One of the recurrent problems for our municipal government is the all too brief three-year term of office for its elected officials.

During the first year time is gobbled up as the presiding mayor and his staff knuckle down to learn the ropes and plan lines of action. The next 24 months tend to be insufficient to line up funding and carry out major projects designed to improve quality of life for the constituency.

It’s clear that the three-year model is inadequate to assure achievement of worthy goals set even by a well-oiled administration. And it propitiates a short-term vision leading to a focus on showy public works that politicians can claim as legacy.

That may be the best argument for recent reforms in election laws that now allow mayors to run for reelection. It’s the big hook employed by incumbent Javier Degollado who is campaigning on a platform to continue what he labels as the transformation of Chapala into a prosperous and peaceful community.

Of course, The Transformer’s six election rivals take issue with his style of governing, project choices and boasting of great accomplishment, each promising to do a better job if elected to fill his shoes.

Most folks can observe unfinished projects that may or may not be completed before the next administration takes over on October 1.

For starters there is the bridge way connecting the Chapala boardwalk to Jesús Pescador, the great statue of dubious esthetic and spiritual value erected on an artificial island during the administration of the current mayor’s younger brother Gerardo.

Early on this transformative project was pitched as a handsomely designed walkway, complete with a giant stage for entertainment events, dancing water fountains and cutting edge lighting equipment. The plans were modified to fit in with real financial strictures. The mayor acknowledges that the work has stalled in phase one and won’t be done until additional state and federal funding comes through, possibly earmarked in the 2019 budget. For the time being it looks like a more like a dusty, crumbling wasteland than the stunning architectural rendering presented back in 2015.

Ajijic’s highly touted highway cycling and pedestrian path is another “improvement” that isn’t exactly all it was cracked up to be. Despite obvious benefits for those traveling on wheels or by foot, its protective devices could be better. Appropriate signage defining loading zones, bus stops and the bike lane itself have yet to appear.

Construction of permanent headquarters for the Chapala police department, started last November with a 90-day timeframe for completion, is still in progress. Grand plans to turn Parque La Cristiania into an adventure park with a fabulous Lake Museum are just gathering dust somewhere in City Hall.

But hey, the renovation of Calle Morelos, a major thoroughfare in the municipal seat that was in deplorable conditions, is almost done and set to reopen by next week.

Cross your fingers that officials in the 2018-2021 government will set realistic goals to buff up public services and concentrate on projects that satisfy priority needs of a growing populace.