The political head of a town or city government. The name is used in a vast range of political systems, but the role and to some extent the status of mayors vary considerably. In some cases the mayor can have significant executive powers of decision-making and appointment, while in others the position is one of chairing local councils while enjoying few special powers; in a few instances the role is largely a ceremonial one.
A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "larger","greater") is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer.
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In many systems, the mayor is an elected politician who serves as chief executive and/or ceremonial official of many types of municipalities. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor, as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated.
In spite of its Latin etymology, "mayor" was not a Roman office, as Roman municipia were rather governed by collegial magistrates bearing various titles, such as "Consul" or various terms expressing their number (e.g.
The male officer who governed a king's household (and was often the de facto head of government) was the major domus, and tended to make his office hereditary. At the courts of the various realms (resulting from dynastic divisions and unions) of the Frankish kings of the Merovingian line, the major domus, generally known as the "mayor of the palace", also variously known as the gubernator ('helmsman';
Municipal Mayoral types and titles
Anglo-Saxon mayors and counterparts
In England the mayor is the modern descendant of the feudal lord's bailiff or reeve (see Borough). By the beginning of the nth century the title of portreeve gave way to that of mayor as the designation of the chief officer of London.
In England and America a mayor is now the official head of a municipal government. In the nineteenth century, in the United Kingdom, the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, section 15, regulated the election of mayors. A mayor who was absent from the borough for more than two months becomes disqualified and vacates his office. A mayor is ex officio a justice of the peace for the borough during his year of office and the next year.
The office of mayor in a modern English borough or town does not entail any important administrative duties. The mayor (who must be a serving elected councillor)is expected to devote much of his time to civic, ceremonial, and representational functions, and to preside over meetings which have for their object the advancement of the public welfare.
The mayor of a town council is officially known as town mayor (although in popular parlance, the word "town" is often dropped).
Mayors are not appointed to District Councils which have not adopted the title of Borough. Their place is taken by the Chairman of Council, who undertakes exactly the same functions and is, like a Mayor, the civic head of the district concerned.
The mayor in contemporary Italy
In Italy mayors (sindaci, singular sindaco) are directly elected by the citizens of their communes.
In Canada municipal titles vary from province, but the highest official of a First Nation community holds the title of Chief.
In the early 20th century, and for the most still, the English method of selecting a mayor by the council was followed for the corresponding functionaries in France (except Paris), the more important cities of Italy, and in Germany, where, however, the central government must confirm the choice of the council.
In Finland, there are no mayors, although plans have been floated to institute the office in Tampere. The highest executive official is not democratically elected, but appointed to a public office by the city council, and is called simply kaupunginjohtaja "city manager" or kunnanjohtaja "municipal manager", depending on whether the municipality defines itself as a city. The term pormestari "mayor", from Swedish borgmästare "master of the castle" confusingly refers to the highest official in the registry office, not the city manager. The city manager of Helsinki is called ylipormestari, which translates to "Chief Mayor", for historical reasons. Furthermore, the term "city manager" may be seen translated as "mayor".
United States
In the United States, there are several distinct types of mayors. The first type of mayor is the mayor under the council-manager government. In this form, common among medium sized cities from 25,000 to several hundred thousand, the mayor is a first among equals at the city council, analogous to a head of state for the city. This system is suited for rural and suburban cities with a part time mayor and city council. In the second form, under a strong mayor system, the mayor acts as an elected executive with the city council functioning with legislative powers. The mayor may select a chief administrative officer to oversee the different departments. This is the system used in most of the United States' large cities, primarily because mayors serve full time and have a wide range of services that they oversee. In a weak mayor system, the mayor has appointing power for department heads but is subject to checks by the city council. Charlotte, North Carolina and Minneapolis, Minnesota are two notable large cities with a weak mayor.
Canada
The mayor is the leader in most Canadian municipalities. However, some Canadian provinces still use the term reeve for the elected head of a small village, a township or a rural municipality, performing a similar role to the mayor of a town or city.
Mayors are styled 'His/Her Worship' while in office.
Australia
On Australian councils, the Mayor is generally the member of the Council who acts as ceremonial figurehead at official functions, as well as carrying the authority of Council between meetings. Mayors in Australia may be elected either directly through a ballot for the position of Mayor at a local-government election, or alternatively may be elected from within the Council at the first meeting each year.
It should be noted that the title of Mayor is generally only relevant in local government areas (LGAs) regarded as cities or municipalities. In Shire Councils, the title of Shire President is ofter used, though the title of Mayor is becoming more popular. In the central capital city council of each state, the title of Lord Mayor is used (e.g.
Like Canada, mayors have the title of 'His/Her Worship' whilst holding the position.
In councils where Councillors are elected representing political parties, the Mayor is normally the leader of the party receiving the most seats on council. The leader of the next largest party is often informally known as the Shadow Mayor, though this is not an official title.
Multi-tier local government
In several countries, mayors are often appointed by some branch of the federal or regional government. In some cities, subdivisions such as boroughs may have their own mayors; Mayor, responsible to their elected councils);
In the People's Republic of China, the Mayor (市長) may be the administrative head of any municipality, be it provincial-, prefectural, or county-level. The Mayor is usually the most recognized official in cities, although the position is the second highest ranking official in charge after the local Communist Party Secretary . In principle, the Mayor (who also serves as the Deputy Communist Party Secretary of the city) is responsible for managing the city administration while the Communist Party Secretary is responsible for general policy and managing the party bureaucracy, but in practice the roles blur frequently causing conflict. In the Republic of China in Taiwan the mayor is the head of a city's government and is completely distinct from the associated city's council which is in charge of legislative affairs. The mayor and city council are elected separately by the city's residents.
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