Editor:
This is an open letter to all the voters of Ocean Pines. Soon, a very important ballot is coming in the mail to all property owners. I urge you to consider carefully your options before you cast your ballot this year.
This is my final year serving as a Board member for Ocean Pines. Through the past three years, I have learned some very valuable lessons that I would like to share from the inside.
First of all, the first two years of my term were exciting, filled with ideas, healthy debates and actions. I was proud to be elected to serve with this group of individuals. Did we agree on everything? No, not at all. There were no voting “Blocks”. The Board was run as an open exchange of ideas, and we all voted as we saw fit, with the interest of Ocean Pines as the number one priority. There were no “personal agendas” from the majority of the members.
However, this past year there was a very different environment, laced with acrimony, arguments and unprofessional actions at virtually every meeting. There was a total lack of respect by Board leadership towards those Board members who were not in the “Majority”. The leadership never reached out to the “other side”. One only had to pick up the community newspaper any week, or view the videos of Board meetings, to become aware of all the craziness that was going on in the meetings. The leadership of this board rarely met with the General Manager until well into the 8th month of the year. This has not fostered a good working relationship between the GM, staff and board. One cannot provide direction if you are not communicating.
Leadership is not bullying. We need to restore civility and integrity to the Board. In my opinion, those running for the Board, who simply complain, criticize and have negative “agendas” will do nothing to bring this community together and advance it’s interests.
I personally feel that we need a diverse Board, and that the inclusion of women will bring a different perspective to the meetings. All three women candidates not only bring excellent backgrounds and experience, but a positive approach to addressing issues. Also, please note who is supporting which candidates.
This is a wonderful community, and this has been my home since 1975. Do we have problems? Yes of course we do, but I challenge anyone to find a better community anywhere on the East Coast that offers what we do for our residents and owners. If you care as much about this community as I do, please take your voting privilege very seriously. I urge you all to vote.
Please, consider your options and vote to bring strong positive leadership to this community. Vote for the candidates that can work together with respect for all, including their fellow Board members, management, staff and, of course, the membership. Let’s make it a “win-win” for everyone.
Sharyn O’Hare
Ocean Pines
(The writer is a current Ocean Pines Association Board member.)
Candidate Should Step Down
Editor:
It truly is a shame that this letter even has to be written but I am completely dismayed that Mr. Slobodan Trendic has not removed himself as a candidate for the OPA Board of Directors.
The court will decide whether he is guilty or not. I believe that this gentleman has a problem that he needs to find the courage to correct. It is reported that he drove off the road into someone’s driveway and caused damage to a vehicle and then left the scene of the accident. It is also reported that he refused to take a DUI test. He then makes the comment that his attorney told him not to comment (which is fine) but he says “the truth will come out”.
What truth is he referring to? Unless he is going to claim that he was not driving the car, the truth is quite clear to me. Mr. Trendic’s ads call for “truth and doing the right thing”. Mr. Trendic will hopefully own up to what happened, tell the truth and get help, BUT to continue on as a viable, trustworthy candidate is a farce.
As a member of the OPA who has owned two properties for many years, I certainly will not be voting for him. My votes will be cast for two of the three women candidates, whom I believe will bring trust and character to this board.
Kathy Brennan
Ocean Pines