Term Limits in Toledo - Schulz Asks Council To Clarify Term Limits
Proposes Clarifying Language
Dave Schulz, former City Council candidate and founder of COBRA (Citizens Organized to Bring Reform and Accountability, delivered letters to the 12 Toledo City Councilman suggesting Term Limits clarifying language for a City Charter amendment.
Schulz, who campaigned strongly against the "Term Limits" violators on City Council during the campaign will continue the fight to reform our government and demand accountability and higher standards from our elected officials. In late September, Schulz asked council to clarify term limits but had no official response from any member, although President Escobar and Councilman Ludeman expressed support for the effort to clarify term limits in a Toledo Blade story.
Schulz says, "The public response to my campaign was uplifting and has encouraged me to fight for the issues I raised. I have researched other city's term limits provisions and have come up with solid language that will prevent the abuse that occurred earlier this year."
There is ample time for council to review this and my organization will be watching council closely to assure the expeditious handling of this matter. COBRA expects this to be put on the May primary ballot. The filing deadline is February 16th, 2006. This allows council a solid two months for hearings, two readings and the passage of a resolution.
More information on COBRA's reform efforts can be found at www.toledocobra.org.
Sample Letter
Citizens Organized to Bring Reform and Accountability
www.toledocobra.org
To: Honorable Michael Ashford
From: Dave Schulz, Founder COBRA
Re: City Charter Term Limits Amendment
Date: November 15, 2005
Dear Mr. Ashford,
I write you today to follow up on my letter of September 30th regarding my request that City Council clarify City Charter Section 87D – Term Limitations.
Our organization would like to see an amendment in front of voters at the May 2006 primary election. To assist council in its work, we offer the following language as a starter. We feel that this language addresses the weakness in the current charter and prevents the circumvention of the will of the voters. Our organization contends that council’s speedy action in resolving this issue will take a small step in restoring the citizens’ confidence that their city charter reflects their will as expressed in their vote and intent back in 1992.
Follows is our recommendation:
Proposed Charter Amendment Language:
(a) No person shall be eligible to serve on the Council for more than three consecutive full terms, and shall not be placed on the ballot for election to any term if service for the full term would constitute a violation hereof. No person shall be eligible to serve as Mayor for more than two consecutive full terms, provided, however, that service in the position of Mayor pursuant to appointment or succession to that office, or service on the Council pursuant to appointment, shall not be counted toward any term limitation.
(b) A person elected to an office at a regular municipal election and who qualifies for the office shall be deemed to have held that office for a full term, even if the person vacates the office for any reason before the expiration of the term. A person elected at a special municipal election to fill a vacant office shall be deemed to have held that office for a full term if the person serves in that office for more than 50% of the full term. Previous and current terms of office shall be counted for the purpose of applying these provisions to future elections, although all persons presently in office shall be permitted to complete their present terms.
posted by daveschulz to politics at 6:04 P.M. EST
(2 Comments)
Comments ...
I think this is an excellent idea and I would love to see these changes take place. I'm also watching to see what the response is going to be.
I'm disappointed you didn't win but glad that you are still trying to get thru some of what you campaigned on.
I've visited the COBRA site and I recommend it to others because there is alot of information there.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 09:25 P.M. EST on Tue Nov 15, 2005 #
Good for you, Dave. Keep fighting the good fight.
posted by Foolkiller at 11:47 P.M. EST on Tue Nov 15, 2005 #
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