Politics & Government
HdG Mayoral Term Length: Public Hearing Is Monday
What do you think the term limit should be for the mayor of Havre de Grace? The public hearing is Monday at City Hall.
HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The mayor of Havre de Grace serves a two-year term. However, a resolution under consideration by the City Council suggests changing that to three years.
On Monday, citizens of Havre de Grace are invited to share their thoughts about the proposal at a public hearing.
We asked readers to weigh in when the issue was first proposed in September.
Find out what's happening in Havre de Gracefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Here's what your neighbors said about mayoral term limits on Havre de Grace Patch:
Eight people of 12 who commented in September said they were for the current system of two years.
Find out what's happening in Havre de Gracefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Others said a longer term could strengthen Havre de Grace and its leadership.
"I intend on voting yes if the referendum is added to the ballot. This ties the directors of all departments to the Mayoral term of 3 years," Kirk Smith said, adding that "quality personnel at the directorate level are a tough find on a 2-year term and won't likely transfer unless paid even more than we are paying now."
While "2 years isn't bad," Smith continued, he said: "The first year elected you are working with the previous administration's budget, the 2nd year when the mayor has submitted the budget, on a 2-year plan, the mayor has to start campaigning again," and that means there is "no chance to truly govern as elected." Extending the term could lead to more contested elections, and "we should always have a choice," he stated.
Another citizen agreed that three years would be positive for similar reasons.
"Increasing the term adds to the stability the City needs as it moves forward," Carrie Parsons wrote. "It will hopefully provide incentive to Citizens and current Council members to seek running for office."
One person suggested an even longer term may be better.
"I think it should be a 4-year term with a limit of 2 consecutive terms," wrote Edwin Knepshield.
What do you think? Should the mayoral term be extended to three years, rather than two?
The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. on Monday at Havre de Grace City Hall, 711 Pennington Avenue, Havre de Grace.
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