I'm sorry, Joe, but I don't buy your flip characterization that this whole thing is about nothing more than more than lawyers and money.

As you are a lawyer, I can understand your feelings.  However, you were not at the meeting, so I'm not sure how you could characterize what did or didn't happen.

It indeed all came down to the lawyers and the money -- it was painfully obvious.

I'm sure the four commissioners who voted to bring in Pennington Commons and have Ocean Pines take the risk for $1 million rather than the developer may have rationalized they were doing what was best for Worcester County. For anyone in the room it was crystal clear the four commissioners were more concerned about protecting the developer than protecting the taxpayers.

As Tom Cetola made very clear - First Things First.

One can only assume you agree that Ocean Pines residents should take the $1 million risk rather than the developer.

As an aside, Bennett Bozman showed up to testify as a private citizen who is apparently concerned about bringing in Gum Point Road to the Ocean Pines system. He lives there. He wasn't allowed to provide public comments as the hearing was only about Pennington Commons. There was little doubt, however, he wasn't happy about people along Gum Point being forced into the OP system.

From a political perspective it is going to be interesting when the issue is up for public hearing to see if James Purnell votes against Bozman when push comes to shove.