EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
An Evansville City Councilwoman has missed several council meetings.
The city clerk's office confirmed to 14 News that Stephanie Brinkerhoff-Riley, who represents the third ward, has been absent from the past three meetings, and she'll miss even more.
Her chair at the Civic Center has been empty for over a month now. 14 News is told she is on medical leave and will be away for several more weeks.
Multiple sources say the councilwoman is dealing with a personal issue, but they did not want to go on record with any more information beyond that.
The councilwoman who represents thousands of residents in the city was not in attendance for several votes including the June 25 meeting where the council was set to vote on an issue involving Earthcare Energy, something she was very outspoken about.
Those close to Brinkerhoff-Riley tell 14 News on Monday that she will continue to be on leave for several more weeks.
In the meantime, while the third ward is without its elected representative, other council members say they can be contacted if residents have an issue.
"There's nine of us so there's plenty of us to conduct business. Also, there's three at-large members," said Jonathan Weaver, a city council member. "So, if any member, any taxpayer or resident of the community who can't get in touch with any particular council member can always call one of the three of us at-large people because we represent the entire city."
We have tried to get in touch with the councilwoman to find out when she might be back on the job, but our call was not returned. Other council members also tell 14 News their calls haven't been returned.
Brinkerhoff-Riley did issue a news release back in June after the Earthcare vote. Its says, "I am on a leave of absence. I do have every intention to fulfill the duties that the people of the third ward elected me to carry out. I take my responsibilities very seriously."
We will continue to follow and update this story.
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14 News is told she is on medical leave and will be away for several more weeks.
