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Political Buzz
Let's talk politics.
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
Tacoma City Council should extend or drop term limits, councilwoman says
Posted by Jason Hagey @ 06:11:05 am

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.

[More:]

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.

Categories: Tacoma, Voting • 9 comments

COMMENTS:

julieanderson @ 06:28 - Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 Email
To clarify...I am concerned about creating a full-time, professionalized, career Council. I am not an admirer of the outcome (Seattle City Council, etc.).

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.
hercpilot @ 06:54 - Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 Email
As a member of the community, no term limits mean that the council members no longer need to worry about getting anything done to get elected. And when you have a group of unproductive members how do you get a new face and a new VISION for the city. Over the last decade we have seen where our current council has directed Tacoma and the lack of growth. If Russell and now Davita both depart downtown Tacoma, do you really want the members of the council who procrastinated on creating a long-term sustainable vision for downtown still at the helm? I for one don't, not to mention the the "great" sound transit package that had completely no benefits for Tacoma for 2 decades being recommended by one council member with obvious conflicting interests (such as being on the sound transit board). Also don't forget about their great vote on the heavy rail crossing on Pacific in the dome district..... These council members need to be held accountable for their actions, or the lack of action. No term limits means doom for Tacoma.
nomorereg @ 07:58 - Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
Shocking, totally shocking. Term limits are in place for a reason, and if Mrs. Connie thinks her job is changing then maybe she should just change jobs. It appears that someone wants to become a career politician, and a Ladenburg nonetheless. You know the saying..birds of a feather.

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.
gigatt @ 08:47 - Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 Email
There will always be something else to do...some project that doesn't fit nicely into a member's term. While your ability to be involved in some things may change as a private citizen (largely because you aren't paid to do it any longer), there are plenty of opportunities for citizens to be involved.

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.
ldozy123 @ 09:02 - Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 Email
Absolutely not. If Council was not term limit backed, I can see a further deterioration in the quality and dedication to the people than we already face. New ideas and new voices probably are one of the only things that keep us from totally going under.
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.
notme @ 14:12 - Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 Email
The biggest problem with extending or eliminating term limits for the City Council comes from the fact that very few of them ever have serious challenges for re-election under the current limits. If there were competitive races all the time, then fine. In the last two cycles, only Spiro Manthou had anything resembeling a serious challenge for re-election.
dltooley @ 06:02 - Thursday, May 8th, 2008 Email
http://motleytools.com/blog
I'll weigh in here in favor of term limits as well - with a comment on councilmember's oversight of pet projects.

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.

papasan @ 17:39 - Thursday, May 8th, 2008 Email
I agree with C.member Anderson. Professional politicians make for bad stewards of the public trust.
Give them the help that they need to get the job done. I can't see why a project needs eight years to see itself to fruition, anyway.
WTF @ 08:49 - Monday, June 23rd, 2008 Email
Uh, you're all missing the point, as usual. The less government projects get done, the less we get screwed. They boondoggle everything they get their hands on, so make it as difficult as possible for them to function and you can slow the cancer of growing government. If she wants more time to get nestled into her power, I say NO! Force someone new to muddle around, getting familiarized with everything for a year before doing his or her own damage. To preserve your rights and remaining few dollars, do anything necessary to obstruct government's progress. Say no on ALL levies, no to ALL taxes and no to big spending politicians with big plans for the future. Help preserve your own future my limiting government! They are not the answer. They are the problem!

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