(June 30, 2016) With 11 of the 12 candidates for Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors in one room last Wednesday for the annual candidate forum, many of the current directors watched for clues as to which three will join the board in August – and what their ideas and temperaments may be.
Asked to comment, several board members agreed to weigh in on the forum, held in the community center and attended by about 75 people. It was also recorded and streamed live on the internet.
Director Tom Herrick said he was impressed with the variety of candidates – and ideas – in this year’s race.
“Whatever you want as a voter, you will have that option this year,” he said. “I thought it was phenomenal. I think the [elections] committee did an unbelievable job. It was well run, coming at just under two hours, so I think the audience was captivated by that and we had some great responses.”
President Pat Renaud was less enthused.
“Unfortunately, it was ungainly at best and unfair to some at worst. The voting public really could not get a very accurate picture of each candidates strengths and weaknesses because they all answered different questions; therefore, not showing opinions on all issues,” he said. “Is there a better way? I hope so and hope that later election committees will have better luck at managing the process going forward if there is another large candidate turnout.”
Director Bill Cordwell said he was particularly focused on candidates who had a positive outlook of the association.
“Obviously, like other years, you have two, three, maybe four candidates who are positive and want to see Ocean Pines progress,” he said. “They see that Ocean Pines is a great community and a great place to live.
“Anybody who has paid attention can look at the financial performance of the amenities over the last three years and see that we are clearly going in the right direction, except for golf, which had a chance of making money this year until certain board members decided to take it over,” he continued. “It is now going back in the wrong direction and we are paying a company a lot of money needlessly to take it that way.”
Cordwell said he noticed last year’s trend of candidates labeling themselves “independent” was much less present this time.
“One candidate last year, every time he talked it was about staying independent. That, however, lasted until about the time the votes were read,” Cordwell said. “At least this years’ candidates, with a few exceptions, aren’t making promises that they had no intentions of keeping.”
Vice President Cheryl Jacobs said she attended the meeting, not as a director, but as a private citizen.
“I thought the event, conducted by the elections committee, was very well organized and conducted in an efficient and professional manner,” she said. “I found it very interesting to listen to what the candidates said about the various changes they would make, if elected, to remedy all the problems they highlight in their bid for votes. Were I not on the board, I might believe some of their pronouncements; but I can tell you, it is a totally different experience once you are there dealing with the issues that come before the board.”
Despite what Jacobs saw as several candidates delivering “very negative speeches,” she said one candidate in particular stood out – although she declined to name “him.”
“His message was one of acknowledgement that there were some things we could do better, but when he talked about the multiple properties he owns in Ocean Pines, it was a testament to his belief in the value of this community,” she said. How refreshing to hear him concentrate on what a great place this is to live, which, of course, it is.”
She was also impressed with another candidate “with superior qualifications,” who she would not name, although she hinted at her role as chairwoman of the budget and finance committee.
“She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk,” Jacobs said. “And I’m not reticent about admitting that I believe there is real value to the community in having a mix of genders on the board, particularly one with her qualifications.
“Of course the voters will decide over the next few weeks who will get their vote by what the candidates said and how they presented themselves at the forum, as well as the various interviews they have provided to the media outlets,” she continued. “If a resident was unable to attend the candidate forum, I urge them to view the video and see for themselves.”
Jacobs also urged voters to reach out to the candidates directly.
“Ask them questions if they are unsure about the candidate’s position on any particular issue; their contact information is available on the Ocean Pines website,” she said. “If you believe in them, display their sign in your yard. Finally, I am always available to speak to the residents if they want additional information from me.”
Asked to comment, several board members agreed to weigh in on the forum, held in the community center and attended by about 75 people. It was also recorded and streamed live on the internet.
Director Tom Herrick said he was impressed with the variety of candidates – and ideas – in this year’s race.
“Whatever you want as a voter, you will have that option this year,” he said. “I thought it was phenomenal. I think the [elections] committee did an unbelievable job. It was well run, coming at just under two hours, so I think the audience was captivated by that and we had some great responses.”
President Pat Renaud was less enthused.
“Unfortunately, it was ungainly at best and unfair to some at worst. The voting public really could not get a very accurate picture of each candidates strengths and weaknesses because they all answered different questions; therefore, not showing opinions on all issues,” he said. “Is there a better way? I hope so and hope that later election committees will have better luck at managing the process going forward if there is another large candidate turnout.”
Director Bill Cordwell said he was particularly focused on candidates who had a positive outlook of the association.
“Obviously, like other years, you have two, three, maybe four candidates who are positive and want to see Ocean Pines progress,” he said. “They see that Ocean Pines is a great community and a great place to live.
“Anybody who has paid attention can look at the financial performance of the amenities over the last three years and see that we are clearly going in the right direction, except for golf, which had a chance of making money this year until certain board members decided to take it over,” he continued. “It is now going back in the wrong direction and we are paying a company a lot of money needlessly to take it that way.”
Cordwell said he noticed last year’s trend of candidates labeling themselves “independent” was much less present this time.
“One candidate last year, every time he talked it was about staying independent. That, however, lasted until about the time the votes were read,” Cordwell said. “At least this years’ candidates, with a few exceptions, aren’t making promises that they had no intentions of keeping.”
Vice President Cheryl Jacobs said she attended the meeting, not as a director, but as a private citizen.
“I thought the event, conducted by the elections committee, was very well organized and conducted in an efficient and professional manner,” she said. “I found it very interesting to listen to what the candidates said about the various changes they would make, if elected, to remedy all the problems they highlight in their bid for votes. Were I not on the board, I might believe some of their pronouncements; but I can tell you, it is a totally different experience once you are there dealing with the issues that come before the board.”
Despite what Jacobs saw as several candidates delivering “very negative speeches,” she said one candidate in particular stood out – although she declined to name “him.”
“His message was one of acknowledgement that there were some things we could do better, but when he talked about the multiple properties he owns in Ocean Pines, it was a testament to his belief in the value of this community,” she said. How refreshing to hear him concentrate on what a great place this is to live, which, of course, it is.”
She was also impressed with another candidate “with superior qualifications,” who she would not name, although she hinted at her role as chairwoman of the budget and finance committee.
“She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk,” Jacobs said. “And I’m not reticent about admitting that I believe there is real value to the community in having a mix of genders on the board, particularly one with her qualifications.
“Of course the voters will decide over the next few weeks who will get their vote by what the candidates said and how they presented themselves at the forum, as well as the various interviews they have provided to the media outlets,” she continued. “If a resident was unable to attend the candidate forum, I urge them to view the video and see for themselves.”
Jacobs also urged voters to reach out to the candidates directly.
“Ask them questions if they are unsure about the candidate’s position on any particular issue; their contact information is available on the Ocean Pines website,” she said. “If you believe in them, display their sign in your yard. Finally, I am always available to speak to the residents if they want additional information from me.”