Two supervisors who helped create diverse, all-female board in Ferguson Township resign
Two Ferguson Township supervisors have resigned due to relocating outside of the township less than a year after being elected to the seats.
Tierra Williams and Hilary Caldwell were elected at-large and to represent Ferguson’s second ward, respectively, during the November 2021 election.
Williams resigned effective Nov. 4; she is moving to Delaware for a new job.
“I really hope that my presence makes people feel that they are welcome within this community, that they are empowered to speak up for things when they see wrong doings, when they see people who need help, when they see things that just don’t sit right with them, that they’re able to speak out,” Williams said during a phone interview.
Williams and Caldwell were part of a history-making township board, as it was the first time in the township’s 220-year history it had an all-female board of supervisors and was thought to be the first all-female board in the county.
Williams was also Ferguson Township’s first Black supervisor and the second Black woman elected to a governing body in the Centre Region.
“I hope I will inspire younger people to run for office and people of color and those marginalized to run for positions and have seats at the table with people who look like us. Because you’d be surprised at how many things come up in these meetings, where people who don’t look like us never think about the other side of the coin,” Williams said. “It takes people like us with our experiences to be in those rooms. So, it’s a bittersweet thing, but I hope that I’ve inspired someone to do more and to be more, and to be unapologetically Black and to be proud.”
During the board’s meeting last week, Supervisor Lisa Strickland said Williams is a great contributor to progress in the township and on the board, and her input will be missed.
Williams said she’s proud of everything she’s done and has no regrets. Her biggest takeaway from her time in local politics is that just because someone agrees with you one time, doesn’t mean they’ll always agree — and sometimes people only like you if you agree with them. She wants people who want to run for office to know that, but to remind them that they should stand their ground.
“...No matter what, I was able to sleep every night, because I stood on my ground and I stood for what I believed in,” she said.
The township is now accepting applications to fill the vacant seat on the board. To be considered, candidates must be a resident and elector of Ferguson Township for at least one year prior to the appointment, which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 15, according to the township’s website.
Those interested can send their application, a letter of interest and resume to Laura Dininni, chairwoman of the board of supervisors, 3147 Research Drive, State College, PA 16801, or email the township manager, admin@twp.ferguson.pa.us. Applications, which are available at www.twp.ferguson.pa.us/home/news/board-supervisors-large-vacancy, will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Nov. 4.
The board filled a vacancy in August that was created when Caldwell moved to the State College Borough and resigned in July. The board unanimously appointed Jeremie Thompson, who previously served on the Ferguson Township planning commission, to the board.
Caldwell said her time on the board gave her a new perspective on local government.
“I am extremely grateful for my time on the board, and value the insight and experience of the other board members immensely. Although it was short-lived, my time provided me with a different perspective on how local government provides for their community,” Caldwell wrote in an email.
One of her takeaways is that while it’s hard to ignore global and federal issues, like inflation, reproductive rights and climate change, there are still ways to take action at a local level. She gave the example of the Solar Purchasing Agreement.
Still, there are things that most people may not give a second thought about, that are only there because of local governments.
“Stop signs at the end of streets to protect our neighborhood kids, zoning for affordable housing, protections of small pockets of wetlands and wooded areas so that our air and water remain clean. All of that is incorporated into what makes democracy function, and is necessary for our communities,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell and Williams had similar messages for younger people and people from underrepresented communities who are interested in local government: Run for office.
“We are part of generations that have been dealing with — and will continue to deal with — decades of climate ruination, devastating economic decisions, deepening political extremism, the undermining of unions and working families, and a violent resurgence of racist and anti-Semitic attacks. The decisions that brought us to this untenable environment were by and large not made for us, and certainly not by us,” Caldwell said. “...Change starts here, and you can be a part of it.”
In a tweet, Thompson said it was an “incredible honor” to be appointed to the board and he looked forward to serving the residents of Ferguson.
Board members were excited to have him, too.
“I am always impressed with Jeremie and how he is always there, every single meeting, and I believe he is particularly positioned to hit the ground running with this schedule that we have,” Supervisor Patricia Stephens said during an August meeting.
