On Tuesday Oct. 3, there will be a referendum for the registered voters of Manorhaven.
This referendum authorized by the Village of Manorhaven Trustees, seeks to change the two-year term of office for the Mayor, beginning with the June 2018 election, to a four-year term.
The current mayor, Jim Avena, has stated that campaigning for re-election, after fulfilling the office after 20 months would be a burden.
He also stated that a four-year term would provide continuity for completions of longer term projects.
I ask the voters of Manorhaven to reject this proposal by voting no on Oct. 3.
First I want to say that this is not a reflection of Mayor Jim Avena’s current term of office.
Only that you keep in mind the impact of a 4 year term of office for all future mayoral candidates.
Let me share some perspectives with you for your consideration.
There will be no accountability to the residents from the mayor after 2 years or an opportunity to evaluate the mayor’s performances at the end of two years.
If performances are negative, we would have to tolerate an ineffective mayor for two more years for a total of four years.
Accountability is indeed a very important factor and to be denied that right is contrary to effective communication to the residents.
Evaluation of job performance at the end of two years is standard in government for certain elected official.
Our state senators and state assemblyman must prove to their constituents after two years that they are worthy of re-election.
Their campaign for re-election is the method of communicating and being evaluated by the constituents. Positive performance begets re-election.
Why not continue with the two-year term limit that has been in effect since the beginning of incorporation of the Village of Manorhaven in 1930.
It has worked all these years, why change now?
Do you have any idea now what future candidates for the office of mayor will posses in character, integrity and abilities?
Why would you want to commit to an unknown a four-year term? That is what you would be doing if the term limit is changed to four years.
How many times have you listened to candidates for office make promises for change to get elected?
If your expectations are not met from the candidate, you will have to wait four years to vote the mayor out of office.
That is not very wise!
Campaigning to seek re-election is an excellent opportunity for the mayor to go out and meet the residents of the village after two years and share with them their objectives.
It also gives the residents a chance to express their views and concerns. There is nothing better than face to face.
Please come out to vote on Tuesday Oct. 3 and vote no that will keep the term limit for mayor to a two-year term.
Rudy Santo
Port Washington
