By Fatiha Belfakir, Special to the AFRO
fbelfakir@afro.com
Voters in Baltimore are divided on term limits for Baltimore city elected officials as they are getting ready to cast votes in the general election next month.
Term limits is a legal restriction that spells out how long elected officials can hold office.
This fall election, however, voters will consider Question K, a measure through which voters will decide whether or not an elected official will be limited to only two terms in the office.
The measure is a charter amendment with the potential to dramatically reshape Baltimore City Hall by limiting the mayor, city council president, comptroller and council members to two terms in office.
Monica M. Lewis, senior director of communication at the mayor’s office, told the AFRO that she hopes that Baltimore voters make thoughtful, well-informed decisions on election day.
“We want to encourage any person who is of voting age to make sure they are registered to vote and that they develop a plan to ensure that they and those within their communities get out and vote,” said Lewis. “Ultimately, people want their elected leaders to do what’s best for the people they serve – and that is what matters most. Regardless if a person is term limited or not, at the end of the day, they have been entrusted with a very important role by people who need and deserve support and services to help them build and maintain a quality life for themselves and their loved ones.”
Robert Jones, 66, a maintenance worker at Stevenson University, supports multiple terms in office, adding that several terms in office would enable an elected official to establish a positive legacy.
“It is really up to the public to decide who they want to vote for. If elected officials are doing a good job and hold their positions properly, I would like to have them continue on doing their job,” said Jones.
Donald Dorsey, 32, a mechanic, said there is a need to change officials and would like to see new political leaders with new ideas for a possible policy change.
“I am for the ‘four years only’ [policy]. I don’t want officials to stay longer than that, because sometimes they get too much power. I think we need something fresh every couple years. New elected officials will make Baltimore a better place. Keeping the same official for a long period means everything is going to stay stagnant,” said Dorsey.
When asked about Sinclair Broadcast Group Chairman David Smith funding the campaign for the measure to set Baltimore term limits, Lewis stated that media organizations should be accurate, independent and fair.
“It is concerning that a media organization executive who should be committed to providing unbiased and fair news coverage to the public would be funding matters pertaining to local government and elected officials,” Lewis said.
“However, in the past, Mayor Scott has voted in favor of term limits for members of city council as well as the mayor of Baltimore and, as he has publicly stated before, it is his intention to serve two terms as mayor. He has spent much of his adult life serving the city that he loves and looks forward to doing so for two full terms as mayor.”
Lewis added that at the conclusion of his second term, Scott will be “at a point in his life where he will look forward to serving Baltimoreans in other ways in alignment with his commitment to public service while also taking the time to focus more on pursuing goals for his personal fulfillment as well.”
Daniel Stavis, 62, a mobility driver, told the AFRO that he is for term limits. However, he concluded that a media organization entering this fray is unethical.
“I’m not thrilled about media funding opposition, I’m not too good with that. No, that doesn’t work for me. Media should spread awareness among voters via reporting and not otherwise,” said Stavis.
Natalie Wes Michael, 59, event planner, is voting for term limits and believes that many voters will be left uninformed about the new measures due to the lack of communication and advertising.
“I don’t think that the concept of term limits has been publicized enough, we only have about two or three more weeks before voting. I don’t think many people are going to know too much about it at this time,” said Michael.
Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member – subscribers are now members! Join here!