Seven Candidates Seek Two OPA Board Seats

OCEAN PINES – Seven candidates have filed to run for two seats on the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors in this summer’s election.

Candidates Martin Clarke, Nicole Shaffer Crosariol, Paula Robertson Gray, Colette Horn, Arie Klapholz, Doug Parks and Brenda Lynn Wascak have been announced as the seven candidates in the 2017 board election. They’re campaigning for the seats currently held by Parks and Dave Stevens.

Parks, who was selected to fill the vacancy on the board created by the resignation of Pat Renaud last September, says he’s eager to continue in his current role.

“I decided to run for election with the desire to continue serving the Ocean Pines community and its members, to deliver solutions as promised in conjunction with the Technology Work Group that I lead, and to team with my board colleagues to assist with the required oversight to have Ocean Pines operations run in an effective and business-like manner,” he said.

Clarke, though not a current board member, has served two prior terms, from 2007-2010 and from 2012-2015.

“If elected to the board of directors it will be my goal to promote a conservative zero based budget incorporating reasonable reserves and encourage sound, common sense business practices at our amenities,” he wrote in his candidate biography.

Horn, a licensed psychologist, said the recent actions of the current board and the association’s acting general manager prompted her to file for election.

“I had some concerns about how decisions were being made,” she said, adding that in particular she was worried about actions taken by the general manager without consultation with the board. “It concerns me as a homeowner. It impacts the financial health of the association.”

She believes her professional experience would serve her well as a board member.

“I’m a Ph.D. licensed psychologist,” she said. “My training prepared me for being able to look at issues from multiple perspectives and to use facts and data in making decisions.”

Crosariol, 31, is the youngest candidate in this year’s election. She says she grew up in Ocean Pines and would bring a fresh perspective to the board. After having worked in two of the largest restaurants in Ocean City as well as in other local businesses, she now runs her own business and has a flexible schedule.

“I feel like I can add something to the board and I have the time to do it,” she said.

Wascak, set to retire in September just as newly elected board members will begin their duties, says she’s interested in devoting her free time to the community as well. She believes her experience in a variety of positions at the Department of Defense will serve her well as a board member.

“My main reason for running is to get to know my neighbors better,” she said.

Association members will have the opportunity to hear the views of this year’s candidates during a forum set for June 21 at the Ocean Pines Community Center. Election ballots will be mailed July 11 and counted Aug. 11. Elections results will be announced at the association’s annual meeting Aug. 12.

About The Author: Charlene Sharpe

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Charlene Sharpe has been with The Dispatch since 2014. A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and the University of Richmond, she spent seven years with the Delmarva Media Group before joining the team at The Dispatch.