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No election, no challengers, no choice By Mijal Grinberg Last week, the appointed mayor of the Negev town of Yeruham, Amram Mitzna, held a town meeting in the cultural center, the third in as many months. From the stage, Mitzna told the audience about his achievements in the years since he was appointed. He presented slides showcasing the extensive refurbishing of the community center, laptops distributed to teachers for the first time in Israel, and a computer for every four children, as opposed to the national average of a computer for every 15. Mitzna spoke about plans to turn the Yeruham Lake park into an overnight campground to be reached by bike trails, and plans for a cinemateque. One would think he was running for office, but it seems more likely that he is trying to calm the concerns of those who oppose his continued service in an appointed capacity. Advertisement "There are no politics in our system today," Mitzna told the audience of hundreds. Thus, he added, the public has more faith that things will be done properly. During the question-and-answer session, one man dared ask the burning question on the minds of Yeruham's citizens: Had Mitzna agreed to Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit's request that he serve for two more years? Mitzna responded that he had. He then asked the man what he would like to see. "Elections," the answer came back. But later, the audience applauded Mitzna's decision to stay on. Mitzna, who in November will complete three years as appointed mayor, told Haaretz the decision to stay on as mayor was not an easy one. "I came here for three years, and I was completely unaware of the fact that the term could be extended. I thought it [Sheetrit's request] over and my responsibility to the residents of Yeruham decided the matter." If his term's extension is approved by the Knesset Interior Committee, Mitzna will remain in the post for another two years, following which, he says, elections will be held. As to whether he knew why Sheetrit had asked him to stay on, he said: "From an economic point of view we are in good shape. But there is a risk, that if we go to elections now, the situation will deteriorate." In Yeruham these days, politicians who were considering running for office have to change their plans. Some are mulling a High Court petition against Sheetrit's decision. In contrast, an estimated 1,000 residents signed a petition asking Mitzna to stay. Karin Zoe Levinstein is the coordinator of a non-partisan group of Yeruham residents working on issues involving the town's relations with the Bedouin in the area. Levinstein, one of those who signed the petition to have Mitzna stay, welcomed his willingness to do so. "I don't ignore the fact that bringing someone in from the outside shows us in a poor light. But you can see the changes in Yeruham - employment, media visibility, the look of the neighborhoods. Mitzna initiated a lot of reforms in the education system, and he even pays salaries on time. Maybe if he continues for another two years he'll manage to groom someone appropriate," she says. Micha Biton, a city activist and founder of a grass-roots young people's group, is also active in a foundation that Mitzna established to raise money for the town. Mitzna is an excellent fund-raiser, and money has come in from all over the world, residents say. Biton was one of those involved in removing the previous mayor, Baruch Elmakayes. Although he welcomes Sheetrit's decision to keep Mitzna on, he has concerns. "If we skip the upcoming elections in 2008, when will the next elections be? In two years? This will mean [an elected] mayor will have to end his term in three years, and that's too short a time to effect basic changes," he says. But Biton has a solution. "The alternative, his staying for eight years, might be positive for the city, and will stabilize local politics," he says. Danny Lugasi, coordinator of a project to help soldiers in the city, and a candidate for the local council in the past, has begun organizing for upcoming elections. He is one of those behind the petition to the High Court. He says there are others like him, both independent candidates and those from various factions. "I think Yeruham has a right to democracy, and many in the town are interested in elections. It's inconceivable for the interior minister to come along and give Mitzna two more years beyond what the law allows," he added. Lugasi was refering to the fact that an appointed mayor is legally supposed to serve until the next scheduled elections, if this period of time is no less than two years. However, another clause in the law says that the interior minister can, in consultation with the Knesset Interior Committee, extend this term indefinitely. The law angers Roman Gutin, a Yeruham resident for the past 14 years and a candidate for the local council. "This way Mitzna's grandson can be appointed mayor," he says. Moti Avisrur, a former mayor, denies the rumor that he is also involved in the High Court petition. He accepts the interior ministry's decision not to hold elections, but says he would be glad to learn what its reasons are. He says the ministry will have to publish its reasons when the extended appointment becomes final. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Breaking with the ZOA Is Harvard University's Progressive Jewish Alliance inciting against Israel? Rising in the polls New survey finds Nasrallah is the most admired leader in the Arab world.

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