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By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 22, 2018) The raw data obtained from an Ocean Pines membership survey of more than 1,700 homeowners late last summer was released by the Ocean Pines Association on Nov. 9

According to a press release, all property owners were invited to take the survey, which focused on community priorities and the quality of municipal services.

“Survey respondents were asked to evaluate satisfaction levels for public safety such as the police and fire departments, street signs and lighting, speed limits, emergency response time and the conditions of the roads,” the release said. “In addition, questions about the responsiveness of the board of directors, the physical appearance of the community and its amenities, and the level of importance for development projects throughout Ocean Pines were included.”

A separate release asking for participation in the survey was sent out Aug. 23 and responses were due by Sept. 7.

According to the survey results, 1,773 took the questionnaire with the majority of responders, 66 percent, being 55-75 years old. Twenty four percent were over 75 and 8 percent were between 40 and 54 years of age. Just 2 percent were between 25-39 and no one under 25 completed the survey.

Additionally, 51 percent were women and 49 percent where men, and full-time residents made up 73 percent of the responders.

Most, 64 percent, have owned property for more than 11 years. Twenty percent had owned homes for five years or less, 13 percent for 6-10 years and 3 percent said they had been a property owner for less than one year.

Overall, most people said they were satisfied with how well the association keeps its membership informed. Thirty eight percent answered “good,” 29 percent said “average” and 21 percent said Ocean Pines did a “very good” job of keeping members up to date on community issues and activities. Nine percent said the association did a “poor” job and 3 percent answered “very poor.”

Asked how people obtained information, 62 percent said they read the Bayside Gazette, which was the top answer. Additional news and information sources were Ocean Pines quarterly newsletters (61 percent), “This Week in the Pines” weekly emails (57 percent), Ocean Pines activity guides (52 percent), the Ocean Pines Independent (50 percent), Ocean Pines Progress (48 percent), Ocean Pines Association websites (44 percent), The Courier (37 percent), Ocean Pines Association text alerts (22 percent), Ocean Pines Association monthly calendars (19 percent), calling specific departments (19 percent) and Ocean Pines Association Facebook pages (13 percent).

Of the write-in answers to that question, Joe Reynolds’s Ocean Pines Forum was by far the most popular answer, receiving more than 130 mentions, or about 7 percent.

Asked to rate several “reasons for locating in Ocean Pines,” answers rated as “very high” were the location (55 percent), safety (54 percent), community attractiveness (33 percent), value (31 percent), reputation (28 percent), the beach club (28 percent), the yacht club (23 percent), friends in the community (21 percent), aquatics (15 percent), golf (15 percent), recreational programs (14 percent), time spent as a guest (12 percent), the farmer’s market (11 percent) and racquet sports (7 percent).

Asked to rate the frequency of visits to specific amenities, the top answers for regular use were the yacht club (21 percent), farmer’s market (19 percent), community parks (16 percent) and beach club (15 percent). Just 2 percent claimed regular use of the tennis, platform tennis and pickle ball courts, and 1 percent said they regularly used the baseball and softball fields, and basketball courts.

Statistically, most answered they had “no opinion” on the overall operation of each amenity, except for the community center, which received more votes for “good” (45 percent) than “no opinion” (33 percent), the yacht club (43 percent “good” and 18 percent “no opinion”), farmer’s market (43 percent “good” and 29 percent “no opinion”) and community parks (42 percent “good” and 34 percent “no opinion”).

The lowest-rated amenity in terms of operations was the crab pier, with 11 percent saying it was poorly run, although 76 percent had “no opinion.”

Asked to rate development priorities on a scale of 1-5, top answers earning a 5, or highest priority, were drainage (64 percent), other (49 percent), road paving (35 percent), lighting of intersections (32 percent), police/administration building (31 percent), general community landscaping (29 percent), beach club building (28 percent), and mailboxes (26 percent).

Write-in answers for “other” were widely ranging and included drainage ditch maintenance, adding a cell phone tower, improving street signs, paving over potholes, making a decision on the crabbing pier, stricter enforcement at the dog park, and dredging canals.

Covered tennis courts was the least popular option, with 50 percent offering a “1” rating and just 5 percent giving it the top rating.

Most respondents said they felt “very safe and secure in Ocean Pines,” with 46 percent strongly agreeing and 43 percent agreeing. Police were viewed favorably (56 percent excellent and 32 percent good), as were fire and EMS (64 percent excellent and 26 percent good).

Not rated well was the board of directors, called fair by 38 percent and poor by 29 percent. Just 21 percent rated the board good and 2 percent excellent, while 10 percent said they had no opinion.

Polling slightly better was General Manager John Bailey, called good by 34 percent of responders, fair by 29 percent, poor by 12 percent and excellent by 6 percent. Eighteen percent said they had no opinion of Bailey.

Most, 53 percent, rated staff overall as good.

A majority, 57 percent, said the board and management was somewhat responsive and 21 percent said they were not very responsive. One percent rated the board and management as being extremely responsive.

Asked if they would support an assessment increase “to improve amenities and services,” 29 percent said they strongly disagreed, 26 percent were neutral, 22 percent disagreed, 17 percent agreed and 7 percent strongly agreed.

Sixty nine percent said they would support a referendum “to provide for better enforcement of the covenants and regulations, including the possibility of limited and capped fines through due process,” while 31 percent said they would not.

The same number, 69 percent to 31 percent, said they would support internet-based voting for the board of directors elections and referendum votes.

To view the survey results, visit www.oceanpines.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/PreliminarySurveyReport_4_11.8.18.pdf