The Orange Town Council is once again discussing the term of the mayor, this time at the request of the current mayor.
Last week, at the request of mayor Harrison Cluff, council members discussed the possibility of returning the mayoral term to two years. It was shortened to one year in May 2010 in a surprise agenda addition by then council member Kent Higginbotham. The late Henry Lee Carter was the mayor at the time and the two had publicly clashed in a series of meetings, including an emergency closed session called meeting in August 2009 that was rumored to be a play to oust Carter as mayor. The meeting was cancelled due to the then town attorney’s sudden illness.
“Knowing the reason it was changed to one year, it makes sense to go back to two,” Cluff said.
The Orange Town Council is somewhat unique in that the mayor and vice mayor are selected every year by the council members from among themselves. In other towns, the position of mayor is elected.
“Charlottesville is the only other one I know of that the mayor is selected from the council itself,” Cluff said.
His reason for the change is simple.
“Coming on as I did, it took a while to get my feet wet,” Cluff said. “The first half of the year is budget season. By the time we’re done with that, we’re six months in and have sort of figured everything out and only have six months left.”
The change, if approved, wouldn’t take effect until January when the new council is seated. There are three seats up for election this November. Council member Donna Waugh-Robinson has said she is not seeking reelection. She said she’s unsure if going back to two-year terms would make any difference.
“I understand your point with the budget, but all five of us fall into that position every year,” Waugh-Robinson said.
Back during Higginbotham and Carter’s tenures, town elections were held in May with new council members taking their seats July 1.
Both Cluff and Waugh-Robinson agreed the public should have input on changing the length of the mayor and vice mayor terms. The item has been placed on the agenda for the regular council meeting Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
