Paging Mayor Thornton, Mayor Peak & Mayor Garza. Interested in an Encore?
T.J. Connolly
Shortly after May’s Venue Tax election, voters will again be invited to go back to the polls for November’s General Election and to vote not only on our next President, but also on extending term limits at San Antonio City Hall.
This has been tried twice before, and both times it failed by 2-to-1 margins. But never before has the charge been led by someone the likes of Mayor Phil Hardberger who continues to enjoy a better than 2-to-1 approval rating. In fact, if term limits had already been changed, Mayor Hardberger could continue to serve as long as he would like. Not since Mayor Henry Cisneros served as Mayor has a Mayor of San Antonio enjoyed such high and sustained approval ratings.
Rumors have the proposed Charter change this coming November to call for lifting the current 2-year 2-term limit to 4 two-year terms. Mayor Hardberger has already made clear, to the disappointment of many, that this change will NOT apply to him. Come June of 2009, he and First Lady Linda are heading for their yacht and the open seas that await them. Something they have put off while Hardberger has been serving the City as Mayor the past four years.
Interestingly, if the term limits changes were to pass, the 2009 race for Mayor may not be limited to the three most mentioned candidates: 2005 runner-up Julian Castro, current District 8 City Councilwoman Diane Cibrian and businessman and philanthropist Gordon Hartman. In fact, former Mayors Bill Thornton, Howard Peak and Ed Garza could throw their hats in the ring. Mayors Peak and Garza only served two terms. Mayor Thornton, only one. They all could serve more terms. Of these three, former Mayor Howard Peak would likely be the strongest candidate. But after serving on the City Council and two terms as Mayor, Peak has launched a successful career at AT&T. Would he want to step down from that comfortable perch to try for two more terms at City Hall?
What is clear is that the term limit changes are needed. Two terms of two years is too little.
And this change could throw the 2009 race for Mayor wide open. Other names not mentioned would also take a look at the Mayor’s office if the Mayor has an opportunity to serve 8 years rather than just 4 years. So much more can be accomplished if you have 8 years to contribute.
Time will tell who actually runs for Mayor, but the time has come to extend their terms.
