To the Editor:—
Let me throw open a question without taking sides and without making up my mind.
Did anyone notice the editorial footnote in the Sunday Telegram where it pointed out that Representative Karen Polito had put forth a bill to limit elected officials to 12 years of service?
Like me, did anyone ask themselves how come when Ben tried to open the subject at the last town meeting is was immediately discounted as a bad idea? The only argument that was heard was the voters have the ability to remove an official at every election. But is that really the problem.
I know I voted against it, but was it a bad idea or was it just the way Ben presented it? Granted the article was poorly written and poorly defended by Ben, but was it really such a bad idea? How long does industry allow their senior management and middle management to stay in one position? If you look at the statistics CEO rarely serve more than 9 years. The term of middle management is even shorter.
Boards of Directors are not a mean spirited group. It is just business. Those changes are made because a person gets stale and can no longer bring fresh ideas to the table. They burn out. They adopt the attitude that the job is mine. You are there for me, not I am here to service you.
Do you remember Digital Equipment Company? Ken Olson was the nicest person you ever would want to be with. He was technically smart and well traveled and could tell fascinating stories and was a great teacher. He is credited with conceived the concept of the mini computer but he was unable to see the evolution to the desktop computer. I know many of his staff kept on telling him that was the wave of the future but he was too comfortable in his job.
Do you remember Polaroid? Dr Land was another genius that refused to look beyond his invention and did not see the advance of digital technology. These were great men with wonderful personalities and were people who you would like to spend your free time with. They just stayed too long in their position.
Lets look at our elected and appointed officials. Lets look at this as not as a personality contest. Lets look at it as purely business.
When was the last time you heard a unique or creative idea come from one of the long-standing officials? When was the last time you observed one of the long-standing officials suggest change from their office? How often have you heard as a response “that is the way we always do it”? This is not an attack on John or Moe or anyone presently on the board or on an appointed committee. Personally I think John is a very dedicated guy. I do not think for one moment he has knowingly done anything but his very best for the town. I also know I personally could not dedicate the number of hours he has given to be an elected official. I think Moe is just as dedicated and if I knew him better I am sure I would enjoy his company.
Do you know some of the members of the Planning Board are well into their second decade on the board? I am sure there are others in town that would like to serve. No one should own a seat on a board just because they were once appointed.
Can we bounce this one around to see what should we do? What can we do?
— Everett "Chick" Joseph.
Wednesday, June 10
Letter: Let's Discuss Term Limits
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15 comments:
I actually had no objections to term limits for our elected board of selectman or school committee; or for that matter, the finance committee, planning board, ZBA, or conservation comission. I do believe that especially in the APPOINTED boards, there is a level of complacency and even a sense of being untouchable that breeds a very comtemptuous attitude on our town boards. You can't even make the arguement that the voters speak with their votes on the appointed boards to defend lack of term limits.
I did, however, think town meeting members are a different story. It takes some time to figure out how a unique form of represented government like town meeting works. Also for the most part, it only meets annually with a special meeting occasionally. By the time you figure out how to best represent your precinct, your terms are up and the residents of your precinct are then getting less competent representation.
I support Representative Polito's amendment to support term limits for legislators who had served 12 years in office. I agree with her that the longer that politicans stay in office, the more power they accumulate over time that cloud their judgement to perform ethical acts for the commonwealth.
I support ethics reform at the top of government power. The voters deserve to have "clean" and ethical politicians serving them in their best interests that benefits everyone in the Commonwealth.
And since Karen is finishing up her 12th year in the house, does this mean that she will voluntarily honor the term limits?
As previously noted here and at town meeting, the best version of term limits is ELECTIONS.
It is just as boneheaded an idea coming from Karen as it was coming from Ben.
Chick,
The thought came to my mind as well. In fact on a new show called "Know The Facts" that just aired last night...we did a segment called "Breaking News" and commented on Karyn's bill on term limits. I agree with her and I agree with Ben. As you said, the idea was great, but, was overlooked because it was "Ben's" idea. That's toooo bad. People need to evalutate the item presented, not the person presenting the article. "nuff said?" Also, at least Ben has tried to make changes. Have the others tried? I don't remember...so maybe not. If they have please let us know. In the meantime, and from now on, everyone take a second look at what's being presented, not the presentee.
Just like TM members, I suspect there is also a larning curve for appointed/elected committe members as well. I still in favor of if you want em out vote em out. But if term limits were imposed, I think 2 terms (as was proposed by Ben T this year) is much too short. You spend you first term learning the ropes and beginning to run and then your 2nd term at full throttle and then its over?
If term limits had to be imposed, make it 3 or more terms.
Joy,
Ben might have a few good ideas but his lack of knowledge and preparedness are what do him in every time. Good ideas are a dime a dozen, it's their implementation that that requires the heavy lifting. Until Ben takes his role as BOS seriously and puts some blood, sweat, and tears into the role, he won't be able to shake his reputation of buffoon.
