BEND, Ore. (AP) — Under a system some in Bend regard as “small town-ish,” the city council appoints the mayor, a system that could change this year if the council gives voters the right to choose their mayor.
Bend is the largest city in Oregon with an appointed mayor. Of the other 19 cities in the state that do so, none is larger than 10,000 people, the Bend Bulletin reports (http://bit.ly/zNfHSg ).
Bend’s mayor sets council agendas, runs meetings and acts as an all-around spokesperson for the community.
Mayor Jeff Eager says the mayor should be elected, not appointed, to ensure he or she represents voters.
