Ray Unger might be one of the most upbeat citizens of Ocean Pines.
The 75-year-old two-time former director is running for the OPA Board again this year, and says he is largely satisfied with the job the current directors are doing.
“I think we’re kind of cruising a little bit now,” he said. “They’re going about it the right way. There are no big issues that I know of that are coming up, although it could happen at any time.
“Things are moving along well. I spend a lot of time down at the dog park, and it’s getting nicer and nicer to live in the Pines,” he added.
Unger said he is also comfortable with the level of discourse on the current board.
“They’re going about it the right way. There’s very little contention compared to what we went through years ago,” he said. “Of course, there will always be differences of opinion, but there’s very little contention, so they’re getting some things done that they should be getting done.”
He also gave a positive appraisal of OPA General Manager Bob Thompson.
“Under the circumstances, I think Bob has done a good job since he’s been here,” he said. “He’s not well liked by everybody, but you can’t be. I, personally, like Bob. He’s a very personable guy, and I think he’s done a lot for Ocean Pines.”
Two big issues facing the current board are repairing or replacing a pair of bridges, and addressing the country club need for repairs or replacement.
On the former, Unger is favoring repairing the building.
“We have to be careful with the money we spend and what we collect in,” Unger said. “The country club definitely needs work. It’s not going to entirely be replaced, but it does need work. There are things that are going to need to be done because they’re getting to be 40, 50 years old. They only last so long down here.”
As for bridges, Unger said that was mostly a backburner issue, in his view.
“Bridges will be an issue for a while, but the bridges are safe,” he said. “They’re checked every year by the state and by the county. Eventually, they’re going to have to be replaced with concrete and steel, but at this point in time there’s no danger of any of them collapsing.”
In preparation for his run, Unger said he plans to attend more public meetings, including the next regular board meeting on Thursday, March 24, set for 9 a.m. in the community center. It’s a process that he said he enjoys dearly.
“I just miss it. I love it. I enjoy it. So, I figured I might as well run again. It’ll keep me out of the house,” he said. “I love it here. I enjoy very much being part of the governing body the Pines. There are a lot of nice people.”
The 75-year-old two-time former director is running for the OPA Board again this year, and says he is largely satisfied with the job the current directors are doing.
“I think we’re kind of cruising a little bit now,” he said. “They’re going about it the right way. There are no big issues that I know of that are coming up, although it could happen at any time.
“Things are moving along well. I spend a lot of time down at the dog park, and it’s getting nicer and nicer to live in the Pines,” he added.
Unger said he is also comfortable with the level of discourse on the current board.
“They’re going about it the right way. There’s very little contention compared to what we went through years ago,” he said. “Of course, there will always be differences of opinion, but there’s very little contention, so they’re getting some things done that they should be getting done.”
He also gave a positive appraisal of OPA General Manager Bob Thompson.
“Under the circumstances, I think Bob has done a good job since he’s been here,” he said. “He’s not well liked by everybody, but you can’t be. I, personally, like Bob. He’s a very personable guy, and I think he’s done a lot for Ocean Pines.”
Two big issues facing the current board are repairing or replacing a pair of bridges, and addressing the country club need for repairs or replacement.
On the former, Unger is favoring repairing the building.
“We have to be careful with the money we spend and what we collect in,” Unger said. “The country club definitely needs work. It’s not going to entirely be replaced, but it does need work. There are things that are going to need to be done because they’re getting to be 40, 50 years old. They only last so long down here.”
As for bridges, Unger said that was mostly a backburner issue, in his view.
“Bridges will be an issue for a while, but the bridges are safe,” he said. “They’re checked every year by the state and by the county. Eventually, they’re going to have to be replaced with concrete and steel, but at this point in time there’s no danger of any of them collapsing.”
In preparation for his run, Unger said he plans to attend more public meetings, including the next regular board meeting on Thursday, March 24, set for 9 a.m. in the community center. It’s a process that he said he enjoys dearly.
“I just miss it. I love it. I enjoy it. So, I figured I might as well run again. It’ll keep me out of the house,” he said. “I love it here. I enjoy very much being part of the governing body the Pines. There are a lot of nice people.”