Lovelace absences under scrutiny

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Weeks of missed meetings by a Dayton City Commissioner are sparking controversy.

It took some by surprise when Mayor Gary Leitzell voted against approving the absence of Commissioner Dean Lovelace, who's missed more than two months of meetings while recovering from complications from a stroke.

The Mayor says he had something else in mind with the vote and it's not trying to force the commissioner out.

The desk from which Dayton City Commissioners make their votes known is as noticeable for what's not there as for what is there.

Missing is the name plate of Commissioner Dean Lovelace.

"I'm doing alright. I'm going through a couple health challenges, but I'm getting treatment and I'm going through therapy," said Lovelace.

Lovelace has missed the last 11 meetings while recovering from complications from the stroke he suffered in 2008.

His fellow commissioners and the mayor had approved his absences with little discussion until this past week when the Mayor voted no.

"He knows I've been a commissioner for 20 years and a person who's represented the community and I've never done anything to him, so I don't know why he's opposing my absence," said Lovelace.

Says Leitzell, "I'm not trying to go against anyone. I'm trying to set us up for the future."

The absence was still approved because the other commissioners voted yes.

The mayor says his vote was meant to pressure city staff to find a way to include Lovelace in the meetings.

"There are so many technologies that can be used to involve him in the discussion so it should be explored," said Mayor Gary Leitzell.

Lovelace says he would be willing to attend the meetings via Skype or on the phone, but he has no plans to resign his seat, even though he says it may be until after the first of the year before he returns. "I think I'm going to recover and serve out my four years."

Lovelace also missed more than 6 months of meetings after his stroke in September 2008.

We looked at the city's charter which says you vacate your seat if you miss 5 consecutive meetings unless the absences are authorized, which so far they all have been.