Recent commentary from OceanPinesForum.com about OPA seeking proposals from vendors interested in managing all of OPA's food and beverage operations as the current contract with Matt Ortt Companies (MOC) expires next year sparked a great deal of interest on the forum message board.

Vendors must have those proposals in the hands of OPA by the end of business on October 18th. Word is several vendors may submit proposals in addition to a likely proposal from MOC, the current contract holder.

Much of the resultant forum message board discussion revolved around the issue of a 2022 private session board "compromise" (not a formal motion) where board members at that time voted 5-2 to allow board members to accept free food and booze from MOC operations outside Ocean Pines, but not at OPA venues operated by MOC.

Always articulate association member Steve Lind, in a sarcastic/mocking forum response clearly and inappropriately suggested current board members were accepting free food and booze from MOC.

OPA Vice-President Rick Farr responded to Lind, writing: "I read your response and I find it outrageous and unprofessional that you accuse or even insinuate that members of this board takes free food and booze from the Matt Ortt Companies restaurants to include any of Ocean Pines food and beverage amenities. Show me your proof this is happening. This board has and will remain professional and serve at the best interest of Ocean Pines. You owe members of this board that possess the highest integrity an apology for making such outrageous and accusatory remarks regarding free food and booze at any MOC run restaurants."

Then OPA legal counsel Bruce Bright posted a forum response to Lind. Bright told Lind his response on the forum was "irresponsible."

Bright added in his reply to Lind:  But, in any event, do not attempt to run and hide from what you were irresponsibly suggesting in your initial post. By "recommend[ing] to any company that applies for the [F&B] 'job' that they make it known that they too will provide free food and booze to the board members who make the decisions re awarding contracts," you plainly inferred (without basis) that the current Board is engaged in conduct you further characterized as "bribery or graft." You have and had no basis to make such a suggestion, and your follow up post does nothing to course correct.

OPA Director Steve Jacobs also responded to Lind on the forum message board.

Jacobs wrote: "As I have stated in the past, I try to avoid commenting on social media. On this occasion, I would like to make one or two points. I took most of what Mr. Lind said in original post as 'tongue-in-cheek.' Some similar comments at the time the expansion of the Tiki Bar was considered also raised the specter of shenanigans between MOC and some Board members. Let me be very clear, I am confident that no current Board member or any prior Board member I served with, has been bribed, paid for or received any benefit from MOC. Bruce Bright's comments regarding what took place some years back as a 'compromise' is not a policy nor is it part of our governing documents. Beyond question, it was a very thoughtless and ridiculous action. I have had my differences of opinion with my colleagues on the Board, including an ethics resolution. While I would not suggest that an apology to the Board is necessary, I would like all OP members to know we are trying to do what is best for our association, that our GM and his staff are handling the RFP process properly and the Board will act at the appropriate time."

Then association member George Rooker posted the following:

"If you think back to a meeting where board member Steve Jacobs was trying to get the board to sign on to a code of ethics you might recall Rick Farr stating that he didn’t want to have to worry about violating some code of ethics when Matt Ortt comped his drinks on occasion. We don’t know about other board members but we do know that Matt Ortt has comped Rick Farr’s drinks on occasion because Farr himself has said so."

Those comments by Farr are not to be found in the video of the board meeting Rooker referenced. Challenged on this, Rooker researched and found the original source of his information.

Turns out Rooker was referencing an article in the February 2024 edition of the Ocean Pines Progres. On page 22 publisher Tom Stauss writes: "Farr said the amended B-08 (The ethics resolution mentioned by Jacobs) includes some language that would have the effect of banning the Matt Ortt Companies from comping directors free drinks at the Yacht Club or other MOC-managed venues, which he said might occur from time to time but isn’t a widespread practice."

Any contract for the management of OPA food and beverage operations over the next five years is a major issue for all association members.

To repeat the conclusion in my recent commentary on the issue:

Assuming OPA receives viable proposals from management firms other than MOC, the Board of Directors should receive whatever recommendation the General Manager proposes, MOC or otherwise, and approve it. Given John Viola's incredible success at handling OPA finances, amenity operations, and overall infrastructure maintenance while simultaneously lowering assessments, increasing reserves, and retained earnings, he is the professional whose final advice on this issue should be followed.