Village Board

The Hickory Ridge Community Association will hold a Holiday Craft Shop from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. today at Hawthorn Center, 6175 Sunny Spring. Admission is free. Information: 410-730-7327. Traffic study Marty Wells of Wells and Associates will discuss the traffic study of General Growth Properties' General Plan for downtown Columbia at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Town Center Community Association's village board meeting. Meetings, which are open to the public, are held at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia.

In March, Kimco Reality Corp. announced a plan to raze and rebuild much of the Wilde Lake Village Center, adding 500 apartments. The Village Board, residents, and other interested parties expressed many concerns. On Aug. 4, Kimco presented the same plan at a Village Board meeting and received many of the same objections. The plan is based on demolishing the present commercial buildings. This would displace the present tenants and jeopardize their livelihoods. The needs of the local residents are being dismissed.

A discussion this week between Wilde Lake residents and officials of the firm that wants to redevelop Columbia's oldest village center sounded more like a verbal tug-of-war than progress toward consensus. Kimco Realty Corp. officials first announced in March a $40 million plan to raze and rebuild much of Wilde Lake Village Center, adding 500 apartments. But residents are pushing an alternative plan designed by Columbia's original chief architect, Robert Tennenbaum, which they say would maintain the center's original character.

The Kings Contrivance Village Board is seeking two new members. Residents, ages 18 and older, who are interested in the position should send a letter of interest to Amherst House, 7251 Eden Brook Drive, Columbia, by July 30. The board meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Information: Anne Brinker, 410-381-9600. Community theater to present musical The Drama Learning Center's Summer Stage, a new community theater, will present the musical, Songs for a New World, July 31 through Aug. 9 at the center, 9130-I Red Branch Road.

Columbia's much-lamented Last Chance Saloon may get a second chance with new operators who plan to reopen the restaurant by summer's end, boosting revitalization efforts in Oakland Mills Village Center. Meanwhile, residents are pondering new plans for a Walgreens pharmacy nearby on Route 175 at Thunder Hill Road as they await word on whether the much-discussed Meridian Square office building will go forward, replacing a vacant lot at the village center. Word of the restaurant's revival came as a welcome surprise, officials said.

Stephen Meskin, a candidate who unsuccessfully bid for a seat on the Columbia Association board representing Town Center, has withdrawn his challenge in the election that left him trailing by 13 votes. Meskin, an actuary with a doctorate in mathematics, sent a letter to the village board Friday withdrawing his challenge, said Patricia Laidig, village manager. Calls to Meskin were not returned. Suzanne Waller finished first in the race for the seat previously occupied by Gail Broida, who opted not to run for another term.

Here are the results of last week's Columbia Association elections. Owen Brown did not hold an election because there were no contested races. Dorsey's Search Columbia Council: nonelection year. Village Board: (three open seats) Diane Turner, 54, Rob Sims, 53, Larry Winston, 51. Harper's Choice Columbia Council: Cynthia Coyle, 315, Lynda Maxwell, 200. Village Board: (one open seat) Patti Petri 428. Hickory Ridge Columbia Council: Miles Coffman, 138 (unopposed). Village Board: (5 open seats)

Residents will cast votes today and tomorrow for Columbia Association board members who will help usher the town through a critical time of partnering with General Growth Properties Inc. on downtown redevelopment, selecting a new president and addressing critical environmental issues. Elections are being held in nine of Columbia's 10 villages. Five villages will elect CA board members -- one of the races is not contested. Also, elections for village board are to be held. In Oakland Mills, where eight-year veteran CA board member Barbara Russell is retiring, each of the two candidates vying for her seat has lived in the community for years and worked on civic causes.

Village elections for Columbia Council members and village board members will be Friday and Saturday. Voters may be asked to provide proof of residency. Because there are no contested races, Owen Brown is not holding an election. Dorsey's Search When: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Linden Hall, 4765 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City At stake: Village board -- Three seats open. Contact: 410-730-4005 Harper's Choice When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Outside near Safeway.