Big Spring Puts Term Limits On May Ballot

The fact that officials in Big Spring can run for re-election for an unlimited number of terms worries some residents in Big Spring. So the Concerned Citizens Council of Big Spring made a petition to limit the number of terms an elected official can run. After hard work, residents will now have a chance to vote in the May election.

The amendments would allow for an official to serve two consecutive terms before stepping down and allowing another public servant to run.

"We prefer to see people serve a period of time and come back in the community." Said Shannon Thomason, Chairman of the Concerned Citizens Council.

The citizen council believes this will keep fresh ideas running through the government. So the council, which is made up of nearly a dozen people, went door to door collecting signatures. In the end, they had over 700!

"The local goverment code requires you have at least 5 percent of the signatures equal to the number that is 5 percent of the qualified voters that voted in the last election and that would have been approximately 511." Said Linda Sjogren Big Spring City Attorney.

Monday night, the council verified 583 out of the 740. Enough valid signatures so that the issue will be sent to voters in may.

"We are tickled just to give the people of big spring the opportunity to vote on it." Said Shannon Thomason, Chairman of the Concerned Citizens Council.

The communities response to the change already looks positive.

"Would I vote for that? Yea sometime they need a break and that would easier for them to do." Said Delinda Griffis, a lifelong resident of Big Spring.

Although the term limits will be seen on may's ballot, the concerned citizens council must begin a new endeavor. Spreading the word to get out and vote.