In yet another bombshell incident involving resigned OPA board member Tom Janasek, OPA board member Larry Perrone made a motion during a public board session to ban Janasek from all OPA food and beverage facilities for one year. In the voting to add the motion to the agenda, director Doug Parks stated, "I want it on the record that I am opposed."

The Perrone motion comes on the heels of an incident at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club on the evening of May 20, 2022 where, according to Perrone, Janasek "verbally accosted" OPA board member Josette Wheatley. Wheatley subsequently filed a report with the Ocean Pines Police Department on May 21, 2022.

Janasek resigned from the Board of Directors after revelation of disgusting vulgar comments in an email to Director Colette Horn, and came close to being removed a year or so ago over charges of verbal harassment of General Manager John Viola, also at OPA food and beverage facilities.

Here is the text of Larry Perrone's motion, as well as his comments about what transpired:

"I move the Board of Directors give direction to GM John Viola to make the ban that will be instituted on Tom Janasek prohibiting him from entering the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Golf Club for one year from the date he is notified.

"Purpose and Effect: The purpose of this motion is to restrict community member Tom Janasek from frequenting the OPA food and beverage amenities for one year because of his behavior on May 20, 2022. On that date Mr. Janasek verbally accosted Director Josette Wheatley and her husband at the tiki bar at the Yacht Club. Mr. Janasek was escorted from the premises but returned after being told to leave by Matt Ortt Company employees.

"Banning Mr. Janasek by the General Manager for one year conforms with precedent set when a community member was banned from the Yacht Club and pools for a year by a past General Manager.

"This is the second incident where Mr. Janasek verbally accosted a person at a food and beverage amenity. The prior incident involved the General Manager, John Viola, and that incident resulted in a complaint to the Board of Directors.

"The Background: The GM has banned other community members in the past, as noted above. The GM and the Board of Directors have the obligation to protect patrons of our amenities, whether they are board members or associate members."

Those Perrone words ended the motion. Frank Daly seconded the motion.

Perrone then began discussion of the motion:

"I think we all know what went on with the emails going back and forth. The incident that occurred here from what I have read in the reports and in personal discussions is just beyond the pale. It is outrageous that a member of the board, or for that matter, any member of our community, should be abused verbally as Josette Wheatley was on the night of May 20, 2022.

"There is no question that it happened. There is no dispute about what happened. In fact, there is video of what happened. Any dispute about what happened can be viewed on the video. The (email) discussions that we've had to this point are whether or not our documents give us the ability to render a punishment for actions of this nature. I think the answer to that question is No.

"However, the bylaws under the 'other lawful actions' provision make the board responsible for the safety at our amenities. This was a safety issue. Not only was Mr. Janasek intoxicated and verbally abusive, but based on the statements taken from the witnesses, it was clear that this incident could have become physical.

"It has been made clear that the Matt Ortt Companies intend to do nothing, based on their policy (letter from Ortt) that this is a first incident. Based on their policies and procedures, they escorted Janasek from the Yacht Club, and as far as they are concerned, that's it.

"I understand that. However, the Matt Ortt Companies are contractors for Ocean Pines. They have a responsibility for the operation of all our food and beverage amenities. We as a board also have an obligation for the safety of the patrons, homeowners, and board members at our amenities.

"If this is left to the General Manager, he is not going to do it (impose ban) over concern about litigation. But as a board, we do have an obligation, and while our General Manager may be concerned about litigation coming from Tom Janasek, I am more concerned about litigation that could occur in the future if Mr. Janasek is allowed to frequent our food and beverage operations and this incident happens again and someone is hurt.

"The other concern I have is that for the board members who have been around here for the past two and a half years, that these outbursts and situations with him (Janasek) have been increasingly severe. This one, no doubt, is the most severe. I understand all the issues but as a board, it is my position we have an obligation to protect the community and we have the right, under our other legal rights clause portion of the bylaws, to give the General Manager direction here.

"My intention here is not to ask the Matt Ortt Company to take this action. This is OPA action. Matt Ortt Companies have agreed that if we make the decision to enforce a one-year ban, they will comply with our direction. But the direction will be Ocean Pines; it will not be Matt Ortt's.

"All that being said, after talking with counsel, and understanding we received that (Ortt) letter today, I am going to move that we table this motion so that our counsel has an opportunity to review and analyze the letter we received today and that the board receive a briefing on our options."

Motion was tabled and no further discussion.