Vasco A. Smith, Jr. County Administration Building • (901) 222-2300
160 North Main Street Memphis TN 38103
So Commissioners Bailey, Ford, and Van Turner want to remove term limits for the commission and 5 other elected offices including the sheriff.
Reasons for wanting this are of course born of the noblest intentions
1 Uniformity of government
2. The State doesn't have term limits so why should we?
3. The Congress doesn't have term limits so why should we?
Wow! Pretty noble indeed! Although, most voters I would guess think term limits are a great idea and part of the problem with the state government and Congress is because they don't have term limits, they have learned to game the system and use the system to keep out newbies who might come in and upset the status quo.
Word to our noble commissioners...You are not indispensable and the government will will function without your brilliance...uniformly or not. My response on the state and federal governments not having term limits is to raise the bar. Let's enact term limits for them too so that all three branches are uniform.
This is your government in action and if you want to be a part of the consent of the governed ...here is a great chance to do that. Attending the meeting is one of the most influential things you can do but if you can't attend then at least call 222-1000 and speak to or leave a message with your commissioner or find their email here and let them know how you feel ...
Perhaps send a shout out to Commissioners, Shafer, Chism, Reaves, Billingsly, Basar and Roland for all voting no on this during the 1st reading. Monday's reading will be the 2nd and this won't be final until it's voted down on the 3rd reading at the following commission meeting.
Your leaders don't just need to hear from you when you are up in arms about something they voted on, they also need support from you when they are voting the right way...even when it's a no-brainer. They have so much pressure on them it's like a release valve. So make tomorrow thank a commissioner Monday and give them the props they deserve.
Full agenda can be seen here...