our Aquatics Department is in excellent hands. Our Recreation Department is offering robust programs for all ages and all skill levels, from jun ior sports and camps, to the many classes and activities geared toward seniors. Racquet Sports and the Marina are also thriving, and our food and beverage operation is better than it has ever been. thanks to the guiding hand of the Matt Ortt Companies. “This team is about more than just achieving positive financial results. We’re getting things done. We’re results oriented. We’re detail oriented. We’ve been able to control expenses and produce organic growth in revenue, and the result is a better overall experience for our homeowners.” Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin: “Mailbox renovations are underway. Ocean Pines is having the mailboxes cleaned to remove u

OPA FINANCES

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 39

the debris and rust from the mailboxes. All mailbox sites have been evaluated and high priority locations have been determined. Although materials are currently on backorder. we have received two of the pedestals and will be contacting the post office to arrange a time to replace the pedestals at one of the high priority locations. “The 2022 bulkhead project is completed, with the backfill of the properties on Pintail Drive and

Crab Cay Court completed by the contractor this past week. Permits have been submitted for the 2023 bulkhead project which will include properties on North Pintail Drive along with the bulkhead at Pintail Park. “Ocean Pines once again will be contracting with Pelican Underground to install the curedin-place pipe (CIPP) liners in the drainage pipes. This process involves running a resin lining into

a pre-existing pipe that once the resin cures will form a tight fitting, jointless and corrosion-resistant lining to the pipe, which then gives the pipe a 100- year life expectancy. With the success of last year’s project which included lining 12 drainage pipes, Public Works has selected an additional 11 locations for this year’s project with the work tentatively scheduled to begin in May.” To Page 41

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40 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

OPINION

COMMENTARY

$7 million for fire station project seems ... excessive Before a town hall meeting is convened, perhaps that number can be brought back down from the stratosphere

erhaps Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department leaders can come up with a detailed justification for why a proposed renovation and expansion of the 1987 Southside fire station should cost $7 million, but at first glance it would seem that will be a steep hill to climb. The department is a much respected if not beloved institution in Ocean Pines, and it’s not easy to say that when it comes to the pricey sticker price, all the community good will in the world won’t convince the Board of Directors to conduct a referendum on this project before it’s convinced that the price tag is warranted and the OPA’s share of it justified. That must bethe case if the Board of Directors is in acting in accord with its fiduciary duty to the membership, to take care that the OPA’s financial resources are prudently managed. There’s every reason to believe that in this case the board will be asking the hard questions before the OPA share of the cost -- reportedly $4.5 million -- can be said to be fully justified. At this stage in the process, skepticism is warranted but a closed mind is not. Let the OPVFD present its facts and figures on its own timetable, when it’s ready, when it’s done all its homework. This is not intended to be adversarial. At a soon-to-be-scheduled town meeting, the OPVFD can be expected to try to meet its burden of proof to demonstrate why various components of this project add up to $7 million. And let it be said: The building schematics and exterior elevations on display at the OPVFD’s Open House April 23 were quite appealing and compelling. And well thought-out. This was a design built for the future. There could have been more detail -- square footage for one -- but it’s easy to see why the OPVFD is advocating for this concept plan rather than a conventional rehab. Deference should be given to the department to know what it needs to operate modern fire-fighting and emergency medical services, with a building design to meet those challenges, consistent with the latest requirements and regulations of the National Fire Protection Association. Maybe, before that town meeting is convened, department officials will take another look at the numbers and will conclude that everything they want and need in what is basically a new building can be obtained for much less money. Indeed, the target ought to be no more than the $1.6 million in state grant funding recently announced by Gov. Larry Hogan, state Senator Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Wayne Hartman. The new fire station approved in Ocean City last year was for $9.1 million, at 18,000 square feet, down from the 28,000 square feet originally proposed. That works out to $506 a square foot, pricey to be sure, but that number probably includes all the latest in fire fighting and emergen-

cy services equipment, such as decontamination facilities that are (or should be) standard these days. The OPA’s 7,200 square foot golf clubhouse built using a design-build contract with Whalen Construction cost $1.4 million, or about $194 a square foot. Design-build, a tried and true approach, has a solid track record in Ocean Pines. The Progress has been told that the new Southside two-story fire station, excluding the apparatus bays that will be retained, will be contained in a footprint of 3,720 square feet, which is larger than the roughly 2,400 square feet of space that former OPVFD President Lee McClaflin says was built back in 1985-87. If this square footage nummber turns out to be accurate, it might not include a new bay that the OPVFD wants to build to house the ambulance it intends to relocate to the Southside fire station from the Northside. At the April 23 Open House hosted by the OPVFD, on display was the preferred site plan and schematic of the proposed new fire station,

