To the editor:

On April 7, Crestwood voters will have the opportunity to vote on four propositions to amend the city of Crestwood’s charter.

Proposition 4 would increase the terms of the Board of Aldermen and Mayor from three-year terms to four-year terms. While some municipalities have adopted four-year terms for their elected officials, I believe a three-year term is better suited for Crestwood.

Four-year terms can be very long if change and new representation is needed in city government. It limits choice for the voter and opportunity for the potential candidate, as both would have to “wait” out an officeholder for four years.

While Crestwood is stable now, it wasn’t too long ago that Crestwood was mired in debt and unstable. From 2000 to 2008, Crestwood voters were presented with no less than nine tax and fee increases, six of which passed! The city was audited by the state auditor for the fiscal year ending in June 2003 and given a poor financial rating. While stores were closing in Crestwood Plaza, city leaders were wanting to build a multi- million-dollar police station. City Hall was used as collateral. Frustrations reached a fever pitch and voters soundly defeated the tax increase in 2008. Change occurred, including several officeholders, and eventually the city found its footing. It was a long road to stability, but it would have been even longer had there been four-year office terms.

Please vote “no” on Proposition 4.

Jim Murphy

Crestwood

Editor’s note: Though the two share a name, this writer is not Rep. Jim Murphy.