Just fired off the following to Hixson at sheila.hixson@house.state.md.us

Dear Delegate Hixson:

I am a resident of Ocean Pines and respectfully ask for your support of House Bill 1553. Among other positive items, the bill would provide 10% of the slots impact funds in Worcester County go directly to the Ocean Pines Association for public purposes.

Ocean Pines is the largest fulltime population center in Worcester County with as many registered voters as Ocean City and Berlin combined; it is also the nearest large community to the slots location at Delmarva Downs. It is literally in our “back yard.”

I am also a member of a group called C.O.P.E. (Citizens for Ocean Pines Equity) seeking to gain equitable treatment for Ocean Pines. Below is a partial list of C.O.P.E members; it clearly demonstrates the non-partisan nature of our effort.

Partial List of C.O.P.E. Members

• Jack Barnes, host of Focus on the Pines
• Roseann Bridgman, past president Republican Women's Club, past president Worcester County Commission for Women
• Tom Cetola, past OPA Board President and former County Commissioner
• Joan Gentile, President of the Women's Club of Ocean Pines
• George Coleburn, past OPA Board member, former Judge of Orphans Court
• Ron Fisher, Immediate Past President Ocean Pines Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Jean Louis, President Worcester County Democratic Club, member OPA Budget & Finance Committee 
• Norm Katz, past OPA Budget & Finance Committee member, Parliamentarian local AARP
• Doris Lloyd, past OPA Board president
• Ted Moroney, member OPA Community Hall Task Force TMoroney@aol.com
• Sharyn O'Hare, past president Worcester County Commission for Women
• Joe Reynolds, OceanPinesForum.com
• Tom Sandusky, past OPA Board member
• Dan Stachurski, past OPA Board president
• Marvin Steen, Steen Associates, Inc.
• Mark Venit, past OPA Board member
• Dave Williams, past president Worcester County Democratic Club & past OPA Board member
• Mary Yenny, past OPA Board president

Regards,

Joe Reynolds