Now there is another report in the Worcester County Times of January 13, 2005 quoting Stachurski as saying OPA would upgrade the existing structures and then add to those structures to meet our full space requirements. Not too long ago he was saying in regard to our current meeting space, "The difference between what we have and what we need is stunning." Perhaps we'll have a "stunning," under-$1 million addition at some point.

During the election last year there seemed overwhelming support among the existing board, and board candidates, to proceed as quickly as possible with the entire Comprehensive Plan proposal -- essentially a Town Center at the Sports Core area, complete with new Community Hall, indoor pool, gymnasium, etc. At a recent Town Hall meeting the Comprehensive Plan Committee said the top priority was a new, large community center.

Heather Cook and Glenn Duffy were two successful candidates who stressed the importance of proceeding with the Comprehensive Plan during their campaigns. Duffy said the Board, "... should take its (Comprehensive Plan Committee) recommendations, goals and objectives seriously and implement them."

It appears Duffy's idea may be out the window. Stachurski is quoted as saying lot owners should not expect a referendum on building a new community center. However, in an interview with Focus On The Pines host Jack Barnes on 11/3/2004, Stachurski stated rather unequivocably that while it might be possible to move forward without a referendum, he, "... would not be part of an operation that did this." Now he is suggesting OPA may do exactly that.

This board has just spent a great deal of their time and our money, as did two prior boards, to come to the same conclusion -- people in Ocean Pines probably aren't going to vote to spend $5 million to $15 million dollars on new infrastructure. OPA sure didn’t need to spend about $35,000 in consultant fees to decide Ocean Pines could use an addition to the Community Hall. As with spending up to $25,000 to obtain a permit for a Swim/Racquet Club Marina, this is yet another case of wasting the hard-earned money of association members before knowing what the community wants - a classic case of placing the cart before the horse.

As if all this isn't confusing enough, the Worcester County Times article also says the coming budget includes money for "consulting expenses and commercial appraisals as the board works on meeting space needs in the Pines."

Confused yet? Why would OPA need commercial appraisals related to selling property or Beach Club air rights if the Board will do nothing requiring a referendum? Remember, only anything over about $920,000 built or sold requires a referendum.

Renovation and addition may be the way to go, but this change in direction by Stachurski, and perhaps others, is a bit surprising. Whatever is done should be done properly, however, and not in ultimately costly bits and pieces just to avoid a referendum.