Steve Ferry, a Darien Town Council member, made his case tonight that Genesee County Legislator should serve staggered four-year terms rather two-year terms with all nine seats up for election in the same year.
Legislators seemed inclined to favor the idea, but bristled at the idea that the Legislator could enact a change without proper study and community committee meetings.
At the end of the meeting, Ferry told the legislators that they are leaders and should lead.
"You are elected officials, public servants, and if serving the public means putting it on the ballot, then do it," Ferry said.
Ferry's position is that the current two-year system is a disincentive for people to get involved in the local policy decisions and that too many legislative seats draw only a single candidate each election cycle.
"It seem ridiculous to have a legislative board having all nine people up for election at the same time," Ferry said.
Legislators, by and large, rejected the notion that there isn't enough public involvement in the county government.
"One reason we don’t have a lot of people involved is this is a well run county and we don’t have a lot of controversy in the county," said Legislator John J. Hodgins.
Steve's on the right track
Steve's on the right track the whole way. What's to be studied? Its a straightforward proposal that any voter should be able to form an opinion on without the aid of months long study. If ever there was a cut-n-dried ballot initiative, this would seem to be one. Much of the legislature business is done in committees so there's little discussion in the general session. Here's something that doesn't need a lot of committee development, so let the voters have their say in November.
A two year term doesn't make for a good politicking-to-governing ratio and all 9 running at once leaves one to wonder who's really minding the store during campaign season? Staggered four year terms would mean greater consistency and a greater body of work on which to judge incumbents come election time.
Steve's on to some great ideas and I support him.
I should have included this:
I should have included this: Jay Grasso quote: "The push needs to come from outside of this group. For it to come from us would like like it came from us to benefit us."
There was concern that for the Legislature to just put it on the ballot without public hearings and such would make it look like a power grab (my phrase to characterize my sense of the hesitancy to just move forward with the proposal).
But staggered four-year terms make a lot of sense to me and I don't really get why they can't just throw it on the next ballot, and the next if that's what it takes, and try to get it passed.
Mr. Ferry has a good and
Mr. Ferry has a good and common-sense idea, I'm all for it.
I totally am in line with
I totally am in line with this proposal. Two years is probably not enough for a potential new member to learn the caveats of the job, and then do it effectively. If everyone is leaving in one fell swoop after two years, what is to stop the possible several new candidates who win from totally reversing the policies and ideas set forth by those previous?
The whole two year term is just spinning the wheels in a mudpit and not getting anywhere.
Seems to me that most of the
Seems to me that most of the Legislatures have been on there for more that two years..so what will we get out of all this..Is Mr. Ferry saying that because they only serve two year terms that they arent doing a good job..They sure seem to keep getting reelected.At least now if the do mess up realy bad we can get them out quick...His why we might have too wait 4 years..I do like it the way it is..i wish he would point out how much better off the tax payers will be..Sound to me he just doesn't want to go and get his self reelected every two years..Don't run that what i say..