Salem, Ore. —  At a special City Council meeting on November 2, 2022, the Salem City Council appointed Chris Hoy to serve as Salem’s Mayor.  Mayor Chris Hoy was elected this past spring to serve as Salem’s next Mayor, with a term set to begin in January.  Former Mayor Chuck Bennett announced his resignation October 20, 2022. 

Also at their November 2 meeting, the City Council appointed Julie Hoy as interim Ward 6 City Councilor to serve the remainder of Councilor Chris Hoy’s term.  Councilor Julie Hoy was elected this past spring to represent Ward 6. Councilor Julie Hoy and Mayor Chris Hoy are not related.  The City Council elected Councilor Virginia Stapleton as Council President, a position previously held by Mayor Chris Hoy. 

“This is an amazing time of change and opportunity in Salem and it is my great honor to serve in this new capacity” said Mayor Chris Hoy.  “I’m looking forward to the work we will be able to accomplish together in the years to come.” 

On January 9, 2023, at the first meeting of the City Council, Mayor Chris Hoy and Councilors Linda Nishioka of Ward 2, Julie Hoy of Ward 6, Micki Varney of Ward 8, and the Councilor elected to serve in Ward 4 will be formally sworn in to serve their terms of office.  The November 8, 2022 election will decide City Council’s Ward 4 position. 

Salem’s City Council is expected to return to in-person meetings at the Salem Civic Center in January. Community members are invited to return to the Council Chambers in January, as well. City Council meetings will continue to be streamed live – in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language on the City of Salem YouTube Channel and CC:Media Channel 21. Community members will also be able to continue to sign up to participate in the meetings remotely.