MONTICELLO – The Sullivan
County Legislature is far from endorsing any firm conclusions based on
the Charter Review Commission recommendations.
After a two-year study, the commission recommended, among other things,
staggered terms for the county legislators. Historically, all nine have
been on the ballot once every four years.
That’s not unlike other Hudson Valley counties, who elect their
entire legislatures every two years. The concern in Sullivan is opening
the legislature to a “clean sweep.” In the past two elections,
six of the nine seats did turn over.
The initial expectation was a five-four schedule; five seats would be
on the ballot in one election year. The other four, two years later. Terms
would be for four years.
In an informal show of hands, requested by County Attorney Cheryl McCausland
during Thursday’s Executive Committee meeting, lawmakers seemed
to like the idea of a four-year cycle with three seats on the ballot in
years one, two and three, and no election in the fourth year. Terms would
still be for four years.
McCausland said which districts would be on the ballot in each of the
three election years would likely be determined, initially, by a random
and blind method.
The enthusiasm level among legislators was not exceptionally high. Ira
Steingart worried it may look like they were doing some early “picking
and choosing” among specific Charter Commission recommendations,
rather they weighing the entire report. Other legislators noted the idea
of staggered terms is not new and predates the Charter Commission.
Thursday’s discussion was informal. McCausland said she would draft
a resolution, for the August meeting, to hold two public hearings in September,
and possibly vote in October.
