The Westfield City Council is still talking about extending the term of Mayor and City Council to four years. I believe we have successfully stopped this measure from being sent to the State Legislature as a “home rule petition” for this year, but a few councilors are still angling to pass this in the next year or so.
I have opposed this “casually offered” measure from the beginning, for many reasons. The main issue is about having a representative government that is held accountable to the people by “regularly scheduled elections”.
At our March 17 meeting, I was surprised at how close it appeared the city council was to sending this motion to Boston, with a single reading. One councilor mentioned how Representative Velis and State Senator Don Humason had been informed of the matter, and were ready to present it to the state house.
However, the council voted to send this back to the L&O sub committee, after Councilor Paul and myself mentioned that the people of Westfield might want to have a say in the matter. Well folks, you may want to attend the public participation portion of upcoming city council meetings and make your voices heard, because your voice matters.
It is getting to be a repeated argument from some councilors that because people don’t show up to city council meetings, none of you care about these issues. I don’t believe that for a minute, and those words would never leave my lips. I know how hard it is for people to show up, even for issues they care about. Life happens. Many people no longer read newspapers, and not aware of when things are being considered or acted on. Even Councilor Flaherty, who made the original motion was not aware that this was being brought out for a vote, and did not attend the two L&O meetings were it was discussed.
I would like to thank the people who attended the March 29th L&O meeting. Most of the people who spoke said we should leave things as they are, and that Westfield has a very good form of local government.
Interestingly, some counselors interpreted that to mean “The people want to put it on the ballot”, and are now figuring ways to do that, perhaps next year. I don’t believe that is the case. I think people would rather have us working on how to take care of basic services without taxing them out of their homes. But I digress.
One former councilor made the point that this would dramatically change Westfield’s form of government, with its strong city council and weak mayor, with boards and commissions with over a hundred citizens involved.
Changing the term of mayor or staggering city council elections could lower voter turnout in off-year elections. It would affect other elections and terms of G&E commissioners, School Committee members who are already staggered, and Trustees of the Athenaeum. It would confuse voters and not be fair to those running in an off year. Longer terms and lower voter turnout could dramatically affect the makeup of Westfield’s government, and participation of ordinary citizens to vote, or run for office.
The framers of our government put great thought and deliberation into deciding how long mayors, councilors and representatives should serve.
Rufus King – A Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress said,
A representative should be in office time enough to acquire that information which is necessary to form a right judgment; but that the time should not be so long as to remove from his mind the powerful check upon his conduct, that arises from the frequency of elections, whereby the people are enabled to remove an unfaithful representative, or to continue a faithful one.”
What is the purpose for changing the length of terms? I believe if it isn’t broken. Don’t fix it.
Some have mentioned not having to campaign so often. That argument, and most of the reasons given for extending terms do not exactly rise to level of the deliberations that our founding fathers had when they determined, that regularly scheduled elections would keep representatives accountable to the people. No one is forcing anyone to campaign for office.
Saving money is not a valid reason for eliminating elections. Not being able to pursue one’s personal agenda is not a good reason for extending terms.
We are elected to serve the public; not to work on our own agenda. Our job is to vote on issues before the council, and be held accountable to the voters. If councilors do a good job, they will be re-elected and continue to gain experience.
At our last city council meeting it was mentioned that the Federal Government has recognized the First Amendment rights of candidates, citizens, and the right of property owners to put political signs on private property.
While I appreciate that recognition and would ask for support for the changes I have proposed to Westfield’s sign ordinance, I realize those are freedom of speech and property rights issues, and have nothing to do with the length of term for city office.
As an Army veteran, I served overseas for three years. All those who raise their right hand to protect this country, our Constitution and way of life; do so to protect everyone’s right to their opinion, free speech and right to vote.
But I know of no one who was willing to give up his or her life for “neighborhood beautification” or to save the Republic from “sign pollution.” People are far more offended by the acts of politicians and government, than by a sign on their neighbor’s lawn.
Who among us feels that they have the right to tell their neighbor or fellow citizens, that they must wait four years to run for office or remove someone from office? I have spoke with Representative John Velis and State Senator Don Humason on this issue. Both gentlemen said if the council passed a home rule petition they would dutifully present it in the house; because if the council voted for it “we must know what we are doing”. Both men do not support extending terms, because they represent the people and have to run every two years.
If a councilor votes for any measure extending the term of the city council or mayor, without carefully considering all the aspects involved, they will own it.
I will vote no to extend the term of mayor or city council, because it diminishes the role of our citizens to participate in our democratic process through regularly scheduled elections, and I believe the voice of the people matters.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
