Opposition To CA Staff Proposal

REPRINTED FROM LONG REACH VILLAGE NEWSLETTER: March 21

If you don't know already, we want to educate you on an important issue facing Columbia residents!

Columbia Association (CA) Staff presented a proposal evaluating various options to take over central management of all villages' community buildings at the CA Board of Directors Meeting on February 27.

View Presentation Here

View Video of the CA Board Meeting

Residents and village community associations have voiced strong opposition to the proposal, citing concerns over its potential to disrupt the independent operations of the villages. These associations play a vital role in serving their communities by providing tailored services and organizing cherished programs such as:

• Native Tree & Plant Giveaways
• Village Pool Parties
• Community-wide Yard Sales
• 50+ Lunch events
• CARES Events (environmental educational events and programs)
• Seasonal Celebrations
• Block Grants for Community Gatherings and Cul-de-Sac Beautification Projects
• Classes, Lectures, and Workshops
• Wellness Events
• Community Outreach/Newsletters

These programs and services are the cornerstone of community life, fostering connection and engagement among residents.

While CA is attempting to take control of the village buildings and the revenue they generate, it is simultaneously finalizing a new management contract with the villages. The contract is the other source of funding for the villages, determining how assessments collected from residents are disbursed back to the villages to perform required HOA functions and provide other services. CA rejected revisions requested by the Village Managers and their respective Boards and put forth a heavily one-sided contract that imposes costly and burdensome requirements on the Villages. The contracts must be signed “as is” by April 22, 2025, or villages will not receive funding, which is monies that their residents have paid.

The Columbia Association’s proposal has sparked significant concern among residents and village leaders, who fear it could undermine the independence, community services, and events that make Columbia’s villages unique and vibrant. The villages have long served as the heart of the neighborhoods, fostering connection and directly reinvesting in their communities. CA’s overreach deserves broader attention, as it affects not only the operational autonomy of the villages but also the residents who depend on their tailored programs and services.

The next CA Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 7 pm. Resident Speak-Out Information. To voice your opinion, send a letter or comments to the following: CA Board & CEO/President

Read more:

View the Joint Letter from Reginald Avery, Long Reach Village CA Council Representative, and Nina Basu, Long Reach Village Board Chair

View the Joint Letter from Oakland Mills Community Association Board Chair Jonathan Edelson and Oakland Mills CA Council Representative Karin Emory

View the Letter from Eric Greenberg, River Hill Village CA Council Representative

Photo Contest From CA: April 14 Deadline

Show off your village pride, and your photo could be made into a postcard! Columbia Association is looking for the most beautiful shots of your favorite spots. Submit your best pictures (limit two entries per person, please) with your social media handles. The top photos will be printed onto postcards and made available at their respective village center. The contest runs through April 14, so click here to enter today!

Columbia Cleans: April 5; 10:00 AM -1:00 PM

Join Town Center Community Association, your friends, and neighbors for a community clean up. We'll be cleaning the multi-use path around Lake Kittamaqundi.

Meet on the patio above the lakefront fountain near Millie Bailey Park and Whole Foods at 10:00 am. We'll provide trash bags and water to keep refreshed. Please bring work gloves if you have them.

This is an excellent opportunity for residents, children, and youth organizations to help the community. All ages are welcome, but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Waivers are required. For participants under the age of 18, a parent/legal guardian must sign waiver. Waivers are available in advance and will be available at Lake Kittamaquandi the day of the event. Click Here for an individual's waiver. Click Here for a group waiver such as a family, scout troop, or environmental club.

RSVP appreciated, not required. Questions? Call 410-730-4744 or email:

VillageManager@Columbia TownCenter.org

Parents Planning For Kids' Summer Activities: A Lot of Choices for All.....Some Free!

Parents always want to give their kids of all ages fun activities and events to participate in during all times of the yeespecially during the summer. Howard County Government, the Columbia Association, Howard County Public Schools, churches and social services groups offer extensive programs that are both FREE and PAID. These programs are promoted via social media, in classrooms, through mailings, online and in-person at events held throughout the year.

Below is a very short list of the numerous programs for kids throughout the County that can assist. There are many, many more. Hopefully one of them may interest you and your children.

Resource List (Click on Links Below. Some links will be active soon when camp details are available):

• Howard County Parks and Rec: hundreds of programs throughout the year for kids from 5-55+!
• Columbia Association (CA):
• CA Camps
• LakefrontLive: more than 55+ events throughout the summer
• Wilde Lake High School Sports Camps
• Wilde Lake High School Clubs (during school year)
• Bryant Woods Montessi Childrens' House Summer Programs
• Kittamaquandi Church Peace Camp Registration (August 8-14): for questions or sponsorship send an email to peacecamp@lffp.org. Peace camp flyer.

• Howard Community College: Kids on Campus Program
• Howard County Public Library System: extensive free programming for kids throughout the year. SIgn up for an account, search for programs and attend!
• DoodleHatch
• Slayton House Theater Summer Camps

Student Volunteers Needed For CFA Festival

The Columbia Festival of the Arts (CFA) would like to invite your middle and high school students to support the artists and the festivalgoers at LakeFest 2025 this June 20-22, at Lake

Kittamaqundi in Downtown Columbia. Middle school students must be at least 13 years old and if under 16, they must be accompanied by a parent. Volunteers may: help visual artists

load and unload their art and supplies and set up their booths; or provide relief to artists who need to leave to get lunch or take a quick break. They will have the opportunity to network with artists and hear first-hand accounts of their journeys to becoming an artist and perfecting their craft. Additional info and registration is on our website.

CA Points Program: Helping Families

Every family deserves the opportunity to tap into what CA has to offer, and the CA Points Program opens that door to thousands of kids and parents every year!

Since 2001, CA has been committed to helping deserving students earn a membership for themselves and their families through their performance in the classroom.

This program is currently offered in 20 Howard County Public Schools in the Columbia area:

• Elementary schools: Bryant Woods, Clemens Crossing, Cradlerock, Guilford, Jeffers Hill, Longfellow, Phelps Luck, Running Brook, Stevens Forest, Swansfield, Talbott Springs
• Middle schools: Harper’s Choice, Lake Elkhorn, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake
• High schools: Atholton, Hammond, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake

Click HERE for more information.

Open Space Dashboard: CA

Columbia Association owns and maintains more than 3,600 acres of open space and 114 miles of pathways, providing residents with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Columbia Association open space project information is now available to residents online via CA's Project & Access Dashboard. Visit

columbiaassociation.org/open-space/development/real-estate-services/ and click on the Dashboard. You can view various projects, access, and requests currently taking place on CA open space.

Summer 2025: New CA Pool Managers & Lifeguards Needed!: Great Benefits

Click HERE for more details.

What is Up With Town Center's CA Board Rep?

I'm eager to keep you updated on CA news and look forward to hearing your valuable input on how we can enhance our neighborhood together. Follow my adventures on the board through my blog: 

https://medium.com/@csullivan.columbia 

I am a huge coffee drinker — I’m always up for a cup and a chat! Feel free to reach me at: collin.sullivan@ca-board.org

Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods

Join in the fun and visit the Chrysalis! The new season starts this weekend.

Get tickets to events HERE.

Also, check out the Howard County Arts Council calendar is a great resource as you plan your arts outings. 

Senior Call Check Program

Maryland is the first state in the country to start a free, automated telephone service to check in on Maryland's older residents, all across the state. Available for those 65 years and older.

Give your family, friends and yourself the piece of mind knowing that someone will check on you.

Click HERE to find out more and to register.