The mayor of Oregon's fifth-largest city has announced he's resigning, effective Wednesday.
Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis held the top elected job in the east Multnomah County city for the last 13 years, but said late Tuesday he was leaving office. In a lengthy Facebook post, Bemis said that he would step down to focus on running his restaurant.
Gresham Residents, Serving the City of Gresham for the past 18 years is the honor of my lifetime. I have watched this...
Posted by Mayor Shane Bemis on Tuesday, June 16, 2020
He called it "the most difficult decision I've ever faced" but said he had to prioritize his business and family.
"Travis has been intricately involved in the City of Gresham, serving on committees ranging from public safety, to affordable housing and community development," Bemis wrote. "Travis is also a black man."
Bemis said his resignation is effective at 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 17.
The Gresham city manager resigned last Monday and the police chief last Thursday, the Gresham Outlook reported. According to the paper, deputy city manager Corey Falls wrote a letter to other Gresham leaders saying the city failed to follow through on promises of equity and inclusion.
