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Omaha City Councilman Chuck Sigerson can spend the next three months recovering without worrying about jeopardizing his job.
The City Council approved a resolution Tuesday formally excusing Sigerson from council meetings.
He has been absent for nearly three months after suffering a heart attack and stroke Aug. 29.
The council’s unanimous vote gives Sigerson, 64, three more months to recover before returning to his seat.
Under the City Charter, the council is required to excuse a member who is absent for three consecutive months.
After six consecutive months of missed meetings, the council member automatically forfeits the seat under the charter.
Councilman Chris Jerram denied rumors that some council members wanted to block the resolution. “It couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Jerram said.
Despite talk radio and gossip posted on Internet blogs, he said, all six council members have supported Sigerson’s return from the start.
Jerram said that if Sigerson was watching the meeting on public access television, he had this message: “You have my sympathy, Chuck. I hope this didn’t set you back. We love you. We miss you.”
Jim Vokal, a Sigerson family spokesman and former councilman, has said his friend fully expects to return to his council duties, possibly by the end of the year.
He is taking walks, dining in restaurants and working on getting permission to drive again. Sigerson is still working on his speech.
Councilwoman Jean Stothert said that after serving eight years on the council, Sigerson deserves “a full six months to recover. We want you back as soon as possible.”
Council declines to renew bar’s license
The City Council on Tuesday declined to renew a liquor license for a southwest Omaha bar that some neighbors say is a hub for noise and fights.
The council acted unanimously in rejecting the license for the Naughty Lounge, 10730 Pacific St.
The council’s action is only a recommendation. The final decision will be made by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, said City Clerk Buster Brown.
The bar’s owners may continue to sell alcohol until the final decision is made by state liquor officials. The lounge also is being sold, and the new owner may apply for a new liquor license, Brown said.
Nearby businesses and residents have complained to the council about the bar, saying it was noisy and that there were often fights in the parking lot.
Contact the writer:
444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com
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