reproduced from a feasibility study. While square footage was not indicated on the displays, it seems apparent that the new building as envisioned by the OPVFD is larger than the footprint of the 1987 building. The new two-story section extends out towards Ocean Parkway. Will Worcester County permitting officials approve an increase in impermeable surface so close to various waterways? Perhaps they will, in this day and age of porous parking lots, but that’s a key bit of information that needs to be addressed before too much time elapses. If the 3,720 square foot size is verified, then a $7 million building works out to $1,881 a square foot. Contrast that to the $506 approved in Ocean City last year. The estimated cost of the ambulance bay probably will need to be subtracted from the $7 million before any cost calculation is verified. But still, even if the square foot cost is modestly less less than $1,881, it’s still in the stratosphere. As part of a presentation in a town hall, u

A few questions forwarded to the OPVFD ... The Progress forwarded a few questions about the proposed Southside fire station project to Steve Grunewald, the OPVFD fire chief. His response follows. 1. Where in the OPVFD’s prefrred design plan is a decontamination room? And the bunk room i is on the first level, adjoining the apparatus bays, correct? Where are other components located, such as the lounge area, meeting room, kitchens, office, storage? 2. What is the square footage of the footprint of the OPVFD’s preferred building option, excluding the apparatus bays? What is the square footage of the existing building (excluding bays)? What is the anticipated square footage of the new bay? 3. From the drawings on display during the open house, it would seem that the OPVFD’s preferred is larger than the 1987 building’s footprint. Please confirm. 4. Has anyone from the OPVFD talked to county permitting officials to make sure that they’re OK with a footprint larger than the existing one? (Issue: possibly more impervious surface?) 5. Please break down (if available) the components of the expansion/renovation that add up to $7 million. In other words, how was the $7 million figure derived? Does it include more than raw construction costs? 6. Has the OPVFD been in contact with any local builders such as Whalen Construction (contractor that did the golf clubhouse for the OPA under a design-build contract) to get an idea on square foot construction costs for what essentially is a new building? 7. Would the OPVFD consider a design-build approach to a new Southside firehouse that has been used so effectively by the OPA over the years? 8. The 1987 building was built with three or four support trusses on the roof over the meeting room, kitchen and bunk area) to accommodate a second floor (source: Lee McClaflin, former OPVFD president). Did the OPVFD consider adding a second story to the current building, perhaps in tandem with gutting the first floor to modernize and also to deal with mold and kitchen flooding issues, or adding another layer of concrete to the existing floor? And then perhaps expanding outward from the existing footprint if more space was needed?

Response from Steve Grunewald, Fire Chief Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Company

Thanks for your interest; these questions will be answered during the upcoming Town Hall which should be scheduled sometime in mid-to-late May. One key point that everyone is missing is this is a 50-year-build, not one that will last ten years.

OPINION

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 41

COMMENTARY

Let’s put a hold on new GM search

OPA won’t find any better than John Viola and could do a lot worse; he seems willing to stay, under the right circumstances

or anyone watching John Viola in meetings of the Board of Directors of late, it’s easy to conclude he’s not someone with an short-timer’s mentality. Aside from what he may have put in writing last year about wanting to exit his job as the general manager of the Ocean Pines Association, this is not the picture of a man counting down the days until his successor arrives. He’s far too engaged for that. He recites and dives into his long laundry list of objectives and projects in a way that suggests he wants to be around when they’re accomplished or completed. He’s somebody who wants to stay. He’s too enthused about what’s transpiring in Ocean Pines to want to leave. Or as he told the Progress not too long ago, he would stay if asked by the Board of Directors. So why hasn’t he been asked? Political infighting at the board level, perhaps. One director who doesn’t appreciate Viola’s management skills could be a problem. Or maybe Viola’s not quite ready to say yes, and certain powers that be are aware of that and are just waiting for the

