Today in Columbia: Two Meetings, Two Emotional Community Issues

This article ws updated at 6:45 a.m. to reflect the Columbia Association's decison to withdraw its legislative proposal.

The Weather:

"A slight chance of showers between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Widespread dense fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming northwest between 12 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind between 9 and 15 mph." — The National Weather Service

Meeting Tonight:

The Columbia Association's Board of Directors will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Association Building, 10221 Wincopin Circle.

Among other things, the board is recommending support of proposed legislation that would redefine the association and exempt it from portions of Maryland laws that govern homeowners associations.

Some residents and legislators are concerned that such legislation could lessen homeowners' rights, decrease citizen access to certain CA documents and decrease the association's transparency.

Supporters of the legislation say the legislation would allow the organization to run more efficiently and save money on lobbying fees.

Explore Howard has reported that the Columbia Association, citing the need for additional work, has withdrawn the legislative proposal and will not submit it to the state delegation at this time.

Another Meeting Tonight:

The Howard County Board of Education will hold a school redistricting work session tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Board of Education headquarters, 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City.

The school board is working to realign school attendance areas to help ease overcrowding in southeast area elementary schools.

Board members will take into consideration comments they have received at previous public meetings.

A final public hearing on redistricting will be held Nov. 15.

The board could make a decision as early as Nov. 17.

Thanksgiving:

Patch editors are looking for Howard County residents willing to share Thanksgiving traditions, recipes, crafts, funny stories and any other tidbits about the holiday you'd like to share.

Have you ever ruined dinner? Dropped the turkey on the floor? Forgot to thaw the bird in time for the big feast? Do your Thanksgiving dinners always end in arguments?

Give us the good, the bad, the funny! Pictures get extra credit.

Send an email to marge.neal@patch.com to include your story in Patch's Thanksgiving coverage.

Headlines You May Have Missed Wednesday:

HCC Men's Soccer Prepares for National

Blog Recap: School Redistricting Draws Emotional Audience

Today in Columbia: In Awe of Quincy, Fourth-Grader, Impassioned Public Speaker

Photo of the Day: On the Fence

Police Seek Help in Armed Robbery at Liquor Store: Howard County Crime Roundup