Letter: Term limits a good idea, but not as proposed
To the Editor-
Our city has no term limits for the mayor, its common council, and for any other elected official.
Their purpose is to protect our citizens from poor or corrupt leaders and to insure the flow of good officers and new ideas. Therefore, we taxpayers need to declare the number of terms an elected officer may serve.
See the story here: City reps to consider making change to Stevens Point charter
Polly Dalton, District 9 Councilwoman, hilariously proposes term limits so extremely broad that if adopted would have little more effect than to maintain no term limits for any city office. This is what we already have, ‘no term limits for the mayor, common council, and other city offices.’
Further, Dalton’s proposal fails to protect the flow of good officers and new ideas.
Dalton on mayoral position: “No person shall be eligible to be nominated, elected or to serve as mayor if that person has previously held the office of mayor for three or more full consecutive terms, unless one or more full terms has elapsed since the person last held office.”
Really? Dalton proposes that the mayor is able to hold office for three terms or 12 years, is able hold another office, and then is eligible to be nominated, elected or to serve as mayor for another 12 years?
Better: The mayor of Stevens Point, Wisconsin is elected to two terms of four years each, which is eight years. End of mayoral service.
Dalton on alderperson position: “No person shall be eligible to be nominated, elected or serve as an Alder person if that person has previously held the office of alderperson for four or more full consecutive terms, unless one or more full terms has elapsed since the person last held office.”
Really? Dalton proposes that an alderperson is able to hold office for four terms, or eight years, run for another office as mayor or county supervisor, and then serve as alderperson another eight years.
Better: An alderperson holds office for four terms or eight years. End of service as an alderperson.
Dalton on other offices: “Nothing in this ordinance shall prevent someone who has completed four terms as Alder person from being nominated, elected, or serving as mayor, nor someone who has completed three terms as mayor from serving as alderperson.”
Really? Dalton proposes the mayor completes three terms or 12 years and then is eligible to be nominated, elected, or serve as an alderperson for another eight years, and then is able to run again for mayor.
Better: The mayor completes two terms or eight years in office. End of service as mayor.
Dalton’s proposal defeats the purpose of term limits by giving broad written permission to poor or corrupt leaders to endlessly wield power over city taxpayers. Her proposal offers no end to their reign of power as they slip from one office to another. Dalton’s proposal fails to protect the flow of good officers and new ideas.
Most of the common council should not be near the city charter. Please, take your, dog and pony show elsewhere.
Jean C. Edens
Stevens Point