Is there a caution sign to be found in the recent turnover at Cleveland City Council?

"I'm moving up in seniority," Ward 12 Councilman Tony Brancatelli quipped last month at a special meeting to swear in Nate Wilkes as the new Ward 2 representative.

Brancatelli, who was appointed to the council in 2005 and elected to a full term later that year, has moved up five spots in three years. Of 21 members, he ranks 13th in seniority.

His candid comment prompted a look at council seniority.

What's astounding here is that 10 members -- almost half of the council -- have served less than a full, four-year term. Four of those 10 have served a year or less.

If you are a fan of term limits, you might take comfort in the fact that more than half of the council members (13) have served less than two full terms. But is it fair to ask about the weight of this council's experience? Or, perhaps, its inexperience?

Since 2005, public office-hopping has powered much of the leadership vaccum. Brancatelli and Kelley got their jobs when their predecessors jumped to the mayor's office on the other side of City Hall. Keane joined the council after veteran Mike Dolan left to run the Ohio Lottery. Mitchell stepped in for Patricia Britt, who became the council clerk. And Pruitt replaced Nina Turner, who went to the Ohio Senate.

Death (Fannie Lewis) and corruption (Bobby White) claimed two others in 2008.

In 2009, it will be entertaining to see which council members (new, old or both) receive serious challengers in the municipal elections. In the last two cycles, veterans Nelson Cintron, Bill Patmon and Craig Willis were kicked to the curb in favor of fresh faces. Tim Melena left politics. Frank Jackson gave up his seat to run for mayor.

Will Cintron angle for a comeback against Santiago?

Will Patmon, who four years ago ran for mayor and was thought by some to be a potential heir to Lewis' seat, flirt with a return to City Hall?

Will any council member (Polensek, Reed) come out to run against Jackson?