Government expert downplays proposal to boot inadequate officials from office

Booting officials before the end of their terms almost certainly won't work, said Mitch Hoffman, government policy specialist with the state Center for Local Government Services. "I have never, ever heard of that," he said.

The city commission will write a new charter that residents will vote on in May or November. It's starting over after scuttling a proposed city manager system this past week in favor of the current strong-mayor system.

"Accountability, that is the most important thing now," said member Bob Sheridan, who supports a strong mayor.

Mr. Sheridan suggests electing a "watchdog panel" that could remove an official, or ask the courts to do so, if it is deemed legal. It might also order a recall election, he said. But recalls are unconstitutional in Pennsylvania, Mr. Hoffman said.

Pro-mayor member Charlie Spano suggests giving council the power to remove the mayor or a council member for specified serious offenses. "If the mayor is arrested tomorrow for murder, right now there is no way to get him out of office," Mr. Spano said.

Told of Mr. Hoffman's objection, Mr. Spano said the commission will listen to expert advice.

Pro-mayor members Sean Hanlon and Terry Osborne dismissed the suggestions as unrealistic.

Instead, Mr. Osborne suggests allowing residents to ask a judge to reverse a move that violates the charter.

Pro-manager members Annette Palutis and Nancy Kay Holmes said all members are eager for officials to follow the charter, but don't yet know how.

Also under consideration are:

Term limits, perhaps forcing elected officials and members of appointed boards, out of office after two consecutive terms but allowing them to run again after one term out of office.

"You will probably see term limits," said Mr. Hanlon. He is against them, but said most members believe term limits would stop politicians from making a career of government.

A deadline for mayoral appointments, to prevent the mayor from leaving positions unfilled. If the mayor didn't act within a certain time, council could make the appointment. That would prevent key jobs from going unfilled, some members said. In recent years, the mayor angered some by leaving the business administrator's job unfilled for several months, for example.

Mrs. Palutis and Mrs. Holmes expect the commission to support the proposal.

Specific education and experience qualifications for the business administrator and more independence from the mayor. Mrs. Palutis and Mrs. Holmes predict the commission will favor both ideas.

Caps on income, property and business taxes. The caps have been under discussion since the beginning and are still good ideas, said some members of the new majority.

It is too soon to say what the commission might decide, others said.

Whatever it decides, the commission must work fast, said Mrs. Holmes, the board's chairwoman. By law, the proposed new charter must be complete by May or it cannot be put on the ballot, she said.

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