Columbia Association Board Refuses to Seat Village-Elected Representatives

At the May 14 Annual Meeting of Members of the Columbia Association, the Columbia Association Board of Directors declined to seat representatives chosen by the Villages of Long Reach, Oakland Mills and River Hill during the election of Columbia Council representatives to the FY 2027 Board.

Board Chair Collin Sullivan ruled that Reg Avery, Karin Emery and Eric Greenberg were disqualified from participating in votes related to their election as directors.

“Three individuals have indicated they intend to participate in this election of directors tonight, Eric Greenberg, Karin Emery and Reg Avery,” Sullivan said during the meeting. “I’m ruling that each is disqualified from participating in votes related to their election as a director and any votes they attempt to make in that regard are rejected.”

Sullivan added that, “As a fiduciary of the corporation, I believe that the appointment of Mr. Greenberg, Ms. Emery and Mr. Avery to the board of directors is contrary to the best interests of, and indeed harmful to, the organization.”

Critics described the action as a weaponization of the board selection process. The move follows an April decision by the CA board to remove the three members after an ethics investigation alleged they violated the organization’s code of conduct.

A standing-room-only crowd attended the meeting, with dozens of residents speaking during Resident Speak Out. Many attendees questioned the legality of the removals, the transparency of the process and the direction of the board. Multiple recesses were called during the meeting because of disruptions from the audience, including those calling for the resignation of the board chair.

Prior to the May 14 meeting, the ousted board members filed suit in Howard County Circuit Court claiming that CA violated its charter, bylaws and the Maryland Homeowners Association Act by improperly removing the members. Their request for a temporary restraining order seeking reinstatement before the meeting was denied by Howard County Circuit Judge Stephanie Picard Porter.