By Greg Ellison

(March 4, 2021) Despite talk of transparency, the Ocean Pines Board opted this week not to release two recent B-08 ethics complaints against sitting directors.

Board member Frank Daly withdrew an earlier motion to publish related investigative reports during a special board meeting on Monday.

The board voted unanimously to enter closed session to receive advice from OPA attorney Jeremy Tucker, who later committed to preparing a report for private review by the directors.

OPA President Larry Perrone said board members would analyze the forthcoming report from Tucker and suggest any relevant changes.

“The board has committed to use whatever tools or tactics are available [to] work in a more cohesive and effective manner,” he said.

Perrone also noted Director Doug Parks agreed to abandon an earlier motion to remove the board president.

Parks admitted the decision to rescind the motion was troubling.

“I’ve been giving it much thought for quite a while now,” he said. “We’ve had several conversations about how did we get to this place [and] what can we do going forward.”

Parks said fellow board members committed to acknowledge that a problem exists within the current leadership roles.

“It will be a challenge … for the next several months in order to address this issue,” he said. “I’ve made that commitment to my fellow directors … if we can’t make any headway, we’ll make decisions going forward.”

Parks said based on prior experience, the present tensions are not insurmountable.

“I was president for three years, and quite frankly, on one of the worst boards that we’ve ever had at the very beginning and we got out of it,” he said. “I had a lot of help and I believe we can get out of it again.”

Director Dr. Colette Horn expressed pride with the manner the board has conducted itself.

“In the past, boards have addressed their problems by waiting for them to solve themselves through director attrition,” she said. “We have also over the years addressed these problems by attempts to remove officers [or] directors.”

Horn said neither approach yielded lasting improvements.

“I would also ask the public to allow us the time and space that we need to do this work,” she said. “This is going to be a difficult process for us and it’s going to take a lot of courage and honesty on our parts.”