LIFE IN THE PINES
An excursion through the curious by-ways and cul-de-sacs
of Worcester County’s most densely populated community.

By TOM STAUSS/Publisher 1/1/2006

Recent speculation on oceanpinesforum.com had OPA director Dan Stachurski running against incumbent county commissioner Tom Cetola in the northern district, pitting two former Ocean Pines directors and presidents against each other in the general election. As quickly as what Stachurski later characterized as a trial balloon was floated heavenward, it came crashing down, brought back to earth by Stachurski himself, who told this column and Cetola personally that he really doesn’t want to run against a commissioner who agrees with him on a lot of issues.

Stachurski believes that Cetola is supportive of one of Stachurski’s pet ideas, adding needed road and utility infrastructure to the so-called Golden Triangle of undeveloped property that surrounds Ocean Pines and environs. Stachurski has advocated a new east-west road running south of Ocean Pines along Section 10, also known as Sherwood Forest and the home of Cetola’s colleague on the county commission, Judy Boggs.

If Stachurski declines to run against Cetola, there will be no shortage of announced candidates for the northern district seat. Linda Busick is said to be gearing up for a rematch in the Republican primary, and Democrat Arlene Page of Bishopville is preparing to run as a Democrat, so far resisting importuning to switch parties that Cetola says Boggs has encouraged.

Just more evidence that there is no love lost between the two Ocean Pines Republican commissioners.

That Boggs would be encouraging the Page candidacy and a party switch does not seem all that far-fetched, as Boggs herself, in a previous incarnation, was a Democrat who lived in (shudder) Montgomery County. Upon arriving in Ocean Pines, the story goes, she experienced one of those Road to Damascus conversions made possible by a finger to the wind and research into the Ocean Pines voter rolls.

So far, Ms. Judy has no announced or rumored opposition, although Stachurski says he believes a Democratic candidate of stature will surface before the filing deadline. It won’t be him, apparently, unless he’s able to find himself a residency in Boggs’ district sometime very soon. So far, his frequent date, a Republican Realtor of local fame, has not yet offered Dan title to a house in the Ocean Pines district.

Pity, that. If ever there would be a dream race in the Ocean Pines district, Stachurski vs. Boggs would be it.