Incumbents won the day in Columbia Council elections, with all four who ran for re-election Saturday keeping their seats.

Newcomers Michael Cornell and Evan Coren will join them on the 10-member Columbia Association board of directors, the main governing body of Columbia and its villages. Cornell ran uncontested in River Hill, while Coren defeated Kings Contrivance village board member Jason Ridgell.

Henry Dagenais, a fifth incumbent, was unopposed in his bid for a second term as Long Reach’s representative.

“I hope to bring a fresh perspective,” said Cornell, 48, a business and marketing consultant. “I know the board’s been split the last couple years on some issues.”

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One issue that played prominently in some races involves the development of downtown Columbia. Questions include what should be built there and what role the Columbia board should play when planning decisions ultimately fall to the Howard County Council.

“I support the development of amenities for downtown,” said Barbara Russell of Oakland Mills, now entering her eighth one-year term. “I do not favor 20-story structures. The traffic studies have proven our roads can’t handle that.”

Hickory Ridge representative Miles Coffman, who won his seventh election, stressed the need to include resident feedback in the decision-making process for downtown.

“We need to understand where the county’s going,” Coffman said.

Tom O’Connor, who beat Lester Straw for his fourth two-year term, wants the board to continue fine-tuning the advisory committee process. Committees, which help the board make policy decisions in certain areas, are composed of board members and community residents.

Philip Kirsch won his second term as Wilde Lake’s representative.

Seats in Harper’s Choice, Owen Brown and Town Center were not up for election this year.

Results for Columbia Association board of directors

» Hickory Ridge:

Miles Coffman* — 144

Marvin Lawson — 118

» Oakland Mills:

Barbara Russell* — 302

Ian Kennedy — 193

»Long Reach:

Henry Dagenais* — unopposed

» River Hill (open seat):

Michael Cornell — unopposed

» Dorsey Search:

Tom O’Connor* — 87

Lester Straw — 55

» Kings Contrivance (open seat):

Evan Coren — 202

Jason Ridgell — 181

» Wilde Lake:

Philip Kirsch* — 226

Bill Santos - 158

* – incumbent

azieminski@baltimoreexaminer.com