Editor,
I am writing this letter in strong support of the Adams County Ballot Question 1A on whether or not the voters should have their rights partially restored to extend county elected officials’ terms from two to three terms.
To begin with, I don’t believe in term limits at all because they are so illogical to me. A business would be insane to have such a policy. We should know enough – and care enough – to keep the excellent public servants who want to continue and vote out those who aren’t up to snuff. So I worry about the institutional knowledge lost as those elected are forced out just when they are at full stride.
And I worry about our rights to vote for whomever, whenever we choose. One size simply does not fit all situations.
Additionally, I don’t like the fact that term limits unintentionally shift too much power to staff members since they become the tutors of the newly elected as the churn continues. Staff’s job is to execute the will of elected officials, not to both guide policy issues and then execute the same.
If a third term was strongly supported by voters in recent elections in both Weld and Arapahoe counties, then why not here for the good people of Adams County?
Lastly, in this bitter economic climate, why be forced to switch horses in mid-stream in a well run county if the majority agrees? For all of these reasons, I will be voting yes on 1A so that the voters’ rights on choice can be restored.
Bill Becker
Thornton