Canfield voters to consider term limits
Staff report
A proposed change in the city’s charter regarding council and mayoral terms could pave the way for a crop of new members.
Canfield city residents will be asked to vote Nov. 6 on two charter changes that, if approved, would change the length and time council members and the mayor can serve the city, said Joe Warino, city manager.
The amendments are as follows, according to the Mahoning County Board of Elections:
In November 2013, two council members will be elected to a one-time term of three years, and two-year terms thereafter, up to a maximum of three consecutive terms.
In subsequent elections, members will be elected to terms of two years with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
Beginning November 2013, the mayor will be elected to a term of three years and a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Warino said that since the city’s charter was put in place in 1970, council and the mayor have served four-year terms with no term limits.
He said a new system likely will have a negative impact on how effective council members can be.
“It takes a while for someone to understand the position itself,” he said. “Someone in a two-year term will be very limited to accomplish something they set out to do, given the system he or she has to work with.”
The proposed amendments were placed on the ballot because Frank Micchia, a city resident, circulated a petition and was gathered signatures from 10 percent of city residents who voted in the last gubernatorial election.
Micchia said previously that his intent is to bring “fresh thinking” to the board and give more residents the opportunity to serve.
Mayor William Kay, Councilman Andrew Skrobola and Councilman Dan Frazzini are in their second terms, which end at the end of 2013, Warino said.
Councilman Steve Rogers also is in his second term, though he was appointed during the first and won re-election in 2009.
John Morvay is in the first year of his first term. He was elected last November.