(Aug. 25, 2016) Although an unprecedented 11 candidates were on the ballot in the board of directors election in Ocean Pines this year, only three could be seated.
For the other seven homeowners who spent months campaigning, participating in forums and talking to the public and the local media, what will happen to the issues they championed during the campaign?
The Gazette contacted these candidates to find out.
Steve Lind:
“As a concerned citizen I’ve been involved in Ocean Pines politics for 17 years, why stop now?
“I’m confident and excited about having a new board majority, but they will have a lot on their plate and I’d be glad to do anything that might help them with their tasks, including going back on the Clubs Advisory Committee if the board so desires. The yacht club and the country club are hot-button issues that I know directors Herrick, Hill and Trendic have placed high on their priority list.
“Running for the board was a very rewarding experience, but I’m not sure I’d have the energy to do it again, especially if there are nearly as many people running at one time as there was this year. Some of us – specifically me, Collins, Janasek and Parks – were competing for the votes of the exact same segment of the community because we were all basically running on the same platform; in retrospect the odds were against us.
“But, as the saying goes, never say never.”
Tom Janasek:
“I promised if I was not elected I would still work on the causes I spoke about during my campaign. Certainly the one of the biggest hot-button issues is the yacht club and I am going to submit my application for the Clubs Committee as soon as possible. Also, as an avid golfer, I would like to see the golf advisory committee/board restarted to help the board with their decisions regarding our golf course. We have one of the nicest courses on the Eastern Shore, and I would like to help bring back our OP resident membership and make the country club a place to visit year-round.
“Hopefully, this new board will listen and implement some of the recommendations made by any and all of the committees.”
Larry Perrone:
“I intend to get more involved with the community, and specifically I am applying for a position on the Budget and Finance Committee. I am also considering the Clubs Committee. I will be a full-time resident and I believe I can add value to the community.
“I will also be watching to see if the new board works together any better than the last board. I’m not sure the board will work together as a team. I hope I am wrong. We have too many issues to deal with in the near term and the board must cooperate to get things done. I hope the new majority will remember what it was like being in the minority.”
Frank Daly:
“The main reason I decided to run for the board of directors was that, as a homeowner and member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, I was aware of and concerned about a number of communitywide issues that either were not being addressed by the HOA management and board or were being addressed ineffectively.
“I plan on continuing my community service within the Pines as head of the Comprehensive Planning Committee. I have explained to the board on more than one occasion that the sole purpose of that committee is to determine community-wide issues and priorities for the board and HOA management to address.
“We are quickly approaching the point of where the new board will have to decide on how to move forward in determining those priorities, or whether they are even interested in determining them.
“At this point I am cautiously optimistic that the board, in implementing the will of the lot owners that elected them, will move forward to understand and address the communitywide issues beyond the issue of who should be the general manager.
“We’ll see what happens. If we are talking about the same issues next year, I’ll run again. If not, I will be quite content with my current business, personal and community service activities.”
Doug Parks:
“I made a commitment to the Ocean Pines community last year when I volunteered to serve on the By-Laws and Resolutions advisory committee. Regardless of the outcome of the recent election, my commitment and enthusiasm to serve Ocean Pines remains. I am supportive of the candidates that were elected and am keenly interested in seeing how this new board evolves and can come together as a group to more uniformly address the issues we are all aware of here in Ocean Pines. I have offered my assistance to the board as both a committee chairman and a regular member of the association.
“Overall, running for the board was both rewarding and educational for me. Time and expenses aside, meeting the folks that I did during the campaign really enlightened me regarding the different viewpoints our association members have on the various issues and where their priorities lie. I have also gained a better understanding of the subtle nuances of running a campaign and what resonates with voters.
“Will I run again? If I based my decision solely on my results in the recent vote count, I have to reconsider the time and expense associated with another election run. But considering other factors, such as discussions I have had with those that supported me, as of today I’m leaning a little more towards running again next year. However, there are many things that influence my decision, many of which could change over time. What won’t change is my desire to serve the community.
