The Ocean Pines Yacht Club was demolished this week as work on the new building got into full gear, and with that has come an uproar from some on changing work orders and materials. It’s not to be unexpected, as change orders occur in projects of any size, especially one of this nature. 

What is concerning, however, is that unlike the community center, which in the view of most went smoothly through the construction process, that yacht club project has no advisory committee to help review and make decisions.

Recently, Ted Moroney, a key member the advisory committee for the building resigned, stating that he felt decisions are being made unilaterally by OPA general manager Bob Thompson and the committee in effect is serving no true purpose.

It has been a contentious year in OPA land, with members of the board and community split between full support of the general manager and some who look for any opportunity to call a foul. For former business owners who are used to making decisions without the consult of others, having to work through a committee process can be hard to adjust to.  However, Thompson would be well served to fully utilize this process as it allows those who may have more experience and knowledge to help make decisions along the way, saving time and dollars.

More importantly it allows the community, those who are footing the bill, to feel they have a voice and that decisions are being made from more than one viewpoint. Thompson would be wise to take the target off his back by making use of the expertise that the committee can provide.