(Aug. 6, 2015) It didn’t come without a fight, but the Ocean Pines Board of Directors last Thursday approved a $31,800 contract with the Richmond firm, Design Management Associates, to conduct the study of what the community needs in the way of a financial reserve fund. General Manager Bob Thompson said a reserve study had… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) General Manager Bob Thompson was the recipient of a bonus, believed to be $5,000, during a closed-door session held last Thursday in Ocean Pines. The board of directors voted 5-2 to give Thompson the bonus, with Vice President Marty Clarke and Treasurer Jack Collins voting against. Last year, Thompson received a $12,000… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) A report released this week on the Ocean Pines Association website suggested the community continues to make its aging infrastructure a major priority, with bridges taking the center stage on the to-do list. General Manager Bob Thompson originally issued the seven-page memorandum to the board of directors last week, providing what he… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) Following the success of the inaugural Movies on Main Street program in Berlin, organizers are planning an expanded offering in 2016. Three movies screened this year, capped by the July 15 showing of “Runaway Bride,” the 1999 film staring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and set in the fictional town of Hale… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) Looking to publicize local authors, as well as its own publishing enterprise, Berlin’s Salt Water Media recently announced the creation of a new podcast, “So What’s Your Story?” Salt Water Founder Stephanie Fowler and local author Tony Russo will cohost the podcast, which is set to debut in September. “We have all… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) Last week a postcard targeting Ocean Pines nonresidents in the 2015 board of directors election became a subject of debate in the community. On Tuesday, the Gazette learned that Board Vice President Marty Clarke, who chose to step down rather than run for reelection this cycle, was behind the mailer. The card… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) Following a closed meeting on Thursday, the Ocean Pines Board of Directors voted unanimously to allow General Manager Bob Thompson to continue talks with Sandpiper Energy. The board had given Thompson a two-month window to strike a deal during a previous closed meeting, with a deadline set for July. Sandpiper converted existing… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Howard L. Hall passed away on Monday, July 27 in Ocean Pines. Born in 1924, Hall was the first recreational director in Ocean Pines, a sales agent during the early years of the community and a founder of the Pine’eers club. He was also among the first… Read more »

(Aug. 6, 2015) For three years, Ocean Pines Associations Board directors Marty Clarke and Sharyn O’Hare epitomized the philosophical divide on the board, often leading to fiery debates during public meetings. On Thursday, July 30, during their final meeting together, the pair continued to clash. Less than five minutes into the meeting, O’Hare asked Clarke… Read more »