6/28/2015 9:38:53 PM
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Section 23: OPA Elections Subject: Candidates Forum Msg# 924109
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Tom
The problem is as the make up of the board continues to evolve, these priorities constantly change, and we become stuck in quicksand. Therein lies the mother of all flaws regarding the governance of OPA. As you observed the BoD is reconstituted EVERY year thus there is no continuity from year to year in board governance. Newly elected directors are "sworn in" in September and become responsible for overseeing a budget that normally they neither created nor, in most cases, understand. To make matters more difficult, September is typically the start of the new budget development cycle and the new BoD is required to provide "Budget Guidelines" to the GM which are supposed to be incorporated in the Preliminary Budget submitted to the BoD in January. During January and February the BoD is literally consumed with reviewing and approving the new budget while trying to oversee the current budget. By the time March rolls around the board has but two months left in the current fiscal year. As is painfully evident with every board, there seems to be a lack of knowledge on the part of some directors of existing OPA governance documents, thus there is no continuity from year to year in board governance. This results in directors sometimes issuing resolutions that are in direct conflict with these existing governance rules. As there are no "electoral districts" in OPA, the entire board represents all of sections of OPA. Therefore there is a lack of "local sector" representation and thus there is no continuity from year to year in focusing on problems that may affect one OP area but not another. The property owners in an affected area must constantly reintroduce their problem before new boards to get them resolved. Last, but not least, the OPA GM and employees will outlast any board or director so they will use this weakness - at times - to decide for themselves what will be done regardless of what the BoD directs. So BoD's may successfully direct that something be done, but that "something" may never actually be accomplished. Succeeding BoD's may not even be aware of these situations. Gene |
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: "one exception was a common feeling expressed by all candidates that some magical comprehensive plan for an already built out community was to be the salvation of OPA" Joe, Back in 2009 the fall edition of a Ocean Pines newsletter advised the community that the formation of a "10 year Task Force" was to address all of our major facilities and infrastructure problems. This task force was to prioritize major maintenance, review funding requirements, and schedule the improvements. It specifically mentioned the two interior bridges, requiring major repairs or replacement in the next two years and "planning is underway". We now can fast forward 6 years later and to our disappointment, not much has been done in this regard. The problem is board members and candidates continually talk about prioritizing our needs. The problem is as the make up of the board continues to evolve, these priorities constantly change, and we become stuck in quicksand. Some boards believe in the vision of a multi-million dollar "campus" in every corner of our community reflecting the interest of some, and some others do not want to spend any money at all. Ocean Pines is unique in that it is a diverse community devised with members from different economic backgrounds and ideas. Board members should be tolerable to the needs of our entire community, not just those of a special minority group. I, for one, do not believe in a "magical comprehensive plan". I do believe we need to invest and maintain what we already have, and do so in a reasonable manner. The boards function should be to keep Ocean Pines attractive, affordable, safe and enjoyable for ALL our association members and their guests. P.S- Realtor signs spread out on all over the property in our community does not fall under attractive. |
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