By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Candidates for the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors election will have the opportunity to appeal to voters later this month, during a question-and-answer forum.

OPA’s Elections Committee will host its annual candidate forum on Friday, June 27, beginning  at 5 p.m. in the Clubhouse Meeting Room at 100 Clubhouse Drive.

Residents are encouraged to send their inquiries for the four campaigners at elections@oceanpines.org. Questions will be added to the list and may be asked during the panel.

Running for the three open seats in the 2025 election, in ballot order, are Stuart Lakernick, Steve Jacobs, Monica Rakowski, and Amy Peck. Lakernick, the body’s current president, Rakowski, treasurer, and Jacobs, director, are the incumbents. The sole challenger, Peck, who ran last year, is vying once again to break into the governing group.

As part of the campaign leading up to the election, the board-hopefuls have curated bios that can be found on the OPA website.

Lakernick has served as the board’s president this past year. Under his reign, his bio states, the community has seen the construction of a gazebo at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines, enhanced beautification efforts, and an improved racquet center sports building, “all while keeping assessments low and budgets balanced.”

“We’ve also increased public safety by adding new police officers to our force, ensuring quicker response times and greater community presence,” he said.

Under Lakernick’s leadership, improved landscaping and signage, including the installation of electronic banners to replace the analog marquees, have also occurred.

If elected again, the current president’s priority will be “getting shovels in the ground for the much-needed Southside Firehouse.”

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department and OPA are working to replace the Southside Firehouse at 911 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines. The project will include constructing a nearly 15,000-square-foot facility to replace the existing, deteriorating building. Construction is estimated to begin in October, and the work is expected to take approximately 65 weeks.

OPA’s estimated financial contribution to the project is $3.4 million, with a 10% contingency for unforeseen expenses. Per the board’s approval last month, a referendum on matters pertaining to the South Fire Station’s funding will take place in accordance with this year’s board of directors’ election.

A public hearing on the referendum will be held on Friday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at the South Fire Station, 911 Ocean Parkway.

The question to be asked of the Ocean Pines members on the 2025 Board of Directors election ballot is as follows: “Do you authorize the Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors and Administration to proceed with the construction of a new South Fire Station at a target cost to OPA, Inc. of up to $3.4 million, with a possible cost variance of up to ten percent (10%)?”

The notice of the public hearing includes details to be discussed at the June 27 gathering, such as the fact that the existing South Station was constructed in 1981 and no longer meets safety standards.

The structure’s conditions are inconsistent with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, are not compliant with modern building codes, and consist of mold, gas line issues, and drainage problems. Furthermore, the public hearing announcement reads, “the building’s condition makes it challenging to recruit and retain both volunteer and career staff, negatively impacting the quality of service we can provide to our community.”

As such, if reelected, Lakernick hopes to oversee the construction work of the new fire facility.

“I bring experience, a steady hand, and a strong vision for continued progress,” the president said. “…Together, we can keep our community safe, beautiful,and thriving.”

Steve Jacobs, a current board director, is also running for reelection. Jacob’s bio explains that he is a member of Temple Bat Yam in Berlin and a former member of the Ocean Pines By-Laws and Resolutions Advisory Committee and the Golf Advisory Committee. He is also the former president of the Hardings Run Homeowners Association in New Jersey.

Jacobs was employed for around nine years for republican and democratic members of the U. S. House of Representatives, “worked for two small private, general practice law firms,” was employed by the Attorney General of Maryland, assigned to the

Department of Human Resources in Howard County to litigate child support cases,” he said.

Monica Rakowski, who has served as Ocean Pines treasurer on the OPA Board of Directors for the past three years, is also running for reelection to the governing body.

Rakowski notes that she is a professional services consultant who provides accounting practices, project management, implementation, and training for Fortune 500 companies.

“If re-elected, Ocean Pines’ finances will remain my top priority,” Rakowski said.

The treasurer’s bio adds that she will ensure the community has a suitable reserve balance to address road issues, drainage, and any other crucial projects that may arise.

She also vows to support the Southside Firehouse renovation, safety, property values, and OPA beautification.

Amy Peck is the only challenger in the 2025 election. According to her bio, the homeowner has a paralegal and teaching background, allowing her to “research issues and rigorously evaluate projects for cost-effectiveness and community benefit…and [utilize] active listening, empathy, and clear communication skills.”

“These tools are essential for engaging with diverse homeowners, addressing concerns, and fostering consensus,” Peck said.

Peck served on the OPA board from October 2021 to August 2022 after being appointed to carry out the remainder of a former member’s term, who had resigned. She also ran for the election last year but was edged out by incumbents Rick Farr and Jeff Heavner. The repeat challenger hopes to secure a seat this time around.

Peck’s candidacy stems from her belief in fiscal responsibility. She notes that if elected, she intends to focus on essential needs like safety, OPA’s resources, natural beauty, and maintaining infrastructure instead of “chasing flashy projects.”

“I am here to listen, serve, and advocate for every resident in Ocean Pines. Together, let’s build on the strong foundation laid by our Founders to create a future that honors our past while meeting today’s needs,” her bio concludes.

Ocean Pines residents will hear about the candidates’ platforms more in-depth at the forum on Friday, June 27. Homeowners are encouraged to submit their questions to elections@oceanpines.org. Inquiries will be asked live during the panel.