Woodlands residents have filed for more than 100 positions on local village association boards and this year there has been an increased interest in those wanting to serve on the residential design review committees.
The RDRCs are architectural design review groups that oversee property renovations within each village.
“We have seen an increase in filing for positions on the Residential Design Review Committees, particularly in the Village of Grogan’s Mill,” said Don Norrell, president of The Woodlands Township. “We do not have an explanation for the increased interest; however, many of those who are new to filing for the RDRC have also filed for the first time for positions on the Grogan’s Mill Village Association.”
While positions are available on each of the eight village association boards, including Grogan’s Mill, Panther Creek, Cochran’s Crossing, Alden Bridge, Indian Springs, College Park, and Sterling Ridge, this will be the first election for the local association in Creekside Park.
Last year, residents selected members of the residential design committee and worked to create the nonprofit village association.
With the transition to The Woodlands Township and the dissolution of the Community Association of The Woodlands, village associations are expected to take on a greater role in 2010 as liaisons between the township and its residents.
The associations have traditionally been social organizations, but with 90,000 residents in the community, their roles may turn to advocacy.
The Township recently signed service agreements with each village association, which provide a $10,000 budget to produce a community spirit event annually and pay for insurance for the organization and its directors. The township also plans to give village association members a greater role by appointing them to township advisory committees. Among the first may be a law enforcement advisory committee that will help the township develop a policy on issuing Woodlands Alert messages on crime.
“Village Associations continue to play an important grass-roots role in The Woodlands,” Norrell said. “The Township looks forward to continuing the strong relationship that was fostered by the Community Associations prior to the transition of services.”
Only three directors from The Woodlands Community Association, George Van Horn of Grogan’s Mill, Everett Ison of Panther Creek and Stuart Schroeder of Cochran’s Crossing, have filed applications to continue at the local level and Arthur Bredehoft has filed to continue on the RDRC in Alden Bridge. While there are many incumbents from village associations, there are also a few new faces running for the local boards.
Steve Leakey, an Alden Bridge Village Association member who spearheading an interface project between the villages and the township, said he has seen a moderate increase in the overall filings, although a few positions remain without candidates.
“I’m encouraged and pleased by the entire filing,” said Leakey, who is running for re-election in Alden Bridge.
While voter participation has generally been light in community elections, this year will especially be a challenge because it does not include contests for The Woodlands Community Association and The Woodlands Association.
“This is the first election since the transition,” Leakey said. “I hope the voter turnout will grow, but it may be a challenge.”
All voting will take place at The Woodlands Township Service Center, 2201 Lake Woodlands Drive. Early voting will be held Feb. 15 through Feb. 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Polls will open on Election Day, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A Village Association Ballot Sampling
Following is a sample of the candidates who have filed for leadership positions within the eight village associations. Some associations vote for officers, while others select area representatives and the village board votes on the leadership. For a full list of all candidates running, visit The Woodlands Township Web site at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.\
Cochran Crossing Village Association
Vice President -Marti Fox Meerscheidt
Treasurer -James Goldmeyer
College Park Village Association
Vice President: Scott Singletary
Treasurer: Steven A. Reinmund
Creekside Park
President: Nancy Decker Lent
Vice President: Michael Ramsey
Secretary: Matt Marrow
Treasurer: Laurence D. Jadrych
Events Chair: Susan Tedesco
Indian Springs Village Association
Vice President: Loretta Colchin, John Scot
Treasurer: No candidate
Panther Creek Village Association
President: Everett Ison
Treasurer: Kimber Lewis, Jay Mac Sanders
*Note: candidates are not final until they are deemed to be eligible to run, including meeting residency requirements and having no outstanding assessments or fees to the Community Associations of The Woodlands.
Source: The Woodlands Township
