Shane Bemis

Shane Bemis
Mayor of Gresham, Oregon
Assumed office
January 2007 (2007-01)
Preceded by Charles Becker
Personal details
Born 1972 (age 43–44)
Billings, Montana
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Alix Bemis[1]
Children Three sons
Residence Gresham, Oregon
Alma mater Marylhurst University
Profession Restaurateur, politician

Shane Bemis (born c. 1972) is an American politician who is the current mayor of Gresham, Oregon, Oregon's fourth largest city. He was elected mayor in 2006, at the age of 34, becoming the youngest mayor in Gresham's history. Prior to serving as mayor, Bemis served as a city councilor for Gresham for one term between 2003 and 2007.[2]

Early life

Shane Bemis was born in Billings, Montana into a politically active family and ultimately chose to become politically active as well while working in the family's hardware store. Raised in Billings, Bemis moved to Gresham when he was fifteen years old.[3] After graduating high school, Bemis attended Marylhurst University where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications.[2] In his twenties, Bemis opened a Bellagio’s Pizzeria franchise in Gresham. He credits his business pursuits with his belief in bringing a "business-oriented" approach to local governance in Gresham.[3]

Political career

In 2002, Bemis ran for councilor in position #6 against John W. Dillow and won the election by a nearly two to one margin.[4] After serving one term, Bemis ran for mayor in 2006 and was elected mayor over incumbent Charles Becker by a margin of 7,417 votes for Bemis to 5,208 for Becker.[5]

In 2007 Mayor Bemis pushed TriMet, the local transit agency, to tackle crime along the MAX light-rail line. This effort resulted in the creation of a transit-police precinct in Gresham.[6]

Bemis was named by the Portland Business Journal in 2007, as one of the region’s “Forty Under 40 Award” recipients. The “Forty Under 40 Award” honors 40 people in the region under the age of 40 who have shown great accomplishments in their professional lives and made outstanding contributions to their communities.[7] Shane Bemis is a prominent local business person in Gresham, where he is a restaurateur.[8]

Bemis has been mentioned as an potential Republican candidate for the 2016 Oregon special gubernatorial election.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis welcomes third son into the world this afternoon
  2. 1 2 City of Gresham. November 6, 2006 http://greshamoregon.gov/city/city-departments/mayor-and-city-council/meet-the-council/Council.aspx?id=5170. Retrieved July 28, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. 1 2 Shomaker, Thomas (February 4, 2015). "Mayors on the Rise: Shane Bemis". Nation Swell. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Abstract Report - City of Gresham Councilor, Position 6". Multnomah County, Oregon Division of Elections. November 25, 2002. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  5. ↑ Stine, Mara (November 6, 2006). "Bemis elected mayor: Council president unseats Mayor Charles Becker with 58 percent of the vote". Portland Tribune. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  6. ↑ Ureel, Michael (February 26, 2008). "Ten police officers may be added to MAX line: Agency plans new precinct to fight crime on east side". Gresham Outlook.
  7. ↑ Franzen, Robin (March 27, 2007). "Gresham Mayor makes Forty under 40 list". The Oregonian.
  8. ↑ Boccelli's Ristorante website
  9. ↑ Forrester, Steve (April 19, 2015). "Middle-ground Republican could give Brown a race". The Daily Astorian.
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