01/31/2007

Veterans Memorial Foundation requests special OPA meeting
By Chip Bertino

A request for a special meeting of the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors has been made by the Board of Directors of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines Foundation. 

In a letter sent to OPA Board President Glenn Duffy Monday evening, Sharyn O'Hare, Foundation president, asked for the meeting after a presentation by OPA board member and point person for the new Community Center, Dan Stachurski reviewed site plans for the new structure with the Foundation's board on Monday.  It was the first time the memorial's board had seen the plans which indicate that a storm water drainage pond will be constructed directly in front of the memorial, effectively limiting access and curtailing or possibly eliminating, celebrations such as the Memorial Day program that draws about 3,000 veterans and visitors each year and the Foundation's educational program with local school children.

The site plan, which received permits from the county on Monday, is a "done deal" according to Mr. Stachurski, who said that possibly some minor modifications could be made such as moving a walkway.

Ms. O'Hare has requested the special meeting to discuss three points:
1.  Would the OPA Board of Directors consider looking at options to reconfigure the storm water management pond to include, but not limited to, moving the pond a farther distance from the Memorial so that there would be space for tents and chairs and participants, or redesigning the pond to include other alternatives, such as French drains, or a combination of drains and pond? 
2.  The Veterans Memorial Board is concerned that the siting of the Memorial on the current site plan is incorrect.  
3.  We would be interested in learning what the cost would be of making this storm water management system esthetically more pleasing as well as allowing us space to conduct the ceremonies that have become so important to the Ocean Pines community.

As of press time, no response had been received from Mr. Duffy about the OPA Board's willingness to hold a special meeting.  Under OPA rules, a special meeting can be called by the president or three members of the OPA Board of Directors.  When asked about whether he would support having a special meeting, Mr. Stachurski indicated that he would.

In closing her letter to Mr. Duffy, Ms. O'Hare wrote, "We remind you how very important this Memorial has become to the entire Ocean Pines community.  It has been the one factor to unite us when there have been so many other issues dividing us."

For up-to-date information on this matter, go to OceanPinesForum.com.

(Disclosure:  Chip Bertino is a member of the Veterans Memorial Foundation Board of Directors).


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