Protests by one…
By Philip Newman
Shouts of outrage overcame the roar of traffic outside City Hall and escalated into hostile exchanges, including a dust-up between two Queens politicians, during demonstrations last week against an attempt to overturn term limits.
Protests by one activist group after another on the steps of City Hall Feb. 7 came as a bill to repeal term limits was introduced by 22 city council members inside council chambers.
“We hoped some shred of respect for the voters would keep the politicians in check,” said Jeanine Kemm, director of New Yorkers for Term Limits. “But now, some career council members are willing to do anything to save their $90,000-a-year jobs.”
Co-chairmen Anthony Miranda and Hiram Monserrate of Corona of the Voters Coalition to Defend Democracy in NYC struggled valiantly to keep order on the steps of City Hall as many determined demonstrators tried to speak.
While the coalition proclaimed the demonstration one of protest against the abolition of term limits, many of the protesters also used the occasion to campaign for council offices they are seeking.
Speakers accused those striving to reverse term limits of trying to thwart the will of the more than 1 million voters who approved term limits in two referendums in 1993 and 1996. Some threatened lawsuits even if abolition of term limits was approved by the City Council.
‘This is New York, not Florida,” said Miranda in reference to what some observers believe was disenfranchisement of many voters in that state in the 2000 presidential election.
Inside City Hall, the controversy generated a turbulent atmosphere, including an intemperate encounter between Queens political activist Joyce Shepard of Bay Terrace, a candidate for the Council, and Councilwoman Helen Marshall (D-East Elmhurst).
Shepard said proponents of ending term limits were “thieves” who had no respect for democracy. Marshall, who supported overturning of term limits, suggested she had done more for the city than Shepard, who is president of the Citizens Action Committee for Change.
Several people who proclaimed themselves opposed to term limits nevertheless spoke out in their favor, including City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D-Astoria).
“I have long been opposed to term limits, but the voters have spoken in this case and overturning term limits by legislation does not seem appropriate,” Vallone said. He has also questioned whether legislation abolishing term limits would pass a legal test.
Others opposed in principle to term limits said such a change should be made gradually lest the loss of so many experienced legislators at once cause problems to the structure of the Council. Queens is the only borough that will lose its entire council delegation next year because of term limits.
Among speakers and supporters advocating term limits were Norman Siegel of the American Civil Liberties Union; Carolyn Younger of South Jamaica, president of Black Families International; Martha Flores-Vasquez of the Flushing Block Association; and John Baxter of Rockaway Beach, state committeeman of the Queens Independence Party.
Besides the Voters Coalition, demonstrations were held on the City Hall steps by New Yorkers for Term Limits, Northern Manhattan Democrats for Change, Independence Party of New York, the New York Civil Rights Coalition and Northern Manhattan Democrats for Change.
As things now stand, 35 of the 51 members of the City Council cannot seek re-election this year.
The issue of whether term limits shall be reversed is far from decided.
The bill to overturn term limits was introduced before a council subcommittee Feb. 7. Hearings were to follow and a final vote on the measure before the full Council might not be held for more than a month.
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani signaled this week he might sign the bill to overturn term limits should it pass but only if the City Council modified proposed legislation on campaign finance, which the mayor opposes. Giuliani said, however, he would oppose completely any legislation freeing borough presidents from term limits.
Voters in 1993 and 1996 approved limiting office holders to two consecutive terms.
The Council members from Queens who were among the 22 who sponsored the bill to abolish term limits include John Sabini (D- Jackson Heights), Helen Marshall (D-East Elmhurst), Juanita Watkins (D-Laurelton), Walter McCaffrey (D-Woodside, Julia Harrison (D-Flushing), Thomas White (D-Jamaica) and Alfonse Stabile (R-Ozone Park).
Political observers said the loss of Queens’ entire council delegation could diminish the borough’s power and influence.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
