City Council Gives OK to Term Limits

Washington, LoBue, Messina Vote Yes, DeJohn, Moak No

CENTRAL — The Central City Council Tuesday night voted to establish terms for Mayor, Police Chief, and City Council.

Beginning July 1, 2014, these public officials would be limited to three four-year terms.  If an official served two years or more of a unexpired term, that would count as a full four-year term.

The vote was 3-2.  Voting Yes were Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington and Councilmen Tony LoBue and Wayne Messina.  Voting No were Councilmen Louis DeJohn and Aaron Moak.  DeJohn and Moak offered motions to reduce term limits to eight years and to make them retroactive, but these motions were defeated 3-2.

The ordinance tracks the Louisiana Constitution which provides term limits of 12 years for state legislators.  That requirement too was prospective only.