The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors certainly knows how to ring in the New Year. In a December 31, 2018 news release announcing a special board meeting to be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 8 A.M in the Assateague Room, the Board delivered Director Slobodan Trendic what perhaps amounts to a knockout punch to his personal integrity.

In announcing a closed session at the end of the Saturday meeting, the board stated a purpose of the closed session was, "....specifically to discuss an employee complaint regarding actions by Director Trendic."

No further information was provided. No suggestion as to the name or position of the employee; no mention as to the specific nature of the employee complaint.

All we know is the OPA Board of Directors has publicly announced that one of its members is the subject of an employee complaint that will be discussed in top secret. Does this involve physical contact? Is the complaint related to the "me too" movement? In the absence of facts, one could imagine all manner of possibilities.

At this point, we should not even want to know the nature of the charge or the employee involved. What every association member should want is an explanation of why Director Trendic was hung out to dry publicly, totally unable to defend himself without violating the nonsensical code of ethics passed by the board. Has the Board no shame? What was done to Trendic, in this case, is indefensible at any level.

Trendic may be a Board member but he deserves the same privacy as his accuser, at least until any complaint is thoroughly vetted.

Given the friction between Trendic and OPA President Doug Parks (last year Parks called Trendic a "turd" and wanted him removed from the Board of Directors), one can probably feel fairly certain political and personal infighting has yet again raised its ugly head in Ocean Pines. It is highly improbable that a news release about the Board agenda for Saturday would see the light of day without at least a cursory review by the OPA President. 

On the other hand, was the naming of Trendic done solely by the General Manager or some other Board member, or was it a simple mistake? If the latter, someone needs a severe public reprimand. The agenda is technically the responsibility of the Association Secretary, Colette Horn.

In the end, it makes no difference for Slobodan Trendic's reputation. Make no mistake, Trendic's reputation has been sullied by this irresponsible action by the Ocean Pines Association.

Thus far, only one board member has commented on OceanPinesForum.com. Director Frank Daly wrote, "Publishing Director Trendic’s name is an indefensible breach of conduct and etiquette and I, for one, am not one bit pleased about it.  And you can bet the farm that others will clearly understand how I feel at the meeting."