right time to broach the subject. When might that be? After this summer’s board election outcome is known seems plausible, because why commit to a new contract if those elected aren’t solidly in his corner? GM shelf-life in Ocean Pines is tenuous at best, and why roll the dice on an uncertain future when waiting for an election outcome will increase the odds of another successful year or two or more at the helm. Most of the sitting directors are very much supportive of Viola, as his tenure has shown the best financial performance of the OPA of any general manager in the history of Ocean Pines, and services are being delivered in a way that has stimulated “organic” amenity membership growth post covid. Department heads know how to deliver results pleasing to a large number of OPA members while controlling costs. This exemplary performance by department heads across the board in Ocean Pines does not happen in a vacuum. It happens because the man at the top knows how and when to lead, to delegate, and even how to get out of the way to allow his staff to do

their jobs when appropriate. With all that as a backdrop, the Board of Directors should be in no hurry to pursue a hunt for a Viola replacement. Whoever might replace him from the outside can’t possibly be as good as he is. And word to those from the outside who might be inclined to think they’re equipped to navigate the treacherous shoals of Ocean Pines politics, know this: Viola would be an extremely difficult act to follow. It would be a short honeymoon upon arrival, if a honeymoon at all. Rather than make a mistake in hiring someone to replace Viola when it’s abundantly evident he wants to stay, the board should either slow-walk or even abort the search for a new GM. It would be an extremely popular move, and it might reverse some of the perception out there that this board, as boards before it, is a morass of dysfunction. But that’s not the best reason to do it. Do it because that’s the best way to ensure that the Ocean Pines Asssociation continues to thrive. - Tom Stauss

Southside fire station

recent OPA press release, which understandably buried that number near the end of the release, as if people might not notice. Well, of course people did notice and wonder: Why so much? In the run-up to a town meeting, the OPVFD is encouraged to release to the OPA membership the two feasibility studies that reportedly have been done for this project. Again, none of this is intended as adversarial toward the OPVFD, whose exemplary work protecting the lives and property of Ocean Pines residents and property owners is commendable and

has been for decades. Yes, the OPA is ultimately responsible for providing fire protection to Ocean Pines, with actual services provided by the OPVFD since the 1970s. This responsibility does not mean that a request for sizable funding support is automatically bestowed without hard questions being asked. Let the vetting and explanations begin, with a paramount concern making sure the OPVFD has what it needs to operate effectively for the next 50 years. But at a reasonable cost. At $7 million, we’re not quite there. ~ Tom Stauss

Executive reports

“OPA’s cash balance ended March at $13.9 million, compared to $11.9 million at the end of March last year. Cash inflow will also pick up tremendously in the next month based on the due date of FY23 assessment dues. New this year, Northstar has enabled us to allow members to pay their assessment via either ACH or credit card on the Ocean Pines Website. “Reserve balances are in line with what we have been projecting to end the year with, ending March with a $6.477 million balance. The General Replacement reserve specifically ended the month with a balance of $4.844 million. This balance is roughly 22 percent of the estimated fully funded reserve amount. OPA will be at the higher end of the approved 22-28 percent fully funded target range, once the FY23 approved budget contribution is accounted for in May 2022.”

From Page 40 OPVFD officials should be able to provide a detailed itemization of the proposed $7 million, showing how the various building components add up to that. Square footage calculations need to be part of the mix. In a recent interview with the Progress, McClaflin (the former OPVFD president) said that the OPVFD back in 1987 anticipated that the building eventually would need to be expanded, so the department at the time added three or four roof trusses over much of the existing building to accommodate a future second floor. Has today’s OPVFD considered this? No doubt it has, but is it possible that the existing building’s first floor can be gutted, as a way of dealing with mold and kitchen flooding issues, and then a second floor added where there is sufficient support for it? If the foundation slab needs work, and it reportedly has settled in places, is it possible that it could be reinforced with a new layer of concrete? If the resulting available space from a substantial rehab and new second floor is deemed insufficient for a modern fire department, perhaps additional square footage can be obtained within the footprint shown in the scheamtics on display at the April 23 open house. The $7 million price tag was contained in a

From Page 39

Finance Director Steve Phillips: “As we wind down to the end of fiscal year 2022 and begin the new season, Ocean Pines continues to be very healthy from a financial standpoint. We just finished closing the eleventh month of the fiscal year, and the operating results are $1.679 million favorable to date versus the adopted FY23 budget. This favorability is partially attributed to amenity performance. which accounts for approximately $805,000. There has been strong organic revenue growth in FY23, as net revenues are up a record $1.321 million v er sus the budget to date. “The Association’s external auditors will begin their audit work [in May] to express an independent audit opinion on these fiscal-year results.

