District 4 board member Erika Hamer-Marshall resigned from the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District Board of Directors, citing other commitments.

“I don’t really want to resign,” Hamer-Marshall said. “I just am being spread too thin at the moment. I have a very demanding role with Mercy Corps as senior director of global HR and also have two kids, Jahzara and Maleek Marshall.”

Over the past few years she has been coaching soccer, basketball and softball for girls who are now sixth and seventh graders, she said.

“This is really my passion and I am hoping whatever extra time I have can be spent coaching and supporting young female athletes in our community.”

Hamer-Marshall was appointed to the park district board Position 4 in 2020 after the resignation of John Chapman. The term expires next spring.

After changes on the board and a contentious board election in 2021, she said the park district board is in a “really stable place” right now.

“When I first stepped into the role two years ago, the district was going through so much turmoil at the board level, that it caused turmoil and unrest in how things were managed within the team,” Hamer-Marshall said. “I am just happy I was able to be a part of a large project, such as the purchase of Sunset Recreation Center, which will give the district and our community the opportunity to thrive and provide for our kids the way they deserve.”

Board member Su Coddington thanked Hamer for her expertise and the “breath of fresh air” she brought to the board.

“I’m just so grateful for you being here, bringing those skills,” Coddington said.

“We needed her and she stepped up and we’re in a very good position,” board member Michael Hinton added.

Coddington, the board secretary, represents District 1 and Celeste Bodner, the vice president, represents District 2. Hinton is the District 3 board member and Katharine Parker, the board president, represents District 5.

Archibald said he would present a schedule for District 4 applicants for her position at the September meeting. That will include a two- to three-week posting of the vacancy and receiving applications, with interviews to occur sometime before the Oct. 25 meeting, when the appointment could be made.