OCEAN PINES – The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors voted last week to withdraw a motion allowing for the creation of an annual Gavin Knupp Award.
Last Saturday, board members had before them a motion to approve a partnership with the Gavin Knupp Foundation to create an annual Gavin Knupp Award within the community. However, the motion was ultimately withdrawn in a 7-0 vote after officials highlighted the family’s opposition to the award proposal and the community’s sentiments regarding an effort to rename the community skate park in Knupp’s honor.
“It’s unfortunate that we could not find a way to honor Gavin today,” said Director Steve Jacobs. “I hope going forward we still find a way to do so.”
While there was no motion on the agenda last Saturday, several association members came before the board requesting the Ocean Pines skate park be renamed after Gavin Knupp, a 14-year-old who died in a hit-and-run collision on Grays Corner Road in July. As of Monday, no charges have been filed and the investigation remains ongoing.
Resident Kim Gorsuch argued the renaming would not only honor Gavin but would offer a space for his friends and peers to heal.
Everyone wants a conclusion. Everyone wants a hanging. Everyone has succeeded with the public guilty before proven innocent. No court of law has been involved.
What is sad is the circumstances with this horrible incident and how those involved did what they did. Law enforcement is handstrung at this point because if they move forward it can all go poof. So they wait.
You know what they are waiting for? A slip up by the family. Think about it, many times those guilty of anything end up talking OR come forward because of their guilty conscience.
There is so many prior documented events when those who were guilty eventually talked openijg the door for LEOs to wrap it up cleanly.
Now, folks are screaming at OPines not moving forward with naming rights. Think about that, does that mean each and every time going forward when there is an incident resulting in a death of a child or adult that the municipality MUST name something for the deceased? OPines is not being thoughtless or heartless. Do they have a strange history? Absolutely. Do they understand that starting a precedent could invoke many challenges in the future….absolutely. maybe when the time comes something kind can be done. Until then,.let the LEOs work the challenge to the end. Dont think they arent trying. They know where ALL involved are located and their appropriate presence will eventually get us all Justice for Gavin. It will happen.
Charges and arrest should have already been filed for undisputable crimes such as conspiring to hide evidence involving a homicide. Also warrants should have been served to question all that my have been driving the car involved on the night of the deadly incident. Has law enforcement interviewed the young man that was supposed to be driving the hidden car or has he disappeared under a family approved witness protection plan. Enough is enough, the community wants all involved to pay for this young man’s death. Money should not be a factor to allow freedom for the guilty, and a number of people are definitely guilty of very serious crimes.
Ralph should have been charged for obstruction and hindering an investigation. Why hasn’t that happened?
What should have been called a very unfortunate accident has now turned into many crimes that must be investigated and the guilty punished.
8:45 – Never gonna happen. SA is friends with Ralph D. – it’s been nearly 5 months and no arrest. Matt Ortt wants the family to back off their protests of his business, including his contract with the OPA. The renaming of the skate park was contingent on the family quieting down. The police know who the car is registered to, and did nothing. Why do you think that is?