42 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

OPINION

An exception to voting ‘No’ on by-laws changes

here’s an apparent movement afoot to persuade Ocean Pines property owners to vote against all of the proposed by-laws changes in a recently launched referendum. The logic for doing so can be summarized as follows: The Board of Directors in its infinite wisdom rushed the process, not from the point of view of those who labored mightily for two years or so to come up with draft proposals but from the point of view of those who are expected to study and make conclusions about their worthiness. Pines resident Paula Gray, a possible if not likely candidate for the board this summer, at the April 20 Board of Directors meeting suggested a remedy for the apparent “rush,” a series of town meetings explaining the proposed amendments in the interests of making them more transparent and understandable. It was too late for that suggestion, as the ballots were either in the mail or about to be. Not that it mattered, as OPA President Colette Horn had previously made it clear that she thought there would be no point in delaying. OPA members in her view had sufficient time to study and draw conclusions. Delay in her view would not change the eventual outcome. Another argument by the naysayers is that some of the proposed changes are mean-spirited, targeted

LIFE IN THE PINES An excursion through the curious by-ways and cul-de-sacs

of Worcester County’s most densely populated community By TOM STAUSS/Publisher at the numerous felons in our midst who if, given half a chance, are poised to rob us blind and erase all the good work of John Viola and his team in the space of -- let’s see - a month or two. Others would argue that a no vote would punish the mean-spirited and subsequently rejected proposed changes offered up by Director Frank Daly, especially the one that would target spouses of convicted felons from the slate of board candidates. A more high-minded reason for voting against all of the proposed changes was offered by former Director Slobodan Trendic, who said 26- or 28-page by-laws documents need to be streamlined by half, with some components off-loaded into other OPA documents that can be more easily changed than amending by-laws in a referendum. That argument didn’t sail, at least with the current cast of characters on the board, but that doesn’t mean it was flawed. Plenty of HOAs operate with less cumbersome bylaws than govern the OPA. So the vote-no-across-the-board remains a way to signal dissatisfaction with continuing board dysfunc-

tion, which it should be said has not been as pronounced since Rick Farr was seated earlier this year. In fact, in recent meetings there haven’t been any personal attacks directed at colleagues in public board meetings. The sniping generally happens in private, in emails, in occasional critiques that appear in print or in social media. Although an across-the-board No remains a plausible scenario, there’s at least one proposed change that ought to entertain at least some possibility of an affirmative vote. That’s the one by Amy Peck pertaining to sale, mortgage or development of OPA-owned property, a change she came up with independent of any contribution from an advisory committee. According to a published summary, “this proposed change lowers the percentage from 20 percent to 10 percent [of annual revenues collected from the lot assessment] for transactions to transfer, encumber or develop OPA property without input from the membership and increases the board vote requirement to approve such transactions from a majority to two thirds of the board.

This change aligns with the change made last year to 5.13(d)(1), which limited the board’s capital spending amount to $1 million,” The average OPA member can be forgiven if he or she is somewhat hazy on that change in board capital spending authority. It was the result of a successful petition engineered by Slobodan Trendic that turned into a referendum that passed by a two to one margin, proof that Ocean Pines property owners can be a conservative bunch, not wanting to give seven elected individuals too much authority to spend OPA resources. Peck’s proposal, by any reasonable measure, is consistent with the spirit of the Trendic $1 million cap on board spending without OPA member approval. It’s close enough to $1 million to be kissing cousins with, only with a little built-in inflation protection. Trendic doesn’t like it, telling Peck in an Ocean Pines Forum post that it should also have disallowed board donations greater than that 10 percent threshold. Perhaps, but 95 percent of a loaf is better than none at all. Sending a message to the board by an across-the-board No might yield some degree of satisfaction, but voting against the Peck proposal wastes a good opportunity for further reigning in potential gratuitous spending by the board.

