Hey, there! Log in / Register
Yoon: Won't serve past his freshness date
By adamg on Mon, 07/13/2009 - 8:09am
Mayoral hopeful Sam Yoon is celebrating Tom Menino's reign by vowing to serve no more than two terms as mayor - just like Menino once did:
If eight years is long enough for the President of the United States, then it should be long enough for the Mayor of Boston. Politicians, just like everything else, have a shelf life. After two terms, staleness begins to creep into administrations. Term limits ensure fresh leadership and a healthier democracy.
Neighborhoods:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
The entire press release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2009
Contact: Jordan Newman
(617) 455-7948
Yoon Calls For Term Limits As Menino Becomes Boston's Longest-Serving Mayor
"The Era of Machine Politics is Over"
BOSTON - City Councilor-at-Large and mayoral candidate Sam Yoon pledged today to serve no more than two terms if elected mayor and announced support for mandatory term limits for Boston mayor. The announcement comes as Thomas Menino becomes the longest-serving mayor in Boston history.
"If eight years is long enough for the President of the United States, then it should be long enough for the Mayor of Boston," said Yoon. "Politicians, just like everything else, have a shelf life. After two terms, staleness begins to creep into administrations. Term limits ensure fresh leadership and a healthier democracy."
Since 1968, there have been 10 U.S. presidents, 5 popes, and only 3 Boston mayors.
Yoon said term limits would increase the productivity of the mayor's office.
"If a mayor had a set time of eight years to carry out his or her agenda, there would be more done and more accomplished in the mayor's office. There needs to be a sense of urgency in city government," added Yoon.
Other cities like Philadelphia and New Orleans have instituted term limits for their mayors – a move that has increased competitive elections and created more innovative government.
"The era of machine politics is over," said Yoon. "In the 21st Century, we do not need mayors who become institutions and use the power of their office to build a patronage system that ensures their re-election every four years."
Term limits could be implemented through a home rule petition in the state legislature or ballot initiative. Yoon is looking into both options.
# # #
Paid for by The Committee to Elect Sam Yoon.
YES
Bring on term limits. That's reform that we need in Boston. Think of the transformation of city government if we had leaders change every eight years at least. Another great idea from Sam Yoon - he is quickly becoming the candidate of ideas in this race.
Not exactly a new idea
McCrea supported this back in January (I believe somewhere along the lines he supported a debate between two or three terms).
http://electkevin.blogspot.com/2009/01/some-of-wha...
So another case ...
Of Yoon and/or Flaherty borrowing ideas from McCrea?
I'd call it something else
Recognition that Kevin showed early and good judgment. Personally I don't vote on ideas - they come from everywhere (Sam actually has lots of good ideas). I vote on the person I think shows good judgment and common sense - which is why I usually prefer businesspeople over politicians. I'm still ticked at Romney for abandoning the state and badmouthing us in his run for Prez - but the guy did get a few good things done in spite of our generally psychotic (and as we now know at least allegedly corrupt) legislature.
John Tobin has filed a term
John Tobin has filed a term limits ordinance before as well.
Sam Yoon needs a history lesson
Gin Dumcius reports Yoon got the number of both presidents and popes from 1968 until now wrong.
Doesn't change the fact...
That Menino has been mayor for far too long. Bring in Term Limits. It's the way to end machine politics and to ensure a vibrant government in Boston.
Of course not
He wants to be governor next, it's an easy promise for him to make.
Running for Mayor
Yoon seems uniquely focused on becoming the next mayor of Boston to me. He is the one bringing new ideas and fresh thinking to the race. That's an easy claim for you to make...having something to back it up is not so easy, of course.
Sam Yoon has done nothing
Sam Yoon has done nothing for the city of Boston in four years. This guy is always looking for the next thing. He's a fraud.
Record
Not true - Sam Yoon has an impressive record as City Councilor At-Large in Boston. Go to his web site and see for yourself. These baseless allegations are more lies from the Menino / Flaherty old-school machines.
how many pols have kept/broken term limits pledge?
Wondering how many candidates have kept vs. broken a term limits pledge once elected. Suspecting that more have broken it than kept it.
All in all terms limits are a good idea, but there are legit arguments for the other side. I've gone back and forth on this one...
In Yoon's case, I don't think this is an act of selflessness. I agree with another poster that he'd probably have his sights set on higher office. That's not necessarily bad thing, but it does impact the way I look at this news release: He's got little to lose by pitching it.
Now, if he also started talking about terms limits for council members and state legislators, THEN he'd be taking a principled stand with a real political risk.