Oliver Koppell served 23 years in the State Assembly, a short stint as the state’s attorney general, several years as president of Community School Board 10, and now eight years in the City Council representing the 11th District, which covers all of Norwood and parts of Bedford Park.
Despite the impressive resume, which includes his work as a private attorney, Koppell isn’t ready to complete his long run of public service when term limits will require him to step down after two Council terms on Dec. 31, 2009.
He wants four more years.
Koppell has requested that the Council draft legislation to extend term limits from two four-year terms to three.
“I don’t believe in term limits altogether,” Koppell said in an interview. “People should be able to elect whomever they want to elect. Furthermore, I think eight years is too short a time for people to become experienced, capable legislators.”
Critics argue that, regardless of the merits of that argument, the issue should go back before the voters, who, in two referenda, instituted them in 1993 and upheld them in 1996.
“I think it’s a horrible idea to override the will of the voters. I think there’s a fair debate to be had about whether you extend terms,” said Tony Cassino, one of the four candidates who has already launched a bid to replace Koppell. “[But] I voted twice [in the referenda] and you should come back to me and ask me again.”
Three other candidates, including Koppell’s staff counsel Jamin Sewell, have already announced their candidacies and begun raising money.
Whether Koppell’s bill gets any traction in the Council will depend on where Mayor Bloomberg comes down on the issue. Bloomberg is said to be toying with the idea of supporting a third term as he is due to leave office the same day as Koppell and all the other city officials affected by the law.  
If Koppell’s bid for the extension succeeds and Bloomberg runs again, it could well dampen the hopes of a number of officials seeking higher office — including Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, who is seeking to become the city’s next comptroller — a as those they wish to replace will probably decide stay put another four years.
A rival term limits bill supported by Queens Council Member Mark Weprin, would put the issue again before the voters.

Rebecca Chao contributed to this article.