Response to George Baum's "Comments to the Affirmative"

 

 

While George Baum, whom I deeply respect, makes a civil argument for extending the Superisor's term of office from 2 to 4 years, he undermines his own position by calling attention to the fact that this proposal, for which the same Supervisor who has everything to gain by its passage, is promoting it in a blatant and cynical attempt to undermine the public's freedom of choice.  Team Doherty, to circumvent NYState law under the legal protection (unchallenged, so far, in court) of Local Law, changed the timing of the lengthened term to begin in the year following the election in which it is to be voted upon.  Under State law, if adopted by the voters, this amendment to the Code would not be implemented until the election to follow this one, thus exposing the Supervisor to a contested election.  This year she is unopposed, guaranteeing her a total of four years as Supervisor, and six if this referendum is passed.  One has to wonder if this is the reason, with so many pressing problems of town administration and property taxes out of control, that this group made codification of our laws its #1 priority. And...the fact that they proposed this change without including term limits is further evidence of an attempt to control our government indefinitely.

George also mentions that it is difficult for a Supervisor to take firm positions that might offend some voters if that person is trying to get elected...that they are "walking on eggs."  That is true in two, four or six year terms if winning an election is all that motivates their actions.  Do we want to elect people who pander for votes or people who have the strength of character to make the hard decisions based on ethical considerations of service to the public?

To the point that Bill Noel's research indicates that most Supervisor's in our town's history, have enjoyed re-election, some for more than two terms: that is not evidence to support this proposed referendum.  To the contrary, it is evidence that these political figures went through the process of being re-elected every two years to let the voters decide, rather than try to usurp the public initiative to choose.

Respecfully submitted,

Joyce Mitchell