7/26/2005

Carey’s departing suggestions well received
By Bob Lassahn

As reported in the last edition of The Courier Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Director Skip Carey presented several items to the board of directors for their future consideration during the July 20 meeting. Mr. Carey’s term on the board will expire next month.

His first suggestion dealt with making OPA elections biennial in lieu of the present annual elections. His suggestion would likely necessitate an eight member board instead of the current seven member panel. He admits the idea needs a lot of work but believes the end result would be well worth the effort.

Several of the board members expressed support for the suggestion and Board President Dan Stachurski recalled that the concept received some consideration during 2000.  Director Tom Sandusky, whose term also expires next month, urged a serious study of the proposal, noting the annual disruption to the board’s work and commenting he was sick of seeing signs in the community every year.

Mr. Carey’s suggestion to revisit the issue of free newspapers in the driveways also received some positive comments. He suggested that central distribution points would serve the residents while eliminating the potential clutter from the weekly deliveries of several newspapers. Directors Heather Cook and Glen Duffy both commented they were somewhat supportive of the idea but wanted a legal opinion regarding the matter.

Mr. Carey’s suggestion to shift responsibility for the mowing of easements in front of Ocean Pines homes to the homeowner also met with some support. The grass between the ditches and the street is presently mowed by OPA on a routine basis, but numerous property owners have already requested that they be allowed to maintain the area.

By transferring responsibility to the homeowner Mr. Carey believes it will result in a cost savings to the OPA through reduced cutting time, more efficient use of personnel, fewer complaints and enhanced safety for the personnel involved who must dodge in and out of traffic at virtually every driveway.

Based upon the reaction from the five board members who will continue service into next year Mr. Carey’s suggestions may get further consideration. Prior to making his presentation he expressed the position that he did not expect any action and only wished to ensure the issues remain on the minds of the board.

On a fourth issue, a name change for employees such as inspectors and clerical personnel of the Architectural Review Committee to the Architectural Review Department came in the form of a motion. The motion received support but on a motion from Mark Venit was tabled pending a final report on the potential implications of the change.

In the final analysis Mr. Carey accomplished exactly what he set out to do. Issues that he considers potentially important to Ocean Pines have been planted in the minds of the directors who will continue to serve the community. They might resurface in future meetings for serious consideration.