LETTER Sports complex: reason to pause

I applaud our Commissioners’ leadership and dedication to helping Worcester County continue to prosper. However, their recent 4-3 vote in favor of the sports complex project compels me to publicly share my perspective on this large capital investment. I would have also voted NO because of the chosen funding approach and lack of important decision-making information. Let me elaborate on these two points. 1. Funding: If the majority is convinced in the project’s economic success then why fund it via general obligation bond? The chosen method appears to pass multi-million dollar financial risk to us, the taxpayers. Therefore, I have asked our Com-

missioners to explore alternative financing. Since the sports complex is expected to generate a long-term revenue stream, the project is ideally suitable for a joint venture (JV). This approach, if properly structured, will spread the business risk to each JV member according to their investments and roles. 2. Lack of important decision-making information: Worcester County is the only county in Maryland that borders the Atlantic Ocean. It also has beautiful natural resources, i.e. Assateague Island. Establishing the right Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria is becoming a broad priority for many governments and businesses. And, many of us know that ESG initiatives are gaining a greater importance by many in the public and private sector including

coastal communities. To my surprise, when searching the county’s website, I was unable to find any information on its ESG efforts. Therefore, I have encouraged our Commissioners to develop an ESG policy/strategy and make sure the proposed sports complex complies with it. Integrating ESG into the county’s investment planning process will ultimately facilitate the right decisions, secure long-term benefits and sustainability. I hope my views and concerns, along with others who decide to speak out, will give the Commissioners reason to pause. Conducting additional due diligence on this expensive sports complex is a textbook case of what I would call good governance. Slobodan Trendic Ocean Pines

The Ocean Pines Progress is a journal of news and commentary published monthly throughout the year. It is circulated in Ocean Pines and Captain’s Cove, Va. PUBLISHER-EDITOR Tom Stauss stausstom@gmail.com 443-359-7527 ADVERTISING SALES Frank Bottone frankbottone@gmail.com 410-430-3660 CONTRIBUTING WRITER Rota Knott 443-880-3953

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 43

Captain’s Cove Veteran’s Group Introduces

FLAGS FOR HEROES 2022 Veterans Memorial at the Town Center Captain’s Cove Armed Forces Day, May 15th, through Independence Day, July 4th Flags for Heroes is a tribute to the people who have supported and inspired us. Each flag honors a person who has made a difference in someone’s life. Honor your personal heroes - a member of the military, first responded, teacher, community leader, anyone who has been a hero in your life. Sponsor a Flag for $50. Each flag will be identified by a medallion with your name and the name of your hero. Your entire $50 donation will be applied to the Captain’s Cove Veterans Memorial Project.

SPONSORSHIP FORM To help assure accuracy, please only ONE HERO per form

Name of Hero _____________________________________________________ Sponsor ___________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ Phone ______________________ Email address _______________________ Make your check payable to Captain’s Cove Golf and Yacht Club. Please write “Flags for Heroes Veteran’s Project” on the memo line. One check may be written for multiple sponsorships at $50 each. Mail to: Captain’s Cove Golf and Yacht Club c/o Colby Phillips 3323 Dock Court, Greenbackville, VA. 23356 For more details email: cphillips@captscove.com

The above medallion will be hanging from each flag at the Veterans Memorial with information about the hero and sponsor.

44 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 45

CAPTAIN’S COVE

CURRENTS

Hearn says Cove wants to recoup payments made to Troon Golf Board considers legal strategy to pursue claims against former management company

By TOM STAUSS Publisher t’s well known that Troon Golf and the Captain’s Cove property owners association have been engaged in a contentious divorce, and so it’s probably not too surprising that distribution of certain assets are at issue. The association, officially known as Captain’s Cove Yacht and Golf Club, began paying Troon management fees back in October, when the transition to full out-sourcing of management began in earnest. As part of the arrangement, Troon was expected to deliver ac-

curate monthly financial reports to Cove management. Those never were delivered, according to Cove Association President Tim Hearn. That is the primary reason the Cove Board of Directors ratified a recommendation from Senior General Manager Colby Phillips to return to in-house management to the exclusion of Troon. She even precipitated the divorce by announcing her resignation from Troon. Hearn said that management fees have been paid to Troon but the

services agreed to as part of the contract were never delivered, and as a result the Cove association is asking for a refund of fees paid. He said that the association’s law firm, Pender and Coward, is handling the matter for the association. “I hope it can be resolved amicably,” Hearn said. A special meeting of the Board of Directors was scheduled for Monday, May 3, at 4 p.m. via Zoom to consider the legal strategy and process to pursue CCYCG’s legal claims against Troon. After Public Comments and convening in executive

session, the board was planning to reconvene in public and announce the outcome of its review. Results of that will be reported in the April edition of the Captain’s Cove Currents to be distributed to Cove residents via e-mail later in the week of May 3. In a related matter, Hearn disclosed that the Cove association continues to ask for Troon cooperation in conducting a mid-year audit of Captain’s Cove Cove finances since Oct. 1. “On both of these issues, our attorneys have not heard back from Troon,” Hearn said. Meanwhile, Phillips reported during the April 25 managers meeting that Troon seems to be continuing sell Cove gift cards from its Captain’s Cove-related Website, without sharing any of the proceeds with the Cove association. Accordingly, she said the association will not honor any of the cards sold by Troon, advising residents who bought them in good faith from Troon to ask for refunds. She said the management team will be working on a memo to distribute to Cove members on who they can contact and what steps to take to receive a refund.

