By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(May 17, 2018) Ten candidates have filed for three vacancies on the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors, but only nine were verified as of Wednesday, according to board sources.

One announced candidate, Brett Hill, apparently did not meet the qualifications as set forth in association bylaws and Resolution M-09, sources said.

Hill, in an email Wednesday, said the ruling would “definitely be challenged.”

“I am waiting for some information back from my attorney before responding officially,” he said.

The top-two vote getters this year will each earn three-year terms in office, but because of an unusual occurrence, whomever finishes third will not.

Hill, elected in 2016, resigned last year and Ted Moroney was appointed in his place. Because of the resignation, the third-place finisher would technically be fulfilling the final year of Hill’s three-year term, and will serve for one year.

Running along with Moroney are former Elections Committee Chairman Steve Tuttle, current Comprehensive Planning Committee Chairman Frank Daly, and Paula Gray, who filed last year, but dropped out of the running early.

Also running are political newcomers Mark Mitchell, a former district manager at Sears and regional manager at Comcast, and Esther Diller, recently named chairwoman of the political advocacy group Stop Taxing Ocean Pines (STOP).

Three additional candidates, Scott Wagner, Gregory Turner and Arie Klapholz, also filed and were verified.

A candidate draw and informational meeting was scheduled for June 8. Candidate forums are scheduled on June 20 and July 14.

Ballots will be mailed on July 10, votes will be counted and totals announced on Aug. 10, and winners will be announced during the annual meeting on Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Assateague Room of the community center on 235 Ocean Parkway.