MARCH 23, 2023
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Parks calls out group for aggressive tactics Justice for Gavin supporters said to threaten vandalism if benefit took place at club By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (March 23, 2023) In uncharacteristically strong opening remarks, Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors President Doug Parks began the March board meeting Saturday by taking issue with the aggressive tactics some advocates for Justice for Gavin have been employing recently. He acknowledged the heartache
that the family has experienced because of the loss of their 14-year-old son, Gavin Knupp, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on July 11 last year. “No one can imagine the grief and suffering being endured by the parents at the loss of their child. As the investigation into this tragedy is ongoing, it is no surprise that frustration is growing as the time passes without official action by the state attorney and the state police conducting the investigation,” said Parks. While he said he did not oppose targeting businesses and conducting
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Doug Parks reads his statement.
protests and boycotts, he did object to some aggressive actions such as “bullying of the business staff, bullying of children at school and threatening organizations, customers and OPA board members. Their actions demonstrated a move away from justice to a support for vengeance.” Using a prepared statement, he said harassment led the Ravens Roost organization to move their fundraising event from the Yacht Club to another venue. When asked later about other examples, he said, “In one instance that See PARKS Page 5
OP elections solutions still not decided Paper vs online balloting debate continues by board
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
MARINA DOCK
Part of the new dock is in place at the Yacht Club. Ocean Pines is replacing gas lines, fuel dispensers and the C dock. All work is scheduled to be complete before Memorial Day. See story on page 8.
Berlin looks to county for skate park money By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (March 23, 2023) Looking to model its pursuit after Ocean City’s course of action, Berlin is going to county government for skate park
funding. At the March 13 meeting of the Berlin mayor and Town Council, Councilmember Jack Orris broached the subject of the town skate park project as it relates to the findings of
a county survey on what draws people to local parks — walking, exercising, relaxation and children’s play. “I think this is an opportunity for us to collaborate with the county,” See BERLIN Page 4
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (March 23, 2023) The election debacle of 2022 continues to be a point of contention during the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) board meetings. Significant problems with the election process in 2022 resulted in an over count of ballots, which led to a 940-vote error. The current Election Committee found that poor scanning software used in both 2021 and 2022 elections, opaque paper ballots and a lack of pre-flight testing resulted in the wrong initial count in 2022. In the March board meeting held Saturday, the Election Committee requested the approval of two recommendations pertaining to the processes for the 2023 Board of Directors election. The Election Committee requested permission to continue research into obtaining creditable scanning software, conduct end user testing and to hire an independent contractor to See OPA Page 4
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