A FOUR YEAR TERM


As I read the newspaper this week and see the people who have jumped into the arena for this years election I can't help but think that it seems like we just did this a year and half ago. Wait a minute, we did!

Every two years, voters are called upon to select their representatives for the next term. As it stands right now in Enfield, two have announced their candidacy for the public office. One is Bill Kiner who is running for the State Senate, and the other is Karen Jarmoc who is attempting to fill the seat her husband Steve is vacating this year. Both are Democrats.


There are two other incumbents that have not yet announced, but it is assumed that they will be in the race this Fall. One is State Senator John Kissel, and the other is Kathy Tallarita who currently represents the 58th District.

The Republicans will soon announce the people who will challenge Tallarita and Jarmoc.

Now let me first say that I wish all the candidates the best. Of course, I am hoping that Enfield sees a Republican victory in November, but we should admire all the candidates who are placing themselves in the arena. We also should thank Steve Jarmoc for his years of service and wish him well as he heads back to private life.

But, what I really want to discuss is the liabilities of two year terms. Two year terms do two basic things on the negative side.

One, it does not allow the elected officials time to lead without politics being involved. There is not enough time to really focus on the people's business and get things accomplished.

When I was elected to the School Board in Michigan I was blessed with a four year term. Having a four year term allowed me to move away from political maneuvering, to being a steward of my office. In reality I had at least 3 years to do my job for the citizens of that city, without contemplating my next election.

Second, with two year terms, the campaign never ends. This creates stress on the candidates, their families and the voters. It exhausts the process and makes people skeptical of the elected leader. We leave one campaign and begin another campaign just days into office.

This can also be applied to Town elected offices. Council and Board of Education members are forced to think about how their decisions will be viewed by the voters in just a few short months. I believe that less partisan politics would be played out and more would be accomplished if elected people could lead, without fear of reprisal come the next election.

Now, don't get me wrong. If our elected leaders do not perform properly we have the choice to vote them out next time. I just think that "next time" should be four years away not two years. You cannot truly gage the ability of someone in just two years. It takes months just getting settled into office and becoming familiar with the system and all the issues.

Enfield has always been blessed with quality people running for office. On both sides of the political aisle we have highly talented people who would make great Town and State Leaders. In the past few years the Republican Party in Enfield has seen an insurgence of new members, and the pool of possible candidates is astounding.

But, running can mean that the next decade of your life will be overwhelmed by being in constant campaign mode. This can stress a person and their family. It keeps some of the best and brightest from offering themselves' to run. Would that change if there were four years between elections? I believe it would!

Last, with two year terms come that constant cycle of money raising. Enfield politics, like all towns, is always having fundraiser's to pay for the campaigns that never end. If we had four year terms we would see the pressure of raising money relieved. Could this also mean that we could help more Enfield based charities? Could we find ourselves shifting from campaigning to caring for needy in our town? I believe we all have a limited amount of money to give to worthy causes. If we spread the campaigns out we could begin to see larger donations to places where it could do good, like "Riley's Hope for Tomorrow" who arestill helping Katrina victims, or maybe our own Enfield Food Shelves.

That's my view...what's your's? Email comments to GTStokessr@aol.com

Greg