MEMPHIS, Tenn. — When Memphis voters decided 14 years ago to impose term limits for city offices, they were clearly sending a message - and that message was elected office is not supposed to be a career job. I don’t think that sentiment has changed. Which means Councilman Martavius Jones is likely off base with his notion of doing away with term limits.
The Commercial Appeal reported this week that Jones plans to introduce a charter amendment – that, if approved by voters, would undo the current limit of two four-year terms for the 13 council members and possibly the mayor. Jones is now serving his second term – and cannot run again in next year’s municipal election. His reason for the amendment is that Jones believes he has gotten the hang of the job, and it’s unfair to have to leave now that he has finally hit his stride. Aside from a bit of arrogance, that explanation flies in the face of what the voters intended.
Four years is plenty of time to learn the job. And if voters reward you with a second term, be grateful and continue serving. Or do what many others have done and run for another office before the city term expires.
Either way, I don’t think voters have changed their minds. So I suggest that councilman Jones can this idea – and finish his last term concentrating on public service rather than self-service.