Councilman David Marks said Monday he plans to make good on a 2010 campaign promise and introduce a bill limiting future council members to three terms.
Marks, who is ending the first year of his first term, said he will introduce the bill some time after Jan. 1 but "before budget time," which typically begins in April.
"I campaigned on it and campaigned on it clearly," said Marks, a Perry Hall Republican. "I think the others deserve an opportunity to decide the issue for themselves."
Currently, council members are not limited to the number of four-year terms they can serve.
The longest serving councilman was Vince Gardina, who ended the last of his five consecutive terms in December of 2010.
County executives are limited to two four-year terms.
Marks said his bill would limit council members to three terms beginning with the members elected in 2014.
Such a change will require amending the County Charter—a move that will require the favorable vote of five of the seven council members. Voters would then be asked to approve the change in the 2014 election.
Marks acknowledges getting council approval will be difficult.
"Clearly getting the five votes will be tough for a controversial issue like this," said Marks.
Its 2011 for heavens sake, even the largest financial firms in Maryland have eliminated pensions in lieu of the 401k. Political work does not result in an long term health implications that warrant pensions.
Once in power it is hard for as challenger to make a run at that position based on history. The incumbent always has the advantage. I have said many times that I believe Marks is someone to watch. He is a man of reason and really cares about his constituents. I have seen him show up at events where he was the only council person to attend. To me that says as lot in this day and age. I will also say the I do not think Kamenetz is a lock for a second term. He has made a lot of decisions that you have to question. Some of his appointments left me scratching my head. You have to remember he has been in county government 16 years and involved in many of the issues that have come back to haunt his administration. Term limits will bring forth those conscientious people who really want to serve their communities without the baggage of -- power, greed, and arrogance. Look at the conditions in the capital. The game is all about the next election and the amount of money it will take to either stay in or dethrone one who is already in.
"condtions in the capital..." WTF does that mean????
On the local level, most people are just voting for a party, and not a person to begin with. If it weren't for the internet, television and radio, most people wouldn't have any idea who believes in what on the national level, much less county. Term limits prevent fat cats from getting too fat.
I'm talking general population in this county, state, and nation. You must know a whole bunch of senior citizens or businessmen, Robert.
If a politician truly does good work, then they can do it for the length of their term limit then move to another office to continue. William Donald Schaefer did alot for Baltimore & MD in MANY offices (Although Mayor is what is was & always will be). BTW - I'm a conservative republican (minority in MD) and respected Schaefer in what he did, he did it for the people, not the power.
9:03 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 "Term limits would open the door for real people that want to do real things for their communities, cities, counties or state." What's stopping all these Mr. Smith's from going to Washington, Annapolis, or Towson now?
When your the only game in town you tend to stay awhile like Barry.
Shame of it is that it all seems to come down to money. Money is more important than people in the current system.
-- Harry Shearer