Pickleball clinic

Cove resident Vicky Keefer presides over the initial clinic for those interested in learning the sport of pickleball. The class brought out an enthusiastic crowd to the Cove’s racquet sports courts in late April. They were recently restriped to accommodate both pickleball and tennis, with daily designated times for each sport.

46 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

Captain’s Cove Model Pricing on Gemcraft Lots Bradford • $289,990

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Raised Home on Pilings 3 BR/2 BA 1332 Sq Ft

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CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

Spectrum executes easement agreement with CCG Note

No details yet on whether company will be a significant player in a market where Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority has a head start By TOM STAUSS Publisher harter Communications, with services branded as Spectrum, has finally executed an easement agreement with CCG Note, Captain’s Cove successor developer, to allow the company to begin to offer high speed Internet service in the community, although details of when that might remain sketchy. Talks between the two had dragged on for months, and at times it seemed that Charter was not really serious about wanting to compete in Captain’s Cove for customers. Cove Senior General Manager Colby Phillips announced the agreement during the April 25 managers’ meeting. “We’re waiting on Spectrum to let us know what the next steps will be,” she said, adding that efforts by Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority to bring broadband to streets off Captain’s Corridor continue. That work is awaiting arrival of $12.3 million in Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) funding awarded late last year. Dawn Wagner, co-chair of the Digital Technology Committee, clarified Colby Phillips that the agreement is a contract between CCG Note and Charter Communications, and the Cove property owners association is not a party to it. Even so, the Cove board of directors recently ratified it in a vote by email, but with only three directors participating. Recusing themselves were four directors who are investors in CCG Note -- Tim Hearn, Michael Glick, Roger Holland, and Jim Silfee. Voting for the agreement were directors Pat Perino, Andy Zubko and Frank Haberek.

Water quality survey to be conducted

Also at the April 25 meeting, Colby Phillips announced that a water quality survey will be conducted soon of Captain’s Cove residents to gauge attitudes towards water supplied by Aqua Virginia, the Cove’s water and sewer utility. She said that the survey will be conducted by the Accomack/Northampton Planning District Commission, with the active involvement of Kellen Singleton.

Water quality in the Cove has been a topic of concern for decades. Tim Hearn, president of the Cove association, said in his view the “problem” is overblown, with year-round residents having much less of an issue than infrequent, weekend or summer residents, who may encounter discolored water that has been sitting in pipes. “Flushing of the pipes usually cures the problem,” said Hearn, owner of the Cove’s water utility prior to its sale to Aqua. Another causal factor could be old pipes in old-

Easter brunch Mark Buckwheat Thomas and family of Ocean Pines after Easter brunch in Captain’s Cove. “This place was amazing! Great food and service and view. Family brunch, just missing a few of us who are working. Love this. Colby, Christina this place rocks. Everything about the menu and the scenery can’t be beat,” he wrote in a follow-up email to Senior General Manager Colby Phillips.

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 47 er homes in Captain’s Cove, he said. In a related matter, Phillips announced that National Wash Authority has been contracted for the washing and inspection of Captain’s Cove water tower. Crews were expected to arrive by the end of April.

Zubko replaced by Mark Majerus

Phillips announced that Andy Zubko has resigned from the Board of Directors for health and personal reasons related to difficulties from recent surgery. The management team recommended property owner Mark Majeris as a replacement, and the choice was accepted unanimously by the board. Normally, the board alternate would step up as a replacement when a vacancy occurs, but that didn’t occur in this instance. The appointment is good through the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year, when the seat will be filled in the annual Cove election.

New public relations initiative announced

Jennifer McGinley with JLM Strategic Communication has been retained by the management team to develop a public relations strategy for Captain’s Cove, Phillips announced. The strategy will be “very different than advertising and more geared towards building stronger relationships within the community. More information will be forthcoming as we put together our strategy and present it to the board,” she said. Troon Golf was hired in part to assist in developing a PR plan for the Cove, but that foundered when the relationship between Troon and the Cove association soured in recent months.

