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Way We Used to Think

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Paul Jacobs. Photo: www.culvercity100.org

[Editor’s Note: In the spirit of the recent community discussion of term limits, here is a 1988 Los Angeles Times report on the City Hall attitude toward term limits six years before voters endorsed them.] 

The City Council recently defeated proposals by new Councilmen Steven Gourley and Jim Boulgarides to limit Council and commission members to two terms in office.

Mr. Gourley, following up on a campaign promise, said that multiple terms in office breed arrogance and increase distance from the community.

He proposed a ballot initiative to allow voters to decide whether to limit the number of consecutive terms a council member can serve to two.

But Mayor Paul Jacobs, a Councilman serving his fourth term, said that every time a Council member seeks reelection, voters have the option of removing him or her from office.

First-term Councilwoman Jozelle Smith, who has changed her campaign position favoring a two-term limit, agreed with Mr. Jacobs.

“We do a disservice to the city when we mandate that a qualified person step down after two terms,” she said.

Mr. Jacobs, Ms. Smith and Councilman Richard Alexander voted against the measure.

A similar proposal by Mr. Boulgarides to limit commission members to two consecutive terms also was defeated, 3-2.

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