San Clemente City Councilmember Jim Dahl added his opinion Tuesday night to the debate about whether to impose term limits on the office of City Council or other committees and commissions, and by voting against it, put a close to the topic—for now.
Dahl sided with Mayor Lori Donchak and councilmember Joe Anderson, who both argued at the last City Council meeting that the current process of elections by the people is working, and that term limits would have a detrimental impact. Councilmembers Bob Baker and Wayne Eggleston argued for term limits, stating that they believe capping the time individuals can serve on city council will allow for “new blood and new ideas,” said Baker. Eggleston also argued that incumbents have the added advantage of name recognition during elections, unfairly skewing public opinion.
City clerk Joanne Baade had presented the five council members with details about term limits in neighboring towns and the county, noting that 62 percent of Orange County cities have some form of term limits, including Dana Point and Mission Viejo.
“The ballot box will tell you if folks approve of your leadership,” said Dahl, who is serving the start of his fourth term currently.
Resident Charles Mann, who had brought the question to City Council in July, spoke again in favor of term limits. “[Term limits] help cities be able to minimize the impact of special interest groups,” said Mann. “Incumbents have too much weight on the ballot.”
Anderson noted that since 1980 there have been 21 different city council members. Those 21 have been exposed to the possibility of election or re-election 38 times. In 11 cases, they did not re-run, and in seven cases they were not re-elected. “My point is that we’ve had a healthy amount of turnover on city council through actions of the electorate,” said Anderson, who is serving his fourth term on council. “It’s happening as it should in the normal course of events.”
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Posted by sanclementejedi
November 6, 2009, 3:20 pm
I will use all of my powers of the force to expose and stop the wanna be that claims to be of the gifted.
Posted by The Prophet
November 6, 2009, 10:05 am
Of course they did! Is this supposed to come as a surprise?!? Short of a major referendum by voters (which isn't going to happen in San Clemente) the only other thing that's going to remove these corrupt lard asses is a battalion of Marines at bayonet point.
Posted by benetheredonethat
November 6, 2009, 6:27 am
So let's see, the three council members historically supported by the San Clemente Chamber and/or OCTA (tollroad) voted against term limits. Now why are you surprised? I can tell you from first hand experience that unless one is willing to support the causes and agendas of these two organizations or, have a great deal of expendable cash, one will have a very difficult time being elected to the city council. Special interest influence San Clemente politics just like it influences state and national politics. He who is connected wins.
Posted by sanclementeJedi
November 5, 2009, 8:18 pm
below me you will see a D-bag who has attempted to steal my name on this web site.
I find it interesting how much Dahl seems to hate Mann.
Everyone hates Mann.
Posted by No for term limits
November 5, 2009, 6:21 pm
I agree with not having term limits--we have the opportunity to vote anyone out every four years. Term limits would only serve special interest groups--like Mann's.
Posted by sanclementejedi
November 5, 2009, 5:22 pm
Damn Jim Dahl and his hemorroid disabled ass. Might as well crown him king of the dipshits and let him serve for life.
Posted by wrong decision
November 5, 2009, 4:55 pm
I watched the riveting meeting on channel 30. I find it interesting how much Dahl seems to hate Mann. He seemed to really take it personal and added some inappropriate comments in. Well he clearly stated he is not running again, so he will be gone soon.
Posted by Don
November 5, 2009, 4:41 pm
Why not term limits and the vote? More of the same SC politicians that will do and say anything to remain in power. How about the old blood sitting in council, only took 30yrs to get a sidewalk for the High School kids to walk down main street (Palizada) and get out of the mud and utility projections. I don't think this city can afford the time frames some of you call the normal course of events.
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I will use all of my powers of the force to expose and stop the wanna be that claims to be of the gifted.
Of course they did! Is this supposed to come as a surprise?!? Short of a major referendum by voters (which isn't going to happen in San Clemente) the only other thing that's going to remove these corrupt lard asses is a battalion of Marines at bayonet point.
So let's see, the three council members historically supported by the San Clemente Chamber and/or OCTA (tollroad) voted against term limits. Now why are you surprised? I can tell you from first hand experience that unless one is willing to support the causes and agendas of these two organizations or, have a great deal of expendable cash, one will have a very difficult time being elected to the city council. Special interest influence San Clemente politics just like it influences state and national politics. He who is connected wins.
below me you will see a D-bag who has attempted to steal my name on this web site.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
I find it interesting how much Dahl seems to hate Mann.
Everyone hates Mann.
I agree with not having term limits--we have the opportunity to vote anyone out every four years. Term limits would only serve special interest groups--like Mann's.
Damn Jim Dahl and his hemorroid disabled ass. Might as well crown him king of the dipshits and let him serve for life.
I watched the riveting meeting on channel 30. I find it interesting how much Dahl seems to hate Mann. He seemed to really take it personal and added some inappropriate comments in. Well he clearly stated he is not running again, so he will be gone soon.
Why not term limits and the vote? More of the same SC politicians that will do and say anything to remain in power. How about the old blood sitting in council, only took 30yrs to get a sidewalk for the High School kids to walk down main street (Palizada) and get out of the mud and utility projections. I don't think this city can afford the time frames some of you call the normal course of events.