To spend more than 20 years on the council, in addition to 14 years as an MLC for Launceston, is an extraordinary commitment to civic duty by any measure.

Many people regard Alderman Shipp as the council's unofficial historian and there is no doubt that this corporate knowledge has served the city well.

Alderman Shipp's departure opens the door for at least one new face. We are yet to find out whether any of the other aldermen whose terms expire - Frank Nott, Tony Peck, Annette Waddle and Ivan Dean - will follow his lead.

There is certainly a strong push for state politicians, like Windermere MLC Ivan Dean, to focus on one job.

This is law in some other states, like Victoria, and should be introduced in Tasmania. Putting it to a referendum at a possible cost of $1 million, as proposed by the Greens, is a waste of taxpayers' money and procrastination.

Several new faces have already announced their intention to stand and appear to offer plenty of business and community service experience.

However, it continues to be an anomaly why residents cannot stand for mayor without first completing 12 months on council.

We don't demand that individuals serve a term on local government before they serve for state of federal politics - voters judge each individual on the set of skills that they offer on election day.

We already have former MHA Tony Benneworth as a candidate for Launceston and former Police Minister Jim Cox an almost certain starter.

Without knowing if either man wants to stand for mayor, surely the fact that they have already served in the State Parliament removes the need for a council apprenticeship.

The problem about only electing a mayor from serving councillors, past or present, is that it artificially removes choice and therefore democratic freedom.

- MARTIN GILMOUR, editor