Columbia Association Board Member Phil Marcus, who represented Kings Contrivance for four years, decided it is time to move on.
“It takes a lot of time and energy,” he said, adding he enjoyed his time on the board but won?t run again this year.
Election season has arrived in Columbia as residents consider a run for village representative on the Columbia Association board of directors and the villages? boards.
Reflecting on his role, Marcus said the ability to communicate is among the key skills for the job. Representatives also should remove themselves from often-emotional debates.
Tension on the board has run high recently over the renewal of CA President Maggie Brown?s contract.
The election cycle is different for each village. Most members are elected for staggered one-year terms, while others elect an entirely new board every year or for two-year terms.
Nominations are due this week for three villages? seats: Town Center, Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills.
“I don?t think there is a large turnout, but we try to encourage residents to take an interest,” CA spokeswoman Karen Hawkins said.
In Kings Contrivance, campaigns for the village board tend to be minimal; in recent years, between 85 and 148 out of about 11,000 residents vote, said Village Manager Anne Brinker.
Owen Brown?s election likely will focus on the dredging of Lake Elkhorn, as candidates determine their positions on how and when it should be done, Village Manager Tom Wulf said. There could be a few signs and fliers, but the races tend to be low-key, he said.
Each village is holding elections April 21. Available seats and deadlines for nominations are:
? Hickory Ridge: Five village board seats and a CA board representative; March 17
? Harpers Choice: Seven village board seats; March 14
? Oakland Mills: Six village board seats and a CA representative; March 9
? Dorsey Search: Two village board seats and a CA representative; March 21
? Kings Contrivance: Three village board seats and a CA representative; March 20
? Long Reach: Two village board members and a CA representative; March 21
? Owen Brown: Three village board seats; March 21
? River Hill: Four village board seats and a CA representative; March 21
? Town Center: Three village board seats; March 9
? Wilde Lake: Five village board seats and a CA representative; March 7
