Letter: Term limits a good idea for the city

To the Editor-

The Public Policy and General Government Committee is addressing the formation of a city ordinance limiting the terms of the mayor and common council members.

The purpose of a term limit ordinance is to have good officers from diverse backgrounds elected on a timely basis and to end poor or corrupt leadership.

On April 11, we are considering former councilwoman Polly Dalton’s proposal, which allows the mayor three terms of four years each, or 12 years of service. Her proposal allows the common council members four terms of two years each, or 8 years of service.

However, Dalton’s proposal allows officers to complete their terms, run for another office or be absent for one term, and then run again for 12 years as mayor or eight years as a council member.

This creates the opportunity of never-ending service which defeats the purpose of a term limit ordinance. In fact, Dalton’s proposal is nearly the same as having no limits at all.

May the committee choose a term limit ordinance which states that the mayoral position consists of an 8 year limit of two four-year terms per lifetime. May they choose a term limit ordinance for common council members consisting of an eight year limit of four two-year terms per lifetime. That is 16 years of public service to the city which is fair but not greedy.

Our society is changing which forces us to elect better officers with more diverse backgrounds and to end the employment of stale or corrupt officials.

Would the 26,000 men, women, and children of our city please direct the standing committee to adopt an effective term limit ordinance next Monday which numbers mayoral and common council days of employment?

Jean C. Edens
Stevens Point