commentary by Joe Reynolds

The Worcester County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of perhaps $30,000 from the Administration Building of the Ocean Pines Association.

The OPA Board of Directors publicly confirms an employee at the Yacht Club confessed to the theft of $2,500 and a former General Manager suggests the theft could have been closer to $100,000. No charges were brought. A past board member and past president of OPA publicly writes of possible corruption in one or more other OPA departments.

The OPA Board of Directors votes to seek bids for a forensic audit on all of OPA operations, beginning with Food and Beverage Services, and sets aside nearly $200,000 for that purpose.

OPA's new General Manager shuts down the Yacht Club entirely at the beginning of 2018, announces a serious mold problem in the new $6 million building, fires all Yacht Club employees, and cancels future banquet reservations. 

After all this, on March 14, 2018 the Ocean Pines Association published a news release promoting Ocean Pines for weddings, urging brides to "go wild with wildflowers in a dreamy setting." Then adding, "Flirt with the idea of meadows of sprawling flowers, overgrown grass and a bold pop of color – all along the sandy beach of Ocean City, Maryland. It’s the union of daring wildflowers and calming waves of joy."

The promotional effort goes on to tell brides:

"Our unique locations are complemented by our passion, knowledge and mission to exceed your expectations and to provide you and your guests with unparalleled service. Our wedding coordinators will offer their expertise every step of the way – from helping with the initial planning to putting the final touches in place on your wedding day."

Meadows of sprawling flowers? Calming waves of joy? Our passion, knowledge and mission? Our unparalleled service?

OPA has no food service banquet employees; it has no banquet services. It may again in the future, but there are currently no details available, and certainly no evidence of "unparalleled service."

The word laughingstock comes to mind.