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Ola Thorpe‑Cooper appointed to fill Henderson Ward 4 vacancy
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Summary
The Henderson City Council appointed Ola Thorpe‑Cooper to fill the unexpired Ward 4 seat on Sept. 14, 2020, after interviewing five candidates; Thorpe‑Cooper won five of seven paper ballot votes and pledged to serve the community.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and the City Council selected Ola Thorpe‑Cooper to fill the unexpired Ward 4 seat at their Sept. 14, 2020 meeting.
Thorpe‑Cooper, who described 41 years of government work in the Washington, D.C., area and recent pastoral service, told Council she has organized community enrichment programs, runs a GED and tutoring program and has led food and clothing giveaways. After the paper‑ballot tally, City Manager Edward T. Blackmon announced Thorpe‑Cooper received five of seven votes; Bernard Alston received one vote and Sharon Owens received one vote.
Why it matters: the appointment fills the vacant Ward 4 seat without a special election and restores a full Council. Candidates were introduced publicly and given the same question about community activities; Council used a signed paper ballot and the City Clerk verified the tally.
During the selection process, candidates highlighted local service: Bernard Alston recounted past Council service and nonprofit leadership; Tiffany Branch emphasized youth engagement and feeding programs; Sharon Owens noted voter registration and literacy outreach; George Daye withdrew his candidacy. After her selection, Thorpe‑Cooper said she was “dedicated to God and will never make the Council ashamed of selecting her to fill this vacant seat.”
Next steps: Thorpe‑Cooper will serve the unexpired term of Fearldine A. Simmons (seat identification was processed at the Sept. 14 meeting), and Council proceeded to other business at the same meeting.