Venit's Candidate Get-Together
Commentary by Joe Reynolds

OPA Director Mark Venit's emailed invitations to an informal "get-together" at his home went out just a few days ago to all ten of the candidates for the OPA Board, seven members of the current Board, and eight members of the media. Despite minor internal misgivings about Venit's idea from Heather Cook and Tom Sandusky over some some perceived issues related to the the Home Owners Association Act, the gathering last night appeared to be a smashing success.

Venit's invitations to the candidates said the idea behind the get-together was, "... to meet one another, share ideas, ask questions, express your opinions, and probe the issues facing our community as well as learn about 'the issues behind the issues.'"

In the end, the informal atmosphere had small groups of two to four people forming and dissolving as individuals moved about the room. Certainly there were discussions of Ocean Pines issues, but politics was far from the only thing on the minds of folks attending. Topics ranged from politics, to fishing, to how people decided on making Ocean Pines their home, to local eateries, and not a small measure of light-hearted banter with lots of smiles and laughter.

Heather Cook had this to say on the morning following the get-together, "It was a nice opportunity to talk with the candidates personally in a social atmosphere."

OPA President Dan Stachurski was even more effusive about the gathering, saying, "It was a good idea. I hope it becomes a tradition and we have a reception with candidates, board members and the press on a yearly basis, perhaps at the Yacht Club. I give Mark credit for making it happen."   

Candidates attending included Norm Katz, Janet Kelley, Ron Leidner, John Reid, Reid Sterrett, and Chris Wareing. From the current Board were George Coleburn, Heather Cook, Glenn Duffy, Tom Sandusky, Dan Stachurski, and host Mark Venit. Media types in attendance included Chip Bertino of The Courier, Joe Reynolds of OceanPinesForum.com, Tom Stauss of the Ocean Pines Progress, and Leon Mach of Ocean City Today. Refreshments included some snack foods, coffee, soda and iced tea.

It was indeed a thoroughly enjoyable and informative evening. Like Stachurski, I'd like to thank Mark Venit for "making it happen."