Darrell Doepke,
I read with interest your views on term limits in the Sonoran News January 19.
I agree that there are times when there are not enough qualified citizens willing to step forward and run for office.
In Cave Creek’s last election, out of over 3,400 eligible voters only one person chose to run. It’s the classic “I don’t know anything and I don’t care.”
To this scenario I suggest it is the job of the Mayor and Council to engage citizens in the role of government. Hold neighborhood meetings, invite people to Council meetings, encourage debate.
To your question “why term limits – is there a problem?” In Cave Creek the answer is easy. Yes. We have a council member who has been in office for over 15 years and has yet to introduce one piece of significant legislation.
It doesn’t matter if he has a bad plan – just have something you’ve thought about. In short, he’s there for status only. Another member mis-managed the Cave Creek Carefree water issue. He’s been around for 15 years also.
Time to sweep the house clean.
Finally, you correctly point out implementation difficulties. There needs to be a well orchestrated plan that retains a portion of the old Council while introducing new members.
Term limits will be a campaign issue in this election cycle. Stay tuned.
Reg Monachino
Cave Creek
