By Greg Ellison

(Jan. 20, 2022) Leadership changes are taking place on the Ocean Pines Environmental and Natural Assets Committee after longtime chair Ken Wolf unexpectedly resigned last week.

“I didn’t want to leave,” Wolf said.

During the committee meeting on Jan. 13, Wolf floored group members by tendering his resignation.

“I left because it was getting too political,” he said.

Committee member Sharon Santacroce, who is in line to assume the chairperson assignment, expressed regret at witnessing Wolf’s departure.

“We are disappointed Ken resigned,” she said.

After failing to convince Wolf to reconsider, the committee selected Santacroce as chair, with approval pending during the next board meeting on Saturday.

“They voted for me,” she said.

Wolf, who joined the Environmental Committee in 2012, served two terms before leaving the group for a period only to return in November 2019.

During his time with the committee, Wolf served as chair on two occasions, with his current term set to expire in July.

“The group has a lot of interesting things going on, but I felt I had to step away,” he said.

Wolf gave up his committee seat following a series of contentious interchanges during the group’s November meeting with then association President Larry Perrone.

During a discussion on potential development of OPA-owned bayfront property across from the Beach Club, Perrone said the issue would be handled by the Marine Activities Committee.

After Wolf expressed interest in continuing to study the environmental portion of the bayfront parcel, Perrone suggested that the committee should, “stay in its lane.”

Additionally, Perrone said the committee should also follow suit regarding plans for mailbox cluster repairs, which would be assigned to the Budget and Finance Committee.

Perrone once again told the committee to “stay in its lane,” at which point Wolf proposed resigning if an amicable working relationship was not possible.

Speaking this week, Wolf praised the efforts of current board liaison Amy Peck and also expressed confidence in his replacement.

“Sharon will do a great job,” he said.

For her part, Santacroce said transitioning into the new role would be eased by working with a strong team.

“It was completely unexpected but I’m ready to take on this challenge,” she said. “I have a great group guiding me.”

On a related note, Association President Colette Horn announced current committee liaison assignments, with Doug Parks overseeing the Environmental and Marine Activities committees, Frank Daly overseeing Aquatics and Golf, Rick Farr overseeing ARC and Recreation and Parks, Peck overseeing Racquet Sports and Strategic Planning, Perrone overseeing Budget and Finance and Elections, Josette Wheatley overseeing Communications and the Fire Department and Horn tasked with the Search and Bylaws and Resolutions committees.