The League of Women Voters of Centre County 2021 Voter’s Guide begins with candidates for Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors, State College Borough Council and mayor and State College Area Board of School Directors.
The material in this guide was compiled by the candidates and the League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. This material may not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the LWVCC. Each candidate’s reply has been printed as submitted by the candidate.
Candidates were invited to participate in the Vote411 online voter’s guide via email. All reasonable efforts were made to encourage candidates to participate. The candidates listed are those whose names appear on the ballot as of Sept. 2 when the ballot was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement or non-endorsement of any candidate, party or initiative by the League of Women Voters, The Centre County Gazette or StateCollege.com
The League of Women Voters 2021 General Election Voters Guide will continue each week leading up to the Tuesday, Nov. 2, General Election. Here’s what’s coming up:
Oct. 14 — Benner Township Board of Supervisors; College Township Council; Harris Township Board of Supervisors; Patton Township Board of Supervisors; Rush Township Board of Supervisors; Spring Township Board of Supervisors; and Walker Township Board of Supervisors.
Oct. 21 — Bellefonte Borough Council (Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 races); Bellefonte Borough Mayor; and Bellefonte Area Board of School Directors.
Oct. 28 — Statewide judicial offices; Centre County district attorney; and magisterial district judge (District 49-03-04).
FERGUSON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WARD 2 —TWO-YEAR TERM
Candidates (choose 1)
Robert A Whitaker
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: No response.
Hilary Caldwell
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: As a Ferguson Township Supervisor, I would prioritize environmental stewardship, expanding access to community resources and responsible fiscal oversight. Whether it’s preserving land through the regional growth boundaries, collaborating with developers to provide incentives for solar power, or building for the future of electric transportation, Ferguson Township is in a remarkable position to become a leader in sustainability in the region and can partner with other municipalities in the COG to develop initiatives. We can provide programs to improve an equitable quality of life for our neighbors, with a focus on childcare programs, mental health services, community healthcare, business development, zoning for affordable housing and more. And we can accomplish this without an additional burden on taxpayers. A pragmatic and comprehensive examination of the budget would be necessary to determine what funds can be reallocated, with an eye on investments for the future.
FERGUSON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS — AT LARGE
Candidates (Choose 2)
Tierra D. Williams
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My top three priorities are: Transparency, Equity and Accountability. I plan to ensure that we have Transparent Mental Health practices, access to affordable health care and access to accurate mental diagnosis. I want to push for different community resources to assist individuals as it pertains to the 302 Mental Health Warrants, and all other hospital admissions. Next is Equitable Housing and Affordable Living. Currently, Ferguson Township’s Realty Transfer Tax Rate is at 1.25 percent, bringing our total RTT to 2.75 percent, the second highest in Centre County. I will also address the Stormwater Management Fee ordinance, White Hall Road reconstruction, the American Rescue Plan and agritourism. Last, but not least, accountability for police and elected officials. As an activist and advocate for the people, I plan to make sure those in power are held accountable, including myself. These issues can only be accomplished through community engagement and conversation: people over politics.
Lisa Strickland
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My first priority is to improve community engagement and communication. I value the perspectives and insights of residents from across the township. I will continue to work directly with community members and advocate for citizen advisory groups and more opportunities for public dialogue to ensure all voices are heard. Second, I will prioritize fiscal responsibility and economic development. Through careful budget review and oversight initiatives, including proposing a financial advisory committee, I will work for prudent use of tax revenue. I will work to support our small businesses and diversify our economic base through creative initiatives such as agritourism. Finally, I will prioritize long-range planning for the sustainability of our community. Through coordination with regional partners and resident feedback, I will work to create sound and equitable solutions that address, in particular, environmental, public safety and infrastructure issues.
Patti Higgins
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My first priority would be to put the residents of Ferguson Township in charge, by engaging them in person, by phone, email and on social media about important township business. All residents should have the opportunity to be more involved and feel that their opinion is heard. Township residents concerns and opinions matter more than any board or staff members. The second priority would be to address the Stormwater Management Fee ordinance. Many residents were not in favor of this ordinance, yet it was passed anyway. There is no limit to what property owners can be charged year to year, and it will live on in perpetuity. I would introduce a resolution to cap the fee at a lower rate, and give it an end date. My third priority would be to address the budget and spending. I will examine the budget in detail and question every line item and its purpose to determine if it’s a necessity. I would recommend and approve spending freezes on equipment and facilities for multiple years.
