Here's a link to the Town Hall meeting video that includes John O'Connor's presentation of options to sell property:

Town Hall Meeting 
OPA Town Hall Meeting on space needs held on 12/1/2004. 

On 4/6/2005, you wrote "I would not think that a referendum is neccessary to sell an O/P/A building lot. That said I think we should place all fifteen (15) on the market today and sell them, regardless of the community center issue.  A million dollars is a very conservitive number.  I would bet a net greater than 1.5 million.".

So, back then you thought 15 of these horrible lots were worth more than $1.5 million. Ridiculous, as was promptly demonstrated.

For th4r totally uninformed who suggest I was opposed to selling the lots, I wrote the following on on April 6, 2005: " I'd prefer a single item on the referendum - a new community hall with a price tag of about $2.5 million to be financed without any assessment increase with funding handled via sale of existing buildable lots (not the commercial property along 589) and perhaps some reserve funds."

Below is video of board discussing how to finance CC. The discussion of the 19 lots begins at about 5:40 into the video. At around 8:50 Dave holds up the list of all OPA owned lots. This is the list that was made available to the media and the 19 were indicated.

OPA Finance Space Needs 
Board discusses financing of space needs. 4/22/2005. 40 min

What I wrote back on 11/3/2006:

Here's the lastest info I can obtain from OPA about the lots:

This 15-lot list is based on a memo done in June of 2005 from Dave Ferguson to the Board of recommened property for sale but has not been finally approved by the Board as the ones they will be selling. Of the lots OPA owns these represented the best possibilty in the opinion of Dave Ferguson. The Board has not made any decision to sell these lots as yet. The Board may decide to change the list before approving a final list of lots for sale. (I guess all those folks having sleepless nights over this will have to wait)


18 Footbridge 

98 Camelot 

125 High Sheriff 

25 Alden Court 

20 Watertown 

23 Watertown 

67 Brandywine 

15 Garrett 

1176 Ocean Parkway 

148 Nottingham 

167 Nottingham 

11 Willow Way 

55 Quarterstaff 

17 Robinhood 

14 Fosse Grange 

-----------

The following is text of letter from Tom Olson offering OPA lots to all OPA members:

January 2, 2007 
Re: Lot Offer to Ocean Pines Membership

Dear Ocean Pines Association Member, 
You may be aware that the Ocean Pines Association owns the following lots #: 
Full Potential Asking Price 
18 Footbridge $150,000 
98 Camelot $150,000 
55 Quarterstaff $150,000 
125 High Sheriff $150,000 
17 Robinhood $150,000 
20 Watertown $150,000 
23 Watertown $150,000 
67 Brandywine $150,000 
15 Garrett $150,000

Plat maps are available for serious buyers. The Association intends to sell these lots and they are being offered to the membership at a price of $150,000 each which reflects current market rates. The properties are being offered to Ocean Pines members for a period of 30 days. Terms include 10% deposit at time of offer with balance due at closing (maximum 60 days from date of offer). The lots are offered on a first come first serve, AS IS basis. If you are interested in purchasing one of these properties, please contact me at the above phone number, not later than February 2, 2007. After February 2nd the properties may be offered to the general public. 
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this matter. 
Sincerely, 
Thomas J. Olson 
General Manager 
TJO/pce 
Lot offer to Ocean Pines membership

------

MARTY, THE REASON THOSE LOTS NEVER SOLD WAS THE RIDICULOUS ASKING PRICE.

Marty, on 3/23/2007 I wroye to you: "Obviously the lots are not going to sell any time soon for $150,000 each."

-------

on 7/20/2007, I wrote: "Surprisingly, Heather Cook, a board member who originally touted the lot sale income as covering about half the cost of the proposed Community Center, made a statement at the board meeting that she would not be surprised if some of the lots never sell."