06/06/2007

Get over it!
Commentary by Bob Lassahn

A recent drive past the Ocean Pines Sports Core revealed there is no longer a construction trailer parked there, the orange stakes have been removed and the last remnants of the silt fence are gone. Virtually all physical evidence of the failed attempt to construct a new community center is being erased. In the physical sense things are pretty much getting back to "normal."

Unfortunately repercussions from the battle of wills that has consumed Ocean Pines Association (OPA) members for several years may have a tendency to linger. Some individuals from both sides of the debate might find difficulty in grasping the idea there has been a final resolution to the question. But the recent referendum result spoke with authority in turning down a new facility, so finger pointing and rehashing all the "should have, could have and would haves" about the community center process is not going to change that outcome.

I do not infer that this whole episode in OPA history should be forgotten. The lessons learned in this struggle should always be remembered, because the same mistakes should never be made again whether OPA is making another run at a new community center or tackling some other project. OPA members will wind up paying a tidy sum (the exact amount as yet unknown) for this "education" in the best way to ensure the failure of a project, so it must not go to waste.

It is however, time for neighbors who stood on different sides of the fence in the community center issue to put their arguments to rest. Time to purge the ill-will, bury the hatchet, let go of the anger, kiss and make up, or whatever term best describes for the individual, "Get over it!" It is done, over, kaput! Look to the future and rest assured there will be a sufficient supply of other issues to spark controversy without continuously dredging up the failed community center. The only question is where will the meetings to conduct the arguments take place?

The Ocean Pines board of directors could play a huge role in bringing the community back together by remaining above the pettiness and bickering about who did what to whom and why. In the vernacular, some director types might need to chill a bit with the negativity because it serves no useful purpose no how. In fact, the board's best course of action between now and August, when four new directors take their seats, would be to make nice with everyone and do only what is absolutely necessary to keep OPA running. Given the present attitude toward the board anything beyond that is likely wasted effort anyway. 

Finally, to help put the community center outcome in its proper perspective some famous people offer their advice. To the winners: "Don't Be Cruel." from Elvis Presley; and "Its Hard to be Humble" from Mac Davis. To the losers; "That's Life" from Frank Sinatra and "Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" from Doris Day; and to those on both sides of the issue "The Sun'll Come Up Tomorrow" from "Annie." For anyone who simply cannot let go of their anger Charlie Eckman offers "Call a Cab." But most importantly and summing up why to forgive and forget is the best course of action is Chuck Thompson, a man I was privileged to know with "Ain't the Beer Cold?"