Directors:

The Ocean Pines Board of Directors has recommended that someone who wants to become a board member volunteer to serve on an advisory committee in order to learn more about how OPA operates. I think that such service would be valuable experience for a potential board member.

A person who has run for the Ocean Pines Board twice in the past (and will probably run in the future) recently volunteered for one of the two available seats on our Strategic Planning Committee. He has been denied the opportunity to serve, with no explanation or discussion of this rejection.

Most committee applicants are approved unanimously. In some meetings, the list of applicants is read, and they are all approved in a mass vote. As a member of this community, I think that the BOD at least owes the above applicant, and the community, an explanation of why the application was rejected, and what the applicant needs to do before the next meeting in order to become a committee member.

I'm trying to understand the apparent logical disconnect in the first two paragraphs. I hope I'm wrong, but it appears that those voting against approval for the committee appointment would not want this person to be elected to the board.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Jim Matthews