Politics & Government
Barber Issues Letter after Missing 15 Council Meetings, but Doesn't Resign
Joliet District 4 Councilwoman Susie Barber said she wanted to "prevent any undue conclusions being drawn" about her absence since August.
Joliet City Councilwoman Susie Barber, absent from council meetings since falling ill in August, issued a statement Wednesday in response to critics who have questioned her nonattendance and suggested she should resign.
The letter, addressed to Barber's District 4 constituents, implies that she does not intend to resign, although she does say so specifically.
Instead, she writes that she wants to "explain" her absence so that it prevents "any undue conclusions from being drawn." She also says that she has directed all constituent issues and questions to the council's three at-large council members.
The letter does not mention when Barber might be returning to her duties.
Barber has missed a total of 15 council meetings so far, in addition to all meetings of the committees to which she belongs. At the last meeting she attended in August, she was transported by ambulance to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center because she was having difficulty breathing.
Mayor Thomas Giarrante, who has indicated previously that he did not believe Barber's absence could continue indefinitely, was out of town Wednesday and unavailable for comment.
Here is Barber's statement in full:
"To the Residents of District 4,
"I want to take this time to write briefly in regards to my absence from city council meetings and other community functions. Recently, rightful attention has been brought to these absences, along with some speculation as to the reasons behind them.
"Over the past few months, I have struggled with life-threatening health problems that have prevented me from fulfilling my duties on the council as I would have intended. I have been diligent during this difficult time for my family and me by directing all constituent correspondence to our three at-large council members.
"I regret that I have not been able to serve to my fullest capacity during this period (for) the people of the city I call home. I hope that this statement serves to explain to the residents of this community the context behind my absence at official hearings. I hope also that it may prevent any undue conclusions from being drawn in relation to this circumstance."
Instead, she writes that she wants to "explain" her absence so that it prevents "any undue conclusions from being drawn." She also says that she has directed all constituent issues and questions to the council's three at-large council members.
The letter does not mention when Barber might be returning to her duties.
Barber has missed a total of 15 council meetings so far, in addition to all meetings of the committees to which she belongs. At the last meeting she attended in August, she was transported by ambulance to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center because she was having difficulty breathing.
Mayor Thomas Giarrante, who has indicated previously that he did not believe Barber's absence could continue indefinitely, was out of town Wednesday and unavailable for comment.
Here is Barber's statement in full:
"To the Residents of District 4,
"I want to take this time to write briefly in regards to my absence from city council meetings and other community functions. Recently, rightful attention has been brought to these absences, along with some speculation as to the reasons behind them.
"Over the past few months, I have struggled with life-threatening health problems that have prevented me from fulfilling my duties on the council as I would have intended. I have been diligent during this difficult time for my family and me by directing all constituent correspondence to our three at-large council members.
"I regret that I have not been able to serve to my fullest capacity during this period (for) the people of the city I call home. I hope that this statement serves to explain to the residents of this community the context behind my absence at official hearings. I hope also that it may prevent any undue conclusions from being drawn in relation to this circumstance."
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