Term-Limit Petition Will Be Submitted

Thu., Aug. 4, 1994

From Staff Reports

An initiative petition to set term limits for Spokane’s future mayors and City Council members is to be submitted today to the City Clerk.

John Sonneland, a Republican candidate for Congress, said Wednesday he collected 12,483 signatures during a two-month petition drive.

About 9,000 signatures from registered city voters are needed to put the measure on this fall’s ballot. Sonneland said he is confident he has enough valid signatures.

Sonneland and his supporters are seeking to limit the city’s mayor and council members to two, four-year terms. The limit would not apply to the current mayor or council.

In a prepared statement, Sonneland said, “People are looking to reform government at all levels. They are seeking to rein in the career politicians.”

Sonneland is involved in the movement for term limits at both the state and national level. This year, term limits advocates are turning their attention to local governments.

The measure is endorsed by the U.S. Term Limits group and the LIMIT Committee in this state, he said.

The petition will go before the City Council in coming weeks. The council has the option of enacting term limits without putting the issue on the ballot, but in the past the council has put initiatives up for a vote.

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