(L-R Legislators Peter Harckham, Gordon Burrows, John Nonna)

By a 10-6 vote, the Westchester County Board of Legislators tonight voted to impose term limits on County Legislators as well as the County Executive.

Under the measure, Legislators would be limited to six two year terms in office, while the County Executive would be permitted at most, three four year terms. The new term limits will take effect January 1, 2012.

Board Chairman Ken Jenkins(D-Yonkers) said "Americans are demanding a constitutional check on the institutional power of lifetime legislators and a return to a citizen legislature."

County Legislator and Minority Whip Gordon Burrows (R-Yonkers), who sponsored the measure, called it a "Defining moment, a game changing moment." He says it serves as a message to lawmakers to "come and serve, contribute your time, talent and energy for the well-being of the Westchester community, and then move on with our thanks."

Legislator John Nonna (D-Mount Pleasant) said the concept of term limits is not necessarily poular among elected officials, but it is popular among voters. Said Nonna, "What is desperately needed is the brand of public servants our founders, authors of the Constitution envisioned--citizen public servants who would go serve their neighbors and their country for a limited time only."