Students had the day off on November 7 so Grosse Pointe residents could vote in this years city elections. In the city of Grosse Pointe, the incumbent Dale Scrace was beaten out by Christopher Boettcher for a two year term as mayor.

The election results show Boettcher earning around 200 more votes than Scarce. Boettcher was sworn in November 13.

According to Boettcher, he was on the City Council for eight years and felt it was a natural next step to run for mayor. He decided to run for mayor this past July.

“I thought about how a lot and a lot of people came to me and said, ‘you should run for mayor,’ so I ran for mayor,” Boettcher said.

Boettcher ran on the platform of carrying out bond projects in an efficient and timely manner. He used lawn signs, social media, email and word of mouth to convince people to vote for him, according to Boettcher.

“The hardest part was going door to door, and knocking on somebody’s doorstep at four in the afternoon, and they would open the door with their pajamas on. They really didn’t want to see me there,” Boettcher said.

Despite this, most neighbors were polite and respectful, according to Boettcher, and he didn’t face many problems during his campaign. He regrets not going back to doors where no one answered.

According to Boettcher, the best part of the campaign was the support he received from others.

“So many people reached out to help, and did so many things, and offered advice,” Boettcher said.

City resident Dina Ingles voted for Boettcher.

“I went to vote because it was important to me that our village community retains the quaint and safe quality that it has historically maintained,” Ingles said.

On election day, Boettcher stood outside of the polls for 14 hours and greeted voters. He felt anxious and nervous before the results were shared. Only one hour after the polls closed, Boettcher found out that he had been elected.

“I felt pretty good,” Boettcher said.

According to Boettcher, he hopes to be able to swiftly and efficiently finish projects.

“The first thing that I had to do as mayor was to make appointments to all the committees, and continue the process of preparing for a new public safety building, public works improvement and begin a communication commission,” Boettcher said.

Boettcher also hopes to improve communication to citizens by working with the website, social media and email system to bring residents closer to the city.

A popular topic during the campaign was the possibility of a hotel coming to Grosse Pointe,  but Boettcher doesn’t support a hotel greater than five stories.

“It doesn’t bother me if they build one. It would be pretty cool,” Mirella Villani ’20 said.

Villani believes it is likely a hotel will be built and believes a nice hotel would fit nicely with Grosse Pointe.

“I’m not against the hotel, but it really has to be the right size and in the right place at the right price,” Boettcher said.

According to Ingles, she voted for Boettcher because she doesn’t want a giant chain hotel in the village.

“I would welcome a boutique hotel,” Ingles said.

Boettcher believes he was elected because Grosse Pointe City residents wanted and were ready for a change.

“It was a huge learning experience and it was a lot of fun,” Boettcher said. “I met people that I otherwise wouldn’t have, and it will be an experience that I’ll never forget.”