Councilmember Serena Owen’s family members petitioned Elsmere City Council to grant her request for virtual meeting attendance at the city’s April 1 caucus meeting.
The council unanimously voted to remove her from her duties in March after voting no in January in response to Owen’s request for virtual meetings.
Serena Owen’s husband, Larry Owen, emphasized her public service and dedication to the local community, as well as her fear for her personal safety in the Elsmere Council Chamber.
Owen has been petitioning to attend council meetings remotely since September 2024 over what she has described as concerns about people in chambers carrying unloaded weapons.
Click here to read more about Owen’s absenteeism from council meetings
Owen’s mother, Renee Wilson, a member of the Erlanger City Council, said councilmembers Lisa Mitchell and Aaron Moore were allowed to attend meetings on Zoom in 2021 and 2022.
“Your council is refusing to accommodate Councilwoman Owen so she can safely attend meetings for medical reasons,” Wilson said. “You gave other council members accommodation. How is she willfully neglecting her duties if she’s been trying to service since September 2024?”
Councilmember Gloria Grubbs reminded the petitioners that the council has voted to permanently close the question of virtual attendance as it would be difficult to implement and technical issues could complicate council business. The past councilmembers had attended one or two meetings remotely while being out of town, she said.
Next steps include a public hearing, the date of which has not yet been determined.