Bill Bell, an N.C. Central University trustee, was elected mayor of Durham Tuesday over two-term incumbent Nick Tennyson by 366 votes, or 1.1 percent, according to unofficial results.

Bell, a Democrat, served as county commissioner for 22 years.

Beginning Dec. 3, Bell will lead Durham's first seven-member city council, down from 13.

Bell, 60, had support from The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, People's Alliance, and the city workers unions.

As mayor, Bell, told the Herald Sun in a Nov. 6 article that he will "declare a war on slums and blight" by making it a priority to develop inner-city neighborhoods, not just the suburbs.

“I would try to focus my energies and the city’s energies into improving the city’s neighborhoods,” Bell told the Herald Sun.

He said the city would work with developers to provide whatever resources the neighborhoods need to get rid of boarded up, abandoned houses and establish affordable housing.

Bell said he also wants to focus on lowering Durham's crime rate by bringing together the city police and county sheriffs.

Bell said he will host forums for residents, police, sheriffs and elected officials.

According to Bell, he also wants to provide good financial leadership for the city.

During the campaign Bell criticized his Republican oponent Tennyson for not adequately researching Triangle Economic Development Corp., the firm hired to run the small-business loan program.

Officials believe that many of the 24 small businesses that recieved $828,000 of federal money from the state do not exist, according a Nov. 6 Herald Sun article.

Tennyson’s role as executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Durham and Orange Counties posed a conflict of interest.

Bell is chairman of the Triangle Transit Authority board of trustees.

Bell promised that, as mayor, he would build a stronger relationship among the schools, the county and the city. Bell received a master's degree in electrical engineering from NYU.

School bond passes

In a more contentious race, the school bonds issue in Durham was resolved with a 234-86 victory in favor of the $52 million allocation for Durham schools. It was among five bonds on the ballot, all of which passed.