Councilor Jim Clinton was unanimously elected mayor of the new City Council, after Jodie Barram and Mark Capell surprisingly withdrew their bid for the seat.

At last night's Bend City Council meeting, after new Council members Victor Chudowsky, Doug Knight, Sally Russell and re-elected Councilor Jim Clinton took the Oath of Office, Barram and Capell made their surprise announcements:  Barram:  “I respect you tremendously as a colleague and I care for you as a friend. And if being Mayor is what you really want, and I believe that it is, then I want for you, so I am withdrawing myself from consideration as Mayor.”  Capell: “Thank you Jodie. I also will withdraw as candidate for Mayor.”  

Barram was re-elected as Mayor Pro-Tem, but several councilors were supporting Capell for the post.

Outgoing Mayor Jeff Eager, Councilors Tom Greene and Kathie Eckman were also honored at Wednesday night's meeting.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting , many residents spoke of the City's water issues, encouraging the new council to examine them closely.