The Lake Shore City Council voted 4-1 Monday, Aug. 24, to change the mayor’s term from two years to four years, effective with the Nov. 3 election, saying that’s in the best interest of the city.
Current council member Krista Knudsen is running unopposed for mayor in this year’s election. Current Mayor Kevin Egan did not file for re-election to a third term.
Most other area cities have two-year mayor terms, with the exception of Manhattan Beach, Hackensack and East Gull Lake - and now Lake Shore - where mayors are elected for four years, like city council members.
Council member John Terwilliger, a former mayor, cast the only vote in opposition.
“People I’ve talked to in the public are fine leaving it at two years. They feel like if there’s a problem, it’s easier to correct,” he said of leaving the mayor’s term at two years. “I feel if the mayor’s doing a good job, they should have no problem getting elected for another term.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Council member Doug Miller said that depending on issues - and Lake Shore doesn’t have many, but is currently dealing with city hall building and broadband issues - it would help to have continuity in the mayor’s position to get things done, and he believes two years is too short.
Egan said the council could vote to change the mayoral term back to two years if it eventually decided it didn’t like four-year terms.
Miller asked if the council should at some point discuss term limits, saying that could affect him because he’s been a council member for a while. City Attorney Dan Hawley said cities can’t enact term limits for council members.
Nancy Vogt may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.
