Questions

I recently have been garnering some questions about the DEMAS for Ward 16 campaign. Over the next several days I will attempt to respond to some of those questions. I'd love to get your feedback. Please feel free to comment with any further inquiry or other constructive opinions.

Today's first question:

Q.) You propose term limits of 3 terms per position for a total of 9 possible terms an individual could serve on council. My question- wouldn't this model actually perpetuate the "same faces" on council as the current set up does?

A.) To a certain extent yes, it is designed to allow the best of the best to continue serving. To a greater extent, the proposed system is designed to foster a dynamic and much more innovative council. Allow me to explain.

There are two general concerns when discussing term limits. First, we do not want “good” representatives to be term-limited out, but second, we do not want “good” representatives to go “bad.”

My proposal for term limits allows the best of the best to continue to serve their city. The proposal calls for a tiered council, having a base of 6 ward councilmen, followed by 4 at-large councilmen and finally a council president voted in at-large. By design, as a councilman reaches their term limit they will have an opportunity to move on to a new position. However, only a limited number of councilmen will actually realize this possibility in light of the proposed tiers. The design separates those who excel in city service, allowing only the best of the best to continue to serve. In this regard, we will keep some of the “same faces,” but only as the electorate sees fit and according to the citizens’ concerns that they do not lose out on “good” representatives.

The proposal also guards against “good” representatives from going “bad.” It is our human nature to become stagnant unless faced with new challenges. As such, after a certain time in office and as constituents become comfortable with their “good” councilman, even the best representative will become comfortable with the duties of the job and stagnancy, among other things, will seep into the fabric of the community. The proposal addresses this problem by requiring councilman to change duties after a set amount of terms. In the proposal, ward councilman will face different constituents and different challenges than at-large councilman, who in turn will face different challenges from an at-large council president. Further, as councilmen do make it from ward to at-large to president, their previous post will open for a fresh face from the community to step in with new ideas and new energy. Thus, moving through the tiered system will not only keep a particular councilman challenged, it will allow for new fresh faces to fill in behind with new and innovative ideas for the community.

In short, the proposal ensures that our good representatives may continue to serve, while fostering a dynamic and innovative representative body that allows new representatives to serve. I might also add that the tiered system with ward and at-large council will provide a dynamic balance between the concerns of single wards and the best interests of the entire city. Of course, the plan is a proposal and open to any suggestions for improvement and I would appreciate any input.

Chris