When it comes to limiting the number of terms a political position may serve, does it ensure that corruption will not take place, or by doing so, do the voters give up the opportunity to vote on a candidate they feel most qualified? Therein lies the question. North Royalton Council will be voting in September whether to pose the question to North Royalton voters.
Legislation was introduced at the July 17 City Council meeting that could place the question of removing the term limits on the positions of Mayor, Council President and City Council members. If this legislation is approved, the question will then be placed to the voters via the November ballot.
In 1995, North Royalton voters approved term limits of two, four year terms each for Mayor and President of Council and four, two year terms for City Council members, for a total of eight years for each position. In 2008, voters then approved a term limit measure that increased the terms of Mayor and Council President to three terms each and six terms for City Council members for a total of twelve years.
The notion of term limits is not a new one. According to the congressional website, “in 1789, Representative Thomas Tucker offered the first term limits proposal: a 1-year Senate term limited to 5 years in any 6-year period and a 2-year House term limited to 6 years in any 8-year period. Tucker’s motion to refer the proposal to the Committee of the Whole was defeated August 18, 1789.” In 1995, the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that in the absence of a constitutional amendment, states nor Congress can limit the number of terms that members of Congress can serve. In 1992, the Ohio State Legislative Term Limits Amendment was on the November ballot as a constitutional amendment, where it was approved. The measure established term limits of 8 years for members of the Ohio State Legislature.
Presently, City Council members have a variety of terms left. Ward 1 Councilman John Nickell, Ward 2 Councilman Gary Petrusky and Ward 6 Councilman Dan Kasaris are serving their last term. Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck has one term remaining. Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw has three terms left and Ward 6 Councilman Cheryl Hannon has five terms. Voters will vote in new Council members in 2019.
Council members voiced a variety of opinions for and against the measure. What they did agree upon, was that they are guided by their constituents. Residents are asked to contact their Council members to voice their opinion as to whether they would like to see the question placed on the November ballot.

President of Council Larry Antoskiewicz
councilpres@northroyalton.org
440-554-6095

Ward 1 John Nickell
ward1@northroyalton.org
440-539-4762

Ward 2 Gary Petrusky
ward2@northroyalton.org
440-897-8759

Ward 3 Daniel Langshaw
ward3@northroyalton.org
440-785-4240

Ward 4 Paul Marnecheck
ward4@northroyalton.org
440-539-4636

Ward 5 Cheryl Hannan
ward5@northroyalton.org
440-665-6683

Ward 6 Daniel Kasaris
ward6@northroyalton.org
440-305-4226

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer