I have always supported longer terms. The council has voted to change the length of the council terms in the past to three years, but there are always those that are afraid of change and rally the forces against it. The last plan was to have three year staggered terms for council and the mayor. Three council elected the first year, three the second year and the Mayor the third year running for a three year term. This would allow all the councilmember's to run for mayor without giving up their seats. Another proposal I would support is to have more voting places. I have suggested moving the election date to the November General election. The Board of Elections could prepair special ballots for Havre de Grace only voters not everyone in district 6. More people come out for the big elections, where I believe many people forget about the city election. The object here is to get the vote out and make it convenient for the voters. Those running for office would have to work harder by manning more voting locations. I'm not sure in district elections are needed. Maybe an elected Council President to preside over the City Council meeting.

I cannot let this go by without expressing my views on the subject. Starting with the terms, I absolutely believe that 2 year terms do not serve the citizens well. I have long been a supporter of longer terms. Space here does not allow for explaining the many reasons that I believe this. I do believe that the time has come for the creation of Council Districts. I would favor 4 members elected by district and 2 at large. As was stated above there are pros and cons, one con being that there could be an election that one or more districts did not have anyone interested in running for Council. This could result in someone that really did not have the passion and interest in running, being talked into it and then not putting forth the effort to properly represent the citizens. I also believe that we should have more separation between the Executive and the Legislative branches of our City Government. I would like to see the Council President elected at large and sit as the presiding officer of the meetings of the City Council. Again not room for the multitude of reasons I think these changes would better serve our citizens. These are not new ideas, we discussed these topics at length in 1997 when I chaired the Charter Review Task Force. Although we brought forth many changes that updated many sections of the Charter, it was felt at that time, that the City had not grown enough to need those changes. However, I think it is now time to seriously consider at least some of them.

Fred and Jim, I absolutely agree. Especially as the city grows I think it is important that all parts of the city be represented. And two years is not long enough, even though it's not in my best interest since I get business every year from these elections. Plus moving election day to match up with state or federal elections would get more people out to vote. It's embarrassing the turnout we get on our local elections. (And to Kareem your comment makes no sense. Number one, Jim and Fred's comment were not condescending and if the terms were longer they'd have to wait longer before they could run again.) I'd be interested to learn how we can get this to referendum.

Why don't we add term limits into the discussion?

This matter is one that has come up time and time again in the past and is certainly worth a meritorious discussion. Although there are several reasons on both sides of the issue to be considered, it doesn't serve the public or the civility of discussion to impugn the integrity of those making either case. Our founding fathers considered legislator's terms extremely carefully and the bicameral solution they codified in the Constitution takes into consideration many of the factors identified in these brief posts and many that are not.
Regarding in-district elections, I would hesitate to support any system that would encourage a small city such as HdG to be divided along lines of neighborhoods, class or some other political identity. Representation in HdG should be global and identity politics, while, unfortunately, ever-present on a national level, should have no foothold in our fair city.

A comment from Kareem N Mikoffee was deleted for violation of the terms of use. -Sean

OK, Kareem N Mikoffee's comment was rude and showed no class. I agree that it should have been taken down. And with a name like that it obviously was a fake name. But I can't help but ponder the other predominant fake name on the Patch: Hans the III Prince of Lechtinstien. That person continually insults people and never has his posts deleted. He has called the current mayor of Havre de Grace stupid and other insults many times and his post never get deleted. So....what's the fundamental difference between calling the mayor stupid and calling two councilmen election losers? Both comments in that nature are inappropriate and should be deleted. Or, if truth be told, maybe the mayor is stupid and the two councilmen are election winners.....not losers....and the Patch knows something we don't.

The council members are indeed elections losers and as long time politicians they both saw their future was to be voted out. How much more time does the guy want in office? Let's see what the new blood brings to the table.

Mayor Wayne Doughtery likes the status quo of the current council and mayoral terms. It keeps him in power, which is in my opinion a travesty since Wayne's leadership or lack thereof has hurt the citizens and taxpayers,

Besides who likes attending council meetings and having to endure Wayne Doughtery's perpetual election campaign awards ceremonies? I suggest if Wayne wants to have monthly awards ceremonies pick another date and keep council meetings strictly business. Oh and Wayne people don't like your cute jokes when giving out awards...we've heard them all and they weren't funny the first time you said them.

I believe 2 years is too short just based on observations on the speed of decision making and getting things done Members aren't appointed, they are voted in. I don't really see the downside of longer terms as long as they are staggered. Term limits? Sure the voting process in and of itself should take care of that.

well i never voted for people in havre de grace, because I never knew when the election came or who was running until the last minute. can you exolain why, I live in the village.

why was the question so inappropriate, its the truth. can anyone explain it? also I need to know where do you get the ballots to vote from home is you are diaable?

Elections in Havre de grace have been held on the First Tuesday after the First Monday in May for many years. Absentee ballots can be obtained from the County Election Board in Forest Hill. What Village do you live in?? If you live in Webster Village you cannot vote in the city elections.