August 11 20 Years Ago-1993 The Dalles city councilors may soon be elected by city-wide vote, not from various wards. The City Council itself strongly favors several changes to the City Charter, including abolishment of the present city ward system. Other changes considered at last night’s council work session included adding another member to the Council, giving the mayor a vote and changing the way city ordinances are approved. The Charter is essentially the city’s constitution, dictating procedures for passing laws and appointing both elected and hired leaders. It was first written in 1898, and has been altered several times since.