Order to Petition General Court to Adopt Legislation(Meeting of March 15, 2012) 48
Councilor Spector stated that the discussion has been to "trust the electorate" and a recall is
the election. Councilor Freeman -Daniels stated that "trust the electorate" cuts both ways;
the electorate can find another candidate. Councilor Schwartz stated that she disagreed, -
elections are the way to determine the best for the job. The emphasis here has been on a 4-
year term; many communities have 4-year term for Mayor, and it is not a radical idea. Tenn
limits are not the answer to democracy. Councilor Dwight stated that term limits are
elections; term limits implies a useless govermneni or a reactive or fail-safe way of dealing
with issues. Councilor LaBarge stated she did not agree with term limits; the Special Act
Charter Drafting Committee discussed this at several meetings which Councilor LaBarge
attended. A recall could be destructive and we should trust the voters, whether the term is 2-
years or 4-years.
Councilor Carney noted the long terms of several Western Massachusetts mayors; Mayor
Barrett was in office 24 years. Mayor Higgins won her last election by a few hundred votes.
If a mayor is not doing a good job, the voters will elect someone else. Councilor Tacy
stated he would want to pass the Charter, and there has been much time spent on this
Charter, but does not see good reasons for 4-year tenn for Mayor. Councilor Dwight stated
that many people do support the 4-year term for Mayor, and the City Council should
advocate For support of this Charter. The City Council should make our case to the public.
Councilor LaBarge stated that there should be public hearings to educate the voters.
Councilor Freeman -Daniels agreed with Councilor Dwight that Councilors should let the
voters know what the Charter's Contents are. Councilor Carney stated there have been
debates about the 4-year term for Mayor, recall, and term limits. While some Councilors
have not heard good reasons for these issues, there were many good reasons from the
Special Act Charter Drafting Committee.
The motion failed on a Roll Call vote of 6 No, 3 Yes (Councilors Adams, Freeman -
Daniels, Tacy).
Order: Petition to General Court for Approval of City Charter (2n" Reading)
Councilor Carney moved to approve the Charter, as Amended; Councilor LaBarge
seconded. The motion passed on a Roll Call vote of 7 Yes, 2 No (Councilor Freeman -
Daniels, Councilor Tacy).
The following Order passed second reading:
In City Council, March 15, 2012
Upon the recommendation of the City Council
The City Council hereby petitions the General Court to the end that the attached
legislation be adopted precisely. 71he General Court may make clerical or editorial changes
of form only to the bill, unless the mayor approves amendments to the bill before enactment
by the General Court. The mayor is hereby authorized to approve amendments H hich shall
he within the scope of the general public objectives of this petition.
Rules suspended, passed two readings and enrolled.
Updates from Updates from Council President and Committee Chairs
Council President
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Chairs
New Business I New Business
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