Politics & Government

Residents Speak Out Against Council Compensation, Unlimited Terms at University Park Public Hearing

A town committee hosted the first of its three public hearings on charter amendments regarding council compensation, term limits and other election procedures.

In addition to their regular legislative meeting Monday night, University Park's mayor and council opened the floor to residents during a public hearing hosted by the town's policy and rules committee.

About six residents showed for the hearing and even less spoke up, but of those that did— they were against unlimited terms and mayor and council compensation.

In April, former University Park mayor Harold Freeman asked council to look into paying the town's mayor, after noting the number of hours current mayor John Tabori works, attending meetings and holding office hours.

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"I’ve watched over the last several years the amount of time mayors' spend in meetings," Freeman said in April, "Our mayor is the only person [at the meetings] not on the clock."

Unlike many other neighboring municipalities, .

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At that time, council also determined that they should discuss term limits, length of terms, and the town's staggered elections at a later date.

Well, the time has arrived.

University Park's committee on policy and rules will be hosting two more public hearings on these proposed charter changes.

On Monday, however, the residents who spoke out weren't too keen on mayor or council being compensated for their time, nor did they believe they should have an unlimited number of terms.

Resident Paul Essex asked, "What has occurred in this thriving metropolis that we need to change the charter?"

"We have a mayor now that does more than his fair share to make sure University Park thrives," Ward 6 Councilman Michael Cron said.

"But that could be said about any politician," Essex responded.

Town Attorney Suellen Ferguson said that the mayor's job is full-time, even though he's a volunteer.

The job has gotten so much more demanding, Ferguson said, with unfunded mandates from federal and state governments.

However, whenever there's a movement to hire a town manager, there's resistance.

Other residents were concerned with their taxes being increased, if mayor and council is paid.

"Everytime the mayor and council passes something, it costs the tax payers money," Essex added.

Resident Linda Verrill said she was ok with getting rid of term limits for mayor, but there may be pros and cons for council.

Freeman said the council introduced the term limits to get people to vacate office and force the vote.

"It sparks more people to get involved," he added.

But Essex thinks pay will make elections more competitive.

"I will stake my existence, there's going to be cut-throat competitions," he said. "It's like with family, Joe dies, and you think the family will be OK, but then they'll cut each other for $10."

The hearings will continue on Nov. 7 and Nov. 22 and begin at 6:15 p.m. in the media center at .


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