I don’t understand the relentless attacks on me, Colby and the "Get involved page"? I’m really at the point to not even be interested in the reason why as I have never done anything to you, or this forum and don’t deserve this from you. That being said, I would like to address your questions and comments in your "Preview of the Future" commentary.

You are obviously not happy with Tom Stauss or his paper, the Ocean Pines Progress August edition. I don’t write his paper and I don’t dictate what he writes. Tom Stauss, just like you, is entitled to his opinions and commentary. If you have a problem with what he writes or says, take it up with him. Why am I the collateral damage of your issue with him?

Talk about repetitive? You have chastised me and the Ocean Pines Get Involved group repeatedly for months with NO basis. I announced the candidacy of Stu, Rick, and Lisa. I did not do any endorsements at that time. I have done one endorsement which was last week for Stu and Rick. I also have been encouraging people to vote, regardless of who they vote for in this election. Stu and Rick posted their meet and greets, the candidate forums, the association get out and vote statement and answered questions when asked by members of the group as well posted their bio’s last week while asking people for their vote. No public endorsements or pushing of candidates as you claim prior to that. Your comments are your opinions not fact. Lisa Romersa just resigned from bylaws and resolution committee this week, I guess that’s my fault too?

My legal situation you are aware of. You asked me for a statement a few weeks ago and I gave that to you. I was under no obligation to provide any statement to the Ocean Pines community, I choose to. I did not owe anyone this statement as has been suggested by some on your forum. I am not running for the board. I appreciate you letting that be done in my timing and not letting people for the most part do personal attacks. That appreciation and gratitude does not change with this post. I also appreciate you telling people this anonymous attack is disgusting for which it is. However, you know well the personal reasons why I resigned from the board, regardless my case is public, no further need to discuss it here again. People can read it and make their own decisions about me determining their own opinions as theirs. I am not making that my concern.

On the election. You jump Tom Hemmick for speaking his support for Stu and Rick, yet you have been open about your support of Frank Daly? What’s the difference except it’s you? You talk constantly about a board majority of Parks, Janasek, Lakernick and Farr but ignore the fact there is a board majority now of Perrone, Horn, Daly, and Brown. Interesting enough, Mr. Brown acknowledged in the special meeting last week he was not up on current events because he just fishes and plays golf, his words not mine. As you say, can’t make this stuff up. You have never addressed that a majority currently exists. Mr. Brown was hand-picked by Mr. Perrone and has added nothing to this board except an automatic yes vote to whatever Mr. Perrone votes on. Why do you not have an issue with that?? There is always board majorities Joe, like you said before it’s nothing new in the politics in OPA.

This community has had drama for years. You pointed out recently this election drama has repeated itself many times. I formed a group to get involved. I’m sorry it bothers you. You don’t get to dictate what the Get Involved group does or doesn’t do or how it is defined. This is a private group where people can choose to be part of it or not. The Ocean Pines Get Involved group nor I have ever attacked this forum. You are acting like a spoiled child who wants to be an only child and jealous there is another.

Vote for who you want. Support who you want. Stop criticizing others who don’t share "your vision" of leadership. My “wild” claims are your opinion. Bottom line, I have proof Frank Daly sent my case info to the media several times, I have proof of the 4/20 email from The OPA attorney to the board with instructions how to address my legal situation and it wasn’t to send it to the papers or post my case on Twitter. I have proof that the board president tried to impact my livelihood with a business associate. You yourself said, when I first shared with you my legal situation, that you didn’t need to know because it has nothing to do with Ocean Pines yet you say nothing on how ethically wrong it is for a sitting board member, who is running for the board to take it upon himself to refer people to my case or try to get the media to publish it when it has nothing to do with Ocean Pines. For what reason beside political? The proper response from board members should have been “this is a private citizen, and we have no comment “. You said that I have not identified my “forensic expert”, while Frank Daly acknowledged in the Gazette months ago the investigation into Colby and her alleged smear campaign against John Viola was because he was told by a “reputable member of the community “that she was doing that. This board and association spent $15k on that investigation with Frank Daly never disclosing the source or even letting Colby address her accuser. The findings came back inconclusive, but the board was quick to do that investigation. But you don’t address that?

I will continue to pursue who sent these e-mails. You are also wrong about Protonmail.com. There are ALWAYS ways to track this stuff down. It requires experts in the field, which you are not. No homeowner should have to endure what I have from whoever sent these letters and e-mails, and I’m surprised you don’t agree with that, but again your opinion. I am not “hammering “the board, I am asking based on this is not simply one computer from someone who doesn’t like me, but a software IP address identified as having been named originally as former GM involved in the purchase of that system.

How did the e-mail addresses get out? No Joe, it was not just a few homeowners or just people who have been on the board or served on committees. We were contacted by many people from all walks of life that received these emails. This association does not send out e-mails with CC's where everyone gets to see the emails of others. You diminish these facts. So, it is worth investigating. Also, any IT person can tell you this can be done very quickly internally and inexpensively. This investigation I’m requesting does NOT have to be a costly event. Is a homeowner being targeted any less important than an employee being targeted?

Vote for who you want. At the end of the day like our national elections if homeowners aren’t happy, they can vote next year to keep or replace directors with new people. That’s the beautiful part of our country. I’m not on the board and will not be the 8th member as you so claim. If anyone is an 8th member, it is you Joe.

Do you ever wonder why you have all these members in your forum and only about 20 who are actively involved? Why would anyone want to comment on the forum or make the decision be on a committee or board? They just become target practice for you as you as the Monday morning quarterback on everything they do. Why haven’t you run for the board since you have so much to say?

Joe, you have been here many years and offer a ton of knowledge. You could be a true leader in this community but choose to be a pot stirrer turning neighbors against neighbors. That is not what this community needs. We need peace and kindness to one another. We need to continue to maintain our amenities and stay fiscally sound.

This forum is a battleground with forum members getting into negative debates with each other that have many times turned ugly, with you leading the way.

You stated that many are asking, ‘who is Esther Diller’. I am sure many know who I am but let me answer that question.

I am a wife, mother, businesswomen and community activist, and yes, a convicted felon. I was a director on a very productive board in 2018, and due to health issues and my mother dying of dementia I had to resign. When I was able to, I got involved as a community activist in Ocean Pines, not much different than you Joe. We just sit on opposite sides of the fence most times, but that’s ok and healthy for our community. I made a business mistake for which I have paid dearly, but as my judge quoted to me ‘you are a convicted felon but that is not who you are. We are all mosaics made up of different pieces this is just a small piece of you and do not let it define you as such’. I won’t.

You stated why would Diller choose to get very publicly involved in OPA politics after conviction of a federal crime?

Because that is who I am and as you mentioned in another post I have every right to be politically active as an association member. I will not hide because of what has happened to me. I stand up for what I believe in and will continue to do so in this community. No different than you Joe.

I hold my head up and walk tall acknowledging my mistake and owning it by moving forward despite the cowardly anonymous attacks on me. I am honored and grateful to my friends here in Ocean Pines who have told me they proudly stand with me and have supported me during this difficult time. No homeowners should have this type of attack happen to them. Felon or not.

Joe, many say not to respond to you or the forum because you can’t win. This is not about who is winning but correcting assumptions you have made in your post about me along with the relentless attacks on me and the Ocean Pines Get Involved group.

I feel there is no further response from me needed.

Esther Diller