Four-year terms key to tackling complex issues
Current statutes require Morgantown City Council members to step down or run for reelection every two years. Imagine being the city manager of a team that is fired every two years and then replaced with a new team assigned to you without your input. And your new team brings with them promises made to those who “appointed” them.
Two-year terms result in many disadvantages to the city, city management, council members and the community. First, most council members have little knowledge and experience in governing a city. There is a lot to be learned and that takes time. Based on my own previous experience in an elected position, I suggest it may take up to two years to begin to understand the codes, laws, rules structure and operations of any governmental organization.
Unfortunately, two-year terms support a two-year focus on quick-fix solutions to complex issues so councilors can enhance their opportunity for reelection. Most important issues facing Morgantown today require a longer term focus to make and sustain operational improvements. Issues are complex and require knowledge, coordination and good communication with other political bodies at local, county and state levels. Councilors are not full-time employees but people who wish to make a difference. Two-year terms hamper long-term strategies.
Without staggered terms, council loses institutional knowledge and experience, which results in lost time and productivity. Staggered terms make it possible for council to carry forward initiatives and priorities and maintain stability as new members come on board.
As citizens, we must give serious consideration to longer and staggered terms so we can support a longer-term focus on the complex issues facing our city. It is up to us to remove the limitations that currently inhibit the good governance we so desperately seek. Working within the current term limitations has placed our city management and city counselors at distinct disadvantages in meeting our expectations.
I am asking you to support the referendum to allow our councilors to serve four-year staggered terms and focus more on long-term strategic priorities.
Barbara Parsons
Morgantown
For the people — not ‘for Dems’ or ‘for GOP’
Congress is now debating the For the People Act, which passed in the House (HR 1) and is now underway in the Senate (S.1). The bill aims at protecting the right to vote and making elections more secure, transparent, accessible, democratic and free from foreign interference.
Some Republicans are denouncing HR 1/S. 1 as a Democratic Party ploy, but many of its provisions are modeled on laws and rules already in practice in many states, including solidly Republican and “purple” states. Other provisions could constrain Democratic Party candidates more than Republicans. Here are some of the reasons why HR 1/S. 1 is so important:
Partisan gerrymandering of U.S. Congressional seats is destroying majority rule. HR 1/S. 1 would put independent commissions in charge of redrawing U.S. congressional districts. Such commissions already operate in Arizona and California.
Mega-donor funding for political candidates without public disclosure has grown increasingly problematic. In the past couple of election cycles, more “dark money” went to Democratic than to Republican candidates. HR 1/S. 1 would make all such contributions to any party public information.
HR 1/S. 1 would allow same-day/election-day voter registration. Twenty-one states already permit this. Automatic voter registration (AVR), another provision in HR 1/S. 1, has been adopted here in West Virginia, as well as in Alaska, Georgia and Illinois.
HR 1/S. 1 would allow no-excuse absentee voting. Twenty-nine states already do this, including Alabama, Idaho, Kansas and several other Republican-majority states.
Unfortunately, many legislators are intent on reversing course, introducing hundreds of bills aimed at suppressing the votes of those they fear will support the other party. Therefore, protection of voters’ rights is a matter of urgency. The For the People Act is not “for Democrats” or “for Republicans.” It is truly an act for the people. I urge everyone to get involved and ensure this bill becomes law.
Dee Quaranto
Fairmont
