Independence, an institutional memory and an understanding of Jim Rouse's vision are among the qualities that Columbia residents would like to see in the next president of the Columbia Association.

About a half-dozen people offered ideas during a public forum Monday night to discuss a job description for the person who will replace Maggie J. Brown, the current president, in May 2009.

"Someone with institutional memory is something I'd like to see," said Valerie Alexander, who lives in Hickory Ridge. "We had a disaster the last time we tried to hire someone from outside. It would seem to me that the learning curve of someone coming in from the outside would be rather steep and long. I would think it would be a couple of years."

The Columbia Association's last search for a president fell apart amid infighting by board members. That search followed the departure of President Deborah O. McCarty, who left in May 2000 under pressure, after 20 months on the job.

This week's public forum gave residents a chance to help the CA board create a job description for a new president by giving members ideas on what background, experience and qualifications they think the new president should have.

Jud Malone, a former CA board member from Town Center, said he was concerned that the board had a history of micromanaging its president, for instance telling Brown whether and when she could meet with General Growth Properties Inc. or with the village boards.

He said he wanted to see a president who would act independently, act as an officer of the Columbia Association and be prepared to exercise authority.

Ginger Scott, a Wilde Lake resident, suggested adding environmental awareness to the job description by including language calling for such things as "environmentally sensitive management of resources."

It would also be important for a job candidate to demonstrate awareness of environmental issues and the fiscal benefits of environmentally sensitive practices, Scott told the board.

"I would like to see a president who is aware of and appreciative of the Jim Rouse legacy," said Jay Bonstingl of Wilde Lake. "I would like to see someone whose orientation would be toward making this a more livable city, not necessarily a more vibrant one."

Residents have until Feb. 19 to offer written comments to the board on the job description by logging on to http:--president.columbiamatters.org.

june.arney@baltsun.com