New Campaign Video Anouncement

 

Jeremie Thompson Announces 2023 Campaign for Ferguson Township Supervisor

Ferguson Township Supervisor Jeremie Thompson is seeking election to the Board of Supervisors in the 2023 Municipal Election. 

Appointed to the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors in August 2022, Jeremie has been serving the remainder of a 2-year interim vacancy in Ward II. Previously, Jeremie served as Chair of the Ferguson Township Planning Commission since 2020. First appointed to the Planning Commission in 2018, Jeremie also served previously on the Centre Regional Planning Commission between 2018 and 2019. 

Over the past five years, Jeremie has worked collectively with residents, board members, planning commission members, regional partners, and staff on the Zoning and Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance re-write, the adoption of the Tree Preservation Ordinance. Most recently, Jeremie voted to pass the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance and the establishment of a Regional Human Relations Commission as well as several proclamations that recognize diversity, equity, and inclusion events. 

If elected, Jeremie would like to work with the new Board of Supervisors on enhancing the quality of life for Ferguson Township residents. Jeremie strongly believes in resident engagement and belonging, housing affordability for working people and families, and maintaining the wonderful services the Township has to offer. Furthermore, Jeremie believes local government should be accessible to residents and operate efficiently in a fiscally sustainable manner. 

Outside of local government, Jeremie works as a Human Resources Assistant at Penn State. In addition, Jeremie is also a freelance Merchandiser for Winston Retail Solutions providing field merchandising services for many retail clients. Jeremie lives in the Teaberry neighborhood with his wife Kara and their adopted shelter cat Della.

Thank You

We have reached the end of one of the most eventful, contentious, and politicized races we have ever seen in a local election. Earlier today, I reached out to Lisa Strickland, Tierra D. Williams, and Hilary Caldwell to congratulate them on their election wins. These newly elected leaders are part of a historic moment for both African Americans and women. The Governance of Ferguson Township will be overseen by a Board of Supervisors consisting of all women for the first time in the history of our Township.

I have offered Lisa, Tierra, and Hillary my support in helping them lead our community through the challenges affecting our quality of life in Ferguson Township. I encourage everyone who supported me to join me in not just congratulating Lisa, Tierra, and Hillary but also by offering our next supervisors our good will and collaboration, to find common ground that will unite our community, address the needs of our Township, and leave it better for our future.

The politics of this election was downright dishonorable and I did everything in my power to fight against that and demonstrate a campaign of integrity, unity, and class. The division between the Centre County Republican Committee and I is my failure, not that of other candidates or supporters of the party. I am so deeply grateful for those who gave me their support and helped me through these difficult circumstances. Republicans don’t get it easy when running for office in our community, but when the challenge became most difficult, you either stood by us or joined us in support of kindness, respect, and one community for all. While the results were not what we were hoping for, I am deeply indebted to all of you who gave me the honor of your support.

In addition, I want to thank my fiancé Kara Kavala who has supported me. Without her support, I would have never run for office. Political campaigns can hard on the candidate but just as hard, if not harder on the candidate’s family. I thank Kara for her support, patience, understanding and love. While I may not be taking the oath of office in 2022, I have won to take the vow to forever be Kara’s husband in 2022. 

I hold a great sense of pride in Ferguson Township and its residents. It has been an honor to call Ferguson Township my home and to be surrounded by such great neighbors and to have had the opportunity to serve this community on the Planning Commission. Again, I want to thank everyone who supported me and for any of those who I may not have yet meet, my door is always open and I would look forward to meeting with you real soon.

 - Jeremie Thompson

Experience Matters

Jeremie is one of the most experienced candidates running for Ferguson Township Supervisor in 2021. Not only is Jeremie uniquely experienced in working with people throughout his entire career but he's also experienced with working with Township residents, the Planning Commission, staff, regional partners, and the Board of Supervisors and understanding the happenings of the Township and how it works.

The Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors has appointed Jeremie twice to serve on the Planning Commission. Today, Jeremie is serving as chair for the second consecutive year after being unanimously elected to the post by the Commission's members.

Here are some of the many accomplishments that Jeremie has been a part of while on the Planning Commission:

Supported Land Development Plans and Applicant Request that have benefited:

• New Job Growth and Economic Development
• Our Children's Daycare Centers and Schools
• Park, Recreation, and Tourism

Modernized the Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances

Voted in favor of the Tree Preservation Ordinance

Stood up for real Workforce Housing and Affordability reform

Voting for experience in 2021 matters because it allows the Township to more effectively conduct business and serve the residents. The business and operations of the Township do not pause or stop during the transfer of leadership in January. The new Township Supervisors must be ready to hit the ground running on day one with an understanding of how the Board of Supervisors conducts business and functions, what unfinished business the previous Board of Supervisors has been working on, and the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Fiscally Conscious Stewardship

Township Supervisors hold a fiduciary duty to their constituents to efficiently use taxpayer funds to operation Township departments and services. Jeremie believes we should never take taxpayer funds for granted and should be cognizant that we are offering the best value to our residents for the taxes they pay.

Jeremie will support initiatives that improve efficiency in Township operations and create financial oversight, advising, and transparency. He believes, the Township should look beyond their own funding for alternative funding sources such as grants. In addition, he believes we should strengthen our relationships with intermunicipal partners who can share in the cost of common expenditures for a lower rate vs. contracting independently.

Caring & Protecting Our Environment

Ferguson Township has wonderful park lands, open spaces, and farms. Jeremie will continue to maintain the Regional Growth Boundary which regulates the sprawl of urban development. Ferguson Township has taken on several climate initiatives and projects from Resolution 2017-14, electric vehicle purchasing, new practices in Public Works, to a new LEED Gold Public Works facility. Today, Ferguson Township is partnering with the Centre Region Council of Governments to establish a strategy to reduce Green House Gas Emissions.

Jeremie has been supportive on regional climate action efforts and encourages everyone to get involved and stay informed. Open collaboration with the public is critical to how local government moves forward in addressing climate change. In addition, Jeremie is open of accepting Federal Government Resources that may become allocated to local municipalities for climate action. Furthermore, Jeremie believes the Township should align their operation within the Township's Community Bill of Rights.

An Affordable Place to Call Home

Workforce Ordinance Income Qualifications and Cost

As Planning Commission Chair, Jeremie has fought for a more inclusive Workforce Housing Ordinance. Citing that the last ordinance missed the mark in addressing the housing challenges that our residents and families making less than $50,000 face. Many people working solely in essential occupations don't even meet the minimum requirements of the ordinance. 

Click to expand the slides Jeremie presented to the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on the current ordnance.