Weissman Whether Forecast: Cloudy on Term Limits

Ari L. NoonanNews

Fourth in a series


Re “With ’16 Looming, Let Voters Decide on Term Limits, Weissman Says”

Andy Weissman

Andy Weissman

With City Councilman Andy Weissman due to be silenced by voters a year from April because of term limits, he says, not surprisingly:

“I wouldn’t mind having a discussion about changing term limits.”

Think you know how Mr. Weissman, the longest serving elected-and-volunteer activist, will lean?

“I don’t know that I would vote to eliminate term limits,” he says.

“I can conceptualize on the local level where change could be good.

“I am not in favor of term limits in general,” says a mid-60s gentleman who has thrived on community service.

“So I would be happy to have the discussion.”

Term limits bobbed back into public view seven weeks ago when Councilman Jeff Cooper (“Making the Case to at Least Bat Around
Term Limits Cause
”) declared against them.

“It would be a crime if Andy has to retire from office when he is in his prime,” a lifelong friend told the newspaper.

As Mr. Weissman’s pal kept talking and defending, he soon found himself in a rhetorical cul-de-sac.

“There is nothing casual about him. Andy probably is as involved intellectually as any previous Councilperson. He is heavily invested in terms of time and dealing with staff.

“On the other hand, some people think that after eight years, it is inevitable you grow stale. I can see their point. You probably have heard it all before. You become less receptive to new ideas. Soooo…”

(To be continued)