Vice Mayor Bill Gavin publicly addressed rumors about Mayor Robert Smith’s health and extended absence from City Hall Tuesday, saying as far as he knows Smith’s health is improving and that he “doesn’t anticipate” Smith dropping out of the upcoming mayoral election.
Gavin was asked about the mayor’s health by a guest at the monthly meeting of the Lowndes County Republican Women, where he and several other candidates for municipal elections spoke about their platforms. Gavin is in his third work week handling mayoral duties for Smith after the mayor was treated Feb. 21 for an unspecified medical issue at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. He was sent home to recover, according to an official statement released after Smith’s hospitalization.
Multiple city officials have said Smith is under instructions from doctors to get some rest. However, Gavin on Tuesday did try to tamp down rumors the mayor had a stroke or heart attack.
“I can tell you I’ve talked to him. He is in good spirits,” Gavin said. “I’ve heard the same rumors that you all have heard, that he’s had a stroke, he’s had a heart attack, he’s incapacitated. I can tell you that’s false, as far as I know.
“His speech is not slurred, he’s very coherent, makes a lot of sense when you talk to him,” he later added. “I think he’s kind of like normal. I do not think he’s had a stroke. I don’t think he’s had a heart attack. I don’t know that because I’m not a physician, but he seems to be doing OK.”
Gavin did specify Smith will not return to work this week and said he hopes Smith will return on Monday.
Since Smith’s hospitalization, which he announced on the city’s Facebook page and in a press release on Feb. 22, rumors have spread throughout the community that he may drop out of the mayor’s race. Neither Smith nor city Public Information Officer Joe Dillon responded on the record to a request for comment on that issue by press time. However, Smith did release a statement mid-morning Wednesday addressing his general health.
“I continue to recover at home from health-related issues until further notice,” Smith said in the statement. “I am still under the care of my doctor. My family and I are most appreciative for the prayers and well wishes we have received during this time.”
Gavin said he has talked to Smith multiple times and encouraged him to release further information about his health.
“His personal health is his own business,” Gavin said. “I have related to him this past weekend that he needs to come forward and release a statement to the public to let you know how he’s doing.”
Gavin said he does not want to speak for Smith with regards to Smith’s continuing to run in the election, but said “I don’t anticipate” him dropping out.
In the event Smith did drop out, Gavin said the Democratic party would be allowed to choose another candidate to run on its ticket.
“I’ll leave that up to your speculation who that might be,” Gavin said.
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