Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Clintonville Mayor Judith Magee announced Thursday that she is taking a medical leave of absence.
Magee said she will return to her position when her health is better but no later than Nov. 26.
Jeannie Schley, Common Council president, will assume the mayor duties in Magee’s absence.
Schley said her most important concern would be getting an interim city administrator as soon as possible. Earlier this week, the council directed Magee to proceed with contacting several potential candidates for the position.
In a statement released to the media, Magee said she was honored to be elected by city voters to the position, which she takes seriously, but needs time away from the turmoil that has enveloped the city since the April election.
“Since April 1 I have had numerous threats made to me and my position, six members of the council are regularly attacking the work I do, we have had a council member resign, the city administrator resigned and a new city attorney who is related to two council members,” Magee said in her statement.
One of the council members, District 4 Alderman Greg Rose, is also facing a recall election.
Magee said she disagrees with the direction being taken by a majority of the council and urged residents to speak up, as well.
“If you do not agree with the path we are on, it is critical that you speak up and be heard publicly,” Magee said.
Magee said she could no longer at this point, carry, along with a few council members, the weight of 4,535 people on her shoulders. She said she first needs to get her mental health back to a good place.
Magee said finalizing next year’s budget will be a difficult task and likely will require some cuts.
“It is critical that stakeholders in the community be heard as to what they want the city to look like,” she said.
The council’s next scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. Oct. 14.
Magee asked that any agenda items added by the council members, attorney or anyone else regarding her be held in open session so that the taxpayers of Clintonville know what is being said about her.