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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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state. Before joining The News Tribune, he spent 13 years working for
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John Henrikson is a local news editor who oversees political coverage. He's worked as a journalist in the
Northwest for 19 years, supervising coverage and reporting on local and
state government, the environment and growth. Email John
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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.
COMMENTS:
Since there has been talk in Tacoma about "full time," I would like to debate and dispose of THAT matter before taking up the issue of term limits. I don't want to create a powerful - and toxic - combination of incumbency, a big salary, and endless terms.
With that said, I do think that the City Council needs to be better resourced. If we want real-world, working adults or busy parents to serve on our Council, then a City Council member should expect a staff assistant (we currently share the City Manager's interns). Alternatively, make the positions full-time and raise the salary, so candidates don't need to make the terrible choice between a secure job and serving on the Council.
Again, I'm just wary of creating the possibility of generous salaries and no term limits and a professionalized council with staff. That's overkill.
Why is it that with dumb ideas, the one spouting them usually has the last name of Ladenburg.
Wise up Tacoma, vote all Ladenburgs out of office.
The example of Tom Stenger seems silly to me. He wasn't term-limited, he served a term and left the council. An extra term or a license to serve forever wouldn't have changed the progress he made on the project...maybe being full time would have, though.
Interesting concept, I suppose. I would have to give it more thought, but I would be inclined to make the council full-time with term limits before I would want to see a council without term limits.
I would consider a year or so from now a full time slot or two on trial and subject to a very close audit of performance. Under these conditions though, most of the council would shoot themselves in the foot and doom this option unless there was a major change in priorities. Especially in this time of budget crisis- all we need are more full time talking heads as positions are being cut for those who really are important here.
Not impressed with most of the councils work and less so with the obvious attempt to make a ruling family here.
Maybe with both out of office, PC and Tacoma can really begin to see progress and return to respecting the rights of residents here instead of the select few.
There is no reason why a councilmember can't continue to take a leadership role on specific areas of interest. There are unpaid individuals who have more credible expertise on subjects within the public interest. Strengthening those individuals by including the authority of former councilmembers into the mix would be a good thing.
The idea behind a part-time council is the philosophy of a citizen legislature. What we need in goverment now is more community oversight of bureaucracy, not the other way around. And yes, that community oversight also includes folks who bring professionalism from their successful careers in the private sector, even if a few of them even happen to be Republicans!
It takes time to learn an issue in the context of history and the millieu of demands for public services. This is a valuable asset, perhaps more valuable in the hands of a citizen than in the hands of a career building bureaucrat. People, including councilmembers, who have a demonstrated record of producing results - or even just alternatives worthy of consideration and thought should be valued.
Building a community of same is the key to success. Respecting the ongoing contribuitions of former City Councilmembers just might be the best way to grow and solidify that public asset.
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