Chick, please don't say 'When was the last time you heard a creative idea from one of the long standing officials' and then say 'this is not an attack on John or Moe'. Pahleeeze... reader's of this blog didn't just fall off the turnip truck.
The recent article was voted down for a few reasons, in my view. It was poorly written and was poorly presented. While the idea of local term limits is worth consideration, the mess that was offered up wasn't even worth debate.
The other reason it was voted down was because it applied to town meeting members. Some precincts rely on write-ins to fill seats. There's not enough people willing to take the time to study the issues, show up at the town meetings and make intelligent points.
If the term limit article was re-written and presented properly and excluded town meeting members, I'd still vote against it. We should allow all candidates to run. I trust the voters to decide wisely.
The reason Karen introduced the bill on term limits is simple, she wants more Republicans in the State House. You may have noticed that at the national level, the Republican really quieted down about term limits after they took the House and Senate in '95. but they will probably jump on that bandwagon again now. Term limits are artificial and arbitrary. Why is Polito proposing 12 year limits? Why is 12 the magic number? Ben proposed term limits for the same reason, he wants more like-minded TMM's and Selectman to be elected, and is hoping that limiting terms will result in more winnable match-ups. There is nothing that says newly elected officials will have better ideas, be more morally up-right, or more capable of wise leadership. Witness the Nazi take-over of Germany in the late 20's and early 30's.
6:37 poster
I'm sorry you think I was taking a dig at John or Moe. It honestly was not my intention. I added that just to make sure the discussion was an term limits and not personalities.
I'm glad you agree with me that the reason it was not discussed is the article was poorly written and poorly defended. That was the whole reason for putting out the question.
I am leaning toward term limits for the reason elections are extremely expensive and when runs against an incumbant you better have mega bucks and mega friends.
Why did I vote against Mr. Targalia's petition, it lumped TM members with other offices. Also as I have mentioned before he seemed to simple scatter his seeds to the wind and hoped one would take root.
Had he created one petition in which a committee was formed to look at all levels, functions and processes of town govt. similar to the Fiscal Study, I would have voted for it. Of course he would need to have more back up info and research. I think audits or check ups for time to time are a good idea. I think Westboro has something like this and I vaguely remember a few other towns as well.
The quality of a given term limits proposal aside, the fact of elections is obviously not an argument against term limits. Elections are a given for elective office. The question is who should be eligible to be a candidate. Term limits are a legitimate criterian for eligibility, as many town governments, and certainly the POTUS is affected by them. Clearly, for appointed offices, the issue is even simpler.
The only argument against term limits that makes any sense is that experienced and knowledgeable people might be termed out from a role that their experience and knowledge might benefit. The problem with this argument is that it assumes that knowledge and experience, though certainly valuable, are sufficient qualities for a successful office holder. As Chick notes, this may not always be the case, and in MA government, in general, corruption is benefited as much by electoral impremature as anything else.
I believe the inherent check that term limits place on government power represents a benefit that far out weighs arguments against it. Fresh perspective and energy should be a welcome addition to town government, not a threat to it. Appropriate term limits would salvage sufficient knowledge and experience while allowing the town to always have access to a fresh and positive contribution.
I have only lived in town for six years, but in my brief tenure here, I don't believe ANY incumbent for election to a major office has lost to a challenger. Can someone with more time here point out the last time that happened in a School Committee, Board of Selectman or Moderator race? Openings which have permitted new faces to join these boards have come about from resignations and retirements.
Has an incumbent candidate been beaten by a challenger in the past 25 years?
I think term limits ARE worth further discussion and consideration.
With regard to Town Meeting Members, I am interested in knowing the attendance records for my elected reps. I am also interested in knowing how they voted on specific warrant articles. That would help me decide who to vote for next time.
For the appointed committees in town, I think TWO terms should be enough for anyone -- there need to be opportunities for new faces, new ideas and citizens who represent the diversity of our population, not the "same old" cronies.
To Dan... the fact that other towns have term limits doesn't mean they are a good idea. Far more towns do not have them.
Also, your assumption that most MA goverment elected people turn stale and even corrupt after just a few terms is not backed up by facts. ...and imagine if our employers felt the same way about us!
To 6:44
I agree with you!
Joy
Hello All,
Once again kudos to Chick who continually challenges us to look at ideas from different angles.
Chick usually sits in front of me at Town Meeting and the more I hear from Chick the more I respect him as a free thinker.
I suspect Chick and I may disagree on a wide range of issues but he is always intellectually honest.
I do think the term limit article was poorly presented but it is important we do not file it a way. Obviously Representative Polito thinks the theory may be healthy for government.
I think 9 years for all except Town Meeting Members is plenty of time to get up to speed, move innovative ideas through, make your mark, and move on. In the words of the Governor of Minnesota (who was quoting an Irish proverb) who has chosen not to run for a third term: "There is more trouble than joy in the last slice of pizza or that last glass of beer"
Now some of you are going to jump all over this and say I have an issue with the incumbents. OK feel free to do so but I do think our town would tremendously benefit from fresh faces and fresh ideas!
OK let the barrage begin....
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