You spin me right round, baby...

After successfully doing so last year, it appears that some would like to turn the upcoming Columbia election into another referendum on Town Center.

I know that Town Center is a great big polarizing issue, thereby making it an ideal wedge in an election where information is at a premium. Tales can be spun about who’s a part of what conspiracy and who’s in the pockets of developers and all that other BS, but ultimately, shifting the focus to something that’s only tangentially related to the operations of the Columbia Association – a massive, confusing body that collects a hefty amount in “taxes” from us each year – does a disservice to all Columbians, regardless of where they stand on downtown development.

Is there a shortage of venues for citizens to express their ideas about Town Center?

And how much power does CA really have in the Town Center master plan process? How much can it change the outcome? Yes, I know it owns a lot of land in Town Center and the board needs to be cognizant of the impacts of future development on our open space, but how do these facts lead us to the conclusion that Town Center should be the deciding factor in electing CA reps?

I mean, has the board really performed so well over the past year that we can ignore its structural problems in favor of more and more debate about Town Center?

Is it a problem that even people who have served on the board for many years still can’t really define the organization in any meaningful sense?

Or how about the recent actions of the “caucus?” Although they have followed the letter of the law, these members are likely violating its spirit with their private meetings. And the tragic irony is that at least a few of them came to power because of concerns over secret meetings.

Or, what about the rest of our open space? Is the future of Symphony Woods more important than the future of the other thousands of acres of land, much of which is floating away with each rain storm?

And what of the Oakland Mills master plan, something that is truly a product of the citizens but is being ignored and having its progress stifled because it’s seemingly more important to engage in county elections and debate whether tall buildings will destroy our essence.

Yes, I agree that there is much at stake now -- much more than Town Center.

But those wishing to turn this election into another special interest power grab are more than welcome to do so. Many Columbians are weary of the obfuscation and spin, and they, I think, are ready for something new.