AHOSKIE – The next Mayor of Ahoskie may enjoy a four-year term in office.

At their recent meeting, the Ahoskie Town Council unanimously approved a measure that is the first step in changing the mayor’s elected term from two to four years.

“We have four-year terms; our mayor needs a similar term,” Councilwoman Elaine Myers said upon making a motion to approve the measure.

“With the current two-year term, it gives a person only one good year (in office) before they have to begin the process of preparing to seek reelection,” Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond noted. “A four-year term gives you more stability.”

With their 5-0 vote, the Ahoskie Town Council approved a resolution that supports local legislation at the state level to change the Ahoskie mayor’s term of office from two to four years. That resolution will be forwarded to local state General Assembly officials – 5th District House Representative Annie Mobley and 4th District State Senator Ed Jones.

In turn, Mobley and Jones will introduce legislation within their respective bodies of state government. If approved by the General Assembly, the measure becomes effective beginning with the term of office following the 2009 municipal election.