Long Beach : Williams Will Step Down From School Board in 1992

Harriet Williams, the longest-serving member of the Long Beach school board, says she will not seek reelection in April, 1992, when her term of office expires.

“I have a lot of marvelous grandchildren that I want to see more of,” said Williams, 63. “I have tons of things to do and I want more flexibility in my life. Board members should not be on (the board) forever; I think it’s time for a change.”

Williams, who has been on the board since 1979, was the sole survivor of the 1988 electoral shake-up that changed the way in which the board is elected and resulted in four of the five board members’ being replaced by newcomers.

For years considered something of a maverick as the board’s only liberal, Williams has lately been less of a standout on the all-female board. “Now (they) say I’m the biggest conservative,” she quipped. She said she decided to make an early announcement regarding her intentions to give candidates time to prepare their campaigns. “I’m not going to change my mind,” she said.