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4/14/2025 10:16:09 AM
 
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Section 5: OPA Board Subject: Board Vows to Fight Msg# 1223683
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The Ocean Pines Association, Inc. Board of Directors thanks you for your continued support The Worcester County Water and Wastewater Enterprise Funds are in crisis and the County Commissioners want Ocean Pines water and wastewater rate payers to repay most of the millions of dollars resulting from County mismanagement. The position of the Ocean Pines Association, Inc., Board of Directors, has not changed as we believe this to be ridiculously unfair. Exactly what are the issues, what actions have the Board taken and how can you help to support our position? We see three distinctly different issues embedded in this County crisis:
One of the most important actions taken to date has been the dissemination of information. We have and will continue to act to encourage the Commissioners to approve a plan that treats Ocean Pines fairly: -Invited Commissioners Bertino and Bunting to talk at a Board meeting -Invited local news outlets to our community -Provided press releases to our community -Contacted other service area leaders -Wrote a position letter to the Worcester County Commissioners -Attended and/or viewed public Commissioner meetings -Consulted with legal council -Attended Ocean Pines Water and Wastewater Advisory Board meeting -Crafting ads for local papers -Designing community email campaign We encourage all to stay informed. We would also ask your consideration to: -Send an email to the Worcester County Commissioners (commissioners@co.worcester.md.us) supporting our position to hold each of the water and wastewater enterprise funds sanitary service areas independently responsible. You will soon see more information concerning the email campaign. -Attend a Town Hall hosted by Commissioners Bertino and Bunting at the Worcester County Public Library-Ocean Pines Branch (11107 Cathell Road, Berlin, MD 21811) on Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:00 PM. -Attend the Worcester County Commissioner public hearing on the Worcester County FY 2026 Water and Wastewater Enterprise Fund Budget at the Worcester County Government Center (1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863) on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:00 PM. -Send your own letter to the Worcester County Commissioners (1 West Market Street, Room 1103, Snow Hill, MD 21863). Thank you in advance for your continued support. |
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: Ocean Pines Board vows to fight unfair county debt repayment plan Ocean Pines Board members on Saturday, March 30, 2025, pledged to oppose a proposed Worcester County plan that would require all 18,000 ratepayers across 11 service areas to repay millions in water and wastewater debt – despite Ocean Pines contributing only a small fraction of the deficit. Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino, who represents Ocean Pines, said community homeowners should not be held accountable for mistakes they didn’t make. The proposal could raise quarterly bills by $32 per ratepayer. OPA Vice President Rick Farr criticized the lack of accountability for the county errors that led to more than $9 million in debt.“Nobody was fired or terminated for this huge accounting error that Commissioner Bertino has pointed out – and yet we may be responsible for paying it back,” Farr said. Director Jeff Heavner thanked Commissioners Bertino and Jim Bunting for their unwavering support and said the OPA Board has a duty to protect homeowners. He also invoked a familiar pop-culture reference from the X-Files. “The truth is out there,” he said. “It seems that a majority of the other Commissioners have been less than truthful on this subject … [and] nobody’s been held accountable for this mismanagement.” Heavner said Bertino introduced a motion to inform county ratepayers of the situation, but the motion was defeated. He added that the proposal may violate county code. “This is contrary to county code and seems to be against the law,” Heavner said. “The County Commissioners have an opportunity to be more truthful. “I find it ironic that a majority … have a real disdain for Ocean Pines – yet they love our wallets and pocketbooks, not only to pay for a county screw-up, but to visit their retail businesses,” he continued. Heavner then posed a pointed question. “Do you want to shoulder the millions in shortfalls and debts from other service areas, which we would be paying, like Chip said, 56% for? You don’t have to answer. I’ll answer for you: Hell no,” Heavner said. ‘We need your support’ Director Elaine Brady urged homeowners to stay focused on the bigger picture. “Don’t get into the weeds. What we need is your support,” she said. “Send emails to the Commissioners. We’ve got to fight this thing. “We are not going to put up with it. It’s the unfairness of this, and it has happened over and over again,” Brady added. She said it’s unfortunate that the other five County Commissioners could still strongarm Ocean Pines ratepayers with a simple majority vote. “We have to let them know that that’s not okay. They have to do what’s fair to all of us in this county – not just to their ratepayers,” she said. Brady said OPA would continue working to spread awareness and protect homeowners. She added that Board members are already taking steps behind the scenes in case the other County Commissioners do not change course. “We’re gonna fight back and fight back hard,” she said. Concerns about precedent Director John Latham echoed concerns about setting a dangerous precedent. “The whole thing is problematic,” he said. “And what I see is that any decision made here in the near future becomes a precedent going forward.” Latham added that the Board is committed to doing everything possible to support the community. OPA President Stuart Lakernick agreed, warning that any new financial obligation is unlikely to disappear. Bertino agreed, adding, “When it comes to money and government, government doesn’t let go.” Bertino and Bunting continue to fight Bertino closed by noting that he and Bunting have represented the community for more than a decade and remain committed to protecting its best interests. “This is an issue where we need your help. So, will you help us?” he said. Bertino and Bunting will host a town hall on Wednesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Library. A public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Snow Hill. Homeowners are encouraged to contact County Commissioners and local media to voice opposition. Emails and letters expressing opposition can be sent to: |
| Calendar |
OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
4/26/2025 - 9:00 A.M. 3 days or less away! |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
5/24/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhpuse
6/28/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
7/26/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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Annual Meeting - Assateague Room
8/9/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |