Jeter said he has no further political aspirations.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for it. I don’t think I have the stomach for it,” Jeter said. “While it has been edifying being on the council this last eight years, it has not been enjoyable.”
Jeter has been pushing for a Temple city charter review for more than one year, sometimes at loggerheads with other council members. Jeter would like an independent ethics committee to take a close look at prohibiting elected officials from doing business with the city.
On the issue, he remains steadfast.
“I don’t necessarily think anything illegal is going on. It’s just not clean,” Jeter said.
Jeter’s decision not to run is unrelated to his inability to persuade the council or community to make that change, he said. His push has left him at odds with Mayor Bill Jones III and councilman Russell Schneider.
“I guess it could be as a surprise to some folks, but the people that have been hearing from me aren’t,” Jeter said. “Eight years is a long time. I am a believer in term limits at this level.”
Recent reaction about his push toward conflict of interest changes in Temple city government, he said, has been almost completely positive.
That includes Margaret Burns, a Temple native and marketing and communications administrator. Ms. Burns said she would be happy to sign a petition that would bring to a vote whether or not elected officials can do business with the city.
Ms. Burns said Jeter is a maverick, willing to go it alone, if necessary.
“I think it would be a tragedy for the city to lose him as a councilman,” Ms. Burns said. “He’s a reformer, and that’s what politics needs.”
Jeter said response in the last week regarding his stand on conflict of interest in city government has been “overwhelming.”
“We get calls now left on answering machines at the house, people pull me aside at the grocery store, t-ball games - it doesn’t matter - the train ride yesterday. But finally people are understanding the issue,” Jeter said.
Jeter said although he would sign such a petition, he’s not going to instigate it.
“I don’t want to start a circus at the city council. We still have to continue to do business. Am I disappointed … anybody has to even talk about a petition drive? Sure.”
In 2002, Jeter defeated incumbent Jack M. Morris, 721 to 571, to win the District 1 seat. He was unopposed in 2004 and 2007.
Expiration for other council members’ terms:
n District 2, now held by Patsy Luna, 2011.
n District 3, now held by Marty Janczak, 2011.
n District 4, now held by Russell Schneider, 2010.
n Mayor, now held by Bill Jones III, 2011.
