Proposition on Clinton County ballot

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October 29, 2009

Aim of measure is to keep some experience on board

By JOE LoTEMPLIO The Press Republican Thu Oct 29, 2009, 11:28 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Voters will decide Tuesday whether they want to stagger the terms of office for the 10 Clinton County legislators.

A proposition on the ballot calls for five of the 10 terms to be staggered every two years, instead of having all 10 legislators run every four years.

If approved, all 10 current legislators will run in 2011, but the five from even-numbered areas will be running for two-year terms instead of four-year terms.

In 2013, the even-numbered areas will run again for a four-year term.

The odd-numbered areas will run for another four-year term in 2015, ensuring that only five seats will be up for re-election every two years.

Legislators agreed to put the idea on the ballot because they were concerned that if all 10 continued to run together, the county could be faced with a situation where all 10 legislators could be new, leaving no experience.

"Other governments do it this way, and to me this just makes sense," Legislature Chairman Jimmy Langley (R-Area 7, Peru) said this week.

Legislators had considered putting another proposition on the ballot to eliminate term limits, but that idea failed to gain the necessary support.

Term limits were instituted in 1996 and allow for legislators to serve only up to 12 consecutive years.

Under that rule, Legislators Sam Trombley (R-Area 2, Ellenburg) and Keith Defayette (R-Area 5, Schuyler Falls) would not be able to run again in 2011.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com