Members of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) are angry over a front-page article in the Ocean Pines Progress newspaper, an article where OPA President Rick Farr is quoted as saying OPVFD rescinded what Farr said was a "gentleman's agreement" that would see the OPVFD turn over ownership of the southside fire station to OPA in return for funding of a new fire station.

That anger was palpable during a November 7th meeting at the southside station between representatives of OPA and about 50 or so members of the OPVFD. Representing OPA were President Rick Farr, General Manager John Viola, OPA Director of Public Relations Josh Davis, and former board member Ted Moroney.

Farr made a major public relations blunder in agreeing to a newspaper interview about issues related to the construction and financing of a proposed new southside fire station while negotiations were ongoing. That blunder was compounded by Farr publicly saying the OPVFD reneged on a "gentleman's agreement" for OPVFD to turn over ownership of the southside fire station to OPA.

One woman making comments during the November 7th meeting said, "That article made us look like idiots for going back on our word." She demanded a front-page retraction. OPVFD Chief Steve Grunewald then said, "I was really upset with the article. People in this room now don't trust us."

Farr said that he and OPVFD President Dave VanGasbeck talked several times. Apparently, this was on the deck at the Yacht Club Tiki Bar. At one point during the meeting Farr also said, "I did not say 'gentleman's agreement.'" He suggested he was misquoted in the paper.

Unfortunately, Farr again blundered at the meeting by suggesting he and his board majority wanted the OPVFD to have "skin in the game" before committing any funds for the station or new fire fighting equipment. This was a bad choice of words. As one firefighter put it, "We literally put our skin in the game every time we leave this station." Furthermore, members of the OPVFD and members of OPA need to keep in mind that the president of OPA does not speak for the Board of Directors unless authorized by the board to do so. The OPA Board of Directors has taken no formal position on this issue.

Regardless, while Farr may have blundered from a public relations standpoint with the newspaper interview, he is absolutely committed to making sure the OPVFD has what it needs to maintain its high quality of service for both fire and EMS services. He made a mistake. He is human. Hopefully, we see no more newspaper negotiations, rather the two parties moving forward in an amicable manner. One reliable OPVFD source says they are ready to do so. It is time for OPA and OPVFD to start trusting each other. They are in this together. We are all in this together.

There may be some unresolved legal issues, but it looks like essentially two viable options at this time with regard to financing a new fire station. OPA General Manager John Viola, working with some community volunteers, presented a construction plan to satisfy the specified needs of the OPVFD at an estimated cost of about $4.5 million. Roughly $2.5 million is already available. Thus an additional $2 million must be found. Incredibly, Viola was able to provide the needed improvements for almost $4 million less than the over $8 million originally estimated by OPVFD.

If the OPVFD can obtain a loan for the $2 million, then it can bill OPA each year for the needed funds as a part of the fire department's annual budget request to OPA. No referendum would be necessary.

On the other hand, if the OPVFD cannot obtain the $2 million loan and the money has to come directly from OPA, a referendum would be required. The sticky legal part here is that even if association members approved the $2 million, there is a question as to whether OPA could legally invest $2 million to build a new structure on property it does not own. Thus, the OPVFD might be required to turn over ownership to OPA for any referendum-approved money to be used for construction.

The first option, OPVFD obtaining a loan of $2 million, is the best course of action for all involved. It is clear - the membership of the OPVFD does not want to give up ownership of the southside fire station. They are proud of the OPVFD, and rightfully so. Hopefully, the money can be obtained without the need to give up ownership.

Even if things proceed along the lines of an OPVFD loan, the department should entreat OPA to handle the bids and overall supervision of the construction on behalf of the OPVFD. Under Viola's excellent management, OPA is good at this and can handle all the necessary management at less cost than if the OPVFD chose to do it all themselves.

Finally, there was a discussion of some sort of a new contract between OPA and OPVFD. That is not necessary. Few people even understand the current, long-standing agreement. In a nutshell, the agreement says the OPVFD shall make every effort to obtain as much income as possible from any and all sources. If that income comes up short of covering operations or other needs, then OPVFD may request the difference be made up by OPA - with an important caveat that OPA is not legally obligated to do so. Regardless, every board over the past 35 or more years has included needed requests from OPVFD in the OPA budget each year.

Image Title: OPVFD Uploaded: 11/8/2023
Image Info: Meeting of OPVFD members on 11/7/2023.