COLUMBIA, Md. — Two of the three members recently removed from the Columbia Association Board assert that their dismissal was a retaliatory action.
On Thursday, the board convened a closed-door session where it voted to remove Reg Avery, Karin Emery, and Eric Greenberg following a lengthy ethics investigation.
During this investigation, a panel of three independent attorneys concluded that the trio had acted in “bad faith” when they filed an initial ethics complaint concerning the board Chair and another board member.
Ousted Columbia Association board members claim retaliation following closed door vote
Ousted Columbia Association board members claim retaliation
The announcement regarding their removal was made at the start of the meeting, prompting an immediate reaction from the three members, leading Chair Collin Sullivan to call for a recess.
Currently, the villages of Long Reach, Oakland Mills, and River Hill find themselves without representation.
“I truly believe that my removal as a board member is a direct consequence of my commitment to advocating for the residents,” Emery stated in an interview with WMAR-2 News’ Blair Sabol on Friday. “I will continue to fight for the residents regardless of the outcome. Advocacy for the community is my priority.”
On the other hand, Julie Miller, the director of media relations for the Columbia Association (CA), defended the board’s actions, stating that they adhered to CA’s bylaws in addressing alleged breaches of the Code of Business Conduct and Policies.
However, Emery disputes this assertion.
“The bylaws clearly state that a two-thirds majority is needed for a member’s removal, yet only nine individuals attended the meeting, and just five voted for our ousting,” she contended.
The Columbia Association oversees various recreational facilities within the community, including parks, gyms, and swimming pools. It manages an annual budget of approximately $95 million, with around half of this funding sourced from mandatory fees imposed on residents living in the unincorporated area.
The conflict originated when Avery, Emery, and Greenberg filed a complaint last year against Chair Sullivan and board member Bill Santos, alleging the improper disclosure of confidential information regarding Greenberg’s evaluation of the CEO.
“It seemed they wanted to isolate Eric from the leadership, particularly from the president. We felt we had no choice,” Emery remarked.
According to an 84-page report released to the public, the ethics panel concluded that their complaint was made in bad faith and cautioned that pursuing frivolous complaints could impose significant financial burdens on the organization.
“The complaint was anything but frivolous,” Greenberg emphasized.
“We felt compelled to file that complaint because it was evident that Collin had breached policy. Yet, the investigator’s findings seemed to turn the narrative on us, blaming us for lodging the ethics complaint in the first place. I find that puzzling,” Emery added.
The ethics panel characterized the trio as uncooperative during the investigation and recommended their removal.
They suspect that the underlying issue arises from their critical questioning of the board’s actions and decisions.
“We frequently find ourselves in the minority during votes and are often the ones asking the hard questions. We questioned the rationale behind fee increases and pool usage costs,” Greenberg stated. “I’m genuinely worried that we are increasing the financial burden on our residents while simultaneously decreasing the services provided.”
“I know families who gaze out their windows only to see a pool they cannot afford to visit,” Emery lamented. “That seems utterly unreasonable.”
While the CA does collect annual mandatory fees from residents, entry fees still apply for access to CA-managed pools and recreational spaces. Additionally, there are plans to replace three pools—Bryant Woods, Jeffers Hill, and Talbott Springs—with splash pads, a decision that they assert is more expensive and less desirable than renovating the existing pools.
As for their plans moving forward, neither Emery nor Greenberg has articulated a clear strategy.
Upcoming elections are set for Saturday, April 25, where Emery is on the ballot, running unopposed for her position.
The CA has stated that the three affected villages will need to submit nominations to fill the vacant spots.
