(April 27, 2017) Even though the Ocean Pines candidate search committee was supposed to have been ready for duty in February, it was nonexistent as of last Friday.
As of Monday, however, Director Slobodan Trendic said he had recruited five new members for the committee and expects the board to approve those nominees during its board meeting Saturday.
According to Resolution M-09, the role of the committee is to “stimulate community interest in the forthcoming board election, solicit candidates from a broad spectrum of Ocean Pines membership, provide information to, or otherwise assist potential candidates with the application process. The Search Committee shall verify that all applications received are sent to the Association Secretary for validation of eligibility.”
A record 12 candidates filed to run for three board vacancies last year. This year, with the filing deadline approaching on May 10, just two men have filed to run for two seats.
The entire search committee resigned following last year’s election. Former committee Chairman Martin Baer said he had been approached to serve on the committee again this year, but declined.
“I was approached, but I told them I’m not doing it this year,” Baer said in a phone interview on Friday. “I said I was going to skip this year.”
Also on Friday, Trendic told members of the elections committee that he sent a letter of concern to Board President Tom Herrick. He said he also was personally working on the problem.
According to Trendic, two people had signed onto the search committee and were approved by the board in February, but both since resigned.
Ocean Pines bylaws require the board president to appoint at least five members to the committee by February of each year.
“That’s not because we didn’t try,” Trendic said. “For whatever reason, those two [appointed members] have left the committee. I think one was a personal reason. I can’t recall what the other one was.”
Trendic said the association issued notices and advertised in local papers.
“We tried to put out a call to help [but] nobody is coming forward,” Trendic said. “I really don’t know what’s going on.”
He said there is still time to appoint five people to the committee before the May 15 deadline to certify candidates for the August board election.
He asked members of the elections committee to pitch in, and said he also asked the other board members for help.
“I’ll walk around my neighborhood and knock on doors and offer them Dunkin Donuts,” Trendic said. “I don’t know if this will be the first time we don’t have [a search committee] and I don’t want this board to be identified with that.
“We’ve done a lot of great things,” Trendic added. “I don’t want to give the perception that we haven’t tried and I think we should continue to try until the clock expires.
“Knock on doors, ask your friends,” Trendic said. “Ask your neighbors. Ask a family member. Anyone that’s a homeowner, that’s the only prerequisite.”
As of Tuesday, the Ocean Pines website listed committee openings in by-laws and resolutions, aquatics, budget and finance, comprehensive plan, environment and natural assets and marine activities advisory panels. The tab for the search committee was apparently removed and the link for previous search committee meeting minutes appeared to be broken.
For more information, visit www.oceanpines.org/administration/advisory-committees.
As of Monday, however, Director Slobodan Trendic said he had recruited five new members for the committee and expects the board to approve those nominees during its board meeting Saturday.
According to Resolution M-09, the role of the committee is to “stimulate community interest in the forthcoming board election, solicit candidates from a broad spectrum of Ocean Pines membership, provide information to, or otherwise assist potential candidates with the application process. The Search Committee shall verify that all applications received are sent to the Association Secretary for validation of eligibility.”
A record 12 candidates filed to run for three board vacancies last year. This year, with the filing deadline approaching on May 10, just two men have filed to run for two seats.
The entire search committee resigned following last year’s election. Former committee Chairman Martin Baer said he had been approached to serve on the committee again this year, but declined.
“I was approached, but I told them I’m not doing it this year,” Baer said in a phone interview on Friday. “I said I was going to skip this year.”
Also on Friday, Trendic told members of the elections committee that he sent a letter of concern to Board President Tom Herrick. He said he also was personally working on the problem.
According to Trendic, two people had signed onto the search committee and were approved by the board in February, but both since resigned.
Ocean Pines bylaws require the board president to appoint at least five members to the committee by February of each year.
“That’s not because we didn’t try,” Trendic said. “For whatever reason, those two [appointed members] have left the committee. I think one was a personal reason. I can’t recall what the other one was.”
Trendic said the association issued notices and advertised in local papers.
“We tried to put out a call to help [but] nobody is coming forward,” Trendic said. “I really don’t know what’s going on.”
He said there is still time to appoint five people to the committee before the May 15 deadline to certify candidates for the August board election.
He asked members of the elections committee to pitch in, and said he also asked the other board members for help.
“I’ll walk around my neighborhood and knock on doors and offer them Dunkin Donuts,” Trendic said. “I don’t know if this will be the first time we don’t have [a search committee] and I don’t want this board to be identified with that.
“We’ve done a lot of great things,” Trendic added. “I don’t want to give the perception that we haven’t tried and I think we should continue to try until the clock expires.
“Knock on doors, ask your friends,” Trendic said. “Ask your neighbors. Ask a family member. Anyone that’s a homeowner, that’s the only prerequisite.”
As of Tuesday, the Ocean Pines website listed committee openings in by-laws and resolutions, aquatics, budget and finance, comprehensive plan, environment and natural assets and marine activities advisory panels. The tab for the search committee was apparently removed and the link for previous search committee meeting minutes appeared to be broken.
For more information, visit www.oceanpines.org/administration/advisory-committees.