Work begins on 2022-23 budget

The management has begun discussion on preparing the Cove budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Newly hired Controller/Finance Director Sara Shifflett is working on a user-friendly format that will be easier for residents to understand, Phillips said during the meeting. Income, expenses and capital expenditures will be discussion points for each budgeted department, including security, aquatics/recreation, roads and maintenance, property management team/administration, waterfront and food and beverage/golf, Phillips said. Because of continuing fraught relations with Troon, the Cove is still unable to produce monthly financial statements, Phillips said, adding that Shifflett will soon be remedying that, possibly as soon as May. Calls related to accounting or other financial matters that used to go to L&H, the Cove’s former bookkeeping firm, will now be directed to the front desk. Cove staffers will fill out a message form with lot number, name and other information and will be forward to the appropriate team member, Phillips said. u

48 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS Short-term rental penalties imposed

General Manager Justin Wilder presided over a single ‘tribunal’ at the April 20 managers meeting related to an alleged violation of short-term rental rules, in which the property owner did not respond in a timely manner after indicating that he would. As a result, the management team voted to impose a $10 a day fine along with a denial-of-access to Cove amenities by the property owner’s short-term rental tenants. Wilder also advised residents to inspect their homes for potential lawn and siding/roof violations, which he said often occur in the spring with pollen blooms and overgrown lawns. In other announcements, Wilder said that: • A previously announced inspection of all the bulkheaded property in Captain’s Cove was delayed because of weather and now should happen sometime in May. • The on-line member forum on the Cove Website should be launched “any day now.” • The annual Cove phone directory should be distributed around Memorial Day.

Cove to appeal new property valuations

Wilder announced that the Cove association will appeal the new valuations of unimproved lots owned by the association, the result of the recent county-wide reassessment of property in Accomack County. At issue are 208 lots that Wilder said have been reassessed at an amount that the management team believes is too high. He said he is awaiting an appeal date. Individual Cove owners who feel their properties have been assessed too high should file an appeal, Wilder suggested.

Mother’s Day buffet reservations advised

Food and Beverage Director Jeff Landry announced during the April 25 managers meeting that the recent Easter buffet was well attended. He “strongly recommended” that those wanting to dine at the upcoming Mother’s Day buffet call for a reservation to avoid disappointment To Page 50

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 49

WE’RE HIRING! LINE COOK

$18 plus an Hour Based on Experience Seasonal and Full Time with Health Benefits Available Bartenders – Seasonal/Year Round Servers – Seasonal/Year Round Competitive Wages Plus Tips Call Food and Beverage Director Jeff Landry at the Marina Club 757-824-3465, Ext. 123 Or Stop In for an Application

Or email cphillips@captscove.com or jlandry@captscove.com

50 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

Hearn announces shift in plans for commercial space on Mariner parcel Developers say a day care center may be added to the townhome project rather than a convenience store By TOM STAUSS Publisher s they say, plans can sometimes change when new information surfaces. Tim Hearn is one of the investors in CCG Note, the developer planning to build a 142-unit townhome rental development on a 25-acre parcel at the back entrance into Captain’s Cove on State Line Road. He’s no stranger to change in plans, and he recently announced a “change” of a kind on the ten-acre commercial component of what’s now being called the Mariner town-

home project. At one time, the intent was possibly to locate a “mom and pop” convenience store on the site; at least it was one of the options. But now, because of recent conversations with administrators at the Wallops Island NASA flight center, Hearn said the developer is looking at the possibility of a day care center to support the tenants in the complex, many of whom are expected to be employees of the flight center and related businesses in the Wallops area. The day care center would be

Tim Hearn

placed within eight acres of the commercial parcel, with playground equipment taking up a portion of the remaining two acres, Hearn said.

Food and beverage

From Page 48 at the door. Landry also said that: • A revised wine list and new menus for the spring/summer season should be available May 8, with shrimp returning to the menu in a way that should please patrons. • A line cook is needed at the Marina Club. That was later expanded to include bartenders and wait staff.

