Matt Ortt of Matt Ortt Companies, LLC (Ortt), outgoing firm managing OPA Food & Beverage facilities, wrote, "I have every intention of finishing out our contract in good faith and with the same professionalism that we have always operated with."

Sounds good. Some local papers and Ortt supporters praised Ortt for returning to manage the OPA facilities in February, after they were all closed for the entire month of January. Ortt's intent is to manage the Yacht Club and the Golf Clubhouse dining until the end of April, when the company's management contract ends.

Where does this leave Touch of Italy (TOI), the firm recently awarded a five-year contract by the OPA Board of Directors to manage all OPA Food & Beverage facilities? The answer to that question is obvious - Ortt's decision to stay around until the end of April leaves Touch of Italy in a somewhat difficult position.

TOI's plan to do some redecorating in the Yacht Club may be postponed until next fall or winter if they cannot take control of the Yacht Club until May 1. Possibly the same for the Golf Clubhouse. If Ortt had not decided to remain until the end of April, these next eight weeks would be invaluable to TOI to prepare for the upcoming spring and summer season. Ortt's decision denies TOI that valuable preparation time and will likely harm OPA as well.

Is Ortt acting professionally and in a good faith manner by insisting on remaining in control until the end of April?

Let's examine other questions first. Does OPA want Ortt to control the food and beverage facilities until the end of April?

The OPA board has not made any public statements on this, nor has General Manager John Viola. What does common sense tell us? Obviously, Ort's swift departure would be best for the initial success of TOI. No question.

Would TOI prefer to take control of the operations prior to May 1? Again, what does common sense tell us. Obviously, Ort's swift departure, providing TOI access to the operations four to six weeks prior to May 1 would be best for TOI's initial success beginning the new season. No question.

Perhaps the most important question is - why is Ortt insisting on managing the operations until the end of April?

It may actually cost Ortt a pile of money, unless Yacht Club business becomes wildly and miraculously profitable during March and April. Leaving at the end of April rather than now could result in a reduction of perhaps $70,000 in Ortt's yearly contract bonus for the ending fiscal year!

Again, the question is "why does Ortt want to hang around" if it will cost the company that kind of money?

The local rumor mill suggests OPA attempted to negotiate with Ortt for an exit weeks earlier than the end of April, but Ortt proved unwilling.

Is Ortt's professionalism or good faith the answer to the question of why Ortt wants to remain until the end of April, or are other factors at work here, factors having little to do with being professional or acting in good faith?

What do you think?