From: Thomas Heller
Columbus
The coronavirus emergency has caused the cancellation of March Madness this year. Probably something the nation can live without.
Vladimir Putin has “asked” his parliament for the freedom to hold office for another 16 years. Probably something the world can live without. Sixteen years is a long time.
Six years is a long time. That’s the term of office for a U.S. Senator. Not even a U.S. president is granted such a long term of office. (Mexico does, though.) State representatives and local electeds have terms of no more than four years before they must return before the voters.
Six years is also the term of office for local judges. Twenty-two years is a long time. Twelve years is a long time. Seven years is a long time. Those are terms of sentences recently handed down by local judges.
Eight years is a long time. That’s how long the BCSC property tax referendum will last if voters approve it this May. That seems a long time to address an emergency.
When the coronavirus emergency has subsided later this summer, keep in mind how many years your vote can place people in office, can raise taxes and can throw away the key on others in our community.
