By Pat Doody
Tehachapi City Council update
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Mayor Ed Grimes and Councilman Phil Smith weigh in on the discussion of term limits as well as other issues.
With a vote of 3-2, the City Council defeated a proposal by newly elected City Councilman Kenneth Hetge requesting that the City draft an ordinance limiting the number of years a citizen can serve on the City Council. His proposal included a lifetime limit of three terms or 12 years of total service, stating that this would mirror the 2012 California state proposition supporting term limits. Mayor Grimes added that the 2012 proposition exempted any official sitting at the time of the vote.
During the discussion, Councilman Phil Smith reminded everyone that elected state officials are paid and the Tehachapi city council is basically a volunteer position. By instituting term limits "you're denying the public the right to re-elect their choice," said Smith.
Mayor Pro tem Susan Wiggins pointed out the important work that the council members do on various state and county committees during their years of service. Mayor Grimes added that it was through Phil Smith's years of work with the Kern Council of Governments that Tehachapi received the funds needed to complete Challenger Drive. All of the Tehachapi council members participate on outside committees. As a point of interest, he also added that, at this time he and Phil Smith are the only two council members who were raised in Tehachapi. "Term limits are set by the voters," said Grimes.
Hetge had requested discussion on two other matters but they were dropped when his questions were answered to his satisfaction. One involved the City investment policy and the other a requested an ordinance providing for rescue of a distressed animal confined in a locked residence. Police Chief Kent Kroeger said that there is a procedure in place for animal rescue and he would be sure to share that information with other local agencies.
The Council approved another four year term on the board of Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District for Craig Miflin of Lehigh Southwest Cement. Miflin's term expired on Feb. 3, 2017. He had been serving as President of the TVRPD Board and was the only applicant to fill the seat. "I have tried to serve Tehachapi well," said Miflin, "and with the Council's approval, I would like to continue on the TVRPD Board." He then commended TVRPD General Manager LeAnn Williams for her vision and leadership of the District.
