Term Limit Discussion Comes To Brooklyn
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The city's Charter Revision Commission took up the hot button issue of term limits at a public hearing Tuesday in Downtown Brooklyn.
It was the first of five "issue focused" meetings.
Term limits were a topic of contention during this past election season after the City Council overturned the law to allow Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run for a third term.
The Charter Revision Commission is in charge of making changes to New York's Charter, which is basically the city's constitution.
Opponents were quick to remind everyone that voters approved a two term limit in two separate referenda in the 90s. Others say officials can be term limited at the ballot box.
"I heard a profound desire by the people of this city to make the decision on term limits themselves. They had spoken twice before and then they saw their will ignored. They want a chance to right this wrong and make the decision for themselves," said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.
"I've run three times now for Borough President, and at any time the public could have said 'You're fired.' Every election allows voters to term limit out any of their elected officials," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
The panel is expected to discuss voter participation at its next meeting on June 2 at Lehman College in the Bronx.
For more information, residents are urged to visit http://nyc.gov/charter.