Tuttle thanked for Board service, makes statement upon retirement

(Oct. 19, 2020) Ocean Pines Board members on Saturday thanked retiring Director Steve Tuttle for his volunteer service.  

Tuttle announced he would retire to move closer to family on the Western Shore. A meeting to select his replacement is expected to occur later this week. 

A native of Maine, Tuttle bought a home in Ocean Pines in 2014 and moved to the area full time one year later. He served as chairman of the Ocean Pines Elections Committee and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2018, as the leading vote-getter that year.  

Tuttle put his civil engineering background to good use several times during the two years as an advisor on Ocean Pines construction efforts including the new Golf clubhouse, Golf cart barn and Artisan Gift Shop, and the renovated Police and Administration buildings. 

General Manager John Viola on Saturday praised Tuttle for his involvement in those efforts. 

“I spent many hours working with this gentleman. It was very enjoyable … [and] I will always remember it,” Viola said. “He took on the heavy lifting with us and it’s always great to be working with somebody like that … I appreciate everything he did to help us.” 

Association President Larry Perrone said Tuttle “did a hell of a job, leading the charge with John and with Frank Brown, on the three construction projects that they were involved in.” 

Perrone said Tuttle also helped with the planning and construction of the Artisan Gift Shop, which opened last year.  

“His expertise was invaluable,” Perrone said. “On behalf of the Board and the community, we’re very thankful for your help … and your time on the Board.” 

Director Doug Parks, who served as Association President for two years while Tuttle was vice president, also highlighted Tuttle’s aid with the construction projects.  

“We owe him a debt of gratitude. Somebody that steps up and serves the community should be recognized for their volunteer effort and the time spent in serving the community,” Parks said. “I just want to personally thank Steve for his work.” 

Tuttle also made a statement on Saturday: 

“I appreciate the opportunity to share a few thoughts with the OP community at this time, as this is my last Board meeting as a director.  

“For the past two years and prior on the Elections Committee, it has been an honor to serve the community of Ocean Pines. The Board, for the last two years under the leadership of Doug Parks, has accomplished a lot, from completion of projects [including] the new craft building, the clubhouse, the cart barn, the police/administration expansion, [to] upgrading the admin building and implementation of the Northstar program. 

“Your Board recruited the current general manager, who has skillfully guided the Association for over a year now. The Board has exhibited considerable unity but not uniformity, which has resulted in decisions in the best interest of the community of Ocean Pines.  

“As a Board liaison on many of the recent building projects and as vice president for two years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know and work with many of the staff who serve Ocean Pines, who serve Ocean Pines with dedication, expertise, and a sincere concern for the good of the community, in particular Colby Phillips, Eddie Wells, Nobbie Violante, Michelle Bennett, Steve Phillips, the Malinowskis, Ruth Ann Meyer, Debbie Donahue, Josh Davis and many others. OP is blessed to have a stellar team that diligently serves this community every day.  

“I also appreciate the opportunity I’ve had more recently to work with some of the county officials, and with Commissioners Bunting and Bertino.  

“To the community, my plea is that you engage in service to the community. Serve on an advisory committee. Seek to understand and question decisions of your Board. It’s easy to sit on the edges and complain, but far more is accomplished when the community engages. There’s a lot of resident expertise in this community and there is ample opportunity to bring your gifts and talents to the community for the good of all.  

“To my Board colleagues, I urge you to strive for the unity that we knew under the leadership of Doug. Take every opportunity to get to know, listen to and support the staff of OP.  

“As a Board, it is very important not to engage in operations, but it is equally important that the staff know they are supported by the Board, to observe and suggest utilization of expertise the staff bring to the Association. In completing an evaluation of the GM, it is critical that, as a director, you hear from the GM’s direct reports.  

“Finally, I decided in the summer I would not seek a second term on the Board. Up until September, while my wife and I had decided that we would move closer to our children and grandchildren, we expected that we would not move until the summer of 2021.  

“One of the ways I have approached life in my career path, church involvement and community, is to serve in places and ways that are life-giving, that bring me joy and satisfaction. In September, I lost that sense of joy and life-giving aspect of serving on the Board. There were some things said and done that were troubling to me.  

“As a result, we adjusted our plans, placed our house on the market, and in four days it was under contract. We will be relocating to the Western Shore, to St. Mary’s County, at the end of November. We are now in the throes of packing and purging. 

“The Board now has a task of selecting a person to fill out the balance of the term I was elected to. Two people who have run for the Board – Stuart Lakernick and Paula Gray – have expressed interest in serving for the balance of my term. Both received considerable support from the community when they ran. They certainly are worthy of your consideration, as you deliberate next week, regarding filling the vacancy on the Board.  

“Thank you for the privilege of being a director for Ocean Pines.”