Yesterday the Brookfield NOW newspaper reported that two Brookfield aldermen are submitting legislative referrals regarding appointment on commissions. One of the proposals specifically aims at how long aldermen should have the luxury to be on a certain commission. The alderman proposing this piece, Scott Berg, is quoted in the NOW:
Berg's referral - made Feb. 3 - looks at limiting the terms of aldermanic appointments to city committees, boards and commissions. Berg proposed that no aldermen serve more than four consecutive years on any committee.
Berg said limiting the terms would give aldermen an opportunity to "be a little more rounded and be able to better understand the issues."
"I think the real problem is that people get entrenched on committees," he said.
If limits are enacted, Berg said he would like to see them in place by November, so that those interested in running for the council in 2010 are aware of the changes.
I think Berg is 100% accurate on the fact that some elected officials end up being "entrenched" in specific commissions. Franklin has several aldermen that have dug their trenches deep, including:
- Alderman Steve Olson: Economic Development Commission & Technology Commission
- Alderman Tim Solomon: Park Commission, Licensing Committee, and Finance Committee
- Alderman Ken Skowronski: Plan Commission & Economic Development Commission
The above-named commissions had the above aldermen on them for many, many years. From what I've picked up in City Hall, the thought of potentially putting in a fresher face to move these aldermen elsewhere isn't received very well. What bugs me is the notion that if an elected official keeps getting re-elected and has already planted his/her butt in a specific commission for X number of years, the seat almost becomes something comparable to the US Supreme Court.
I believe certain commissions and committees in Franklin should have some movement with regard to who the aldermanic rep(s) are. Keeping things the same for several years doesn't really promote much of a change or "new blood" for city issues relating to those commissions and committees.
