Bemis elected mayor

Council president unseats Mayor Charles Becker with 58 percent of the vote

By Mara Stine

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 7, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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A stunned silence followed Becker’s announcement.

“It’s early folks, don’t give up the ship,” Becker said. “We’re gonna win.”

“Chuck’s always so positive,” one supporter commented.

Over at Boccelli’s, Bemis backers celebrated his victory with wine, pasta, steamed clams and a chocolate cake emblazoned with the words “Congratulations Mayor Bemis.”

Bemis said he welcomes Becker’s participation in future city endeavors and plans to talk to him about what level of involvement he’d be interested in. Becker has served as mayor since 1999. Before that he was a city councilor from 1973-76 and from 1981-84.

Back at Jazzy Bagels, Becker was not quite ready to concede the race. When told of Bemis’ intent to talk to Becker about his future political involvement, Becker said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Becker needs to weigh his options and consider his areas of expertise, such as regionalism, Metro Regional Government issues and transportation, he said.

By 9 p.m., a second round of updated results rolled in.

With the exception of one more vote for Becker, the numbers were the same.

With his sense of humor firmly intact, Becker approached a nearby table of supporters.

“I got a vote,” Becker joked. Then turning to his wife he said, “Thanks Elaine.”

“Was it yours or mine?” she replied with a grin.

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