"Throughout my career, I have been involved in management, administration, long-range planning, construction, compliance, finance, budgeting, union negotiations, dispute resolution, public relations, marketing and governmental affairs. "
India RPCV John Reid in race for Ocean Pines Board of Directors
Race for the OPA
Candidates outline their views on Pines issues
All eight candidates in the race for two seats on the Ocean Pines Board of Directors in the election this year were asked six questions to give them a chance to outline their vision and plans for the community. Ballots for the election go out in the mail Wednesday and results will be reported at the annual Ocean Pines meeting Aug. 13.
[Excerpt]
JOHN E. REID
1. My experience and background includes 37 years of executive management as a CEO in several sizes and types of health care facilities. I served on numerous boards of directors including as chairman of a church board, Ohio Insurance Board secretary, Ohio Hospital Association Board and various civic boards. I am currently treasurer of the Sunset Village Association Board and chair or serve on various committees.
I worked my way through college to earn an undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and an MBA from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. I also served in the Peace Corps in India and in Vietnam for three years.
Throughout my career, I have been involved in management, administration, long-range planning, construction, compliance, finance, budgeting, union negotiations, dispute resolution, public relations, marketing and governmental affairs. These experiences are why I feel I am deserving of election to the OPA Board of Directors.
2. I applaud the board for its proposal to build a new community center. Our present facility is an eyesore, with few accommodations to serve residents. This amenity of Ocean Pines has not kept pace with the overall growth and development of the community. I fully support building a new community center.
The current board has done a fine job of planning for the creation of the community center. That does not mean we will not have to make minor adjustments, should further study reveal a more efficient approach. Large projects such as this sometimes face unforeseen obstacles. As a director, I will support the proposal as planned unless a loophole emerges that necessitates some alterations. At that point, I will work closely with the board, and the residents of Ocean Pines, to craft a fiscally appropriate solution.
3. In the communities where I have lived, I have always tried to create an improved way of life for everyone. Our most important issue is how we will steer continued growth and development to improve quality of life. To do this we must have the foresight to upgrade all of our amenities. We must also be careful to meticulously plan for whatever hurdles we may encounter during this time of unprecedented growth. It is imperative that we plan ahead so nothing catches us off guard. This will help ensure our quality of life.
For example, with the development of Pennington Commons on Route 589, traffic control must be planned so that entrances to the Pines do not become congested and an ultimate safety hazard. A well-planned model for this obstacle must be developed.
As a board member, I will listen to property owners so that they have a strong voice in the decision-making process. I will support their issues and concerns as it affects their's, and the community's, way of life.
As a member of the board, I will fulfill an obligation to advocate for responsible policies for all residents. I look forward to implementing this vision should I be elected to the OPA board because resident involvement will be instrumental in managing our growth in an effective manner.
4. One of the most lucrative features of living in Ocean Pines is the natural beauty and resources we possess. Many residents I have spoken with cite the untouched beauty of the environment as a deciding factor in their decision to move here.
These same residents express concern that growth will damage our natural environment, thereby making this a less appealing location. I agree with those residents.
I grew up in the scenic foothills of the Appalachians, where my family raised livestock and farmed the land to make a living. After receiving my undergraduate degree in animal science, I spent two years as a development specialist for the Peace Corps in India. I have experienced firsthand the importance of maintaining a healthy natural environment.
I also know firsthand the importance of promoting economic growth.
My MBA and 37 years of business management experience taught me how. In the case of Ocean Pines, we must sustain our growth without causing any damage to our natural resources. They are one of the most important reasons people live here.
If we are going to enjoy as much prosperity as we all want, we have to be able to find a common ground when dealing with this issue. In order to insure we maintain our unprecedented growth, while at the same time preserving our natural beauty, I propose holding a community forum to discuss the environmental concerns of residents. Based upon this input, which would also be welcome in writing, the board of directors will be better able to plan growth based on the wishes of the residents of Ocean Pines.
5. There are several ways to increase revenue in Ocean Pines. The first is the sale of association-owned property on Route 589. This sale will allow us to build a modernized community center. This amenity will make the community a more lucrative place to live, therefore increasing property values and subsequent revenue.
In addition to allowing us to build an appealing community center, the sale of the property will eliminate costs associated with taxes, maintenance and upkeep. The money we save should then be responsibly invested or used for improvement projects.
We also need to work more closely with local and state government to make sure Ocean Pines receives back a proportionate amount of what we pay in taxes. In order to make this happen, we must explain to elected officials the benefit of increasing funding for improvement projects. When we make that point, one that is easily proven, local and state government will want to increase funding to Ocean Pines because it will inevitably increase revenue for both parties. Our property values will increase while their tax base broadens. Essentially, it's a "win-win" situation that I will strive to develop upon election to the board of directors.
We also need to closely examine our current system of amenities. As a director, I will make sure that our system operates in a fashion that maximizes their value and ability to produce revenue. To borrow a popular phrase, we need to think outside of the box. Too often, business is conducted in a linear fashion without change.
Without pragmatic change and adaptability, a successful business model often becomes obsolete. Our system of amenities is one of the most attractive features of Ocean Pines. If we could develop ways to increase their financial productivity, we can make them even better while eliminating any talk of scaling back amenities or increasing dues.
6. Before answering this question, I must first pose two of my own. Are losses incurred by the golf amenity actually a loss? Would any downgrade of the golf amenity be beneficial to this community?
I'm not a golfer, but based on my conversations with residents, I know that the golf amenity is a contributing factor for deciding to live, and remain living, in Ocean Pines. Anything besides further improvement of this amenity will ultimately result in less growth.
Less growth equals less increased property value. Less property value equals lower standard of living. I'm running for the OPA Board of Directors on a platform of increasing standard of living. I fully support continuation and improvement of the golf course. Without continued support, our standard of living will decrease. As a director, I won't allow that to happen.
If there were to be any deterioration in the quality of the Ocean Pines golf course, there are numerous existing and emergent communities currently attempting, through strategic marketing techniques, to fill the ensuing supply and demand gap. In the long run, this avoidable trend would lead to less investment in Ocean Pines. Numerous communities on the Lower Shore are developing property adjacent to golf courses. Ocean Pines may diminish in value if we don't address such competition.
