Wilde Lake Village Elections 2025

A stage set for a political debate with two podiums and an American flagUpdate – March 21, 2025:

Meet the candidates for Wilde Lake representative to the Columbia Council! WLCA’s 2025 candidates’ forum will be held on Thursday, April 3 at 6:30PM in a hybrid setting at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane) and via Zoom. To register, visit the Zoom link for the event.

The Wilde Lake Village Election Candidates’ Forum is your opportunity to hear what the Wilde Lake representative for the Columbia Council candidates think about issues of concern in the Village and Columbia. Scroll down to see the candidates’ statements before the forum.

Election Co-Chairs Steve Campbell and Linda Odum would like your suggestions for questions for the candidates during the event. Please send your suggestions to Wlelectionchair@wildelake.org or submit them when you register. We look forward to seeing you!

Update – March 19, 2025:

The nomination petitions were validated by the Village Election Co-Chairs on March 7, 2025.  The slate of candidates has been announced: 

Wilde Lake Representative to the Columbia Council

Two candidates for one open position – see below for candidate statements:

William (Bill) Santos

In three years as Columbia Council Representative, I visited every corner of our village; talking with residents about the problems and issues they want to see addressed. CA must continue reinvesting in Columbia neighborhood amenities and engage the people where they live. CA must empower their staff with the tools and expertise to better manage Wilde Lake water quality, invasive species, and the ballooning deer population.

During these difficult economic times, CA must also strike a delicate balance – the next CA Board must minimize the cost burden on our residents while providing exceptional services and experiences.

As your representative I offer a strong and pragmatic voice to our challenges. I believe the best solutions begin with respect and listening to all stakeholders. I also believe any changes that may come must be done responsibly and honor Wilde Lake’s heritage. I ask for your support and vote to make that happen.

Bill’s contact info: [email protected], 443-629-8616

Kathleen (Kat) Uy

My name is Kat Uy, and I’m asking for your vote to be Wilde Lake CA Board Representative.

I’m a librarian and long-time resident of Wilde Lake, whose five children graduated from WLHS. My family and I appreciate the amenities and resources provided by CA, but we’re concerned they aren’t affordable to all residents.

I will fight to:

• Make residents the number one priority for CA.
• Reduce the annual charge.
• Protect and conserve our environment.
• Make CA affordable and accessible to all our residents.

I promise to actively communicate with residents in an easily accessible and timely way. I value feedback and will never vote to limit Resident Speakout.

Well-funded self-serving special interests continue their efforts to take over the CA Board at the expense of residents. RESIDENTS ARE MY SPECIAL INTEREST.

Kat’s contact info: [email protected], 301-728-7956

Wilde Lake Village Board

Five candidates for five open positions*:

  • Brandon Cogdell
  • Kevin McAliley
  • Katharine Rathbun
  • Edward (Ed) Richards, III
  • Francis Uy

*These candidates are deemed elected since the number of candidates equals the number of open positions.

Look for your absentee ballot mailing in late March. It will include candidate statements and details about how to vote. And mark your calendar for the Meet the Candidates Night on Thursday, April 3rd at 6:30 pm at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane). Additional information coming soon!

Are you a Wilde Lake resident who wishes to serve your community? Consider running for a seat on the Wilde Lake Village Board or the Columbia Council!

The nominations period opens Tuesday, February 11, 2025 and closes at 5PM on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Other important dates to remember this election cycle include:

  • Friday, March 7: Nominations petitions validated
  • Thursday, April 3: Candidates’ Night at Slayton House
  • Friday, April 25 by 4PM: Deadline to submit tenant lease agreement to Slayton House. Tenants who plan to vote may also bring a copy of their leases to Election Day.
  • Saturday, April 26, 10AM – 2PM: Village Election Day

Applications and Elections Calendar

The documents linked below include more information about Village Board and Columbia Council service, as well as application and nomination forms for each position:

Board Candidate Information Session

To find out more about what the Village boards and Columbia Council do across Columbia as well as about the election process itself, plan on attending Columbia Association’s virtual Board Candidate Information Session on Thursday, February 20 at 5PM. More information and registration details are available on CA’s website.

How to Vote

Members (owners and tenants) of the Wilde Lake Community Association in good standing may vote online, via absentee ballot, or in person at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane) on Village Election Day from 10AM – 2PM.

More details about how to vote will be shared in late March via the absentee ballot mailing, which is delivered to every household in Wilde Lake. Tenants should be prepared to provide a copy of their lease agreement either in advance or at the polling station on Village Election Day.

About Wilde Lake

Wilde Lake, Columbia’s first Village, was incorporated in 1967. Slayton House, the first community center, was opened the same year. The village associations were designed by Columbia’s founders to be a focal point for coordination of resident interests and concerns, especially in the areas of advocacy, information and referral, architectural control, and programs for the community.

Every April, elections are held for Village Board of Directors who represent village residents on civic issues and set policy for use of the community center. A village representative to the Columbia Council is also elected at that time. The Wilde Lake Council Representative serves on the Columbia Association Board of Directors. Every adult who owns and/or resides on property in the Village of Wilde Lake is a member of the community association and is eligible to run for office and to vote
on behalf of his/her household.

Slayton House is managed by the Wilde Lake Community Association and is used primarily for community meetings, theatre, dance and concert productions, classes for children and adults, and social events. The Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House and the Wilde Lake Community Association offices are also located here.

Questions?

This year’s Village Elections Committee co-chairs are Steve Campbell and Linda Odum. We thank Steve and Linda both for their service!

If you have any questions about the 2025 election, feel free to contact the election co-chairs via email at [email protected] or Sharon Cooper-Kerr, Executive Director/Village Manager, at [email protected] or 410/730-3987. You may also visit Columbia Association’s Columbia Votes page for more information.