Columbia residents and association board members spoke candidly ? and cordially ? about a school donation Thursday.
“This has been one of the most constructive [meetings] we?ve ever had,” said Brian Cuthie, who asked the new External Relations Committee to recommend that the board not donate $200,000 to Howard Community College?s $20 million Peter & Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.
“A city without the arts is a city not worth living in,” said Board Member Phil Marcus, who avidly defended the donation to the group that was unanimously opposed to it.
“Why pay toward HCC?s debt when we have our own debt?” Committee Member Barbara Russell asked.
After hearing from residents and speaking freely for an hour, the committee voted to postpone its recommendation to the board until August, so it would have time to speak with representatives from the college.
The External Relations Committee was one of four committees created to remedy the Columbia Association board?s tense relationship with the community.
The board recently banned Columbia?s business owners from speaking at its meetings and angered people by holding closed meetings.
Residents also berated the board during a special meeting when the board voted to close the Lake Elkhorn playground without consulting those who use it. The board later rescinded its decision.
During board meetings, residents are allotted only three minutes to formally address the board and are not invited to debate the issues that affect them.
At the committee meeting, residents and committee members complimented each other for the respectful dialogue.
“This is the first board meeting I have enjoyed in six months,” said Committee Member Patrick von Schlag.
“No, a year!” Marcus interjected. “I?m feeling pretty groovy.”
Russell and von Schlag concluded the meeting with a high-five.
Next meeting
» The Columbia Association?s External Relations Committee will discuss a possible donation to Howard Community College at its Aug. 3 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Columbia Association headquarters on Wincopin Circle in Columbia.
