Discussion regarding potential ballot questions for the March 2022 municipal election
AGENDA DATE: October 19, 2021DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
TITLE:
SUMMARY: The City Commission will discuss the ballot questions proposed by the Charter Review Committee.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION:
At the October 5, 2021 Regular City Commission meeting, Sam Goodstein, Vice Chair of the Charter Review Committee, presented the following four ballot questions, which were approved and recommended by a majority of the committee, to be considered for the upcoming March 2022 municipal election:
1) term limits of two consecutive terms for a given seat (6 years)
2) in any election a candidate may concede without forcing a run off
3) change to single-member district voting, mayor at large (totally against this...because it cannot produce proportional representation. Commissioners in actuality represent all of us in this city)
4) allow election by plurality should the leading candidate get 40% plus 1 of the vote. The biggest disadvantage to this is someone can get elected with small amounts of public support
Conclusion:
Should the City Commission vote to have any of the ballot questions move forward, an ordinance will need to be prepared and presented at the November 2 and November 16 City Commission meetings in order to meet the Supervisor of Election’s deadline for the questions to appear on the March 8, 2022 municipal election ballot.
So, any of you who have questions or concerns, please contact your Commissioner. We know that anything passed by the commission will probably prevail at the ballot box as they have the resources to "educate" the public.
YES to term limits!
ReplyDeleteThere isn't enough talent in this City that you can just glibly say yes to term limits. Probably 99% of the people don't want the job, and the 1% that is left, is not qualified.
ReplyDeleteTerm limits sounds good, but it is not a cure for the cities problems. Who do you know, who wants the job?
I think there is plenty of talent in this city. The last commission had the voters change our charter to three year terms. Should have stayed at two. People seem to vote for whatever the city wants.
ReplyDeleteWho do I know who wants the job is a good question. People always come forth...just like Omari Hardy did. Just like Pam Triolo did. We have those with good intentions and others who...
It's like grasping at straws!
ReplyDeleteThe last up and coming was a Real Estate Broker. I wouldn't vote for a Real Estate Broker for the City Commission, because I am a Real Estate Broker, and I know that most Real Estate Brokers are practically starving to death.
A successful Real Estate Broker, (the average earnings for most of the people in the business is 10K a year.) doesn't need the Agita of a Commissioners job.
Think carefully about your fervent wish for term limits. You might get what you wish for.
IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, WE DON'T NEED A COMMISSIONER WHO NEEDS THE SALARY OF A COMMISSIONER.