Don't forget important charter issues on the ballot

Lost amidst the swirling sea of political campaign advertising and yacking candidates are proposed charter changes that might have a lasting effect on how City Hall operates.
Though the ballot contains half a dozen questions for voters to decide, two are potentially significant revisions to the city government’s blueprint.
One proposal would double the length of the time between city elections from two years to four years, extending the time city councilors and the mayor would serve before facing the voters again.
The other would mandate that the mayor ensure that performance reviews are conducted annually on the city’s department heads.
The most controversial question backed by the Charter Revision Commission and the City Council is one that would give twice as much time between municipal elections.
Former Mayor John Leone said the extra time would give a mayor time to learn the ropes and to push through his agenda before he had to face the voters again.
But another ex-mayor, Frank Nicastro, said that political leaders who are doing a good job should have nothing to worry about from running every two years. On the other hand, he said, the people ought to have a chance to remove a mayor they’re not happy with without waiting four years.
Stortz, who served two stints as mayor, said that longer terms would “take the responsibility and need for involvement away from the voter.” Click here for the story.
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