OPA, Janasek Reach Settlement

OCEAN PINES – A settlement between the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) and former director Tom Janasek is being finalized.

Late last week, the Ocean Pines Board of Directors announced the association had agreed in principle to a settlement in a lawsuit regarding the enforcement of a 90-day amenity ban against Janasek. The settlement comes months after a Worcester County Circuit Court judge granted Janasek’s motion for a preliminary injunction, allowing him to continue using Ocean Pines’ food and beverage operations as his lawsuit against the association and its board of directors made is way through the court system.

“Specific terms and conditions of a proposed settlement were reviewed by counsel for both parties,” a statement from the board reads. “The amount of the financial payout to the plaintiff was proposed and agreed to by the insurance carrier for OPA. The final details and related paperwork are in progress and will be finalized over the next several weeks.”

In June, the board of directors voted 5-2, with Directors Doug Parks and Rick Farr opposed, to ban Janasek from the Yacht Club, Golf Clubhouse and Beach Club for 90 days following an altercation between Janasek and former director Josette Wheatley. While at the Yacht Club Tiki Bar on May 20, Janasek reportedly launched into a verbal tirade over Wheatley’s vote to elect the next association president.

In June, however, Janasek filed suit against the association and four board members – Colette Horn, Frank Daly, former director Amy Peck and former director Larry Perrone – arguing that the imposed ban was not only a violation of the community’s governing documents but prohibited him from doing business as an independent contractor for AC Beverage, which services bar equipment at Ocean Pines food and beverage facilities.

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