Dunkirk Common Council is again taking on an issue that means nothing when it comes to bettering the quality of life in the city. Certain members, for some unknown reason, want to extend the elected terms of the treasurer and assessor from four to six years.
Seriously? This is their big push?
Take a look around. While there have been improvements along the waterfront and in portions of downtown, what has this council done to make Dunkirk more appealing?
Absolutely nothing.
Now, council wants to extend the terms for two positions that in this day and age do not need to be decided on by voters. These two posts should be appointed by the mayor with council being able to rubber-stamp the decision.
One resident was correct to question the plan. “If we extend these positions to six-year terms, what recall ability do the citizens or the council have … if the person who was elected doesn’t have the ability or has some nefarious intentions within that?” Paul Sommerfelt asked during the public comments portion of last week’s meeting. “It seems like we’d be stuck with someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, or plans to do evil, for six years rather than just two years.”
There is no reason to extend the terms for these positions. But this is where this version of Dunkirk’s council excels. It takes on irrelevant issues to appear as though they are working for progress. This action would do exactly the opposite.