Wednesday, September 06, 2000
4-year term won't make ballot
Idea shelved for lack of support from community
By Robert Anglen
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A day before hearings began on extending Cincinnati council terms from two to four years, the proposal has been dropped.
Councilman Paul Booth, who two months ago introduced a charter change that would extend council terms, said Tuesday there is not enough community support for the idea.
And because Friday is the last day to get an issue on the November ballot, Mr. Booth said he is not going to pursue it this year.
“It needs to be tweaked a bit,” he said. “With the strong mayor beginning in 2001, there is no better time than now to implement four-year terms. ... I still firmly believe this.”
Several council members also support it, and said Tuesday they would have supported a special meeting this week to put the charter change on the ballot.
A meeting scheduled Thursday has been canceled because of a funeral for Police Officer Kevin Crayon, who died Friday when he was dragged 800 feet by a car driven by a 12-year-old who the officer shot and killed.
“I am still for it,” Mayor Charlie Luken said Tuesday. “I have been for for the last 20 years.”
Council members say the longer terms would give offi cials more time to focus on issues instead of beginning terms with an eye on the next election. They said it would also make council terms compatible with the new “strong mayor” that Cincinnati will elect to a four-year term in 2001.
But Mr. Booth said Tuesday he did not think there was enough consensus in the community and feared voters would reject it.
Councilman Pat DeWine said he was glad the plan is dead. He said it made government officials less accountable and would have allowed six members to serve up to 10 years on council despite an eight-year limit set by voters in 1991.
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