Giddings promises on-time openings

Director of Roads and Maintenance Jimmy Giddings said during the April 25 managers meeting that he and his staff are working hard to ensure that the outdoor pools open on time for Memorial Day weekend. He pointed to new signage on Fleming Road promoting Captain’s Cove, and announced that Mike Rippetoe is on board as the Cove’s new golf course superintendent. Phillips said that the management team is expecting six or seven bids on the Marina Club pool roof repair, after five contractors recently did a walk-through and one canceled. The plan is still to do the work this summer when outdoor pools are available for use.

Jim Silfee

Before sunrise on Sailors Court, photo by John Herman

“We would be catering to a need that is lacking in the county, good day care services for children of parents who work,” he said. Hearn, who also is president of the Cove property owners association, said in recent discussions with Wallops’ executives that there is interest by them in securing a large block of rental units hat would be reserved to their employees. “This certainly demonstrates that there is a need for this kind of housing in Accomack County,” he said. In another announcement that should be of interest to Cove residents, Cove said that CCG Note is exploring the possibility of building a convenience store on one of the parcels it owns at the main entrance into Captain’s Cove. One parcel is located between the Hall Realty office inside the front entrance and the Long and Foster office on State Line Road. The other parcel is located on the east side of Captain’s Corridor at the entrance. Hearn said that CCG Note investor Jim Silfee is handling the project, and details will be forthcoming as they’re known.

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 51

Captain’s Cove Community Bulletin Board

52 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

MANAGERS MEETING NOTES

Phillips recaps recent Cove developments

n announcements during the April 25 managers meeting, Senior General Manager Colby Phillips said that: • The next managers meeting is scheduled for May 23, followed by a constituents meeting hosted by Supervisor Ron Wolff. He did not host a meeting in April. • The management team is working on an insurance bid package for the Cove association due by the end of May, when it will be sent to prospective brokers. • Fisher Architecture is working on finalizing construction documents for the pool house bathroom and is waiting on some kitchen information needed before it can complete design development for the new Town Center. • The Cove is working with a Berlin pool company to adjust bromine levels in the indoor pool at the Marine Club. The need to adjust is an indicator of more use of the pool, she said. The pool was scheduled to be closed from Monday, May 1, at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, to allow chemicals to circulate and to “shock” the pool, a common procedure.

• The management team is working on revisions to the welcome packets, adjusting the builders packet to include possible additions in some fees. Also under review is the sellers’ disclosure format, included in informational information given to buyers. • She has reached out to by Dr. Roger Omwake of the Accomack County Board of Elections about the possible use of the Cove Community Center as an emergency polling place should the Greenbackville Fire Department firehall in Greenbackville be incapacitated by natural disaster. Acknowledging that it was unlikely to occur, she said that she’s receptive to the idea and an agreement between the elections board and Cove association is likely. • Accomack County Emergency Services Supervisor Chris Barrs recently contacted Phillips for assistance in training EMS staff on how to immobilize patients in the water. She agreed, and Cove aquatics staff will do the training of county EMS on May 31 beginning at 9 .m. She also said that the entire Cove mainte-

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nance and security departments will receive certified CPR/AED training on May 6. The goal is to certify all Cove employees in contact with Cove residents. • The ess curve on Captain’s Corridor near the maintenance building is scheduled for repair and repaving the week of May 9. • Boaters are reminded to pick up trailer tags at the Marina Club front desk. They must be displayed to park trailers near the marina boat ramp. Phillips said that with the relocation of the mail pavilion to the Marina Club parking lot, there will be less overflow parking for trailers there, advising boaters that overflow parking will be made available at Cove Commons. She said later than the overflow parking situation issue will be revisited. • Promotional magnets are being revised because of recent personnel title changes. They should be available by summer, she said. • Property owners can request No Wake signs for bulkheaded property. • The Flags for Heroes event starts May 15 at the Veterans Memorial in Captain’s Cove.

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Featuring:

• Azaleas- red, white, purple, pink • Nandinas-Dwarf, Firepower, Gulf Stream • Hollies- Soft touch, Compacta, Yaupon • Indian Hawthorne • Gardenias- August Beauty, Frost Proof • Abelias • Crape Myrtles • Dogwoods

Phil Snyder 757-710-2037 Please call before stopping by

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 53

Captain’s Cove Community Bulletin Board

54 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022

CAPTAIN’S COVE CURRENTS

Captain’s Cove Community Bulletin Board

May 2022 Ocean Pines PROGRESS 55

Call for your FREE crawl space assessment! 410-543-4848 MHIC #102406

“Delmarva’s Crawl Space Experts!”

56 Ocean Pines PROGRESS May 2022