“As I and others have said, congratulation to Brett, Slobodan and Pat, and I look forward to how I can continue to support the board and the OPA membership.”
For the other seven homeowners who spent months campaigning, participating in forums and talking to the public and the local media, what will happen to the issues they championed during the campaign?
The Gazette contacted these candidates to find out.
Steve Lind:
“As a concerned citizen I’ve been involved in Ocean Pines politics for 17 years, why stop now?
“I’m confident and excited about having a new board majority, but they will have a lot on their plate and I’d be glad to do anything that might help them with their tasks, including going back on the Clubs Advisory Committee if the board so desires. The yacht club and the country club are hot-button issues that I know directors Herrick, Hill and Trendic have placed high on their priority list.
“Running for the board was a very rewarding experience, but I’m not sure I’d have the energy to do it again, especially if there are nearly as many people running at one time as there was this year. Some of us – specifically me, Collins, Janasek and Parks – were competing for the votes of the exact same segment of the community because we were all basically running on the same platform; in retrospect the odds were against us.
“But, as the saying goes, never say never.”
Tom Janasek:
“I promised if I was not elected I would still work on the causes I spoke about during my campaign. Certainly the one of the biggest hot-button issues is the yacht club and I am going to submit my application for the Clubs Committee as soon as possible. Also, as an avid golfer, I would like to see the golf advisory committee/board restarted to help the board with their decisions regarding our golf course. We have one of the nicest courses on the Eastern Shore, and I would like to help bring back our OP resident membership and make the country club a place to visit year-round.
“Hopefully, this new board will listen and implement some of the recommendations made by any and all of the committees.”
Larry Perrone:
“I intend to get more involved with the community, and specifically I am applying for a position on the Budget and Finance Committee. I am also considering the Clubs Committee. I will be a full-time resident and I believe I can add value to the community.
“I will also be watching to see if the new board works together any better than the last board. I’m not sure the board will work together as a team. I hope I am wrong. We have too many issues to deal with in the near term and the board must cooperate to get things done. I hope the new majority will remember what it was like being in the minority.”
Frank Daly:
“The main reason I decided to run for the board of directors was that, as a homeowner and member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, I was aware of and concerned about a number of communitywide issues that either were not being addressed by the HOA management and board or were being addressed ineffectively.
“I plan on continuing my community service within the Pines as head of the Comprehensive Planning Committee. I have explained to the board on more than one occasion that the sole purpose of that committee is to determine community-wide issues and priorities for the board and HOA management to address.
“We are quickly approaching the point of where the new board will have to decide on how to move forward in determining those priorities, or whether they are even interested in determining them.
“At this point I am cautiously optimistic that the board, in implementing the will of the lot owners that elected them, will move forward to understand and address the communitywide issues beyond the issue of who should be the general manager.
“We’ll see what happens. If we are talking about the same issues next year, I’ll run again. If not, I will be quite content with my current business, personal and community service activities.”
Doug Parks:
“I made a commitment to the Ocean Pines community last year when I volunteered to serve on the By-Laws and Resolutions advisory committee. Regardless of the outcome of the recent election, my commitment and enthusiasm to serve Ocean Pines remains. I am supportive of the candidates that were elected and am keenly interested in seeing how this new board evolves and can come together as a group to more uniformly address the issues we are all aware of here in Ocean Pines. I have offered my assistance to the board as both a committee chairman and a regular member of the association.
“Overall, running for the board was both rewarding and educational for me. Time and expenses aside, meeting the folks that I did during the campaign really enlightened me regarding the different viewpoints our association members have on the various issues and where their priorities lie. I have also gained a better understanding of the subtle nuances of running a campaign and what resonates with voters.
“Will I run again? If I based my decision solely on my results in the recent vote count, I have to reconsider the time and expense associated with another election run. But considering other factors, such as discussions I have had with those that supported me, as of today I’m leaning a little more towards running again next year. However, there are many things that influence my decision, many of which could change over time. What won’t change is my desire to serve the community.
“As I and others have said, congratulation to Brett, Slobodan and Pat, and I look forward to how I can continue to support the board and the OPA membership.”