Jeremie Thompson
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: While we pull through the COVID-19 pandemic, we must keep health, safety, wellness and recovery top of mind. I will promote COVID-19 mitigation best practices; connecting residents to testing, vaccines and other essentials; and ensure proper distribution of the $1.92 million in American Rescue Plan funds allocated to the township. In addition, I want to foster a welcoming and inclusive community. We need equitable and sustainable resolutions to social justice; public engagement and open dialogue; anti-discrimination ordinance adoption; and affordable housing options for everyone. Furthermore, sustainability is essential to our future from environment to finances. We must care and protect our environment by preserving open space, natural resources and farmlands, in addition to exploring climate action initiatives. Fiscally, we got to ensure proper and adequate funding for township departments and services coupled with efficient operations, financial oversight, advising and transparency.
STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Candidates (choose 3)
B. Divine Lipscomb
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Restorative Justice: I will address harms caused in government, and in our neighborhoods, in order reestablished trust and community dialogue. Through reallocation of funding to support mental health issues, the community oversight board and efforts like the Centre County Community Conferencing Program. Finally, listening to the voices of the community and governing with them. Housing Justice: implement common sense development practices and the impact to live long residents, while remembering to include our local young professional and our un-housed population in those plans. Economic Justice: There should never be an exception to poverty. Advocating for local ability to push for livable wages not only for students but for locals that are inundated with rising bills and hospitality earnings.
Gopal Balachandran
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: First, I want a better balance between policing and the community. I intend on accomplishing this goal with proper, guaranteed (not reserve) funding for the Community Oversight Board and the Civilian Response Team. Both of these units should have real oversight powers and not be simply rubber stamps. Second, I want sustainable communities with better access to downtown through walking or biking. I am strongly in support of the pilot pedestrian plaza on Allen Street in downtown through the summer months and will fight for better pedestrian cross walks across busy intersections like Park Road and Atherton Street. I want there to be a reimagining of downtown State College as an outdoor, pedestrian friendly, gathering place for residents, families, students and visitors. Third, I want there to be affordable housing for all. We should allow affordable housing residents to live on the same floor in the high rises and look for more options in places with access to downtown.
Richard Biever
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: 1. Reallocations of police funds to social services, such as mental health and homeless shelters. Ideas on this have already been proposed and I would support these based on input from community social service leaders. 2. Affordable housing. One idea is to allow multi-family housing in neighborhoods which would reduce housing costs and make neighborhoods more diverse. Along with this issue is a vision for zoning in the downtown area that takes the long-term health of the borough in terms of climate change and congestion. 3. Universal Basic Income for low-wage earners. Taking federal pandemic money that comes to the borough and giving it directly to residents who are in most need.
Jacob R. Werner
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: State College is not Red or Blue … it is WE ARE! It is my desire to support that sentiment through creating a community of fiscal transparency and responsibility, providing openness and fairness to all and preserving town character/green space while supporting local business. I would: Call a financial and service audit of the Borough functions including the ABC’s to determine appropriate function and use of funds — providing transparency on how funds are spent and assessed including but not limited to fee for services like trash/recycling; Ensure decisions made are done with the voice of the community. All should feel safe and welcome. There can be no animosity or divisiveness within the community starting with council. Everyone has a voice; it is my mission to be the voice for all people in the community; provide feedback and gather input; Establish code on design and construction and institute best practices including open air green areas to entice patronage of local business.
STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH MAYOR
Candidates (choose 1):
Ezra Nanes
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: As State College mayor, I will be the voice of all people in our community and provide leadership as a close partner of the borough council and administration. I will seek to ensure that our community’s urgent priorities inform our budget through increased investments in pedestrian and bike infrastructure, equity programs (including affordable housing and the COB) and sustainability. These investments benefit all residents, increasing health and wellness and making downtown even more accessible, vibrant and attractive to businesses. My public advocacy for immigrants, transgender individuals and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups informs my service and I will champion the right of every person to be represented, empowered, and protected. Creating a welcoming and inclusive community that values everyone’s unique contribution will enable us to grow together and enjoy harmony and lasting prosperity. Please let me know what matters most to you. I will be proud to serve you.
