The Wilde Lake Village Board is dominated by members Linda Odum described as the “mature” set, withages around 60.
The graying board wants to inject new blood into the community organization ? a challenge some other village boards also face as they look to build new leaders and get more young people involved.
“That is a perpetual problem in Columbia,” said Lee Richardson, chair of the Town Center Village Board. “We are not growing new people as much as we should.”
In an effort to boost diversity in age as well as ethnic background and neighborhood, the Wilde Lake Village Board is expanding from five members to seven.
The group will spend time next month taking applications and interviewing candidates.
Although the board hasn?t determined the characteristics of the ideal candidate, “This effort may be to try to get some people of that younger age group,” board Chair Vincent Marando said.
Marando and board Member Mary Pivar supported the idea of bringing more people to the board, but advocated for waiting until April, when there would be an election for the posts.
“By April, there are going to be issues to react to,” Pivar said, referring to a downtown Columbia master plan and the need for a new grocery store in the center.
However, the board voted to expand before the next election.
“It seems appropriate at this time that we find ways to replace ourselves with more diverse younger group of residents,” said board member Rhoda Toback. “We are not the next generation.”
Some attribute the dearth of young participants to that age group being consumed by career and family obligations, such as PTA meetings and day care.
However, Toback rejects that notion, saying everyone is busy, young and old. The key, she said, is educating people about of community involvement.
Richardson agreed, “Maybe we have to take the initiative and make younger people realize this is your town as much as ours.”
