By Greg Ellison

Candidate filing deadline approaching on May 10, with final list due by June 1

(April 16, 2020) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors 2020 election is coming into focus with the candidate application deadline coming up next month.

The deadline for candidates to file for election is May 10, with the OPA announcing the field of candidates no later than June 1.

In a procedural move during the most recent board meting on April 1, OPA President Doug Parks, who is seeking re-election this year, resigned from a committee liaison position.

“I am stepping down as the liaison to the Search Advisory Committee and … appoint Larry Perrone,” he said. “I’ve filled out my candidacy for the upcoming election and plan to run again for another term.”

Following suit, Dr. Colette Horn, who has served as board secretary, stepped down from the role in light of her recently announced intent to seek re-election.

“I have elected to resign as secretary because of the responsibilities associated with the election,” she said.

Horn nominated Board member Camilla Rogers for the role, which was approved unanimously.

Parks and Horn are the current incumbents up for re-election for another three-year term.

To qualify as a board candidate OPA residents have to own property as on Jan 1, 2020 and be eligible to vote. Prerequisites to vote include paying assessment dues within 35 days of the July 1 deadline and not being found in continual violation of the Declaration of Restrictions.

The 2020 OPA Board candidates are slated to attend a public forum on June 17 with a second forum on June 27 if required. The cutoff date for voter eligibility is July 3 with ballots mailed out no later than July 10. The deadline for ballot submission is Aug. 5 with results unveiled two days later.