Politics & Government
City Council Considers Longer Term Limits
Possibility of extending length of service for Glen Cove elected officials sparks debate during public hearing Tuesday.
Several debates about increasing the term limits of Glen Cove's mayor and city council members from two to four years sparked during a city public hearing Tuesday.
The change, which would go into effect in 2012, must be approved by a referendum.
Resident Glen Howard, the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce's Executive Vice President, endorsed the proposal, contending that it will keep elected officials focused on fulfilling their duties.
Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"It is inefficient to have an election every two years," Howard said, adding that the chamber brought this issue to the council a few years ago. "The minute that you start to divert attention from governing to political campaign, what you do is lose the focus, even for a short time, from the business of running the city."
While a number of people were open to the idea of a term limit hike, some still argued that four years is too long. Resident Reginald Spinello said a three-year term would suffice.
Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"I believe two years is too short [but] four years is a little too long," he said.
Since the summer season is here, resident Kathleen Lappano argued that it is simply not the right time for the council to consider changing such an important law in the municipality.
"We're going into mental hibernation," Lappano said, "and I think the people of Glen Cove need the opportunity to digest what this is all about. It needs to be vigorously challenged and discussed, and there needs to be bipartisan participation. That's not going to happen if this is rushed through."
Lappano also suggested that a committee be established to examine the proposal in further detail.
No decision has been made, and city officials said that residents will have the opportunity to discuss the proposal at upcoming City Council meetings.
Mayor Ralph Suozzi explained that after the council hears residents' opinions, it will decide whether to add the referendum to the November election ballot.
"If the council so votes [to extend term limits], it is put in the hands of the public," Suozzi said.
