Batavia alderman cool on term-limit proposal

If you think Batavia aldermen and mayors should have term limits, it may be up to you to do something about it.

Aldermen Tuesday were cool to the idea of the city's putting a term-limit referendum on an upcoming ballot. But most said they would accept it if voters placed a referendum on the ballot and passed it.

The idea was brought up by first-term Alderman Mark Uher. He said he has been thinking about pushing for term limits for elected state and federal officials, but felt he would be a hypocrite if he didn't do the same locally.

He suggested a three- to four-term limit. City officials serve 4-year terms.

"This did not come out of any disrespect for anybody who has served the city council for many years," Uher said, mentioning Mayor Jeff Schielke and Alderman Dave Brown. Schielke has been mayor since 1981. Brown has been on the council since 1997.

Alderman Susan Stark, who is in her seventh year on the council, said that "legislative fatigue" can set in, but city government is different from other levels. For one thing, they are not paid as much. It isn't a full-time job.

"When you put things like this out to the public ... they lump all politicians in the same pie," she said. At the council level, it is useful to have people with "history," she added.

Alderman Dan Chanzit, a council member since 2010, said term limits could lead to inconsistent policies, and a lack of accountability.

"Each individual election should be its own term limit," second-term Alderman Marty Callahan added. "You are kind of limiting people's choices when you have term limits."

He also pointed out there has been significant turnover since he first was elected in 2013, with more than 20 people serving alongside him on the 14-member council.

Stark said she does not intend to seek another term, and Chanzit said he probably won't run again either. Brown previously has hinted this may be his last term. All three have terms expiring in April 2019.

Alderman Michael O'Brien, who has been on the council since 2009, was the exception when it comes to residents petitioning for a referendum.

"I am so opposed to referendums," he said. The city has been "scarred," he said, when people have circulated what he called "misinformation." He referred to referendums that shot down building a second bridge, building a downtown recreation center, and removing the north dam.

"When they (residents) are voting, they don't do the reading and the preparation that everyone at this table does," O'Brien said.