Amy Peck

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Aug. 10, 2023) On June 17, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved the appointment of Amy Peck to the Rec and Parks Committee. On Aug. 1, the board voted in an emergency session to remove her from the same committee.

The vote was 4-2, with directors Steve Jacobs and Colette Horn voting in opposition.

Prior to the vote, association President Doug Parks emailed Peck to let her know that she was being removed from her position.

The issue that caused her quick dismissal is the “Breaking News” announcement on the Ocean Pines ROC (Residents Oversight Community) Facebook page on July 14 congratulating Tim Robinson for being selected as Ocean Pines’ next chief of police. OP ROC, a corporate venture formed in December, is run by Peck and Sherrie Clifford.

The congratulatory message was posted seven days before Ocean Pines officially announced Robinson’s hiring.

When questioned about the appointment on Facebook, Peck responded, “We have checked with multiple reliable sources and all verify the hire.”

In a letter to Peck from attorney Bruce Bright, the association’s legal counsel, Bright said, “…you initiated contact with Tim Robinson, perhaps identifying yourself with reference to your current committee membership and/or your prior (appointed) board position, eliciting information from him regarding what has been and remains a non-public OPA personnel matter.”

“Regarding my interaction with Tim Robinson,” Peck replied, “I never asked him about this job, his starting date, nor did I ever call him. I have never used any position past or present to obtain information. My interaction with Chief Robinson was to send congratulations to him on this new position. This occurred on July 14.”

In the letter, Bright also stated, “you have made statements that are factually inaccurate and/or are critical of the OPA Board, staff and /or contractors.”

Horn took issue with what she called the speculative statements made by Bright and said this is a matter of free speech. She added that she considered Peck’s dismissal to be completely improper.

Responding to her dismissal, Peck said, “I will continue my volunteer efforts outside of a committee role and will use my voice to inform residents and promote Ocean Pines.”