Ocean Pines Association member Stuart Lakernick applied to become a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. His desire to serve was rejected during the February 23rd board meeting on a disgraceful 3-2 vote. Doug Parks and Rick Farr voted to approve Lakernick's appointment. Frank Daly, Josette Wheatley, and Larry Perrone voted against.

Amy Peck and Collette Horn did not vote. Had they voted for Lakernick, he would have been appointed to the committee. Amy Peck is the liaison to the Strategic Planning Committee. Lakernick‘s application came to the board with the endorsement of the committee chairman and the endorsement of board member Amy Peck. How could Peck not vote while signing an application document endorsing Lakernick's appointment?

Horn's decision not to vote was especially troubling. As president, the bylaws charge Horn with making committee appointments. To quote the bylaws: "Chairpersons and members shall be members of the Association eligible to vote and shall be appointed or reappointed by the President, with the consent of the Board of Directors." How could she appoint Lakernick, and then vote against him? Answer - she never complied with the bylaws to appoint Lakernick. The entire episode is a disgrace, no matter how viewed.

Those voting against Lakernick, and even those not voting, can say it was not a revenge vote until the cows come home. No one will believe them. Lakernick and Farr ran more or less as a team in the last board election. Farr prevailed in court when his candidacy was rejected. After the dust settled. Farr was an election winner and now sits on the board. Lakernick lost rather narrowly to Frank Daly. Now Daly votes to not appoint Lakernick, an eligible association member, to the committee. Daly said his reason for voting against Lakernick was due to Lakernick's comments about the chairman of the Election Committee last year. No other board members explained their votes during the meeting.

Association member Ed Moran wrote, "Why is it that this board cannot wean itself from controversy? This is a committee assignment, for god's sake. This board and prior boards have demonstrated their ability to ignore the work product of committee members to the point that I wonder why anyone would volunteer. So, it is clearly a political statement and a juvenile one, as well. Schoolyard."

Horn seemed uncomfortable when it came to the committee appointment votes. She took them one at a time rather than the traditional vote on all appointments. She obviously knew in advance there were votes against Lakernick. Parks and Farr made little complaint about the vote result. They are biding their time until August when they expect to be in the majority, with Horn and Daly on the outside looking in with no influence. Three open board seats will be filled this year.

The current majority appears oblivious to the fact that they may be helping Parks and Farr take control. The board majority should have approved Lakernick. Instead, they turned Lakernick into a cause célèbre. Rejecting this qualified association member was disgraceful. Association members should be outraged, whether they support Lakernick or not. Expect to see Lakernick's name on the board election ballot later this year. He may have the last laugh.