Hickory Ridge Rep Mike McGarity to Step Down from Columbia Association Board
McGarity accepted a position at Penn State University and will vacate his seat on Dec. 1, leaving the board short of members amid ongoing legal disputes.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
Micajah “Mike” McGarity is leaving his position as the Hickory Ridge representative on the Columbia Association board of directors. The resignation takes effect Dec. 1. McGarity told The Baltimore Banner on Tuesday that he accepted a job at Pennsylvania State University. He and his family plan to relocate to Pennsylvania by the end of the year.
McGarity took office in April after defeating Skye Anderson, who had served in the role for three consecutive terms. He stated that he felt it was inappropriate to remain a representative if he was no longer a resident of Hickory Ridge. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to serve as the representative if I am no longer a Hickory Ridge resident,” McGarity said.
The Hickory Ridge Community Association confirmed the resignation in an email sent Tuesday morning. The group thanked McGarity for his dedication and leadership. “Hickory Ridge is grateful to Micajah for his dedication to the role and his leadership,” the email read. The village board chair did not respond to a request for comment.
In his resignation letter, McGarity described his service on both the village board and the association board as a privilege. He wished both organizations success in promoting the health, safety, and social welfare of residents. He also encouraged qualified residents to apply for the open seat. “We need effective leadership in the Columbia Association for good advocacy for the villages, and so I would encourage people who believe that they could be effective in the role to apply,” he said.
The association’s board has experienced multiple departures this year. Three members were removed in April following accusations that they weaponized the ethics policy and failed to cooperate with an outside investigation. A fourth member left in May for personal reasons. The three removed members have sued the association to be reinstated, and their seats remain unfilled.
Residents interested in filling McGarity’s seat must submit letters of interest to the village manager by Nov. 20. Interviews are scheduled for Nov. 23. The selected candidate will serve until April 30, the end of McGarity’s original term. The Columbia Association board is scheduled to meet Thursday night.
Columbia operates as a planned community designed by developer James Rouse in the 1960s. It is unincorporated and governed by a homeowners association rather than a municipal government. Ten villages comprise the community, each with its own board and a single representative on the central association board.
