Yesterday afternoon, Councilman Vincent Gentile joined colleagues such as: Councilman Joe Addobbo of Queens, Charles Barron of Brooklyn, and Michael McMahon of Staten Island in voting yes for an amendment to the bill put before the city council calling for a referendum on term limits.

Councilman Gentile said: “The amendment will let the public know that their voices are being heard as clearly as ever.”

The amendment calling for a referendum on term limits was defeated – 28-22 – before the council voted on extending term limits for New York City elected officials from two terms to three. That vote passed 29-22.

According to the NYTimes: Council members Letitia James and Vincent J. Gentile of Brooklyn argued that extending term limits would damage the body’s legitimacy. “From the very beginning, the process has been the problem,” Mr. Gentile said. “The amendment will let the public know that their voices are being heard as clearly as ever.”

Gentile joined a fiery chorus of dissenters this afternoon, one that included controversial firebrand Councilman, Charles Barron, who denounced changing term limits without public notice; and James Oddo – who ketp his remarks limited citing his ‘youtube‘ exposure.

The question remains: does the Councilman’s vote for the ammendment in support of a referendum, and against the bill without the refferendum, better position the councilman to explain or justify a 3rd term run – should he feel he can win.

(Photo courtesy: NYObserver)