If a "lease arrangement" means that a Board of Directors/OPA has nothing to do with the operations of the food/beverage amenities - - other than collect the rent once a month - - I say hallelujah!

Decades of 200k yearly losses, topped off by a whopping 600k (the Brett Hill board) loss which led to (according to what I've read) a 'give them everything they want' deal to the Ortt company. 

Some history for those of you who are comparatively new in Ocean Pines: for a lot of years Tom Stauss (The Progress) and I were the only two voices in Ocean Pines saying "lease". Between the BOD's, the Clubs Committees, and the local know-it-alls, the adamant resistance to taking the control of the food/beverage operation out of the hands of volunteer directors - - the majority of whom had absolutely no business experience - - was mind-boggling to me.  Even the Clubs 'Advisory' committee consisted of people whose only experience in the restaurant business was . . . having opinions.

Yep, why getting to this point took so long is a mystery to me.  The Board of Directors have no business running a business; when enjoying the clubs Board members should be customers just like the rest of us, and should not have any influence over the food/beverage operation other than thru the GM's office.  I hope that is exactly what this lease arrangement allows for.  

Steve Lind

Ocean Pines