By Greg Ellison

(Feb. 25, 2021) Ocean Pines’ 2021 Board election is coming to life with one hat already tossed in the ring, with candidate-filing deadline more than two months away on May 10.

Stuart Lakernick, who finished third in the 2020 board election, announced his candidacy this week with a pair of seats open on the seven-member volunteer board.

Lakernick, a Philadelphia-based chiropractic functional neurologist, is also the husband of former OPA Board member Esther Diller.

Two board members, Frank Daly and Frank Brown, have terms that expire this year, with OPA Resolution M-06 requiring two more candidates than open seats.

In a statement, Lakernick said after weighing another election run for the last several months clarity arrived last week.

“Considering recent events, it has become crystal clear to me that I must run,” he said. “Change is never easy, but change is what we need.”

Lakernick cited “unhealthy dynamics” with current board membership and a lack of diverse viewpoints as primary motivators for his candidacy.

“Having a board with differences in opinions is good and can work in unity for what’s best for our association,” he said.

The association also announced dates for the upcoming election process beyond the filing deadline.

Candidate forums are scheduled on June 9 from 7-9 p.m. and June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, with both slated for the Assateague Room in the Ocean Pines Community Center.

Preceding the forums a candidate draw is scheduled on June 4 at 10 a.m. to determine ballot order.

Ballots are due by Aug. 11 to be followed by a vote count on Aug. 13 beginning at 10 a.m.

The OPA Annual Homeowners Meeting takes place on Aug. 14 with time and venue yet to be announced.

For questions about the election, contact elections@oceanpines.org.

Applications are available at the administration building or on the Ocean Pines website at https://www.oceanpines.org/documents/10184/89280/Candidate-Registration-Form-Approved-9-March-2019-FORM-003.pdf.