(April 28, 2016) The Ocean Pines Search Committee has a message for anyone considering a run for the association’s board of directors: we’re here to help.
Last Tuesday evening, the committee held an informational meeting in the community center last Thursday evening with the hope that several homeowners might be enticed to file before the May 10 deadline.
In the audience were Bill Wentworth and Frank Danowski from the elections committee, along with current directors Pat Renaud, Cheryl Jacobs, Tom Herrick and Jack Collins.
Collins is up for reelection, and could run again, but no others at the meeting were apparently potential candidates.
“We happen to have a real, big, heavy turnout from our community. I have pages of all kinds of really insightful things to say,” Search Committee Chair Martin Baer deadpanned. “Everybody presently [here] is either on the election committee, the search committee, the press or the current board.”
Larry Perrone and Ray Unger declared their candidacies for the board earlier this year. Baer said he could not disclose the names of any other candidates who have filed until they have been properly vetted, although he hinted no others had filled out paperwork.
He said the search committee had been working on numerous fronts to find new candidates, placing road signs, sending press releases, and mailing letters to official Ocean Pines Association advisory committees, as well as to several “prominent” clubs in the community.
“Our effort is really to get the community aware and to participate,” Baer said. “Once they submit applications, we, the search committee, simply give them over the secretary of the board (Tom Herrick). Between the secretary of the board and the OPA administration, they vet those applications.”
That includes making sure candidates are homeowners, in good standing, without unpaid dues. Applications are then turned over the elections committee.
Jacobs, elected last year, said she was recruited to run by the committee, based on a recommendation by a homeowner in Ocean Pines. She asked if the committee had undergone similar efforts this year.
“I have received a number of individual names, and I’ve called those people and expressed to them that they have been strongly recommended,” Baer said. “We can certainly provide the application and any assistance that’s necessary.”
Baer said that included helping a candidate write summary statements about his or her political views, and going as far to arrange a test audience to help prepare for various public speaking engagements.
He added that members of the current board would also be happy to help.
“I would urge our community, please consider getting involved,” Jacobs said, adding that the search committee, and the letter of recommendation, convinced her to run last year.
“I know the [search committee] meeting that I went to, I was, I think, the only person there. They threatened to lock the door and not let me out until I put an application in,” Jacobs said, with a laugh.
This year, three board seats are up for election. Tom Terry has served two consecutive three-year terms and cannot run again because of term limits. Seats currently held by Collins and Bill Cordwell are also on the line.
Baer speculated that Cordwell would not run, based on conversations he had with the director. Collins said he has not decided whether he would run again.
According to Baer, Ocean Pines bylaws require at least two more candidates than vacancies in order for an election to be held. If at least five people have not filed for office by the May 10 deadline, he said the search committee could file for an extension.
“We don’t have a whole lot of time,” Committee member Gary Miller said. “If any of you do have suggestions, please let us know. May 10 is right around the corner.”
“We are trying to find ways to reach out to the community. If anybody has any other ideas of things we can do, please share with any of us [on the committee]. We would only be too glad to pursue it,” Baer said. “It’s so very important to have representation to our community with regards to our board candidates.
“People are very hesitant about running,” Baer continued. “The whole idea of writing about their views that are published in the paper – people aren’t comfortable with that. People aren’t necessarily comfortable with talking to a group of individuals. That’s why I, and other members of the search committee, try to assure individuals we’ll work with them … we’ll be only too glad.”
About 15 minutes into the meeting, Collins noted that there was a quorum of directors present. Jacobs volunteered to leave.
A candidate forum is scheduled for June 22. Ballots will be mailed July 7 and counted on Aug. 12. On Aug. 13, the association will hold its annual meeting and announced the winners of the election.
The Ocean Pines Search Committee was also scheduled to meet April 27, after press time.
Last Tuesday evening, the committee held an informational meeting in the community center last Thursday evening with the hope that several homeowners might be enticed to file before the May 10 deadline.
In the audience were Bill Wentworth and Frank Danowski from the elections committee, along with current directors Pat Renaud, Cheryl Jacobs, Tom Herrick and Jack Collins.
Collins is up for reelection, and could run again, but no others at the meeting were apparently potential candidates.
“We happen to have a real, big, heavy turnout from our community. I have pages of all kinds of really insightful things to say,” Search Committee Chair Martin Baer deadpanned. “Everybody presently [here] is either on the election committee, the search committee, the press or the current board.”
Larry Perrone and Ray Unger declared their candidacies for the board earlier this year. Baer said he could not disclose the names of any other candidates who have filed until they have been properly vetted, although he hinted no others had filled out paperwork.
He said the search committee had been working on numerous fronts to find new candidates, placing road signs, sending press releases, and mailing letters to official Ocean Pines Association advisory committees, as well as to several “prominent” clubs in the community.
“Our effort is really to get the community aware and to participate,” Baer said. “Once they submit applications, we, the search committee, simply give them over the secretary of the board (Tom Herrick). Between the secretary of the board and the OPA administration, they vet those applications.”
That includes making sure candidates are homeowners, in good standing, without unpaid dues. Applications are then turned over the elections committee.
Jacobs, elected last year, said she was recruited to run by the committee, based on a recommendation by a homeowner in Ocean Pines. She asked if the committee had undergone similar efforts this year.
“I have received a number of individual names, and I’ve called those people and expressed to them that they have been strongly recommended,” Baer said. “We can certainly provide the application and any assistance that’s necessary.”
Baer said that included helping a candidate write summary statements about his or her political views, and going as far to arrange a test audience to help prepare for various public speaking engagements.
He added that members of the current board would also be happy to help.
“I would urge our community, please consider getting involved,” Jacobs said, adding that the search committee, and the letter of recommendation, convinced her to run last year.
“I know the [search committee] meeting that I went to, I was, I think, the only person there. They threatened to lock the door and not let me out until I put an application in,” Jacobs said, with a laugh.
This year, three board seats are up for election. Tom Terry has served two consecutive three-year terms and cannot run again because of term limits. Seats currently held by Collins and Bill Cordwell are also on the line.
Baer speculated that Cordwell would not run, based on conversations he had with the director. Collins said he has not decided whether he would run again.
According to Baer, Ocean Pines bylaws require at least two more candidates than vacancies in order for an election to be held. If at least five people have not filed for office by the May 10 deadline, he said the search committee could file for an extension.
“We don’t have a whole lot of time,” Committee member Gary Miller said. “If any of you do have suggestions, please let us know. May 10 is right around the corner.”
“We are trying to find ways to reach out to the community. If anybody has any other ideas of things we can do, please share with any of us [on the committee]. We would only be too glad to pursue it,” Baer said. “It’s so very important to have representation to our community with regards to our board candidates.
“People are very hesitant about running,” Baer continued. “The whole idea of writing about their views that are published in the paper – people aren’t comfortable with that. People aren’t necessarily comfortable with talking to a group of individuals. That’s why I, and other members of the search committee, try to assure individuals we’ll work with them … we’ll be only too glad.”
About 15 minutes into the meeting, Collins noted that there was a quorum of directors present. Jacobs volunteered to leave.
A candidate forum is scheduled for June 22. Ballots will be mailed July 7 and counted on Aug. 12. On Aug. 13, the association will hold its annual meeting and announced the winners of the election.
The Ocean Pines Search Committee was also scheduled to meet April 27, after press time.