Government

Astoria operates under a council–manager form of city government. Voters elect four councilors by ward and a mayor, who each serve four-year terms.^[48] The mayor and council appoint a city manager to conduct the ordinary business of the city.^[48] The current mayor is Arline LaMear, who took office on January 5, 2015.^[49] Her predecessor, Willis Van Dusen, served as mayor for 24 years, starting in 1991.^[50]