STATE COLLEGE AREA BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Candidates (Choose 4)
Deborah Anderson
Party: Cross-filed
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My first priority is providing excellence in education for all students. We should offer all students a challenging curriculum that helps them to reach their full potential. In addition, access to art, music, technical education, sports and other activities allows students to explore their interests and become well-rounded individuals. Second, I believe in financial responsibility: the school board should help ensure that monetary resources are used efficiently and effectively, so that we can provide the best opportunities to our students and support our faculty and staff without overburdening taxpayers. Third, I believe strongly that our schools must be welcoming and inclusive. All students deserve to learn in a positive environment, free from bullying, harassment, bias or discrimination, so that everyone feels supported and at home in our schools. If I am elected, I am committed to listening, learning, and making decisions for the benefit of all students.
Peter Buck
Party: Cross-filed
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My top three priorities are recovering from COVID-19, tackling inequity and providing fiscal oversight to support incredible learning environments for our children’s sustainable future. Our kids need to be safely back in school full-time as soon as possible. Like many, I am eager to see my son fully reunited with his teachers and his peers. We must also focus on social and emotional recovery and coping with lost learning opportunities, especially for our most disadvantaged students. Racial disparity in discipline and inclusion in advanced placement courses has barely improved since I graduated in 1994. I look forward to carrying the conversation forward to build will, policy, and a culture of real inclusion. School board service goes back to fundamentals: fiscal responsibility. With forecasting, efficient budgeting, and wise long-term capital investments in our buildings and grounds that draw down climate-forcing greenhouse gases, we can improve health as well as learning outcomes.
David K. Hutchinson
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: We need to continue to do the things we do well: preparing our students for college; an excellent career and technical school; music, art, extra-curricular opportunities. We have been able to do this due to strong community support and prudent financial planning. However, we need to be more intentional about helping our students develop “21st-century” skills: the ability to think critically, to communicate clearly in multiple contexts — including public speaking, and listening — to work effectively with people of different backgrounds and perspectives, to creatively solve real problems. Most importantly, this will prepare our students to become effective citizens. This will require that we intentionally develop school and classroom climates in which every student feels socially, emotionally and intellectually safe; in which every student is seen as an individual and as a contributor to the greater community. Finally, students, parents, teachers — and the community — must be our partners.
Jackie Huff
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Education is the story I know and I want to serve my community. I have first-hand experience from K-12 to higher-ed and understand the impact that good governance can have on the learning experience in a classroom. If elected, my priorities will be to (1) grow quality educational opportunities for all students; (2) give a voice to teachers and paraprofessionals in the governing process; and (3) serve the community and promote transparency in decision making.
Michelle Glenn Young
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My top priorities include: Advocating for more district transparency and communications; maintaining SCASD’s high academic standards; and ensuring taxpayers get the best value from their taxes and the district lives within their means. This is accomplished through my experience with: Strategic vision — I spent much of my naval career in leadership positions that successfully developed and promulgated the strategic vision for several headquarters and departmental organizations. Policy management — I have extensive, career long experience creating and upholding policies in the Navy and the information technology field. Fiscal management — I’m an experienced, 22-year successful manager of defense programs with budgets of $995 million dollars and leading over 400 people. Community representative — My experiences, thoughts, and opinions are different from current board members. I represent a fiscally conservative, constitutionalist, socially moderate, grassroots voice on the board.
Carline Crevecoeur
Party: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My priorities are accessible learning, an inclusive environment and a reimagining of education in the district. I would strive to eliminate any barriers to a child’s learning related to their ability or socioeconomic status. I would move to provide more digital and mental health access. Students learn best when provided with a diverse curriculum, relevant materials, and an inclusive environment where they feel welcome. I will bolster special education programs and nurture our high-achieving students in their pursuits of excellence. I want to re-imagine education by providing a quality perk to close the opportunity gap and create a positive feedback loop between academic progress and social and emotional learning. I will foster partnerships between parents, teachers and staff to ensure our students are safe while also exercising responsible stewardship of our community’s financial resources. Our schools are successful when we meet the needs of every one of our students.
