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Peter Callaghan is a local columnist. He’s covered the
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Joe Turner has covered state government and transportation
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Tacoma City Councilwoman Connie Ladenburg wants the City Council to consider asking voters voters this fall either to extend the current two-term limit on City Council service to three terms, or eliminate term limits entirely.
Ladenburg said the role of a council member is changing, with more emphasis being placed on long-term projects. Under the city's current two four-year term limit, council members often are not able to see something to fruition, she said.
She cited former Councilman Tom Stenger's work on the planned Water Ditch Trail -- a project she has since taken an interest in promoting -- as an example.
"I've kind of taken a lead, but it still won't be completed when I finish my term," Ladenburg said Tuesday during the council's Committee of the Whole meeting.
Ladenburg was elected to her second term in November 2005. It expires at the end of 2009.
Ladenburg cited the work of several other council members as well, including Julie Anderson's work as a Sound Transit board member, Marilyn Strickland's interest in education, and Spiro Manthou's work on the old Asarco smelter site.
Other council members showed some interest in the idea, but they also expressed some concerns.
Councilwoman Julie Anderson noted the ongoing discussion about possibly going from a part-time to a full-time City Council. If that happened, Anderson said it would change her opinion about Ladenburg's proposal.
"I want to hear more about whether the mayor and some others are serious about the full-time thing," Anderson said. Mayor Bill Baarsma was absent from the meeting.
Councilman Mike Lonergan said it might be wise to resolve the question of part-time or full-time before asking voters to make a decision on term limits.
In order to get something on this fall's ballot, the City Council would need to make a decision by late June, according to a tentative timeline that Ladenburg supplied.
Council members noted that Pierce County voters extended term limits on Assessor-Treasurer and Auditor positions from two to three terms, and the sheriff position will be three terms when it changes from an appointed to elected one.
Council members said they will continue the discussion at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
