Members of the Ocean Pines Clubs Committee last Thursday discuss a recent meeting with the Matt Ortt Companies, and the political fallout. The meeting was not advertised, although committee members said no business was conducted and it was not technically an official meeting.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(April 26, 2018) Members of the Ocean Pines Clubs Committee last Thursday addressed a controversial unscheduled meeting with the Matt Ortt Companies, which has been hired to run association food and beverage operations.

Association members not affiliated with the committee apparently also tried to attend the meeting, but were denied access. Several, apparently, were vocal about their displeasure on their way out of the building.

Association President Doug Parks released a statement about the incident last week.

“The Board of Directors acknowledges the meeting was not scheduled in accordance with Resolution C-01, which clearly states the requirements for scheduling a meeting and notifying the Membership,” Parks said.

“We regret this situation unfolded the way it did. Director Cheryl Jacobs takes responsibility for the confusion regarding how the meeting was handled, and offers her direct apology to those members who were asked to leave the meeting.

“As a follow-up the board will address the proper protocol for all advisory committees with both the Board liaisons and committee chairpersons.”

Clubs Committee member Gary Miller said last Thursday that the session was not technically a meeting.

“We, as a group, got invited to go listen to Matt talk,” Miller said. “When I put it out to our group that we were having a meeting, it got interpreted as the CAC [Clubs Advisory Committee] were having an official meeting – and technically it wasn’t a CAC meeting.

“We didn’t do any minutes, we didn’t talk about any particular topics. It was a meet-and-greet that we were invited to by Matt,” he continued. “The word got out that we had an official meeting and the public got kicked out – and you’re not allowed to do that.”

Committee Chairman Les Purcell concurred.

“What Gary said is absolutely true – we were asked to go. It was not an official meeting,” Purcell said. “However, I know from a long history what the rules and regs are, and I’m the guilty party because I assumed if we were meeting at the yacht club there would be room enough for people to be there.”

Purcell, a former board member, said he invited several residents “who ask me a lot of questions all the time” to attend.

“When five or six people showed up, it turned out we didn’t have the yacht club – we had the little office,” he said. “There wasn’t really any room for that … and Cheryl did invite them to leave.”

The funny part, Purcell said, is he went to a nearby bar after the meeting and “that whole group of people [asked to leave] … was sitting at the bar.”

“And they were all just sitting there, laughing,” Purcell said.

“So, it wasn’t too traumatic for them.” committee member Herb Roe said.

“No, it wasn’t,” Purcell said. “They said a lot of things – good and bad – but they were mostly just kidding with me.

“They knew, by the way … that I was the one that invited the first couple of people in the first place. I just assumed there would be room enough for them,” he continued. “The word spread without me, but nevertheless I’m guilty.”