The Ocean Pines Board of Directors gave itself something last week that most politicians would rather not have: full responsibility for delivering on its members’ campaign promises.
By elevating Doug Parks to the board because his thinking matched their own, the four-member majority that voted him into office has an unbeatable caucus that should be able to implement all the changes its members called for before and during last month’s election.
Previously, when certain operations didn’t do well or decisions were delayed, former General Manager Bob Thompson or the usual divisiveness on the board could be blamed for the lack of progress.
Not anymore, as this board finally got exactly what some members have sought for years, which is the ability to pursue its own agenda however it sees fit.
In their defense of Parks, members asserted that even though he finished ninth in the 11-person race, he was the better choice than fourth-place finisher Frank Daly, because Park’s calls for change echoed their own.
In that regard, it makes sense, but from a political standpoint they are putting themselves to the test, as property owners and residents will be able to see whether the new majority truly will seek change and, if it does, whether it will work.
After all, it is easier to argue against the status quo and contend there’s a better way of doing things than it is to develop and institute the policies and practices that will produce the right results.
With nothing but token opposition at this point, the board has put itself on the spot and must deliver a more financially efficient and more smoothly functioning system of operations in a timely fashion.