Koppell on term limits

"I can tell you that it is almost impossible that this charter commission can decide in time ... it just won't happen," Riverdale City Councilman Oliver Koppell just said, referring to the commission Councilman David Yassky's amendment would create.

The commission would have to determine whether or not there should be a referendum on the term-limits extension now before the council. He's saying they couldn't make their decision before petitions were due to get on the primary election ballots — messing up the entire electoral process for 2009.

"It would be unfair to postpone this any longer ... we shouldn't be embarrassed to use a process" provided under the law, Mr. Koppell said.

It would be unfair to Mr. Koppell's counsel, Jamin Sewell, as well. Mr. Sewell is a candidate for Mr. Koppell's seat after term limits force him from it — if term limits force him from it — in 2009. Mr. Sewell probably wouldn't run against his own boss if he could seek re-election, so the outcome of the referendum would determine whether or not he petitioned to seek the Democratic nod for Mr. Koppell's City Council seat.

Mr. Koppell was the only person to offer an argument against the amendment who is also supporting the extension of term limits from eight years to 12, although City Councilwoman Maria Baez just voted against it.

They just finished taking the vote.