SOUTH PORTLAND -- A mayor will be officially inaugurated today after a deadlock vote stalled the process.

The South Portland City Council Monday selected Councilor Tom Blake as mayor. That came a week after the council, on the previous Monday, had split between Blake and Councilor Linda Boudreau. Each received three votes, and Mayor Jim Soule, the potential tiebreaker, renominated himself.

On Monday, the vote was 6-1 in favor of Blake, with Soule voting for himself again.

Blake was elected to the council a year ago.

Also officially starting her term as mayor today is Jill Duson, in Portland, who has lots of experience with the job. This link will bring up today's Portland Press Herald story about Duson's history and plans for the future.

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