Term limits is an issue that won’t go away.

The 2010 ballot issue divided the El Paso County board of commissioners, often pitting Darryl Glenn and Peggy Littleton against Sallie Clark, Dennis Hisey and Amy Lathen.

All of the board’s votes don’t result in a 3-2 split, but one did Tuesday when Littleton and Glenn refused to support the motion for new board leadership that made Hisey chairman, Lathen vice-chairwoman and Clark third commissioner.

The trio passed the motion on the day that each was sworn in for a new four-year term.

The 2010 ballot issue — which many said had confusing language — extended term limits to three four-year terms. Despite calls from the public to do so, the commissioner trio refused to put the topic on the 2011 ballot but did so in 2012, and voters changed the limit back to two terms (eight years).

“When people in power do something to benefit themselves, it’s wrong,” Glenn said. “It’s what we’ve been fighting for two years. We’re not trying to come across as a dysfunctional family, but I cannot honorably cast a vote for them.”

Littleton, and a few constituents from Glenn’s district, argued that new voices are needed in the board’s leadership positions. Lathen stepped down Tuesday after two years as chairwoman while Clark was vice-chairwoman and Hisey third commissioner.

Both Glenn and Littleton said new leadership might help in the contentious relationship with Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach.

In Tuesday’s vote on board rules and procedures, Littleton and Glenn scored a victory. It takes two commissioners to add an item to a meeting’s agenda but Hisey proposed the board allow items to be taken off the agenda if three commissioners agreed.

That amounted to voting before discussion, Littleton argued, as did several residents. Littleton’s motion to not allow the new language passed 5-0, surprising Glenn, who said, “I thought it would go down in flames.”

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Contact Bob Stephens: 636-0276 Twitter @bobgstephensFacebook Gazette Bob Stephens

Apache helicopters loaded with Blue Spear rockets fly in support of training exercises with Fort Carson’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team downrange at Fort Carson Thursday, January 21, 2010 during training. (Gazette file) Photo by THE GAZETTE FILE