Shocked on term limits

(open letter to City Councilmen Comrie, White and Sanders)
Dear Councilmen Leroy Comrie, Tom White and James Sanders:

I am shocked and outraged at Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s arrogant attempt to hijack the democratic process by declaring unabashedly and in contradiction of the will of the voters of New York City, that he should have a third term “to save the city.”

As an African-American, I am painfully aware of the bloody and extreme measures used to disenfranchise our ancestors in the Jim Crow south and in many Caribbean nations.

The people’s right to vote, and to have their vote count and be respected, is basic to our Democracy and deeply ingrained in our Constitution.

Additionally, I am disturbed at the Mayor’s concerted effort to manipulate our independent City Councilby arm-twisting and inappropriate — if not unethical - tactics.

I now call upon you to reject this power grab, and to uphold the trust of the voters here in southeast Queens who twice voted for term limits.

I am supportive of the efforts of some council members who have filed a bill that would require a referendum where the voters of this great city decide if term limits should be changed.

Elmer Blackburne
Democratic District Leader
29th Assembly District, Part B
Jamaica

The three stooges all voted "yes".