Niagara USA Chamber and local leaders spearhead bipartisan push for four-year legislative terms in Niagara County.
Two of Niagara County top elected officials, Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski and Niagara County Treasurer Kyle Andrews have teamed up with the Niagara USA Chamber to launch the “Niagara for 4” Coalition in support of a referendum on this year’s ballot that would increase terms for county legislators to four years.
Niagara USA Executive Director Craig Turner said the chamber was getting behind the initiative because it believes the four-year term will lead to better long-term planning and ultimately better government for Niagara County taxpayers.
“When businesses put together their strategic plans, they are generally looking four to five years down the road at a minimum so the plan can actually be fully implemented, measured and adjusted where necessary,” said Turner. “Government needs to do the same, but with just two-year terms, long range planning often takes a backseat to short-term political needs. The chamber believes a four-year term for legislators would address this and ultimately produce better results for Niagara County’s business and residential taxpayers.”
Niagara County Treasurer Kyle Andrews, a former county legislator himself, agreed with the chamber’s assessment and said the perpetual campaign cycle takes away from the act of governing. “As the Treasurer, I have a four-year term and I do believe it leads to better government, continuity of service and the ability to try new ideas,” said Andrews. “My first-hand experience in the Legislature was that you have about 13 to 15 months between campaign cycles. Remember that legislators are part-time and often have other careers. The added burden of the what is known as the perpetual campaign takes away from time that could be spent focusing on other issues.”
Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski said he believes the shorter term is one of the reasons so few people run for office. “As Kyle said, we live at a time of the perpetual campaign and I believe that discourages the average citizen who works a full-time job, and has family obligations from pursuing office,” said Jastrzemski. “This has led to most local elected officials running unopposed. I believe the four-year term would encourage more people to consider running. And in that way, the four-year would actually bring more accountability to government.”
Turner said “Niagara for 4” is looking to spread the word about the benefits of the four-year term and is encouraging people to sign onto the effort. The group has set up a Facebook page called “Niagara for Four” that anyone is welcome to join and share their thoughts on the four-year term. “This is a non-partisan initiative as the resolution to put the question directly to voters passed the Legislature unanimously, the public hearing featured both Democrats and Republicans speaking in favor and our Niagara for 4 effort is chaired by Democrat Kyle Andrews and Republican Joe Jastrzemski,” said Turner. “In a time of great political division, clearly this is an issue that both sides agree on.”
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