Term limit proposition fails in Huntington Town

Two measures aimed at making government more accountable failed to get enough votes at a Huntington Town board meeting last week.

Town board member Gene Cook, of the Independence Party, offered a resolution asking for a public hearing to consider term limits for board members. While Mark Mayoka, a Republican, supported the measure, the three Democratic board members — Supervisor Frank Petrone, Mark Cuthbertson and Susan Berland — voted against it.

Petrone said he could not support the resolution unless it included all elected officials, which would include the town clerk, receiver of taxes and highway superintendent. Mayoka suggested the resolution be amended to state it would be a 12-year term limit. Cook declined both requests.

Earlier in the meeting, Mayoka offered a resolution to direct the public information officer to provide accurate and complete financial information on a timely basis for use by citizens and the press. That item failed as well, with only Cook joining Mayoka in voting for it.

The resolution called for the public information officer to consult with an independent auditor, the town audit committee, or an identifiable, independent third party with expertise in governmental accounting before disseminating information concerning the town’s fiscal or financial matters.

“I just think the public deserves to have accurate and complete financial information given to them,” Mayoka said.