The following was sent out as a press release this morning. I will be blogging more on this issue in the coming weeks.
Gonzales has successfully spoken once in a ground root effort on how they want to operate, and now a second ground root initiative is started up for Term Limits on elected office in the city government. The initiative is for an 8 year limit on any one position within the city government and 12 years total elected service and reads as follows:
No person shall be eligible to hold the office of mayor or city council for more than four full terms, nor hold a total of more than of six terms in combined elected office, and shall not be placed on the ballot for election to any term if service for the full term would constitute a violation hereof.
We want to stress that currently elected officials term time would not start until this initiative was passed by the voters, so the current mayor and councilmen would be eligible to continue to serve for 8 more years in their current position.
Currently there is no time limit on council members or mayor. The supporters of this initiative believe that the 8 years is more than enough time to get things accomplished on city council. We know it takes a year or so to learn the ropes, and then things start getting accomplished by the council. After that it gives the council member plenty of time to get their agenda accomplished. It’s our belief that after to much time on the council that people have a tendency to get a bit complacent and it shows by our current condition of downtown and the infrastructure.
We need approximately 250 signatures, and are shooting to get them into the city secretary by April 15th so they can go on the current ballot, and no special election is needed. Once the signatures are verified by the city secretary the council has the right to approve the amendment without it going to voters, or sending it to be voted on by the voters.
Petitions will be available throughout town in businesses and several individuals will be going door to door with the petition.
Remember that your signature just puts the measure on the ballot. It does not mean that it will pass, and your support at the ballot box will be needed too if you are in support of it.
If you are interested in helping get petitions signed or for more information on this initiative please contact Dennis Nesser at 672-6869 or info@90asign.com.
God Bless,
Dennis Nesser
Dennis Nesser
I believe term limits are a great thing. The City is in the state its in because of the complacent leadership we have had. 14 or 15 yrs, however long the mayor has been in office, is way too long. Was he always reelected because he's such "a good christian man"? Who knows but its time he goes!
ReplyDeleteI want to stress this is NOT a tactic to get the mayor out of office. The mayor and all 4 councilmen will have 8 years of additional service, in their current position, that they could serve after the passage of this admendment.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the mayors current situation along with those of the others that have had legal issues is partly because of getting 10' tall and bullet proof from being in office to long.
When I look at other cities like San Antonio that have had questionable ethics it's rarely someone who just got into office.
Most importantly though I think that keeping fresh blood on the council keeps the city moving. The 8 years gives anyone time to get alot of things taken care of without getting complacent, stale, or just worn out.
God Bless
Several years ago I served on the GEDC board when it was first formed. When the by-laws were written, the city council insisted that there be term limits on those that serve on the board.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, one joke I heard about term-limits for our congressional leaders is that there should be term limits. One in congress and one in prison.
We already have term limits on local commissions such as the city council and county commission. We call them elections and they are held on a very regular basis. Apparently most of the people are not too upset with the status quo because no one filed to oppose the incumbents....
ReplyDeleteThe two council members that are up for election this time around are also the 2 newest, both one term or less in office. Last time around all 3 positions were challenged.
ReplyDeleteStatistically it is difficult to oust an incumbent, just from name recognition alone. Normally something pretty dramatic has to happen for you to beat an incumbent, not that it never happens, but it's very difficult.
And I would agree that the ballot box is the best term limits, but as I said above, it doesn't work as well as it should.
It is for the same, and not unreasonable reason, that the council would want a term limit on GEDC board members that we should want the same thing from our council. It's a shame they never took it up on themselves to do it.
God Bless,
Dennis
It would be nice if you could also push for a similar initiative for the school board.
ReplyDeleteAMEN the school board needs term limits also!
ReplyDeleteThen start an initiative! Look, I'm one guy making a difference. It's slower than I'd like some days, but at the end of the day I know I've done something. Unfortunately I can't cover city, county, school board, state and federal with the same enthusiasm. It's just to much, and why you only occasionally see me comment on one of the other groups other than the city. But there is no reason some one can't do the same thing for the county and the school board. I encourage everyone to get involved. Involved in the voting process. Involved in the actions of any or all of these boards if you have time. And most of all make your opinion known, ESPECIALLY when you think you are in the minority. It's how people get educated on other opinions, and dialogue is rarely a bad thing as long as it's kept respectful.
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested in starting a blog on one of the others mentioned above and would like some help contact me and I'll be more than happy to help you get started.
God Bless,
Dennis
Now that the election has been canceled, according to The Cannon, how does that affect your campaign for term limits? Will you follow thru and force a special election at taxpayers expense or will you lobby council members to bring it before the full council?
ReplyDelete