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Mayor urges longer terms Page 1 of 2 Posted on Mon, Jan. 09, 2006 Mayor urges longer terms He wants to boost It to four years from two BY ALEX PRIEDRICH Pioneer Press Contending that longer -serving mayors are more effective, Forest Lake Mayor Terry Smith wants to lengthen the term from two years to four. He wants the city's mayors to serve as long as those In other large communities and says the change would make his city's government more stable. When Forest Lake City Council members meet tonight, they'll discuss his proposal, which wouldn't go into effect until voters choose a mayor in November. "There needs to be some continuity ... some vision ... In leadership," Smith said. Critics of the change, though, say the shorter terms assure voters they, not political donors, have control. If they like a mayor's efforts, they will re-elect him or her, Council Member Susan Young said. The leaders of Washington County's four largest cities have four years to make their mark before elections roll around. Even the four council members in Forest Lake, the county's fifth -largest. community, get four years. Lake Elmo also is considering such an extension. And California political scientist Shaun Bowler said one survey showed 45 percent of American cities have four-year mayors, whereas 30 percent have two-year mayors. The reason for Forest Lake's shorter term? Accountability, perhaps. The system is set up so residents can kick out a majority of the council every two years if they're unhappy. That possibility "keeps government closer to citizens," said Council Member Judy Bull. But that means new mayors scramble. By the time they learn how to be chief and get their projects rolling, it's already time to start running for re-election. Smith contends that's a costly distraction for a mayor, who can't devote enough time to projects that might take years to prove successful. That's especially true when a mayor is voted In to help change the policies of the previous administration. It can take longer than two years to reverse course, he said. He also believes constant changes on the council could throw city staff Into disarray. "It's very difficult to accomplish any (long-term) initiatives in a two-year period," Smith said. He's not alone in his thinking. Bowler, a University of California -Riverside professor who studies local elections, said two- year terms might just reflect "the triumph of running over governing." Such terms might have been sufficient for colonial America and Its simpler agrarian society, he said. But with today's budget cycles, union contract negotiations and complex infrastructure projects, "maybe you need a little longer learning curve." Council Member Dick Tschida supports the idea, and Council Member Rick Ashbach says he questions It but remains open. But Bull sounded skeptical. And Young opposed the idea, suggesting it could strengthen the influence of campaign contributions. http://www.twincities.comllnldltwincitieslnews/local113580921.htm?template=contentMo... 1/12/2006