11/22/2006

Kelley talks one on one
By Dolores E. Pike

Janet Kelley's recent resignation from the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors has led many to speculate on the reasons why.  In a one on one interview, Mrs. Kelley agreed to sit down with The Courier to answer questions about her decision. 

Why did you resign?

"Well, for several reasons.  Most important is that the board has chosen a direction that I cannot support and that just won't work. Things have now been set into place to deal with issues that I was most concerned about when I came on the board. These were issues dealing with maintenance of the community, leadership, long and short term planning, setting priorities, etc. We now have Mr. Olson on board who will be picking up those challenges.  I feel at this time that I have accomplished as much as I am going to be allowed to accomplish."

What do you feel that you have accomplished?

"We have put in the right people at the right places.  We have all the right information to deal with the golf course.  I was involved with the recruiting of the golf course consultant. My first choice on the list was the one we chose.  The golf consultant did an excellent job.  And now that Mr. Olson has been hired he will be able to make determinations as to how to best implement those suggestions for the betterment of the community.”

"One of my major concerns has been the necessity to maintain the facilities of Ocean Pines and now we have a man on board who has done just that very thing with another home owners association.”

"This has been a year of controversy.  We had a general manager leave and we had to find another one.  Also we had to deal with the fact that our golf amenities needed a new strategy. We have had the community wanting answers from the board that they may not have wanted in other years.  A lot of different issues have come up including a community center more in question now than when I took office.”

"I felt I was able to honestly to address some of those areas where more information was needed."

Did you feel pressured to resign?

"No, it had nothing to do with pressure. I just could not go down the same path that the board was taking.  That was something I could not do.  We have a lot of strong personalities on the board but you have to be strong in order to take the heat."

Did you feel animosity from anyone?

"I would not say animosity. There was conflict on the board as everybody knows. I bring in a different way of thinking and there had been some very set ways on the board so there were going to be clashes. And that is expected. Many of the board members have been under fire this year.  For me it was all more of a challenge than a problem. That's why I was elected, to bring in another point of view."

What are your plans?

"I am going to kick back and put my feet up.  It's too late in the year to go fishing much more but I am going to enjoy life in the community.  I have been very busy with the OPA and it is going to be nice to slow the pace down.  My husband retired this year and we are taking ballroom dancing lessons at the community center.  In fact ballroom dancing was how we met."

Anything you want to add in closing?

"I love the people of Ocean Pines.  They are classy, wonderful people and I have high regard for them. One of my favorite parts of the OPA meeting was the public comments because the board is there to meet the needs of the community.  We may think we know everything that is going on but we get a few surprises."